"Do you want to have a drink with me?"
"Counseling with a twist." That is how I initially perceived the theme Mystic Pop-up Bar. Dramas that touch on mental health issues are often either of melodrama or suspense genre. But here is a gem of a show that gives you a release and relief from a shot of soju, without the usual hangover.In the first few episodes of this drama, you'll find stories of persons whose grudges could well be the same as many of us have. The counseling part comes naturally in the dialogue between the characters, often in a comical way. (It could be a good idea to have a paper and pen ready to take down some quotable lines.) As the drama progresses, it begins to focus more on the main characters' own concerns which has been taking 500 years to settle.
What's so awesome about Mystic Pop-up Bar is, while it's generally comedy, you'll also find some bits of romance, drama and action in it. Worthy of mentioning also is how clean the CGI effects they used in the show. I'm not sure with the others, but for me, each episode was like a movie.
Even though I chose to watch this because of SKY Castle actor Choi Won Young, I must say all the actors in this drama are worth applauding. Yook Sung Jae made a great choice of doing this drama before his military enlistment; he did really well as Han Kang Bae. Also, I could say that we have a different Hwang Jung Eum here, so if you're not a fan of the way she acted in her previous dramas, don't let that get in the way of you experiencing a one-of-a-kind journey in Mystic Pop-up Bar.
The OST is worth adding to your playlist as well, especially the song for Part 1 of the soundtrack.
I recommend this drama after watching heavy drama, suspense or action, or to those who simply want to have a good laugh after a tiring day.
Enjoy Mystic Pop-up Bar!
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STORY and PRODUCTION
I included production in this section of my review since it very much contributes to the storyline. The teamwork of the writer, director and those who worked for the drama's set, costumes and cinematography shines in the way each episode came out. I will not deny that some parts of the story may better have been excluded, but these do not, in anyway, make this drama less beautiful. Watching this drama felt like a journey on the sea aboard a cruise ship - the waves and winds may sway the ride at some point, but it is overall a relaxing trip with a view that delights the eyes and warms the heart.
CAST and ACTING
Kim Dong Wook and Moon Ga Young's age gap wasn't in any way noticeable - for me, at least. It is very obvious that they studied their characters very well and worked hard to make them come alive in their acting. The same is true for the other actors, whose characters are all loveable, but I'd like to mention in a special way, Yoon Jong Hoon, whose character, Yoo Tae Eun, is my favorite. I found myself being able to sympathize with his struggles and I was very happy with how his own story turned out in the end.
MUSIC
All the songs in this drama's OST are worth playing on loop. Period.
REWATCH VALUE
I could find myself watching this again after a string of heart-pounding and nerve-racking dramas. ^^
OVERALL
Having 'Find Me in Your Memory' as my first melodrama makes it all the more memorable.
To anyone who would give this drama a chance, you can expect 1) a comforting time with the characters where they are able to express themselves with honesty and sincerity, 2) moments that would challenge your detective skills in solving the thriller parts and 3) to discover that the impact of memories on our life is often based on our attitude towards them.
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A Diary that Changed the Lives of Three People (and more)
A pushover employee. A police officer. A psychopath. Their lives become intertwined by a little diary. As dark as it may sound, the idea of turning their story into a something the viewers can laugh at was quite unexpected and somehow brave.I have came across promotional media for this drama prior to its premiere and while it captured my interest because of Jung In-sun (I really liked her in Terius Behind Me) it wasn't enough to actually make me watch... That is until I ran out of dramas to watch (LOL). I think watching it was a good choice.
STORY
Like I mentioned above, the premise of this drama is quite unconventional (at least for a K-drama newbie like me) and though I wasn't curious enough to watch it from the time it premiered, when I did begin to, I wasn't able to let go. The pacing was just right in most of its episodes. However, at the beginning, I did have some thoughts about it being better off a movie than a drama (just so I could see the end of it in two hours time, haha), but later on I was able to appreciate its story line precisely because it is a drama. It was not as predictable as I expected it to be, which is a good thing. But myself being a fan of CSI and Sherlock, I found their investigation procedures a bit lacking in sophistication. And also, what I found a bit disappointing was how the female character, which started off projecting a strong and independent image, ended up being rescued at some point in the drama.
Generally though, it was a happy drama trying to convey hope and strength for those who seem to think they are useless and weak.
ACTING
Yoon Shi Yoon - It was may first time to see him and it wasn't hard to appreciate him as a comedic actor in this drama since he already gave off a Ryan Bang impression on me. He was really good at shifting from a weakling to a predator in his 'psychopathic' moments but I feel a bit awkward when he starts to cry really hard or shout really loud, not sure why. But basically I find his charm and comedic skills a plus.
Jung In Sun - I began to admire this actress in Terius Behind Me and this drama made me admire her even more because I never saw a hint of her previous character in Shim Bo Kyung. The teasers gave me an impression that her character would be clumsy and awkward, but it turned out differently and I appreciate that.
Park Sung Hoon - He carried out his role very excellently and I hope he gets more challenging roles in the future. It's my first time to see him as well, and what marked for me in this role of his is his creepy yet funny laughter. And yet even though at times his character's situation may be funny, he was very consistent in projecting his role as a coldhearted psychopath.
Support Roles - Among the support roles, Kim Myung Soo and Heo Sung Tae were the most unforgettable.
MUSIC
I like how the intro music reminds me of Kill Bill, since that helps set the mood for the murders that could happen in the drama. Aside from that, The Rose's "Wanna Be Bad" was the most catchy among the OST. If I'm not mistaken, "Stay The Same" was the song that plays during Bo Kyung and Dong Shik shipping moments; it sounded too romantic for me.
REWATCH VALUE
I personally would watch this again for basically two reasons: I want better understand the scenes and catch some significant details I may have missed, or I want to have a good laugh.
OVERALL
It may not be as grand and sophisticated as other related dramas, but I could say that watching this won't be a waste of time, especially if you are into crime and comedy.
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Cleaning Up One's Life After Making the Wrong Choices
Invisibility powers possible in real life? Yes!Yeong Mi, In Kyung and Soo Ja actually did it.
Three cleaning ladies in a heist like no other is a plot that intrigued me since the news of this drama came out. I've seen all three main actresses in their respective previous dramas and they did not disappoint so I was sure this was worth a watch. Based on my standards, I can say I'm right.
Just to let you know, I haven't seen the original British version of this drama so if you're looking for comparisons between the two versions, you won't find any here.
STORY
Since I've already mentioned the gist of the drama's plot, let me tell you what you can find beyond the synopsis. Cleaning Up is a story of courage to get back on track after being deeply lost; a story of stepping out of toxic relationships, stepping up to overcome the hurdles that keep one's dreams from coming true. A story that teaches that sometimes helping others is the best way to help oneself.
Being not a perfect drama, it has some loopholes. But I think these loopholes are the type that you can let slide since all else are done so well.
ACTING / CAST
All actors from the main, to the support, and even the guest roles have done a really good job in portraying their characters. But the ones who stood out for me are Yeom Jung Ah, Na In Woo, Kim Jae Hwa and Lee Moo Saeng. Seeing the behind the scenes videos, it's amazing how YJA could get into her character so quickly and get immersed into consistently even when the camera isn't focused on her. Her chemistry with LMS overflows each time they're together in a scene. NIW is sooo adorable as Doo Young, it would be nice to have him in spin-off drama with In Kyung (Jeon So Min). KJH made Maeng Soo Ja her own through her vibrant acting.
MUSIC
Cleaning Up's OST is worth adding to your playlist. I especially recommend "For You" by Sam Kim and "The Queen" by SURAN.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend this drama first to fans of the actors involved. They are definitely the ones who would truly enjoy it.
I also recommend this drama to all who are into plots full of smarts and suspense.
If you're looking for all-out romance, you won't find much here but if romantic tension is your thing then this one's worth watching.
I also recommend this drama to those who enjoy stories of persons who are able to get their life together after being such a mess for a long time.
SOME TAKEAWAYS
• Being invisible to eyes of other people can be helpful when committing crimes, but how worthy is committing that crime if you stay invisible to the ones for whom you are doing it?
• It's never too late to clean up your life after messing it up by making the wrong choices. There is always somebody ready to help if you let them.
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When a people's search for hope led them to despair.
This documentary series is not for the faint-hearted.It presents a reality hard to grasp for those who are not prepared to see the gruesome reality of cults, or for those who cannot wrap their head around how "followers" of certain cult are able to place their faith on these "sheep dressed as wolves."
The time period most of the cults were established was a time of uncertainty and unrest in the country. It was time when people, struggling to survive life, search not only for a living but a reason to live. These people came across a place that gave them comfort in their moment of pain, gave them a community that understood their needs, gave them the hope that they needed to see that light at the end of the dark tunnel they are in... If you find a community like this, wouldn't you be tempted to come back again and again and do anything to keep that flame of hope burning?
While watching this show, many of us may think how foolish these cults' followers must be to believe these self-proclaimed gods. But eventually, we will realize that the one who are crazy are not the victims but those real-life villains who ruin many people's lives and relationships to satisfy their greed.
You are warned that this docuseries is incredibly graphic and that you should get ready with either your hankies or puke bags when you start this show. The timeline is not presented chronologically, since the focus of this docuseries is not so much the history of the cult but the story of the victims (hence, the literal translation of the Korean title: "I am God: A People Betrayed by God") so sometimes the pacing might get a bit confusing. Also, at the beginning of each segment, they show a sort of preview of what's to find out in the interviews and the way this is presented looks like the segment has already begun, so knowing this in mind may help you not find some scenes redundant.
I recommend this to anyone interested in the documentary series' topic. To anyone who will watch this out of curiosity, I recommend you tune down a bit your hope for a satisfying conclusion. Recommended for rewatch? Not really. Unless...
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Love is spoken clearly in actions
Simple. Relatable. In many ways, inspirational.100 Tula Para Kay Stella
(100 Peoms For Stella)
Fidel is the typical nerdy awkward guy whose confidence plummets even more because of speech defect. Expected to be laughed at because of this, he is surprised to find someone who made him realize that his stuttering is not something he should be sorry for. He found acceptance in Stella.
Stella's tattoos and gothic get up may project a negative image to many but she is actually a nice person whose beauty is found more in her simple and transparent ways of relating to others. Many may think her love for music is a waste, but one person who is willing to support her in the pursuit of her dreams of becoming a performer is enough to push her to fulfill it.
"College life is the time when we discover ourselves. And the time we accept ourselves as well." - Stella
This is a story of love about two people and *between* two people, presented so naturally in the rawness of college life. The lines, the setting and the songs brought me back to my own memories of college, reminding me that it was then that I myself found persons who appreciated and inspired me.
The cinematography was quiet yet meaningful. The acting was so natural that the film felt like real life. The pacing and transitions were smooth. Kudos to everyone who worked behind this.
This is one Filipino movie you won't regret watching. And something you might think of rewatching on a cold rainy day.
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A Profiler's Struggle [EDITED]
Since I am writing this review after only watching one episode, let me focus not on the overall quality but the on the impression it left me.Being a fan of US criminal investigation dramas, one thing that has always fascinated me in their stories is how the truth of the crime is slowly unfolded by the time the culprit is caught. It takes a criminal's mind to figure out a criminal's mind.
Solely focusing on the evidences 'per se' to solve a crime is like holding a bunch of puzzle pieces, spreading them out without order, trying to find context clues here and there and just "guessing" what the picture is. And being convinced right away that what you "picture out" is the whole picture. And anything that contradicts that picture in one's head is a lie. Stupid, isn't it?
One thing that stands out in the first episode of Through The Darkness is that, in the way Ha Young's story is presented, the viewer is also able to enter into his mind (to be more accurate, the Tagalog word 'kalooban' is more apt to use here; a term which pertains what's inside a person's mind AND heart). And so as the episode progresses, the viewer is also able to enter into the thoughts of the lead character and begin to ask the same questions that he has.
It takes a criminal's mind—understanding their thought processes, making sense of their motives and behavioral patterns—to figure out a criminal's mind.
Those who are willing to enter a criminal's mind I invite to join Ha Young and his team as they explore through the darkness... Let us watch it until the end.
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Edit: I make this after watching the tenth episode and let me tell you, each episode DELIVERS. Kim Nam Gil's stellar acting skills consistently draws you in and makes you travel further deeper into each criminal's mind. You may find yourself getting mentally exhausted and you may also get worried that Song Ha Young might also get into deeper trouble dealing with those lunatics. That goes to show that the actors playing the criminals are doing a great job as well.
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A Beautiful Mess
Was It Love is one of my most anticipated dramas in 2020 since it has Son Ho-jun as one of the leads. When the synopsis for the drama's story came out, it struck me as unique but somewhat familiar (Mamma Mia). A love pentagon (or even hexagon) is not something you often find in TV shows or even movies. It piques interest, but having too many characters in a 16-episode drama could lead to a mess if not written well. That is precisely what happened here. But then, the actors who played those characters were actually the ones who saved it and made this mess beautiful.STORY:
Was It Love basically revolves around Noh Ae-jeong (AJ): her life, her dream, her love life. But branching off from her story is also the story of her daughter, Ha-nee (HN): a daughter looking for her dad. Around these themes the story moved.
Despite not receiving enough salary from her work in Thumb Film, AJ remained loyal to the company because she doesn't want to give up on her dream of becoming a well-known film producer. A certain misfortune led to four men appearing (again) in her life. Three of them have known her for a long time, one is reminded of a woman from his past because of her.
Despite her annual wish to not be curious about her father, HN coincidentally stumbles upon an item that led her to search for that person in her life that her mother wants her to consider as good as dead. Four men become daddy candidates.
NAJ's encounter with the four men led to an unraveling of a part of her past she didn't know she needed to see: particularly her past with Oh Dae-o (DO) - her ex-boyfriend and the writer and director of the movie she will be producing.
As much as I want to organize the drama's plot in a good, spoiler-free summary, I have to say that would be close to impossible, since it is a mess. So let me turn your attention to the saving element of the drama:
ACTING:
All the actors in this drama have done a splendid job with their roles. Only those who are inherently antagonistic will be the one you will hate (still that's a good thing - their acting was very much effective. LOL)
PROPS to Son Ho-jun who successfully made us ride the rollercoaster of his emotions as DO throughout the drama. You'd want to hit him when he's annoying, laugh at him when he's being pathetic, cry with him when he's hurting, and feel relieved when he is finally able to smile. His acting skills is a big reason for you to watch this drama.
APPLAUSE to Song Ji-hyo for portraying a new kind of female lead: a main character you'd like to hate but cannot help but cheer for. Her emotional scenes in the last episodes of the drama were the ones that moved my heart.
KUDOS to the rest of the cast, especially Um Chae-young who played the role of the mature and loving daughter HN, Kim Young-ah who made the role of ever reliable Sook-hee come alive, Kim Min-jun whose minimal scenes as Koo Pa-do never failed to capture the viewers, Song Jong-ho whose versatility as an actor was evident in his role as Ryu-jin (colorful!), Kim Dasom who once again dissolved into a role she nailed well, Joo A-rin (crazy af, but can't help but like her!), Koo Ja-sung who played the role of someone unrealistic but still swoon-worthy Oh Yeon-woo (he has potentials, may he receive more dynamic roles in the future) and the most loveable mother actress in K-drama land, Kim Mi Kyung.
The hard work of Was It Love team from the director, to the actors and staff members is also a good reason for you to watch the drama.
MUSIC:
Was It Love OST helped a lot in taking the viewers back to the college days of the main characters. In particular, the original and Korean version of The Cranberries' song, "Dreams", the remake of "Was It A Real Love" and "Me These Days" have that early 2000s sound which would not fail to take you back to 2006.
RECOMMENDATION:
As I've mentioned, overall, Was It Love is a beautiful mess. Messy overall, but there are particular moments in this drama that are worth everyone's attention. To be fair to the writer, a number of dialogue in the drama were able to strike a "I can so relate" cord in the hearts of the viewers. That's why, if you don't mind getting emotional, frustrated, annoyed and angry while watching a drama, (binge) watch this.
However, if you're the type who, by just one look, see the predictability of a plot; are particular with the sensibility, stability and consistency of the story and its characters; or not a huge fan of any of the actors--spare yourself the time and just watch it when you don't have anything else to see. But I must warn you, if you watch it, it'll end up getting stuck somewhere inside you.
Come to think of it, Was It Love is a story like our own lives: a beautiful mess. The only way to appreciate it is to love it. Enjoy!
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"Never Again" - How does it really happen?
How the cycle of bullying ends? Is it by putting the bully in his place? Or is it when school policies against bullying are flaunted around the campus? How does it stop?To be honest, as the credits began to show as I watched this drama special, I wanted to see more. I wanted to see how things turned out. But later on, I realized: the final scene is a call to action. If you want to see how it ends, do it yourself.
STORY
Dramas focused on school bullying is always relevant in our times. But this drama presented bullying in all its forms and consequences not simply among the students but also within the school system. It was showcased so excellently and adequately, I actually got absorbed in the story the ending felt to suspenseful.
ACTING
While all the actors portrayed their roles very well, the ones who stood out for me are the actors who played Eun Seo and Hee Jin. They both helped the actor who played the main role (Jin Woo) shine.
RECOMMENDATION
If you liked the drama "Black Dog," you'll also appreciate this one. While the actors in this drama special are not that well-known (so I cannot exactly say, "this is a good watch if you're a fan of..."), it's still well worth the attention because of the story.
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A Miracle that also speaks to the Filipino heart
STORYAs it remains true to the storyline of the original Korean version, other details were added to bring out the Filipino flavor. Although I found some parts to be a bit hurried, the final scene actually made me forget about them.
ACTING
• Aga Muhlach played Joselito really well and I admire how he was able to do so without hogging the limelight. His fellow actors were able to shine in the movie as well.
• Xia Vigor's growth from a cutesy rich kid to a mature thinking daughter from a poor family was very evident in this film.
• Among the supporting actors, the one that stood out the most for me was John Arcilla.
MUSIC
Isang Himala by Katrina Velarde and Janine Teñoso's Tag-araw are good songs on their own but they become more meaningful in the context of the movie.
OVERALL
Miracle in Cell No. 7 (PH version) is a wonderful family movie and is recommendable to watch even without being a fan of the original version. If you are looking for a movie that would tear you up for all reasons, then this is a great watch.
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This review may contain spoilers
It's Your Choice to Abort or to Keep Watching It
At last, I've finally completed this drama.If I will rate it as a whole, it's an average drama in my opinion. Not interesting enough to start or to finish, unless you choose to give it a chance. But to be fair, there were some scenes that fit my taste and some support characters that I found likeable. If you're a curious one and are willing to find out, feel free to watch it without much expectations.
• I'd like to repeat the above warning, if you don't want SPOILERS, PLEASE DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS LINE •
When I first read the news about this movie, having Im Soo Hyang as the lead was somewhat a surprise for me; I expected someone younger. But then considering Korean culture, I guess hers is the age acceptable to talk about such issues as Woo Ri's.
As I've mentioned in some comments, I rooted for Kang Jae at the beginning but towards the middle, I hesitated because situations were pointing away from him. I actually thought Woo Ri won't end up getting married, but that would seem the most predictable out of all possible endings. I'll talk more about this later.
Themes of certain scenes were to my taste, like how Woo Ri's family's Catholic faith was expressed so perfectly imperfect, it was relatable. I also liked how they showed Woo Ri's dad making such effort to become part of the family, without having to force his way in. I liked how the hunt for Chairman Kim ended in an unpredictable way but a hidden daughter suddenly showing up was not exactly a good idea. But it somehow worked. Ma Ri / Mal Ja's character development is also something I liked. It's just sad she didn't have a happy ending.
I felt happy that Kang Jae was Woo Ri's endgame. While I'll be happy just the same if she decided not to marry, I'm glad both Woo Ri and Kang Jae's sacrifices from the beginning paid off. Raphael gets to be a dad so it's still a happy ending for him. Other matters were wrapped up nicely except for the "bed scene". Haha.
Anyway, just watch it once you make your choice to give it a chance. It won't be a waste with all the great actors in it, anyway.
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Never Again
"You wanted to be a bureaucrat because you want to serve the people and be of help to the helpless."The Journalist is a story of brave and conscientious newspaper reporter and a few people whose moral conviction was strengthened by the hardships they had undergone. Seemingly powerless, they work together to expose the truth behind the shameless corruption and abuse of those in power.
This is my second J-drama after Miss Sherlock and I must say that the Japanese delivery awesome cinematography and their shots are as neat and organized as they are known to be as a people.
I decided to watch this drama after being frustrated by the results of the national and local elections here in our country. I wasn't expecting much, expect for a satisfying ending where truth and justice eventually prevail despite being seemingly impossible.
STORY
The relevance of this drama's plot hits close to home. It was presented in a straightforward, gloomy way but one can sense hope along the way. Some moments were dragging but generally acceptable. It would have been better if there were more scenes that show how the problem was resolved but showing them made me feel like I was reading a book: it was up to me to imagine how things turned out. Just to add, opening credits of the drama felt more meaning towards the end. Nicely done.
ACTING/CAST
The actress who played Anna Matsuda did well not to hog the spotlight for herself, even though she had the strongest personality among the characters. This made a chance for the others, especially the characters Mayumi, Ryo and Murakami, even Mayu, to bring more meaning to the story.
MUSIC
The soundtrack did well to bring out the suspense part of the drama, but it didn't strike me as outstanding.
REWATCH VALUE
Watching this drama again for the sake of satisfying one's thirst for good governance might be a good idea. Same is true if you're a fan of the actors involved.
To conclude, The Journalist is an excellent drama that helps inflame one's love for country and inspires to do one's part to make one's nation become a just and corruption free society. If you are in need of fire for those aspects of your life, or if you're a journalist who seems to have forgotten the purpose of your work, this drama will remind you of how your profession becomes a mission to become a voice for the voiceless.
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- Unique storyline presented in an unpredictable way; makes you curious about how it would end
- It has Ra Mi Ran, Kim Hyun Joo and Kim Myeong Min; with their superb acting skills, who would not get drawn into their characters' emotions?
- It also has EXO's Kai (more comments below)
- Excellent acting from the supporting cast, especially by the child actors
- It has a non-toxic mother-in-law character (yes, I consider this a strength lol)
- 'Monochrome' (OST) will stay in your head even after you have completed the drama
WEAKNESSES
- Flow of story can be dragging at times; frustration may keep you from completing the drama
- Once you get invested in the story, some scenes and situations may crush your heart and leave you tearful
- Ato (Kai's character) has his own charms, but he may at some scenes can be either annoying or cringey or both
- Some supporting love lines were introduced but were not paid attention to in the end
SOME COMMENTS
- At a certain point in the drama, I found myself asking, "Who should Song Hyeon Cheol end up with?" With logic, the answer is simple, but the struggles of the human heart is not a math equation, more so, the emotional consequences of a person's choices. (There is actually a Song Hyeon Cheol [C], if you ask me.)
- Some may think this is like a "ugly wife vs. pretty wife" kind of story, but the choices are not really between those two words.
- Memories may reside in the mind but it is the heart that makes meaning of them.
RECOMMENDATION
This drama is worth your time. I suggest you watch it, especially if you want to see a different side of Ra Mi Ran after watching Reply 1988 or Black Dog.
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Watch with Different Expectations
News of this drama piqued my interest because Ra Mi Ran is its female lead (liked her since Reply 1988). When I learned that Cha Cheong Hwa (I could still hear her "MAMA!" in Mr. Queen) would be part of it as well I got even more interested! Plus, Lee Seo Jin taking on a comedic role for a drama - I didn't expect him to do slapstick comedy after seeing him in Three Meals A Day - is something to be curious about as well.To be honest, there were episodes when I fell asleep, in midst of being confused of how should view this drama as: it's like a documentary (the camera was shaky - should give one a docu effect?) but not really. I also questioned, "Why?" Ra Mi Ran's character was cute but a little brainless, Cha Cheong Hwa was just there, trying not to work hard as clinic's secretary... There was a teeny tiny bit of time when I asked, "Why waste their acting prowess in this simple story?" It was just a plain sitcom. Not much depth, no drama.
Then I decided to throw away my expectations and just go with the story's flow.
Only those who stay until the end will discover the little gems this drama hides.
But I marked this one as "no spoilers" so I'll just tell you what to watch out for: inspirational lines, laughter and warmth, served a bit quite differently than the usual dramas we watch. Oh, also, expected really obvious product placements for more spice. Haha. Best episode is the last one.
I prescribe this drama to doctors who wants to escape for some thirty minutes in between work shifts and to those who are into the original webtoon.
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