This review may contain spoilers
I loved the entire show. Son ye Jin's acting was a huge hit for me though I didn't like Hyun Bin's that much(probably cuz the character itself was not very expressive). The accuracy of portrayal of life in north Korea seemed unrealistic in a few places based on the information I had gathered from interviews of various NK defectors. The characters seemed to get around and out of NK way too easily and dress code in NK was not seen as being followed as strictly as people are actually forced to follow. However, the other traditions, lifestyle and daily routine of north Koreans like their fixed hairstyles, food etc. were very accurately shown leading to this drama becoming a very liked one among South Koreans, defectors and international viewers. A very different thing about this drama is how it portrayed the positives and negatives of ordinary life in NK super realistically. (If you want to know if CLOY has a sad, happy or bittersweet ending, read the first line of the next paragraph.******* SPOILERS FROM HERE ON**********
P.S. This drama has a bittersweet ending. If like me, you regret watching dramas that don't end perfectly with everyone being happy, then this is not for you. However, I felt that I learnt a lot of things from this drama and don't regret watching it.
Every time Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Se Ri reunited, Se Ri would burst into tears and her face mostly looked sad. I really wanted this drama to be a little more happy atleast with the smaller details. However, the whole thing has tragic events that keep following each other after Se Ri first leaves NK. Till then, I felt that it balanced light hearted humor and serious scenes very well. However, later things just became gloomier and gloomier and like the cliche romance between lovers from 2 different worlds they were unable to have a beautiful and happy life together permanently even at the end. The end was bittersweet. They manage to meet in Switzerland but it was only for 2 weeks in a year. And realistically, I don't think that will give them a healthy relationship. If Seri would wait for those 2 weeks every year, she would have to love him that much and I think the few months they spent together isn't enough to foster that kind of serious romance. However, I would definitely recommend this drama as it should fit most people's tastes other than mine.
Re-watch value: I don't particularly enjoy tragic k dramas, so this one is not for me. I have only managed to watch very funny k dramas for the second time. But after I know the plot twists and ending of the more serious kind of k dramas, I don't particularly enjoy re-watching them.
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No matter what your type is...this surpasses them all!!!
I always put off this drama cause I avoid death related things...It's same with every military drama...(I am still putting off descendents of the sun)
But I watched you are my hero which is a Chinese drama and its again a splendid stand alone
I never thought I would ever watch it..no matter how hyped up it was
Many reviews are already here so probably no one would reach this one...but I want to write cause that is how I will move on from it(desperate try )
LEADS:-
Captain Ri:- Innocent ,cold but warm, lovable strong, handsome
You ask it you have it
You'll literally cry and smile with him
I have never seen seen such coy smile as his in any guy.. every time he smiles it feels like he is blushing
Complete package
Se ri:- lively, cute, naive and witty both, loving passionate and what not
She will literally make you laugh and awe with her strong headed ness
Second male lead:- my heart broke... can't speak more..or it would be a spoiler
He was most attractive among all men out there
Handsome quirky cool and melancholic
Second female lead:- stay strong
RI five boys company:- aaaaaahhhhhhh...I loved them the most
They were awesome from start to end
One who is youngest and cute and lovely
One who is friendly and fan of Korean dramas and expert in modern Korean dialect
One who is workaholic, handsome, sensible and caring
One who is always mocking ,bad mouthing but caring and praying from inside
One who is not from their group but helps them out putting his family at stake
And what's common in them ??
They would take bullet for captain and se ri
The way they explored new things in South Korea was sooo cute and funny..you would laugh out loud
Their bonding with Seri will give you bestie goals so pure and emotional
You will long for such bromance!!
Village women:- ohhh god!!! Funny lot of women..who were naive funny aunti vibes
Cared protected loved and fought for each other...
Seeing them was so refreshing..
Can't get enough of them
SET UP:-
The village set up was awesome..it showed the North Korean life authentically..
Whatever problem they face..what kind of things they use in day to day life
It was enlightenment!!
I never knew it's soooo much of suffering
The whole story is just amazing and the last ep was goosebumps...
But just be ready for one sad death
I regret not watching it sooner
The ending I would not say I completely liked but somehow it was satisfactory...
I mean ofcourse it's a happy ending but not exactly what happens in any other drama
Everyone met their good or bad ends
And you long for another season
GOD!!! HELP ME MOVE ON!!!!!
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Quality performance, quality production values
This was my introduction to Korean drama, and a welcome relief to my frustration with contemporary American film and television. I really appreciated the ensemble work as well as the performances of the leads, and it was refreshing to watch a love story (no matter how unrealistic) that focused on admiration, intimacy (in the real sense), trust, attraction, etc., instead of sex. In that sense, it was truly romantic. I also enjoyed the sense of brotherhood among the soldiers because it did not rely on the insanity of battle and violence.Also, who was able to walk away from this drama without wanting more Hyun Bin in their life? Definitely not me.
Im giving this ten stars, not because it was perfect (there were definitely things that could have been better - particularly in the writing), but because it piqued my interest in a way that very little entertainment has and it inspired me to see what Korean drama had to offer. Not going to lie, Hyun Bin certainly added to the score ;)
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This review may contain spoilers
First off, I wasn't a big fan of Hyun bin, (Ive only seen Jekyll and hyde ad I greatly disliked him in it. I also greatly disliked the drama over all.) (Memories of Ahlambra sort of helped him to come on my plus side though). So I didn't go in with the highest expectations. I)'ve heard that this drama was good, but what I got wasn't what I expected at all.I have laughed and cried with each characther. From the north korean ajhummas, to Jung hyuk's militray staff. Too SeRi's mother and staff. I got a deep feeling for each of the cast members, how I felt that no role was not needed.
The fact that SeRi felt so hated in her family yet her staff was so loyal towards her. I also loved how Jung Hyuk constant regret of his choice in the beginning was such a comical feature. Even if it most likely wasn't so, he couldn't keep his face straight, and that isn*t good for a north korean military man. Haha. But I spent most of the time laughing and crying with them and SeRi kind of crept into my heart and I felt her pain.
But when it comes to my one of my favorite actors in Korean dramas, I really felt for Kim Jung Hyun's Goo Seung Jun. When we got to know more about his past and his regrets and sorrows and revenge. I felt more for him, Also I'm so happy yo see Jung Hyun back on the screen (School 2017 is like my one all time favorite dramas. EVER). Honestly I wished for a better ending for Seung Jun but I also liked how he died happy. And didn't die with regrets. He got the girl and went out as her hero.
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My Favourite till date
I am being a little biased bec this was my first drama and the one to get me addicted to kdramas.???I was starstruck with the beauty of the cast and the cinematography was super new to me. The way they made even North Korea look so aesthetically pleasing.
The acting was top-notch. Everyone was perfectly casted, their looks perfectly matched their character description.
Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin's chemistry is mind blowing that I watched The Negotiation right after the drama? now that they are married it's like the perfect ending for my 1st and favourite kdrama??
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1. The Chemistry: the chemistry between the leads is CRAZY. Even though there weren't any particularly steamy scenes (to my dismay I may add), the tension was palpable. It really helps that the main actors are so ridiculously good-looking. I mean, Hyun Bin is a god.
2. The Acting: All the actors involved did a phenomenal job. The acting was realistic and not cringy.
3. Production: Production was excellent, I loved how much thought went into every detail, especially with how they designed and set up the "North Korea" setting. Although we have very little information about that place, it truly felt like they brought it to life.
4. Story: The Story was both a pro and a con. While I loved the heartwarming dialogues between the characters and all the relationships, even the ones between the supporting roles such as the North Korean ladies, there were some plotlines that were just very far from realistic. HOWEVER, I've learned to love K-dramas even in all their absurdity, and this drama was actually one of the far less absurd ones. It all somehow works and it's helped majorly by the wonderful acting.
What I especially I loved about this show however, was, that apart from the authoritarian regime, it also depicted a more humane side of NK. I love how we got to sympathize with its residents and see how these universal feelings of solidarity, support, friendship and love permeate borders. The comic relief also helped take away from the bleakness of the strict environment. It helps to know, that even in the darkest of places -figuratively and literally- it's not always gloom and doom and people will find happiness in the smallest things, such as drinking soju from clam shells. :)
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Surprisingly Amazing
WOW - a surprisingly amazing drama that anyone can easily love! I was very sceptical at trying this drama just due to the sheer hype - the synopsis I read felt like a cringefest but I am so glad it wasn't the case, this romance was anything BUT a cringefest.Although unfamiliar with nearly the entire cast, after watching this series, I am wanting to watch all of the cast in other respective dramas they are involved in. The chemistry between each and every character truly felt remarkably amazing. The OST to this drama is also very addictive! A must watch drama!
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Why I deliberately watch the series after the rave died down
The drama was highly raved by netizens; as an avid k drama fan, I’ve never written reviews for Korean dramas (usually Chinese dramas) because I know that there are more people out there who watches Korean drama than mainland Chinese ones (not saying it’s bad)So to give my 2 cents, I must say I bawled my eyes out for more than 5 episodes (for sure) while watching this series; a happy ending for sure, like how “The King” ended. Initially I thought I would have dropped the series halfway like how I did for DOTS and Goblin ( because they are so highly raved) but I can’t stop due to the plot. chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin. Not to mention the supporting casts as well!
I laughed and cried well for this drama ~.~ it’s truly an amazing series to give up!
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Not just a drama, but a door into a new world
This is the series with which I became acquainted with kdrama. And that's how I discovered South Korea, this wonderful country that churns out rom-coms like there's no tomorrow, that's full of not handsome, but ultra gorgeous men, that makes a kissing scene last 10 minutes (ahahha I love you Korean directors), that tells 16 hours of love story with sky-high sexual tension without showing a single piece of skin, that ends every episode with irresistible cliffhangers. Before Crash landing on you and kdramas, I had never spent an entire night watching TV. The meme of the guy hearing the birds outside the window and saying "i fucked up" now makes me laugh so hard. It's been three years and I'm now watching my 100th kdrama, Imitation, because, yes, I also have a premium viki account now. While watching Imitation I regretfully wonder why there wasn't a story line with Woosan as the main characters and last week I finally got to eat Tteokbokki and drink soju for the first time (here in Switzerland due to Covid the restaurants have only just reopened). So yes, I recommend watching this kdrama :)Was this review helpful to you?
Interesting and very well done love story.
I loved the leading characters in this romance. The female was funny and sassy, while the male lead was sweet and manly. The setting of the story was unique and the story line was fun. There were many parts that made me laugh out loud and cry. You get invested in the characters and that is so important in a series. I enjoyed every episode and it kept me hooked from the beginning. I think it has every element that a romance should have.The setting was refreshing and made me think about the differences between North and South Korea. After watching the series, I actually went on a spree search for stories and videos about North Korea as I was quite curious. Although, I do take this media consumption with a grain of salt since I know how the media, especially the Western media, like their propaganda. I feel you never truly know until you've travelled to a place and experienced it for yourself.
If you are into romance with the feels and some humour, then definitely give this a try.
I like rating series based on how much I enjoyed it, how unique the story is and where I think it should be in the top rated list compared to other series.
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interesting and engaging show
this is the first kdrama i’ve watched and i have to say it’s really really good.pros: 1. the whole story was really engaging and somewhat unique as they showed how a north korean fell in love with a south korean.
2. the drama was really funny and sweet
3. the acting was good, they portrayed the characters well
4. the ost is amazing
cons: 1. the parts where they talk about some military things are a little boring
2. it may be a little unrealistic how a north korean and south korean can fall for each other
overall, this was an enjoyable drama and definitely an unforgettable one
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Absolutely Amazing!!!!!!!!!
This is an amazing drama about a South Korean businesswoman who falls in love with the captain of a North Korean army unit. It is a love story with lots of drama and heartfelt moments which takes place primarily in North & South Korea. There are also some wonderful scenes in Switzerland. Lots of cute moments, sweet moments, and tissie moments can be found in this drama. There's plenty of humor as well! The North Korean soldiers are simply too funny. Watching them learn about and explore the wonders of the outside world was great. There's some added drama with the main actor's and actress's families that, while unnecessary, adds depth to the characters. It was truly an amazing drama with a happy ending that I will be recommending to everyone! A new favorite!!!!!Was this review helpful to you?
