2
palak
India
Today I read a comment on Facebook that said "Life is too short to say you don't like Taylor Swift" and although I don't particularly care for Taylor Swift, that post directly inspired me to write this review. Because life is too short to say you don't like The Heirs (especially when you love it).
When this drama was announced, to say that we were merely excited would be the understatement of the year. We were anxious, ecstatic, overjoyed. The perfect cast. The perfect writer. The perfect synopsis. Everybody would constantly post things on the page, coming up with various scenarios and plot developments (there was one where Woo Bin ends up with Lee Min Ho, my favorite, haha). It even became the highest rated show on MDL BEFORE EVEN AIRING. With each passing day expectations grew bigger and bigger. And then when it finally aired, they crashed. For most people anyways.
I was getting tired waiting for this "epitome of perfection" show and along the way my expectations dropped and I didn't care much for it anymore because of all the hype. But of course I picked it up (Lee Min Ho and the writer of Secret Garden. The most perfect combination). And I LOVED IT.
The story was a bit cliche but the way it is presented is wonderful. On the surface, it's a story of a rich boy falling for a poor girl. To make things more cliche, the girl is the maid's daughter. And then the maid is mute. Throw in high school bullies, ex-best-friend after the girl (also rich), a best friend of the girl who protects her (but is 'poor', so he is not a suitor). CLICHES CLICHES CLICHES. But the way the story is presented is a breath of fresh air. The kind of humor that is used is just awesome. There are so many instances I want to add here but they would spoil. The humor used here is something you have seen in Secret Garden and A Gentleman's Dignity. The writer has written a formulated story but she is true to her style and that made this drama extremely special. It's like she is saying "Let me twist these cliches around and present them with a new point of view". And it worked (for me anyways).
Coming to characters. This is the difficult part. I must confess I have a huge crush on Lee Min Ho (and admit it, you've had it too at some point of your drama-watching career). Kim Tan is someone you would either love or hate. There is seriously no in-between. You would expect him to be someone like Gu Jun Pyo but Kim Tan is a mature version of Jun Pyo. Somebody who has bullied others in the past but now wants to live a more meaningful life. But the similarity is the kind of devotion to his girlfriend that he brings to life again, that would definitely remind you of BOF. Aside from his atrocious wardrobe I loved his character. Park Shin Hye's finest role would always be Pinocchio. But here, she is not half-bad. I mean, sure, she has been given a typical role of a damsel in distress, working hard, being chased by rich guys. But she is good in her role. It is much better than Flower Boy Next Door. Choi Young Do stole the thunder. I loved Woo Bin in School 2013 but I fell in love with him here. I have lost count of the number of times I wanted him to get the girl or have the happiest ending of them all. He was the rough diamond of the show. The biggest surprise. Had all of us gushing and swooning.
The rest of the characters were also awesome. The adults. The relationship between Kim Tan and Eun Sang's moms was endearing and a high note of this show. But I seriously feel the Kim Tan's "on-paper" mom was wasted here. She was unforgettable in Secret Garden. Lee Bo Na was another amazing character (no wonder Krystal landed a main role right after this drama, she was seriously too good here). I loved Secretary Yoon and his son. I had a hard time seeing Min Hyuk as the smartest guy after watching him in heartstrings but he did a great job. Kim Tan's brother was great, I loved their relationship journey. Kim Ji Won held her own. Kang Ha Neul and Im Ju Eun seemed a little wasted on this show. But overall everyone was great.
The music was something that stayed with me for a long time after the show ended. Usually I download a couple of songs from a drama I love but here I downloaded all of them because I was obsessed with the OST. My personal favorite was "Crying Again" by Moon Myung Jin. And of course it was fun to guess whether "Love is the moment" is going to start playing or "love is feeling" in the background. lol.
I have rewatched this show twice already so the rewatch value is a solid ten for me.
In conclusion, I would like to say that this drama tries to give a lighter and realistic feel to the cliches and shows us non-cliche consequences of the cliches. Like the way Eun Sang's mom uses her notebook is hilarious. A typical drama would portray her as a pitiful character but she is funny and strong in her own way and holds her own despite her poverty. This drama is really great if you let go of your expectations. I honestly feel it deserves a higher average rating than it has, but then again it's just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own. I can only express how this show made me feel and the feeling is really great.
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Another plus point was it's music. It's been over a year since I watched this drama and I'm still in love with the entire OST. 'Because I miss You' is like my favorite Korean dram OST of all time. These things kept me going and that's actually the reason I'm giving this drama a 7 instead of a 6 or a 5. Because of it's awesome star value and music. Those who look for nice content and intriguing storyline should skip this one.
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Now some might say this movie is very unoriginal and depicts A Walk To Remember and honestly, it sort of does. But it's still a very good movie with very sweet and very funny moments. If you liked Hyun Bin's rich brat character in Secret Garden, you should definitely check this out ;) And even if you hate Seo Hwa in the first 2 episodes of Gu Family look, you should check this movie out, because Lee Yeon Hee is really good here.
The music is an added bonus and I have watched it 3 times (two times when I first discovered it and the third time when I was trying to confirm whether Hyun Bin is the lead guy) and the fourth time is on it's way. So yeah, the re-watch value is pretty good for me. lol.
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Overall, I got a really warm, fuzzy feeling out of this drama. And not because of the romance but because of these cute, little family reunions which really get me every time.
Will definitely watch it again. For Ye Eun (:
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The story is not that new. But yet it's great. The relationship between the two main characters would leave you envious. They're just so sweet to each other and so caring and they don't even realize it. Another plus point is that this story has a touch of realism. You can see how while living together these two people start behaving like a old married couple and how they learn new things about each other (one of them even making a list about it!) and both of them end up wondering "Why the hell am I not with this man/woman already? What have I been doing all my life??" lol.
The cast and acting is great. This drama has various characters and all of them are awesome. Jung Joo is so funny and cute! The bickering between him and Hyung Tae were so entertaining XD And Yoona's debut as an actor (only learned that an hour ago). She was pretty good even though her role was semi-bitchy. I loved all the friends of Hyung Tae and Nan Hee.
The chemistry between the two main leads is really really good. I'm really going to watch again sometime because I loved how they were with each other. They had this perfect balance of love and friendship. The music was great! I'm going to download the OST now :)
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This review may contain spoilers
(**CONTAINS SPOILERS**)The most quotable drama so far. So, the landlady tells her four hot tenants to turn her niece into a lady and, in exchange, she would let them stay at the boarding house for free. Kyohei, who has had a troubled and violent life and just lost his job due to his drop-dead georgeous looks, jumps at the opportunity.
Enter Sunako - Her bangs reach her mouth, she wears a cloak, sleeps in a coffin, has a science lab mannequin as her best friend, shrieks with joy at the sight of skulls, blood and medieval killing weapons, and whenever she makes eye contact with a person shouts "Briiiiight" and bangs her head over them (mostly Kyohei though).
I love the ending of every episode where Kyohei goes all "ugly Sunako Ugly Sunako Ugly Sunako Ugly Sunako" which makes her enraged and they always end up in a physical fight! :D And I'm glad that, unlike a typical drama, the lead girl didn't have a complete makeover and changed her personality all together. Instead Kyohei fell in love with the Horror girl itself (: And, that the other guys did not fall in love with her. Instead they helped Kyohei realize his feelings.
"What is a Lady? When a woman falls in love with the best man in the world, she becomes a lady."
-Sunako's aunt aka the landlady
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Cun Xi was pretty annoying in the beginning. I mean, obviously his heart was at the right place more or less. But when he asked her to leave after giving birth I wanted to slap him! I mean, how can a mother (especially someone as gentle as Xin Yi) give up her baby without dying a little each second? I liked his character more after ep 12. As for Dylan, I really really really liked him in the beginning. But after they left for Shanghai (ep 12?) - Bleh. He just got annoying. EPISODE 12 T-T It was so sad! I dare you to watch it without crying! Seriously! EPISODE 12. The reason I still can't get myself to like Anna. I'm sorry.Generally I do believe in giving second chances to evil characters ( I DO I DO XD). But what she did pissed me too much. So even if the whole world is ready to accept her reasons for what she did (including Cun Xi and Xin Yi)- I CANNOT.
So, basically, Xin Yi and Cun Xi end up sleeping together because she thinks he's her cheating boyfriend and he thinks she's Anna. Now I know it sounds kinda ridiculous but he's so horny (long story) and she's so dizzy and it's dark. So yeah...after they're done he's like "Gu Chi?" and she's like, "Who's Anna?" and then lights on and TA-DA! BAHAHAHAHA XD XD
On top of everything she becomes pregnant with his child while he's still in love with Anna who (in short) is a selfish Beeaach. They decide to keep the baby and not get it aborted while the supercool grandma somehow manages to get them married. And then Cun Xi drops the bomband tells her to leave after giving birth and that Anna could be the mom to the child -.- But they keep getting closer and closer and now Cun Xi becomes conflicted about his feelings. Then comes ep 12. Honestly, I never expected the story to turn out this way. It really surpassed my expectations. Really nice story.
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This movie is not about epic romances but rather about those timeless memories we made and continue to make with our friends. When I think about it, I feel friendship is a relationship in its purest form. Their is no blood involved. There is no give-and-take. You can just be yourself around your friends and along the way learn a thing or two from them. I think friends are what make this journey of life truly worthy and fun.
Loved the plot. Loved the characters and acting. Especially Kang So Ra. While watching Dream High 2 I was wondering why everyone was so obsessed with her. Now I know! She's great in this movie. But then again, so is the rest of the cast. Loved the witty dialogues. The writer surely has a really great sense of humor XD Loved the ending. I was laughing and crying all at once.
Will watch it again for sure!
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The actors were pretty decent. The lead actress did a great job portraying a double-role. It was pretty awkward seeing the sweet old Jeremy portraying the cold-hearted chaebol. I'm not saying he did a bad job, I loved him in this drama. It's just that some characters just stay with you forever and Jeremy is one of them. So it took a little time getting used to Lee Hong Ki playing this type of a character. The second leads and supporting characters were great. Especially Doo Rim's grandma. She was awesome! I loved Jin Joo and Secretary Kim's little side-story.
The music was good. There is this one song I can't get out of my head. It seems like Lee Hong Ki sung it but I'm not sure yet. I'm going to download it tonight. I might rewatch the cute scenes but there won't be any suspense and mystery the second time around.
I think it is one of the few dramas that left an impact on me in a rather-dull 2014. It's a cute romantic-comedy and then it's so much more.
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In Jung (the guy from Coffee prince; secondary) is really, really sweet.
Parents - super annoying (what else?)
So yeah, Moo Gyul and Mary fake a marriage so that her dad doesn't marry her off to a total wealthy stranger. Dad is one step ahead. He forges her signatures and makes In Jung her lawful husband (who doesn't care as long his dad sponsers his drama in exchange :P).
And then comes the super-awkward moment where she catches her fake husband in bed with her real husband (surprising not dwelled upon). Hahahahaha.
[Special credits to JGS's laugh. It's like he trembles and laughs with his head down, shaking his shoulders and suddenly looks up and gives the most serious look in the world. HILARIOUS.]
LOL @ Mae Ri's look when she's begging Moo Gyul to let her borrow his name for 100 days (long story). As he said, it's like the cat from Shrek! :D
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When I read the synopsis I seriously had no idea what to expect from this drama. An actor playing seven different personalities sounded like a really messy idea to me but at the same time I was really curious about how they'll pull it off. But once I started this drama, there was no looking back. The story just plunges you in, in the very first episode. Every character, every personality is just so wonderfully played. And at the centre of them all is Ji Sung. What a fabulous actor! He played all seven personalities with such conviction and so individualistically. Such a powerful performance, I have no words. Shin Se Gi, Perry Park, Ahn Yo Na, Ahn Yo Sub, they were all such awesome characters. My favorite was definitely Yo Na (I've replayed her scenes so many times but they're still so funny! Never a dull moment with her) but Shin Se Gi comes very close too (who doesn't love a sincere and protective bad boy?). Oh Ri Jin was equally awesome! She was so cute and not one-bit annoying. I love the actress! The rest of the cast was awesome, except for the cousin and his fiancee. They were annoying and unnecessary. But I guess it doesn't hurt to have a couple of characters to hate in a drama.
I think another bonus in this drama was the humor. I mean, seriously, every episode was hilarious. So basically I was either laughing my ass off or crying with all my guts. And that's the best recipe for a great drama. It was beautiful.
As for the OST, it definitely ranks on my top-15 OST of all time (if not top 10). Auditory Hallucination is like my drama-song of the year already. It's so catchy and the lyrics are so meaningful. I could probably write an entire review gushing about the song. The rest of the songs are beautiful too. I love Unspeakable Secret and Violet (by Ji Sung!).
Overall this drama is a masterpiece (the current rank says it all - #4!) and a must-watch for Ji Sung and Hwang Jung Eum fans. Especially the ones who loved them together in Secret. Even though the two dramas are extremely different in tone and theme, the chemistry between the two actors is equally good in both. And for those who haven't watched Secret before this, watch this and then go check out Secret! You won't regret watching either.
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