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The story:
Promising. It's a great supernatural plot that I would love to see extended into a good 16 or 20 episode full-length drama. Again, because of the allotted episodes and time limits, the plot is extremely rough and very choppy, to the point where I had no idea who some characters were because I hadn't spent enough time with them to actually fit them into a relationship chart with Dae-young. How does he know this person? Oh, an episode later, turns out she's a classmate of his. Little things like these could have been explained better, but again, cutting some slack.
Characters/Acting:
I haven't seen Kim Dong Jun before, and I admit I don't listen to ZE:A, but I like his style. He actually looks like a high schooler (unlike Lee Min Ho and Kim Woo Bin... casting 101 people), and when he's with In-ho he really acts like one. His facial expressions were amusingly overdone but I feel like I'd probably be making similar faces if people were suddenly very pale with glowing eyes. The antagonist, Kim Jun Ku.... very enigmatic. We don't get much of him at all, and to me it was like a very sudden... HUH? when his true colors were shown. And, again, cutting slack here, but I think that, even in the small amount of time allowed, we could have gotten a little more from him. Hopefully, in Season 2 (I wrote this before watching it to avoid foreknowledge tampering with how I viewed this show as a Season 1) he'll be fleshed out a little; just a bit more, and I'll be happy. The supporting cast is fun, and Hee-kyung looks like a fun girl to hang out with (though not quite if you're hanging out on the roof of a building...)
Music:
I suppose because the episodes are so short the ending song seems overdone, and played even when the cliffhanger isn't really that much of a cliffhanger, but the slower songs behind the romantic scenes was nice and enjoyable.
Rewatch value:
Should a (doubtful) larger drama come of this, I do intend to skim through again. But probably not something to pick up again on a whim. Or maybe it's just me and the fact that I don't really rewatch my not-so-favorite dramas, this being one of them. There are definitely better dramas, but for a quick watch with an entertaining cast and plot, I'd give it a go. :)
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Story:
The story seems pretty stock at first: time traveling man from the past falls in love with a woman in modern day Seoul (see Rooftop Prince). But you'll find that Queen In-hyun's Man takes it farther... with frequent jumps back and forth keeping our main couple apart (sometimes for weeks at a time) draws for great conflict, especially considering the method Boong Do needs to get to the future in the first place (watch to find out!). The story is always moving forward, and though it seems slow, those slow moments are filled with sweet fluff for our main duo.
Characters:
I cannot sing Yoo In Na and Ji Hyun Woo's praises enough. Because they had a relationship outside the drama for a long time, the chemistry between them was so electric I could see literal sparks fly between them. Boong Do and Hee Jin are so adorable together, with him being a sarcastic little bugger and she with her extroverted and openminded views. The way she teaches him about the modern day is so precious, and how he can figure that she's just pulling his leg but goes along anyway. You can see them fall for each other, and it makes their reunion in the end that much more meaningful.
Music:
I can have "I'm Coming to See You" stuck in my head for hours at a time, and every time it plays on the drama I have to sing along. In some dramas, the main OST can get so overplayed and it starts to get tiresome, but this one I never get tired of. The "Same Sky, Different Time" song is also heart wrenching.
Overall:
A compelling drama that leaves you satisfied, wanting more, and returning for more. Excuse me while I watch those fabulous kissing scenes a few more times... phew!
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Although the plot gets kind of slow near the middle, the last few episodes really showcase how wonderful the drama really is, and how it addresses real life issues like abortion and single working mothers (and how they are treated by the companies they work for).
I would recommend this drama to someone who maybe just finished a really depressing drama (like I did... I finished It's Okay, It's Love and there's a tear-jerker) and need something light and comedic without a clear outright villain suffering from Second Male Lead Syndrome.
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Story:
Rough. The first of three sections this drama was split into was good; It really showcased the discrimination present in almost any society where someone is outcasted for something the majority population is uncomfortable or unfamiliar with. The love story was very rushed, and I understand that they had to fit it all into four episodes in order to transition into the Joseon era. Said transition was so confusing and ill-directed that I just stopped for a minute and thought.... "HUH?" When I finally watched it, the Joseon storyline made pieces fall into place for the first section, and although it was a bit harder to follow (mostly knowing who was in what clan), it allowed puzzle pieces to fall into place. As for the third section... I felt it was very cliched. We got the discrimination still, we have the amnesia, the Romeo/Juliet love story, the shunned second lead (who managed to get himself a good loving girlfriend for once), the "power of music changing people's hearts..." Cliched, yes, but also very sweet. Like marmalade.
Characters/Cast:
I am a fan of Yeo Jin Goo, when I saw him play young-Kim Soo Hyun in TMTETS (and young-Yoochun in I Miss You, what little I saw of it). Here, he played his part well, but i think the way he delivered his lines was very flat and his expressions neutral. He has a few good scenes, but I enjoyed watching him. Jonghyun is precious, and really did Shi Hoo well. He really gave off that depressed vibe, and I really loved watching his Instagram updates of behind the scenes. Shi Hoo is a broken and tortured soul (in both lives) and really deserves the true friendship he received from the members of Orange Marmalade.
Seolhyun is new to acting and she knows it, but she's very pretty and works hard. She has a long way to go in her acting skills, but she has a wonderful voice and made the music enjoyable. The supporting characters as well were very enjoyable.
The music:
Well... it's a drama not only about vampires and humans, but also about music. The songs are catchy and beautiful, but not something I'd listen to on a daily basis.
Overall:
If you've read the original webtoon, you might be disappointed. I haven't read it, but from what I've heard the drama deviates from the original story so don't be too angry when you see where the director takes it. It's really a meh drama to me, but if you enjoy non-suicidal Romeo and Juliet, a beautiful cast, and interesting story-telling, then I think you would enjoy this. ;D
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I honestly only got to episode six before dropping (so excuse me if I say something that gets resolved later; I know I'm supposed to review after I finish the show, but I don't think I can do it). The cast is good, but not great. This is the first drama I've seen Rain in, and while he's got a pretty face, I'm not seeing it, I hate to say that it's left a negative impression about his skills as an actor. Krystal played a two dimensional character that had so much potential if [Krystal] played her cards right. And she didn't. I wasn't dragged into the story, I didn't understand exactly what was going on, and to me, what's-his-face loved his dog more than her.
I'm giving higher scores in the hope that it improved somewhat after I stopped watching, but I'll leave it up to you. I can see how some people like it, but it isn't my style.
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