I have many feelings about this drama. I liked the synopsis and already imagined a lot of things while waiting for this to air. After so many expectations this was truly a big let down. I thought the story would be much darker and deeper than it actually was, something like All In, Sandglass, Cain ans Abel etc. There were so many possibilities with this storyline, so many legendary ingredients. Needless to say I am disappointed.

Character development was minimal and it felt like nobody had any depth to them. There were some people who did things. These people were not very connected either. There were no stories of friendship and there was no emphasis on family relations. All important things just passed as if they never happened and the whole story was kind of bleh. There was no drama either, some viewers might appreciate that, but the synopsis kind of promises drama and action, which is never delivered. The whole story feels distant with flat and one dimensional characters. And then there is Yoon Shi Yoon's cringeworthy overacting...

This drama is only okay at its best. It's boring. Though, for the firat time I wished a drama had at least one more episode. I feel like things were wrapped up too quickly and there were many loose ends. The clicheed 2 years later ending would have been nice.

Read More

This drama is lighthearted, clichéd and pretty basic, but it is entertaining enough to enjoy. This is nothing special, but if you have watched many serious types of dramas lately and want something light and romantic this is exactly the type of show that will satisfy your craving. The acting is just okay, nothing outstanding but nothing too bad either. The character development is almost nonexistent, and there is no much depth to the story, you get what you see. The chemistry between the main couple is good, even though their relationship can get petty at times.

Overall this drama was enjoyable. The comedy was good and the storyline interesting enough. There was a lot of emphasis on romance so if you are into that this is a show for you.

Read More

This drama starts out funny but… it’s not really a funny drama, it’s a heartwreck. These were the times, the beginning of 2000 was a golden era of sad dramas and this one was one of the best. If you are a Rain fan then you must definitely watch as this is easily one of his best dramas (way better than a Love to Kill and Full House). If you are not a great fan of Rain then watch it if the story line seems interesting and if you can handle old dramas looking old-fashioned. The main cast is outstanding and acting is great too, characters are lovable and they do grow as the show goes on. Chemistry between the main couple is good.

I do disagree with the ending though. It really did not have to be like that. I have to say I was really dumbstruck by it. It did seem kind of forced.

Screenwriter Lee Kyung Hee is easily my favorite screenwriter. Her shows are usually mellow and meaningful, they have this special atmosphere.

Read More

Family dramas are not my cup of tea, but strangely enough I really enjoyed this drama. As you watch it episode by episode you will realize that it’s full of different themes. I won’t discuss them all in this review, but I must admit that I was really surprised by how they were handled. There was unwanted pregnancy, several parents-children conflicts, money vs happiness, soul searching, coming to age stories ja so much more. Many of these were handed in unconventional ways, it was like a fresh breeze. Some topics like abortion and parents-children relationships were handled like usual, with typical plot according to Korean norms. But there were many refreshing plot twists, like Jin An’s and Chou Do Kyung’s choice of paths in their lives. The most important message of this drama was, I think, that no matter what you do in life what matters the most is happiness.

When it comes to Korean audience, family dramas are on older generation’s watch list. I am sure they get to learn a lot from this drama, that is if they are willing. Money and fame is not everything in life and don’t guarantee happiness. If you force your children to live their lives according to your own wishes they will be unhappy and so will you.

All character were pretty realistic and human, even though they could have been portrayed on a deeper level. The character development was slow and a bit stagnant. There were many boring moments too. But I still like this drama, I think it was very refreshing. A bit of a cliché but not so much. Though, I must admit that the chemistry between most of the couples was kind of nonexistent and the only couple I actually rooted for never happened… But anyway, this was not a romance drama and love was just a side plot.

This is an excellent "background drama" to watch while you are doing house chores etc.

Read More

To begin with, it's hard to categorize this drama. It's definitely not romance but it borders with psychological and thriller. The first episodes give a totally different vibe from what you will get later. The show begins on a lighter note but quickly turns dark and disturbing.

The plot is pretty unique but feels too stretched, 16 episodes would have been way better. There are a few interesting plot twists, but it's just not enough to make this show outstanding on any level. If you are looking for something new and refreshing this drama is a good pick, but it's not that entertaining. The acting is only okay and the characters stay distant, most of the characters are not introduced that well. Overall it's a mediocre show. At first, it's even hooking because you want to find out what the heck is going on, but later that element gets dull because it's stretched for too long. The ending seems a bit rushed, they are building the atmosphere almost for the whole episode and everything happens during the last 10 mins.

Read More

Possible spoilers ahead

The drama was entertaining, especially the first half with such exciting episodes that kept me on the edge. As usual, at some point in the middle, there were boring moments, but I didn't lose my interest even once. There are a lot of things to be disappointed about but also a lot of amazing things as well.

The first thing that made me wonder was how they talked modern Korean and how the songs were all very "modern" as well, it didn't really suit the atmosphere. It was also strange ,how instead of trying to find a way back, Soo concentrated on changing the history. It would have made more sense for her to try to go back, then accept the fact that she won't be able to escape, and only after try to change the history. In fact, the whole concept of changing the history is an overused cliche...

The character development was rather poor. Either there were too many characters or then not enough time. Some of the side characters weren't even introduced too well, yet they were supposed be important. Because of the poor editing, the changes in main characters' personalities were rather sudden and strange. I like how all princes who got on the throne became crazy because they were too weak. Not everyone can be a king. Later in the drama, Soo lost all her spunk, and I understand the palace life did that to her, it killed her inside, but towards the end she became a really boring character. It also seems that, at some point, the whole acting cast was becoming very tired due to the hectic schedule and their acting got worse. The only one who shined through was Lee Jun Ki. Overall, I became attached to all characters and am willing to forgive a lot. Despite the flaws, all characters were really lovable and memorable.

The storyline concentrates a lot on the characters instead of other plot devices, there is not really much of "other plot" like politics and scheming. That's why I am a bit disappointed that the characters come out so incomplete. Also, how come Baek Ah and So were the only ones who didn't seem to get older? And was it really that hard to have at least one successful love story in a drama with so many characters?

The last episode wrapped up the story pretty nicely. Throughout the story the bad people, who seemed to be getting away with everything they did, got what they deserved, they might not have understood their punishment, but at least it left the audience satisfied. The last episode is such a tear jerker, you realize that it's really is the end. I wish the whole drama was as good as the last episode.

Though, "the real world"- part was sort of lame. Instead of remembering the old times, it would have been more interesting if Soo took a look at what happened after she had left and instead of being sorry, it would have been more satisfying if she could leave this all behind with a peaceful heart and finally move on in life. So the audience could, as well, have a peace of heart. Regarding to whom Soo met later in real life and whom she didn't, it made sense if you go back to the first episode. Whom did she meet there and why?

Read More

This is a really outstanding drama. Down to earth, very realistic, warm and comforting. Some of the biggest problems and taboos of contemporary Korean society are discussed in a sensitive manner but in a gentle way with a hint of humor. The balance between comedy and drama is good. The flow is good but some of the episodes feel stretched and I think that this drama would have been perfect if it had less episodes. Also, the last plot twist between Ha Na and Jin Suk was too forced and obvious, and didn't go too well with the otherwise innovative and original plot.

The characters are consistent. I like how they are classified into certain types with certain typical character traits. The acting is really superb but the only one who disappointed me was Jung Chae Yeon. I understand her character was special but her acting was way too stiff.

I know that I will miss the characters of this drama the most. The show was not turbulent or dramatic and I will miss that calm atmosphere a lot. It was still interesting enough to watch episode by episode and I didn't really feel bored while watching.

Read More

This is one of those dramas that never got much recognition but is wickedly good once you into it. I remember I didn't even plan to watch it but got hooked after checking the first episode. Actually, it's not that special anymore but back in the days, such strong female characters and "weak" male characters weren't that popular.

The drama is generic yet fresh and different. There are slow and boring moments but mostly the show keeps a nice pace and has good dynamics, the balance between comedy and seriousness is really good. The acting, well... at first it seemed like the worst acting ever but the characters grew on me quite a lot and after finishing the drama I missed it right away. Some of the characters were ridiculous to the point it was actually hilarious and I guess, it's better not to take this drama too seriously. There is a certain brilliance to this whole drama if you ca get past the fact that it's completely ridiculous. All in all, the plot and everything in it was pretty realistic too.

Ah, and the chemistry! The chemistry! The chemistry between miss Kim and Moo Yeol is great, actually near the perfection. When they are together they are whole and when they are apart something is missing. Though, from the very beginning, they were a bit too comfortable with each other considering they had just met. And I'm surprised there is not contract dating and such, I was sure there will be one but actually, the dating thing wasn't important at all.

Read More

This is a truly refreshing drama and it is different from most dramas. Lately, there has been this new wave in Korean drama industry and the dramas are starting to slowly evolve onto a new level, dealing with much deeper and harder issues, that were taboo in the old dramas. It's even hard to say what is the main theme of this drama, it's rather a mix of everything: comedy, melodrama, romance, some action and a bit of revenge. Along with love problems the drama also deals with past traumas, shows what parents go through because of their children and other stuff that deal with different aspects of life. This is a realistic show that has an ability to tug at your heartstrings.

The story is simple but engaging, at least until the episode 10 or so when it becomes draggy. The 2-episode extension didn't bring anything new to the drama but only stretched it and added to the boring aspects. The director does a great job pinpointing every character's pain and happiness, there is a lot of beautiful scenery and cinematography is superb. But unfortunately, the movie-like aspects soon become boring and slow down the drama a lot. It this was a 10 episode drama it would have deserved 10 points in all aspects but there are too many repetitive scenes and a lot of crying in almost every episode. The first half was amazing and kept me totally hooked, it was hard to wait for the next episodes.

The acting is very good, every part is played well and all characters have their own place.

The ending was a bit disappointing because, even though all characters got their closure, I feel like the two main side characters were pushed aside. They didn't have much screen time during the drama obviously because they were "a thing of the past", but they still played a big role in the main characters' life and would have deserved more. Especially Tae Jin who had truly loved Hae Jin and whom she had loved too, but she often acted like it meant nothing to her. It would have been nice if pretty Hae Young had more to her as well, not through Do Kyung but genuinely to herself. Also, that "revenge" part felt really forced.

All in all, this is a good drama with a very high rewatch value but it's a bit bland and not very memorable. It stands out a but not in a way that you'd remember it forever as one of the most amazing shows. Rather, this is a calm and slow ride, filled with pastel colors and lots of emotions. Slice of life.

Read More

There are spoilers in this review.

Beautifully filmed and well written.

I was really surprised after watching this movie because I didn't expect much. I thought I would just skim through it and be like meh but ended up watching the whole thing and even liking it!

First of all, acting is pretty good, these people know what they are doing. All characters are well written, lovable and hateful in their own ways. But I am a little bit disappointed with the screenwriting in general. I didn't expect this movie to be so black and white about the moral codes.

One of the messages is that love is timeless. I like that message the most. An old man wishing he was young again so he could love freely. It's pretty sad if you ask me, that just because he is old it's wrong to have those beautiful feelings. So he pours those feelings into a beautiful poem which, unfortunately, gets stolen by his student. It's as if his feelings got stolen and sold, disgraced. And as if that wasn't enough the student also steals the purity of EunGyo. He pretty much tramples Juk Yo's heart, smashes it into a miserable paddle. I don't know, what he does is like peeing on his teacher's face after receiving all the teaching and then stealing the rest what he could. He gets totally swallowed by greed. No wonder Juk Yo retaliates in the end, I'm not sure if he really hoped for such a thing happen in the end or if he just wanted to scare Ji Woo a bit. I don't know, but I kind of feel for him. I mean he got old, lost his glory (to Ji Woo), lost everything and then he realized that he wasn't even allowed to love because that would be simply wrong. If I was him I would wonder about it too. I mean, it's love. And well, Juk Yo wasn't even asking for much, he just enjoyed her presence and the innocence. He was probably reminded of his own youth and all that...

I actually enjoyed Ji Woo's and EunGyo's interactions. I liked it how Ji Woo was annoyed by how easily EunGyo managed get on Juk Yo's good side. He constantly listened to her and allowed he to do whatever she wanted while being extremely strict with Ji Woo. As I watched Ji Woo and Eun Gyo together I was waiting for some kind of atonement for JI Woo's character. That maybe her innocence would touch his heart too and make him view things in different light. But instead, she only turned these two men against each other. Love can be ugly too. It was clear why Ji Woo couldn't write as beautifully as Juk Yo, because his spirit was confined within the society's norms and he wasn't able to break free. Too many superficial things mattered to him while Juk Yo, well he was just a poet who loved writing, that's all.

In a way, I think Ji Woo was a really sad character too, completely trapped. He struggled to get free but he was too petty and close-minded, ambitious without the talent. Juk Yo was trapped too but, at least, he had an open mind. I don't think Ji Woo cared about EunGyo on the emotional level, he might have been lonely, he definitely was and probably smitten by the poem too. He tried to live it but... how can you live the beauty of timeless love without feeling it? Maybe Juk Yo knew it, that what he write could never be lived because once the purity is lost it's lost forever.

Read More

Terrible, terrible, terrible!

The beginning of the movie was really promising but after 30 minutes the whole plot fell apart. This movie was supposed to be about insecure Dong Joo who was clearly afraid of performing but wanted to do it anyway, to appeal to her senior. But suddenly all these side characters jumped in and the movie went in detail with their lives without really explaining anything well enough. And the weirdest thing was that our other main character Shin Heung was totally neglected, it's as if he had been put in there for comedic relief only. And what comes to Dong Joo, her problems were never explored any deeper and her character remained superficial. She was hateful to begin with: a selfish, stupid, and arrogant leech who lived off of her mother's money. Not to mention that Park Ha Sun acted badly like a plastic unnatural mannequin. She was mostly really annoying to watch.

The comedy was pretty bland or then I just don't get Korean humor due to cultural differences. Most of the funny parts were super awkward and made me cringe in disgust. The romance was non-existent, there was no base for the two characters to fall in love, they had nothing in common and never got enough screen time together. All in all, this movie made hardly any sense and it was extremely predictable.

Not recommended.

Read More

A well executed drama about the underworld, revenge and fighting your way from rock bottom to the very top. More than a regular drama this rather feels like an extended gangster movie with its sleek appearance and somewhat mellow atmosphere. The raw violence and ruthless reality are well portrayed but, at the same time, some moments are very tender. You definitely get the movie vibes, also thanks to scarce (or then just super well placed) product placements. This is not your typical idol drama and you can definitely feel the maturity in it.

The acting was good and bad. As usual, the female cast was extremely weak and their characters lacking. I liked Mi Joo's story but Na Ra was really boring. She didn't have enough screen time either. From male cast, my favorite was Park Won Sang as Jong Goo, definitely my favorite character, he came alive on the screen and his story was the most interesting. Lee Bum Soo was great too but his character Heung Sam could have been more neurotic and special. He was kind of too ordinary. What comes to the main character Tae Ho, Joon Kye Sang was okay but Tae Ho was not that well written as a character. At first, he definitely was the main charter but later became dimmed by Heung Sam and Joon Go to the point I kind of stopped caring about him. He was too vague and at some point I wondered if he was working on a plan or if he was just turning bad and thinking about betraying everyone. I wish he was explained better in the story. He definitely changed and grew as a person, I enjoyed watching all the stages he went through but I really wish his character had been stronger.

Another one who really impressed me was Kim Hyung Kyu, he truly was a ruthless killing machine yet somewhere under all that cold surface he actually had a soul. I loved to watch him slightly change thanks to Tae Ho's influence. Somehow his character was really fascinating and also really well acted, I applause. Lee Chul Min made a good gangster too, he always looked like he had something on his mind and really stood out from all the rest. In the end, it seemed like he had learned something after all. I enjoyed watching his facial expressions.

I feel a bit conflicted about this drama. It was well executed and the plot was really polished. There was almost no repetition and everything was perfectly planned to the smallest detail. There were many interesting fighting scenes, the cinematography was good and the flashbacks were mostly different, they were like sneak peaks to the past displayed here and there to intrigue the viewer's interest. I was really amazed that for once they didn't display those same damn flashbacks again and again and again. The story was interesting even if there were slow moments, there wasn't much romance but I didn't miss it. Truthfully speaking, the chemistry was close to zero and I was glad there was more of plotting/gangster stuff. I guess, Last would have been a lot better if it was shorter and more compact, anyhow, it still became one of my favorite dramas.

I wish Tae Ho had been a better written character, I wish there had been more comradeship between him and his group of friends. I wish there had been some episodes about them bonding and I wish he had spent more time with them. I was left missing the friendship part, that part that I usually love about these kind of dramas. I also thing that Heung Sam trusted Tae Ho way too soon and too easy, but perhaps he was just too blinded by greed. After all, others warned him but he ignored.

But okay, this drama was a bit of distant, mellow, and somehow just really hard to approach. It's entertaining if you happen to love gangster stuff, plotting and scheming. And definitely this drama has a soul, it's very deep. There were no simply bad or good characters everyone had a reason to be what they were and that's what I really liked about Last. It makes you wonder about many things on a philosophical level. In fact, I guess the whole plot was not about Tae Ho but he was sort of thrown into a bigger picture and he was the driving force between the other characters like Heung Sam, Jong Goo and Mi Joo, their story was bittersweet and beautiful + it had that feel of the old dramas from 90's and early 2000, that bittersweet atmosphere which actually has the power to pull at your heartstrings. The title Last makes sense and I think it fits this drama PERFECTLY. Because when everyone else had numbers Tae Ho didn't. Why? He was the last one.

And the thing I liked the most about this show was that it didn't try to moralize or show what is right or what is wrong. Both Heung Sam and Te Ho only wanted to have their revenge but the point of the show was not to show that revenge is a bad thing, it only showed us how greed can destroy people. Who was once a good person could turn into a monster because of greed and one who was greedy in the beginning could turn into a human after abandoning that greed. Revenge, well that's all about the goal I guess. If greed is the driving force it could swallow and destroy you, if the goal is to save something precious then revenge could be the only thing that's worth to fight for.

Read More

Overall, this show is pretty mediocre and kind of cute. It is lighthearted and funny but also deals with complicated issues in a sensitive manner. The plot is simple and the pace slow but not too slow, with a few flashbacks here and there it is not repetitive, rather a bit dull. Like the drama laws go, the first half of the show has a faster pace and more comedy but, as it often happens, the pace slows and slows. Episodes 11-16 feel like they could have been compressed into just a few episodes and that way the show could have been way more enjoyable. The past memories are revealed in a nice way, one at a time throughout the show, so there is always something to look forward to. In the end, all questions are answered and no loose ends are left.

The acting is okay. Ha No Ra seems annoying at first, but you get used to her really fast as the story moves on. Hyeon Seok seems really arrogant at first, he pulls and pushes No Ra the way he wants and that made me cringe a bit. I'm not a hardened feminist and don't usually pay much attention to these kind of things in Kdramas but Hyeon Seok... Yeah. In my opinion, the chemistry between the main characters is better in the first half of the show, then it dulls a bit.

The side characters remain vague throughout the show which is a big minus. But an interesting thing is that "the bad guys" are portrayed very human, they are just people who made selfish mistakes in the past. They realize what they have done, regret and are given a second chance.

This show could have been way better with just a few little changes in the plot. All in all, it's a pretty usual Kdrama with the usual Kdrama things in it, some things are not highlighted that much (such as love rivals) and that's a relief, it makes the show more realistic. That's a real good thing about this show, it's pretty realistic.

Read More

Overall The Producers was a fun drama to watch but halfway, even though it was only 12 episodes, it got a bit boring and draggy. The love story was bland and predictable, there was a twist but at some point it got really obvious what was going to happen. The couples didn't have much chemistry and there was hardly any romantic buildup, there was but it all went down the drains. I didn't really ship anyone in this show and I wish the love story wasn't so dominant.

I loved it how this show started by introducing the world of producers. It was a great idea that Seung Chan was a rookie and that he learned about all the rules and customs through hilarious mistakes and misunderstandings. I liked the reality tv- vibe and the interview type of narrator, it was really fun and made me feel like I really got into the heads of the characters. But in later episodes this style slowly fades away and the episodes are filmed more or less the usual way. The drama loses some of it's edge. Overall it's great to see how almost everything in this show was meant to criticize the Korean corporate world, how ridiculous unspoken rules and hierarchy can get. I believe South Korea needs more dramas like this with more poignant criticism.

I must say that Baek Seung Chan is one of the best drama characters ever. I loved how his naivety clashed with the hardened shamelessness of the "adult" world. Often his honesty was taken the wrong way and even his good intentions were misunderstood. His character was brilliant. The other main characters were great too, it took a while for Cindy to grow on me and I think that IU's acting needs more practice, compared to the other cast she lacked. The side characters were hilarious and I wish they had more screen time instead of the love triangle that made me yawn.

All in all this drama is a fun watch, refreshing and hilarious but also serious once in a while. It's loaded with criticism and puns.

Read More

This drama was cute and interesting, it definitely had a reality tv-vibe to it. It was fun to watch how different couples from different backgrounds, age groups and even with different sexual preferences lived together in one building. It was fun to follow their daily lives, learn about their problems and see the development. I liked how this show pointed out some of the major issues within Korean society with healthy criticism. A lot of old popular songs were incorporated for the sake of the fun, if you know those songs and their meaning to Koreans you will get more out of the show.

The acting was great and, in my opinion, The Lover is one of the best acted drama out there. My biggest problem with the show was how a lot of scenes were stretched to the point they lost all the fun and made me feel like "okay, I get it. Just move on already". And some couples were given waaay more screen time than the others. There were definitely the main couples and the side character couples, which took a bit away from the show. I would have liked it if all couples had the equal standing.

The Lover has a high re-watch value because it's honestly fun and heartwarming. There are only 12 episodes and that¨s great, the show doesn't get any time to get draggy.

Read More