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Good Weights
I enjoyed watching The Package because…
…the storylines depicting complications in different kinds of relationships seamlessly blended with the theme of the drama. Every character in the drama is at the crossroad of a certain relationship and this trip makes each one of them realise what he or she wants from the other person and from oneself. It is fun to see so many stories fall like puzzle pieces to form a larger picture at the end of the drama.
…the cast was really good. Actress Lee Yeon Hee who plays tour guide Yoon So So was totally into the character. She very easily adopts the tour guide tone and looks very convincing as a professional guide. I am sure Yeon Hee has put in a lot of hard work to get into the skin of her character. Similarly, every other cast member did a good job and played their parts well.
…of the brilliant cinematography and the beautiful foreign location. The director has spared no pains in capturing France in the most exotic frames. All the locations visited in the drama look amazing and this is the perfect way to promote tourism.
…it was funny. San Maa Roo encounters with So So’s stalker is hilarious. The way he dodges him and gets into scuffles with him made me roll on the floor with laughter. Do watch out the two men fight for So So’s attention. Even his initial encounters with So So are amusing.
Bad Weights
I did NOT like The Package because…
…it is a threat to my savings. Two episodes into the drama and I was yearning for a vacation. The drama reminded me that it has been years since my last long holiday. By the end of episode 4, I decided to go on a trip no matter what. I started to look up holiday plans online when suddenly I heard my bank passbook chuckle in a corner. I went to it and opened it to see what made it laugh so mirthfully. What I next saw brought tears to my eyes. I quietly returned to my laptop, this time equipped with 3D glasses, and clicked on the next episode because I had realised that it was going to be the only way I will be seeing France for at least another decade. Damn you poverty! Damn you!
…there is a dip in the story pace in episode 6 but the drama eventually picks up. The dip is justified as it is a point in the drama where characters explore the depths of their relationship. It shows how couples behave after they have spent a considerable amount of time together.
…Jung Yong Hwa was a little dull. There are several scenes where he could act a little more energetic and whimsical but his restrained (read limited) acting makes him look dull. He is a handsome guy but when it comes to acting, I think he can do better.
The Package has more of good weights which makes it a good watch. Its cast, story and location together make it a very enjoyable drama. If your bank account balance too mocks you the way mine does, then do not miss this drama as it is the cheapest way to have a trip to France.
I give The Package 3.5 out of 5 rating. The Package is an easy breezy drama. It throws some light on the complexities of different types of relationships against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful France. Do watch this one when you want to watch a fun and light drama.
Originally posted on Alphagirl.in.
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Basically in conclusion, I would totally recommend this drama if you are interested in something short, simple, humorous and intriguing.
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I really felt that I was on a guided tour, vicariously traveling with the characters through various destinations in France. Of course, the cinematography was amazing. The pace was just right, and I found myself relaxing as I watched the adventure unfold and got drawn into each character's story. There were emotional ups and downs as I watched each character develop, and each couple navigating through rough waters in their relationships. Many times, I found myself really hoping that everyone had a happy ending.
The acting was excellent, so sincere that it felt genuine and authentic. This is the first time I have seen Jung Yong Hwa act, and he is simply adorable. There were an earnestness and honesty that he brought to his character, San Ma Ru, and boy, can that man kiss! I loved episode 7, where there was a kiss scene within a kiss scene within a kiss scene! He and Lee Yeon Hee had such great chemistry as the main couple. Lee Yeon Hee is lovely, and she portrayed Yun So So well. As for the supporting cast, there were no individual shout-outs since it was evident that they all really poured their hearts into the drama.
I cannot even find fault with the music as the selection was absolutely perfect and fitting.
The story is written so well, and there were many poignant scenes as well as memorable quotes. I would definitely re-watch this drama. My only gripe is that I wish there were a couple more episodes to tie everything up neatly but that is because I am a hopeless romantic and I want a fabulous big-bang ending. I still liked the ending because it made sense and it did work out for everyone.
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This review may contain spoilers
Take me to France!
BEAUTIFUL scenery - it made me want to hop a plane for France! The cast was good. I especially liked the developing friendship between the older woman and the shopping girl. When the older woman smiles, so cute! I didn't care about the father/daughter storyline. The main couple were cute. I rated it lower because of the premarital sex, that's just a personal bias of mine.This wasn't your typical Korean drama. Often, when you have multiple characters, the stories are very surface, and you don't have time to know more about them. That was not the case here. I'll say again, it made me want to go on vacation!
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Simple Relaxing story
This was an easy watch. I normally would not give this drama a high rating like a 9 but given a simple story that was well told, i thought it would be good to give it a high mark.I thought Lee Yun Hee did a superb job as tour guide and team management. I have been to France but I learnt a lot watching this drama than my actual tour of France. Lee Yun Hee's voice was soothing and welcoming. She was never fazed by the drama that was unfolding with her team.
For me, there were some lessons to be learnt when dealing with difficult people,
I highly recommend this drama when one wants to simply be guided without too much emotions involved in watching a drama.
Cons: I didn't like the last part of the drama.. but I have now come to expect some sort of calamity prior to a drama coming to an end... I just don't get why this couple would choose to "tempt" fate.
Anyway... enjoy this beautiful drama.
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The True Beauty of Traveling Stories
Traveling stories have always been a favourite of mine. The two main parts of these type of stories are the places shown and the characters who are on this trip and their stories (the past they are running from, the present that makes a change in them or makes them come to a decision and the future they will face after this trip and how it resonates with us. How it makes us watch the places in awe and feel what the characters are feeling is what makes this genre of stories entertaining to watch,I am happy to say that this Kdrama succeeds in doing this very well. We grow attached to this group and their stories and all the endings are also satisfying and feel like what a normal person will do in their situation more or less and the best part no antagonists. This especially shown well in the Hero's story. Every person is shown as a human strong in their beliefs and fighting their own battles and I really like that.
Though there are a couple of eps where The Hero did annoy me and I didn't get satisfactory resolution but in the end it's alright. It's a minor part of the story I can forgive.
Seriously every character in this story is so relatable to us and our family and friends that we get invested in the whole journey pretty soon. All the emotions as we go through this journey with them is just so fulfilling.
The places shown are such a delight to see. My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed all the sights shown and the history of the sights explained to us. Makes us feel part of the group and we feel like we are travelling with them.
All in all highly recommended!
P.S:- Also the best part of this Kdrama is how we are shown many times to not just assume about the lives the strangers we come across and judge them. We love to gossip and guess people's lives. The problem is when we assume some things about them and then realise that we really couldn't be far from the truth.
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This review may contain spoilers
This drama started really slow for me which was a surprise given that it is only 12 episodes. I wasn’t impressed with the acting in the beginning especially the main lead but as the story continues to unfold I started to understand the characters better and was more forgiving. What I don’t get is how silly Ma Ru can get one minute and then quite deep the next. I have to say though that our San Ma Ru definitely have his heart in the right place, he does not compromise giving him his quiet strength. I love his friend at work :).Story touched almost all relationships here and at one point or another gives the viewers a peek at their own lives. I took some time reflecting on So So boss’ words about the traveling bag, what’s important and not important to you.... I like the ending, not forced but not hanging either, just right! However, I would really like a side story of the brother and his bride to be ;)
The music is on point and perfect. It was fun, sad, cute all rolled into one. The cinematography was stunning and the director was brilliant in making this drama as if the viewers were walking and enjoying the sights of France themselves. I swear I felt the breeze blow my hair, the smell of the water, the feel and sound of cobblestones under my shoes and the sweet smell of the English flowers including the fermented kimchi ;). France is not in my bucket list but I may just put it in there after watching this drama.
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A delightfully paced ensemble/romance
To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot out of The Package. I mainly chose to watch for Jung Yong Hwa, one of my first drama loves, and I was in the mood for a silly romance.The Package is surprisingly complex. The show follows a group of travelers (three couples and one single man, our male lead, plus the tour guide, our female lead) and slowly shows us their personal stories as we join them on their package tour of France. Once we've met everyone and established the backstory of the main couple, the show shifts to focus at least one episode on learning more about each of the other members of the group. This approach makes the pacing of this show an absolute delight. Even when the leads themselves aren't being particularly interesting in a given episode, watching the other members of the tour interact can carry the episode. Honestly, I hadn't realized that the show was only twelve episodes, and was surprised when I practically stumbled on the last one. I think the writers could have stretched it out more, but they didn't, and I'm honestly glad. Not every storyline was fully finished, but that wasn't the point of this show. The point was to explore the different reasons that these couples are on their trip and enjoy a little bit of romance along the way. The open ending for our little group fits with the theme of travel and finding yourself.
An ensemble drama masking as a romance, plus a lot of nice shots of France. I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, fairly quick watch!
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Feel good, feel great
Personally if I spend 12-16 hours watching k dramas, this is how I want to feel at the end of it.Feel good, feel great, feel happy that everything is right with the world.
Now if I wanted to see reality, misery and sad endings, I would watch real life documentaries because life is stranger than fiction.
So thank you for taking us on a detailed tourist ride of France - it was spectacular.
Nice personal stories, clichéd and some over the top,but hey, put all together it worked !
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A Complete Package
This drama may be boring at first (in fact, I put this drama on hold for two years until I picked it up again), but despite the first impression of the drama, picking up this drama again may be one of the best decision I've ever made.There are some points as to why I think it's a complete package:
- The travelling part! I've always liked travel shows, and I watched this in the middle of the pandemic that makes it harder to travel. The explanations of the French landmarks and places that got featured is easy to be understood, as if I'm one of the tourist (maybe because of the FL as well, that portrayed the tour guide very well). After watching this drama, I'm considering to put France to my travel bucket list, Haha.
- The background story from the tourists, as to why they decided to travel to France. The tour guide also has her own story as well, but not as intriguing as the tourists, I think. Every tourist in the group travels to Paris for different reasons, and it will be revealed one by one during the 12 episodes. How the writers tell the story of the tourists is also very good, as it often makes you misunderstood, thus making few 'mini-twists' along the way. From the background stories, we can see things like family love, romantic love, and self-encouragement, making this drama a heart-warming ride as well.
- The comedy! I really like how the writers able to include comedy in the story--sometimes unexpected to the viewers. The comedy aspect is quite dominant, so it's a good drama if you want some good laugh.
I haven't watched any works from the actors and actresses in this drama before, so I can't really compare how their acting were. All I can say, they are able to portray the emotions very well (since there are a lot of emotional parts in it). The main couple's chemistry were off a bit for me, but the other pairings' chemistries was quite good. The music was superb and memorable, to the point you'll know what music would play at a particular scene. I have them on my playlist and still listen to it often.
Overall, this drama is for you who wants a light, funny drama combined with a travel show to clear up your mind, with a lot of heart-warming stories in it.
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