KyrelFierce
Philippines
What if I get to live an entirely different life from what I have today?
What if I only have a month to make a difference in my life?
What if I loose all the money, fame prestige and power that I have?
What if I get to have Song Seung Hun as my husband (a lot already had done this one I suppose).
Now here is a movie that tackles a few of the most common what ifs in human existence. And it delivers the answers to those questions in a manner that is light, funny, and will give you all the right feels.
It may have had a weak start that is borderline to cringe worthy for being unoriginal and may at times reminiscent of another movie or drama of the same plot and background, but as the story flows you'll forgive its flaws and misses to be alright and forgivable. It is super predictable, to that point that you can almost call yourself a fortune teller but even then, the movie ends in the best way possible that you'll find yourself (swooning to Song Seung Hun) happily contented with the package as a whole.
You will not laugh your ass off, but you will definitely have that genuine smile, you will not be bawling over a box of tissue paper but you'll definitely have a tear here and there, you won't have that heart wrenching experience but it will give you a satisfying feeling that will make your two hour slouch in front of your screen worth it.
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As I was watching this series, I came to remember way back when medicine pills tasted like death. They tasted so bad you wanted to puke but it is what you need for a quick fix.
You have to force yourself to eat it and swallow given the horrendous flavor, just because you needed something in it. Make Sens?
That is what I felt while finishing this series. Does that mean that I hated this drama? Not at all. I found myself taken into the rhythm just alright and i found it enjoyable!
The Good
Character Build-up - This Drama took its time introducing its characters and setting the right environment for their story to grow. Before you even get to the good part of the story you have a clear definition of who's-who and what's-what.
Support Roles - The Supporting roles and the actors and actresses who took on those roles were incredible. From the kid on the orphanage to Go Eun Byuls mom, they perfectly embodied there characters and were incredible in their job.
Yook Sung Jae/Gong Taek Wang - Okay I have to admit that I have a little bit of a Bias with Sung Jae given that I am a Melody(a fan of "BtoB" SungJae's band).
But I honestly and may have with a little bit of intent had deliberately placed him as one of the Good Parts of this series.
His acting is not as great as the rest of the cast, but it fits him so well like second skin.
It was so refreshing seeing our Maknae embodying a character aside from his real self. In reality and I believe that majority of melodies would agree that Gong Taek Wang is not that far from Yook Sung Jae. They are both a Dork, A bully to their hyungs, full of energy, and has a chill character who loved having fun. Taek Wang may have more backstory but nonetheless given the similarity in personality of the Actor and the Character, the acting was natural and is almost spotless.
If you are looking for a character to root for, Gong Taek Wang is the one you are looking for. He is part of the millions of cliches in this story but it is still a refreshing character to watch and was the main reason that I was able to complete the show.
The Bad
Kim Seo Hyeon - I am not going to trash this wonderful actress. Honestly. It is my personal preference however not to consider her acting in this drama a good thing.
She had her Great and Good parts, but in comparison to the support roles, her facial expression that rarely changes is her weakest asset. Even the Little Girl in the orphanage has better acting skills in comparison to Kim's.
She is almost a hit and miss, and mostly she missed. The final scene with Kang So Yoon was Great, but the other scenes? MEH>>>>
Han Yi An - Now here is a character that has a lot of potential to become the LEADING man of the story.
Talented, Good Looking, Nice Abs, Tall, Sporty. Just the right ingredients for the perfect prince charming.
So why is he part of the Bad parts of the series?
It is because of poor Character crediting in this entire show.
He is supposed to be the person of interest for the leading lady, but he lacks in a lot of things that he should not.
This is the character who spent 10 years with the girl, thus he knows more of her compared to anyone else. But he turned out to be the biggest idiot for not realizing that the person in front of him is a different person.
Dont get me wrong, this character had a lot of scenes with the lead female character and despite his shortcomings, he ended up with the girl.
Justice, is indeed blind.
Nam Joo Hyuk Has yet again have a character that is least likable and is not a fit for his potential.
Character Credit- I have mentioned about this show having a poor character crediting. Well, there is no such term as "Character Credit" it is just my made up word for the sense of Placing the right credits for the characters of the story, of giving them the story that they deserve in the most sensical way.
I mean it poor mainly because Gong Taek Wang deserved better than the second slot.
His character has shown great improvement within the series, his had the most memorable moments and had the greatest impact. Still I was made to believe that there is a chance, then the writer decided to drag the love triangle up until the end which is little bit annoying but since I root for the outsider, I lived for the moments that he is on my screen.
Recommendation:
This show may have a lot of things uncovered and had posed a potential unexploited. I will still recommend it for those who are into High school Love affair.
I have forgiven its flaws with the idea on my mind that "High school Love affairs rarely work out" that the characters I am rooting for has alot of chances to still be together given the right time.
I ended up being riled up due to my frustration with the flow of the story. But nonetheless, this drama deserved to be watched Just because Yook Sung Jae has done a great job in it.
Overall, I don't have the plan to watch this series again if time permits. But it is definitely a good one for those who loved teenage drama who hasn't watched it yet.
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They may have had some good times during the series but it was OKAY at best. I am a big fan of LJG and I am always blown away by his character in this drama. It is however had to suffer drastically with IU's serious lack in acting prowess. She was miserably overshadowed by almost all of the cast that even the Support Roles delivered better.
My Journey with this drama nonetheless is enjoyable. It is not something that I will definitely rewatch within the next few weeks but it delivered well enough to be highly recommended especially to Shakepearean trashes like myself.
The Bad
1. Mismatch - I couldn't say enough of how incompatible the pairing was. Not that IU is totally bad, its just that LJG's work deserved better, LJG was great in his craft and whenever the camera takes its turn into IU it all goes dark and gloomy. Luckily, LJG was enough to keep me from dropping this series entirely.
The Good
1. Music - OST is "G.O.L.D.".
2. Support - Talk about a villain who is indeed a villain and character you'd love to hate and love altogether, that is what this Drama promises, the support casts were perfect for their roles and regardless of which side they were in, you gotta love 'em. The Princes and their stories were incredible. It was delivered well and is a great twist from the main line of events without stealing the show entirely.
3. Bromance - Lee Joon Gi & Kang Ha Neul, Lee Joon Gi & Nam Joo Hyuk, Nam Joo Hyuk and Ji Soo. Bromance was sbutle and just the right amount given that the drama is a historical adaptation. But nonetheless they were beautiful.
The Great
1. THE ENDING.
A lot an be said by how almost all of Korean Dramas end in a unflattering manner regardless of how it was midway most end in "Meh". Even the 'Greats' were not an exclusion to BLAND endings (Goblin, My Love from Another Star, Warrior Baek Dong Soo, Secret Garden to name a few) while others are OKAY (DOTS, IRIS, Jewel In the Palace, Queen Seon Deok, Love Rain, Chicago Typewriter) and on my limited experience, some were closed GREAT (Six Flying Dragons, Jumong) and This drama falls among those that ended GREAT.
I love tragedies. and this show it may not have ended tragically as how Shakespeare would've done it but it ended with all the right things in the right time. It feels like a the final pieces of the puzzle were put into there rightful place without trying so hard. I hate having loopholes in the story and this drama leaving a gaping wide hole in the end is incredibly forgivable.
Recommendation:
It is known that historical adaptations are with blood. So if you are one who hates seeing blood or seeing innocent people or good looking princes being stabbed to death, tied, maimed and drowned, You might want to hold it in and watch it still. This drama will not disappoint given the right expectations.
Do not dream of the usually cliche among Korean Drama endings which is all bubblegum and honey sweet because it won't deliver that to you.
Now if you loved Leonardo Di Caprio in Romeo and Juliet, Titanic and The Revenant, then you should get on board and you'll definitely be up for a wonderful treat.
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What I liked?
Jang Geun Suk (mainly)... :D
I watched this movie with no high expectation given its plot and the synopsis that almost sold everything for me. But I ended it with more than what I bargained for. I was blind sided by that twist in the end but it was very refreshing and is truly satisfying even though it doesn't make sense!
One Word: "Friendship"
Tis movie is jam packed with great chemistry, Main Lead to his Father, Main Lead to his teacher, main Lead to his Friends, main Lead to the Baby. You'll find it oddly satisfying that the main lead has no chemistry at all to the leading lady - which we all know is one of the foundation of a good show. But this movie is not about love interest between a woman and a man, it is between a person and his perspective.
you'll be surprise by how well they handled a very sensitive subject "Teenage Parenthood" in a very light and uplifting manner that will surely give you a smile and a heartwarming feeling as it ends.
What I don't like?
False advertising!
main lead was advertised to be popular with girls and is a trouble maker. Trouble maker - Sure, handled appropriately. Popular with Girls? Jang Geun Suk is perfect for that part, but there is no part at all. the entire movie shows ONE single girl on his heels all the time. Sure there was a scene that involves a lot of girls/women but it felt too awkward and is for compliance sake only. Technically, this movie failed to develop the character of the main lead form the beginning, may have succeed mid section of the movie but totally ruined it for the end though.
Flaws Flaws Flaws and a lot of Flaws.
Talk about cinematography, effects, vocals and a lot of loopholes.
First minute into the movie I saw poor editing left and right that i had to pause collect myself and back at it again. What flaws am I talking about?
to say one thing that is too obvious? - they used a stunt man that is too far from Jang Geun Suk's body built. The scene where the main leads are going to meet is one of the first glaring flaw I found. The stunt man on the big bike is double of Geun Suk's built, they are wearing the same clothing obviously and the size is just too far from the main lead. The flaw is just to bright that I cant ignore, because the main lead is wearing a perfectly fit grey slacks but the man on the bike wore a loose fitting grey slacks and the editing is done poorly to hide the fact.
They shouldn't have added voice over to the baby. It was weird having that old rugged voice used for a cute baby. it just ruined the mood for me
Alot of loopholes, a lot of questions here and there and only a few were answered at the end of the movie.
Recommendation:
With all the given flaws of this movie,, would I still recommend it for you to watch?
Definitely a YES!
Surprised? well it is because it is on a league of its own. while it was a movie obviously made because of the fad among Korean series about high school drama, it tackles about the worst case scenario in the lives of senior high school students, parenthood and friendship. It will come short and lack firepower to be a high octane comedy-drama that it definitely has the potential to become, but it definitely is undeserving of the box in the attic with dusts and molds.
You'll be surprised that given its flaws and loopholes, you'll end up liking the movie as it is and not only because of its main lead.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama was brought to my attention by a friend who is a big fan of Park Bo Young. Having watched SWDBS and A werewolf Boy, I can say that I am a fan of her talent. So I started the series with very few expectations based on the synopsis and since I only know a few of the cast I was open to alot of possibilities. I started the first episode with intense curiosity, and right after the second episode I am ready to drop the series entirely.
(If you haven't completed the Series Please stop here unless you live for spoilers)
THE BAD
1. SLOW PACE - The first six episodes were like watching two turtles in a marathon. The character build up doesn't seem to end up until the end of the 6th episode.
2. CONFUSING PLOT - The MAIN characters that were highlighted on the synopsis were the timid Bong Sun, sexually oriented GHOST and a self centered chef. But after watching the entire show the REAL MAIN characters here are the POLICE MAN and THE DEAD GIRL. BONG SUN and THE CHEF were the biggest most glorified extra's.
3. Potentials unexplored -Cordon could've posed a bigger threat to the love affair but was only given a glimpse of an opportunity. Instead they opted to the PD who remotely left a dent to the story.
THE GOOD
1. CHEMISTRY - JJS and PBY has a certain degree of chemistry that is cute. It ain't as hot as the Song-Song couple but it was enough to keep me from the dropping the show altogether. After watching the series I wished that they are together as a couple in another show with a better story.
2. SUPPORT - CORDON could've been the best third party but was dropped even before his character made progress. Nonetheless his presence kept viewers hanging on their seats.
3. The Main Leads - Park Bo Young truly showed how great an actress she is. Switching from one character to another and making viewers believe that there are two sides of her. It is not new in the industry to have such character and very few are able to pull-it off. While Jo Jung Suk was a new flavor for me, This I believe is his first work that I watched and I am impressed by him. I am now looking forward to watching another drama of his.
THE GREAT
After a very long dragging 16 episode series, it is no doubt that there is only one thing that is GREAT about this show.
IM JOO HWAN
It only took me a few seconds to decide that he is the best part of this series. His last battle with the Evil Spirit was "GOLD". That's quality acting, that deserved an award.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is best to not expect anything because you will not get any.
The drama might have had opportunities for a very compelling story build up but it failed miserably in all of those instances.
There were a lot of Cliches which are both good and "meh" but the worst part is that the story itself doesn't even know where it's going. Loopholes everywhere!!!! Be careful not to fall into one because you'll never recover.
At first I was interested as to how the Original BS can fight off the irritating Ghost and redeem her character and become a worthy opponent to create a more interesting story - But then the character didn't, so okay, move-on.
FINAL SAY:
I was led to believe that the story indeed is about how the love story goes. But NO. It is all about the Ghost and her Grudge!
It feels to me as if they made the main story (a could have been potentially thrilling and beautiful story) just a side plot and placed a Cliche Love Story (which could've been great due to the chemistry between the Leads but they failed miserably to deliver) as the main Plot.
I would still recommend it for watching despite my obvious disappointment. It is due to the fact that I was impressed by PBY JJS and IJH.
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