a potentially great love & story, snatched

I wanted to like this more than I did. Jung Hae In's acting is what kept me watching ultimately. His character went through some serious ethical dilemmas and development, and I felt Jung Hae In portrayed it exceptionally well.

This had potential though in terms of story. There were significant points and moral dilemmas being illustrated throughout, but ultimately it just didn't hit the mark aside from Jung Hae In's character (and some characters in relation to him). Though I even attribute that more to his acting skill than the script itself. If they had focused more on the issues/storyline and less on the characters themselves it would have come off a bit better maybe. They spent so much time on the political figures and obnoxious rich scheming mothers / side characters; it was honestly over the top (and without a clear point).

The love story was sweet and had very good chemistry. Though the female lead spent most of her role sobbing. And understandably so, because past the first few episodes...they just made the female lead's character more and more pitiful -- to the point where it seemed like she was just there solely for the male leading character's development and love interest.

They totally extinguished or minimized all of the female lead character's motivating goals and ambitions...and then literally killed off every. single. good family member/friendship/important person in. her. life. Then it didn't really end up giving you any notion of if she was able to go on to lead a content life despite losing literally every. single. thing. Talk about unsatisfying.

I was most disappointed with how they managed the female lead character; it just didn't feel like it did her justice, and it ultimately made the love story less compelling. Because--aside from the male lead's character development in specific ways (and torturing the female lead + all of us viewers)--what was the point really?? There wasn't a strong enough reason for the romance with respect to the story and backdrop of the issues being presented, in the end. Unless the point was to depict tragedy purely, stir moral/inner conflict, or simply pad time.

Not terrible, but not something I'll probably re-watch. You may enjoy it if you like political dramas and tragedies.

Read More

Worth Getting Past The First Few Episodes

I really felt like the story picked up much more around halfway through, and it has been the most enjoyable ride ever since. Incredible acting and just a great comfort watch in general. all the characters are so cute, I don’t feel the need to skip through anything. It was hard for me to like the female lead in the beginning but once the story starting picking up pace, and we got to see her motivations and empathetic character come forward more it was a lot easier to enjoy the FL story and plight more. All of the characters are adorable in this show, and it was very cathartic with a wholesome & happy ending.

Read More

short, simple, uplifting

I really wish this was a longer movie or drama, this was such an uplifting and endearing storyline. It's very deep, meaningful, and thought-provoking. The acting was on point--I really wanted to see more. That said, it had a great pace and development overall for being so short. I felt very immersed in the characters and storyline, and it ended on a good note. I didn't feel in want of anything or that there were loose ends, but I enjoyed it so much I wished it could've kept going. I felt attached to all the side characters as well even though their parts were very short. Loved the music. The filmography was beautiful. Would love to see more full-length dramas like this.

Read More

you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll definitely re-watch

The first half of this series had me in stitches, it was so funny and interesting. I couldn't wait for the next episode and never really felt the need to skip through any scenes either. The second half was also good, but less in a funny/entertaining way and more in a sentimental way. All throughout the characters and their experiences tugged on the heartstrings. It was so relatable and easy to empathize with them and you were rooting for their dreams all the while. The writing was very well done with stellar acting all-around. A fun, relatable story about friendship, love, surviving life, and chasing your dreams.

Read More

the power couple that overcame all odds by working together

Exceptional is the best way to describe this drama. VERY well done. The character and portrayal of the male & female lead roles deserve a standing ovation -- and is what made this my all-time favorite drama yet.

So there's a lot of frustrating suspense. The odds are stacked against these characters just -- unrelentingly it seems. The frustrating reality of a concubine is illustrated in countless forms, and it is not an easy pill to swallow. Family rules and honor are constantly challenging the storyline.

But the devoted, loyal moral character of the leading man and the intelligent, good nature of the leading lady shine through as they each face these frustrating and relentless realities, but rise to each and every occasion with wisdom and grace. They never really let anything beat them down, and that spirit really is what pulls you in wanting to know and see where it will take them.

This was truly entertaining from start to finish (although stressful because of the countless conspiracies, misunderstandings, and injustices that occur throughout -- but every moment has a purpose and does get resolved genuinely well and cleverly at some point, so you leave pretty satisfied).

The costumes, sets, and cinematography are all so artistic; rich with beauty and color. There is a thoughtfulness that comes with almost every detail it seems. Just lovely.

The production value is there visually, but more especially with the acting. I adored both the acting from Seven Tan and Wallace Chung. Seven Tan brings such a unique and cheerful quality to all her characters, but I especially enjoyed the clever genius that she brought forward in this character. She truly embodied an individual who faces her unfair plight and all the difficult predicaments that come her way (most especially as a woman and even more so as the daughter of a concubine) with tenacity and discernment--devising cleverly to turn the tables where and however she can to persist. More than that she perfectly expresses her quiet resolve to live how she herself determines; while also encouraging and leading other women (even those who seek to destroy her in their own twisted desperation to survive) to weather their storms with more wisdom, elegance, and perseverance. Wallace Chung also depicted the complexity of a family head carrying the full brunt and weight of responsibility for his family's well-being and lineage, particularly in the wake of his father's/older brothers' deaths. While also simultaneously expressing the strong-but-silent turmoil when there is no real trusted person in his life or by his side, who genuinely understands or appreciates his loyal and upright character -- or who cares -- as he's only there to be exploited for his status or what he can offer in the way of a sure and esteemed bloodline. You see these two dynamic actors and characters, who in their own ways are not free to be their own person, come together, and toil to understand and find that authenticity and safety within each other. It's truly riveting and real.

My only complaint about that is that it's a slow and ongoing burn with the two leads (though that said, I personally prefer legitimate character development to hot-and-heavy relationships with no substance or build). The romance is very realistic and down-to-earth, and that's what I liked most about it. What women faced was beyond atrocious, and this struggle is played out in its full complexity, but in a way that leaves the main leads better in their unified resistance [though that in and of itself is a journey] to the strict regimes and life-or-death consequences which beset their circumstances.

Though it's a longer series to get through -- and it may occupy all your time for a few days or weeks -- the payoff is there. As is always good to know with a longer investment towards a series.!I personally hate when I get through a long show that leaves me on the edge of my seat, in the beginning, only to feel anticlimactic or underwhelmed in the end. Not so here. You won't be unresolved or frustrated with this ending in any major way. I could have even enjoyed another dozen episodes, I was that drawn into the characters and their story.

With the main leads, you really feel like they've both earned their relationship and it's incredibly fulfilling in my opinion. The character of the leads really does make it shine, and it's very *thoughtfully* written. I'd say this is #1 in terms of dramas for me overall (I've gone through many).

Read More

all your grief and axiety will be lulled to rest when watching this

What I loved most about this drama was how gentle it was. I felt so peaceful and at ease watching it. Relatively low-stress and not too dramatic. It's an artistic and unique approach to the subjects of grief, loneliness, and healing. All around it was a refreshing and very therapeutic watch.

Because it is a more deep and poetic type of series, it's worth watching it from beginning to end and really ~feeling~ it out ~thoroughly~. I really do appreciate heartwarming and calming dramas like this, plus it was great to see a modern drama where the main characters weren't doctors or lawyers! Some new and fresh occupations.

One thing for me was that I felt so bad for Ji Soo's husband, the pianist. The shaming and looking down on him were not my favorite.

Okay, rant:

The negative attitude toward Ji Soo's husband was ridiculous to me and was stretched out far too long in my opinion. It was very clear that he was often acting poorly because his pain was very intense BECAUSE of what he'd inadvertently caused and done as a teenager. He had no peace. So yea, he was not the happiest of humans. What I didn't understand is everyone's reaction to him. If he wasn't at all remorseful, then I would have felt different, but he was literally haunted and struggling like no other to forgive himself. Nobody, except the sweetheart niece, even tried to extend a little hint of mercy toward him at all. Even though HIS WIFE DIED. Instead, they all felt like they had some sort of personal claim on Ji Soo and her death, that somehow trumped her husband. What??

This bugged me most of all. Nobody seemed to care that Ji Soo was his wife. And that he was Ji Soo's husband. That struck me as odd because they were each other's -actual- family. Yet he got no sympathy for the fact that he was grieving the sudden death of his SPOUSE ... with zero closure or context around it, oh by the way. Or that he felt responsible for it because it happened at a time of misunderstanding and conflict in their marriage. He was just floating around, waiting for any hint of closure from the person closest to him in his life (his wife!!! I don't know how many times that needs to be said for it to get across). They were married. They were FAMILY and they both clearly cared about each other, kindly and sincerely.

Even the female lead, Soo Bin, looked down on him as Ji Soo's husband. It was as if she took on the role of Ji Soo's oldest and most loyal friend, but Soo Bin only knew Ji Soo for a literal. MINUTE! They were practically strangers. I sure didn't understand why Soo Bin felt she had more of a right to the pianist's wife than her own husband did. It made absolutely zero sense that she, a new acquaintance and budding friend of Ji Soo, surpassed Ji Soo's --husband-- in regards to closure and grief concerning Ji Soo.

absolutely. no. sense.

More importantly, Ji Soo clearly loved her husband. Otherwise, Ji Soo wouldn't have been miserable about him-duh, that's obvious from the first episode. So if Soo Bin really cherished Ji Soo (this person she knew all of a couple of days/hours) as much as the show made her out to treasure her as a friend, she would have had more respect toward Ji Soo's husband as well. But instead, her attitude was judgemental.

What's more, Ji Soo's husband clearly loved Ji Soo dearly himself (which is why he was so obsessed with understanding whether she sided with her childhood friend more than him---it wasn't about control or jealousy given the context and reveal of his past--he obviously was desperate for peace because he felt his wife couldn't love him and trust him because of this terrible weight and thing he couldn't forget).

What was going on between these two was, yes, a bit complicated and also very personal to THEM. BECAUSE THEY WERE MARRIED. Seriously this drove me crazy. It just felt so insensitive toward their marriage for such a length of the series. Even going so far as to villainize him when he wasn't a villain at all.

He did make a huge mistake very foolishly (and also very young) that turned out to have significantly permanent consequences, which affected people's lives drastically (including his own). But it wasn't premeditated or deliberate; it was a thoughtless, impulsive mistake. Which he immediately regretted, btw, it was just too late to fix. He deserved SOME sympathy and forgiveness --perhaps most of all-- because it was such a grave mistake and because he was clearly so tortured by it.

Instead, the writing was almost approaching it as if he didn't care about anyone but himself, which was clearly not true. He did care. A lot. Otherwise, why would it tear him and his marriage to pieces? Not to mention the fact his wife -whom he cherished- also died because he wasn't ready or able to deal with / face his guilt yet. Because she herself was struggling to live with the guilt and awareness of it, she went off on her own to sort out her guilt (foolishly)...and that was it. This guy was buried in impossible-to-resolve pain. He was selfish and rude at times and didn't always react and deal with people around him well -- but the reason behind it made a lot of sense. He wasn't able to forgive himself or receive any forgiveness, either. Even from his own wife!

He was also a moody artist, so ya know.

I didn't love how everyone put Ji Soo on a pedestal. Ji Soo was selfish too. Regarding both her husband and Ha Won. Refusing to talk to them and give them closure for so dang long--just to protect her own feelings and guilt? She was more focused on her own stress and pity party concerning her feelings about her relationships than she was on being engaged in working with the people and relationships themselves.

Ji Soo was always running away, avoiding, and hiding -- but that's not someone who isn't wrapped up in their own world? They played it off like she was this graceful and tragic person for doing so, but she was simply not being honest with herself or anyone else close to her. She was too POLR (path of least resistance).

Regarding Ha Won especially. He was at the center of it, after all. I know Ji Soo was torn internally by this & divided between Ha Won and her husband because she understood that. Though it was selfish to refuse to speak to Ha Won and not give him any closure about his one-sided feelings, their old friendship, and her newfound indifference toward him...especially considering everything she knew! It just felt like she was more focused on prioritizing her feelings. Her guilt was more important than anything else??

It was the biggest relief when Ha Won finally got enough closure for himself to let Ji Soo go. I would have stopped watching if they would have stretched that out another minute. Ji Soo did not need to treat him in the way she did. I don't care how torn up she was, it was about HIM, not her. There were better alternatives than stone-cold let-me-treat-you-like-you-don't-or-shouldn't-exist. She was guilt-ridden & she was making that his problem? Rather than managing her feelings and respecting him enough to face him, or speak to him at the very least. The fact that she was bottling it all up didn't achieve anything for his sake, it put more on his shoulders. Even though Ji Soo was a bright, kind-hearted, and cool character -- she too could have dealt with things differently. Her husband could have dealt differently too, but so could she have.

If her husband wasn't so traumatized and deeply pained with what he did I would have understood the judgment and patronizing attitude toward him more. I understood it coming from Ha Won--because he was the one directly affected by it, and grappling with the information. Though, ironically, he managed it more reasonably than anyone, mostly just wanting closure and answers.

I did not understand the critique coming from everyone else though (yet complete lack of critique toward Ji Soo and her short-sightedness / mean way of trying to be nice or whatever). I guess they loved Ha Won and were upset for his sake, but still. The pianist was clearly deep in his grief and a tortured soul that desperately needed to be freed. It FINALLY got worked out in the end, but I do wish it hadn't been dragged out so long. At the very least just making it reasonable, as if the fact he was once happily married to Ji Soo, mattered at all. Sheesh.

Okay, rant over.

That was really my only beef with the writing^, but I can say too: it got sorted ~alright~ and it did bring to the surface a lot of interesting perspectives and questions which wrapped things in a more meaningful way. Though it was frustrating to me, everything else was so well done that it wasn't too much of a problem overall. Easy to skip over, just one of those pet peeves.

I genuinely did appreciate the reveal of Ji Soo being more truthfully tied up and focused toward her husband, and Ha Won toward his mother and Soo Bin. I thought they tied things up appropriately by the very end. It was cool in one way because I felt like if Ji Soo hadn't married the pianist guy and loved him as much as she did, I wonder if it would've been more difficult for Ha Won to ultimately find peace with what happened and release that pianist from his despair? This show definitely had a way of making you think.

It was *nearly* perfect. Certainly, a very daring script and approach to take. I loved the refreshing perspective.

I also enjoyed the characters and acting as well. The niece, Ha Na, was so kind and thoughtful -- I came to treasure her character so much by the end. I really wished for her to find a guy who fully appreciates her kindness and "waters" her and "gives her sun" as she tries to do for everyone else (+ her plants).

Ha Won was such a stable and gentle soul that your heart went out to him and cheered for him, from beginning to end. I liked Soo Bin because she was just herself, simply and honestly. Even though she was unreasonable at some key points, I liked that she tried to face things authentically. The pianist actor, Kang In Wook, definitely made me feel his character's turmoil too well (hence the rant). All the side characters were so cool in their own respects. Great performances.

I'd say that this was among the better, and undoubtedly more intriguing, dramas I've ever seen. Everyone had a lot of healing to get through and it was achieved in a warm way. Definitely going to be a winner for all the deep thinkers out there (or some old-school SciFi enthusiasts). A unique approach.

Read More

little house on the prairie vibes, with a studio ghibli twist

This was an adorable and sweet series. Very wholesome, very heartfelt, and very refreshing!

The series is based on the life of a real woman, Reiko Okuyama, who was one of the first female Japanese animators. They did a good job I thought with the style and pacing to make it feel like real life.

So, not a drama you may love if you're more into the star-crossed lovers and fictional type of stories. It was really interesting because so many dramas tend to follow individuals whose occupations are doctors or lawyers, not that those aren't interesting, but it was NICE to break away from the mold. Plus it was fascinating to explore just what goes into the work of animation as a whole or being an animator; the dream versus the reality, all the ups/downs, risks...and so on. It touched on many hard topics of that time including the effects of war and equality for women in the workplace. I really appreciated the pioneer spirit and driving force, and being able to entertain the grit of building one's life and livelihood from the ground up.

I thought it was well done. It's something I think I'd have to be in the right mood to want to go and re-watch (it's on the lengthy end), but was a charming show to watch overall!

Read More

heartwarming cinderalla story, korean style

This series was my first introduction to the world of dramas, and what got me hooked. The actors nailed it, and the story is cute and comforting. Very clean and family-friendly.

The background music straight-up sounds like something some random kid recorded on their old-school keyboard --- not the greatest.

If you can get past the bootleg music and the melodrama moments, it's a good little series though. I wanted to re-watch it a few times for all the mind-blowing wisdom truth bombs / heartfelt dialogue dropped at times. The scriptwriter had a way of expressing certain concepts really thoughtfully through dialogue.

The relationship between the two leads is what made this for me though; their banter kept things interesting and fun. Campy at moments, but they pulled it off pretty well, in my opinion.

Read More

when film is art & it hits deep; masterfully written and beautifully portrayed

This movie was incredibly well done. I cannot believe how impressed I am, from the acting, to the tenderness, to the fantastic slow reveal of the plotline.

It's more than your typical drama. It really gets down to something much more real than your surface-level high school romance (though that is a strong chord within the storyline). What it gets down to is touchy, raw, and much more meaningful. I am in love with the concept and creative plot.

The way this content was handled was truly inspiring and downright beautiful. It's a topic and content that can be tricky to tackle, but I honestly could not find any fault with it. While a sensitive subject matter, it's handled with the utmost care and perceptiveness, while still relaying heartfelt messages and a good story.

HIGHLY recommend. Could not recommend this more highly. This is a movie that will make you cry 100% though...so bring tissues. 10/10 on all counts, I think they nailed every aspect of a good film.

Read More

campy highschool love

What's lovable about this series is the female lead. Overall, an endearing story.

Young, innocent, clean, high-school-love, type rom-com. A more simple or mellow series.

I didn't love the attitude of the male lead's character at times. It was hard to want to like him and root for him a lot of the time because he's just plain selfish and emotionally constipated -- and he doesn't really arc that much. Honestly, the guy was boring. I don't remember his character being that way in the comics though. I also felt they over-exaggerated the female lead at times; it got downright silly and was not fair to her character overall.

They really love to make the female leads act stupid in shows like this -- and it's bothersome. The same for the male lead, the over-exaggeration of his "coolness" (insert snort of laughter) just made him seem like an obnoxious snot. Again, campy. It had its moments though. Very tween. Highly rated because it was clean.

Read More

Worth Every Minute!

I just finished this series last week and have already begun rewatching. I’m so glad I fell upon this series!

The boss/male lead does arc - so his annoying character does a full 180 by the time they start dating and even towards the end. And he gets there in the right way and for the right reasons. I felt like they really developed the characters well and touched on some great topics that are difficult to express easily. The ML does have some very admirable qualities as it turns out (tho rough around the edges). The female lead is absolutely adorable and kinda reminds me of a Lucille Ball type of character, but in the cutest & most relaxed way. Both leads are very honest and principled people which really made me respect their characters and the series development as well.

The best part is - no annoying side characters. I loved them ALL and in fact, some of the side characters were my favorite of the entire series.

It’s a very light show with a good amount of fluff, but it does a good job of addressing some tough workplace / life topics so it’s not too superficial or stiff either.

I can’t say enough good things, there were a few moments that dragged out a bit here and there writing-wise but overall it was worthwhile. I also really enjoyed the way it ended. Sometimes series start off really strong and promising, then trail off with a less than satisfying ending. Not so here. I felt what they did was very realistic and wrapped everything up nicely.

I watched this while sick and recovering from surgery - and it was the perfect show to keep my mind engaged & off the pain. If you’re looking for something to really lift your spirits - or just looking for a cute & respectable romcom - or even if you enjoy workplace dramas - this is a good one!

I honestly was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did - and I think this has made the top of my list for cdrama favorites thus far. It even rivals some of my favorite kdramas like Secretary Kim.

Read More

feeling stuck? take up the violin and then cry everyone a river

I'm not sure what it is exactly about this series, but I found myself re-watching it a few times. It's not the most eventful storyline. There's not any clear point to it ... and nothing about it will blow your mind.

Though that's not to say there isn't any point to it in the way of meaning or messaging. I think for anybody who might be in a limbo phase of their lives or struggling to find progress and move forward in certain ways, there is something about this series that is relatable. Some may find the main characters annoying, and I definitely did. Even so, there was something about them as the series developed and their growing dynamic that was weirdly reassuring as it went on. At the end of the day though, it wasn't the strongest writing.

The romance was a bit weird; mostly because there was ZERO chemistry. They didn't seem to hit the mark with the main couple, but I liked the idea of what they were ... kind of TRYING ... to get at. In the natural/comfortable/non-linear progression of friends-turned-lovers sort of thing. The concept wasn't executed nearly as well as it could have been. You did feel the friendship and appreciation between the two leads grow over the years they know each other. Because it spanned so much time, it wasn't too weird conceptually (though still a little weird). Despite the age gap, they were both pretty dang immature. The chemistry was nonexistent and felt forced. It really only came off somewhat believable from the male lead--not at all from the female lead. The acting played off more awkwardly than not with the romance, but they all portrayed the friendship between them well.

I think the friendship between the three mains was the highlight of it all. Something about the series was cathartic in watching the three of them work through each of their roadblocks and bonding through it all. I felt like the characters (even side characters) were able to work through all their pain points & tie off all their loose ends (eventually) pretty thoroughly. It wasn't a perfectly ideal tying up of loose ends, but it was ideal in the sense that every issue was touched on more or less. The development was true to life in that it was a very gradual progression that worked out naturally, & I guess something about that was oddly pacifying.

The female lead is one of those where the acting was difficult for me at times. So annoying and whiney. If there was just a bit more character development and scripting to support her -- and if she wasn't played off as such an immature, blubbery, crybaby mess -- it might have been pretty decent. It just wasn't balanced well, but again I suppose they were trying to display the 'limbo' anxiety or something? Maybe I just didn't like the acting.

Overall--I wasn't a fan of the pity party leads, but it wasn't a total waste of time. It's definitely not something that's worth going out of your way to watch or expect much out of, but if you're stuck in a rut and working through those ups and downs it might be an okay show to meander through.

Read More

lighthearted, soothing, & wholesome; great when in the mood for something chill

I don't even know how many times I rewatched this drama since I first came across it. I watched it with my mom, who is never interested in watching dramas with me, and she enjoyed it so much that she re-watched it twice.

The thing I probably loved most about this story was how soothing it was. Everything from the colors (so many warm greens), to the music, pacing, characterization, and tone. It just had a great chill vibe.

The storyline was also very clean, which I appreciated, and heartwarming. More down-to-earth; not too melodramatic or overly silly. I did find the female lead whiny in the beginning, and the male lead rude -- but it just took some episodes for the characters to fully take shape. It didn't stick for long.

Absolutely LOVED grandpa and all his conspiring and kindness. The sister was a bit of a trip, but her development ended alright. Trust me when I tell you you'll want to watch it again.

Read More