Nicole
Ireland
The plot itself is intriguing but I feel like it wasn't laid out as well as it could have been. It felt like there were so many things going on at once and so sometimes it felt like the focus wasn't on the main couple. Although there was always a lot happening in each episode, it still felt like the drama had a really slow pace. It didn't feel like there was enough romance between the main couple. Usually, I will watch a drama and be rooting for the main couple to be together. In this drama, although I did like the actors and their characters, I wasn't dying for them to be together. Some characters that I didn't like were redeemed in the storyline but it felt too forced. I think this is rather unfair since there was a really good cast and plot idea.
I am a big fan of drama OSTs. I will listen to the soundtracks of dramas and even add them to my playlists. Something about the music of Abyss felt off. There wasn't a special song linked to particular moments that stood out to me. When I think of certain dramas, I automatically remember certain songs that made me feel for a character. I didn't feel this with the music of Abyss. Usually, you can find me crying alongside the characters at their most pivotal moments and the music has a big part to play in that most of the time. I knew that Abyss had made that much of an impact on me when I didn't cry once for the characters.
I think overall this drama just didn't reach its full potential, which is a shame considering the cast involved. I am pretty disappointed that I have to give this drama a low score and negative review, but I just don't think this drama is worth the hype. As a big fan of Park Bo Young, I feel so bad that I am saying this but I look forward to her next work. I don't think I would rewatch this drama. I think the trailer and the plot summary were a bit misleading. There isn't much emphasis on romance in Abyss (even though there are many romance scenes, it felt forced). This is more of a thriller/mystery drama so if that is your thing, then maybe you should check it out.
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The storyline is great because of course, it is a love story but it is not just about the main couple. They each have their own lives and personalities outside of their romance, which is really interesting to watch. First of all, I am a sucker for star-crossed lovers romances so if you enjoy that kind of thing, then this is right up your alley. The way they showed the differences in the lives of the people living on both sides of the border felt realistic. It made it easier to adapt to watching the characters as the drama switched back and forth between the North and South.
The summary for this drama depicts the female lead as a "South Korean heiress" so I expected her to be spoilt and annoying but that was not the case. Of course, she was spoilt but her character developed with the plot. I liked Yoo Se Ri's character. She showed a lot of depth and emotion, making her feel like a female lead that you could root for. I hadn't really seen much of Son Ye Jin in dramas before, but her performance was amazing! I often found myself crying alongside her. From the beginning, I liked Ri Jung Hyuk as a character. His stoic attitude was entertaining to watch especially in comedic moments. His loyal, quiet, and surprisingly sweet character made me like him even more. I loved the sweet moments between Ri Jung Hyuk and Yoon Se Ri. I am surprised to say that I actually enjoyed watching the scenes with the parents. Watching Yoon Se Ri's mother interact with her throughout the drama was very moving. Their scenes together definitely made me cry. I also liked the stoic character of Ri Jung Hyuk's father. I thought I would hate him since he would probably want to separate the main couple, but I found myself cheering along when he surprised us with his loyalty to his son.
I cannot write a review without mentioning the four soldiers that work alongside Ri Jung Hyuk. They were so entertaining to watch and they provided much needed comedic relief in the most devasting scenes. The women in the village that became friends with Yoo Se Ri were so funny in their interactions. Na Wol Suk was so funny whenever she would come out and try to intimidate newcomers. Her character reminded me of Yang Kyung Won.
The music is very beautiful in this drama. It perfectly portrays the emotions of each scene.
I would definitely rewatch this drama. I enjoyed watching these characters interact with one another. Although there were some characters I hated such as Yoon Se Ri's older brother and her sister in law, it was the kind of hate where you will keep watching because you cannot wait for them to get what they deserve. Crash Landing on You is an amazing drama and I think it is one of the top dramas to come out of 2019.
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The plot is what attracted me to this drama. I love a good time travel story. I actually rarely read reviews before watching a drama unless the rating is mediocre because I am afraid I will accidentally come across some spoilers. So, I went into this drama without knowing much aside from the plot summary. I'm glad I didn't read anything on it beforehand as it would have ruined the story for me. Just know that this is the kind of story that will make your heart hurt and wonder what you would change if you could time travel. This drama is now one of my favourites and I would recommend it to everyone. If you love watching dramas where you will root for the characters and bawl your eyes out, then this is the drama for you.
One of the key plot points of The Light in Your Eyes is the stigma against elderly people and the loss of youth. This can be seen when Kim Hye Ja wakes up as an old woman and doesn't know how to change back. You are able to empathise with her and her family as they struggle with living with a daughter who could pass for her own grandmother. In this drama, you can also see the struggle that both Kim Hye Ja and the other elderly people have with the loss of their youth. I don't really want to give much away but this drama gives the audience an insight into how older people live their lives and the things that they have to give up. It is a very jarring realisation and helps you to appreciate the older people in your own life.
Aside from the plot, the other thing that made me initially watch this drama was Nam Joo Hyuk (Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, The Bride of Habaek). I have seen some of his other dramas and I love watching a drama where I recognise at least one of the actors. I believe that The Light In Your Eyes was perfectly cast. Nam Joo Hyuk did an excellent job of portraying someone who is just coasting by in life and not actually enjoying it. Han Ji Min (Rooftop Prince; Hyde, Jekyll, Me) and Kim Hye Ja (Dear My Friends) both did a great job of portraying the light-hearted and sorrowful aspects of Kim Hye Ja's personality. For once, I don't think there was any character that I didn't like. Although some characters did not have the most loving personalities, it was easy to understand their pain and why they were that way.
The music is very mellow and calming. It suits the whole different era aspect of this drama. The music alongside the actors' performances, helps with the emotional aspect of this drama. As you progress through the episodes, you will actually find yourself tearing up when a specific song is played.
I would rewatch this drama again but since has a puzzle-like theme, I would wait a bit until watching it again. Aside from that, I would highly recommend watching The Light in Your Eyes.
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The plot is very interesting. The main couple is very cute together. They are so shy and awkward. You will definitely find yourself shipping them together. Aside from their love story, there are several other pots going on at the same time. There is a more sinister storyline with the character Soo Ah.
I think the characters were perfectly cast. I loved Im Soo Hyang and Cha Eun Woo as Kang Mi Rae and Do Kyung Suk. It was my first time seeing them in a drama. I will definitely check out their other work. Cha Eun Woo did a great job of acting as the aloof yet shy Do Kyung Suk. Im Soo Hyang really portrayed the heartache of being bullied from a young age. I did find myself crying during some scenes while watching this drama. If I cry during a drama then I will consider it good.
The music in this drama is so good. If you listen to K-pop then you will like the music in this drama. Artists that you can hear in this drama include MOMOLAND, HEIZE, BLACKPINK, EXO and BTS. The playlist is really catchy and I have already downloaded on Spotify.
I would definitely rewatch this drama. The main couple is so cute together, the other characters are not so annoying that you can't stand them, and the plot is very interesting. I would recommend this drama if you like school/college- based dramas like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.
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I decided to watch this drama because of Deng Lun. I loved him in 'Because of You' as Li Yun Kai. Straightaway I loved Yang Zi as Jinmi. She has a very cute yet naive character. Like 'Eternal Love' the characters go through some sort of hardship that matures them. I enjoyed this as it really moves the plot along.
The music is very calming and I know I will listen to it as I did with 'Eternal Love'. I do prefer the characters in this drama though as they are not as annoying.
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Feminine rage, revenge and karma
This drama is based on the webtoon by the same name but there are a few differences. It follows Kang Ji Won who is sent back ten years into the past after being betrayed by her husband and best friend. When she finds herself in 2013, she decides to change her fate but finds out that what once happened, needs to happen again in some form or another. The story is quite well-paced, but there are a few details that felt unnecessary; just some drama that felt like it was added so that the creators could reach the 16 episode mark. A few details were different from the webtoon, which was a little annoying like the fact an entire character was introduced into the drama while another one was never shown.I've been a fan of Park Min Young's dramas for a few years so of course, I was happy to see her in this one. She did a very good job of getting you to root for Kang Ji Won. I found myself cheering her on, hoping she would get her revenge. Na In Woo does such a good job of playing the supportive male lead that will do anything for her. The two made such an adorable couple in this drama. Lee Yi Kyung, who plays Park Min Hwan (Kang Ji Won's boyfriend/2023 husband) did such a good job of playing such a trash person. Wow, I've seen him in other dramas but god, I hated his character in this. Song Ha Yoon, who plays Jung Soo Min (Kang Ji Won's horrible best friend) was so convincing as a psychotic unhinged person. I don't think I have seen her in anything else but damn, her character was so hateful in this!
I don't usually rewatch a drama unless it is one of my ultimate favourites like 'Strong Woman Do Bong Soon' but I think I may rewatch this in the future. The main couple are just so cute together! I also would enjoy going back and seeing all the things that were different because Kang Ji Won went back in time.
If you are looking for a cute romance, satisfying revenge, unhinged characters, and time travel, then this is the drama for you.
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The summary really caught my eye and so I was really hoping that it would be nicely executed. I must say that I was not disappointed. The storyline is so interesting and I don't think I have watched a drama with a plot like this before. Usually, I don't really like it when dramas have many flashbacks as it can get repetitive but this drama didn't have too many, which was great. The flashbacks that were shown in the drama weren't the same one every time so it made it bearable to watch them. The pacing of the show was nicely done. It did not feel like it was dragging on nor did it feel like the story was being rushed along. I feel like all the events that happened came at a natural pace.
This drama was perfectly cast. There were many characters that I loved in this drama. Shin Hye Sun (Woo Seo Ri) did an amazing job of portraying a 30-year-old woman who actually feels like a 17-year-old girl. Her expressions were amazing and really made you feel for her character. It was very easy to sympathise with her character as she truly made you feel like you were feeling Woo Seo Ri's pain. I also think that Park Shi Eun, who plays a younger Woo Seo Ri did an amazing job. I look forward to seeing her in the lead role in dramas in the near future.
Yang Se Jong (Gong Woo Jin) was so lovable and cute in this drama. Seeing him turn from a grumpy man into a shy man falling in love was so nice to see. He perfectly portrayed the pain that Gong Woo Jin felt and on the other side, he did a perfect job of acting like a shy, bumbling man who doesn't know how to act when you fall in love for the first time. I think he had perfect chemistry with Shin Hye Sun. Yoon Chan Young, who was a younger Gong Woo Jin was very nice to watch as well. He did such a great job of portraying a boy who falls in love for the first time and a boy who is dealing with heartbreak.
The music is perfect for this drama. There are songs that really make you feel the pain that the characters are going through and then there are songs that are so uplifting. If you like dramas with really amazing OSTs such as Goblin or Strong Girl Do Bong Soon, then I think you will like the music from this drama. It is perfectly aligned with each scene. I know I will be listening to this OST on repeat for a while to deal with completing the drama.
I think that this is a drama that I would rewatch again, maybe even several times. The plot was so gripping that I wasn't sure what would happen next. This is not melodramatic show that will have you the edge of your seat wondering what crazy thing will happen next. No, this is a sweet, slice-of-life drama with some heartbreak sprinkled in. This is something you watch if you want to watch a sweet love story that won't give you a headache trying to figure out who all the characters are. I would definitely recommend this drama if you are looking for a love story that feels like fate.
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