The Magicians of Love (2006)

Like the previous reviewer said, this drama isn't great but it isn't horrible either. If you check your brain (and your patience at times) at the door, you might actually enjoy it.

I tried to describe it to my friend like this: Imagine F4 as F3 (since there's only 3 guys, not 4), but instead of uber-rich, entitled high school students, they're hairdressers. There's the player/playboy guy; the quiet & reserved one with a mob boss godfather (two-for-one deal there); and the outwardly cold but warm-hearted chaebol type guy. Fortunately, that's where the similarities end.

If I have any real complaint about the drama, it's that it was really too long. Some stuff was dragged out way too long and by the time the leads finally got together, I was ready to pull the hair out of the ex-girlfriend's head. She seriously got on my nerves. And the last sub-plot involving Richie seemed too contrived. I could've lived without it. Also, once the OTP got together, there was way too little cute and mushy moments with them. Would've loved to have had more; instead we got another sub-plot involving a rival salon. It was like once the OTP was together, there was no more focus on their relationship as a couple; all the focus went to hair salon rivalry. And that sucked.

One other major issue I have with the drama is the plagiarism plot. Plagiarism is wrong, period. I did not agree with the way the drama portrayed the characters protecting the one who plagiarized, just so she wouldn't lose her reputation, even though that meant the victim of plagiarism had to take the rap. I know the drama tried to make it right in the end, but in my opinion it was too little, too late, with no real consequences.

That being said, the acting was fairly good most of the time. The more emotional scenes were quite well done, especially one scene with Richie. He seriously made me cry. I liked most of the cast, with only a couple of exceptions, which actually may have had more to do with not liking the characters more than not liking their acting.

Don't expect too much plot. Some of the issues facing the hair salon and its workers are treated with life-and-death seriousness, and the drama is sometimes ridiculously over-done. It's not that I don't like over-the-top stuff - 2 of my favorite dramas are Mei-chan no Shitsuji and Hana Kimi. I have YET to find a drama that can top those two for over-the-top excellence. There are moments when the comedy shines, but plenty of other moments when the comedic characters get on my nerves (I'm looking at you, Moli!)

However, by episode 5 I found myself very invested in the love story. I found the relationships between Xiao Bei and Richie, and between Xiao Bei and Da Si convincing, and their relationships were really what kept me watching all the way to the end.

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Ok! So I gave this an overall score of a 6 b/c it was not amazing but it was not horrible either. I really liked the story and the cast was ok. For some reason the acting caught me as authentic and at other times like they were reading from que cards. The acting at times was very stilted and the chemistry between characters was off a little. I could not stand some of the music that was played. Like y play music that obviously means something bad is going to happen when what is happening is really not that bad? The music just did not feel right in some scenes.



I prolly will not watch this again unless I am in the mood to watch something about hair, but I do not think it was a waste either. I enjoyed it but think it could have been better at times. If others watch it I think they will enjoy it, but it prolly will not be something that sticks in ur head or jumps out as a fave.

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