Madie
Sadly, this drama was full of wasted potential. I liked it overall but I wouldn’t rate it anything above my current score.
Positives:
1- The OST: This drama has one of the most outstanding pieces of music I’ve ever heard. It also helps that the music was properly used, enhancing the tone of each scene incredibly. Enchanting is the word I’d use to describe it.
2- The Cinematography: The camera angles, the filters and the flow between scenes really stood out. The visuals were coherent with the mood of the screenplay.
3- The Supporting Cast: Mr. Choi and Wook Tak carried this drama for me. Interestingly enough, they stood out more than the leads.
Negatives:
1- The Plot: Although the concept was very interesting and you can tell effort was put into it, the story wasn’t articulated properly. It was all over the place. The writing was in desperate need of focus, direction and impact. The flow of the plot was jarring and didn’t connect well at some points. It also didn’t help that the drama became episodic in the middle, with a villain of the week kind of concept.
On the other hand, It felt like we were subjected to more filler than actual meat. The fact that the leads got to know each other as a couple through their dreams and not through actual interactions didn’t really help their relationship.
Sadly, Mr. Choi’s and Wook Tak’s pasts were dismissed too quickly. Proper focus on them was needed but the producers prioritized filler scenes over them. I wanted more.
2- The Leads:
-I’m a huge LJS fan. In fact, I watched this drama because he was in it. It saddens me to say that this was not his best performance. Did he feel…bored?, he clearly wasn’t putting much effort into it. I’ve seen what a great actor he is and this really felt flat. It could really boil down to the director not knowing how to exploit his potential.
On the other hand, it doesn’t help that this is like the millionth time we’ve seen him in the same stereotype of character. He really needs to get out of his comfort zone acting wise.
-Suzy’s acting is simply not my cup of tea. She doesn’t know how to connect with the audience nor with her character. She’s stoic, monotone, distant to the character she's trying to portray, unnatural and emotionally armored.
3- The Chemistry:
This is a character driven story so choosing the correct cast was crucial. The story relies on the romance aspect but the chemistry between Suzy and LJS was nonexistent. Both of them are responsible for that. To explain my point further, after watching so many LJS dramas, I’ve come to realize that his romantic scenes are carried by his counterparts, not by him. His peak in chemistry was with Han Hyo Joo and it was because she was the one openly and naturally expressing herself, and as the receptive one, LJS responded accordingly. With Suzy, they seemed awkward and distant. Neither of them looked interested. At some point, I even thought LJS was not the main romantic interest and Wook Tak was going to get the girl in the end. They both need work in that aspect.
Overall, I think the story has entertainment value but it didn’t come close to previous works such as Pinocchio and I Hear Your Voice.
Positives:
1- The OST: This drama has one of the most outstanding pieces of music I’ve ever heard. It also helps that the music was properly used, enhancing the tone of each scene incredibly. Enchanting is the word I’d use to describe it.
2- The Cinematography: The camera angles, the filters and the flow between scenes really stood out. The visuals were coherent with the mood of the screenplay.
3- The Supporting Cast: Mr. Choi and Wook Tak carried this drama for me. Interestingly enough, they stood out more than the leads.
Negatives:
1- The Plot: Although the concept was very interesting and you can tell effort was put into it, the story wasn’t articulated properly. It was all over the place. The writing was in desperate need of focus, direction and impact. The flow of the plot was jarring and didn’t connect well at some points. It also didn’t help that the drama became episodic in the middle, with a villain of the week kind of concept.
On the other hand, It felt like we were subjected to more filler than actual meat. The fact that the leads got to know each other as a couple through their dreams and not through actual interactions didn’t really help their relationship.
Sadly, Mr. Choi’s and Wook Tak’s pasts were dismissed too quickly. Proper focus on them was needed but the producers prioritized filler scenes over them. I wanted more.
2- The Leads:
-I’m a huge LJS fan. In fact, I watched this drama because he was in it. It saddens me to say that this was not his best performance. Did he feel…bored?, he clearly wasn’t putting much effort into it. I’ve seen what a great actor he is and this really felt flat. It could really boil down to the director not knowing how to exploit his potential.
On the other hand, it doesn’t help that this is like the millionth time we’ve seen him in the same stereotype of character. He really needs to get out of his comfort zone acting wise.
-Suzy’s acting is simply not my cup of tea. She doesn’t know how to connect with the audience nor with her character. She’s stoic, monotone, distant to the character she's trying to portray, unnatural and emotionally armored.
3- The Chemistry:
This is a character driven story so choosing the correct cast was crucial. The story relies on the romance aspect but the chemistry between Suzy and LJS was nonexistent. Both of them are responsible for that. To explain my point further, after watching so many LJS dramas, I’ve come to realize that his romantic scenes are carried by his counterparts, not by him. His peak in chemistry was with Han Hyo Joo and it was because she was the one openly and naturally expressing herself, and as the receptive one, LJS responded accordingly. With Suzy, they seemed awkward and distant. Neither of them looked interested. At some point, I even thought LJS was not the main romantic interest and Wook Tak was going to get the girl in the end. They both need work in that aspect.
Overall, I think the story has entertainment value but it didn’t come close to previous works such as Pinocchio and I Hear Your Voice.
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