I just rewatched Secret Garden. I did see it a few years ago, but I couldn’t remember much of the story. Some scenes were, however, embedded in my mind (those crunches by Hyun Bin…O_O) .

What I liked:

Acting – Ha Ji Won can do no wrong in my eyes. Loved her in Empress Ki, loved her in King2Hearts, loved her here). I’ve only seen Hyun Bin here and in Crash Landing on You – loved him. Supporting cast was nice, but completely lost to the powerful interpretations these 2 leads brought. The two of them delivered so much through their body that I often found the lines annoying.
Props to acting when switching as well – the SMS ringtone never ceased to make me laugh out loud.
I don’t like Yoon Sang Hyun (please don’t judge, my heart is full of other favorites), but he did a nice and heartfelt interpretation. Pretty much the only one not lost from supporting cast.

Chemistry – can I give it above maximum marks? Romantic dramas might be my favorite and I do admit Korean actors excel at delivering chemistry. In my opinion, also their differences would help them in their life – him being all forward, going ahead at full speed, not caring about unimportant people he may step on, her coming a bit behind, apologizing, lifting people up and making friends . Bad cop, good cop never gets old.

Hyun Bin’s character realism – Kim Joo Won’s concerns about what he should chose, until making his decision, felt real to me. I am not rich, but I do believe once you are rich, money are part of who you are so giving them up is like giving up a part of your body. So I do understand his infatuation, his need to be among quality and expensive things, in an entourage of people like him. But in the end, it’s all about fate ?.

Ha Ji Won’s character – especially liked her pride in being what she is (alone and poor), but nevertheless her trying to be better for Kim Joo Won. And by better, I mean in matching his chaebol standards. Also, she was so hoooot in this drama. Action scenes are a perfect match for her.

What I disliked:

Not so much… School’s director was pretty much a pain to watch for me. But hey, it’s tough to deliver your lines to Ha Ji Won and Hyun Bin. I need to repeat that they got my full attention in every scene.

What I got over:

Maybe small spoiler… After hospital switch – I didn’t quite understand as it worked. But maybe it was just me totally engrossed in main characters and missed the explanation ?.
Story – nice fantasy elements, but with less powerful leads not sure if it would’ve been memorable.

Already rewatched, will probably rewatch in the future.