1
manicmuse
NYC!
Minha Identidade é Beleza de Gangnam
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Im Soo Hyang plays Kang Mi Rae, a girl who's "Gangnam Beauty" looks contradict with her shy and insecure personality. I thought she did a good job making Mi Rae sympathetic, and a character I wanted to root for. Sometimes I think she played up the shyness a little too much, and at times her wide-eyed stares felt less sincere and were more annoying. She is matched with Cha Eun Woo as Do Kyung Suk, who plays the emo-est emo rich kid that ever did emo in the history of "Emodom". I thought he played his anti-social hottie role quite well, but he had some wide-eyed extra robotic moments that bordered between cute and laughably bad. Their relationship was pretty sweet, but anyone expecting romance should lower that expectation. Their chemistry is much more awkward than anything. Still cute, but very VERY awkward. Maybe the age gap had a little to do with how tentative they seemed around each other at times, but they still looked pretty good together.
The rest of the cast was good, even if some of them were typical for this kind of drama. I really loved Mi Rae's parents, and liked Do Kyung Suk's family drama. I liked the students, although some were definitely more memorable than others.
Oddly my favorite performance in this drama was Jo Woo Ri as Soo Ah. She definitely helped to keep the show interesting, even though her actions would feel a little repetitive at times. I thought she had the best role and performance.
I know my perspective is different, as an outsider to Korea, but the themes were generally universal and often relatable. I will say their ideas of who was supposed to be attractive vs who wasn't were very odd to me, but the way Mi Rae broke everyone's' looks down was a nice touch. I doubt I will ever really understand the pressure to be attractive in Korea, or how normalized plastic surgery seems to be there, but I think we all can relate to wanting to fit in, and struggling to become comfortable in your own skin when society implies you aren't good enough.
Meanwhile, I am also a person who was distracted by Im Soo Hyang's plastic appearance, but that's probably because the show brings so much attention to her looks, when I would normally just overlook it. At the same time, I loved the way they handled how she used to look, and thought that was a smart choice by the director.
Overall this is a drama that actually tries to say something important, which I appreciate, even if sometimes it was as subtle as a hammer to the brain. It may not get high marks for romance, but they do make a cute unlikely duo, and as a coming of age story I was definitely entertained. This drama also touches on topics like bullying, harassment, sexism, abandonment, image pressure, suicide, domestic violence, eating disorders... without making the episodes depressing. Just consider this a feel-good drama about becoming confident in who you are, and not letting the past dictate your future. I may not have loved it as much as others, but I certainly loved the point it makes.
Oh, and the use of PSY's "New Face" was a cheesy but nice touch!
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The cast is outstanding, and the reason why the complicated story works so well. Park Bo Young is the most impressive in a lot of ways. She switches from timid to bold believably, which is what makes the love triangle work. She has great chemistry with Jo Jung Suk, which is a huge plus, although I was often annoyed by Seon Woo. The scenes when she aggressively propositions him are hilarious, and a nice change from how these romances usually develop. Those scenes are what convinced me to keep watching.
Many of the supporting cast members are as engaging as the main characters. The bromantical team of Chefs, Bing Go the ghost hunter, Sun Ae's father, Seon Woo's mom, Im Joo Hwan's smile... Still, Kim Seul Gi is my favorite of the main cast. I was rooting for her from the beginning, and she is the show's star in my opinion. She made me laugh out loud, and cry buckets, and I looked forward to her scenes the most.
I had to give this show a high rewatch score, because I am already watching it again. Since I know the story now, there are moments in the beginning that I see differently, and it's making me like the drama even more (Especially the first episode). I became so invested in the characters that I enjoy watching the story again from that perspective.
Overall this drama was a happy surprise. It had elements of two dramas I love ("Pasta" and "Master's Sun") while still being original enough to stand on it's own. There are definitely predictable moments, and filler comedy moments, lots of coincidences, and some over used K Drama standards towards the end, but I was still never bored. The thriller element wasn't the strongest storyline, but it was still good, and certainly entertaining. I was happy with how it all ended too, which is important when you have so many characters that you suddenly care about. I definitely recommend watching this one with an open mind. You may not be into it in the beginning, but if you're like me, you soon won't be able to stop watching it, as if you're... wait for it... possessed.
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The rest of the cast was pretty good, but not particularly impressive, except for Park Ye Jin. I loathed Oh Yoon Joo, so I have to credit the actress for bringing out so much hate in me. Clearly a sociopath, Oh Yoon Joo definitely was a perfect villain. The other characters weren't really written with much depth in my opinion. I guess this isn't exactly a drama you should expect much depth from anyway.
I think this drama's weakest area is in the writing. I didn't mind the recycled poor-girl-turned-princess story, and I liked that there was, initially, a legitimate dilemma keeping the two main stars apart. My biggest problem was that eventually the story started to go nowhere for too long. The first episodes set the bar high for cute, funny, rewatchable, and romantic moments. The last episodes felt like complete time wasters, and even the cute romantic moments lost some of their spark. The overall ending was fine, but it felt to me like too little too late. I wish that they'd just quit while they were ahead, then my numbers would have been much higher.
I would still recommend My Princess, but if the chemistry in the first few episodes doesn't appeal to you, I would suggest moving on to something else.
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The drama within the royal family was entertaining, but many of the palace scenes seemed to drag on way too long. Some of the conversations almost seemed as if they were being spoken in slow-motion. Seeing royal tradition juxtaposed to modern life was interesting, but I would have rather seen more romance, or scheming. I guess I expected more romance, and less time spent on a depressing Cinderella story. It wasn't until episode 13 (my favorite episode) that anything really romantic happened. After a while, watching constant fighting was starting to bore me.
I think I would have liked Goong more if it were shorter, and had a little more romance. I also thought the ending could have been much better, especially yul's ending. I now see how much influence Goong has probably had on other kdrama's that I like, since I kept being reminded of them. Though i'm glad I finally got a chance to watch Goong, I am not sure I will watch this one again.
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Yoo Ah In leads the cast as Han Se Joo, an arrogant, eccentric, and celebrated young writer, and he nails it. He's unrecognizable from who I saw in "Sungkyunkwan Scandal", but that just shows how much hair can make a difference in appearance... but more about hair later. Im Soo Jung plays obsessed Jeon Seol, who is another unique character in her own right. It took a while before I realized who she was, because I don't watch as many Korean movies, so I basically missed her whole career since "A Tale of Two Sisters" (one of my favorite movies), and "I'm Sorry, I Love You". It's nice to see her mature version, and I'm so glad to see her return to dramas for this one. The main trio is then completed by Go Kyung Pyo, who I don't really want to say too much about, so I will just say he continues to never disappoint. The chemistry between these 3 will stay with me for a long time. For romance fans, yes there is romantic chemistry, but it's their friendship that drives the show, and got me in the feels.
The supporting cast is also excellent. Many of the supporting characters help to lighten moments, or serve as comic relief, which they did well. Quite a few of the supporting cast members, like the main trio, also have to essentially play 2 characters, one in the past and one in present. I loved how well the cast played the roles in the past, and how they were similar to the present but distinctly different, making the past scenes as interesting as if I were watching a completely different show without it ever feeling disconnected. I also loved that all of the characters had some depth, even if it isn't always as obvious at first. The only characters I had any issue with, and the only reason I didn't give the cast a perfect 10, is because of Tae Min and his mom. I was underwhelmed by the mom as such a bitter villainess yet forgettable character. She wasn't necessarily bad, I just didn't find her very interesting. I also thought Kwak Shi Yang started to over act a little towards the end of the drama, which started to feel a little comical. He was excellent in his complicated dual roles, for the most part, but in some of the final moments his acting really bothered me.
A lot of what made this drama so haunting to me is it's connection to the past, which is set specifically during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1930's. There's a nostalgic feel, as well as a definite patriotic feeling, but without it being too sentimental or corny. It pays homage to the artists and revolutionaries of that time, and you don't have to have any historical knowledge to be touched by it. Also don't be worried that the scenes in the past will be too heady or heavy. Many of my favorite romantic, comedic, and action driven moments happened in the past. The past and present scenes work seamlessly together, and don't feel as forced as it can sometimes feel in other dramas.
You will notice that I don't really have anything really bad to say about this drama, so my criticism will be pretty petty, but I guess worth mentioning (at least for my own amusement). Like wanting to know who was the horrible barber in charge of Yoo Ah In's terrible uneven hair cut. The present day cut was awkward and just kept getting worse with each episode, but meanwhile his past hair was sexy as hell. See? Petty! lol. I also had a problem with Im Soo Jung trying to play so much younger than she is. Don't get me wrong, she looks great, but there's no way she looks younger than the two male leads, and her mom looked like she could be her noona. Petty? Perhaps, but I cant be the only person who thought that, right? lol.
Ok, back to the writing, which I can't praise enough. I just loved how well thought out it all was. It's also the kind of story that with a second viewing would reveal even more connected moments, so of course my rewatch score is a 10. If you start watching and don't get what's happening and why, just trust that it will all be explained, and that some of the most random moments are actually happening for a reason. I was admittedly confused, but instantly hooked, from beginning to end. The ending is also one of the most beautiful ones I've seen in a drama, and made me appreciate the whole story even more. It's also a serious tearjerker, making me cry for a full hour, without being completely sad, but definitely feeling emotional. Even the preview of the last episode made me tear up. That's the power of good storytelling. I'm sure one can find flaws if they wanted to, but there is really too much done right to focus on any of that. The episodes are also very long, but always felt like they went by quickly to me, which is dangerous when binge watching! You could lose a whole day with no problem.
The soundtrack is also perfect. I immediately wanted to listen to it after watching the last episode. The song "Writing our stories" in particular stands out, and will probably make me tear up every time I hear it.
Overall this drama often feels more like a film than a typical drama, and hits the bullseye on so many of the things that make us fall in love with dramas in the first place without losing it's originality, no matter what genre you prefer. I would definitely recommend it highly, especially for those who rarely leave their drama-genre comfort zones. This one has a little something for everyone. Do you love characters falling in love in spite of themselves? Check. Rom-com chemistry? Check. Or do you prefer Bromance? Check. Do you love rivalries and revenge? Check. Do you love mystery thrillers? Supernatural tales that blur reality? Emotional melodramas? LOL moments? Historical references that make you curious about the events and people that inspire them? Butt-kicking Action? Girls who defy the damsel in distress routine? Crime stories? Or just good story telling from start to finish? Well, "Chicago Typewriter" has checks straight down the list!
I'm so glad that people's posts about this show made me curious enough to check it out for myself. It's only fitting that I shout out the writer Jin Soo Wan, who wrote "Kill me, Heal me", a drama that I also rated a 10. I will definitely look forward to anything she writes in the future. If there was ever a drama that made me appreciate writers, down to the hilarious "Misery" references, the hilarious naming of Go Kyung Pyo's character "Yoo Jin Oh", or even the perfect title choice, it's definitely this one! And if you've ever thought about writing this will either inspire you to do just that, or scare you away from the profession completely!
Ok, enough praise! I guess I'm still on a high from watching this! Who knows, I may even start rewatching it again immediately. Yes, it's really is that good.
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A well played drama.
It surprises me that so many people were disappointed by this drama since it's been a while since a drama impacted me so much. I can agree it isn't perfect, but this drama gets so many things right. I went in without any expectations and couldn't stop tears from flowing by the end. If you've ever experienced a loss of a family matriarch or patriarch this drama may hit harder. This isn't truly a romance drama or a melodrama, it is more a sentimental story about a family facing a major loss and honoring the successes and regrets of a long life. This drama also leans on the familiar trope of a charismatic character who joins a family and transforms it for the better... think Mary Poppins... with a convincing North Korean accent. ; ) I'm a sucker for stories like this, and I was not disappointed.The NK Mary Poppins and charm of this drama is Kang Ha Neul as Yoo Jae Hun. He truly shines in this role as a struggling actor dedicated to his craft who is persuaded to play the long-lost grandson of dying Matriarch Ja Geum Sun played by Go Doo Shim. The chemistry between these two is the heart of this drama. Ja Geum Sun's life may have been filled with amazing accomplishments but she also carries hurt from past losses that haunt her into old age. The goal of this reunion with her grandson is meant to give her peace and closure before death but it ends up being challenging and healing for the whole family. Yes, there is a romantic element with Ha Ji Won's character
Park Se Yun which I did think was cute, and they do play the past characters well (especially in the opening scene), but the chemistry that truly mattered in this story was between Grandma and her newly "found" Grandson.
I won't speak too much about specific characters since getting to know the family is a large part of the story, but the entire cast is so good. Their family dynamic is people living together but estranged until they are forced to deal with their ailing Matriarch. There are no over-the-top villains or cheesy fights for succession, instead, it's a fight over hotel ownership that isn't based on greed for once but instead based on emotions. I could sympathize which each grandchild's POV, and although this might not be exciting to some viewers to me it felt more real. I also liked that who would ordinarily be a female second lead was her own interesting character, and I loved the chemistry between the two hired actors. The actors are all stellar and all work well together. There are absolutely no weak links, not even in the staff. The least interesting character was the ex-"Bae" Dong Je, but I think that was just the way his role was written. I disagree with a lot of critics and think all the characters got an appropriate amount of screen time, including Steven Noh as Ri Moon Sung, who even while mostly silent gave a really powerful performance.
Would I watch this again? Yes! If you have any interest in acting it will be hard not to relate to what motivates Yoo Jae Hun to create and perform. And although there aren't many swoon-worthy romantic moments or epic fighting showdowns, watching Jae Hun vs the family dynamic was endearing enough for me to want to watch it all again. There are a few touching moments I wouldn't mind rewatching again as well.
The sentimental music is a bit over the top but appropriate. It definitely inspired tears to keep on flowing.
Overall, I applaud this drama for successfully finding the balance between the actors and the roles they are playing which is not easy to do well. The "plays within a play" parts were done perfectly. And I love that the title actually makes perfect sense, which is rare! lol!
Having lost two close grandparents I often reflect on the things they've seen and endured and survived, and it was hard not to think of them while watching. I also know the feeling of reuniting with a side of my family that I was not raised with and this also made me reevaluate the value of family. I think this drama is meant to relate to viewers in that way, and left me with an inspired outlook in spite of my many tears. I loved that everything felt resolved by the end (yes, everything) but still open to all the possibilities that life could throw one's way. I love that there were funny and silly moments to balance out the tougher moments. I love that there is space for hurt and regret and love in the writing. I easily overlooked some of the weaker parts of the plot because the stronger parts had a bigger impact.
"Curtain Call" is a drama well played. Lower viewer ratings aside, count me among the few that would give this drama a standing ovation!
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"Are you human too?" is a sci-fi drama that plays brilliantly off of the current AI trend. The story explores the idea of androids blending into society, to the point of being mistaken for actual humans, but it does it in a unique way that combines thriller, romance, melodrama, and even comedy. I won't go much into the specific plot, because I think it's fun to watch all the elements unfold, but expect to laugh and cry and swoon. Even the melodramatic and completely unrealistic parts of this story work well because the acting and storytelling are that good.
I've already mentioned how brilliant Seo Kang Joon was as Human Nam Shin and Android Nam Shin III, but it's worth repeating. He manages to make both characters so different that they felt like they were played by completely different people. His leading lady is Gong Seung Yeon as Kang So Bong, which is a part as weird as it may sound, but she manages to make this story seem completely plausible, and their amazing chemistry helps. There were moments when Kang So Bong got on my nerves, but that was because of the character, not her acting. Just like there were moments when I completely loathed Nam Shin because Kang Joon plays a jerk so well. The rest of the cast is pretty brilliant too.
Lee Joon Hyuk as the Secretary was definitely one of my favorites in the cast, and I got my villain fix with Park Young Kyoo and Yoo Oh Sung. Then there's Kim Won Hae who's always good for comic relief. I think there was only one character I couldn't stand at all, and that was Reporter Jo, but maybe that's because her acting as a pretty awful friend was just way too good.
I was tempted to give the story a higher score because it kept me engaged and excited for each new episode from start to finish, but some parts of the story are so over the top ridiculous that sometimes the story felt silly when it wasn't supposed to. The entire drama has a comic book feel, with over the top characters and scenes, so it does work. I just felt like some plot moments were a bit too much.
For romance fans wondering if they will get their romance fix watching this, I say yes, especially if you are willing to be open to what romance can mean. One theme this show explores is human emotions and relationships. Watching an android navigate through this theme definitely made me think about how we connect as humans and what feelings actually mean. This gave even the seemingly superficial moments in the story much more depth and gave all the characters' choices more depth too.
I will also admit that I needlessly worried the entire time watching this about how it would all end, afraid that the ending would be too corny or make no sense, but I actually liked how it ended. There was no rushed or convoluted ending or glaring plot holes, and the story never lost its momentum. It was also emotional without feeling too melodramatic, even with over the top character choices and just a few tropes. I just decided not to think too hard about the logistics of what would happen after the ending. Sometimes thinking too hard about "reality" ruins the magic of the drama.
Overall, I definitely recommend this one to sci-fi fans, romance fans, or any drama fans looking for an interesting drama to watch, and a non-traditional character to root for. Of course, this isn't the only android themed drama out there, but I would dare say that it's one of the best.
I'd certainly watch it again, just for Nam Shin III, because he's that likable. I'm even a little curious to know what a sequel might look like, but I was satisfied with this drama just as it is.
This was definitely some good programming! Get it? *hangs head in shame* Sorry.
Now what will I look forward to at the start of the week... *sigh*
Side note: Korea really should do something about their white truck problem... I'm just saying...
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I didn't think I would have a problem with the subject matter. I had recently watched the documentary Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, which is a very similar story involving an American Catholic school for the deaf, so I felt prepared. What this film does differently than the documentary, is that it dares to actually show some of that abuse. The images are disturbing, and haunting, and at times it feels almost like it's too much. Still, these scenes made me so angry that the conclusion had a really strong impact on me. Apparently this is a sentiment that was shared by enough Koreans to have the investigation reopened as a result of this film.
Not only does this film deal with the stigma, and cover ups, involved in sexual abuse cases, it also shows how people with disabilities can be completely disregarded, and devalued. This is not a hero story with a happy ending, but rather a story of how everyday heros can choose to positively effect lives, even in the face of an adverse community.
The entire cast is outstanding, particularly the abused kids. Gong Yoo still has his charm, but it's nice to see him in a different kind of role. The film is well paced. It's a tearjerker, without being overly melodramatic or sentimental. The conclusion may not have been what I wanted to see, but it was still oddly inspiring.
I would definitely recommend this as a film that will leave you with something to think about. This may not be something that many people would want to watch again, because of the subject matter, but I can see myself rewatching it in time. This movie does a great job of giving a voice to an often silenced and ignored group. I think the least that can be done, even if it's a little difficult, is that we listen to those voices.
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The title already warns the viewer about what kind of relationship to expect, but it was even worse than I thought. This is sibling rivalry, and jealousy, at it's most toxic. There are some sweet, & amusing, moments, but it's mainly a revenge drama. Those in the mood for comedy should know that Lee Cho in's story is a depressing one.
The reason to watch this is So Ji Sub. He's intense, heartbreaking, charming, and he thankfully likes to linger in the shower ; ) I had no interest in watching an extreme hospital drama, which this show basically is, but he grabbed my interest from the start. As Cho In, he goes through an intense emotional transformation, and the beauty of his performance is the complexity in it. When parts of this drama became a little too over the top for me, So Ji Sub would bring just as much excitement while keeping it grounded in his honest portrayal. From episode 1- 20 he reminded me why he is one of my favorites. But seriously, did they really have to shoot him in the head AGAIN? And that's just the beginning...
I would definitely rate So Ji Sub's acting as a 10, but I had mixed feelings about the rest of the cast.
Shin Hyun Joon as Lee Seon-Woo, plays a worthy evil rival. I blame writers for giving his character barely any room for sympathy, but his performance was strong. I think he occasionally relied too much on wild eyed-stares, which sometimes came across as overacting. Overall I'd still give his performance a 9. He has one scene in particular, with So Ji Sub, towards the end of the series, that was absolutely heartbreaking. Their relationship is the core of this show, so his ability to match So Ji Sub's intensity is a huge plus.
In general, the evil characters are written to be cartoonishly evil, so over acting can' t be blamed on the actors. The biggest victim of this is Kim Hae Sook, who's character only makes sense if she is a violent sociopath. The same goes for Baek Seung Hyun as Choi Chi Soo. Their performances do add to the suspense, but I found their actions too unbelievable, even for K-Drama. They definitely portray characters that you can hate completely, but they were also let off the hook too easily, and way too many times, for my taste.
Out of the supporting cast I loved Lee Cho In's bromance with Oh Kang Chul. They share a lot of great action moments together, and touching bonding scenes. I also love the cute relationship between Drs Kim Hyun Joo & Kim Jin Geun, which added some much needed light moments. The most underrated performance is definitely Jang Yong, who had some great acting moments using just his eyes & finger.
I had mixed emotions about Han Ji Min as Oh Young Ji. I liked her chemistry with So Ji Sub from the start, and that it walked a fine line between flirty, and almost platonic playfulness. Eventually I grew bored with her being wide-eyed, and naive. For a character who was supposed to be so street smart, defected from the North, and survived on her own, she seemed way too dumb. At the same time, her innocence was sometimes cute when she was the victim of Cho In's spontaneous charm, and a few of their romantic moments are worth rewatching. This is also the first time I've seen her have a first kiss scene that didn't completely suck. That must be the power of So Ji Sub! lol.
The most disappointing character to me was Chae Jung Ahn as Kim Seo Yeon. She hit all the emotional notes, and cried very well, but she bored me. This is surprising since, unlike many of the other character's, Kim Seo Yeon was actually written with some depth. Her opening "love" scenes with Cho In felt flat, and lacked any chemistry. Her moments with Seon-Woo were written to move me, but they didn't. He seemed more like her stalker than someone she actually cared about. The fact that I didn't like her character, made the whole love triangle/square storyline a lot less effective for me.
I'm still not sure about recommending this drama or not. As much as I have complained about the writing, I must say that both the direction, and the soundtrack, are great! Fans of suspense may want to check this out, because the excitement over the uncertainty of what will happen next is consistent from beginning to end. Fans of So Ji Sub should definitely watch this because it's imperfections are worth sitting through in order to watch him be awesome for 20 episodes. I admit that I was never bored, but If another actor was in So Ji Sub's place I probably would have dropped it early on. I also can't see myself watching this again, unless I'm in desperate need of a So Ji Sub fix.
Wait, have I mentioned that I really like So Ji Sub? ; p
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Some of the scenarios in the beginning are a little far fetched, but it's kdrama so what do you expect. I laughed out loud & cried as the story progressed. I rewatched certain moments over & over. There is a drastic shift, which is pretty common in KDrama, where the romantic comedy suddenly turns into a tear jerking drama. I definitely had more fun watching the first 11 episodes, but I think there was a pretty seamless transition to the sadder later episodes. I admit, after a rewatch, that some of the moments that broke my heart the first time seemed a little overdone this time, but the acting was never bad. I think overall that learning more about Park Kae In's sad past made the story feel more complete. Some of the final romantic scenes are also a little cheesy, and Jeon Jin Ho becomes super frustrating, but I honestly still loved watching every moment.
I think the whole cast was great! I loved Jo Eun Ji as the bff, and her hilarious relationship with Jung Sung Hwa. I loved how Ryu Seung Ryong's character developed as well. He could have come off as creepy, but instead he was super sweet (err... no pun intended). Kim Ji Suk & Wang Ji Hye were incredibly annoying, but they were supposed to be. I could have skipped through their early storyline though. As for the leads, I really started to relate to quirky Park Kae In, and Son Ye Jin did an excellent job of not overplaying her gullibility and sweetness. As for Lee Min Ho, I haven't been disappointed by a drama with him in it yet. Lee Min Ho fans should definitely see this one, in spite of his high water pants.
I also have to mention the soundtrack, which remains one of my favorites. I still don't get tired of hearing the songs over & over again during episodes "Babo cheoreom..." ; )
I may be biased since this was only the 2nd drama I ever watched, but this is hands down one of my favorites. I decided to rewatch/re-review Personal Preference almost 30 dramas later, to see how it still holds up. It's still one of my top favorites, and still has one of my favorite k-drama first kiss scenes.
I definitely will rewatch this more than once, and I admit that I listen to the soundtrack sometimes because I miss it, lol.
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RomCom turned Melodrama bait and switch.
I started this drama hoping for a quick but cute romcom but it quickly turned into mediocre historical melodrama. I wouldn't even mind if the melodramatic plot was over the top and fun but instead, it took itself too seriously and dragged on, and by the last episode I was super bored. I think "The Forbidden Marriage" is a trope fest that doesn't always work. Sometimes it was funny and cute and sometimes it was cringy and forced. It wasn't silly enough to keep me entertained like "Rooftop Prince", and the lead couple wasn't compelling enough for me to root for like "The Red Sleeve". It seems like they borrowed things that worked in other dramas that just didn't work for me here, and just added the occasional immature sexual innuendo for giggles. I would have preferred if they chose to stick with comedy but instead, it's a weird messy melodramatic love triangle mystery.This drama depends a lot on Kim Young Dae's charm to make this love story work but bad writing and stale chemistry made me disappointed with the main couple. Park Ju Hyun was initially funny, and I liked her mischievous spunk, but I just didn't love her as a romantic lead. I can't even totally blame the writing, because there are lots of dramas where the stubborn tyrannical male lead has his heart changed by the unconventional female lead, which I love. In this case, besides the initial teasing that was fun to watch, I felt no spark between the leads. Instead, it was the promise of a love triangle that kept me watching, and Kim Woo Seok as Lee Shin Won is the only character whose feelings felt genuine. I can't even quite call it 2nd lead syndrome because I liked him more than both leads. The lovelorn hero storyline was what kept me watching when the show started to drag and if they got rid of his character I would have dropped this drama for sure. I won't spoil things too much, but things get so predictable after a while it's hard to spoil.
The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Some characters didn't get enough screen time, like the flamboyant psychic played by Choi Deok Moon, and the erotic/romantic writer (which was a cute plot of its own), while the villainous characters got too much screen time, especially in the final episodes. It would be different if they truly took time to establish backstories like So Rang's family dynamic or Lee Heon's first marriage if they were going to go on such a detailed thriller detour. They also did a poor job of establishing the love between the two leads in my opinion. I knew in detail why Shin Won was in love with the female lead but why did So Rang love the king? Just attraction? He was an irrational jerk most of the time. Why did the king really fall for So Rang? Because she catered to him? Because she was "different"? And why did his relationship with the first queen seem so one-sided and even creepy? I can even believe that going through trials is what ultimately brought them together but their confessions and love declarations just felt so cringy. You would think with all the flirtation and sexual references that there would be more chemistry but I could not take them seriously enough to feel anything but awkwardness.
Would I watch this again? No. I was on the fence about dropping it but kept hoping that some of the comedic sparks from the beginning of the drama would come back. Once the drama deviated to melodrama it never quite found consistent humor again. I don't regret watching it, but I wouldn't ask this drama out on a second date.
Overall, I cannot really recommend this drama unless you love anything and everything Kim Young Dae does. If his cuteness is your reason, you will have plenty of it to tide you over. I'll also add a trigger warning for haters of love triangles and unrequited love. If you are hoping for a funny romcom about repressed people starving for love during a 7-year ban on marriage, like I was, be warned that melodrama is on the horizon and it will soon take over completely and turn into a cliché battle over who should be the next Queen. The 12th episode is the most dragged out of all. Instead of closure, it felt like they just kept adding things to fill up the time. Yes, every character gets some kind of closure or a hint at closure, and some of the final moments are cute, but it was too late for me to care. "The Forbidden Marriage" seems like a drama that wasn't a strong enough silly comedy so they kept throwing in sageuk tropes which backfired. Maybe I had too many expectations, wasn't in the right mood, or was too team Shin Won to enjoy this drama as much as others. Consider this a friendly reminder that not every highly-rated drama is for everyone.
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It was definitely the two leads that kept me watching. Jun Ji Hyun & Kim Soo Hyun played off of each other very well. Do Min Joon, though stoic most of the time, was a character with some unexpected depth. Chun Song Yi was the epitome of the spoiled Hallyu star on the surface, but was surprisingly likable, relatable, and hilarious! I had so many literal lol moments during the drama because of Jun Ji Hyun's performance. I was also impressed by Kim Soo Hyun's ability to pull off playing a character with so much maturity considering how much younger he is. To me, the best parts of the drama were when they were together, although I didn't cry once for them (and I can be a big crybaby). I was much more amused by them than really emotionally invested.
The supporting cast was also very good, but the other storylines just weren't as strong, and sometimes felt more like filler. The rest of the drama was pretty standard (devious villains, jealous friends, family greed, unrequited love, a crushable second lead...), and not as intriguing as the main couple. Still, I was entertained the whole time while watching, even during slower parts during the last few episodes. I also had no idea what the ending would be, and really liked what it turned out to be, even though it was slightly unsatisfying. The story does end with some questions left unanswered (like who in the world were they talking to? lol.), but I think the writers answered most of the ones that really counted.
Overall I really liked this drama for what it was and enjoyed watching it, but It never gave me that 'can't wait for the next episode feeling'. It's certainly not the best drama I've seen, yet there are aspects of this drama that I liked more than most. I'm not sure If I would rewatch more than a few select clips, but It's possible that I might watch it again one day, although I'm honestly not sure if I could handle listening to "You ARE my destiny..." anymore.
If you're generally a fan of romances about 2 people reluctantly falling in love, then I definitely recommend this one. Just think of the alien thing as a bonus.
***update*** I recently rewatched it and I was still very entertained so I bumped up my initial rating a little. Yes, "You ARE my destiny" is still annoying!
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I will start with what I loved, which was the plot. The story is definitely one of the most original ones I've ever seen in a drama. It's creative. It's suspenseful. I never could anticipate what would happen next. In the beginning I was completely in awe! There was romance, mystery, action, and humor. I almost gave the story a perfect score, but there were too many minor holes, odd changes in direction, and confusing elements, that stopped me from doing that. There was also the fact that the drama started to lose it's charm as time went on, but I'm not convinced that was because of the plot.
This story revolves around Kang Chul, and I think Lee Jong Suk did a good job of bringing that character to life (see what I did there?), but there was something lacking for me. He had the charm down, he's easy on the eyes, and the action scenes were pretty good too, but the emotional scenes were lacking. That didn't make me dislike his performance, it just made me not feel as emotionally invested as I should have been. I know it's a webtoon, but he went through a lot, A WHOLE LOT, and he seemed to be way too cool throughout. That sorta worked because he is literally playing a 2 dimensional character, so I forgive him. Who I can't forgive as much is his costar.
Don't get me wrong, Han Hyo Joo is cute and likable as Yeon Joo. She looks great with the leading man, and the chemistry in their early scenes together are some of the highlights of the show. The problem is when the show goes from partial rom com to full on suspense thriller. Suddenly their romance goes from 1 to 1000, and the chemistry is replaced with overdramatic declarations of undying love. As cute as they were together, their romance doesn't make the most sense, and that's when her acting let me down. Every time she cried I felt nothing. Every time she was surprised I felt nothing. I felt a little bit of the longing when she missed him, but not that much. I liked the character, but I just couldn't connect to her emotions. I think this is why this drama failed to meet my expectations. I am a cry baby, and this story called for lots of tears, and I shed not a single one. It looked cool, and they looked cool together, but I wish I felt more emotionally tied to the characters.
My favorite character was actually the writer Oh Sung Moo. I think his story was the most interesting part of the whole drama. He was complicated, he was interesting, and he came the closest to making me feel any emotions. Kim Eui Seong was excellent, and the stand out! The rest of the supporting characters were great, and there were no real weak links. I loved the assistant artist so much - he was a hilarious sidekick. I also liked the reoccurring jokes with Yeon Joo's boss. I can't say that the acting was bad at all, but I just wished the emotional scenes were more believable. It takes more than tears to make emotions seem real.
The other thing about this show that impressed me were the visual effects. They were perfect when switching between the two worlds. Yes, it totally reminded me of the 80's music video "Take On Me", which is a classic, but I liked how seamless the cartoon world mixed with the real world - it was just the right amount of cheesy yet realistic.
How about that soundtrack? Umm... I can't remember a single song or melody, and I literally just finished watching it.
Would I watch it again? Sure. I wonder if a second viewing would make things clearer in certain parts. The suspense would be gone, but there are still enough entertaining parts to keep me engaged.
Overall, I think the creativity involved alone would make me recommend this drama to anyone, even though I feel like it didn't reach it's full potential. I blame that more on the leads than the plot, which was ambitious, but I've seen plots that made much less sense, and yet they still had a stronger emotional impact on me because of the actors. From beginning to end I was very intrigued, and I think the ending was great, but part of me is recasting in my head... Song Joong Ki or Jung Il Woo as Kang Chul? Kim Seul Gi as Yeon Joo? This is why I'm torn. Part of me liked it a lot, and part of me wants a do-over!
It's like I'm... torn between two worlds (See what I did there?) lol.
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The story is extremely basic as far as romances go. There's nothing new about a pretty girl pretending to be her supposedly less attractive and insecure friend. There's nothing new about a second lead who has no chance with the main girl. There's definitely nothing new about a makeover, that you know is inevitable from the title alone. Dramas use clichés because they work. The romantic plot is far from original, but the love story is still very sweet.
What was unexpected is that the romantic chemistry is not the main thing that kept me watching. Hye Jin & Seong Jun make a cute couple, but I didn't like them much in the beginning. Seong Jun's abrasive personality, and borderline Asperger's social skills, were a bit of a turn off. He is a jerk so often that it was sometimes hard to actually like him. Hye Jin is the exact opposite. She is nice to a fault, and for the majority of the show she overreacts to any and everything wide eyed and very LOUDLY! She easily says "ottoke" well over a thousand times during this drama, which was becoming annoying, not endearing. Their chemistry, and backstory, does make up for it, but starts to get really extra cheesy in the last few episodes. If The romance alone carried the show It would have gotten old very quickly for me (even with the kissing scenes).
The relationships I actually loved more than the main romance were the friendships with the two supporting leads. Ha Ri and Hye Jin's friendship was so great to see. It felt good to see two friends love and support each other that much. Their friendship is what made watching the love triangle so engaging. I was more concerned with their friendship than with which girl would get the guy.
Then of course there is Si Won. I already read about him stealing the show in reviews before watching, but didn't really think much of his character at first, because he was so silly. After a while it was clear that he was not only the true star of this drama, but also hands down my favorite character. His scenes made me laugh (the "Jackson" thing was so funny to me) and broke my heart (had me literally tearing up). Soon I was more invested in his friendship with Hye Jin than the main couple. Whenever he wasn't on screen he was missed (Ironically I felt the exact opposite way about him in "The King of Dramas")
The rest of the cast was good, and I did like the staff at THE Most (especially the ridiculous Kim Ra Ra, who was consistently doing "the most"), so the scenes regarding the magazine were entertaining. The magazine plot does start to take up most (pun intended) of the show's time in later episodes, but there wasn't much to that story either. It was clear throughout this drama that they were trying their best to stretch the story out to fit 16 episodes - which of course means plenty of flashbacks, frustrating coincidences, and scenes meant to sell you a particular Nikon camera lol.
It's also been a while since I liked a soundtrack, and I liked this one. They even threw in the song from "A Tale of Two Sisters", for dramatic effect, which is one of my favorites. I'm also a fan of the Carpenters.
I don't know if I would rewatch anything more than specific scenes. There were just too many filler moments to make me want to watch the entire drama again. However, I did end up marathoning through it in 3 days (so it wasn't too boring), and I really did love the ending. Not only did I love the way they wrapped up what happened with all the characters, but the overall moral (about being supporting characters vs leads in our own life stories) really touched me.
Overall, As rom coms go, I was not disappointed. The plot is far from perfect, but characters were the driving force in this drama, not the story. Being predictable didn't stop me from wanting to watch it all happen anyway. If you watched "Kill Me, Heal Me" and wondered "what if..." then you may get a kick out of just seeing Hwang Jung Eum and Park Seo Joon together again. If you even slightly like Si Won, you should definitely watch him in his element. I hesitate to recommend "She was pretty" in general, because there's nothing extraordinary about it, but it still delivered what I expected it to in an entertaining way. Sometimes a simple love story, with some laughs, is all the drama you need.
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If I had to choose one saving grace in this whole film then I would say Jung Jin Young did a really good job with the role he was given, but his performance couldn't save the bad writing. The plot is completely unbelievable and super predictable so you have to really like Jin Young to like this one. The rest of the cast, besides Ra Mi Ran, is very forgettable. Even some actors I usually like didn't make any impression.
Overall you have to have a super high corny tolerance to enjoy this, or just love rewatching body switching shows no matter how overdone. It seems to be for younger less jaded audiences anyway, who get to see bullies get what they deserve and are a little more forgiving about plots that defy basic logic. There are just too many better body-switching stories out there for me to ever recommend this one.
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