Reviews

I also want to find a boyfriend who is a CEO like Lu Jin :')

I like the simple and warm storyline even though the age gap between the female lead and male lead is quite big, and i like how the writer makes Lu Jin (Lin Shen) a warm, clumsy CEO who really appreciates Gu Shengnan's hard work and sincerely loved Gu Shengnan's cooking. Thank you for not making Lu Jin the typical CEO character in dramas who is cold, possessive, or domineering.

The writer also created Gu Shengnan's (Zhao Lusi) character quite well. Thankfully, they didn't make Gu Shengnan a careless or clumsy girl, instead they made Shengnan a poor girl who had a bright personality, energetic, dared to stand up for herself, and had recognized cooking skills. Shengnan is quite a strong character even though she's much younger than Lu Jin. Of course, there are several scenes where the writer shows Gu Shengnan's childish nature to make it look more realistic and show how different the attitudes and thoughts of someone who is still in their early 20s and someone who has entered their late 30s are.

In terms of production, I'm quite satisfied. It's just that sometimes I think the second couple's love story doesn't need to be given a long broadcast slot, sometimes I just skip it haha.

When it comes to acting, I'm satisfied with Zhao Lusi and Lin Shen's acting. They were able to portray their respective characters and successfully convey to the audience that dating with a big age gap will feel a lot of difference because the mindset between those who are just adults and those who are already matures is definitely quite influential in everyday life.

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Bad acting. Bad casting.

I just couldn't push myself to watch more than 7 episodes.

Bad acting. Not believable. It looked like amateurs. The script didn't help to make it credible either.

I am not sure what to say positive. I was attracted to something different with the FL but I didn't like her constant low esteem. Plus her high-pitched childish voice was annoying. Both MLs were over-the-top acting. Most actors weren't credible either. I specifically abhor the maids who intrude all the time It is so ridiculous to think maids were allowed to speak up..

I jumped to the last episode as sometimes season 2 is better and if the epilogue is satisfactory, I generally put effort into watching the drama. But it was sad and even the happy ending was just bland.

Pity. I really wanted to like this drama. A pass for me.

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It’s a mature and melancholic love story so worth the watch!

I adored the calming vibes, soft music, the poetic dialogues, the wonderful aesthetics and most importantly, our heartwarming main couple; Jin Woo and Mo Eun are both flawed and have their own struggles, so empathizing with them requires zero effort. Although the pacing is quite slow, it's never boring as their relationship develops in a very natural way.

Of course, they have doubts and anxiety of not understanding each other, especially when they start seeing how different they are. Miscommunications in personal feelings, family matters... are unavoidable, but it never feels long-winded and frustrating. Watching them interact is just beautiful. Jin Woo conveys his emotions through impactful sign language and his thoughtfulness are shown through his care towards Mo Eun. Then, Mo Eun, even when she cannot exchange dialogues with Jin Woo due to her shortcomings in sign language, she makes efforts to comfort him. Their story gives me all the feels and that's all I could ask for. The drama overall left me feeling hopeful.

-Jan 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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I've been watched this for 5th times, I just finished the 6th times h h h h h

I've been watched this for 5th times already, I just finished the 6th times h h h h h
This drama was my "during pandemic drama." So it has a special place in my heart.
The story depicts the society we are in as of today. From the overly beauty standards that have been set and those judgements that will receive for those people who will not meet those standards. I enjoyed it! This was the first drama I saw Cha Eun Woo act and I must say that he did well. Im Soo Hyang, one of my favorite actresses, did so well portraying Kang Mi Rae, from cautios and insecure to confident and inlove lady. Interesting story plot and characters! Kudos!

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A must watch!

So, I read the webtoon first but I read half of it and then forgot about it. I only got to know about this drama on the day its first episode was going to air and needless to say, I was hooked!

This drama is a perfect mix of sweet, spice, and everything nice. I loved the main leads, they were so good and the ML especially was one of the green flags whom I love and adore. The FL was great too. It was a delight to watch her have her revenge.

I hated the stepmother, she was crazy and the actress did a great job portraying the evil stepmother. I didn't like the step-sister either and I am so glad that she ended the way she did and I can totally imagine how bad her future is going to be.

While the FL's family is trash, ML's family is the greenest garden with the exception of the stepbrother of-course. The mother-in-law is my favorite and I want to know what I have to do in life to have a mother-in-law like her.

Overall, this was a great watch. Such a good portrayal of marriage between the main leads and the beauty of familial bonds. I would definitely suggest that you watch this drama.

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Would be perfect...without the kids

OVERALL
Awesome human, superhero drama. Watch it, no ifs, because there's something for everyone to like!

THE STORY
I'm not a fan of superhero stories (God knows Hollywood has made enough for anyone to grow sick of them!), but I like stories that combine fantasy/sci-fi with the real world. That root the superheroes in reality. Moving is one of them. There's teenage angst, there're political conflicts; there's romance, there's tragedy. Yes, it's a story of people with superpowers, but it's also A LOT more than a story of people with superpowers.

The Best of this drama:
- The structure of the drama is pretty interesting. It gives away information little by little and keeps you wanting more
- The writing is *chef kiss* You can really tell writers thought it all well, from the episode titles (which are so meaningful!) to some of the lines.
- The long flashbacks, which reveal the backstory of the cast and connect all the mini-plots (there are few) together
- The overarching plot, which is about used people who rebel against the people using them
- The "parent" storylines (especially Bongseok's parents)
- Our teenage ML being overweight (I'm all for this representation!)
- The female characters are all so well written in this drama. Strong and with character, but each in their own way. That's great!

The Worst of the drama:
- Nothing, objectively, but subjectively speaking, I couldn't care less about the kids haha I would have loved a Moving focused entirely on the parents. Probably why I won't like S2 haha
- Also, if I want to be picky, I would say that gore needs a purpose. Sometimes it felt extra for no reason in this drama...

THE ACTING
Fab, fab, fab! It would be hard to pick a best actor in here. They were all SO amazing!

THE MUSIC
Pretty good!

REWATCH VALUE
Average, just because if I rewatch I'm definitely I'm skipping the teenage drama parts!

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I don't know

okay so honestly I really liked this story, but I'm not quite sure why, it defiantly had a lot of flaws but for some reason I wanted to keep watching, so here are my thoughts....

I get gun was infatuated with Bar but what was really crazy to me is EVERYONE was obsessed with Gun, don't get me wrong he's a cutie but nowhere near as high up there as everyone was making him out to be.

Gun was also a little to strong towards Bar, yes he waited years however, he was trying to make Bar like him but idk if its just me but I could tell in Bar's face that Gun kind of made him a little uncomfortable but Bar didn't want to say anything because he didn't want to upset Gun.

Then the whole confessing his love for Gun on the stage gave me secondhand embarrassment, I mean you lost, say a few words and then talk to Bar in private, I would've been mortified.

Gun was extremely possessive like to the point if that was real life Bar's friends would've been put off by it. Also when Dan came all the way to see Bar and invite him out, Gun was like "im not letting him go" like Bar hasn't seen his friend in forever, let him go out with his friends and the night before Bar suggested moving in together so jut move in and then you'll be able to see him. If someone was like that in real like I would've been like no thank you.

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A balanced mix of pleasant feel-good with sad life challenges and social grievances

"Castaway Diva" tells the story of a musically talented young girl with a very deep passion for a particular South Korean singer and her nationally acclaimed songs. “Castaway Diva” also tells the story of a lifelong childhood friendship.

The plot summary implies a survival challenge with the promising scenario 'lonely girl for 15 years on a desert island'. Survival challenge may be the topic, but as far as the protagonist´s years alone on the island is concerned, the KDrama spends only a comparably short time on that aspect. It is rather about the (lifelong) challenge of ´some´ to survive their family burden...

'15 years on a lonely island' (however - don´t be mistaken - not in the South Seas or anything like that...) is a nice, original hook that once again introduces us to an attractive side of South Korea (in you like, there is a see side note below). Those years on the island basically form the cleverly knitted background for a firm, characteristically differing profile of a young woman who is intelligent, but comparatively not as consistently socialized in South Korean society and its strong traditions as the rest of the population. Due to her youth, which was for 15 years free of parental upbringing, school instruction and social comparison, yet inevitably well-grounded in everyday survival in the great outdoors, the protagonist brings refreshing clarity, simplicity and directness back to the modern lives of those around her in South Korea 2023. With her almost at the same time naïve and outrageous freedom in thinking and acting, the FL conveys independence and self-reliance in the midst of a society dominated by class, hierarchies and patriarchal family structures. In the midst of modern South Korean society, she hasn´t lost her authentic, creative spirit along the tiring path of competitive education while growing up. She is not, like so many others, gagged by acquired decency, and certainly not disillusioned or frustrated. She impulsively acts on instinct and follows her heart. This has worked for her so far, e.g. surviving her time on the island (and largely overcoming her childhood experiences, too.)

Within this framework, the KDrama is embedding the issue of domestic violence. In fact, this unfortunately still quite widespread, extremely sad problem is dramaturgically tackled in a resolute, rather offensive manner. This topic in its frighteningly powerful might is actually the source of the story´s suspension that runs through all 16 episodes in a tirelessly consistent, incredibly sticky manner…

And the music... yes, the music... This always becomes a balm for the soul. Even if competition in the music business might interfere here and there, music as such inevitably brings heart and soul together. The music brings light into the darkness. For the story overall it becomes the source of life force and healing, too. (Regardless, whether I personally dearly like the songs or not.)

So actually, “Castaway Diva” has quite something to offer. A KDrama that (for a change) isn´t set within the world of the fashionable upper class, and doesn't target the usual RomCom style (however, doesn´t dare to do without it either... well.). Instead, “Castaway Diva” is facing common life with its socially problematic issues in a fairly grounded way and in the process tells a likeable, bright story.

In would recommend "Castaway Diva", if you do not want it to be that intense, yet nonetheless some (easy to digest) profoundness is desired, too. Despite the commotion, with this KDrama an overall positive radiation prevails, i.e. thanks to the consistently positive charisma and straightforward demeanor of Park Eun-bin (- as well as Lee Re as young FL.)

I consider the heartfelt development dynamic of the relationship between the two women - the fan and her star – to be quite felicitous. As is the affectionate patch work family vibe. And always inspiring, the cheerfully thrown in bits and pieces of wisdom that life in nature (as opposed to school education) has taught the FL...

Overall, a balanced mix of pleasant feel-good with sad life challenges and social grievances.










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SIDE NOTE:
--- Stranded on one of the 1,000 islands in the southwest of South Korea (and NOT somewhere in the South Seas...) ---

In the Yellow Sea in the southwest of the South Korean peninsula, there are well over 1,000 islands of different sizes. Many of them are downright mini and not even inhabited. It might happen that no one sets foot on one of them for decades.

In recent years, between some of the larger inhabited islands bridges have increasingly been built. Yet, many of them can still only be reached by water. On the islands you can find an ecosystem with virgin forests, wetlands and mudflats that has remained largely untouched by modern human life to this day. Accordingly, this region of 1,000 islands, which extends to over 3,000 km², is now listed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

Life between ebb and flow is determined by agriculture and fishing. Thus life is simple, slow, and for some people rather boring. Accordingly, the young are leaving... and the region is overaging.

However, the gifts of nature offer pure abundance. Fishing is often done with bare hands. Mussels and crabs can be collected from the mudflats. Mung beans, soybeans, sweet potatoes, rice, chili and sesame grow abundantly. There are also a variety of findings you can collect on the beaches. You might literally stumble upon small and large treasures. For several centuries, trade with the West took the route through the Yellow Sea. After heavy thunderstorms, many ships have capsized over time up to this day. This is why the maritime region has now been officially listed as a historical site. Deep sea diving for treasures from the Song and Won dynasties of the Chinese Empire, which have been well preserved in shipwrecks in the salty mudflats, has therefore become quite popular. (The FL in "Castaway Diva", however, is more interested in the very mundane, modern flotsam that keep washing up on shore after thunderstorms...)

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Enjoyable ride

All in all this is a perfectly fine drama. Well thought out plot that is mostly well executed with characters you can root for and villians you can hate. Beautifully shot and styled with stunning cast. A story about a woman who is given a second chance to go back and change her life a year before her death so she chooses to make those responsible pay and finds a man that is willing to help her do just that.

I have nothing bad to say about this drama. I enjoyed watching it and was fairly happy with the progression and conclusion of the story. I liked the main characters and felt like for many of them their motives were understandable and rooted in a believable way. Greed is one of humans most toxic traits and it will make some people do anything. Yi Joo's personality was also believable with her trauma clouding some of her actions in a way that makes sense and isn't as frustrating as I have seen done in other dramas.

My one complaint would only be that my curiosity about the ending for the villains was not completely fulfilled but they did at least give you a shadow of an answer. This is a fine drama. Not mind blowing or one of a kind but an enjoyable way to pass the time.

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Sometimes gripping, Sometimes not

OVERALL
If you're looking for some adventure, even if it's rough around the edges, and a bit of romance, but fun and worthwhile romance, watch. If you're looking for a deep and well-written plot, or convincing CGI, or both, skip.

THE STORY
I started watching this drama when I had nothing else of interest to watch. I binged a couple of episodes when it got good, skipped parts in other episodes when it got boring. Before I knew it, it was over. My verdict is, it served its purpose. It's a good filler, but nothing more.

On the good side:
- There are enough twists to surprise you in the adventure plot, and you start out with enough mysteries to unfold to hook you
- The romance is surprisingly fun, with some comedy and some melodrama towards the end (but good drama, you know, the kind you want to happen to spice up a love story)
- FL is how I like them (strong, smart, but kind), ML is also how I like them (a bit aloof but nice)
- Most secondary characters are endearing and you won't feel the need to skip their parts
- The setting is fresh and interesting (no more Shanghai, yay! I LOVE that most of it happens in the desert)

On the bad side:
- Special effects are horrid in this drama, like REALLY bad
- You can get lost and confused in the fantasy elements and the way the plot is nonlinear (ie. the characters have a goal, but they keep going on side quests or tangents or wtv). It also makes the drama feel draggy at times.
That's it! haha But careful, the bad weighs nearly as much as the good (maybe even a bit more)!

THE ACTING
Good stuff! There are a couple of emotional scenes and the actors delivered!

THE MUSIC
Quite okay!

REWATCH VALUE
Uff...not high haha I might rewatch the romance parts. I liked those! The rest was a bit too much of a wild ride. I think experiencing it once is enough! :)

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A sweet

In this drama , I fell in love with Park Eun Bin. I know a lot of you did in her previous drama as a lawyer, but I didn't watch it so it's not my case. Her acting here is so sweet that you get attached to her from beginning to end.
The story is really interesting, every main characters has their secrets and their skeletons in their family closet and it's really interesting to watch them grow with it.

Mokha is so attaching, I love her loyalty. She stays true to her own values (she doesn't let people take advantage of her) and she's mature. She shows that you can achieve your goals without stepping on others. I love how she's not fake, simply good. She's not the traditional "innocent" female lead we meet in dramas: the one who's life is terrible but she's such a saint that you wonder why it happens to her. No she's someone like us, you can relate to her. But she's what everyone will call a realistically "GOOD" person.

Park Eun Bin has an amazing voice and her singing was a blessing to my ears, my phone and my laptops. The drama reminds me of Imitation because of the theme, but Mokha is more attaching than Maha.

I came across the videos of PEB singing "Someday" on Instagram and her voice was so pure that I decided to watch the whole drama.

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