Such a good, different drama! Watch if 1) you feel like everything's the same in Dramaland these days, 2) you're sick of seeing the same kind of main leads, 3) you want to watch a show that's not about some rich chaebol and a Cinderella in the making. Don't watch if 1) you're looking for a well-developed, emotional love story, 2) you don't like stories with many secondary characters, 3) you don't like characters with flaws.
THE STORY
A story like you don't find in Dramaland, with characters that don't typically hang out over there too, and I loved it. I love reserved and down-to-earth Yoona, who is neither naïve, innocent and bright girl nor cold, distant and apathetic (it's usually one or the other); I love open-minded, caring Changman, who is neither a cold and arrogant prick nor a naïve and childish boy. I love how they interact with everyone around them; how loyal Yoona is, which inspires loyalty from others; how empowering Changman is, making others believe that they can aspire for more. I love the comedy, especially in the first half of the drama, and the glimpse into the world of petty crime. There's just so much good in this show. The only downside to it is that although it seemed as though the romance between the main leads and the character development of Yoona would be at the center of the story, they slowly were forgotten in favor of secondary characters and dragging plot elements, so that her changes kind of look incoherent or abrupt, and their love story, bland. The show would have been perfect if it weren't for that *sigh* The ending though, is satisfying, so it's okay.
THE ACTING
I didn't know the main leads before this show, but their acting was good. I liked her more than him, I thought she really had become Yoona. They also weren't bad together *sigh* Such a waste that the romance wasn't exploited some more. Some other actors were also quite good in their roles. Particularly the actress behind Yoonji, she was awesome. Because most characters are realistic, they aren't easy roles, but they were pulled off fine.
THE MUSIC
Just as the story and the characters, the music is sooo fresh. It's not every day that you hear K-country (does that even exist?) or Carla Bruni in a drama, it's so weird - in a good way - and totally fits with the mood. Of course, there's also Leesa's awesome song, Love will find a way. Absolutely addictive. From episode one, it got stuck in my head, and I had no choice but to download it.
REWATCH VALUE
I'd rewatch it, whenever I get in one of those moments in which all dramas just look too much the same. It's like getting some fresh air, without pulling the plug.
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STORY
The story is really unique. In summary, it is about a girl who is a pickpocket and a guy, who tries to make her stop. There are also many side stories, which resolve around gangsters, gold-diggers, thieves, police officers etc. I have to say that I liked the first half more than the second half. The first half was really dynamic, witty, gripping etc. The second half had the same aspects but not as good developed. But the ending was great, it will definitely make you smile :)
ACTING/CAST
The cast was well chosen. I started this drama because of Lee Hee Joon, as I like his acting. He didn't disappoint me in one bit. Another gem in this drama is my beloved Lee Moon Shik. This ahjussi is a real actor. Every role he takes is different. It was my first time seeing Kim Ok Bin, but I have already put some of her works on my PTW list. Really good actress. As for the characters, my favourite character would be Miseon eonnie, I guess. I don't know why, I just liked her through out the whole drama. The child actors were also brilliant.
MUSIC
Music just fitted perfectly. After finishing the first episode, I have put this drama on my list of dramas with the best OST.
OVERALL
My re-watch value would have been 10 if the drama had not had 50 episodes. Funny thing is that, I usually re-watch only my favourite scenes from this long dramas, here, I have no favourite scenes, this drama as whole is my favourite scene. It is worth to re-watch it all. This is definitely one underrated drama, so if you are looking for something fresh, with great character developments, amazing story and brilliant acting, try this drama. You will be mad at yourself of not watching the drama sooner.
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Dragged
The writer has some kind of notion that slow progression and no development is artistic.The romance in this series is so underdeveloped that one can say that it is has been neglected. For a show named Yoo Na's Street, we barely see Yoo Na's story.
Actually Yoo Na has no story. It is Kim Chang Man who is hellbent on creating one. Yoo Na disappointed me at several crucial moments in the drama.
Yoo Na's character angered me so much that it became difficult to continue watching.
Kim Chang Man's character was not so good either. He first came off as a righteous person. However he became too prying and wrongful in his actions. Also he did not clear things up with Da Young even though he clearly knew (and was told) what was going on.
The characters and the slow pacing made the plot horribly dragged and boring. I felt that the lead actors had good chemistry but it was underutilised.
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This review may contain spoilers
Slow but Unique
This drama has a very different feel than any other I've seen. The closest thing it reminded me of are the Reply series, except with much less goofy humor, less romance, and less wholesomeness. But it was a similarly slow-paced slice-of-life about a close group of neighbors, each of whom have their own story lines. But the characters in Yoo Na were way more flawed. Most of them were either criminals or former criminals. And even though this drama was more gritty and realistic than most, I found most of the criminals to be just as unrealistic as the chaebol heirs and boys/girls disguised as the opposite sex of the typical melodramas. In my experience, most pickpockets don't have hearts of gold like the ones in this drama.And that leads to the biggest flaw in the show, which is Yoo Na, the second most important character in the story. The show treats her like some strong, admirable, and proud person, but I thought she was a really annoying and stubborn hypocrite. Her actions made no sense. And Ok Bin's acting was really bland and failed to bring the character to life. Chang Man, the main protagonist of this show, was really foolish to pursue her. Actually, that very brief period when he had given up on her after he foiled her idiotic plan with Tae Shik, I was really glad that he had finally come to his senses. He should have stayed mad at her and dumped her for Da Young or Yoo Na's sister.
In contrast to Ok Bin's weak performance, the Colatec boss's acting was really great, even though the character was also really annoying. But he was totally believable as a former gangster, with his impulsiveness, bad temper, coarseness, and pathetic sentimentality. Other actors were very good too.
So despite its flaws, the show was engaging and stood out because it was so different from most shows. It's a nice change of pace and I would recommend it. However, you have to have some tolerance for lots of padding. There are so many scenes of karaoke singing and dancing, but thankfully I was able to increase the playback speed like 4x during those parts. And I have to admit, I also increased the speed during a lot of the scenes focusing on grandpa axe, the dog-loving loser brother-in-law, and the adulterous painter. I would have cut those storylines down to the bone and reduced the number of episodes by half.
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Alright...
The drama is fine but its biggest problem is the lack of clear direction, event happen as things go along. It's like an indefinite series and you are tuning in for the episode of the week. Which would have been fine if it was limited to 20 or so episodes. Another thing is how quite it feels and the lack of interesting side stories/characters doesn't help either. Again, this would have been fine for a shorter series.The drama had a good idea for a story, good set up, capable cast and interesting enough prominent characters/stories but it didn't accomplish much with all of that despite having a very relaxed 50 episodes run. Overall, the drama is alright but there's much left to be desired.
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