6
10
JulesL
Wonderful love story enhanced by the fantastic chemistry between the OTP and an awesome OST
I started this drama expecting a light romantic comedy but was pleasantly surprised by the emotional roller coaster ride towards the end. The comedic moments were certainly there, and there were many times when I laughed out loud. When I re-watched some scenes, I found myself already giggling and laughing before the scenes even began. This show was not perfect, but I like the writing because it managed to make me sympathize with the villains. I even shed tears for them, especially for Li Xun (Zhang Bo Ham) because they were portrayed so well by the actors, and no character felt one-dimensional.There were many kissing scenes, rare for C-dramas, and so nicely done (no stiff pecks on the lips for the leads)! I love how the male lead's natural reaction was always to kiss the female lead, and the skinship made the romance felt real. I enjoyed watching the interactions between the OTP, and the progression of their relationship. Some scenes unexpectedly became memorable to me, like the wedding dance and the arrow shooting ceremony.
Li Qian is now one of my favorite male lead characters because he was never foolish, even as he fell head over heels for Ming Yue. Throughout the challenges and hardships that they had to go through, he was thoughtful and smart. He was so devoted to Ming Yue and remained steadfastly committed to her and their love. Also, unlike the male leads in other shows, he makes it clear from the get-go, his lack of interest, and has no qualms about rejecting the second female lead. Plus, he had such good lines when it came to romancing his lady! Fang Yi Lun did a great job, playing the fine-looking, intelligent, fair, but initially emotionally unapproachable 9th prince. He was able to display a range of emotions when necessary in the various scenes. I hope to see him in more lead roles. He is multi-talented since he also sang some of the tracks for the OST. As for Ling Mei Shi, I believe this is her first lead role as well, and she shined as the cute, mischievous, and street-smart Ming Yue.
I was also impressed by Ni Han Jin. He is certainly sexy with a great body but it was his acting as Yun Si that kept me invested in his story with Ming Yue. One could feel his pain from losing his one and only so unfairly and understand why his broken heart drove him to desperate measures. I had less sympathy for Hui Xin and her obsessive unrequited love, but Zhou Zi Xin portrayed the lovely but conniving character well. Another character I liked was Si Kong Zhen, played by Dong Yan Lei. His bromance with the male lead provided many entertaining scenes, and his dedication to their friendship made for some heartwarming moments.
The OST made its way onto my regular playlist - that's how much I liked it! Overall the songs complemented the scenes so nicely, and the instrumental pieces fitted the moods well.
I rated the re-watch value pretty high since I will likely watch this show again when I am in the mood for romantic kiss scenes, hilarious moments, or heartbreaking tear-jecking parts.
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The romance is fluffy and uncomplicated, with no stressful love triangle. There is a potential competitor for the female lead's love but no obvious second male lead here. I have to warn you that there are some heartache moments but the story is so well written as a rom-com, it made me switch my emotions back and forth and I had no time to dwell on the sad parts.
The plot line was interesting to me, and I thought it was well-developed. The male lead seemed rather naive in the beginning but that made sense given what he went through for the past years. I like that ultimately, they wove it into the story that he and everyone else acknowledged how unbelievably gullible he was initially.
It is my first time watching Yoo Seung Ho and he did an amazing job. I like that he did not portray a stereotypical Asian man who don't show his emotions. He cried so prettily and I find him incredibly charismatic. His gazes were definitely smoldering. Ultimately he came across as this intelligent and strong character who was not afraid to show his softer side.
Chae Soo Bin, the female lead was cute - she is not my kind of pretty but she played the role very well. She definitely had good chemistry with the male lead. Their interactions were so cute and fun.
The supporting cast did really well as well, and unlike other dramas, I found myself not skipping through the show because I was also interested in the supporting cast's stories. There could have been more character development for some of them. The villains were just evil enough but luckily not enough to make me stressed.
Music-wise, the selections were fitting but I don't find any pieces particular memorable. I did not try to look the playlist up in Spotify which is usually a clear indicator whether I truly was affected by the OST.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama because of its message about relationships and sincerity. It evokes all the emotions that you can possibly feel.
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I want him to be my first love and my last...
The Emergency Couple started with eloquent, fervent declarations of love and had the grand gesture of marriage between our main couple, but the story did not continue with a happily ever after. Instead, it explored what happened when love did not conquer all during the first round. The show's premise was about a second chance at love, focusing on a couple who got divorced and were thrown together again with their lives intertwined by a twist of fate.I found this plot appealing because it tackled various aspects of a relationship that otherwise would not be uncovered in a couple's first go-around. We don't get the thrill of watching the couple flirt, wondering when they will finally get together, and experiencing the big kiss. Instead, we get to see the more sobering effects of watching the marriage between the main couple fall apart in flashbacks throughout the show. There is a sense of discomfort when we find the couple, for frustrating reasons, could not make it work in the end.
That said, while there was some angst in this drama featuring Sean Jindachot and Bua Nalinthip, it was not an all-sob fest. Done with the flair that you would find only in lakorns, there was the feeling of hope and light silliness threaded throughout the episodes. The production of the show felt different, with a great vibe. The setting, pacing, lighting, and directing reminded me of American shows about doctors, but at the same time, had the Thai flavor. The show delivered the entertaining aspects of a workplace drama, served with the delicious anxiety of a romance story.
The major draw for me was the feeling of potential. The fact that there were redeeming qualities in the couple's relationship, as flawed as it may have been, suggested that it could be better than it once was and that the ex-husband and ex-wife could appreciate each other even more than they once did.
Pun Saksuan (Sean) and Punn Settan (Bua) portrayed a couple, divorced for six years, who found their paths crossing again as interns in a hospital. The play on the couple's first names must have been deliberate since the show took the opportunity to include scenes of confused identities. From the starting encounter, the viewers could tell that the story between them was not completely finished. The first few episodes highlighted their struggles in having to be in close proximity again and the messiness of their feelings of hurt and anger. There was some melodrama, featuring the typical annoying interfering (ex-)mother-in-law, but thankfully, the nang'ek (female lead) was not a screechy, clingy, crazy female. She was persistent indeed but still had dignity. The SML (second male lead) was tall, dark, and handsome. Sensitive and smart, I was rooting for the FL and SML quite a bit, especially when the ML (male lead) acted like a jerk initially.
As the story progressed, the couple rediscovered the lost love between them, and there were scenes set up to pull at the heartstrings. Lines blurred and crossed, romance wore different masks, and emotions were not as simple or neat as most of us like to believe. Mostly, the story development was fine, but something was lacking. I felt like I missed the turning point when the ML suddenly softened and decided he wanted to reconcile with the FL. The same thing happened with the second couple involving the SML, Mor' Gook (Dr. Cook), and Dr. May - they too had a history. Throughout most of the show, the plot hinted and teased at the attraction between the FL and the SML, but then, surprisingly and suddenly, feelings got redirected. I am not sure if scenes were cut or if it was simply some weak writing that did not connect the dots smoothly for me.
I have always liked Sean's acting, and his eyes are his biggest asset to me. It was again the case in this drama, where Sean delivered some great emotional scenes. Bua's characters tend to start off irritating but eventually become likable, and she did a great job during the poignant moments. The only drawback was that sometimes Bua faded into the background, with Sean drawing more attention. Still, together, they delivered good chemistry, and their visuals were, of course, attractive. Speaking of attractiveness, On Nophand Boonyai certainly caught my eye as the reserved attending surgeon responsible for the interns. Deliberately shown as scruffy, a doctor dedicated to his profession with no room for romance, he was the perfect choice to complete the love triangle of our main couple. Ultimately, he had his own story to complete with the lovely Dr. May, who was generally a wonderful character and by far the wisest and most mature among all. They too had their own second chance at love. While I was not satisfied with how the romance flowed among the characters, I was happy with the outcome.
The side characters added more interest, and the supporting cast did their jobs, some more exaggerated than others, but the over-acting was kind of expected in a Thai lakorn. The music soundtrack was not memorable for me, and I think it was pretty much one song throughout the show, along with some instrumental background music.
Overall, if you’re in the mood for watching romances rekindled with the push-and-pull and emotional turbulence that comes along with them, all set in an emergency room, and want a break from the typical Thai rom-com, this may be a good choice.
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Satisfying Romance Amid Mystery and Intrigue
Without a doubt, this is definitely one of the better lakorns lately. Romance-wise, it was satisfying. Nadech and Kimmy have really good chemistry and they are not shy about skinship. It was just right and felt very natural. What's even better is that unlike many other lakorns, we don't have to wait until the last episode (or the last 15 minutes) to see the main couple get together.I absolutely like the ML character, Khunkao - very smart, calm and composed. The show definitely portrays him as the "hero" and Nadech totally played the part. He's particularly attractive to me in this drama although some of the "drama" and heroics scenes made me laugh...they were a tad overdone.
Jane, the FL, was plucky and a go-getter. She can get on one's nerves at times, and she had her cringey moments, but overall, she was a good fit for the ML. Kimmy acted her role well and you can see her bubbly personality coming out as Jane.
How the 2nd couple worked out was also good, and the 3rd couple was cute although it did break one person's heart.
It was a good emotion-filled show with lots of ups but also some tear-jerking moments. The show did get draggy during a few episodes in the middle, mainly because the investigation and reveals felt slow. There were a couple of surprising plot twists but still, the show could have cut down a couple of episodes.
I was happy with the ending. Usually, I don't like the whole redemption approach used in most lakorns even though I understand it is a cultural aspect. I just prefer to see the villains properly punished but in this show, it actually made sense, and that particular sub-plot was done nicely.
I like the OST and my favorite songs were:
รักครึ่งๆกลางๆ | INDIGO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbNHLaCZ1Q
ให้รักนำทาง Ost.สืบลับหมอระบาด | Wanyai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em8igUpefF8
Overall, I totally recommend this drama. You will not be disappointed if you are a fan of either lead and if you are watching for the romance. The mystery and investigation part was actually pretty good, other than the fact that it probably could have been resolved earlier.
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Mario and Kimmy Showing Off Their Comedic Chops!
Another fun lakorn that proves that the Thai know how to mix comedy, romance, and drama well, and in this case, there's some dabbling in the supernatural. Using hilarious dialogue and effective sound effects, the show swings from romantic to dramatic to funny quickly and smoothly, and it keeps the entertainment level high throughout the show. While the humor is mostly slapstick and low-brow, the show also uses a gentle version of dark comedy to deal with grimmer topics like death, sickness, and plain evilness that lurks in human nature. Just be prepared to laugh, cry and then laugh again.The show follows our main couple, Thong Ek and Chaba, and their hate-to-love journey. In their case, opposites do attract. Thong Ek is an aspiring herbal master, knowledgeable and kind but being a hot-blooded young man, can be quite rascally, especially when encouraged by his equally flirty friends, Piak and Toon. Chaba is not your typical noble lady, expected to be soft-mannered and adept in managing the household. Instead, she is outspoken, brave, and more interested in wielding a sword than a ladle. Certainly not the kind of girl that Thong Ek fancies in the beginning. Thong Ek and Chaba start out as being hostile towards each other. Still, when Chaba gets inspired to study traditional medicine from Thong Ek, they gradually learn to meet halfway, and the feelings between the two eventually become mutual. However, the path they take to get there is full of humorous incidents, twists, and turns.
Mario Maurer is perfect as the goofy but charming Thong Ek, and really, he is simply adorable. So is Kimberley "Kimmy" Woltemas, who portrays the opinionated and plucky Chaba well. I like their characters, and together they do make a lovely couple. They are super super sweet after marriage! That said, I am not feeling the chemistry as much between them compared to other on-screen couples. Still, their romance is fun to watch,, and their antics, especially when Piak, Toon, and Chongko are involved, are guaranteed to bring on the laughter.
The show also features other cute pairings such as Perm and Glin as well as Piak and Chongko. Chongko totally rocks by the way! She is the kind of girlfriend that every girl should have, and I really want her to end up with the SML. Speaking of the SML, my poor Punjan Imanothai. He's hot, and his portrayal as Kla is sexy and sweet enough to cause me to partially root for him to win Chaba's heart. Plus the whole backstory of how they supported each other since childhood is endearing.
It's interesting that, like his character in BPS (Love Destiny), Punjan's Kla ultimately ends up with the girl who is in love with the ML initially. I did not mind it in BPS, but somehow, I really dislike the character Pong in this drama. I am not sure if it is Namwhan Supinchompoo's acting or the character is just one that does not sit well with me. She comes across as weak and sketchy; not obviously manipulative but at the same time not sincere. It is hard for me to believe that she has genuine feelings for Kla. After Thong Ek rejects her, she appears to shift her focus on Kla as a more viable option to live comfortably. Even on Kla's side, it feels more like Pong is a consolation prize, something to possess more than someone to love.
I appreciate the effort that the subbers made to provide the names of the herbs used in the traditional medicine. The show also delivers a good message about how the traditional way of treating illness can work together with the western methods.
I also like the instrumental music that underscores the emotional scenes. The opening credit song sang by Mario is light-hearted and upbeat, capturing the generally playful tone of this entertaining rom-com. According to a post I came across, Mario's ost is about "medicine to save nang'ek's heart from bruises".
Overall, this show is an enjoyable time well spent, especially if you are a fan of Mario or Kimmy. They both shine in this lakorn.
For posterity, I am recording the track list here:
1. Ya ya ya : Mario Maurer feat. Ayutthaya Cute Boys
ยา ยา ยา : มาริโอ้ เมาเร่อ feat. อยุธยา Cute Boys
2. Kord : Gun Napat
กอด : กัน นภัทร
3. Yood hai jai ngai kwa : Kala
หยุดหายใจง่ายกว่า : กะลา
4. Rak dee dee mai mee kai : Joke So Cool
รักดีๆไม่มีขาย : โจ๊ก โซคูล
5. Cross Love (V. Japan Rock) : Instinct
6. Mai rak khon eun : ETC
ไม่รักคนอื่น : ETC
7. Mai chai mai rak : Briohny
ไม่ใช่ไม่รัก : ไบรโอนี่
8. Hua jai hai ther : Ice Saranyu
หัวใจให้เธอ : ไอซ์ ศรัณยู
9. Hedpol kong khon mai dee : Opal Praput
เหตุผลของคนไม่ดี : โอปอ ประพุทธ์
10. Pror chanun : Zeal
เพราะฉะนั้น : ซีล
11. Pieng nai jai : Boy Peacemaker
เพียงในใจ : บอย พีชเมคเกอร์
12. Ja soo na ther yung ngai : Punch
จะสู้หน้าเธอยังไง : พันซ์
13. Yoo puer ther : Punjun Porrama
อยู่เพื่อเธอ : ปั้นจั่น ปรมะ
14. Rak tae mee kae krung diew : Nam Ronnadech
รักแท้มีแค่ครั้งเดียว : แหนม รณเดช
15. Rak chua nirun : Nan Satida
รักชั่วนิรันดร์ : แนน สาธิดา
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Well-executed story, great acting, and addictive music
This lakorn is definitely worth the 1.5-day binge-watching with little sleep in between. The story was a good one, and the pacing was just right forthe most part. Unlike many "hate to love" dramas where the lead couple starts off not liking each other due to personality differences or misunderstandings, the female lead, Paeng indeed did something awful that justified the male lead, Arthit's intense hate towards her. For me, that made the story more interesting, and the character development for both leads more compelling. What made the story even better for me was that I could not tell when exactly was the turning point for Arthit, and when he began to fall for Paeng. Like Arthit said, "by the time he realized it, he was already in love with her". That was a poignant moment, and the progression of their relationship felt so natural and so right.The cast was excellent, and the acting was on-point. As in many Thai rom-coms, the supporting characters can be over the top and at times ridiculous, but still, you cannot help but laugh. I have to single out Mark Prin for his excellent acting. Objectively speaking, Arthit was a total jerk during the first part of the show (although with good reason), but Mark managed to portray him in such a relatable and charismatic way that one cannot help but root for him. Kao Thanachart impressed me in My Secret Bride, and she did it again in this show except for some emotional scenes in which she did not quite nail them.
Some pairings just work, and lucky for us, the audience, this show got it right with Mark and Kao. Even though the kissing could be steamier, the chemistry between those two is terrific, and together, they make a gorgeous couple, likewise, for the second couple, Thanon and Ling. I really liked Punjan Imanothai in Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat, and he played Thanon so charmingly in this show. Luckily he was not the second lead. Otherwise, I would suffer from SLS. Also, a shout out to Freud Chatphong Natthaphong, who played Kot for his comedic chops. I've seen him in quite a few lakorns. Deaw Suriyon Aroonwattanakul as Mark also did a great job playing a psychopath. He caught my interest in Nueng Dao Fah Diew and I hope that he will have a chance at being the male lead in the near future.
Another plus point is how well the show used music to enhance the mood and scenes. Using interesting sound effects typical of a Thai drama, the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes and then break the tension by transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted moments. I love all the music - the songs as well as the instrumental and vocal pieces.
I could not give this show a perfect 10 because of two main reasons - 1) the use of noble idiocy, a trope that should go extinct, and 2) the show skimped on romantic scenes between Arthit and Paeng. Instead of throwing in a subplot, we could have appreciated more scenes where Paeng fell back in love with Arthit after his confession.
Overall, I would recommend this lakorn to everyone, although I am probably among the last few who have not seen it earlier.
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A simple, adorable, with almost no melodrama rom-com
I think the show deserves a higher rating on MDL, but I can understand why it may not be everyone's cup of tea. Despite being a period drama, there was a modern feel to it, which I enjoyed, and it was the perfect show to binge watch.What I liked the most:
* Slapstick humour and use of comedic cartoon effects: Instead of being annoying, the visual effects managed to hit the right notes during the comedic moments and added to the hilarity.
* Cheesiness and fluff.: This show was definitely fluffy, but I was looking specifically for a show that was all about the romance and less about the melodrama. The simple, light-hearted plot was perfect for a binge session.
* Endearing romance between the leads: the "hate to love" romance between Tan Lingyin and Tang Tianyuan was adorable. The chemistry between Zhang Hao Wei and Zhang Ruonan was palpable, so much so that even little innocent kisses between them were enough to make me smile. There was just so much sweetness in their interactions.
Zhang Hao Wei stood out as the very handsome, intelligent, savvy magistrate who was the perfect counterpart to the female lead who was more rash and reckless. Typically the rational and calm one, Tang Tianyuan was also very consistent in his love for Tan Lingyin. He may tease her a lot, but it was obvious that he cared for her and constantly supported and encouraged her. He never gave up on their relationship, even during the rough patches. Zhang Hao Wei's acting was good, and he emoted well. You can see his love or pride whenever Tan Lingyin showcased her smarts.
Zhang Ruonan portrayed the mischievous, plucky, and cute Tan Lingyin perfectly. I liked that she was a strong female lead who was determined to be recognized and respected despite the social expectations of women at that time. Tang Tianyuan, as Lingyin 's childhood idol and inspiration, was a nice touch to the story.
* It was not all about love: The show did focus on the romance between the main and secondary (Zheng Shaofeng and Zhou Ruyi) couples, but there were mini-arcs about the supporting cast that drew me in. Unlike many c-dramas, which lose steam and get draggy towards the end, I was still engaged as the show drew to a close. Also, I appreciated the consistent portrayal of the female lead, who did not give everything up for love. Tan Lingyin remained steadfast in her desire to achieve her own goals, and Tang Tianyuan went up a level of swoon-worthiness when he promised to to respect her wish and come back to her.
* Awesome supporting characters: It was a good-looking cast for sure, and there were a few characters that added the extra oomph to the show. The bromance between Tang Tianyuan and Zheng Shaofeng was used effectively to highlight the different approaches the two men took to pursue the women they loved. Other characters I liked: Qing Chen - Tan Lingyin’s adopted brother whose character tempered her rashness; Duan Feng - the dashing bandit whom I would have shipped with the female lead in a heartbeat if Tang Tianyuan was not such a charismatic male lead; and Zhu Dacong which I thought was going to be the annoying second lead but ended up being one of my favourite characters because of his earnestness, his love, and respect for Tan Lingyin.
* Great OST – there were only 3 main songs that I believe were highlighted in the show but I liked all of them. Fortunately I was able to find them on YouTube music. The songs were memorable and the show used them effectively during the poignant scenes between the main and secondary couples.
My main gripes would be that
* The plotline about the ‘gold case’ was not that exciting, and the villains were rather one-dimensional.
* The second couple had more steamy kisses than our main leads. I noticed that lately in most dramas (be it Chinese, Thai or Korean), the main couples were always more restrained compared to the secondary couples.
Overall, I enjoyed the show and would recommend it to anyone who just wants to unwind or binge-watch over a weekend.
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Solid plot, charming romance, well-timed comedy and enough political intrigue to chew on
This was indeed a well-executed show with a sophisticated and witty script. Good content filled each episode and the show balanced between political intrigue, romance, comedy, and drama nicely. The hilarious moments were well-timed, and using the OST and interesting sound effects, the show almost always hit the right dramatic notes while transitioning smoothly to more light-hearted scenes. I liked the OST, all of it, the songs and the instrumental pieces.I appreciated how the writers realistically weaved in the theme of female empowerment without using the cross-dressing trope. The women legitimately proved their intelligence and worth, ending up as historians in the palace after passing the civil exam. The show also handled the inclusion of various thought-provoking topics perfectly, like the clash between the Western and Korean cultures and religion, the embrace of modern ideas like science versus traditional beliefs, and gender and class inequality.
Shin Se Kyung mesmerized me throughout the show. She acted well as our plucky heroine, plus she is so lovely to look at, and I quite enjoyed admiring her gorgeous features, especially during her close-ups. Her voice suited her character, Goo Hae Ryung who was thoughtful, intelligent, well-read, brave, observant, and rational. Her rationality could be considered a point of frustration for our male lead, Prince Dowon, since Hae Ryung usually did not have a romantic bone in her body. That why I was pleasantly surprised that she initiated the first kiss while quoting a romantic phrase back to Prince Dowon.
The noona romance was another plus point for the show. The chemistry between the two leads was palpable, and the show was clever to leverage the age gap and shaped out the characters in a believable way. Cha Eun Woo portrayed the handsome and naive Prince Dowon perfectly, an adorable young romantic who wore his heart on his sleeve. His micro-expressions were on-point, from being love struck to showing determination and courage when confronting his antagonists. It was endearing to see the character growth of Prince Dowon and, through his coming of age, evolved into a man who consistently stood up for his beliefs, principles, and his love for Hae Ryung.
While I enjoyed watching the romance between the two leads, I did suffer from SLS. I honestly would not have minded if Hae Ryung ended up with Officer Min. For me, he was an excellent match for the FL - a mature, intelligent, principled man would have been a perfect partner for Hae Ryung. I first saw Lee Ji Hoon in "Dinner Mate", but he really caught my eye in this show. There was a certain charisma that I found attractive. I felt the same way about Park Ki Woong, who played the Crown Prince. Those two men totally rocked facial hair.
The downer for me was the dynamic between the Crown Prince and the historian Song. There was just something about the character, Song Sa Hee, that turned me off, and I did not want to see the Crown Prince develop feelings for her. So I ended up fast-forwarding through some of their scenes. This is the reason why I did not rate this show a perfect 10.
The whole cast did well, and even though there were over the top characters, they fitted well into the story. There were no superfluous characters; each one had a purpose and lent to the story.
Overall, if you are looking for quality production, a well-written story with a strong female lead, and a charming romance, you might want to give this show a try.
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Only one true kiss but it was a good one!
I am surprised by the low number of watchers but now that Viki has picked up all 3 seasons and provided english subs for them, I hope that the viewership will increase. I have only seen season 1 (first 12 episodes), and I really enjoyed watching it.It is a web drama so it is low-budget, and the costumes and settings are not the best quality. However, it is short, simple and light-hearted. For those reasons, I recommend it for an easy bingeable watch. Even though the plot is nothing new with its time travel element, the story flowed well and the pace was good. There's no melodrama and even though there were palace politics, the plot was easy to understand and to follow. Being a short drama, there were moments when the writers quickly skimmed over certain scenes and not providing reasons to justify certain actions but I had expected that so I was not disappointed.
There were no superfluous characters; each one had a purpose and fitted into the story well. There were no stand out actors with the main characters being newbies but I would say that they did a good job on the whole with room for improvement.
If nothing else, the romance between the ML and FL was really sweet and they had great chemistry. I liked how their relationship progressed naturally and even though there was only one true kiss, the two leads really delivered. Definitely no stiff quick peck there! They really did make an adorable couple with both of them always wanting to take care of each other. For example, Xian Yun refusing to kill Prince Ming to save herself from dying from poison, or when Prince Ming risking his life to save her even though it meant that he would likely die. They were both so sincere and trusting of each other.
Yang An Qi did well portraying Ji Xian Yun and I quite like the FL. She was strong, practical, adaptable and flexible. In the first part of the show, she was so focused on getting back to her time, that she barely registered the ML's fine looks and how he was truly a good catch. On the other hand, Prince Ming showed interest in her almost immediately and it was cute to see him trying to keep her by his side and watching over her. Sheng Ying Hao certainly has the physique and handsome face to play the dashing Prince Ming. I first noticed him as Pei Heng in The Romance of Tiger and Rose and thought that his acting has improved in that show.
Overall, if you are looking for in-depth character development, quality production and a well-executed story from start to end, this is not the show for you. If you want a quick, very light and funny drama that you can easily finish in a day, then do watch this. Knowing that there is a second season already available made the abrupt ending more acceptable to me. Although I am not sure if I want to watch the next season since I saw that they changed the actress for the female lead character. I may prefer to stick to just watching the first season and keep this show as a sweet and fun memory.
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Satisfying journey of unrequited love
After re-watching this show, I felt compelled to write a review even though there were already many written.Definitely one of my top 3 favorite Thai lakorns! The show used the OST effectively, and the music enhanced the scenes and moods. I enjoyed the story and the writing and thought that the usage of poetry was creative. I also liked the scenes where they highlighted Myanmar and its temples, although I read that the show painted a rosier picture than how the reality was in the Dawei SEZ.
What I appreciated the most was the character development of the OTP, and especially the ML. The chemistry between the couple was on point, and the actors did a fantastic job. They played off each other well and nailed every scene, including the crying ones. Superficial me was drawn to their good looks and how adorably they matched each other.
Mew Nittha portrayed Muey beautifully, indeed an iron fist in a velvet glove. Extremely smart (hacker-level), lovely in appearance and character, Muey displayed such grace in her unrequited love for Thien. Even though she tended to put Thien before herself, she was not a doormat. In contrast, Muey showed such strength, determination, and sincerity so pure that I enjoyed watching her grow further into her own. She never gave up on her love for Thien. Even when she decided that they should part, her ultimate objective was to confirm if they can truly love each other after some space and time apart. By the way, I loved how Muey delivered that blow to Thien in such a calm, gentle, but so effective way.
Mark Prin, as Thien, demonstrated how well he could flex his acting muscles, and his expressions were hilarious during the comedic moments! Thien was a jerk initially, which made it so very satisfying to watch him come around and realized how deeply he loved Muey. In Muey, he actually found his "perfect" woman, the one who loved him unconditionally. It was clever how the show weaved in scenes showing his character development and the evolution of his love for Muey.
The show did well in giving the audience scenes where the ML ended up working hard to win the FL back, and they did not do it in a rushed manner. It was most gratifying, and the ending was just awesome!
The supporting cast all deserved a big shout out! There was a great rapport between all the actors, and all of them did amazingly I was won over by Thien's and Mew's side kicks, and Thien's family (Aunt Satchi, Ri and Mon) were simply endearing.
All in all, I highly recommend this lakorn!
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While there were many great scenes between the OTP (mostly slaps and kisses in the beginning), the romance was not the show's primary focus. The show poster that featured the ML prominently clearly indicated this. The story was really all about Tor/Sila, and his singular desire to destroy the ones who wronged him and his mother. The other characters, including Minta, the FL, and Aunt Mam played pivotal roles in his life, but they were still side characters whose purpose was to convince Tor to move on from the past. Their goodness served as a foil to Sila's thirst for revenge against the villains.
The show was an emotional roller coaster for me, and I enjoyed the melodrama. The cast did a fantastic job, and almost all actors portrayed their parts with so much intensity. For me, Tor Leeluttanakajorn really carried the show. He completely got the character, Sila, a man who initially would stop at nothing to get his revenge. His expressions were on-point, and he emoted his scenes so well, including the crying ones. Sila was suave, sexy, charismatic, and had a swagger that Tor pulled off very nicely.
Also noteworthy were Noon Wattanajinda as Mam and Ann Siriam as Sida. They were perfect counterpoints to each other. Mam was the Queen, and I love her character. She was gorgeous, smart, and strong, not only mentally but also physically. That woman can kick ass! Noon portrayed Mam perfectly as a woman with so much dignity even though she was a mistress. Sida was the witch, so wicked with no conscience. I truly hated her, but Ann was excellent in her acting, being so deliciously evil. The two dads were also awesome albeit they showed their support much later in the show.
I can understand why there were many negative comments about the FL's character. Often, she was just the wide-eyed, crying prop. Ferny Nopjira, as Minta fitted the pretty picture of innocence and unbelievable naiveté that distracted Sila from his mission. Her acting was OK but I don't know if it was the writing that prevented her from displaying a wider acting range. They did not even give her good dialogues to work with.
I would have rated this show a perfect 10 if they had written in a better FL character. That said, since the romance was just part of the plot, I found it acceptable that Minta had little character development. Especially when it was her caring heart and her unwavering love for Sila that helped him find peace in the end. There was definitely chemistry between the OTP, and the height difference was so cute.
I have to admit that I loved how Sila carried out his revenge against the villains. He was intelligent and rational; most times, he was one step ahead of the game. Sadly, he did suffer a devastating loss as a consequence of his actions. When that happened, I cried buckets, especially since I did not expect the plot to take such a turn. The villains truly deserved to be hated, and I enjoyed seeing them get their retribution.
The OST was great, fitting for the various scenes. It is actually the first Thai lakorn OST that made it to my regular playlist.
All in all, it was a great show, and the rewatch value is high.
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Hamo hamo
I truly enjoyed watching this emotional roller coaster of a show! It was so much fun, but filled with the right amount of heartache that pulled me in. I was laughing, sobbing and waiting in anticipation for the next scene. The writers know when to bring on a comedic moment and when to tug at one's heartstrings - everything was just perfectly timed!There's nothing original about the plot - CEO rich guy meets weak girl of a lower pedigree but end up falling for each other despite the circumstances. However, the story was very well-written and nicely produced. Unlike many other k-dramas in which the characters' illogical or unbelievably immature behavior make me roll my eyes and yell in frustration, I found myself being able to relate to the characters and why they acted the way they did. Even when I was raging at Lee Gun's obstinacy and his noble idiocy, I could follow his reasoning. Even the "villain or obstacle-creator", Se-Ra's actions could be justified.
The entire cast really delivered and had great rapport with each other. I like that there was a purpose for each character and the show did not resort to having irrelevant characters for filler or useless sub plots.
Jang Hyuk as Lee Gun showed that he had a wide acting range. It's my first time seeing him flex his acting muscles and I was totally blown away! I am now a fan and cannot wait to see his other works. As Gun, he transitioned so smoothly between intensely heartbreaking moments to insanely funny ones and like one reviewer said, he used laughter many times to show his pain. To be honest, I was never able to adjust to his laugh in the show - it was just too weird for me. However, that did not detract from his overall quality acting. I did enjoy watching the evolution of his hair - it seemed like the stylist had a fun time deciding what style he should take on for every episode. My favourite styles were during later episodes - the changes made a difference. I already found him attractive from the beginning but he looked really hot after one main change. I wish I discovered him earlier!
Jang Na Ra as Kim Mi Young was perfect. She was one of the very few meek female leads that did not irritate me. Even though Mi Young came across as being a doormat at the beginning, Jang Ra Na managed to evoke a sincerity so evident, that her weakness was actually a strength. She was such an earnest, generous, kind and lovely character that I, like Lee Gun and everyone else around her, fell in love with her. The two leads had great chemistry and I loved watching their interactions.
I experienced the Second Lead Syndrome strongly in this drama, and while I was rooting for Lee Gun, I so much wanted Daniel to be happy. Daniel was the perfect cool Adonis - the scenes with his proposal and the way he showed Mi Young that he was letting go of his feelings for her - so creative and touching! I can totally picture Mi Young and him together, creating the 'real' family that he wants. Let's just say I was 60% team Gun, 40% team Daniel. Choi Jin Hyuk is also another tall drink of manliness. I want to see him get the girl so his show "Devilish Joy" is on my watch list. I also added "Tunnel to that list.
Music-wise, to whomever who selected the tracks - GREAT JOB! Each piece fit the mood perfectly and the timing of when the music comes in, also nicely done.
Overall, I am so glad that I did not skip this drama just because it was not a newer release. The ending was so, so satisfying and I would re-watch the show for sure, even the scenes that made me an emotional mess.
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Fantastic rom-com that delivers in every aspect!
Such a wonderful atypical drama! With a great script, excellent acting, and a well-executed story, I could not find any flaws! Some may say that the show is a bit slow-moving, but for me, the pace is good, especially when this is a character-driven series. The dialogue between the characters is witty, unpredictable, and unconventional. Conversations often start on one thread and then get derailed as the characters focus on something else before they get back on track. I love the honesty and, in a way, the lack of filter between the characters. Often, someone would say something so unexpected that it raised the scene to a whole new level for me. Also, there are some epic scenes where the show balances so well between humor and poignancy. Visually, the drama is a feast for the eyes because no matter who you look at - either Oh Mi Joo, Seon Gyeom, Dan Ah, or Young Hwa, the good looks are blinding.At first glance, one may think that the male and female leads represent the "rich boy poor girl" trope, and on the flip side, the secondary couple is the "poor boy rich girl" story. However, there's nothing stereotypical about the characters. Each character is complex, with multiple layers to their personalities. Mi-Joo may be poor, but she does not do things just for the money. In fact, her motivation is often driven by her sense of fairness. She believes in her own self-worth and values herself above everything else. She may be frustrated with her life situation, but she is dedicated to her job as a translator. As for Seon Gyeom, he fascinates me. He is straightforwardly blunt and says things that may seem uncaring or cold, but his delivery and expression make him come across more as naïve and adorably curious. He is charismatic and 100% committed to doing what's right. Together, this couple fit so well, and you cannot help but cheer for them during their happy moments and cry with them when they suffer. Same thing for our other couple, Dan Ah and Young Hwa who have the more fun and quirky Noona romance. Dan Ah appears to be strong and have it all together but under her tough defiance lies a vulnerability that stems from the unfairness of being a female in her family. Young Hwa is the perfect counterpart to Dan Ah, so sweet and optimistic and in contrast to all three really, so open-hearted. His never-ending jars of honey are a source of constant comic relief.
Lucky for us audience, this show got it right with the casting, and some pairings just work. Shin Se Kyung and Im Shi Wan have the "it" factor, and their chemistry is palpable. I have liked Shin Se Kyung since I saw her in Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, and she again impressed me in this show. This is my first time watching Im Shi Wan, but together with Se Kyung, Choi Soo Young, Kang Tae Oh, and the rest of the cast, everybody killed it! The acting was on point, and I have to single out Im Shi Wan for a job well-done, especially in his micro-expressions. I am officially his fan now!
I totally loved the vibe of this show! Since I watched this show while it was airing, I would definitely re-watch the whole thing, probably in a binge session. Music-wise, the OST is catchy and enjoyable.
Overall, the show has totally lived up to my expectations, and there are a depth and uniqueness to the series that I find satisfying in every episode. It has done an superb job balancing the two romances with comedy while delivering great content through the character development of those involved.
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This is the cutest rom-com to hit our screens in a while!
Imagine all possible tropes: false identities, gender bender, weird sickness, forced cohabitation, noble idiocy, lots of leaning in, arm grabs, accidental kisses, cringey near miss kisses but all done so well! I love every fluffy, cliche-filled episode! Despite the cheesiness, this lighted-hearted and hilarious show drew me in with its focus on the romance and friendship between the characters. For me, it's a perfect break from heavy melodramatic wuxia or xianxia shows. A few highlights for me:1) The show is so easy to watch with no angst, major plot twist and no villains. There truly are no bad guys, not even ones that I would consider annoying. Even the mum starts off stern and forbidding but is a softie who loves her son and ultimately supports the OTP all the way.
2) The ML finds out that the FL was a girl in disguise very early on in the show!!! That makes the plot more believable as the ML plays the silent protector role and helps the FL out of awkward situations. That said, it still makes me laugh how most of the other characters do not seem to notice that this petite, lovely feminine person is not really a boy. What makes it even funnier is how obvious it is that Sang Tian is wearing lipstick, even when dressed as a boy.
3) Eye candy galore - my favourite are Darren Chen (my favourite flower boy - Hua Zi Lei in Meteor Garden!) and Li Jiu Lin whose chiseled look won me over after he played Dylan in You are My Destiny. However, the rest of the ice hockey team (seniors and freshmen) are very easy on the eyes as well, including Xiao Xiao, who's more adorable than handsome. He has the dimples to win one's heart. Even Shen Qiao Di with his unsmiling face, is icy attractive! Of course, Sebrina Chen as Sang Tian is pretty but makes the most adorable boy. I actually prefer her in short hair. Then we have Zhang Yu Xi, who's absolutely gorgeous, as well as Vivian Sung, who looks so much prettier here than in Lost Romance.
4) Great OST - the songs are well-selected and fitting for the scenes. I even downloaded YouTube Music so that I could add the songs to my playlist.
5) Meteor Garden throwback - "If apologies worked, would the police be needed?" - LOL I couldn't believe that Darren Chen as Wen Bing, actually quoted Dao Ming Si!
Acting-wise, the two leads nailed it! It is almost as though the parts were written for those two actors, and they have great chemistry together. Darren Chen played Wen Bing well with his haughty demeanor that outwardly shows arrogance and narcissism but inwardly is meant to hide his illness. As a confident, swoon-worthy, tsundere, heart-of-gold male lead, Darren really got his micro-expressions on point, and his soft gazes towards Sang Tian are just so meltingly endearing. Wen Bing can be quite the tease, and at the same time, he is not immune to the green-eyed monster. Between Sang Tian and him, there are many hilarious misunderstandings and hijinks that guarantee lots of laughter. Sang Tian, with her positive outlook and naiveté, is just too cute for her own good. She is quite the scatterbrain, but she is not your typical weak FL. She is brave and loyal, and she has no problem standing up to Wen Bing and Shen Shao Di. It's not surprising that she won over her ice hockey team-mates, coach, and everyone else. I love that Sang Tian does not try too hard to be all-male and is just rolling with it. Sebrina Chen is fabulous, playing the dual characters in both looks and attitude. What's impressive is how different she looks as the pretty boy compared to her real girl self.
Also central to the story are the secondary romances that are fun to watch. The drama also showcases the friendship among the team members. The entire cast did a great job, and there is definitely great rapport among them.
I would re-watch the whole show since I love swooning over the super-cute OTP and giggling at the antics of the team members and Sang Tian's brother.
Overall, this show is very easy to binge-watch! It is the perfect pick for when you want to relax and feast your eyes on beautiful people.
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This review may contain spoilers
Another staple in K-drama romcoms, filled with cliches, but I mean that as a compliment!
Plenty of cliché-filled shows are outright bad, while others fall into the usual cliched patterns to hit certain required emotions without packing any punch. "So I Married an Anti-Fan" stood out because it managed to work within its confines, made the best of what it had while maximizing its potential by using certain tropes in a fresh way. It is so nice not having to sit through tedious and frustrating misunderstandings!For me, I'm down for all romcom cliches as long as there's fantastic chemistry between the main leads, and I find their romance believable. Even better still if I can see passion, and that was where this show hit the sweet spot for me. Watching Hoo Joon's gradual change of heart towards Geun Young and how their relationship shifted into high gear after he realized his feelings for her was an incredibly cheeky, fun, and "feel good" ride for me. Choi Tae Joon showed how he can kiss a woman, and there was this intensity every time he as Hoo Joon kissed Geun Young. The way he held her neck, caressed her face, and pulled her in for intimacy. It's like a fierce "this is no accidental kiss, woman" vibe. I enjoyed Tae Joon's portrayal as Hoo Joon - an idol who rose to fame, fell from grace, and triumphed again but in a much better way. His character growth was well-written and well-acted, and that was one of the show's strong points. I hope Tae Joon continues to get lead roles since he certainly has the charisma, looks, and skills!
I liked Choi Soo Young in "Run On" and she did pretty well in this drama. Her acting was not as strong as Tae Joon's, but it was still fine. As Lee Geun Yung, she displayed a certain vulnerability underpinned by a quiet strength. No matter how low Geun Yeung felt, she always bounced back, and she was resilient to move on by herself. She was neither a pushover nor a strong, stubborn woman. I simply love how Geun Yeung gets all girly with Hoo Joon, and their moments together were always sweet and smile-inducing.
The best part, though, is the ending. So happy and lovely to relish! There was forgiveness and redemption, reflection and discovery of new purpose and direction, reconciliation and progression. Absolutely gratifying!
The OSTs were great and varied, but for a show that focused on the music industry, it would have been better if the music producers were more prolific. I enjoyed the songs and instrumental pieces since they lent a romantic and charming tone that underscored the show. Some songs, however, were overplayed and, at times, were not fitting for some scenes. I always like it when the actors contribute to the song tracks, and Choi Tae Joon sang two songs. For posterity, I have included the songs that I like the most below.
So far, I have focused on the positives, but there were flaws as well. Like the toxic relationship of the second couple, JJ/Choi Jae Joon and Oh In Hyung, which I have no doubt will infuriate many viewers. The story did provide enough details and background information for me to sympathize with JJ and In Hyung, although I did feel more for JJ than In Hyung. Ultimately it will all work out, though!
Overall, I hope that people will give this drama a try. It provides more of an emotional roller coaster ride with a good-looking cast than the run-of-the-mill romcom. Echoing some commenters, it would be great to have season 2 filled with more of the main couple's chemistry and kissing!
"So I Married an Anti-Fan" OST:
Pop Star - Choi Young Jae (GOT7)
Pop Star - Choi Tae Joon
Bittersweet - Choi Tae Joon
네가 분다 (When U Blow) - Kwon Min Je (권민제)
It's You - Moon Kim (문 킴)
이보다 더 좋을 순 없어 (As Good As It Gets) - Lee Shin Seong (이신성)
봄날 (The Spring Days) - Onew (김온유)
들리나요 (Can Your Hear Me) - Onew (김온유)
작은 아이 (Small Child) - Chae Myoung Joo (채명주)
Starlight - Ro Min (E'LAST)
Be lost in thought - Lee Cheol Won (이철원), Park Min Woo (박민우)
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