Ela Era Bonita (2015)

What can I say? I was about to watch a certain thai series and learned it was a remake of a korean one. So, me wanting to see the original version first brought me to this. But after 12 episodes of suffering, not only I don't wish to watch this to the end, I don't even with to watch a remake of it with completely different cast made in completely different country. My painful experience is depicted below. If you'll find it long, then it perfectly matches how long it felt watching this. Honest.

While episode 1 definitely had some magic, as soon as episode 2, typical k-drama annoyances started to take more and more prominent form. Everyone keeps screaming instead of talking (which is supposed to be funny), the main girl happily gets a job after long search but after mere days of being there, they put her to work in glossy fashion magazine instead, where everyone acts like a moron (obviously also supposed to be funny). It was getting on my nerves that she just didn't firmly tell them she knows nothing about fashion and therefore asks to be transfered back to her original department she WAS properly hired into. Instead, she needs to withstand it there for 3 months for some weird reason, surrounded by ever so annoying side-characters, who seem like brain damaged and won't let her at least suffer in peace. PLUS she has to work with the very person she wanted The Most to avoid.

Which brings me to the romance side of this. The main heroine knew nice, cute chubby childhood friend who was her childhood love. Years later he turned into a hot mean guy, who is now her new boss. I could understand her not revealing her identity to him. But the whole idea of sending her roommate to meet him in her stead was so dumb from the start. It gets only more nonsensical, if anything she should rather send her to work in the magazine. The roommate gives a speech to the main girl that she should give the new "job" more effort and that she should "study" from the magazines she has laying around the house (seriously), even gives her a crash course on clothes/cosmetics. I wondered why she just didn't apply there herself. But no, we watch a montage where the main heroine is to strive and put serious effort in her temporary work for stupid fashion magazine, just to please some "eccentric" superiors in there who are like cartoon characters or just plain idiots. And where her "bonus" is listening to her former childhood sweetheart scolding her for not being good enough in the work she didn't even want to do. While her roommate practically starts dating him in her stead...

It was such a huge relief when there were some off-work scenes. Normally I enjoy work dramas but this was a strain. There's one scene where the most annoying guy in the magazine comes to the main heroine who is alone by her desk minding her own business (he ALWAYS comes to her even though she herself doesn't pay him any notice), and asks her some money and to go eat with him in the evening. I would have given him the amount he asked immediatelly, just as long as he would shut up and leave. I might even offer 10 times higher amount for him to never speak to me again. I purposedly found out the name of the actor, Choi Si Won, just to put it here and name the main reason in case I just might not be able to complete this drama.

What was also annoying is that the same young actress who portrayed the main heroine when she still "was pretty" also portrayed her young sister or smth. It was positively confusing. The guy meets her, too. And I thought that maybe he should just date HER, lol. I really was not enjoying this and considered dropping it as early as episode 4. Every time there was this Choi Si Won's character, I felt like kicking him in the shins. Also, the roommate's character proved to be more interesting. Even if she was not the "right one" from childhood, she was the one who dated him now and who's to say she's not the right one? I couldn't help starting to cheer for HER, which is yet another failure of this show's creators. As she was getting more and more likeable, while the main girl acted more and more annoying. I mean, they did pick on her at work but she did act crazy. Maybe she should date Choi Si Won's character, if they were the same. Instead, they made them fast friends in some brother-sister relationship, which was about as credible as the "top notch" magazine they both worked for:-/

I admit in episode 6, there was a funny scene with Choi Si Won, which really WAS funny. Ironically enough, it was a scene with him & the lead guy (tending for him while he was sick). I still didn't like him with the lead girl, stupidly calling her "jackson" and practically stalking her around, but maybe this was a way to go. Pitty this wasn't a gay rom-com or smth, lol. I also wished for the roommate to finally tell the truth. As the likeable girl she was.

Episode 7 i was still finding it generally annoying and not even feeling the need to stick around till the guy realizes the big secret. All the clamoring and typical korean loud screaming in order to make "hilarious" series kept being tiring... But then the two main characters went away on a trip and we steered clear from all the noisy side-characters so it was actually quieter for a while (no matter their crazy adventure on the road), which was nice. Then, boom! Choi Si Won's character appeared again, and I just wished someone shot him with a tranquilizer. While it's not that I really liked the main couple, I REALLY didn't like him. Then we were back in the stupid magazine with the stupid english name... Things got better for the main girl & guy, but I didn't care for it. I didn't care whether they would each date one of the secondary characters, either. In all honesty, I didn't care for any possible pairing here, I didn't care who learns about the childhood past and I didn't care who dates who.

Half the series, the roommate still didn't tell the truth to the main guy. She said she wants to date him, not just be his friend and he didn't respond to that other than with reminiscing "their" childhood stuff. So, the roommate kept her mouth shut not only when she was afraid to open it, but even when it should ANNOY her that he doesn't know the truth? Meanwhile, the main guy noticed some signs that the main girl is his childhood friend but it still didn't get fully revealed. I must say I was losing my patience. I was like, it should be revealed NOW, and let's see how much drama can be squeezed out of it, because I don't think it would be that much, actually. I felt this show needed to move on to something else if it was supposed to run this LONG runtime...

Instead, the main guy fired the main girl from her job. And my only thought was if that meant she was also fired from her original job? Because that what what I was afraid of from the start. It's not fair at all that after she finally got a job they made her risk it just for a 3-month tenure in crazy fashion magazine where you can be immediatelly fired any time if you happen to bring a wrong-coloured sash on a dress or smth.

By the way, I didn't find the main actress pretty. And it was NOT because of the hair or the red cheeks. I don't find the actress pretty in general. And, she's COMPLETELY different TYPE than the one portraying her younger self. So, she's not even believable. She couldn't change that much in 20 years. I honestly wished the "drama" had a better plot than this.

Episode 9 the heroine lost her ruffled curls and the red cheeks, and I still didn't like her. But, the main guy did, so she was now on a the right path to become close with him but in the same time, we were already too far in the mess with the roommate girl. Who was to save this situation? Choi Si Won's character? Gee. Somehow I found the two girl's friendship more important than both the guys. Maybe because it was the only thing this drama's screenwriter bothered to make believable? I wished the roommate girl confessed to her friend. Why could she not? She needed her friend.

The main guy himself actually comes across as false during the whole drama. The actor is handsome, but is wearing the unnatural haircut with shaven-off under part and overly-long upper part. Probably dyed shade, too. When there is a flashback from the past, it's not credible the person is the same. His childhood version was chubby, afraid of the rain but else, cheerful and warm. The grown up version is guarded and tense. Same case like the main girl: it's not just the looks, you just don't believe they are the same people.

Episode 10: the blatant ab/use of time-stretching. We got the fake/switched/hidden identity thingy STILL unresolved. The whole show is stuck at dead point having obviously nothing else to offer, so...? Let's add yet more scenes where the characters schedule a meeting with each other to talk things through, then let's make it difficult for them to even arrive at that meeting, and when they finally do, let's have them say that today they're not in the mood to talk and would like to reschedule, again. Let's add yet more slow scenes, with slow dialogue in which the main heroine is asked, what does she intend to do? And she replies she's going to wait for some more time. Yeah! Don't worry about the audience dying of boredom by now. Let's directly tell the viewers that we're going to WAIT some more. LOL. I seriously thought the writer of this should be awarded a prize. It's like a cook in a restaurant, who'd arrive at your table personally to bring you an empty plate. Fantastic.

If we were to niggle in this for another 6 long runtime episodes, then I didn't get why we were so afraid to let the characters confront each other: after all I didn't find the childhood secret THAT significant (in compare with lying about your name for months, for example). If we as the audience already know something, naturally we only WAIT for the characters to learn about it, too. To watch their reaction. Then finally see something PAST that. Not to endlessly avoid it and just for the sake of it, let the characters grow more and more weirdos. This way, it looked more like we were watching people with brain damage, rather than characters in a drama.

Beginning of episode 11, the main guy finally learns the truth about the switch. And it's kinda... meh. It could be dramatic had he really treated the main girl with disdain, still. It could be dramatic had he really fallen for the roommate. It could be dramatic had we not been bored with this more than TEN long episodes. Main girl & guy then share a sweet reunion scene, either way I felt had she really harbour so pure a friendship, she WOULD meet him the first time around. The most emotional about the whole thingy was ironically the roommate, whom I felt never needed to assume identity of someone else. She was good on her own (she had more interesting backstory than the lead girl, actually). She was also the only one who fell love in this remarkably unromatic drama. Learning this, the main girl tries to keep her distance from the main guy by acting with forced jolly, but then again she was behaving like that since the beginning. To add my imput, I did not really care which girl gets the whiny guy in question (Park Seo Joon looks positively gay in this), I would actually be happier should the show move past this. Is there anything FUN on the program? Or could this episode at least be the last one?

Not the case: 5 more to go. I wondered, what purpose should those serve? The roommates forgive each other. The main guy keeps working hard for 'The Most Korea' to keep existing, which I didn't really cheer on (just the number of full-time paid employees I kept seeing in that "office" seemed a waste to me), I thought they might as well stop fighting it and celebrate their good run on some sending-off party. Instead, we watch them struggling, having regular "brainstorming" meetings, just to think of something to print once a month. The only "fun" seems to be yet another Choi Si Won's "gay rom-com" scene... Seriously, were the writers secretly fighting which orientation this drama should aim for? It was so lukewam on the straight front. When I'm thinking about it, also the girls called each other "wife" and said "I love you" daily. We know it was meant just as a sisterly love, still I guess a gay audience might actually enjoy this drama more than straight.

For me, each episode felt very long. I seriously don't see why this much of "content" couldn't fit into a HALF. Or less. During epi 12, I had the feeling like I'm still watching something that might have ended already.

Opened episode 13... And you know what? I wanted to close it immediatelly. So, should I force myself more into this? I checked... Is this the last episode, at least? No. And therefore, I decided I won't force myself any longer and I'm so happy. And in the end, it's not Choi Si Won like I thought (I kinda got used to him). It's everything. I just won't spare ONE single more minute for this. Sorry, not sorry.

Leia Mais

I honestly don't know if I liked this drama or not. I gave it an 8 which is a good rating and I do remember enjoying most of it but even though I finished it a couple of days ago I don't really remember much of it. It wasn't memorable and didn't leave much of an impact. And I had to force myself to watch the last couple of episodes because I got bored watching it. The acting was average. It wasn't that good but it wasn't that bad either. Hwang Jung Eum was tolerable but sometimes she got super annoying. She overacts a lot. Park Seo Joon was okay. I liked him better in Witch's Romance. A lot of people loved Siwon and while I did like him and his character too, he got a bit annoying sometimes as well. Go Joon Hee was the only person I liked and who's performance I enjoyed. The romance was okay, nothing special. I'm tired of the childhood friends reunite plot. I loved the friendship between Hye Jin & Ha Ri! I really liked the side characters and their stories! I know I should probably rate this lower but I feel like it deserves an 8.

Leia Mais

To me this drama was like a breath of fresh air!
It was really easy to watch, funny, simple and without any drama!
At the beginning I have to say that I don't like Kim Hye Jin so much because she reminds me a lot Oh Ah Ni, the main character of Playful Kiss that I really didn't like. I also didn't like very much Ji Seong Joon...
But after few episodes I really changed my mind, she started to be less stupid and he started to be less asshole!
I also really loved the relationship between Kim Hye Jin and Min Ha Ri (even though I hate Ha Ri a little bit sometimes!).
But most of all I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Siwon's character!!! Shin Hyeok was the right person at the right moment and with his goofy, lovely and caring manners was the best! He makes me laugh everytime he was on the screen! So thank you Choi Siwon for accepting this role! You were absolutely perfect for that!

Another character that was absolutely adorable was the Anna Dello Russo's inspired Editor in Chief! she was THE MOST!

Leia Mais

Just finished watching She Was Pretty and I read some of the reviews and some were brutal. I on the other hand loved She Was Pretty. It was fun, light, had hysterical moments, super cute kissing scenes, friendship (both sweet and mix in a little betrayal but nothing killer). The characters have great chemistry and I was entertained, I loved the ending and didn't counter any major problems. I loved how once the truth was revealed the characters dealt with it maturely and none of the extra "surprise evil ex girlfriend" or surprise major amnesia episode. I laughed and enjoyed watching everyone in their element. Now I will say that both Kim Shin Hyeok & Kim Hye Jin characters were a little off the charts. They were outrageously quirky and excessive in their character and embellishments but I think it was just who the characters were. Crazyyyyyyyyy and funny in their own way and they marched to the beat of their own drum. They still were enjoyable to watch and their friendship was fun as well. Ji Seong Jun character jerk and jerk and jerk but we all need a bit of a jerk in these films and then we get to peel back the layers to see how truly gorgeous, sexy, amazing and caring he really is. ? I saw Park Seo Joon in "witch's romance" & and I love him even more after watching this drama. I can only hope he is really pleasant and loving in real life as he is in the characters he plays on screen. Min Ha Ri character I wasn't sure if I should love her or dislike her but I think anyone could understand the situation and her feelings . Still their friendship of BFF's was nice to see (girls just wanna have fun). The ending was complete in a sense on the supporting charters but understandable. Loved the ending for the main characters, I thought it was thorough and complete (I cracked up @ the very end). I loved their relationship and connection in the drama. Also liked the co-worker characters, they were a great mix as well. THUMBS UP FOR ME. Enjoyed it all.
Now that I think about it minutes later after posting. It's crazy how the main female is considered ugly. Her only issue was pink cheeks. How is that ugly, kinda sad about what the definition of beauty and ugliness is considered. Would be hard for any female or male with a flaw slight flaw to live comfortably without ridicule on looks or weight. Low self esteem issues, yaHHHHHh.

Leia Mais

Just finished watching the finale ep. Its a RomCom, but not enough romance and comedy. haha. I mean, its not to its fullest extent. There were good parts of course. But seriously lacking. For one, there was no chemistry between the male and female lead. Then the comedy part is not all that funny. But one thing I was thankful for is I don't have the 2nd male lead syndrome, which I somewhat always develop. The male lead, sometimes looks good, other times, not. Same with the female lead. Acting was pretty decent. Plot was pretty light. Do I recommend?...Maybe, maybe not.

Leia Mais

For me, this drama is neither good nor bad. I know its good points, it made me cry, made me fall for some of the characters, it was a happy ending. But, I also found a lot of flaws that I did not really like. Maybe I was expecting too much for this drama and somehow, I just got disappointed. Halfway through the series, I just wanted to finish all 16 episodes for the sake of all the hours I've spent watching. It was not totally bad and not totally boring but, I cannot say that I enjoyed watching this drama. Towards the end, it feels really dragging.

I've seen people on the internet that really liked the series but maybe it wasn't for me.
I even thought of another flow for the story. Lol

Leia Mais

A purely hopeful and bright rom com

She was pretty was like a breath of fresh air that you didn't except, it was this incredibly adorable, precious correlation of sisterly love, romance, humor and dreams. The love between the main girl and her best friend made me cry multiple times, it was so relatable and beautiful. Side Oppa was flawlessly funny and like a Ray of sunshine that followed the main girl everywhere she went. Main Oppa started out very unlikable but by the end all was forgiven. Main girl was anything in the world but remotely ugly which was one of my 2 critics along with the fact that I wish they would've put side oppa and her BFF together. As far as a character goes Main girl was this energetic ball of determination, selflessness and authenticity. She was a true friend and a true positive spirit who never felt sorry for herself or who let her curly hair, or her mild rosasha and freckles stop her from overcoming adversity. Her hideousness would not prevent her from achieving whatever she set her mind to. The storyline hooked me from episode 1. It was so unique and you were always wondering what was going to happen next. Even when I spent days away from the show whenever I would come back it would be like reuniting with an old friend who filled you with such warmth and happiness you forgot why you'd lost touch. All the characters except maybe 1 had great personalities and purpose and even the little side couple made me swoon way more than I thought I would. It was bright, hopeful and 100% recommendable.

Leia Mais