THIS IS A MASTERPIECE
I know I'm very late to review this drama but "crash landing on you" is perfect in every way. the characters are spectacular and there are no unnecessary ones. the romance feels genuine and authentic (not forced in any way). the acting is superb and there are no cringe-worthy moments. the plot is easy to follow yet intricate. the story is very well thought out without unnecessary plot holes or plot twists. the camera work is also very detailed. when the directors want you to cry, you will cry. when they want you to laugh, you will laugh. when they want you to smile you will smile. overall, this show is one of the most well-written shows I've ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE & EVERYONE.Was this review helpful to you?
My Favorite Rom-Com
I don't know why it took me so long to watch this drama. It has been on my "To Watch" list for years and I was always skipping it in favor of something else. I finally sat down to watch it and absolutely loved it--despite some of the plot implausibilities. The best part of this show is the stellar acting and strong chemistry between the main leads. I had watched both leads in previous dramas and was only mildly satisfied with those. Maybe that's why I waited.Both leads bring a lot of heart into this drama. They are completely invested in it and in each other and I think this is what makes it work. We can sense their enthusiasm. It was interesting to see how two people from completely different backgrounds and worlds come together and rub off on each other--so to speak. He learns to loosen up and break the rules, while she learns to put others first. I love character development in dramas and this did not disappoint.
Their trusty sidekicks make the greatest ensemble of comedic talent I have ever seen in one drama. From Ri Jung Hyuk's men to Yoon Se Ri's neighbors, to Dan's mother and uncle, they all did a wonderful job balancing the heavier aspects of the drama with their light-hearted escapades. You couldn't help but love them.
Just watching our MLs slowly gravitate towards one another, as well as the secondary leads, was the best part of this drama without feeling contrived or forced. That slow gravitation is well-executed and earnest. I am also glad that it doesn't give you everything you want. I have to commend the writing team for this. This production is one I will remember fondly.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The first half of the drama was captivating. Son Ye Jin proved her versatility in tackling not only dramatic roles, she showed her comedic talent in this drama. What can I say about Hyun Bin; he's drop dead gorgeous eye candy. Together, SHJ and HB had excellent chemistry and were great in their respective roles. The other characters, the gossiping ahjummas, Jung Hyuk's comrades and Seri's assistants, although they were a tad naive, they provided delightful entertainment. I'd like to make special mention of actor Go Kyu Pil as Hong Chang Shik. He is a natural actor and I love watching him. I hope he'll have meatier roles in the future. He could be Korea's answer to Jonah Hill. I did not like the secondary characters portrayed by Seo Ji Hye as Seo Dan and Kim Jung Hyun as Koo Seung Joon nor care about them. The writer attempted to create a love story for these two but it was unconvincing considering these characters were both unlikeable. What I find frustrating in a number of Korean dramas is that, they start at a very high note and then become duds in the end. Unfortunately, I regard CLOY as one of them. It started out brilliantly in the first few episodes then went downhill fast. The repetitiveness ie, the number of failed attempts to send Seri back to the South, the near death situations of both leads, the loss of focus on the story of Jung Hyuk and Seri with unnecessary scenes involving the supporting cast, was a clear indication of a writer that was losing ideas and could not sustain the integrity of the story.
The last two episodes made me want to pull my hair. The cinematography in Switzerland was so beautiful and picturesque and with it as the backdrop for the last two episodes, this drama could have ended on a very high note. Too much melodrama involving the near death of Seri (again?), constant scenes of the ahjummas, comrades, SD and JH were frustrating. The pathetic attempt of changing SD and SJ into these sympathetic characters culminating in SJ's death was poorly executed. SD was obsessed with JH and SJ was a conman who was in love with Seri and for these characters to all of a sudden fall in love with each other was unbelievable. This drama was not about them and removing their characters' presence in the last two episodes would not have change the story.
Since it's an unusual love story, it should have been celebrated. I would have wanted a wedding in Switzerland and maybe an epilogue of JH and Seri walking their baby.
In conclusion, this drama did not inspire me and made me sad.
Was this review helpful to you?
Solid Gold Classic
What can I say about Crash Landing on You that hasn’t been said already? For starters this drama belongs to the Premier Division of k drama IMO, in line with Secret Garden, You Who Came From the Stars, Legend of the Blue Sea. Not entirely coincidental these dramas were aided by respectively the same actor, Hyun Bin, and the same screen writer, Park Ji Eun. The question remains: what’s so good about it? I think it is the right mix of story, actors & music.The Story
Crash Landing on You combines many proven genres that capture a worldwide audience from the start: action, romance, comedy, drama, tragedy, business, rags & riches. Moreover it is meticulously written according to the golden rules of screen writing:
1. Use the time of your audience in such a way that they will not feel their time was wasted
2. Give people at least one character to root for
3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water
4. Every minute must either reveal more of a character or advance the action
5. Start as close to the end as possible
6. Be a sadist. No matter how sweet your characters, make awful things happen to them to show what they are made of
7. Don’t try to please the whole world, this only weakens your storyline
8. Give your audience as much information as possible in order to stay hooked.
The storytelling is also rock solid: boy meets girl - they get into trouble - things go from bad to worse - there is a closure but at the same time it keeps us from knowing if new developments are good or bad, hoping for a sequel.
The Actors
Even well written stories are made or broken by the cast. In this case the acting of each and everyone was on point. I can’t imagine any other actor playing the lead than Hyun Bin (the stern and sturdy North Korean army officer Ri Jung Hyuk) and Son Ye Jin (the sophisticated South Korean chaebol heiress Yoon Se Ri). Also the supporting cast did a great job, with honorable mentions for Yang Kyung Won (sergeant Pyo Chi Su who speaks North Korean to a T according to North Korean defector Kang Nara) and Bang Eun Jin playing the emotionally scarred mother of Se Ri.
The Music
So, we've got our story and the right actors, but we can check the box of the soundtrack as well. This one leads the Top 10 of most downloaded OST’s at the moment I'm writing this review.
Rewatch
Sometimes I can forget a story as soon as the clue has been reached, but I think I will rewatch this drama. There are many layers in the episodes that deserve a re-run.
Verdict
Overall, if you haven’t seen this already, go watch it, and learn how k drama earned its reputation.
Was this review helpful to you?
Great cast and production, but story went stale
Production is incredible, but the story went boring very quickly. I started skipping scenes and eventually dropped it. I don't even remember what episode I started finding it boring. Like the entire leaving North Korea got old early on, and when she's actually gone back to Seoul, it's ridiculous how the story dragged further. I don't find the villains and their scheming nor the romance compelling. This drama should have been a movie now that I think about it. It should have just been 2 hours. Honestly can't see any chemistry with the leads too. They were showing a lot of backstory clips that are clearly impossible, but like props to the production, they were beautifully shot. But not remarkable.Was this review helpful to you?
From episode 1 to 5 i had a lot of fun laughing non stop and was very enjoyable, then later there was such a turn in events that bored me to death and didn't enjoy watching it anymore.
I have to say that Hyun Bin was superv in this drama but apart from that all the rest were so-so.
For me this drama is a 5, i have watched a lot more interesting and better made dramas.
The music was okay not great but not bad.
The landscapes were beautiful and i could enjoy such views.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Golden Standard
What an unexpected treat to the emotions! I laughed, I cried, and swooned a plenty. It was so hard to say goodbye to these wonderful characters and hop off this great rollercoaster ride. The story is filled with much more than just romance, but also murder, mystery, heartache, and healing. It will surely sweep you off your feet and never let you go until the very end. I highly recommend this series to everyone, but be warned! After watching this drama, it'll be hard to find anything quite as enjoyable. The bar has been raised.Was this review helpful to you?
My opinion
This is a wonderful dramas that I really enjoyed. The views were amazing, the characters were well developed and the plot was interesting. Also they did a good job representing both Koreas.Sometimes in some episodes there were moments a little tedious but it always get to the point. The finale for the second couple was so unfair but I guess not everyone has to end happy, eventhought I didn't expect it and was surprised.
I love the main couple, they put the magic to everything. Everyone have to watch this drama!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
....I would make the same choice and rewatch this drama.Goodness. This review is full of spoilers. The only thing you need to know is that the drama is amazing and worth a try. If you enjoy it, that is wonderful... if you do not, that is alright as well. If you are the type to read spoilers and not be discouraged, then go ahead... if you want to watch the drama someday and cannot stand spoilers, stop reading after the next three sentences.
This drama is amazing, I hope others will think so too and it is best to have tissues ready for those emotional goodbyes. If you leave on the way, I hope you come back and complete the journey. This drama is worth it.
Now for spoilers.
These awards are for all the dramas I have seen for the first half of 2020.
Award for BEST KDRAMA SECOND LEAD'S MOTHER goes to..... Go Myung Eun (GME).
She supported her daughter in every decision she made. She did everything she could to protect her daughter's reputation, speed-up the wedding date and help her live a comfortable life in the village, because she thought Seo Dan (SD) wanted to marry Ri Jeong-hyeok (RJH). As soon as she released RJH was not what SD wanted anymore, she did not pressure her. When SD was moving on, GME went with the flow and investigated Gu Seung-jun (SJ), incase she was dodge (he was). She did not push SD into anything she did not want to do, i.e. wanting her to use talismans to find a husband three years after SJ's death. If only more second lead KDrama mothers were more like GME. *sigh* She was one of my favourite characters. Everytime she was on-screen, I could not help but smile.
This leads to her second award...
Award for BEST DUO goes to.....
Go Myung Eun (GME) and Go Myung Suk (GMS).
This mom-and-uncle, brother-sister duo were a riot! GMS spoke with a constant foot in his mouth and GME was there to set him straight everytime. Whether she verbally scolded him or physically assault him, it sure was hilarious to watch GMS try and fail to be a good brother and uncle. He did do his best. I, especially, enjoyed their last scene on-screen. Brilliant performances 'til the very end.
Award for MOST SMUG-POUT goes to....
The Fifth Company Master Sergeant, Pyo Chi Su (PCS). ( ^ - ^ )
The transformation from a smug to a pout was one of his best attributes. Every word that cane out of his mout h was riddled with ridicule towards South Korea, capitalism and 'that woman' (Seri). However, it was clear to us (the viewers) and his comrades that... those three weren't that bad （⌒▽⌒）As he got to know them, he grew to tolerate, understand and care for them, respectively. Although, he would never admit it. The smug-pout was a staple on his face whenever he dealt with anything beyond his scope of comprehension. *happy sigh*
And finally
Award for BEST SECOND LEADS goes to...
Seo Dan (SD) and Gu Seung-jun (SJ).... because THEY MOVED ON AND FOUND LOVE ELSEWHERE! Unfortunately, SJ did not make it 'til the end ( T - T ). All I have to say about them was said in the episode review, but I will still add this:
SJ was so bad-ass was a bad-ass who went out with a bang (painful pun intended).
End note (and deepest wish):
- If DAVICHI and YOON MI-RAE could please sing the soundtrack of my life, I would very much appreciate it.
- If HYUN BIN and SON YE JIN were to appear in another drama together and KIM JUNG HYUN were to get his HEA, I would also appreciate that too.
Was this review helpful to you?
Woah, there's so many things I need to say about this.
I'll start by saying that this is the first drama in which I actually cry. This means that the drama is really good; I never react this way with movies or TV shows.
I'm happy that we're getting a drama with older people as main characters. Seri and Jonghyuk had really good chemistry, they looked super gorgeous together. Seri is such a strong character, she's so confident of herself and doesn't stop until she gets what she deserves. Second leads were amazing as well, specially Seo Dan, which brings me to the next point: relationships between female characters.
Finally, we get a drama in which the main women don't hate each other over a man, lol. Seo Dan lives her life despite she knows her love is unrequited, and is not mad at Seri's for that. I have to praise the writers. I'm such a fan of her ending, she deserves the whole world.
We also have the group of North Korean ladies; at first you'd think that they were just the bullies of the neighborhood but it's beautiful to see how their relationship (with Seri, too) grows and becomes something beautiful, it made me very emotional. [Spoiler, don't read] I was so proud when they realized that Seri released products with their faces on them.
Speaking about the second male, Seungjun, I was not a fan of his character at the beginning but I think it's a quite unique character. You never know if he has good or bad intentions. That, in my opinion, is very human and realistic. [Spoiler, don't read] He did not deserve to die, but well, he did it so he could save his SO. He did a good thing.
And of course I can't ignore the boys from Jonghyuk's unit. They were the funniest characters and wholesome as hell. Chisoo's theories about South Korea were so amusing, and the rivalry he had with Seri (as in South vs North) really made me laugh, lol. I'm a big fan of the beautiful friendship the four had with Seri..
Seri's family made me SO mad at the beginning, which means that they are good actors. Sehyeong's and Sangah.. were just.. so infuriating. The rest of the family where a bit more decent. [Spoilers ahead] I'm happy they (SH and SA) got what they deserved. I'm happy that Seri's and her mom could become a family again, I'm just so glad. Her other brother and his wife, they were so cute together, lol. It's good that they didn't follow the others' steps and could get on well with Seri too.
Overall, I recommend this drama if you're looking for a funny and romantic drama that also will make you cry at some point. It's 10/10 for me.
[END SPOILERS] THEY HAD THE BEST END POSSIBLE. I'm happy they got to meet each other again in Switzerland, I couldn't imagine a better finale. They deserve everything and I'm genuinely happy for them. I wish we could see more of their story some day.. ):
Was this review helpful to you?
