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One of my favorite age-gap romances ever!
This show was a fresh breathe of air, everything from storytelling to the nuances of the characters portrayed, stood out firmly and commendably.This was my second time watching Kim Myung Soo play a main lead (after “Numbers” where his chemistry with Choi Jin Hyuk was topnotch). So, I kept wondering how he would fare in an age-gap romance with older actress, would they have the same kind of fiery chemistry? Suffice to say, Kim Myung Soo molds into this role into an entirely different manner; the way he embodies Shin Yoon Bok’s shy optimism with his traditional resolute made the character so intriguing. Paired opposite Lee Yoo Young who plays his Master/Lover Kim Hong Do; both actors have done a praiseworthy job of enlivening webtoon characters that were already quite popular. Was the age-gap between the actors viable? Frankly, it was but the way their love story develops, it all makes sense. Their romance didn’t scream uncomfortable, rather it was mature and well-oriented.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not much to see here...
What I liked:1) The main actors were excellent.
2) Original storyline.
3) She got over being a doormat quickly.
4) Mix of the old and new.
5) They didn't harp on the fact that she was older than him.
6) Some cute moments between them.
7) Some cute cultural difference exchanges.
Not so much:
1) Lacking in the romance department. Lots of ancillary stuff going on.
2) Even at the end, he was still calling her "teacher".
3) Too many episodes.
4) Not a lot of emotional feelings between the couple. I felt like they were telling me they were in love, rather than showing me.
4) The killer for me was the ending. What the heck!?! Neither one of them seemed very upset about going their separate ways. Obligatory (stupid) one year time jump, and he shows up in Paris out the blue. The fact that he was in traditional clothes led me to believe that he was just visiting and would go back to his own life. Nothing drops a rating faster for me than an ending that sucks.
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‘Dare to Love Me’ is the best romantic comedy ever!
I can confidently say that ‘Dare to Love Me’ is an exceptional romantic comedy! The storyline is truly unique and uplifting. I kindly urge you not to judge this drama solely based on ratings or popularity. The excellence of ‘Dare to Love Me’ transcends such measures. This masterpiece boasts talented actors and actresses, a remarkable OST, the unique plot, stunning visuals, and much more. Therefore, I sincerely hope that everyone will seize the opportunity to experience the brilliance of ‘Dare to Love Me’. Regardless of who you are, you may have a great time with 'Dare to Love Me' with English subtitles or in many other languages on platforms like Netflix and Rakuten Viki. Kindly ensure that you view it exclusively through authorized and copyrighted platforms. And please let ‘Dare to Love Me’ makes you smile and makes your day-by-day shines.I hope that ‘Dare to Love Me’ will be even more beloved by many people in the future.
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Disappointed ! But give it a try for Kim Myung Soo .
Honestly, I don't know that this drama is airing. But I like Kim Myung Soo, so I often check for his projects but forget about this drama. When I was searching for new airing dramas, I found "Dare to Love Me" and started watching it right away with zero expectations. This is a webtoon-based adaptation drama; the plot is fresh, which made me continue to watch the full drama.The drama starts with a flashback where ML rejects FML love proposals. Then the drama went back to where the ML and FL were leading their lives and crossed paths again. The first episode is funny with the introduction of Yoon Bok and Hong Do characters; at the same time, Yoon Bok is trying to catch smugglers and thieves who are trying to sell and steal historical and cultural things—the touch of mystery element, says the rom-com drama with slightly mystery elements.
The Seongsan village setting is a good mark to watch, which makes the story unique. The scenes between Yoon Bok and Hong Do are quite funny in six episodes. Their chemistry is not as powerful as it seems to be, but their pair is looking good in this rom-com. For me, the second-leads love story element is unnecessary in this drama; it's just skipping mode. I'm sure we've already watched many dramas in which the second-lead love stories had the same success as the main-lead love stories. We will give many reasons why they were successful, like strong chemistry or emotional depth. But in this drama, the second-lead love story failed to adapt those two elements. Poor character design of the second lead character; it just adds more running time but looks like nothing contributed to the drama.
Apart from the second lead story, only the main lead story is funny and enjoyable. The Hong Do character is inspiring and lovable, and Lee Yoo Young makes this role even more beautiful with her attractive acting. The Yoon Bok character is pretty decent, but it looks like poor writing, which wasted Kim Young Soo's potential. Yet his excellent acting somehow managed to save the drama for up to six episodes. Let's watch in the second half how the writer and director manage to improve Yoon Bok's character. In all six episodes, it showed only the funny and lovely scenes, but I'm guessing the ending of the sixth episode made way for an emotional love story. While running the story with Yoon Bok and Hong Do's love track, on the other hand, the mystery element is running behind them. The introduction of new characters may surprise us.
When the story or plot is simple, then it all depends on the way of execution. I previously watched some dramas like this, and even though the plot was weak or simple, the story execution saved them. Let's see if "Dare to Love Me" will hit this category. Some episodes are enjoyable, but I felt bored with some scenes, like I'm watching them in repetitive mode. Really a big disappointment with drama, as i said earlier " plot looking fresh tone" yes, it is but without strong writing no plot never save the drama even how much fresh is the story. Soundtrack ( OST ) is amazing.
But Kim Myung Soo: It's time to explore new genres, time to take different characters and challenging roles, because we want to see you in such roles and try off with the same vibes character roles in every drama. You have the potential to explore a wide range of different genres and character roles.
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Interesting but Potential Waste
Dare to Love Me tells the story of a humble romance between Shin Eun-bok, an 'MZ scholar' who has a sense of humanity and wisdom, and Kim Hong-do, a woman who is tired of the carefree life she leads.I waited for this drama for a very long time, it was on my waiting list until all the episodes came out, the concept of the plot is very promising it is not at all fictitious that there would be a village/community that still lives according to the ancient tradition.
The episodes went on without any justification and the culprit could be easily identified (no continuity of tension or plot was maintained) The acting of the entire cast was also very childish, including the adult characters, low level acting .
Overall, I was quite disappointed with the lack of use of the drama and the actors' potential as well as the plot.
The soundtrack was quite good and soothing to the ears.
I enjoyed it but there came a time when I wanted to quit drama.
There were some cute moments but the acting was so horrible that it became boring to watch in the end.
For some people this drama is good to watch and for some it is a waste of time and for me this drama was a waste of time.
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A beautiful watch
IntroductionYon Buk is the only heir to the traditional village in Seoul. Even in the 2024, the village is focused on retaining the culture and essense of their lives. Master Kim is a thirty year old designer who taught Yon Buk briefly in his adolescent days.
Review
After all these time travel fantasies, this new story gives a fresh concept. Yon Buk lives in modern Seoul but his upbringing is traditional. He wears traditional clothes and hats and is not very comfortable around people. He is shy and reserved. He is only free and happy when he is around his Master Kim.
Penning such an unique concept amid all supernatural series deserves applaud. Yon Buk is traditional but not orthodox. This clarity within his character makes him warm and special. His past trauma is what makes him reserved. He does not walk in shadow of his master but he never hesitate from saving her dignity. The bond between Hon Hak and Yun Buk is the new bromance of the town. The pupil teacher moment between this brother duo is quite adorable and hilarious. The story goes through the lanes where saving our ethics and traditions collides with our free life. Despite Yon Buk trying to save his culture, his heart seeks freedom, but at what cost it will come?
Its been a while we get to witness L in such a romantic story. He fits in the skin so smoothly. The hesitation, the happiness - he embodies every layer of Yoon Buk which makes the story more alive. Lee Yoo Young as Hong Doo is girl next door seeking love. She is vivacious, culture bound and yet modernly upright. The character is so well balanced that it helps in maintaining the essence of the story in right tone. The supporting cast did a brilliant job. Park Eun Sook did a brilliant job after his terrific delivery of Logan Lee in penthouse. He is the main key of this tale.
Conclusion
Love is really the biggest challenge of the universe. It comes unplanned and happens in the odd hour. As Yoon Buk and his Master Kim traverses through this emotion, the story revolves around multiple angles of influence which can change the course of love. A brilliant story and a warm performance makes it a classic watch.
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It was a freaking melodrama
The Not so gorgeous and talented Female Lead and an orthodox ML, both oblivious "as expected" of the world around them and even though they are student and teacher, they fall for each other. Teacher in the very first episode was expressing her love to yet another one of her students, which reflects badly on her. But yeah, keeping that aside.Character design could have been improved. The way the story progressed was cute but too damn slow which made it possible to watch it on 2x and skipping 10 sec after every 5 sec.
All in all, if you have time to spare "too much extra time" go for it.
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Wasted potential
I waited a long time for this drama, it was on my waiting list until all the episodes came out, the plot concept is very promising (it is not fictional at all that there will be a village/community that still lives according to the ancient tradition, it exists in the United States (Philadelphia) in the "Hamish" community, a closed community, (New and advanced world vs old world), theft of historical treasures, love story, ambitions and people's struggle to achieve ambitions, and above all I admit that I love ML Kim Myung Soo, but... (big but) something didn't flow, although the characters are developing Throughout the plot as expected from a quality drama, but at the same time it must be noted that there was no chemistry between the leads (it's a shame to waste potential and maybe because the main actress is married?? Who knows?).The episodes continued without justification and the criminal could easily be identified (no continuity of tension or plot was maintained) the acting of the entire cast was also very childish, including the adult characters, (low level acting). All in all, I was quite disappointed with the drama and the lack of utilization of the potential of the actors as well as the plot.
The soundtrack was quite good and pleasant to the ear
I can't recommend or not and there might be an audience that would enjoy watching it.
I enjoyed it but there was a point where I wanted the drama to end already.
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Giggling and screaming
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!! This drama has me giggling and screaming in my pillow because it's ADORABLEEEEEEE....No crazy villians, no twisted plot, just two cute individuals being extremely CUTEEEEEEE....● MyungSoo, like always is THE BRIGHTEST STAR...I don't think, I've ever seen him fail us with his visuals and acting....Jewel on top, is the way he speaks in this drama>>>>>>>> LOVE THAT....
Every Monday and Tuesday, I THANK his hair stylist for that GORGEOUS styling that we see in this drama...GIVE THEM A RAISE, PLEASE....
● YooYeong, never, and I mean, NEVER disappoints me with her work...I see her and say YES to watching whatever she's starring in.... My girl is, TA LEN TED....
Overall, I absolutely love this drama and would recommend as a light and fluffy watch....♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
p.s, THE OSTS are PHENOMENAL
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Sweet and sober, just what I needed
I have no idea why this drama has recieved such low rating specially on MDL because so many people actually trust Mdls ratings. I left this drama for a while in my watchlist after seeing the low ratings but for some reason I started it with no expectations ( because I has nothing to watch while waiting for next episodes of My sweet monster ) and it’s actually so cute. It could be my bias because the FL is a fashion designer in this drama and I’m also a FD so I could really relate to her, but I also like the historical elements of the drama in a modern setting. Loved the ML as always I’ve watched almost all of his previous dramas so I had no doubts about his performance. The story is quite simple but it flows really well. I’d totally recommend it if you’re looking for something light and warm.Was this review helpful to you?
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Dare to love, missed the transitions, but mostly gets there
The show does eventually have a cute romance between the lead couple Hong Do and Yoon Bok at the end of the tunnel, but it's jarringly dropped in out of nowhere like it had been setting it up all along when it hasn't been at all. Throughout the entire beginning it's always been just Hong Do being the only one interpreting his every action to be romantically driven towards her in an over the top way, whereas it's not shown from his point of view during the period when he's clearly dealing with a lot of trauma regarding his abandonment issues from his mother and sister leaving him. She herself is later revealed to have also been abandoned by her father yet doesn't empathize or connect with him about this issue. On the other hand he never showed any short of romantic attraction to her, but rather looking for familial comfort in a trusted mentor. There was one moment that could be argued and it's so vague it needs to be, and it's when she returns to him with a drink for him when he has given up the idea of her coming back. There is nothing on his face and demeanor that specifically indicates burgeoning romance though. If the actor cannot express it, then the director needed to do something about it.This show has many lack of transitions for many different character plots starting with the main couple. Although it's literally like a flip of a switch once he quits his life as an successor to Seongsan village, it so nice when he finally turns on the romance mode because it means Hong Do as a character can ironically stop obsessing over him for once and actually start her career proper as a designer because she hardly did any designing. It was always weird that she didn't have a sense of style either despite being a designer and even later she just wore clothes from her Camille company closet. Meanwhile Yoon Bok is always nicely dressed though it seemed like the first time in normal clothes is when Hong Hak dressed him for the club, he suddenly has a tasteful closet. Their dates and life as a couple is really sweet. It took way too long to get here. The end where she makes a unilateral decision for them to choose one place or another and to break up is so ridiculous though. There is such a thing as long distance relationship and even Seongsan Village has wifi reception. Even when he shows up in Paris to see her after her successful debut, it doesn't feel very complete.
Yoon Bok's sister Yi Bok makes a awful rookie mistake like talking extremely loudly on the phone without even being aware of the people walking around her at the very place she's undercover and tailing suspects even though it looks like she's already been a detective for a long while. She just as quickly quits her job too and doesn't seem to take up any role related to it when she returns to the Seongsan village, she suddenly takes up the chief position so her brother can go to Paris for the finale. What's her dream job? Leadership skills? But she never showed any even while she was a detective. It's also a big deal her grandfather is now switching to training a woman as a leader of the village when the entire ruling class has been old men like himself, but that's all skipped over. The Hyang Gi character makes the most random turn. She was crappy co-worker happy to date a two timing guy and steal designs, but she suddenly she's an advice barista with her own business that has nothing to do with fashion even though she's a designer. It's like two entirely different characters just to keep the actress on the show. The cultural heritage administration director Bum Gyo is the ultimate random bad guy just to have a bad guy to not commit to completely vilifying the one guy (Jun Ho) that had a point to be mad's sake. He has no personality other than wanting money. The show didn't bother to give him any meaty motive and it's so dissatisfying.
Although she is a lead character, Hong Do is the third most done wrong character. The show would give her a moment like she's standing up for herself but always undercuts it with her getting steamrolled every single time. She NEVER gets to properly take agency to save herself while she is constantly damseled throughout the entire show. The second most wronged character is Jun Ho, the former child servant of Yoon Bok's family. The idea of Seongsan village presents an immediate problem that the show glosses over that Jun Ho represents. It can be one thing to preserve the culture for the people who are lords and ladies, but there are also the servant class and children who can be treated brutally like in the feudal era. Can human rights violation be consented to? Jun Ho is such a wasted character and he deserved to be part of the imitation and execution for change. The number one character that was the most done wrong is Hye Won, Yoon Bok's mother. She is a victim of the old school views of the grandfather and a bit of her tragic could have been majorly alleviated by her daughter Yi Bok, a whole detective actually telling Yoon Bok the whole truth sooner. Her mom was already in hospice in the last days and she couldn't have at least cleared the air on her behalf to her brother BEFORE she's dead? She's literally dying and not going to benefit from the deal with the grandfather anytime soon. Yoon Bok's misplaced anger while she dies is the result which is double trauma for her little brother too.
Some odds and ends, Camille is an independent queen who is always dressed to kill. It's a bummer we never see Frankie's lover. The two older couples of Camille and the grandfather and Chil Bok and Joo Daek are cute. Yoon Ah and Hong Hak got surprisingly saucy with their one night stand. All of these couples create interesting familial interconnections but the show NEVER capitalizes on it, instead using up half the show on endless chase scenes to catch Jun Ho. There's so much potential heart and humor just left on the floor. Even Joo Daek as Yoon Bok's mother figure wasn't played up enough. Chil Bok's immense financial losses also caused Hong Do and Hong Hak to be homeless as well, how did they survive that? There are missed opportunities and holes in the narrative everywhere and very slow to get into the meat of the story, but the romance when it happens is lovely and mature until it's messed up at the end.
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