At the center of this drama, as the name suggests, is our heroine, Oh Sunny. She is a young actress who through unforeseen circumstances becomes engaged and married to her idol: Lee Hyuk, the emperor of an alternate modern day South Korea. The "grass is greener on the other side" is a fitting saying for this marriage, as the rose-colored-glasses are painfully removed from Sunny's view. We see her rise and fall to the challenges of becoming empress, but also her path as she navigates the relationships around her including her husband's mistress, her mother-in-law, and her bodyguard, Chun Woo-bin.

What makes this show awesome is the characters and continual surprises as the story progresses. I wasn't hooked on this until about the third episode, as I wasn't drawn to any of the central characters at the onset. Oh Sunny seems like a pushover at first glance, but that is part of the draw to the story: just how much her character grows. Not only is it believable, but the sets, costume design, passionate moments between the characters (the villains and antagonists are especially brilliant, and unabashedly self-serving for their own interests). I was on the edge my seat the whole time, and despite it only finishing up two months ago, I'm already tempted to start watching it again.

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Over 2,000 years old, Bai Qi has dedicated his life, and considerable wealth he's accumulated, to finding spirits who've been polluted by their obsessions. All of these spirits also have a commonality: the ownership of magical artifacts which allows them to extend their lives, becoming nearly immortal. This is possible because all artifacts are pieces of jade which have been imbued with power of an alien race that crash landed on earth centuries ago. Whether it's jade paint brush or a pair of jade earrings, it always amplifies the object of their obsession. If left uncured, these spirits turn evil and become a threat to the mortals around them. Bai Qi uses his power to cure them before that time arrives. However, his world is turned upside down by the unexpected arrival of Lin Xia, an energetic actress who gets tangled up with a spirit. What's more, she bears an uncanny appearance to Bai Qi's former lover, who sacrificed herself for him thousands of years ago. Bai Qi is drawn to her out of curiosity, and the two start solving mysteries and curing spirits together, as well as becoming roommates. As Bai Qi starts to piece together his own memory and forgotten past, he will eventually have face his own obsession, as well as the decision to embrace it or let go of Lin Xia.

It's been awhile since I've watched a modern fantasy drama (a genre which doesn't get near enough attention!), so I'm glad I wasn't disappointed. Despite the odd title, Fairlyand Lovers nailed so many aspects, that you can easily overlook it's flaws. For example, the intro to every episode is an animated prologue which helps you understand the complexity of the series and details such as how the spirits, the cosmic jade, and the alien race, known as heavenly soldiers, interact. Additionally, with Lin Xia's character, her honey-like sweetness and naiveté could cross over into the unbearable, but this is what helps distinguish her from her deceased dopplegange, as well as comes across more endearing. It also serves as a balance to Bai Qi's moody and brooding persona. I thought the story brought great surprises, some nice laughs and gasps, and not too many side characters and sub-plots. Actually, because this only clocks in at 35 episodes, shorter than your average C-Drama, the story benefits by not including unnecessary filler story arcs or under-developed characters. A great series to kick-off 2020.

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Ming Wei, a talented architect and intern, is gathering inspiration to combine two aesthetics: modern Chinese with the lux styling of the Qing Dynasty. While visiting the Forbidden City for research, she gets lost in the night haze which has creeped around the palace. Taking shelter in an abandoned part of the museum, she meets a mysterious resident who bestows her an ancient lantern. When Ming Wei finally makes her way home, she is surprised to find a ghost, from the Qing dynasty, quietly haunting her apartment (brought upon by the magical lamp). However, this isn't just any ghost, it's the 13th Prince, Ying Xiang. The two start to develop feelings for each other, but it seems impossible. I mean, how can one have a future with a ghost? When he disappears for good, Ming Wei wishes upon a shooting star, and she finds herself transported back to Qing dynasty. Only problem? Neither she, nor Ying Xiang remember their relationship! In a some-what historically true battle for the throne, Ming Wei finds herself in the middle of a love triangle (and it's a good one!) and being the target of a dangerous rival, Ming Hui.

There is a lot to like about this series. If you are a fan of Scarlet Heart, this was made by the same production team. However, they've amped it up in this series. The set design and costumes are breathtakingly detailed. This makes it almost worth the watch alone, but what's really good is the chemistry between the characters, including the sibling rivalry among brothers and the betrayal between sisters. I both laughed and cried throughout, and even remember thinking they did a good job blending the lighter romance between our leads, as well as some gasp-worthy theatrical scenes.

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Touch Your Heart hits a lot of high notes, as the name implies: touches the heartstrings, and hits a positive chord at the end of the score. However, pay attention too closely to the baseline and you'll note some dissonance in the harmony. I find myself torn between a highly likable show, including an variety of memorable sub-characters, set against feelings of disappointment around the ineptitude of the main heroine. At the end of the day, if you love Romantic Comedies and don't look to closely at the flaws, then you'll be delighted with this light and light-hearted drama.

I’d compare this to one of those timed cooking shows. For metaphorical purposes, let’s say the direction and challenge is to make a taco dish. Some chefs put all of their efforts into making a superb single flavored taco. While the more zealous of chefs try to impress the judges by making two different types of tacos, in the same allotted time. While it’s meant to impress, in more often than not reality, this actually gives the judges more options to taste and critique. This is how I feel about Touch Your Heart. I think this is why I found the show so dichotomous. You have excellent actors combined with poor character development, or rather, this is a romantic comedy, trying to disguise itself as a romantic drama. I’m expecting a good romcom taco, but I’m served two different drama tacos on the same plate. With the cute filters and sound effects in one scene, then turning to a stalker & drug abuse induced scene, then back to cute office antics, and then flash to tear-jerking courtroom circumstances, it's not hard to feel emotionally confused. While there is a lot to love in this show, there is also a lot to critique, especially when illuminate the reliance on outdated stereotypes (which I feel in this case is more due to the director and writers vs. the actor portrayal).

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Basic premise is our main characters both have some unusual circumstances. Han Se-gye (Seo Hyun-jin) is a top Hallyu star who transforms into a completely different person for one week out of each month. Where as Seo Do-jae (Lee Min-Ki) suffers from Prosopagnosia or face blindness. However, he can somehow recognize Se-gye even when she is someone else. Already, the two have a unique tension which makes me want to see how the relationship evolves. Han Se-gye may not have the wealth and power as an actress compared to Do-jae who owns an airline (and follows the stereo-type in dramas of being the only male heir in his family), but she makes up for it in spunk and intelligence. The fashion, sets, and styling are top notch, but not over the top. Throw in veteran K-drama actor, Ahn Jae-hyun as our heroine's best friend and aspiring priest, there is a brevity and freshness to this drama

It's extremely human when it comes to the relationships, aside from the Veronica Lodge-esque level of wealth between our main couple. There are no false attempts to hide their flaws, and were not talking about the obvious challenges of forced transformation or the inability to recognize your mom who is six inches away. No, we're talking about the struggles anyone might face, such as jumping to conclusions or forcing your own perception onto another. What I love about this series is how it continually lulls you into a false sense of K-drama security. You think you know what is coming, but then in a snap, it surprises you with something unexpected.

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I'll preface that when people ask me for recommendations, this is usually my first choice. I loved almost every single detail about this series. It's not everyday you come across a show that perfectly balances and blends three different genres. Enter Strong-Woman Do Bong Soon. This weaves a comedic story of romance, fantasy/sci-fi, and crime as we follow our protagonist, Bong-Soon. Born with super-human strength, a trait that is passed from mother to daughter, Bong-Soon is almost like an other mid-twenties modern girl, y'know except for the fact that she can toss a car as easily as other people would toss away a used kleenex. While she doesn't broadcast her skills, in some cases she hides them, they are accidentally witnessed by Ahn Min-hyuk, a young Game Developer and CEO who ends up hiring Bong-soon to be his bodyguard. Against the background of this budding romance (and eventual love triangle) is a serial kidnapping and murder case.

Sounds a bit far stretched? I don't disagree, but that is part of the charm of this series. To this day, I cannot think of a drama that made me literally cry from laughter or squeek from delight. Bonus is a cute soundtrack, nearly perfect special effects you don't even notice, and some really great side characters. I was hooked on episode one, and the adorable romance between Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik has made me come back to this series multiple times. I hope you love it just as much as I do!

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To answer the title’s question, nothing is wrong with Secretary Kim (played by Park Min-young). In fact, she is the Rolex of secretaries. Proficient, efficient, confident, and competent. But at the peak of her secretarial career, she unceremoniously turns in her two week notice. This causes her boss, Lee Young-joo (played by Park Seo-joon), to spiral into a comical frenzy. Why? His feelings of friendship, and possibility of something deeper, have been stewing under the surface of his perfect exterior for almost a decade. Having taken her for granted for over nine years, Young-joo's emotions bubble over as we see him face an acute sense of confusion at the potential the loss of his secretary and right-arm woman. What comes next is a series of misunderstandings and office antics between the two as they face the problem of finding a new back-fill, deal with office antics, and eventually face the feelings for each other.

What's endearing about this show is Young-joo. He's unabashedly egotistical and self-absorbed, but his comedic timing in this series is near perfection. At the same time, Secretary Kim is smart and sassy. No damsels-in-distress here. Just sit back and watch these two dynamic personalities clash. Additionally, while we get to learn our couple's backstories and journeys that led to the current situation, the series starts with the dramatic resignation. Rather than get to know the characters as the get to know each other, this is the point where many couples are already giving the traditional 10-year aluminum. This series comes with all the cliches you want in a rom-com including love triangles and office romances, but it also has a nice depth of tackling some of the problems a boss/secretary relationship would encounter. If you want a model of a rom-com that does it right, look no further than What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?

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A coming of age story, this follows Gu Xiao Man. A senior in high school, she follows the familiar archetype of being the loveable, but unmotivated student. Our bumbling heroine has one standout characteristic though, she is a nearly professional Sanda fighter, having won repeated medals all throughout her childhood. When it's time to select a college, she becomes motivated to get accepted into medical school in order to follow her first love and childhood neighbor, Zuo An. Only problem, she is petrified of blood and feints at the sight of it!

I'll be honest, I didn't finish this one. All of it feels like you've seen it before, offering nothing new to viewers. While I only had about five episodes left, I just couldn't remain vested in the plot or characters. I believe it's trying to follow the success of 2019's unexpected hit, Put Your Head on My Shoulder, which is so close, even down to the styling. Outside some cute moments, I felt it the story was too predictable, the actors and actress feel miscast, and acting was mediocre.

If you like this type of drama, where you follow the cast from high school into college/adult life (I do!), I'd recommend instead A Love So Beautiful; one of my personal favorites. Or if C-Dramas are your jam, another good one is Le Coup De Foudre (Love at first Sight). Others include Playful Kiss for K-drama fans, or if you like the super sweet, check out the Japanese version: Mischievous Kiss.

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