This is just one of those shows that make you feel good while you watch it. Cotton candy fluff at its finest. Watch this when you want to smile non-stop and watch the cutest couple fall in love. :)
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Updated Review 2022:I finished my first rewatch of Shopping King Louis this past weekend, and I'm so happy I decided to watch it again. First of all, I loved it my first watch through. The story and the characters were effortlessly charming, and the story was great fun to watch. It was a feel-good drama from beginning to end. Upon rewatching, however, I've realized that this drama is so much better than I remembered it being, and now I love it even more. Truthfully, I'm surprised at how incredibly well-crafted this drama is and how well it still holds up. Kdramas from its time tended to have problems with plot consistency, particularly towards the end, but this drama kept itself in check the entire time. There's not a single dropped or unsatisfactorily wrapped up plot point to be found here. And the story itself isn't just fluffy entertainment (although it is certainly entertaining in a delightfully fluffy way). Shopping King Louis has some real meat on its bones, something I don't think I particularly appreciated the first time I watched it.
For example, the writers never rely (not even once) on drawn out conflict or misunderstandings (like most dramas of its time) to keep the plot moving and the audience interested/watching. When issues are introduced, they are summarily addressed in an appropriate manner at an appropriate time. There are no nonsensical misunderstandings or randomly added conflicts that serve to do nothing more than frustrate the viewer. Everything is there for a purpose, and everything ties together in realistic and valuable ways. What's better, the drama has a consistent habit of bringing back small moments from early in the drama to give them greater meaning in the overall story. Nothing is superfluous or wasted.
And the one part of the story that would have been the easiest to mishandle, the leads separation after learning what happened to the Bok Shil's brother and how that connects Bok Shil and Louis to each other, is done to superb affect. I initially went into the break-up and separation kicking and screaming, because like most drama lovers who've been watching dramas for a long time, we've been down this road many times before and have the trauma to prove it. But they utilized the cliche/trope So. Well. in Shopping King that I had to change my mind. I do wish Bok Shil and Louis could have come to the conclusion on their own that they wanted to stay together, because they ultimately love each other and there's clearly no anger or hurt towards each other over what happened so what are they separating for anyway, but I have to give the drama the credit it is so obviously due and admit that the break-up/separation was used really well and furthered the story in a meaningful way.
In closing, this is a total comfort drama, perfect for when you when you want a story that will make you feel good. I absolutely stand by everything I said in my original MDL review and then some, so I'll just add it here:
The romance is bubblegum sweet, the story is gentle and heartwarming, the twists smart and unexpected. The characters make you smile and laugh and cry and smile some more. It's basically like one big, exhilarating, endorphin releasing shopping trip, but without any regret. Everything you bought is exactly what you wanted for exactly the right price. This is going in my list of favorite drama's, Pronto!
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There is a lot I want to say but any review won't do justice to this drama.
It touched my heart in certain ways... might be cause I can relate to some little things in the story.
Do not let "cliches" confuse you.Overall, this drama is just...so heart-warming and meaningful.^^
Seo In Guk pulled it off really cool.Then again, has there been something he couldn't pull off ? -.^
Have no worries about the female lead, they do match! It's so touching to watch them together. And Yoon Sang Hyun, this ajushi never fails :)
It has a lot of bgm so it may disturb some.Since I'm a musicophilic, it was just fine for me.
If I had to choose just one word to describe this drama, it would be. "YEPPUDA"
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I can say, a good drama does not always have to be bloody and intense or too much actions and betrayals or whatever. This is the best drama in its genre. I really hope to watch more of this kind.
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STORY:
Ok so the story was nothing new. We've all seen these troupes before in many different shows, however I did still enjoy every moment of it. I think this show isn't something to watch if you need something a little more serious with a good plot. However, I think if you want something light (this show doesn't have anything too dramatic in it) with some comedy, then this is definitely a good watch. I really liked the development and pace of it and how it still managed to surprise me with some plot twists. The romance story was really cute and innocent and seemed so natural. But I think the ending was a bit dragged and they could've easily wrapped this show in 12 episodes.
CAST:
I think the leads were both attractive and fit their roles very well. Louie's character got on my nerves many times because of how annoying he was, but he did mature throughout the show and was so much better at the end so A+ for character development. My favorite character here was definitely Cha Joong Won. I actually liked him much better than Louie but it wasn't like a SLS situation because I think the main leads were perfect for each other.
MUSIC:
Definitely my favorite part of this drama is the music. I personally downloaded all 9 of the OSTs. Most of the songs have this "chill" vibe that fits the aesthetic of the show and it's the kind of genre that I prefer. What I also really liked here is that each of the episodes, is titled after some already existing song that is somehow incorporated into the episode. For example episode 2 is titled "A whole new world" and they play the song " A whole new world" from Aladdin in one of the scenes. I just thought this was a fun way to title the episodes and how a certain song is associated with the episode.
REWATCH VALUE:
I gave the rewatch value a high score because I've personally rewatched this show 2 times. I don't have a specific answer as to why because, like I said earlier, there isn't much about the story that's too interesting. But something about the innocent love and funny characters just has this spark.
Overall, this was a very FUN show to watch. Sometimes there's these shows that are not that good but they're just really entertaining. This is what Shopping King Louie is like.
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I would definitely watch this again when I'm in the mood for a feel good time. I still give it overall 10 stars, even though I give the story only 8.5. Nothing in the story breaks ground, but the paths it treads are familiar and comfortable.
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I couldn't say the same for the other characters, especially the main lead. I've come to realize that I'm not really a fan of Nam Ji Hyun's acting in the first place, but her character in this show was even more frustrating to watch. Go Bok Shil never seemed to learn anything either, and add the fact that she initiated the lack-of-communication/noble-idiocy (MY MOST HATED PLOT DEVICE)...if you asked me what her character development was, I couldn't tell you.
A lot of the side characters were really annoying as well, including the director, who I wish had more of a father figure role instead of a love interest role—and even though his throat-clearing thing was funny at some times as it became a running joke, I also got really annoyed at it, and really annoyed at how he yells every line. His mom was annoying as well, and I didn't really see the purpose of her existence at all.
One thing I can appreciate is definitely the humor and the more light-hearted feel to the story by making the bad guys so hilariously incompetent that I couldn't help but laugh at their situations and misunderstandings. Though I liked the way it didn't show the antagonists as purely evil, I still wish there were more satisfying karma/revenge scenes, which we honestly didn't get any of., especially since neither of the main leads were the type to stand up for themselves.
The last few episodes really had a slower pace and felt more dragged out as well, and I felt like the story could have been wrapped up faster and more cleanly.
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Boring Drama with No Depth
Watched it Because of In Guk. Few episodes are funny and interesting but later on it starts getting frustrating. Storyline seemed unrealistic.Lack of chemistry between Leads. There wasn't any development in In Guk's Character at all. & On the other hand how Ko Bok Shil gets promoted from Sweeper to employee wasn't convincing.
Side Characters had nothing much to do . Even the Bad characters wasn't scary. They killed ML than brings him themselves. Why??
Couldn't watch it after ep 10, but somehow finished it. Not going to watch it ever again.
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The OST is great and fits this show perfectly, especially the 2 main songs 'Tigermoth' by Monsta X and 'Navigation' by Kim So Hee. But this OST is choke-full of good songs, so take a listen - it's on Spotify.
Rewatch value for me is very high as I've rewatched this show from beginning to end 2 times already and I watch my favorite scenes/episodes when I need a pick me up.
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Sweet First Love
This show is so great! It's a true romantic comedy, endearing and funny. I got butterflies and laughed hysterically. It is truly a great show and I don't know why I waited so long to watch it. The story is unique in that it is not so overly dramatic that you get heartburn but adds just enough conflict to hold your curiosity. The cliches are heavy but let's be honest, we all love the cliches or we wouldn't watch rom-coms. The cliches are slightly different in this one because they approach it from a light-hearted and funny perspective without being stupid silly. It has silly moments and a bit of ridiculousness but it fits.The cast is what makes the plot work. The ML was amazing as Louis. He was so endearing and charming as an overgrown puppy. Even when he's being completely and cluelessly selfish, he is charming. (100 Days My Prince, take note!) He was blunt without being mean or bratty which is somewhat hard to act without being annoying. He was by far my favorite. The FL was a good counterpart to the ML. She played her part well and I liked her character. The chemistry between them was so believable, I got all goosepimply when they had there first kiss. It was so sweet and innocent. The supporting cast was good too but the main leads were what made the show.
The music is one of the few that I remember enjoying. It was fun and fit all the scenes.
In general, it was a sweet story of innocent first love without all the angst and stupidity of teenage drama. It is a lovely story and perfect for a dreary day to lift your spirits.
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It is just perfect.
I loved the story from the begining and the story was told in such a lively and adorable kind that I just couldn't stop!
It started amazing and kept this amazingness till the end.
I really loved the character development and and how every chacter found his own place.
The cast was perfect and Seo In Guk and Na Ji Hyun were the perfect lead.
They looked and acted absolutly perfect with each other They are a perfect match.
Also I really loved the OST it was always fitting and setting the perfct mood for the scenes.
All In All I absolutly Loved this Drama!
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