What Would I say to my younger self
I initially had dropped this drama because I got enrolled in the victim hood of the main FL (The older version). I couldn't watch her pitiful nature.About few weeks later, I decide to watch it simply out of boredom. I am glad I picked it up again. I love the dramas that get me emotionally involved and this one met that goal. I normally would have given this drama an overall rating of 8.5 but I gave it a 9 because of its powerful message about life.
From my own life review, I know this much: My current life is a result of my inner conversation about the past. When I learn to embrace my past, take responsibility, I can change the present,
Would everyone like this drama? --- NO!! But if you are into life coaching or about learning from life, and have a heart then this drama is for you.
The story was simple and some episodes tended to drag. There were times when I wanted to fast forward. BUT, at the last few episodes won my heart. I can imagine that it would be tough to say good bye to my younger self. The self-love that was present between the older and younger FL was powerful.
I highly recommend this drama if you are willing to put up with some down moments.
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Please watch for a good laugh!!
I just love Jung So Min & Kim (JSM) Mi Kyung and their talent. So as a result, I started to watch this drama and since the earlier reviewers rated this drama highly, I decided to take a chance.I was NOT disappointed!!
I usually find "bathroom" humor to be gross and can do without it. However, I eventually came to accept it and at times laughed as well. I think all the actors did fantastically well.
In the category of comedy, I was debating between 9, 9.5 or 10. To me a 10 is "close" to perfection and is unique. 9.5 is close to perfection and unique.. a 9 is a must watch. I could have gone with 9.5 on this drama.
BTW.. I tried to watch the REBOOT series but did not laugh one bit and I was so used to this first set of actors, it was difficult for me to adjust to the new set of actors.
Few memorable moments for me:
"I will just stay here"
"Different perspective between man and woman" .. Episode 5&6
"Doppelganger" -- Hilarious!! and imaginative.
"Ae-bong's" birthday party
"Fire in China"
"Ae-bong in a cast"... my favorite!!
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Simple Relaxing story
This was an easy watch. I normally would not give this drama a high rating like a 9 but given a simple story that was well told, i thought it would be good to give it a high mark.I thought Lee Yun Hee did a superb job as tour guide and team management. I have been to France but I learnt a lot watching this drama than my actual tour of France. Lee Yun Hee's voice was soothing and welcoming. She was never fazed by the drama that was unfolding with her team.
For me, there were some lessons to be learnt when dealing with difficult people,
I highly recommend this drama when one wants to simply be guided without too much emotions involved in watching a drama.
Cons: I didn't like the last part of the drama.. but I have now come to expect some sort of calamity prior to a drama coming to an end... I just don't get why this couple would choose to "tempt" fate.
Anyway... enjoy this beautiful drama.
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Entertaining Enough if you like time travel stories.
Overall I enjoyed watching this drama.Cons: I didn't like ML inability to confess his feelings for the FL. This got old and while watching I kept wondering if that is going to be the dilemma till the end. But thankfully somewhere in the middle of the drama, that issue was resolved and we were able to move on with the story. Also, I didn't like the "high" school romance feeling of this drama, but with each episodes that feeling went away.
Pros: I liked the time travel twist, although using a manhole as the means of time travel in my opinion was a bit silly. Still, the twist at the end tied the concept of "winning his bride over", in my opinion, was clever.
If one get over the silly parts of this drama, I recommend this drama for its a little unusual plot. However, I will warn any future watchers that this drama does follow Kdrama formula i.e. Boy & girl meet... between episodes 6-8 confesses, episodes 13-15 breakup. Episodes: They love each other and rest is history.
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The only way the ending makes any sense
I won’t repeat some of the comments made by other reviewers.I remember on line that was made “if reset was to happen, then not everything will go back to as it should be.. because we have come too far.” This is not an exact quote.
So using the line above, Tae hi and lieutenant did not disappear and end up meeting again in 2020.
The other mom who did not die .. I wonder what happened to them. Perhaps they are living happily in an another dimension.
This is the only way I can Rest In Peace with this bizarre ending.
However, I am glad I watched it..it was engaging and intriguing till the end.
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A drama with some depth about relationships
This drama is not your typical romcom. I can see why some people would have given this drama a low rating. I gave this drama a high rating because it is a mature drama that deals with intimate relationships. This drama explores "who one needs to be" in order to live up to the promises made while "in love". This drama was unique in its storytelling, although it did follow some usual tropes. I liked it because it is a mature view about what it takes to have a meaningful relationship.If you like dramas that has depth and like character development then this drama is for you!!
Jung Yu Mi as Han Yeo Reum (FL) did a fantastic job of portraying a character that is firm minded but is flawed when it comes to love matters. She truly was in touch with her feelings without knowing why. I love the line from the drama "sometimes the tears flow first without knowing the reason why".
The story is about a couple who dated for 5 years and meet again with the ex-boyfriend (EX) 5 years later. Meanwhile, FL has a new boyfriend (NB) but their relationship is not honest and at many levels is superficial. It was infuriating to watch FL & NB withhold secrets for almost silly reasons. But I came to peace and appreciated the writer's intent because given the nature o f FL&NB, the trust was missing and thus the foundation of a solid relationship was missing.
The EX has his own lessons to learn. I loved Eric Mun's lesson of humility and finally the realization that "who he needs to be" in order to truly love.
In my opinion, there was significant transformation of the three main characters which makes this drama AMAZING. Each had their lessons:
NB admitted to himself that he matters. He finally confessed to FL that everyday was a painful day in being with relationship with her. This feedback to FL aided FL to truly look at herself and her growth.
FL's discovery of self-confidence and just being a girl friend was not good enough. For example, based on results, her two significant relationships fell apart.
EX's discovery that he was responsible for the breakup of a relationship that was to be cherished for the remainder of his life. Yet he had to let her go so that he can truly wish for FL's happiness. A great lesson in humility, respect, and altruistic. This all makes him or anyone a better person.
Finally, I loved the concept of "interview". The interview sequence gave a viewer an impression of an event that has already happened. Usually a director will resort to flash backs which essentially halts the current event while as a viewer we construct the history in our heads. The interview technique kept the focus on the present while completing the picture of a past event that is significant at the present moment.
I thank other reviewers of this drama. Their insights encouraged me to watch this drama and I am glad that I took their recommendation.
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A surprise find and goes on my recommeded list.
I am surprised that this drama has such a low rating. If you are looking for a comedy / romance, then this one should be on your watch list!! I gave it a 9 in spite of my dislike about the ending. I would have given this drama 9.5 if the ending did not frustrate me. I reserve 10 for those dramas that are unusual and have a powerful message about main character's transformation.I was hesitant to watch 22 hours but the 22 hours felt like a normal 16 hours of drama. The writer kept the situational humor alive through out every episodes and kept me entertained. Nothing was off limits. For example, Seon Joo & Sae Do's baby not being pretty enough and being mistaken for a male child.
I was also pleasantly surprised that back in 2007 the writer broke the norm by having a story dealing with co-habitation and sex.
I highly recommend this drama but I was disappointed by the last episode and the ending.
Spoiler Alert!!
We all expect and know that the main couple will end up together and it is a usual pattern in Kdramas that there will be breakup just before that last episode. This drama did not disappoint us in that regard. However, I was very disappointed in Dal Ja's character and that made me angry as a viewer. By the end of this drama both my partner & I really didn't care if they got back together again.
Dal Ja's primary reason for breaking up was that she wasn't confident that Tae Bong really loved her. He does profess his love for her and she seemed to be too self absorbed to not to "keep in touch" for two years. When she does come back to Korea and makes no effort to get in touch with him. If I was in his shoes, I don't think I would want to get involved for such a high maintenance girl!!
Other than my frustration with the ending, I highly recommend this drama and give a shout out to Chae Rim for really doing such a fantastic job. She really carried the drama with her facial expressions. I would loved to see more of her newer dramas but I don't think she is acting any more.
Good job every one!!
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Worth watching if One ignores 2 major flaws
I couldn't decide if I should give this drama a low rating or a high rating. In the end I chose high rating because I enjoyed watching this drama.The other reviewers and commentators of this drama are absolutely correct in saying that the writer and the director really messed up a potentially an excellent/memorable drama. This drama, for me, had all the right ingredients: Love, Laugher and a naive FL who went through hardship of her life with a smile on her face.
The cadence of this drama was like any other drama but the presentation was very pleasing and was uplifting. Every night I would look forward to watching the next few episodes after a hard day at work.
In my opinion, if as a viewer, you can ignore two major flaws then this drama is absolutely beautiful with a poignant message: 1. The age of ML who is 19 but behaves like a mature 28 year old. 2. The last 10 minutes of the final episode.
Point #1 is not a big deal and as viewer one soon forgets the age difference. I could never buy that he was 19 because his emotional intelligence was very high. However, #2 is a big deal and messes up the whole drama.
Maybe the director or the producers were under pressure to give a happy ending which really made the whole ending ridiculous. It would have been better if everyone lived in the fond memory of JUN who made a huge difference in other people's lives by being caring, listening and loving person.
I am glad I watched this drama due to its light hearted approach to life played by both the FL & ML and the supporting actors. However, if you do decide to watch it, just try to ignore the two main flaws of the story line.
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Binge Watch Worthy
I was hesitant to watch this drama due to its low ratings, but I am glad that I overlooked the ratings.This was my second drama to watch by Kim Eun Hee (screen writer). My introduction to Korean drama was through "live up to your name" by the same screen writer. I thought live up to your name was absolutely brilliant and since then i have watched 60+ dramas before I came across My Fair Lady (MFL)
I am very much surprised by such low ratings of MFL. After watching 60+ Korean dramas, I have come to expect a certain pattern or formula. MFL is no different. In retrospect Live up to your name wasn't different but at that time I had not figured out KD's formula.
So, given the formula, the ingredients such as Rich FL, poor ML, love triangles etc.. I thought this drama had me engaged almost all of the time. The bonus was that at the end, the story had me emotionally involved and thus my rating of 9.0.
The way first episode started, I was expecting "Taming of the shrew" (TMS) type of plot. Although this story line had some elements of TMS, the plot turned to more of a loving the other person and I enjoyed that twist. Because the mentor i.e Butler Seo came from loving rather than punishing, it was natural to see their relationship develop. It was also nice to see that conflicts and confusion due to love triangles were not forced and developed as the story unfolded.
If you are looking for a ROM COM.. I highly recommend this drama.
I look forward to watching other dramas by Kim Eun Hee.
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Very Enjoyable
This is a short drama about 2 hours long. It was a good short drama to watch while searching for the next drama.I liked the simple story and the adult actors were OK. However, I was fascinated with young ANNA (Jo Eun Hyung) acting. As a ten year old she really was able to play the adult ANNA amazingly well. I expect that she is going to become a well known figure as her career develops.
Personally, I would have developed the story slightly differently. It would have been fun to see young ANNA to stay as a young person and IL Woo gets to look after her. Kind of role reversal.. It would have been a different story but from a true love angle point of view, it would have been enjoyable.
Although I gave it a rating of 7.5, it is really worth around 9 in terms of watch value.
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A good story with a powerful ending.
For me this drama is 8.5+There have been so many reviews for this drama, so I won't repeat many of the comments by other reviewers.
I love dramas about the past lives and reincarnation. This drama was all about that topic. Life in general is a mystery and a knowledge of past lives tend to remove of some that mystery.
What I disliked:
Hours of drama that was pointless with the main story line such as the motor cycle accident. Hence, my low rating for this drama.
What I liked:
The message of this drama. I quote the ending of the drama:
"Is it so difficult to admit that you did something wrong? Is it so difficult to say that you are sorry? Someone waited for 8-years to make an apology. Someone even risked his life to keep his word. Life isn't only about the good old days. If you did something wrong.. admit it and correct it. It might be painful at times but you should fight it.. that is life. Atone for what you did for rest of your life so that you can make a fresh start." This is a powerful message for all of us and this planet would be in a different place with that philosophy.
In my opinion 50% of this drama is really good with a good message about life and how to live one's life.
Finally, I wish we all could remember our past lives with the commitment to live in the present. There have been many times that I can't explain my emotions and triggers, similar to the FL reaction to the guns.
Another story line i liked was about the character of Sophia who ended being a mom in 2017. Sophia sold out on her comrades because of her attachment towards her son. In the next life, as a mom, she chooses to abandon her daughter in her childhood. Hmmmm. what were her life lessons?... something to think about.
There are many story lines in this drama which has me doing some critical thinking about my own life. Therefore, this makes a really grown up drama.
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Worthwhile Watching
I like to find those dramas that are not rated very high but are really enjoyable. It is like finding a "diamond in the rough". This drama for me met that criteria. It is not rated that high, but was able to watch the drama till the end without cringing.For me, a great drama is when I connect with the leads and I am able to experience their inner conflict. In this drama, I was more of a witness of tragic lives versus "walking the path" with them.
We all know the KDRAMA formula: You shall meet the OPC (our primary couple) within 1st half hour, then next 6-8 episodes is flirting, and around episode 14, usually the mom will transform from a loving caring person to a self centered BI**&^ and causing the OPC to breakup. The last 10 minutes of episode 16 OPC find love and live happily ever after.
This drama followed the formula very well but what I enjoyed about the plot about this drama was the little twist: The OPC start of hating each other and finding love and their dream by the end.
I could have rated this drama higher than 8.0 but did not want to go as high as 8.5.
In the last episode, I would like to have seen more of OPC lives together at end. After all one of the main issue was: Would they be more successful as a married couple 2nd time around? Instead, the director and the editor chose fill 10 minutes of recap with scenes that I just spend 16 hours watching.
I didn't like "the walls are listening" setup meaning that there is always that person listening to what one thinks is a private conversation. I think the director could have chosen more clever way of discovering the truth to tell a more powerful story.
For me loose ends were:
what happened with the death tarot card.?
Other than OPC being jealous, how did they transform to discover that they loved each other? In this FL, is the one who instigated the divorce but I didn't see her take responsibility of her action. Instead, she waited for ML to pursue her? It was little confusing.
In spite of my complaints about the contents of the drama, I enjoyed it.
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Enjoyable
It is a light hearted comedy and if one doesn't take life too serious, it is an enjoyable drama. The enjoyment really comes from your mood.I was personally looking to simply be entertained. I did not want to think or get emotionally involved. I simply wanted a brain dead drama that will entertain me and this drama fit the bill perfectly.
Many times I laughed at the comedy of errors and irrational logic of Lee Yeon Seo to make this story funny.
I especially liked Kim Ga Eun acting. I have seen her acting in other dramas, but I think the character of Lee Yeon Seo brought extra behavior that I have not seen before. I found it even more funny when as LYS, she was asked to perform as an actor and how BAD she was at acting. I realized at that moment.. Here is an actor who is acting as LYS and acting as an amateur. I thought that was pretty cool.
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Not a memorable Drama
After reading the review, I thought this drama might a gem in discovery but I was disappointed.This drama left me more annoyed than anything else.
I like dramas that transform the lead players due to lessons learnt from life. There were glimpses of brilliance but sadly they were dropped to pursue other side drama.
In particular I refer to main theme "There are no coincidences and everything has a purpose". There were glimpses of developing this theme but as I said before they really didn't go deep into this theme.
Ok.. It wasn't typical family drama. They took a disaster movie theme with 1/2 hour episodes of airport drama and mix it with our OPC (our primary couple) love story. Our FL chooses a guy who also has self-esteem issues. In fact, the ML is so selfish that he chooses not to live. He would rather leave the FL with good memories.. What good memories.. OH I dated this guy and he chose to die on me.. Oh well.... The guy is not in gratitude and realize that he has a lady who loves him regardless of his physical condition... and that's where I begin to get annoyed.
So what's the end result of her love... He abandons her for a year without a word to communicate with her. And that leads to me to the ending: They guy shows up at the airport without a word and she has to find out that he has come back by some chance. At this point .. I decide that she too is a doormat!!
The drama also left other side players without any conclusion.. such as the homeless guy. What happened to him and what was his role in the whole drama. I thought he may play YODA to help our OPC grow.. but alas, nothing happened.
Skipping to the end:
Then at the ending, they only show his back.. what happened to his face. I can only imagine that the selfish bas*** was probably thinking "Oh my god .. this Bit** found me... crap".
I think I am giving this drama a rating 4.5 due the fact, they got me emotionally by I being royally pissed off!! Otherwise a '1'
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A drama with a beautiful message
"You can overcome any of life's difficulties, as long as you are alive"... My favorite quote from this beautiful drama about our human condition.There are a lot of negative reviews about this drama and based on those negative reviews I was hesitant to watch this drama. Plus the title of the drama "Itaewon class" sounded like a high school drama.
After watching this drama, I gave it a perfect 10, simply because of the message this drama carries and that is to strive for that special way of being that speaks truth, integrity and honor. When one is being this "higher" self, the race , gender, sexuality, and greed don't really matter and is subject to interpretation. This drama addressed all these issues in a nice little story line (somewhat predictable), but very much needed in today's divided world. I applaud the Korean writers and the directors to address this touchy subject and bring forth light into the sometimes a dark world created by us human beings.
SaeRoYi was almost like Ghandi and a line mentioned in one of the episodes. Some other reviewers of this drama have critiqued that there was very little transformation with SaeRoYi . I beg to differ. There was a huge transformation and that was shown through his love life. He was living so much in anger that he was not in touch with his own feelings. From my point of view, it was very fitting that SaeRoYi was attracted to SooAh who had nothing much to offer. Her way of being was shallow and SaeRoYi was way out of her league. The only problem was SaeRoYi had not discovered his self-worth yet... His motivation was "revenge". Because of SaeRoYi darkness, he could not see the true love that was beside him all the time.. our glorious Jo Yi Seo. At one point Jo Yi Seo tells SooAh that "I love him so much that I can put my life on line for him". In other words, we tend to be attracted to that person who matches our own inner vibration.
SaeRoYi transformation began when he saw that he had been following the path Jang Dae Hee had been walking and SaeRoYi 's mind and heart were not aligned. And once his heart came alive there was nothing stopping SaeRoYi. He had realized his self-worth. What I loved about this drama that the realization of self-worth is nothing unless shared with his friends..... This is where I start to cry..... Imagine a world where we honor, love and respect each other without biases and judgement.!!! I also applaud the directors the producers for choosing Kim Da Mi to play the role of Jo Yi Seo. As compared to SooAh, she is not an attractive gal but given her stand and her ability to find a diamond in the rough, makes her an amazing, beautiful woman. Again, a point made by the writers of this drama when SaeRoYi comes into his own, it is a "no wonder" he chose Jo Yi Seo. Here, some other reviewers have critiqued that SaeRoYi realization about Jo Yi Seo was very quick and did not feel real. I personally believe that the whole drama was laying the foundation of their relationship and all was needed a little spark to set the bomb of love to explode for SaeRoYi . So I think it was just right amount of time spent for SaeRoYi to realize his love.. but his love as for himself as well as his friends.
Writers: May be it was not intentional on your part, but to me your message love and beauty to transform a person's heart was very poignant.
In Summary.. If you like self discovery, that idealistic way of being that transforms the society, I highly recommend this drama.
Thank you all those who helped to produce this drama.
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