1
manicmuse
NYC!
Should be renamed "Then this B@%# had the nerve..."
"Reflection of You" seems like such a weak title for a drama like this. A title like "Then This Heaux had the nerve to..." or "Can you believe what this B@$#% did???!!!!" would be much more fitting. It's been a while since a drama made me curse at the screen like this, so I can't believe the rating for this show is so low. This drama was slow to get me interested. I was pretty bored for the first few episodes because it takes a while to get to know the characters and their relationships with each other but once you do the pace is relentless and filled with intense betrayal, ruthless pettiness, and Draaaaamaaaa. The cast is phenomenal. Every character is multidimensional, duplicitous, and yet somehow still empathetic. There aren't any likable characters, to be honest, but I enjoyed the fact that these characters were so messy and sometimes outright awful without being too unrealistic. If you're looking for happy escapism this is the wrong drama. If you want to watch how characters keep digging themselves into a hole until they finally reach the hell they deserve then grab some snacks and enjoy!This story centers around Go Hyun Jung as Jung Hee Joo. I despised her character so much but that's because she played her so well. Most of the fun of this drama is how details about the story unfold so I don't want to say too much about what she does, but her self-centered, manipulative, audacity as she tried to hide behind a phony victim persona was what fueled my interest in the story. I loved watching her gag every episode, and anticipating how everything would eventually backfire. Yes, the mood of this drama fits that of a thriller but the plot is mostly melodrama with some of the shadiest characters ever. At times it was a little distracting that her age gap with the other characters was so noticeable but I also liked seeing a more mature female lead. I only remember seeing her in a rom-com when she was younger "What's Up, Fox?", but this is the exact opposite of a comedy. I also saw her more as the villain than the character who was probably supposed to be seen that way, Shin Hyun Bin as Goo Hae Won. I actually loved Hae Won as a character, which may be worrisome lol, but I could empathize with her so much. Also, Shin Hyun Bin deserves extra praise for playing her character's evolution so well. These two ladies had rival chemistry that was perfect. Their scenes were like watching a great tennis match between star players. That's how all of the scenes felt honestly. Even the teenage characters were strong players.
I can't emphasize enough how great this cast is. I wish I could name all of them. Kim Jae Young as Seo Woo Jae is definitely obsession-worthy, although his character was the least fleshed out in my opinion. He felt like the only lazily written main character, but Jae Young still made the most out of the role. Choi Won Young as Ahn Hyun Sung is always so good at playing cool with something sinister hidden right under the surface. His role in this is not quite as epic as "Hello Monster" but it's still a great performance. Kim Bo Yun as the worst mom ever was another favorite of mine. Even with a subtle look and fewer scenes, she was legendary. Then there's Shin Dong Wook as "good guy" uncle Jung Seon Woo, and the angstiest KDrama teen maybe ever Kim Soo An as Lisa. I loved that I got to know so many characters' stories and struggles without it distracting from the main plot too much. Maybe being based on a book is why the characters seem so well written. The stories also have complimentary themes of choosing to hold on to the past, the cycle of revenge, flawed parents, broken trust, the punishment fitting the "crime", and how hurt people hurt people. I may not have been moved to tears by the story, and some parts of the plot seemed weaker than others, but I was moved by their self-discoveries, even when they chose the less righteous path.
Would I watch this again? Yes. The scenes are well done with intense dialogue as well as catty banter throughout, although knowing the story would take some of the thrill away. The ending did feel like a bit of a safe cop-out and rushed at some moments, with things resolving a little too nicely and neatly, but by the very end, it felt well done. I don't like vague endings, but this ending left me with enough closure. I am also sure with a rewatch there will be some details that I missed the first time, especially in the flashback clips. There are a lot of flashbacks, but I didn't mind that.
Overall, I'm glad I didn't pay too much attention to the rating and gave this drama a chance. I'm also glad I binged watched the whole thing because waiting each week would have been too hard. I think we all have different thresholds for being able to move on, so this story may be too obsessive and dark for some viewers, but I loved it. If you like stories about how complicated human nature can be then this drama is a must-see. This is not your average melodrama about spoiled rich people and random amnesia, these characters surprised me often. "Reflection of You" may not be a new favorite but it's certainly underrated. I could point out holes in the plot, and specific parts that I wish were less vague, but I was so involved in the characters that those things didn't affect how much I enjoyed this drama as whole. If you've ever felt like a member of #teampetty this is a drama for you!
Was this review helpful to you?
Rain is incredibly cute, and often shirtless, as the stubbornly childish Lee Young Jae. Song Hye Kyo is endearing as the unbelievably naive, and ditzy Han Ji Eun. The first two episodes are filled with totally unrealistic, but pretty amusing, situations that end in a false marriage, and the two leads having to learn to live together. Full House paves the way for many future K-drama clichés, since they work so well in this one (like "Personal Taste", which Is my first K-drama love).
Everything is basically straight from the K-drama RomCom handbook (unrealistic chance encounters, unbelievable coincidence, nursing people back to health, rich vs broke, OCD vs slob, frustrating misunderstandings, running through airports, Hallyu star scandals, love squares... ) and most of it works. The cast is what makes it work so well, and kept the sometimes repetitive moments entertaining. I also think the leads, & their romantic rivals, do show some depth. I loved to hate Han Eun Jung as needy Kang Hye Won. Kim Sung Soo as Yoo Min Hyuk was a little one-note throughout, but still made for an appealing 2nd lead (but those eyebrows???!!!). I really disliked Han Ji Eun's two "best friends" who's audacity was hard to believe, and watch, but I think that is the fault of the writers, not the actors. One of my favorite supporting characters was the grandmother, and I thought the family scenes were really cute.
This drama could have easily been cut a little shorter. They made sure to drag out the banter & bickering to the last possible moments, because they know it's what people like to see from the leads. It's clear, during the last two episodes, that they ran out of story, and that they had to rely heavily on flashbacks to fill the time. The leads do a good job of keeping the chemistry going, so the final moments still have some entertainment value, and I did really like the final moments with the 4 main characters.
If you're in the mood for a love story without any frills, give this one a try. I have already rewatched it, and it doesn't lose it's charm with the 2nd viewing, nor does it feel too dated (just the phones). The soundtrack is also incredibly catchy. For better or worse, I found myself humming the songs to myself.
The key to liking this drama is knowing what to expect. It's a lighthearted innocent romance that's fun to watch if you're in a romcom mood. It's still converting people into drama-addicts for a reason.
Aja, Aja, Fighting!
Was this review helpful to you?
Of all the characters I liked Yeon Woo Jin as Jang Yoon the best because you could never quite tell what his intentions were. I've definitely liked him in other dramas but seeing him being so duplicitous made me like him even more as an actor. I loved how charming yet sinister he could be, and that made me really want to know what his motives were. He is matched with Kim Se Jung as
Hong Yi Young, who I liked much more than I thought I would. At first, I thought she would be too young to hold her own with him, but her character was written in a refreshing way so she wasn't a doormat and often spoke her mind directly. Her "YOLO" tendencies could have easily been annoying, but she was so likable that I wanted to root for her. Even her being a timpanist is a cool choice. I think the two of them also had some great chemistry moments, which along with the mystery of Yi Young's forgotten summer made me eager to watch each episode. There are other characters who are pretty good too, though most are just filler. The best part of this drama is the idea of their love story, but as Yi Young says early on, this is NOT a love story.
Yes, a lot of this story involves romance, but the bulk of it is a murder mystery. The mystery storyline is revealed in interesting pieces and the world of the orchestra was a great setting, but once all the pieces start to come together in the later episodes the story starts to get really boring because it feels so drawn out. There are so many repeated flashbacks in the final few episodes that I actually started to get annoyed. Then the reveal of what happened and wrap up of all the characters was an even bigger disappointment because it felt so forced, cliché, and contrived. Song Jae Rim as Maestro Nam had the best story arc of the side characters, but Park Ji Yeon was completely underutilized. Many of the other characters were forgettable and very one-note, even her BFF. If it weren't for the romance elements this drama would have felt like a complete waste of time, and even the romance was a let down at the end no matter how hard they tried to recapture moments from earlier episodes.
Would I watch this again? I doubt it. I'm sorta curious about how watching this drama would be now that I already know what really happened, but I can't imagine watching any of the later episodes again. And as for the soundtrack, as much as I liked the orchestra, especially the baby shark moment, I despised the "Beautiful Day" song that they kept insisting on repeating! I know she's an idol and stuff but I'd rather hear Jang Yoon sing me a full concert than hear that song ever again. I don't wanna hear that song!
Overall, this drama goes from an exciting start to a basic ending. Maybe if it were shorter it would have been better, or maybe if the ending was less obvious and dragged out I would have liked it a lot more. Instead, this is a drama that I am likely to forget by next summer. Maybe it's worth a watch since there are much worse dramas out there, but I suspect you will lose interest towards the end. Perhaps it's better to watch the first part and then when you're ready to drop it ask for spoilers instead of suffering through the final episodes. Unless you need a cure for insomnia too? If so, just treat the last episodes like a serenade from Jang Yoon and let them lull you to sleep.
Was this review helpful to you?
I did like Yoon Shi Yoon as Prince Whi, who I would consider to be the star of this drama. He's very likable, and I think he did a good job, but the reluctant ruler being tormented by his jealous older brother plot got old quickly. If he was even a little less likable I would have dropped this drama very early on, but he had enough charisma to keep me watching.
He is matched with Jin Se Yeon as Sung Ja Hyun who was equal parts stubborn, and annoying. I don't know whether it was how she was written or how she was portrayed, but there was something that stopped me from really connecting with her character. Or maybe I've just seen the rebellious noble girl role played too many times to be impressed. There are some cute moments between them, but there's also the hidden identity trope that gets overdone so often, and a desperation to their love that sometimes seemed inauthentic. They are meant to represent a love that is determined to withstand all the odds against them, but it was as if there was a necessary intensity in their chemistry that was missing.
The ill-fated love triangle is completed by Joo Sang Wook as Prince Kang. Even though his actions scream ruthless irrational sociopath, his portrayal was pretty one note. I love a good villain, but I think he fell short by playing him so low key. Maybe that was meant to make him more sympathetic, but it just made his already cliché character kind of boring. His relationship with is uncle made him a little more interesting, but even that dynamic started to get old. I guess I have high villain expectations.
I liked this exact same triangle much better in Queen for 7 days, which is extremely similar! In fact it's so similar that there were moments where this drama damn near felt like a remake. Being such a fan of Queen for 7 days made it impossible not to hold this drama to the same standard, and in my opinion it just didn't live up to it. That might seem unfair, but I think that's the price of being such a paint by numbers drama.
There are however some characters that I think deserve to be given some praise for making the best out of a cliché situation. Lee Kang's wife was by far my favorite, and one of the most interesting, of the supporting characters . I found her character even more interesting than her husband. I also really liked Ryu Shi Gae, and how unapologetically honest she was about her feelings. She was definitely another favorite. I loved Prince Whi's bromance with the eunuch, maybe even better than the main romance. Then there's Choo Soo Hyun and Kim Mi Kyung, who I think were both totally typecast in roles they play well, but they both delivered as expected. There were other good performances too, but honestly, even with the cast doing their best to bring this story to life, they couldn't do enough to keep the story interesting from start to finish.
I will admit that I put this drama on hold for a while before finally deciding I would finish it. Instead of being satisfied by the ending, it felt more like a task I finally completed. The story does wrap up well, and there are some emotional moments that got to me, but too much of it was predictable, or something I've already seen and liked better in another drama.
Overall, this is a drama for an audience who just wants more of the same thing they already have seen and liked before, or for someone who's never seen a sageuk in their life. I predict that anyone else would be pretty underwhelmed by this one. I already found a lot of it forgettable, which would be my only real reason for watching this again, but I fear that I would drop it during a second viewing attempt.
As far as historical love triangles go, instead of Grand, I found this to be pretty "meh".
Was this review helpful to you?
The cast also did a great job, and I was impressed by Lee Yo Won's range, and absolutely loved Jung Il Woo as the Scheduler. There were no weak links in the cast. I admit that Nam Gyu Ri did get on my nerves, but i think I was just annoyed by her character.
Though I would give the story, and acting high marks, and I even liked the soundtrack, I still have to give this drama an overall lower rating. My main issue with it was that it was soooo depressing. There's not much comic relief, and even romantic scenes always seemed to have a cloud of impending doom. It did make me reflect about life, but more so it made me depressed. The story centers around issues of betrayal, and grief, which aren't exactly happy topics. If you cry easily make sure you have a huge supply of tissue nearby as you watch this.
49 Days simply didn't give me the addicted "I gotta watch" feeling that I usually get from kdrama. I knew I wouldn't miss any characters once it was all over. I can't think of any memorable scenes, or moments that I would want to watch again. I watched all 20 episodes because I wanted to see how it would end, and once it ended I was satisfied, and ready to move on.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Dark and Twisted Rashomon
"Mask Girl" packs a lot into 7 episodes. Instead of offering typical KDrama escapism, this drama delves into characters looking for their own forms of escape. Mask Girl and the characters in her world are dark, lonely, and even delusional anti-heroes. They may not always be likable or sane but they are easy to empathize with as we watch their lives spiral more and more out of control with every episode. This drama's content is also wild and intensely adult, including nudity and violence, but it never felt too over the top to me. In a world full of influencers, Idols, and only fans setting a new standard, "Mask Girl" and its themes feel perfect for the times even though much of the story technically takes place in the past.My favorite thing about this drama is that it is told in a Rashomon style with each episode representing a new character's POV. The less you know while watching the better as each character is introduced and brought to the forefront with new perspectives on things we thought we knew and have already seen. I admit that some of the story is predictable but in a way that feels more tragically inevitable, making the suspense more intense. I especially loved the first 2 episodes, not only because of the amazing performances by Lee Han Byeol and Ahn Jae Hong, but because it really felt like I was a fly on the wall observing someone's most intimate thoughts, feelings, and desires which made me root for some characters even in spite of their actions as the story progressed. In a weird way, it's a shout-out to the intensely socially awkward but also about all of us.
Another honorable mention for me is Yeom Hye Ran. She really broke my heart in some scenes while totally surprising me in others. She gave my favorite performance in this drama and I was totally able to separate her from Ms. Chu in "Uncanny Counter 1&2" (which I am also currently watching) even though I love her in that role too. She definitely has an acting range FAAAAR beyond her years. She's for sure one of my favorites now!
Would I watch this again? Sure. It's not an easy watch, but the characters are so interesting that I would be curious to see it all again knowing the full story. I do think the later episodes wouldn't be as exciting the second time around, but the story and performances are still strong enough to keep me watching.
The only thing I didn't like as much is the ending which I wish went the less safe and obvious route.
I also think the soundtrack is perfect. Adding a lot to the storytelling without an unnecessary epic ballad or song repeating over and over again to force the mood. The music just complements everything with just the right mood.
And shout out to the director for some really cool yet subtle imagery, and keeping the nudity, sex, and violence tastefully done.
Overall, "Mask Girl" delves not only into an image-obsessed society but also into the different personas we show the outside world vs. how we truly are and feel inside. Yes, this is a thriller, filled with violence and revenge, but it's also thought-provoking, delving into image and validation and obsession and insecurity... some of the less appealing aspects of human nature, without being too preachy about it. I also feel like this is hardly a dark comedy. I laughed a few times. but this is pretty much a tragedy from start to finish. Still, it manages to avoid being too depressing and that balance helps make it super easy to binge. I definitely recommend it to those interested in a grown-up drama, with some memorable characters, and a unique storytelling style. "Mask Girl" is the personification of a "don't judge a book by its cover" drama. It definitely won't be for everyone, but don't judge "Mask Girl" by the poster, description, or shocked reviewers. This one, I think, you have to get to know for yourself.
Was this review helpful to you?
A reflective slice of small town life
Summer Strike is what I would call a mood slice of life drama. It's a story about Yeo Reum "Summer" whose hectic life is falling apart when she decides to pack a backpack with a few belongings and go on strike from the life she's known. She winds up in a strange small town full of interesting characters and makes the choice to lead an unconventional life without any responsibilities or plans. The concept is pretty inspiring except for one thing... Yeo Reum is a frustrating mess. Good thing for her, the entire town is full of messy characters.Although Yeo Reum is the main character the true star of the show is Yim Si Wan as An Dae Beom. He is so awkwardly adorable and endearing, and honestly the most interesting character even while barely saying a word. He has cute chemistry with Yeo Reum from the very beginning, and their connection is super sweet, but if you are looking for a conventional romance be warned that this is NOT it. Think more slow-burn kindred spirits who like to run a lot and you will be far less likely to be disappointed. Many of their interactions happen in the library which should give you an idea of how adorkable and wholesome these moments are.
The rest of the ensemble is great too, but full of frustrating characters, from Grandmas to single dads, HS students, and ex-cons. I don't want to speak too much about them all in detail since the interesting part of the story is learning about these characters as Yeo Reum does. The town is full of sadness and tragedy and is haunted by a mysterious murder from years ago. Of course, Yeo Reum's presence changes things in the town mostly for the better, but not the mood. This drama is still mostly melancholy, frustrating, and sad. Still, this isn;t quite the "fish out of water" trope that I expected. It's more about the town adapting to and at times blatantly rejecting a stranger's presence.
Would I watch this again? Probably not. Although I like the simple concept of the drama, I do think the plot isn't as interesting as the characters. There also aren't many scenes that I would necessarily want to rewatch. If I were a bigger fan of slice-of-life dramas then maybe just the small-town atmosphere would be enough to make me want to rewatch/revisit Angok. I thought it was nice to escape to Angok each week, but since many of the characters were frustrating, I was more than ready to say goodbye to them by episode 12... the perfect length for this drama.
Overall, this drama feels a little like reading someone's diary. Or rather, listening to someone's diary since there is a lot of narration. There isn't a major character transformation but watching feels intimate and definitely piqued my curiosity throughout. The romance and mystery parts of the story were a little disappointing because they were so played down. However, it's certainly an eventful summer, no matter how slow paced the drama feels at times. If you ever had a fantasy of running away from your life this will either inspire you or scare you. By the end, I did feel comforted by the sense of community, I was touched by Yeo Reum's imperfect pursuit of happiness, and there's an emotionally healing feeling even if it left me dry eyed throughout, so I would recommend binging this it if you're in a introspective and reflective mood, and I appreciate this simple drama reminding me to appreciate the simple things.
Was this review helpful to you?
I liked it less than Season 1, but I still appreciated the new season!
I was literally in the middle of randomly rewatching season 1 of Yumi's cells when season 2 finally appeared! Yay!!! If you were a fan of season 1 then season 2 tries hard to recapture that magic and continue Yumi's story right from where the last episode ended. I was glad to see all of the old characters and cells return, but I will also confess that I am unapologetically team Wung, and was rooting for him more than Yumi at the end of season 1. I say that so that my bias is clear, although I will try to not let that cloud my review too much.I think the main issue I had with this season is that unlike season 1, which was a clear linear plot about the evolution of Yumi & Wung's love story, season 2 tries to possibly do too much. Yes, as you can see from the poster art, Yumi has a new main love interest, Yoo Babi from season 1. We do get to see their relationship turn romantic and get introduced to Babi's cute and festive cells, but a lot of time is also spent on Yumi's writing career, some new characters, and an appreciated update on Wung too. I didn't read the webtoon, so maybe they just tried to fit as much of the original content as they could into the story. Sadly, although Yumi's emotions and the storytelling overall is still super creative and often relatable, the actual plot starts to drag and get repetitive about halfway through. And although watching season 1 first makes the most sense, there are plenty of flashbacks for context just in case you skip to this season for Park Jin Young as the male lead.
He may not have been the ship I wanted to sail but he is cute, so I understand.
Speaking of Park Jin Young as Babi, I do think he played his role pretty well, but once Babi became the center of the story he also became super boring. He and Kim Go Eun do have some cute chemistry moments in the first episodes but there are also quite a few cringy-trying-too-hard-cute moments too. Their cells often have to save the day to keep the story fun, or make their fights much more engaging. Watching Yumi become super jealous and distrustful on loop was already annoying in season 1, but Babi always being even-keeled with the same bland smile or sad expression just made it worse. If you are a Park Jin Young fan I'm sure he will be sufficiently cute for you to enjoy but compared to the chemistry in season1 I was kinda disappointed. Side couples were often much more interesting than the leads were. Wung's character having a decent amount of guest star screen time helped a lot too, but he always wore a shirt this time : ( #imissedhisabs
The rest of the cast were the same quirky characters I liked in the first season with some good new editions. My favorite of the new characters hands down was illustrator Control Z. ("Zeeeeeeee" lol ). He was another character that saved me from wanting to drop the tedious love story parts. I was hoping Da Eun would be as involved in the story as Sae Yi was, but I feel like she was underutilized. I think because of the self-centered nature of the Yumi character some great performances are more like guest appearances than the feel of an ensemble cast. There were some literal good guest star moments too. Park Jin Joo's cameo was really funny.
And all of the voice actors were amazing once again! I truly missed their antics!
Another plot issue was, as inspiring as Yumi's writing pursuit was, without the cell's POV, that was boring to watch as well, and definitely started to feel like filler in the last episodes.
Kim Go Eun as Yumi grew on me too and had a little more life in her performance this time. Or maybe that's just compared to boring Babi. Bland Babi's character was never allowed to evolve much past pursuing Yumi. Or was the lined black and white version of Babi also a metaphor for his lack of a personality? Apparently, in the original story he's the fan favorite, but I had a hard time seeing his appeal in the show. Their relationship was shady from the start, which was also pretty hard for me to look past after liking Wung so much!
Would I watch this again? Sure. I would definitely skip past a lot of scenes but the same charm of the cells and getting frustrated at Yumi makes even this messy plot still fun to watch. The Cells are everything, and along with favorites (like naughty) they really got creative with some of these new cells... like the hilarious "hand"!
And yes, I still love the OST and the new song editions. I was very glad to hear certain songs again.
Overall, it's super hard to recapture the energy of a successful first season, which the writer even blatantly has Yumi stressed over during the show's last episode (very meta). What Yumi's Cells 2 does well is stick to what worked in season 1 without trying to repeat it exactly. I still never cried, but I LOLed often. It's still the perfect length to binge and re-binge, even if the story drags at times. I got some character updates that I needed. I still wished for more growth from Yumi, but through her chasing her dream I saw some. I was also satisfied with everything ending as it did, and how they implied what was next in Yumi's love life without me needing to see it all played out, but if they do decide to actually go for a season 3, count me in... again!
Was this review helpful to you?
Moving. Beautiful. Perfect.
I started watching this one skeptical about seeing such great reviews, and I'm so happy I did, even though my tears have barely dried as I type this. This is one of the most emotionally moving dramas I have ever watched. I didn't trust the high ratings and reviews, and never saw or heard of the original Japanese version, so I had no real expectations. "Mother" is listed as a suspenseful melodrama about an abused child and her unlikely substitute mother/kidnapper, but don't consider that a spoiler because this drama is so much more than that. This drama deeply explores motherhood through so many brilliant characters and their interconnected stories. The title may be simple, but it's perfect. This drama goes in on what it means to be a mother.One of my favorite things about this drama was watching such a deep connection develop between the two leads. Heo Yool is absolutely amazing and it's hard to believe that someone so young could give such a strong performance. Aside from her terrible wig in the early episodes, her performance is flawless. She's definitely a young actress to watch! Even her stares were perfect. She's smart, brave, wise beyond her years and so endearing that Kang Soo Jin's actions seem completely justified. Lee Bo Young's portrayal of Soo Jin was equally powerful as I watched her transform from extremely guarded and cold to a woman filled with so much compassion I couldn't help but root for! They worked so well together, and even when their actions were frustrating or heartbreaking I fell in love with their relationship.
The rest of the cast is also amazing, and there are so many great characters. The beauty of them all, I think, is that so many of them are flawed/imperfect. There are definitely some clear villains and heroes, but the villains were at times sympathetic and the heroes challenged what is considered moral/right. There were also characters who blurred the lines between good and bad by doing what was morally right but still seeming to be on the wrong side. These nuances made the story feel more real. The writing and performances in this drama keep this story engaging from the start. Yes, there's some traditional suspense, but the true suspense is in seeing how all of these character's lives will be changed by this non-traditional mother and daughter relationship. Yes, every single person in the cast is that good, but I still have some favorites worth mentioning. Lee Hye Young as Yeong Shin was a character I didn't get at first but became one of the characters I was moved by the most! It was great to see her as not just the bad mom stereotypical role I'm used to seeing her in (because she's so good at it). Next, there's "Dr. Sexy" aka Lee Jae Yoon as Jin Hong. One of my only complaints about this whole drama is that again he is the ultimate second lead even when there is no romantic lead to compete with. He was a great addition regardless. I also have to applaud Son Seok Koo as Lee Seol Ahk. He truly made me frightened and disgusted yet still managed to give his character depth and I even empathized with him a little. Even without the content ever being too graphic be gave me chills.
It feels bad to exclude some of the other great performances, but there really are just so many.
Besides the performances, the storytelling is also top-notch. The writing is so good, although I have no idea how much is similar to the original. The cinematography is breathtaking whether an intimate scene, a suspenseful moment, or gorgeous scenery, every image seemed perfectly crafted. I was drawn in completely by the first episode, but it just kept getting better and better. There was also never a moment that felt like filler, you can tell careful attention was paid in telling this story. Each episode built on the last and kept me engaged whether with it's crime drama style cliffhangers or engrossing conflicts between the characters. There were still some obligatory product placement moments but even those were handled without being distracting. I was very satisfied with the ending too. The writing, the directing, the acting are all easily at 10.
Even the music is great, just not memorable enough to justify an all 10s review... but so close!
Would I watch this again? Without a doubt. With such attention to detail, it's the perfect drama to rewatch. Yes, the suspense over what happens next will be gone, but not the emotions the story provokes. Let me warn you this drama definitely had me deep in my feelings. I cried so much during the final episodes that I should have been dehydrated. I also loved that the ending was simple yet poignant. Watching the journey of Yoon Bok and Soo Jin wasn't just sad, it was also extremely inspiring which is another good reason to rewatch.
"Mother" is certainly not a lighthearted drama, but in so many ways it was heartwarming. I will never think of motherhood the same way again. This is far from the Kdrama romances and comedies I'm usually drawn to, but with a story this good I'd recommend it to anyone no matter what genre they usually watch. The themes in this drama are definitely heavy and dark, exploring extreme abuse and neglect, but without being gratuitously graphic or too melodramatic. Prepare for it to rain from your eyeballs throughout this drama, so have plenty of tissues nearby. I hope this doesn't deter people from watching. The ratings aren't just hype, there is not one bad review for a reason.
Now I definitely feel compelled to watch the original as well, but on its own, this stands as one of my favorite dramas of all time. It also made me extremely grateful for my mother and all of the mother figures in my life.
Was this review helpful to you?
This is the third drama that I've loved Park YooChun in, and I finally had to give him a spot on my favorites list for it. He is super adorable in this role - awkward yet charming, and he got me addicted to the show pretty much instantly. Some call it bad acting, but I say it was adorkable. It helped that he had great flirty chemistry with Shin Se Kyung. The scenes between these two are super corny, and extra cheesy, but in a way that I like. I also liked the idea that they were two freaks of nature fated to find each other, which added another cute element to their relationship. I've never seen Shin Se Kyung in a drama before, and initially found Oh Cho Rim to be a little annoying, but she grew on me quickly, and suddenly I couldn't help but root for her. She also made her unusual gift seem perfectly plausible, which made the whole thing more believable.... even when the script was definitely unbelievable.
The real stand out performance of this drama is Nam Gung Min. I really loved his character, and loved all the subtle nuances he brought out while playing Chef Kwon Jae Hee. I remember him playing such a great complicated character in "Can you hear my heart", and his performance in this was even better. I would also like to applaud his shirtlessness, and the tightness of his pants... who knew he was so well rounded?!! (pun definitely intended - that booty tho) I would love to see him in more dramas (shirt not required).
The investigative team, Cho Rim's BFF, and the rest of the supporting cast were great, and memorable. Some of the acting gets a little cheesy at times (the acting troupe - ugh), but that's mostly because of the writing style. The cops also come across as idiots most of the time, even more than in other dramas, but I liked their characters enough that it didn't matter too much.
The writer basically wrote a comedic romance between two misfits, that gets intercepted by a serial killer case. The story is unique, and although it's semi-predictable, and relies on some overused kdrama tropes, it kept me intrigued. I liked how all the main characters has an unusual connection to the 5 senses. The mystery element made me super eager to watch every episode, especially with cliff hanger endings making me always wanna watch "just one more" episode. All the episodes flew by for me. I easily finished this drama in 3 days, without any real boredom. There were a few moments of flashback overload, and cutesy dream sequences, but It was incorporated well.
The graphics/efx, the scent graphic animations in particular, were cool, but very literal, so it added some extra cheesiness.
Also, are Korean's really that shallow? How does a green eye make you a monster? I know more than one person with one blue eye, and they were always considered cool. I guess it adds to the drama, but geez!
I though the soundtrack was great, a little literal, but had a lot of catchy songs.
The product placement was a bit OD, particularly the Samsung moments. It was so hilariously obvious that it kinda added to the comedy of the show.
My last, and biggest complaint, would be about the outfits. Who ever was in charge of wardrobe needs to find a new career. Some of the outfits were distractingly bad, but I digress...
Now that I know the story, I'm not sure this would be as exciting if I decided to rewatch, but there were definitely some cute scenes that I would watch again.
Overall this is a consistently entertaining drama from beginning to end. I don't think it had enough of a wow factor to become a favorite, but I liked it much more than I expected. If you are willing to embrace KDrama logic, you will like it more. If you like chemistry that gives you the butterflies feeling, I think this drama delivers. I would recommend this drama to anyone looking for some escapism, and who can handle the cheese.
Watching this drama just makes sense... (sorry, I couldn't resist)
Was this review helpful to you?
First, I seriously heart Shin Min Ah. She's beautiful, and confident, and my ideal anti-damsel in distress. This makes her perfect to play Arang, a ghost who knows how to fend for herself, and is determined to solve the mystery of her death. I loved her after watching My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, and this character has similar qualities. She is matched with Lee Joon Gi, who I've never seen (Yes, I've never seen Iljimae), but they are pretty much a match made in heaven (pun intended). I was really impressed by him, and his throat clearing became my weakness. Their chemistry is amazing, their banter is super cute, and they look great together. Their relationship is definitely my favorite part of the drama, but the drama offers so much more.
The rest of the cast is filled with interesting characters. Kwon Oh Jung as Dol Soe is the best side kick ever, and perfectly matched with Hwang Bo Ra as the partially phony shaman Bang Wool - they were too cute, and their flirting was perfect comic relief. The supernatural characters were interesting. The villains had depth, although Kim Yong Gun was perfect at being absolutely evil. I was especially impressed with Kang Moon Young, who's bad plastic surgery (possibly mean, but true) boosted her creepiness, but she also played the role extremely well. There were no weak links in the cast, which helped make everything believable.
The story is pretty epic. It was mostly interesting, and filled with mystery, and twists, and just enough tragedy to tug at my emotions, but there is a point in the plot where things start to drag. The first time I stopped watching around episode 12, and now I know why. I was absolutely hooked and eager to watch the next episode until about then. Then the plot started to stall/lag a little. It's not that it was boring, not exactly, but I just became less eager to watch the next episode. There's also a point where characters, Arang in particular, started to frustrate the hell out of me. The story eventually ends, resolving every complicated plot point in a coherent way, which is worthy of praise, but I still never regained the excitement I had in the beginning. At least I think it was all resolved. I still may be confused about some parts honestly, but it felt resolved to me.
As much as I admired the cast, directing, and writing, I also have to applaud the soundtrack, and the costumes! I loved that the soundtrack. The soundtrack not only mixed genres well, but also incorporated the stars well... Lee Jun Ki's "One Day" is definitely swoon-worthy. I also don't normally pay attention to the costumes too much, even in sageuks, but I thought these were particularly good. I loved the ghost tattoo/mark, loved that each character had a signature look, and was particularly in love with Sato's hat!
Overall, I would definitely recommend this one. It may not make my favorites list, but it really has so many great elements that make it a kdrama classic. I even felt myself grateful that it was 20 episodes long, because around episode 16 I still wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to the characters. I could totally see myself watching this again too, the same way I would reread a good fairytale. It's certainly a memorable, and unique drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
I loved the premise, a reality game show about greed with a psychological twist, which was definitely intriguing. Plus the opening scene is filled with suspense, and made me like Lee Sang Yoon from the start. If you like clever scenarios, and brain teasers, this is the perfect drama for you. In fact, most of the episodes focus on the game, various "what would you do" scenarios, and examines how the contestants play it, but there is also a general plot for those less into the game itself.
The story really revolves around Nam Da Jung, a super gullible girl with a selfless heart. Kim So Eun does a great job of playing her without making her too frustrating to watch (which was hard because I hate doormat characters). She's wide eyed, and trusting to a fault, which is the perfect opposite to Lee Sang Yoon as Ha Woo Jin. Woo jin is more my style, incredibly clever, and not easily fooled. They had a great chemistry as partners, but don't get too excited about any real romance, because it's not that kind of drama.
The supporting cast is filled with memorable characters who you may love one episode and hate the next (then love again lol). All the characters are meant to be archetypal, but some minor characters came across a little too stereotypical, which is why I gave the cast a 9 out of 10.
The star of this show, to me, is definitely Shin Sung Rok. He is a perfect villain, the kind I secretly root for. His expressions creeped me out without being campy. He was realistically diabolical, which made him even scarier. He was my absolute favorite character, and I think he had the best story. Anyone who liked "You Who Came from the Stars" should know that he knows how to play duplicitous bad guys VERY well.
Aside from watching the game progress, which is exciting, there is the story of the characters chosen to participate, and this is where the show lost some points with me. This drama really knew how to build up my interest, but by the end I knew the supposed reason behind the contestants being there, and why the game existed, yet I wasn't too impressed with the answer (all of THAT because of THAT? Really??!). This made me start to lose interest as the show went on, and underwhelming secrets were revealed. If it was the usual 18 episodes I may have even dropped it. Still I liked the characters and the game dynamics enough to keep watching. The length also makes me more likely to rewatch, to see if I'd feel differently the 2nd time, or if I missed something in the first viewing.
Overall, I would recommend "Liar Game" to people like me who may need a break from the heart tugging "feels" type of drama for something a little more "left-brain" friendly. I know I picked apart the plot, but there are more than enough things that worked well to make this show worth watching. The end also seemed to hint at a possible second season, and if I told you I'm not interested at all in watching it (even with Lee Sang Yoon's terrible hair choice), I'd be lying.
Was this review helpful to you?
I loved the entire main cast of this drama, but IU's character is so amazing that I became a fan from the moment she appeared on the screen. Yes, I've liked her in other dramas (especially in My Mister), but in this role, she is not only a bad@ss, and funny (I loved her sarcasm), but she had an elegance that was epic and even regal! I also love a good villain and Man Wol was the perfect balance of heroine and villainess which made me never quite sure what she would do. She is matched with the super talented Yeo Jin Goo as way too empathic hotelier Goo Chan Sung, who I thought was a good match, but I admit that there were moments when he seemed a little out of his league with her, but that also worked for their dynamic in the story. He mostly plays the straight man, which I'm sure isn't easy to do in such an over the top drama, but he has the right kind of likable innocence to make him perfect for his role too. As far as romance, it definitely plays a large part in the main story, but it's pretty platonic. Their chemistry is basically some cute flirting, funny banter, and eating so don't get your hopes up beyond that.
I also have to mention the rest of the hotel staff Bae Hae Seon, Shin Jung Keun, P.O, and Mina. Instead of just being comedy relief, these characters each have strong stories of their own, and by the end, I became attached to each of them. Then there are the flashback sequences, the stories of the hotel guests, poor rich Sanchez, The Grim Reaper, and of course Seo Yi Sook as the many faces of Ma Go Shin... and every single person in the cast is great! With a story this over the top it can be hard to make certain moments not feel too silly to be believed but they really pulled it off. The fun visuals also helped. Many of the stories are light horror stories, or are mysteries that need to be solved, but mostly centering around revenge or longing. I unexpectedly connected emotionally to a few of the stories. Maybe it's because death is a touchy subject for me, but I also think it's because the writing in each episode was good, and made me think about how precious, and sometimes cruel life can be. So keep this in mind if you have recently experienced a loss. This show may be comforting in some ways, but it may also be too much to handle.
The only reason I gave the overall story a 9 instead of a 10 is because some of the explanations and resolutions seemed convoluted. The overall story is so ambitious that I think they sometimes missed the mark in tying loose ends in the story. The last episode is a perfect example of that. I loved most of the last episode, which resolved things so beautifully in so many ways and had me in tears throughout, but in the final moments, I was just left scratching my head. It didn't make me like the drama any less. I'd rather watch an imperfect but original drama like this than a predictable and boring drama.
Would I watch this again? Yes. I know a lot of people seemed to want a second season (Oh, make sure you keep watching past the credits), but I'd rather just watch this again. It may seem less mysterious with a second viewing, but maybe I'll catch some things that I missed the first time.
Overall I liked this drama a lot. It's not going to make my favorites list, but it's certainly one of the most memorable dramas I've seen in a while. I usually don't like dramas that focus on random side stories too much, but I guess these stories are my taste (I admit Halloween is also my favorite holiday), and I loved the repeated theme of making peace with the past at the end of life. It's also surprisingly lighthearted considering there are so many dark aspects to this drama. Think of it more like an old school fairytale and you will have a better idea of what to expect. It really is a beautiful world, full of amazing imagery (That bridge!) and a gorgeous hotel (I really wish it was real!), so the director definitely deserves praise for that. I also love that it all centers around such a strong female character, and her amazing wardrobe! Seriously, every single outfit deserves applause! This is not your average ghost story, and even if I loved The Hong Sisters Master's Sun more (So Ji Sub has A LOT to do with that though), I understand why this drama has so many fans! I recommend adjusting expectations and giving this drama a chance. Who knew that a drama about death and deep resentment could be so cute?
Was this review helpful to you?
Forgive me, it's been a while since I finished it, but it left such a strong impression that I think I can review it fairly.
First, I loooooved the two leads. Lee Sung Kyung as Kim Bok Joo is perfect! She's charming, easy to relate to, and root for, and seemed so authentic. She's matched with Nam Joo Hyuk who is nothing like I expected him to be. Instead of being the normal arrogant athlete, he is just extremely playful, and was super easy to sympathize with. It was awesome to watch their story together unfold as they become good friends, then much more.
There are lots of great supporting characters too. At the top of that list is Kim Bok Joo's crew of BFFs. They were hilarious, and fun, even at their silliest. I also love a crew that is so not cool that they are extremely cool... SWAG! Joon Hyeong's bestie was pretty funny too, and I liked that the bffs had a cute storyline of their own.
Of course the supporting character MVP in my book is the king of second leads Lee Jae Yoon! He is so good at being crush worthy, and making a viewer really reconsider what's so great about the male lead anyway. He never disappoints, and he's no different here. He also always manages to play an interesting character, and never just rests on being eye candy... delicious eye candy! *swoon*
I can go on and on about the supporting cast being great... her dad, her uncle, his parents, the coaches, the woman with the futile crush... but the only character which just didn't work for me was Kyung Soo Jin as the ex with issues. Not only did she seem out of place playing a student (looking much older than the others), her character was also uselessly emo, and clingy, which made her uninteresting. It seemed like she was only there to cause conflict and then she faded into the background. I honestly don't think her character was even necessary.
I spent a lot of time talking about characters and not the plot because there isn't much to the overall plot. This is one of those dramas where you like the characters so you are satisfied just watching what goes on in their lives without needing a strong plot. That also makes the rewatch value high for me, because I was watching for the performances, not really to see what would happen next. Joon Hyeong does have a pretty emotional story, but there is still no major plot that drives each episode, just the awesomeness of the world of Kim Bok Joo and friends.
Music... Hmm... I can't remember the soundtrack at all.
I really recommend this one for viewers who like strong (literally) and interesting female leads. It's a great coming of age story, with a romance that is solid, and kinda innocent, but not too juvenile to take seriously. If you're not a huge fan of school dramas, like me, this may be the one that changes your mind. I will file this under super cute dramas that exceeded my expectations. I'm glad I gave it a chance! Swwwwaaaaag!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
I gave the story a 4 because the premise is completely ridiculous (even for KDrama). The fact that an obsessed fan girl can transfer to a school in a foreign country, and change her gender, without her family being aware, is already hard to believe. What makes it worse is that at no point does she ever look, or act, like a boy. She basically gets a hair cut, and that's it. No one ever seriously questions her, even though at some points it looked like she was wearing lipstick. Then, to top it off, everyone who finds out helps this obsessed stalker, so she doesn't deal with much consequence for any of her actions. The story plays things extremely safe, which ends up being very predictable, and sometimes boring.
I had no problem accepting the girl convincing people she is a guy premise in You're Beautiful, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, or Coffee Prince. I loved all 3. Perhaps Sulli is not a strong enough actress to play a convincing guy, but it's like she didn't even bother to try. I know korean flower boys can appear feminine, but not THAT feminine, Geez!
I thought the overall acting in this was ok, but not great. The characters were cute, but there was no real depth in any of the performances. Sulli & Minho looked cute together as a couple, but didn't necessarily have great chemistry. Lee Hyun-woo was by far my favorite. I cared more about him than the two main leads combined. His smile made up for some of the dull moments.
I can't see myself rewatching this because there weren't any memorable, or stand out moments. As far as romance goes, it was sweet, but a little too juvenile for my taste. The mood of the drama is lighthearted throughout, even during the sadder moments, so I had no real emotional reaction to anything. I was never really excited for the next episode, because I pretty much knew what was going to happen next (even without knowing the Manga/previous versions). The end felt rushed, but it was all so obvious that it almost didn't matter.
This is definitely catered to a young, KPop fangirl audience, and so is the soundtrack. I would also recommend it to any fan of romance who just wants to watch something light, and cute. This show definitely recycles what has worked in other shows, in a way that does work. I was not particularly impressed with To The Beautiful You, but I admit I was still entertained.
Was this review helpful to you?
