Distressed Sailor Daikon
The idea of using jesters to expose the corruption in the court seemed like a harmless idea but how things quickly go wrong surprised me and left me heartbroken in the end.
Kam Woo Sung did an awesome job portraying the brave, brash Jang Seng. I feel that this character is most notable for his undying loyalty to Gong Gil. Which makes me wish they had integrated a bit of a back story to really convince people why he accepted the punishment in the end.
I found myself screaming "Leave him alone" or "don't touch him" whenever Gong Gil was asked for. He is such a fragile and pure character that I hated the fact that he was pimped out to perverted assholes. However, what happens between him and the king starts off adorable but eventually goes down hill.
Jeong Jin Yeong, who plays the king, has officially become one of my favorite actors. His portrayal of the unstable, depressed king with mother issues left me speechless. Especially at times when the role of the "king" was broken (when he interacts with the performers, I was just as uncomfortable as the characters were.)
What I really liked about this movie is the demonstration of the idea of being the most powerful man in the country somehow dehumanizes the person. It's like when you become king you have to suppress your emotions, hopes, and pain. I don't think anyone ever thought the king could be miserable despite his lavish lifestyle and ultimate status. The street performers may have had little and a harsh life, but they were much happier and had more freedom than the king. Or maybe people knew, but no one did anything about it.
Overall, I enjoyed this movie, despite feeling uncomfortable every now and then. I think the main idea behind this movie is brilliant - using performance to expose corruption and ,unexpectedly, bringing out the wounded and emotionally unstable persona buried deep within "the king".
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Our main couple is adorable! I love how they started with almost hating each other. This is my first drama with actress/singer,Kim Da Sum. Honestly, I liked her in this and I think she is a great actress.
When I found out Ryu Soo Young (I first saw him in Ojakgyo Brothers) was going to be in this I was happy. He did an awesome job of portraying the slightly introverted, genius, Cha Myeong Suk.
Our main ladies: The two mother-in-laws, played by Go Doo Shim and Kim Bo Yun respectfully, embody so many flaws that you find yourself hating them at first. However, Yang Chun Ja shows character development that I rarely see for a mother-in-law in a traditional family. One thing I love about this character is her forgiving heart.
The second mother-in-law, Jang Mi Hee, is clingy, selfish, and stubborn. In fact, I sympathize with her daughter-in-law for dealing with her. Her character has no development whatsoever, except maybe halfway through the last episode where she gains some redemption points.
Speaking of her daughter-in-law, Cha Yeong Ha, her overall character annoyed me more than I'd like to admit. Cha Yeong Ha has a really good heart, but she is way too naive. Her husband,Ki Tae Young, is a two-faced character - acts all tough in the workplace but can't even say no to his mom, although he knows she is crossing boundaries. However, "justification" for his behavior is revealed in the end when he finally confronts his mother about her negative behavior. Was it enough?
Kim Se Mi, on the other hand, is too prideful and because of that I see the value of the plot twist she goes through in the drama. Her husband, Cha Dong Seok, is a childish, comic relief who stands out because of his undying optimism. Se Mi and her husband are my favorite side couple, mostly because they aren't a "traditional" family living in a traditional house-hold (an explanatory summary why they got on Yang Chun Ja's nerves 90% of the time).
That is all I'm saying for the characters.
Honestly, I was surprised that this drama was only 12 episodes since a typical family drama can be a min. of 20 episodes till a 100+ episodes. Watching it now, I'm glad they didn't extend it that far. It would have dragged on and become unbearable. Maybe one more episode just to nicely space out the resolutions that piled up in episodes 11 and 12.
Overall, I liked this drama but not enough to watch it again in the near future.
P.S.
I love the music in this. I can't help but dance whenever I hear the theme song.
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And then slowly entering a pit of despair due to the hopelessness of this drama. Let me tell you why.
This drama is typical, predictable, and drags on.
For the first time, I actually prefer the female antagonistic side character, Jo Ah Ra (Gil Eun Hye), over our main girl, Baek Ma Ri (Seol Hyun). Which says a lot for me because I cannot withstand bullying of any type. However, Baek Ma Ri is typical and artificial, making it hard for me to relate to her in any way.
The character Jung Jae Min is an arrogant asshole so I applaud Yeo Jin Goo for his acting. Jae min makes it obvious that he hates Vampires, to the extent that the story had to shift back to JOSEON period for him to be convinced that he and Baek Ma Ri belong together.
(if y'all have to switch time periods just to validate you're relationship then thats a red flag)
Han Shi Hoo (Lee Jung Hyun), cool and indifferent, is one of the characters that seemed to shine in this drama. In fact, Han Shi Hoo reveals early on how suppressed his species is. Even with VCS operating in the background, Jae Min and most humans are too scared/closed-minded to actually get to know the Vampires. Realistic, but it makes me even more disappointed considering Jae Min's relationship with his step-dad. And I think if Jae Min had put a little effort, he would have had a better relationship with his mother, less prejudiced to Vampires, and probably wouldn't have to go back in time.
The irony is that I ONLY completed Orange Marmalade STRICTLY because I wanted to see how the drama would wrap up. Having introduced the characters' ancestors and their stories. Joseon Baek Ma Ri is portrayed to be too perfect but with decent fighting skills. The leader of the "bad" Vampires was defeated too easily, even after the "100 night" ritual thing that she performed.
This drama only gained potential when they took their band seriously. The idea of bringing two species together with music is the only thing that is NEW in this drama. Like if the plot had focused on the band and how their music was slowly changing the public opinion of Vampires (along with the high school romance and drama in the beginning), perhaps, Jae Min would have come to terms with his mother's remarriage and perhaps fallen in love with Baek Ma Ri without their ANCESTORS' HELP.
Unless you can point out something huge I missed that can defend this drama's high rating, I ain't watching it again.
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Lin Xue Lian brings her case of a fake divorce. Unexpectedly, her case unnecessarily drags on - to the extent of inducing paranoia in government officials. Throughout the movie, she is labeled everything she is clearly not, predominantly an adulterer and a liar, evoking a strong irony in the film. A turning point occurs after she finds out the real motive behind Zhao Dato that leads to understanding the protagonist's strong belief in herself and her morals. Adding more to the irony of the film and to the frustration you feel towards the men she has to deal with. Towards the end, Lin Xue Lian's real motives are revealed and a kind of sadness and uneasiness takes over you.
The cinematography is unique, especially the director’s choice of frame. It switches between a circular close up to a rigid square throughout the film. Is there a connection between the frame and the characters or the theme prevalent in that frame? It's hard for me to tell and will require some research.
Overall, I think this film is interesting but requires patience. If you appreciate artistic films saturated in irony, I think you might enjoy this.
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Our main characters, Cho In Ha (Park Shin Hye) and Ki Ha Myung/ Choi Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk) find themselves in an overwhelming situation but overcome it in the end with love and perseverance. Their acting was amazing and they are on my favorite couple list.
I just adore their family! Yes, they are dysfunctional, but the minute you see them together, you forget about the norms and wish you had a grandfather like o' lovable, Choi Chong Pil (Byun Hee Bong).
Revenge is a huge theme for this drama. "How far are you willing to go to get revenge?" is a question explored with the character Ki Jae Myung (Yoon Gyun Sang) and I like how he becomes reflective and calmer as the drama progresses. He also looks very good with glasses.
Song Cha Ok (Jin Kyung), Cho In Ha's mother, really impressed me with her ability to hold her composure and icy-cold demeanour, especially after she and Cho In Ha are reunited. My gut also tells me is that 14 years of dealing with Park Ro Sa numbed her emotionally. I don't know if I am disappointed about finding out that she was more of a puppet to Park Ro Sa.
Which brings me to the main baddie. Nice and seemingly harmless, only to discover that she is a calculating and manipulative woman. However, the only thing constant about her is that she loves her son, Seo Bum Jo, and I feel that motherly love is best performed in the last episode.
Seo Bum Jo, our typical rich kid who got excited over convenience store kimpap. I adore the fact that he isn't your typical rich kid who has to get everything he wants. He handled rejection as a proper person should, and his character evolves into a supportive character that you can't help but love.
If I had to work for either MSC or YGN, It would be YGN! Firstly, all the superiors are so funny and chill guys. Hwang Gyo Dong is (Lee Pil Mo) didn't really step out of his usual "older role model, cool, collected character" (though he was a bit shameless) in this drama but I appreciate him here. The pairing hints between him and Yoon Yoo Rae( Lee Yu Bi) were uncalled for. It's like the production team had mixed feelings about it to.
Yoon Yoo Rae, our ambitious hard-worker and comic relief. I honestly dislike how they spent so much time on her believing that Ki Ha Myung had feelings for her. It dragged on. And then towards the end, hint on her with her Captain. The one scene that pissed me off was when the "Santa Clause" escaped, and her and Cho In Ha are in danger, our two main men only show concern for Cho In Ha. Having feelings for Cho In Ha is not an excuse for neither of them to be a decent human and ask if Yoon Yoo Rae is okay.
There were so many touching scenes that brought me on the verge of tears. Overall, superb acting and an awesome plot! I highly recommend this drama.
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The idea of seeking out music to shield you from everyday life is very relatable. I cannot speak for everyone but I feel it applies everywhere, especially at the early years of adolescence. I remember some past hard years and how I'd never leave home without my ipod. This is probably what makes this movie prominent - this movie is over a decade old and yet all that is present in it is still very relevant to our present time.
The bullying was very intense, I'm left wondering if it is really that intense in Japan...because a lot I've seen here have reoccurred in anime/manga and Ruth Ozeki's novel, A Tale for the Time-Being. It's also what distracted me from catching the symbolism and underlying themes.
This movie dragged a bit for me and I found the camera angles (I dunno how to say it) a little too chaotic for my liking. I guess it was to match with the instability of the characters lives. I promise you, that is not an exaggeration. By the end of the movie I was exhausted from the amount of tragedy in this movie.
I think one of the amazing aspects of this movie is the character development of Hoshino and Yuichi and how their relationship develops. At first you don't understand how they are connected but as the movie unravels, your heart begins to aches as you connect the dots.
I really hated the passiveness of the teachers. Maybe it is a norm for teachers to not get too involved with the students. But, personally I think there were such huge red flags present in the class that the teacher should have reacted to but all I saw the teacher do was conduct music rehearsals. Additionally, she only asked what was wrong at the end of the movie.
I have to re-watch this movie to fully appreciate it. The amount of shit the characters go through kind took a lot of attention from enjoying the subtleness of some of the scenes. My favorite would be the scene with the kites.
The soundtracks are amazing. If you aren't interested in watching this movie, then at least listen to the soundtracks.
Overall, I did like the movie.
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The acting is fantastic- in fact this is the third drama to bring me to the brink of tears (Can you guess which drama made me cry first?)
Our leading couple are the cutest! I couldn't get enough of them. Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) is loud, stubborn, independent, and hard-working. A very focused person since she doesn't get swayed too easy from her principles and goals. An almost typical heroine except for her sensitive nature and HUGE APPETITE! Overall, I think the actress performed fantastically! I totally adore Go Eun Chan!
Choi Han Kyul (Gong Yoo) is passionate and kind-hearted- I think he is one of my favorite leading male characters. He is full of surprises! Just as one of the characters mentioned, He looks all cool and arrogant on the outside but he really is an adorable, awkward teddy-bear on the inside. He reminds me of Shang from the Disney movie Mulan. (Oh my god, he and Go Eun Chan are the k-drama version of Shang and Mulan)
Anyways...
The artsy supporting couple are so lovable. I'm envious of Choi Han Seong and Han Yoo Joo's relationship- that is how brilliant their acting was. Personally, I love Han Yoo Joo since I can relate to her 90% of the time and she knows how to keep her cool and joke around.
Nothing in Coffee Prince really bothered me, except the grandmother's reaction when she found out that Eun Chan is a girl. Also, I know I praised Han Kyul earlier but when things where rough between him and Eun Chan, he got really abusive. Verbal abuse isn't new in Korean drama but Han Kyul went over-board so many times, I almost hated him.
Also, I'm really glad that Choi Han Kyul and Go Eun Chan didn't rush into marriage. That was only one of the few things Jin Ha Rim (the nosy one) said that I agreed with.
Overall, The characters are all lovable despite their flaws and despite how old the drama is, it is still relevant and enjoyable.
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But when I think of cloth making, and sewing, and fabric - special effects and explosions are a bit far-fetched.
Point is, the movie sort of reflected on the delicateness of the main subject with its calm visuals.
Park Shin Hye and Lee Yu Bi together in a movie, especially after watching Pinocchio, heightened my curiosity. Would they be able to break away from my previous perception of them as interns at a news firm?
Yes! Park Shin Ye does a great job as portraying the innocent Queen. Lee Yu Bi as the ambitious pretentious mistress - frankly I was surprised - did an awesome job. Yoo Yeon Sook plays the horny and emotionally wounded king who portrays the side of being the king they only hint on in dramas (the ones I've seen anyways).
I had hoped that it would end differently. The ending left such a melancholy in my heart, that as I type this (in the car) I can’t shake the feeling away.
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This review may contain spoilers
(This is my first review)At first I thought this drama was going to create a Korean version of Sherlock Holmes (has that been done?) but the direction switches and a much deeper and tragic plot emerges. The plot is fantastic and I think it is the strongest aspect for this drama. Although there are mostly dark themes evoked in this drama, I appreciated the light moments that are nicely timed and blended with it.
I love the fact that no over-blown romance happened between Cha Ji An (Jang Na Ra) and Lee Hyun (Seo In Guk). In the end, you understand that they care for each other and the pace of their relationship is realistic given Hyun's personalty.
I first saw Jang Na Ra in Baby-Faced Beauty so when I realized her role in this was a police officer, I had my doubts. She is so cute and petite. However, her acting was brilliant to the extent that all doubts were tossed aside.
This is the first drama I've seen with Seo In Guk and he is amazing in this. He never came out of character except when it seemed fit (during the last few episodes). Personally, I think because of his character's cold and unfriendly behavior 99% of the time, the moments when he cried were profound and heart-breaking. You remember that he is still human.
Choi Won Young plays the "bad guy", Lee Jun Ho, excellently. I think the beauty of his character is that the crime he committed is controversial and requires you to really think about what he has done. Which makes me appreciate Cha Ji An's inability to be swayed by Lee Jun Ho's view of himself not doing anything wrong.
Lastly, I feel the ending hinted on a season 2? That would be awesome.
The sound-track is absolutely fitting and lovely.
The moments when Hyun and Jung Seo Ho (Park Bo Gum) spend together as brothers are so adorable.
What I didn't like about this drama (minor things):
The poster. They make Cha Ji An look like a seductive vixen after Hyun's money. It is totally out of her character! Cha Ji An is smart, strong, messy, and clumsy as hell! Make her look that way!
I wish they had spent a little more time developing the closeness of the two cops, Eun Bok and Min Seung Joo. Yes, you get the idea that they are a tight knit team but when Eun Bok "gets in trouble", Min Seung Joo tosses out that he is like a "brother" to him. I felt that that was just thrown in there. I never really felt that those two characters where THAT close. I would have believe it more if he had called Eun Bok a best friend.
The team's outfits. The first time I saw the team I thought they were drop-outs from fashion school. These characters are POLICE OFFICERS and only once was I ever convinced they were dressed for the part. HOW CAN YOU RUN IN THOSE SHOES?
Overall, I recommend this drama.
P.S. It is really hard to not post spoilers but I respect that.
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The drama didn't peak my interest until episode 5 and soon after I was tempted to drop it. But then it got interesting again around episode 12 and then I was fully captivated by episode 14. 40 minutes into the last episode and I'm on the verge of tears. Hint: the use of the tie
And then it took a detour back to safety and I was disappointed. Thanks Sony Ericsson.
Despite that, this drama has a balance of comedy, romance, and heartbreak. Most of its characters are lovable (except Han Dong Min - so annoying and the acting seemed overdone). I related the most to Jo Soo Kyung. Loved her style! I found the character Yun Wool very interesting and sincere - wish she had more show time than Han Dong Min.
Overall, despite not meeting my expectations, this drama is still enjoyable and I'm glad I finally watched it.
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I probably heard that from somewhere but this was the first thing that came to mind while watching this movie.
Being a fan of historical movies/dramas, I knew I would enjoy this but the plot was quite predictable. Even better, this movie is capable of making you all mushy on the inside and then disgusted with the human race. Almost no in between.
This was my first time watching a film featuring the actress, Go Ah Ra. As the princess, I feel that her strong features and personality make her memorable and it worked well with the “Bear” joke going on between the main characters when they first met. in contrast, is Bo Eum( Jo Yoon Hee), the older sister with delicate features, portrayed with constant composure, and knowing of how she established herself- you can’t help but admire her.
Interesting enough, it’s when she is shaken up by the antagonist, Gwi Mol (Kwak Do Won) , does it add weight to the villain. The subtle act of reintroducing him using his signature sharpened nails -loved it. It's brilliant how his revenge against Hwan Hee almost put the country in jeopardy - Gwi Mol is ruthless, merciless, clever as hell, but frankly bringing Hwan Hee back to the theater for the final showdown was a dumb ass move. Yes, I get how fucked up it is to turn his "home" to his grave but at the same time he brought Hwan Hee back to his element, assuring me he would fail.
I’m a sucker for plots that involve two characters who have a positive impact on each other but you can’t help but ignore the reality of their situation and feel all bittersweet about it. However, the twist that caught me off guard was (Lee Kyeong Yoeng) General Ahn’s decision for the princess in the end. I loved this character. He takes on the father role to the princess when all seem to have abandoned her, even sacrificing himself. I appreciated him so much.
Despite it’s predictability, this movie was enjoyable to watch, visually-appealing, and with great acting. I recommended it if you are a fan of the historical genre
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I highly recommend this drama. It's a perfect blend of mystery, ethics, murder, romance, comedy, while withholding some of our beloved k-drama cliche moments. A brilliant story that will keep you hooked with suspense and controversy.
This is my first drama with Jang Hyuk. He fantastically portrayed the egocentric, stoic, blunt Dr. Lee Yeong Oh. New face Park So Dam, does a brilliant job portraying our main lady, however I wasn't so keen on her character in the beginning- she is your typical female lead.
I loved all the other characters and extras but my favorites were the director ( Oh Jung Se), Nurse Jang ( Ha Jae Sook), and our source of comic relief, the group of doctors referred to as the "Power Rangers".
There were a lot of scenes that were so effortlessly touching, heartbreaking. How the writers integrate romance in this fits well with the story and is undoubtedly creative! Given the fact that the main character is unable to empathize with others, I was afraid the writers may go overboard with the romance, potentially ruining the story.
The soundtracks picked were excellent and perfectly timed.
All the loops were tied in the end, closure was provided - you'll end this drama feeling satisfied and without regrets.
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Romantic, "erotic", emotional, and funny!
So this is my first "transformation" drama and I have to say that I liked it for the following reasons:
1) Amazing chemistry between the main couple delivered by talented So Ji Sub and Shin Min Ah
2) I'm a sucker for cute scenes and this drama delivered.
3) Promoting a healthy lifestyle.
4) There was no unnecessary intervention from the leading man's family. So basically nothing dragged on.
5) This is one of the few dramas I've watched that didn't go overboard with the soundtracks. The soundtracks where played at the perfect moments.
However, Kang Joo Eun is such a likable character that the fact Oh Soo Jin had issues with her, in the beginning, made me pay more attention to Oh Soo Jin. But by the end of the drama, I wish the writers had spent a little more time developing Oh Soo Jin's character and backstory. The drama hinted that her weight gain was due to feeling empty, so she tried to comfort herself with food. This is something I feel a a lot of people go through. So instead of putting effort into making her a bitch, we could have seen her overcome it through scenes and flashbacks of her "enough is enough" moments, her exercising, etc. Basically there was potential to make her character inspiring rather than bitchy. But of course lets not risk outshining the leading lady. Nonetheless, I think it's awesome that the "I'm going to be happy when I loose weight" myth is tackled through her character. Also, we get to see the side effects of loosing weight to be skinny rather than to be healthy.
Despite that, I really liked this drama and I hope you will too.
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The movie revolves around three fresh-out-of-high school friends trying to figure out what to do with their lives. As if that wasn't overwhelming enough, our characters go through other hindrances and hardships such as heartbreak, financial problems, etc
The acting is great however no one in particular stands out, the humor in this is awesome, and there's a bit of action and drama so no part of the movie seems to drag on.
I related the most with Kang Doo Woo. I've only realized that I want to make comics but given my family's situation...well you get the idea. Through this character, the movie is able to tackle, what I feel, is one of the biggest stress-causing and heart-wrenching decision: Can you spend the rest of your life doing what you love?
I guess that's another thing that appealed to me in this movie. It's very likely that I am to face 60% of what the characters faced and I got to see how they dealt with it. Even though it's just a movie, it's comforting to see that it's okay for your 4 year plan to change and that everything works out in the end (it's magical).
Overall, I liked this movie and I recommend you watch it after a long, tiring day.
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I enjoyed this movie immensely. By the end of it, I was speechless and trying not to cry.
What I loved about the character ,Lee Yong Gu, was his honesty, selflessness, and inability to hate despite being mistreated. Also how he accepts his learning disability and doesn't allow it to stop him from being happy. He just needed his daughter to be well and happy for him to be happy.
Do not underestimate how heartbreaking this movie is. I had to take three breaks from it so I wouldn't cry in public (I have midterms now so the only time I could watch it was during the taxi ride from university to home and vice versa.) However, this movie still has the ability to make you laugh because of the dynamic and hilarious characters Lee Yong Gu meets in prison.
Kal So Won plays the dutiful and smart daughter who loves her father dearly, to the extent she was willingly to go to prison so she could stay with him. I don't really notice child actors/ actresses but Kal So Won is a very talented individual.
I highly recommend this movie! In fact, I haven't been able to stop talking about it to my friends the past two days.
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