1
manicmuse
NYC!
Why her? A complicated and interesting female lead character... that's why.
"Why Her" is about corporate greed, ruthless power, and revenge. TK Law Firm is the setting for one of the most corrupt and toxic work environments and one truly entertaining evil villain. It stars Seo Hyun Jin as Oh Soo Jae, literally another Miss Oh (lol), and the "Her" in question in the title. I loved her cold, clever, poker-faced lawyer character, who seems pretty ruthless but is living with some painful demons. She truly is one of my favorite actresses in KDramaland and this drama showcases a lot of her talent well. However, I am not the biggest fan of dramas with major corruption plots, and although this drama does attempt to incorporate some romance as well, the underdog fighting against a major corporate power trope started to drag and the mystery behind it all was too confusing for too long. The writing is a bit messy, but with such strong performances, I stayed invested till the end.Seo Hyun Jin is matched with Hwang In Youp as Gong Chan. He is clearly enamored with Lawyer Oh but it takes a further dive into their pasts to learn why that is. I liked their characters and their story. I loved the idea of accepting each other, flaws and all, but I admit the two didn't have much chemistry. For me, it wasn't the age gap or the teacher-student scenario that made this couple not work that well. It was more the lack of excitement between the two besides comforting each other. Scenes that should have caused butterflies felt forced. They honestly felt more like siblings, and if this drama removed romance from the plot completely it wouldn't have made any difference for me.
Although there are great side characters and ensemble performances the true male lead of this drama is Heo Joon Ho as
Choi Tae Gook. He is so excellent at being THE WORST human. He could have easily been played over the top but Choi Tae Gook had depth and range. Even minor things about his character, like his snacking all the time, made his performance so impressive. Still, even his evildoings started feeling repetitive until the last few episodes. I think it took a little too long to reveal the past, which made me wonder how intense this would have been as a movie instead of being dragged out for 16 episodes. There were just too many meeting and plotting scenes that slowed down the pace. There were also so many side characters. Some got too much screen time (like petty coworkers) and others not enough (like Gong Chan's cute hyungs).
Would I watch this drama again? Probably not. I kept watching to first learn how ambitious Lawyer Oh rose to her position and then to see how her power play with Choi Tae Gook would resolve... they really were perfect rivals! I was bored by who owned what and who backed who and only slightly interested in the unresolved murder plots. There were no moments I would want to rewatch, and although a second viewing may make some things much clearer that I may have missed the first time, I would be tempted to skip too many scenes.
Overall if you like law and crime melodramas then this one is worth watching. If you like flawed powerful women leads then this drama delivers. If you want romance you will likely be disappointed. The student lawyer scenes definitely gave me "How to get away with Murder" vibes, and there are some Olivia Pope sensibilities in the way Soo Jae "handles" every situation. I at first expected a strong woman in a male-dominated field storyline but by the first episode, we see that things are far deeper and nastier. What or who would you sacrifice or compromise to secure and protect your own power? That's the main question. Soo Jae goes through so much in this drama with such composure that I couldn’t decide if that made her cool or tragic. Probably both. I laughed, cried, and cheered her on even when her methods were questionable. If you are a fan of Seo Hyun Jin this is worth watching for her performance, but I wish the corruption plot wasn't needlessly complicated and the love story was stronger. I'm glad I watched although I understand why this drama kinda flew under the radar. If you adjust your expectations, embrace Tae Gook's snacking and drinking prowess, Soo Jae's resting b*@$# face, and Gong Chan's puppy dog eyes as they all play this game of mental chess, there's still a lot to keep you entertained. Oh Soo Jae's evolution and Choi Tae Gook's impending reckoning are the whys that make this drama worth watching and why I will still recommend this drama despite its flaws. Why her? A complicated and interesting female lead character... that's why.
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Perfect for your romcom sweet tooth, featuring eye candy!
When I first saw this drama I thought it would be a reversed version of "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho", which is one of my favorite old-school Kdramas. Although the plot of "My Roommate Is a Gumiho" is definitely different the main elements are similar. Like the former, this is also a fun Interspecies romcom about an extremely attractive Gumiho whose fox bead ends up inside of an unsuspecting college student who must move in with the Gumiho for the sake of the bead. The Gumiho lore in this drama is pretty interesting, but what I liked about this drama is that it never tried to be much more than a light and often silly romance... no major melodrama, no taking itself too seriously. Sure, it is definitely full of tropes, but I was entertained. Yes, the sweetness sometimes goes to type 2 Diabetes levels, and the storyline isn't always the most logical or original, but great characters kept me excited about watching each episode.I'll start with Jang Ki Yong who is perfect as the male lead Gumiho Shin Woo Yeo. Even when I don't necessarily like the drama he is in, I am usually impressed with his performance, but I feel like he comes into his own as a leading man in this drama. He can easily play mature so he is totally believable as someone centuries old. He is funny, charming, major eye candy, and has a mysterious sexiness that makes a very convincing Gumiho. I loved his cool, composed, soft-spoken, and unbothered style, with just a hint of danger to it, and would love to see him play a true villain one day. He is matched with Lee Hye Ri as Lee Dam who is the exact opposite. She is bubbly, immature, messy, drinks too much, eats EVERYTHING, shows ALL of her feelings on her face, and unapologetically says exactly what she feels. This character could have easily been annoying but her honesty made her relatable and funny and I also really liked that she was proactive instead of passive and didn't just wait to be saved or have everything solved for her. Together these two have great chemistry, although romantically they are more cute than sexy. I loved watching him subtly flirt with her, although I wished she would react less wide-eyed and innocent sometimes. I even appreciated that they could pull off the big age gap in the story while actually being close in age so it never felt too inappropriate. Still, if the story was just about them I could see it getting redundant after a while so the supporting characters were a huge part of what kept me watching.
Most of the supporting characters are great. Not only did they make me laugh, but I cared about many of them as much as the leads. I loved the Hermione-esque Soo Kyung and the adorably sensitive Jae Jin as Lee Dam's BFFs. They are definitely friendship goals and I was glad to see that supportive friend dynamic including a guy. I also couldn't resist developing a drama crush on Jae Jin and I was glad he turned into more of a lead character. Then there’s Kang Han Na who was such a great frenemy as Yang Hye Sun. I really expected to not like her character that much, but she became one of my favorite characters in the whole drama. Lee Dam's brother Lee Dan was very funny too, and they hilariously seemed like real siblings, although he does have less screen time than the others he stood out too.
There is only one character that I did not like at all and that’s Bae In Hyuk as Sun Woo. To be such a major character in a comedy I found him to be extremely boring and uninteresting. It didn’t help that they kept presenting him as a super attractive playboy, which was not convincing. To be fair, it’s hard to be compared to Jang Ki Yong’s level of eye candy, but I would have appreciated a personality that matched the rest of the cast or at least had way less screen time. The love triangle is a major part of the story, and I did like that concept behind it, but he gave me less 2nd lead who you can sympathize with feels and gave more entitled stalker you may need a restraining order for vibes. Other characters that could have had less screen time were some of the bigger cameos. Jung So Min’s and Go Kyung Pyo’s characters both felt like their guest roles were much smaller than their talent, and their scenes added more confusion than mystery to the story, seemingly to fill in time. The whole mystery/thriller element of this story felt like a waste of time so it's definitely skippable.
Would I watch this again? Probably. There are enough cute and humorous moments that would be entertaining to watch again, and I liked the drama’s theme of figuring out what makes us human and what makes life worth living. I think I may still be tempted to skip a lot of scenes, but I'd be just as tempted to rewind a few others. I would definitely have to be in the mood to binge watch wrist grabs, falling into people’s arms, strategic glamour lighting, stalking, stares, and so many other kdrama romance clichés… but sometimes that’s exactly what I am in the mood for.
Overall this is the kind of drama you enjoy for what it is. I didn’t shed any tears. There were no mind blowing plot twists. The story is pretty standard, a little predictable, and isn’t too deep, but it does explore empathy in a way that made me think without feeling preached to. The ending is ridiculous but satisfying. If you know nothing about the webtoon it’s based on, like me, I would think of it as a classic style kdrama that is "basic" but in the best way possible… plus eye candy! Delicious eye candy! I don’t think I can mention enough how "risk it all" attractive Ki Yong is in this. That still wasn’t enough to make this drama a new favorite of mine, but I do recommend it to all who have a romcom sweet tooth.
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This show is not your standard romcom formula... the kind where most of the focus is placed on 2 characters, and the rest of the cast revolves around them. The center of the show is Soo Kyung, a bitter divorced woman living alone in an apartment complex, but it's also about all of the characters in her life... her coworkers, her bff, and most importantly her neighbors and her adorable dog. The story has a true ensemble feeling, where I actually cared about what was going on with all of the characters. The more I got to know them, the more I loved the show. There are no weak links, including the kids, and yes, even the dog (one of the show's best characters imo). So, why no perfect acting score? Well, because there are a couple of incidental characters that were too bad to ignore, and some really corny moments where the actors have to play up the comedy a bit too much for my liking.
This drama may be Soo Kyung's world, but she is certainly not my favorite of the bunch. She was even sometimes a bit annoying. Yoon Doo Joon as Dae Yeong is what drives the show. He's such an interesting character, and his weirdness, charm, and food rants made it easy for him to steal any scene he is in. Another scene stealer worth mentioning is Lee Do Yeon as Attorney Oh. It really bothers me that her looks are the constant punchline, but I think she took a role that could have been really superficial, and painful to watch, and made her truly funny. She's the quintessential character actress, and although I've seen her in bit parts before, in this show she shines. There's also super cute Yoon So Hee, who I think is worth mentioning. Even her sickeningly cute character has enough depth to make her much more than the stereotype suggests. Unfortunately all of the depth went into the characters, and none went into the plot.
The general story is... cute... and was engaging enough to hold my interest. 3 single neighbors becoming good friends is the basic premise, while loneliness and isolation being major themes. There's a little bit of romantic drama, and the obligatory love triangle, but don't expect too much focus on romantic moments. There is also a random murder mystery inserted, which I don't think worked. It gave the characters something to do, but it's hard to take a scary murder plot seriously in a show this silly. All that to say, if you're looking for an intriguing plot, this show doesn't have much to offer.
Then of course, as the title suggests, in each episode the characters have to find a reason to eat an obnoxious meal. I felt gluttonous just watching. I'm talking extreme close ups, and at least 5 whole minutes of lip-smacking, slo-mo chewing, and watching them eat food like they might actually reach an orgasm mid bite. This is the part that made me avoid this show for so long, but it ended up being one of the parts I anticipated the most in each episode. There was just something fascinating about watching food being enjoyed this much. I also felt a little like a food tourist, since not every dish was familiar. I even liked watching them eat foods that I hate, and I wasn't disgusted. Yes, sometimes I had to press pause to raid my fridge while watching, but it was less about making me hungry, and more about being inspired to appreciate food this much. I think it also makes you appreciate the company you keep when eating food.
Would I watch this show again? Maybe. I can see the appeal of revisiting these characters, but I should also confess that I've already started watching Let's Eat 2. You can say that I was hungry for more *groan* Sorry, I could not resist.
Overall, This show was easy to binge watch, and what it lacked in plot, it made up for in unique characters, laughs, and foodie moments. I'd say it's definitely worth giving it a chance, and I say that as a person who generally hates food centered shows. There's also some hidden depth underneath all of the silliness, which I appreciated, with a nice resolution at the end that got me a little bit in the feels.
I may be late to the table, but I'm glad I finally decided to watch. Sometimes it's good to try something new, that you may not think will suit your taste. It may not be joining my list of favorites, but it turns out that this show was exactly what I was craving.
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So Basic ( Romance KDrama 101)
If you love rom-coms with cute couples with cute chemistry and need a filler drama to watch I recommend "King the Land". This drama is every KDrama cliché ever in cute repackaging. Do you like reluctant Cinderellas and brooding Chaebols? Check. Do you like families fighting for succession, meddling parents, childhood trauma, ridiculous misunderstandings, damsels in distress, and plenty of product placement? Check! Do you swoon over a "trip and dip", or the umbrella savior swooping in, do you cheer for mild stalking, makeovers, being forced to stay overnight in a remote town/island, men cooking enthusiastically, and other assorted food porn, bonding while drunk, or lots of lingering stares? Big checks for all of the above. Don't worry about these being spoilers either, the story is so standard it can't really be spoiled.Whatever you think is going to happen is going to happen.
I admit I was on board for all of the above and then some. I would definitely classify this as a fan service drama for that reason. I was entertained consistently until things started turning more and more into a Tourism Ad and the obvious product placement became too overwhelming. It all leads to a decent ending, with some satisfying character conclusions, but if you told me this entire script was written by ChatGPT compiling successful romantic KDramas of the past I would believe you!
"King the Land" is not original. It's as basic as basic gets, but not bland. That may be the appeal for a lot of viewers. It felt kind of relaxing guessing exactly what was going to happen next. I thought the main couple was cute without being too cheesy. Im Yoon Ah is great as the confidently quirky and optimistic Cheon Sa Rang. She balances out the moody charm of Lee Jun Ho as Gu Won. I've definitely liked Jun Ho in other dramas and he owns the leading man role swag in this. The rest of the supporting cast of BBFs , Co-Workers, and Ahn Se Ha as No Sang Sik are great too. My only character complaint is that the sister role was so one-note it made her character less interesting in spite of her performance.
Would I watch this again? Maybe, once it slips my mind, and it will slip my mind. I do feel like this drama loses its momentum about halfway through, which makes committing to rewatching this harder, but the cuteness and well-executed tropes may be enough to convince me to rewatch. Sometimes junk food dramas are exactly what I crave. It's escapism that you can rely on. This drama is very self-aware of its cuteness and tropes and attractive leads and milks it.
This is a Cozy drama for sure! It's also a love letter to the service industry. What it's not is plot twists and clever dialogue. It's also lighter on the drama that I'm used to for a hotel-centered drama, so It doesn't even stand out in that genre, but once I watched episode 1 I knew what to expect and knew I was committed because it was exactly what I was in the mood for. This is the kind of drama you can leave playing in the background and just catch all the smile-worthy moments whether that is couples flirting or friendship and comradery. I loved watching the characters rely on each other and have each other's back even if the actual situations weren't always funny or interesting, and If you skipped from ep 10 to ep 16 you probably wouldn't miss much.
Overall, "King the Land" gives me an old-school KDrama rom-com feel without feeling dated. I wish it were shorter because their cuteness couldn't always carry the boring and repetitive plot. Maybe enjoying this drama is an exercise in appreciating the simple things once in a while. A drama doesn't have to be a 5-star masterpiece to be enjoyable. Sometimes a few Squid Game references are enough to amuse you. The one real mystery in the plot is resolved in the most anticlimactic way, however, even this simple plot generated a genuine smile from me many times, a major theme in this drama (that I liked a lot). So "Hermès" to that!
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Um Milhão de Estrelas Caindo do Céu
3 pessoas acharam esta resenha útil
The one thing this drama definitely has going for it is that it is a memorable story full of shocking elements that aren't afraid to get very dark and twisted. The problem I had is that the melodrama is super sensationalized and completely unrealistic, so I had no emotional connection to any of it. It also ambitiously packs a lot of plot into 11 episodes, so the story felt rushed to me. I guess that's good if you want a quick binge-able story, but I felt like I was impatiently waiting for the next plot twist instead of caring about what was happening, or about any of the characters. So even though this drama felt rushed there were also a lot of moments where the story seemed to drag and felt slow paced. I felt myself getting easily distracted during some episodes too... especially when Yuko was rambling on about love and birds.
Usually, interesting characters are enough for me to forgive a rushed story, but I thought the characters were even more disappointing than the story. The 2 male lead are the only actors who I thought were good. Kimura Takuya is great as Ryo, who I would call an apathetic gigolo. I expected his character to be much more intense, but I found him to be mostly cool and indifferent. I also find it hilarious that both he and Seo In Geuk are Scorpio men... of course, they'd have to be to play a role this mysteriously charming. Akashiya Sanma is also good as Dojima Kanzo, who's character I didn't really like or sympathize much with (he was just too smarmy for my taste), but he played him really well. I like his take on the classic sarcastic and taunting detective role, and he and Takuya played well off of each other.
Unfortunately, I thought all of the female characters were pretty awful. Every significant female role seemed irrationally emotional, super immature, extremely needy, jealous and possessive, and one insult away from a situation worthy of the TV show "Snapped". Not even the older officer came across as mature or rational. This is disappointing since women are such a big part of this story, and I would have liked it much more if they were written better, especially by a female writer (c'mon Kitagawa Eriko, are all women this man crazy in your world?!!). Many of the characters, in general, were not very likable, or relatable, which is interesting in some ways but made it harder for me to empathize with any of them. Fukatsu Eri as Yuko was the biggest disappointment because of how annoying I found her to be, and how little sense her actions made to me. I also didn't feel much chemistry between Yuko & Ryo, contrary to what other reviewers have said, so the ending had much less of an impact on me.
Would I watch this again? Probably not, but it's so short, and the story is so out there, that it may be worth a second viewing at some point. It was mostly my curiosity after watching the remake that made me want to watch this version in the first place. Now that I know the differences and similarities I'm not sure if I would be interested enough to want to watch all 11 episodes again. I also didn't feel hooked on the story the way I expected to be, so watching Ryo's random hookups, the even more random violence, and the detective chain smoking through every scene probably wouldn't be much of an incentive.
Although the music in this drama is pretty sparse, I did like the use of the song "Smile", especially at the very end. However, The ending did feel much longer than it needed to be, and wanting an already short drama to end sooner is not a good thing.
Overall, I know that as much as I loved the remake, this version is the foundation for a lot of what made that drama great, yet I still wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. Maybe I would have felt differently about it if I saw this version first, but I have no doubt that I still would have preferred the remake. So if you're like me, and just finished wiping your tears over watching Moo Young & Jin Kang, and ended up here for the original story of Ryo & Yuko, my advice is to adjust your expectations for a retro melodrama that is heavy on the shock value vs a thriller with a more romantic focus. I didn't walk away feeling any deep emotions or having a life-altering perspective on life and love, but I'm glad I got to see for myself what inspired this classic drama to be chosen for a remake in the first place.
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Esta resenha pode conter spoilers
I'm not even sure where to start with this drama! This is my first time watching a K-Drama that is strictly a mystery/thriller, a genre I am generally a fan of (no comedy, no romance, no box of tissues necessary). I had no idea what to expect, but it definitely turned out to be a weird one. The town of Achiara is chock full of crazy, and dysfunction, which was entertaining to watch, but also completely ridiculous, and kinda confusing. It's very hard not to reveal any spoilers but highlights include family secrets, crazy town folk, sickness, perverts, murder, corruption, betrayal, messages from beyond the grave, the worst moms ever, lots of plot twists, and lots of slapping.The story's main character, Han So Yoon, is equal parts clever hero, and gullible idiot. We learn about the town through her "canadian" outsider eyes, and her inability to mind her business where her sister is concerned. Moon Geun Young does a good job, but her character also often made me want to reach through the screen and shake her. The rest of the actors were fun to watch, but the acting was very over the top, and hard to take seriously at all, so I have to give the acting a 7. Shin Eun Gyeong's hysterics as Yoon Ji Sook were more funny than heartbreaking. Yook Sung Jae is super adorbs as the rookie officer. Jang Hee Jin gives a lot of great attitude faces as Kim Hye Jin. Choi Jae Woong's role was... interesting. I can go on and on for way too long about all the characters in Achiara, but my two favorites were the rebellious Seo Yoo Na, and the duplicitous Kang Jo Hee.
I also gave the story a 7, because even though I was hooked by the first episode, the crazy story line was hard to follow, and even harder to believe. In the beginning the revelations seemed redundant, but towards the end the twists just kept coming. I will also admit that, due to cultural differences, many things that the townsfolk were scandalized by didn't seem like such a big deal, so the reactions always seemed super melodramatic. As for the ending, it does a good enough job of pulling all the chaos together, and I was not disappointed. I was still confused about a lot of things though, so that would be my only reason to re-watch any part of this drama. There are also quite a few plot holes, so maybe re-watching it won't help.
Overall, I can't recommend this drama unless you are really in the mood for a story crazy enough to make you keep watching. Not knowing what's going to happen next is it's greatest appeal, which makes it easily marathon-able. However, if you think the first episode is way too overdramatic, don't bother continuing, because the show is just getting warmed up.
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Park Min Young and Park Seo Joon are a romantic dream team! Their chemistry, their comedic banter, and emotional moments are flawless. A narcissist male lead is nothing new, but Yeong Joon takes this trope to a whole new level. He is unapologetically egotistical, but early on we start to see that he may be much more considerate than he appears. Secretary Kim Mi So is his perfect work match, but it soon becomes clear that they compliment each other in other ways as well. I never got tired of watching these two together. It doesn't hurt that they look amazing together (with an amazing wardrobe too). Whether their scenes were ridiculously comedic, tragically melodramatic, or beautifully romantic, I loved every moment of watching them together. Their characters were so well played that even their smallest comedic nuances were on point. I also want to give a shout out to Kim Mi So's epic ponytail! I swear it was it's own character. Another shout out to Yeong Joon's house, which is my dream home from Secret Garden (my all time favorite drama, which probably explains why I like this one so much)
The rest of the cast is just as good, and well played. Sure, many of them are comedic, even silly, but every single character is strong on their own, even if they are just for comic relief. I am not always a fan of Korean humor, and sometimes it can be a little to corny for me. In this drama, some of the silliest characters that I thought were annoying initially, became some of my favorites. This is especially true of the work staff, who were such a great ensemble. The mvp being Hwang Bo Ra, who I thought I would hate, but often made me unexpectedly laugh the most. I even liked the cheesy graphics and sound effects. The only character I could think of with any weak acting moments was Lee Tae Hwan as Yeong Joon's brother. Since he had one of the most melodramatic parts in a cast full of comedic ones, I'll give him some extra credit for that.
At some point in the middle there is a major departure from comedy that goes into melodrama, and even the thriller genre a little bit. The reason why I think this worked was because it all helps to better understand the characters. They also were even able to still find some humor related to that storyline, so that it didn't seem completely out of place to me. It's hard to say too much about the story without giving it away.
It was very surprising to me just how much I liked the story. I definitely started out not wanting to see these two together, which I think is the vibe the show purposely gives you. The rest of the show reveals that there's so much more to the story than what it seemed like initially. Some of the story is admittedly unrealistic, and super "convenient", but I can't think of a single hole or flaw. Even the supporting characters had stories that I loved, and there were a few random early moments that I forgot about, but when reintroduced they made perfect sense. Maybe it helped that they had something to adapt from, because even though the plot had some very cheesy moments, the storytelling remained impressive.
I can only give the soundtrack a 9 because none of the songs were amazing to me, but the music in the episodes, especially during the comedic moments, always complimented the scenes perfectly. Also, minor spoiler, Park Seo Joon does sing, which is hard to be mad at.
My rewatch score is a 10 because I'm already starting over from episode 1. What I already notice is that the show is even more entertaining knowing that there's more to certain scenes that I missed the first time. So nothing is lost by knowing what will happen, in fact, it makes the story a little better. I also wasn't ready to say goodbye to this cast yet.
Overall this is exactly what I love in a romcom drama... a romance I can root for, and episodes that entertain me from beginning to end. Kim Mi So and Yeong Joon are now among my favorite Kdrama couples. I loved both actors in dramas previously, but for me this is them both at their best. "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim?" is the most charming romance I've seen in a while. I think it's proof that a seemingly simple drama can make a strong impact.
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Perfect Score because it's Perfect for me.
"Vincenzo" is my ideal drama. It is suspenseful and ridiculous. It is a revenge thriller, a comedy, a romance, filled with action and touching moments, and some of the most literally mouth-open-shocking moments I've ever seen in a drama. It's actual LOLing and cheering moments. It's plot twists I could have never guessed. It's a cast full of characters I can never forget. I didn't even hesitate to give this all 10s. From beginning to the end Vincenzo did not disappoint and even exceeded all of my expectations. I was hooked from the start.The cast is amazing, but Song Joong Ki as Vincezo is pretty iconic. He's so cool and nonchalant with his signature gold lighter that I totally bought into the Mafia consigliere plot from the very first scene... even with what is probably not the greatest Italian ever spoken (lol) I was sold. I love villains with depth and this drama is filled to the brim with them. Vincenzo, even with his mostly unbothered attitude, was such a nuanced character. Joong Ki with just a subtle facial expression would reveal so much. I loved this about him since "Sungkyunkwan Scandal". He is matched with Jeon Yeo Bin as Hong Cha Young, a lawyer of questionable morals, who I also instantly loved. She is strong and smart and completely goofy and can keep up with Vincenzo without crossing the moral line. Their chemistry is incredible, you can feel it through the way they just looked at each other, and although romance is never exactly the center of this drama the way their connection grows from beginning to the end makes it one of the things that made me love watching so much. They are a dream team - an ideal partnership. Think of any romance in this drama as growing love and respect more than cute moments, although there are a few replay-worthy classic romance scenes. Rounding out the leads is Ok Taec Yeon who is also brilliant and I was surprised I loved him so much in this. Is this a love triangle situation? In many ways yes, but definitely not in the way you probably expect. This is definitely a breakout role for him. Just the way he would call Ms. Hong "Sunbae" is an example of the subtle things that he did so well. All three of these characters have moments that are over the top ridiculous, super intense, as well as more intimate and emotional, and they each showed so much range. I was extremely impressed with all 3.
The rest of the cast is equally amazing. Again, many of these characters are super over the top but they still manage to add layers to make them feel care-worthy and relatable and not just characters to REALLY hate or comic filler. The villains are satisfyingly and even frighteningly evil. The heroes are unexpected and hilarious (think Kung Fu Hustle). I wish I could give every single character specific praise but that would lead to spoilers and the less you know when watching the better. This cast has absolutely no weak links. Not one.
That brings me to the writing and directing which I applaud for keeping me excited for every single episode. 20 episodes later, with each episode over an hour-long, I still wasn't ready for it to end. Normally I'm not that interested in business corruption plots but because it was so character-driven I couldn't help but care. There was a perfect balance of scenes that made me cry and laugh and gasp. The ending was also well done and so satisfying without making things too happy or too depressing. If you're looking for a realistic story just remember this is campy as much as it's suspenseful so some scenes are unbelievable in the most entertaining way. There are tropes but they are done so well it reminds me why those tropes work. The pace made every episode fly by. The cliffhangers at the end of each episode made the time until the next episode drag. I was anticipating how certain characters would get what they deserved and I loved how creative the revenge was. Those who get to just binge it all now are super lucky. Speaking of binging...
Would I watch this again? I already did. lol. Once I got super hooked I decided to rewatch older episodes during the week while waiting for the new ones. Yes, I was that obsessed. Yes, It was still good the second time, and some moments were even better when already knowing what was to come. I can see myself easily watching this multiple times.
I thought the soundtrack complemented this drama perfectly too. Whether pumping up the action sequences or the sweet and sentimental "Is this love" song or the music to end each cliffhanger or the monks' wedding song... I thought the music always worked so well with the story and was enjoyable but never too distracting.
My only complaint, and it's a minor one, are the ridiculous product placements. The show is so campy that it almost felt like a wink to the audience, but there really are so many obvious product spotlight moments. I say this even as I purposely made myself a cup of maxim coffee (yes the yellow packet) to watch the finale. Lol. I also had Makgeolli several times while watching. Con-grat-u-laaaaa-tions, they totally got me!
Overall, this is the most fun drama I've watched in a loooooong time. Please note that when I say fun I don't necessarily mean cute or light but rather exciting and thrilling. At its core, this is still very much a revenge thriller with lots of violence, action, and brutal deaths. If you're squeamish the violence is never too gratuitous but it isn't tame either. Also, If you like action and fight scenes there are lots. Even what looked like a nod to Bruce Lee that I appreciated.
Three strong themes that impacted me...
1. It takes a devil to take on a devil.
2. Things are rarely what they seem to be on the surface.
3. The importance of family.
The last part really got to me. I caught on pretty early that a show focused on a Mafia anti-hero would probably be about family but this theme, even in its silliest moments, really touched me. If you can handle rooting for a not-so-good guy, and the violence (which isn't too excessive but definitely the kind you should expect from a Mafia revenge story) this is a must-see drama. Without a doubt, "Vincenzo" is one of my new drama favorite dramas of all time. I think I even love corn salad after watching this! "Vicenzo" definitely lives up to the hype. I would be extra hyped if there were plans for a 2nd season, but even though I already miss it, and the ending certainly leaves room for one, that's probably overkill and I would also hate to ruin such a good thing. As it stands now this is a drama that ends on a high entertainment note and gets a standing ovation and multiple "Bravos" from me!
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The drama centers around Go Ho, played by Kwon Yoo Ri, who's work life and love life become one big mess when her mean boss has her moved to another team where her ex boyfriend will be her new boss. (AWKWARD!) I thought Yoo Ri was ok in the role, but Go Ho is supposedly a super aggressive and impulsive character, which I don't feel like she was able to pull off. She was likable enough to keep me interested, but not a standout leading lady. The character also analyzes everything with a star value system, which was cute at times, but honestly didn't add much to the plot.
To me, the real MVP of this drama is Kim Young Kwang's smile as the "mean" boss. Even though the mean boss is a kdrama romance staple, there's always the danger of coming across as too abusive and dysfunctional. That's not the case here, and I even feel like maybe his temper didn't seem bad enough to warrant his reputation. His chemistry with Yoo Ri is also the highlight of the show, and I think that is also thanks to his smile. There were enough cute moments to give me exactly what I was looking for in a rom com, although without much depth. My one petty complaint is that he was in desperate need of chapstick for the majority of the show.
The rest of the characters range from quirky and funny to just bland and average. Most characters are played to a stereotype, so don't look for much depth there either. There are also a lot of fun, and very random, cameos in this drama.
The story was least impressive part of this drama. It was predictable, simplistic, repetitive, and definitely cliché, but because the episodes are so short it was just enough to keep me interested, and keep me watching. I did think some of the subplots were unnecessary, like the rivalry with her weird brother, which I just didn't get. I also hated the random guy who harassed the female staff. The office drama was funny at times, but there was nothing really interesting about what they were doing. I wish they spent more time building up the ex boyfriend character, so that he would be a much stronger second lead. Instead he had no real chemistry with Go Ho, so it made his character pretty bland.
Overall I liked this drama, even if my rating may seem pretty low. I found it looking for a romcom similar to "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim", which I am currently watching, and I can see why this one was recommended. If you are in a very romcom mood, but don't have the time to commit to a major drama, I would definitely recommend this. Think of it like a drama snack, not a full meal.
I can't give it 5 stars, but even an imperfect drama can be the perfect one to watch sometimes.
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The story is kinda like a study guide in the style of "The Wizard of Oz". When testing pressures are too much for Dan Bi, she tries to run from them, and finds herself making a detour into the Joseon era. Her travel method is very cool, and immediately sets up the style of the show. From there the drama becomes an abbreviated sageuk, about a girl from the future and a royal from the past. This story has been done many times before, so It's up to the cast to make this version measure up, and the cast does a great job of that.
Kim Seul Gi has a spunky energy (similar to her role in "Oh my Ghostess"), which I love. I was impressed by her range of emotions, and I look forward to seeing more of her in the future. I'm not really familiar with Doo Joon (fangirls please don't kill me), but he was great too. Even in a drama this brief, they managed to deliver the chemistry romance fans love. Things may have seemed slightly rushed, but never too rushed to buy into it. I totally did.
I admit that much of the historical context went over my head. I was still able to still catch on to much of it, and it peaked my interest in learning the real history. I'll also admit to thinking that the historical versions of the characters were better looking than the modern ones.
Splash Splash LOVE is extremely cute, perhaps a little corny, and certainly predictable, but definitely entertaining.
Overall this drama seemed a little like and elaborate and well-devised plan to inspire young people to study. It is certainly aimed at a much younger audience, but I still enjoyed it. The writers were able to squeeze a great story into 2 episodes, so if you are looking for a drama to watch, but don't have the hours to commit (especially if that's because you know you should be studying), this is perfect.
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I guess it's a comedy because life can be funny even when it's not.
"Mr. Plankton" is a drama that makes it clear from the opening scene what exactly you are in for. Yes, a lot of the characters are comedic even though their situations are dark, but if you're a person who appreciates a good trigger alert know that abandonment issues, terminal illness, fertility issues, and hospice are major themes in this story. This story is also full of horrible circumstances, bad luck, and lingering hurt, so this isn't the kind of drama you watch for fun escapism. A lot of the dark comedy in this story is about how these characters interact with each other when their lives are at their lowest. The comedy is never so silly that it takes away from the impact of the drama. I was very invested in Hae Jo's journey with Jae Mi, no matter what odd turns the plot would take.Woo Do Hwan is amazing to watch, and his charm shines through even when his character is super toxic. Hae Jo as a character managed to make me laugh at his worst behavior, and empathize with him when he was at his most vulnerable. Hae Jo's impulsive behavior made the story feel a little more unpredictable even with so many standard tropes. He is matched with Lee You Mi, whose epic role in Squid Game reminded me more of Hae Jo, but as Jae Mi she leans more into a more optimistic and upbeat character which was nice to see. They had great chemistry even when my rational brain couldn't root for their codependency, the natural fun they exuded together was palpable.
I liked the rest of the cast but Oh Jung Se as Eo Heung was the stand-out among them. I loved him so much as Sang Tae in "It's Okay to Not Be Okay", and he brought a lot of those same elements to this role even though he is an entirely different character. Kim Hae Sook playing his mom was also great to see since she is one of my all-time favorite KDrama actresses. I also really enjoyed Jo Han Chul's guest role.
For people who hate love triangles, yes this one is a big part of the plot, but because the story is more about character development than just romance it may not be as upsetting to watch, and is often played up for laughs much more than for drama.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. It is a short drama, and I did enjoy the characters, but for me, a lot of the themes were a little too intense to want to rewatch. There were also points in the story that felt like filler and a few characters that got a lot of screen time that I thought could have been better with less like Oh Dae Hwan as the gangsta set on revenge and the odd mysterious bodyguard John (?). I wish instead more time was spent on the stories and perspectives of the main characters, and less on cheesy fights and slapstick humor, but I guess that would make the whole drama more dark than they wanted it to be.
Plus, some of the repeated songs did start to drive me a little crazy, and not in a good way.
As a new Woo Do Hwan fan, maybe just watching him is enough to justify a rewatch. Yes, He's THAT good.
I was unsure about how I felt about this drama once it was over, but I found it tragically sad but also inspiring. I loved the theme of following your path as you go and appreciating what you have instead of harping on what you don't have or can't do. Yes, I expected to be heartbroken at the end but instead, I felt unsettled which I think is better and a more realistic ending feeling. We don't necessarily know the fate of all of the characters but we know how they faced their issues about family, discovering where they belong, and how this odd character of Hae Jo impacted their lives.
Overall, I feel like this is a good drama to watch if you are ok with inevitable tears. This is not a drama that attempts to solve the meaning of life but honors the journey for all its happiness and misery and unmet expectations and imperfections. It's also beautifully directed, and the episodes flow seamlessly into each other for great binging.
I got to visit a Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico so the imagery of plankton shining was a vivid one for me. I love the idea of glowing plankton as witnessing unexpected beauty and purpose in small seemingly insignificant things and stars as the glow of what has long been gone. Hae Jo's perspective is an interesting one to follow as it changes and evolves, but his Plankton perspective was especially touching, and his observations never felt heavy-handed or sappy which made its emotional impact stronger on me.
It's not a perfect drama, and there are plenty of clichés throughout, but the main characters in "Mr. Plakton" are what made me a fan. I also appreciated a sobering look at how life may not always be fair but there's still space for laughter, love, joy, hope, and redemption until your very last moment.
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RomCom Sample Pack!
This was a hard drama for me to get into and pretty easy for me to start losing interest in, but if you like romance dramas with plenty of couples to ship this may be the perfect drama for you. "Sh**ting Stars" is about the drama industry behind the scenes, and as a non-Korean, a lot of the drama behind entertainment scandals seems either ridiculously exaggerated or boring. If you are invested at all in Hallyu Star life then you may like the premise more than I did. The idea of keeping up a pristine image for Actors who aren't doing more than dating bores me pretty quickly. Still, I liked and could empathize a lot with Lee Sung Kyung as the overworked and always-on-call-to-help Oh Han Byul. However, It took 3 tries to finally give this drama a chance.It was the frenemies banter between the two leads that kept me watching when I was ready to drop this drama. Kim Young Dae as the arrogant and childish Gong Tae Sung was fun to watch. His character is pretty basic and some of his storylines, like volunteering in "Africa" to be a mentor, are super cheesy, and one-dimensional. Eventually, the romance plot takes center stage and that's when I started looking forward to episodes. The leads have cute although often immature chemistry. Many of their scenes are also played up for laughs, at times extra silly and childish on purpose. The entire cast has a sense of silliness about them. I could also appreciate that if you don't ship the main couple there are quite a few other side couples to ship. For me, the couples ranged from slightly cringy and forced to satisfyingly sweet. It helps that the majority of the characters are likable. I definitely grew to like many of the characters over time, and the way they all overlap made for a strong ensemble.
I only lost some interest because of how repetitive the plot became.
There are also emotional storylines that although they logically tie the stories together just never made me feel anything. It normally doesn't take much for me to cry but I stayed dry-eyed throughout. I think it just took too long to reveal these parts of the story and then they were rushed through so I didn't have time to care. The idea that attractive people are recruited into acting without having any acting ability also seemed super offputting. Like that casting process, this is not a drama with much depth or substance. Soon we were back to secret crushes, and secret couples being the main focus, which I preferred.
Would I watch this again? Probably not. Even with all the cute moments, I'm not sure there are enough to hold my attention for a full second viewing. This drama could have easily been shorter too. I did like the cast enough to keep watching but none of the characters stood out as favorites that I would want to watch again. The last episode gave me more than enough closure.
I will also admit that a lot of the obvious drama cameos and drama references went over my head because they were dramas I haven't watched. In a similar vein, I did think the self-aware product placements were funny.
Overall, if you're in the mood for a light romcom with many ships, this one is imperfect but good enough. If you get nauseated in a room full of couples then this might give you a more annoyed feeling which I can understand too. This drama is great if you're in the mood for a romcom and can't decide on what kind you're in the mood for. It's a little like a romcom sample pack. You can tell the cast enjoyed themselves and working together and that's what shines through in "Sh**ting Stars" the most.
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Ambition and Entitlement are a helluva drug!
This was my third time trying to watch SKY Castle. Twice before I dropped it during the first episode. I just don't find dramas about blind ambition and shallow social circles that interesting without a compelling story, so I didn't understand the high ratings. After finally giving this drama a real chance, and making it to the end of episode 1, I realized that this story builds pretty slowly, and getting to know the families and their dynamics becomes important in caring about what happens later on. If you were raised in an environment where getting amazing grades in school was prioritized over everything else then this drama and its message may resonate with you more. I would almost call this a lite melodrama, because of its comedic and silly scenes, but It's the mystery part of the story that actually kept me watching. If you weren't raised with that pressure (like me), the attention put on grades and college may seem super exaggerated and hard to take seriously, but it was the dynamic between parents and their kids that affected me the most in SKY Castle. It's taken to the extreme for sure but was easy to empathize with. The cast is also great, even if the majority of the characters often aren't likable. Some characters are ridiculously over the top too, but it all works with the satirical style of the drama.This is very much an ensemble drama too. Most of the story focuses on Yeom Jung Ah as fierce "Tiger mom" Seo Jin, but each main family in SKY Castle has its own interrelated stories and some really great performances. However, the standout for me is Kim Seo Hyung. I wish I could go more into why without spoilers but I'd rather you learn by watching. The mystery of her character is the glue that holds all the pieces together and she made a strong impression on me while doing it. Also, don't let these slightly campy characters fool you, there are some super emotional moments that I didn't expect that lead to real tears quite a few times.
Would I watch this again? Probably not, but not because it's a bad drama. Not knowing what to expect is what kept me intrigued and there were a lot of unexpected twists from the first episode, despite its slower pace at times, and I just don't think I would have that same excitement watching it again and knowing what to expect. It's also a pretty sad drama, even with its more comedic and catty moments, so it's not a "fun" rewatch either. I do think knowing the characters better would make the earlier episodes seem less boring, especially the first celebratory dinner scene, but I couldn't rewatch it all. I can maybe see fans of any of the actors wanting to watch this again, or people who relate more to the high achiever plot and find this cathartic rewatching. I would be much more interested in a sequel instead, although I can't imagine where the story would go from here. I felt this drama did a good job of bringing closure to all the characters even with the provocative ending.
Overall, I see why this drama was so popular. It really is well-written and never gets too melodramatic to make a real emotional impact. It's more than a look into the secret lives of the rich and entitled, which is what I expected (and why I kept dropping it), and is more about examining and challenging the pressures put on young people to succeed. I'm sure watching it from a Korean point of view is different from my American perspective, but once I was drawn into that high-pressure world of SKY Castle, I empathized more than I ever thought I could. If you're bored by the beginning like I was, just know that the pace picks up, and the story gets addictive. The world of SKY Castle is realistically unreal. I don't think it's perfect, nor would I add it to my favorites list, but like one of the major themes in this drama, it doesn't need to have perfect grades to be appreciated.
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The perfect interlude drama that's far from perfect
To be honest, I am watching 2 on-air Monday dramas and 2 on-air weekend dramas and the wait in the middle of the week was getting to me. Since I am watching so many dramas (yes, that's a lot for me at once) I didn't want to invest in another drama that would have a deep story or serious content. I wanted a fast food drama. I wanted something I could binge quickly and not invest too much in a whole new set of characters. "Ga Doo Ri’s Sushi Restaurant" was exactly what I ordered. It's a cute n' quick drama filled with tropes and assorted silliness. Yes, there are a lot of flaws and not much substance, but it can fill a void if you're in a classic rom-com mood. I know 5 is a low rating, but I'm glad I watched.Lee Joo Bin plays Ga Doo Ri, owner of a trendy small restaurant, and she reads tarot cards on the side. Her character is the cliché prettiest girl in every room character but she's clueless about how that makes others feel and is just her weird quirky self. As the main character, she should have been a lot more interesting but she does have a few cute moments that made me laugh. She's matched with Hyuk as Cha Woo Bin, her new next-door neighbor. I know many of his fans will just love watching him smile and switch up styles but don't expect a groundbreaking performance. Together, their chemistry is cute enough to make this drama entertaining but it's overwhelmingly awkward, and often cringy. The good thing about this drama being so short is that the cringy parts don't last too long and the story doesn't waste time moving forward. There is also a hilarious 3rd wheel, Jung Jae Oh as secretary Mo Tae Kyung. He's completely over the top but kept me laughing at his ridiculousness. If you don't like silliness you will probably quickly become annoyed by his character, but I was in the mood for silly.
Would I watch this again? Probably not. I can't think of a single moment that I would want to rewatch. The story is not one where I felt attached to the characters or connected with the plot. Not all fast food leftovers are good reheated.
So obviously I wouldn't recommend this drama, right? Wrong! If you enjoy romcoms and can adjust your expectations, this could be the perfect drama to quickly binge and move on. Misunderstandings, Betrayal, Fate, and Food Porn. You get a taste of each without anything being too heavy or needing sleepless nights to complete. If you want an original story, memorable characters, and hot chemistry, this is definitely NOT that drama. If you want to watch something mid-week so that the time for weekend dramas "comes sooner" then this drama is the perfect distraction... for RomComs fans who have tropes as guilty pleasures. If there are any more dramas like this one please recommend them to me. Are interlude dramas a genre? If not, it should be. They'd be the perfect fix for my on-air drama-watching-and-waiting woes. I know this one was.
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Yumi is frustrating and flawed and so relatable thanks to some truly adorable cells!
I really loved this drama. I didn't know what to expect when I started it but it was fun and smart and frustrating and so relatable. On the surface, it's a pretty mundane love story with the usual romance tropes and misunderstandings, but it's the cells and their antics that reveal all the inner turmoil that was so easy to identify with. Even when Yumi drove me super crazy seeing her cells made me understand her and reflect on times when I was just as sensitive and irrational. Plus the cells are so super cute!!! I was almost tempted to give this drama perfect scores because of my cell bias, but the main thing that stopped me from doing that was Yumi herself.Kim Go Eun plays Yumi. I actually found her performance overall to be a little dull, but that worked pretty perfectly with the premise. Her lowkey performance is a great juxtaposition to the chaos of the cells in her head. This is my third attempt at a drama with Go Eun as the female lead, and she's always bland to me. I didn't like her in Cheese in a Trap, and I still haven't been able to watch Goblin (Yes, THAT Goblin... the one that everyone loves so much). This time, with the help of the talented voice actors who play her "cells", I finally could enjoy her in a lead role. I was still annoyed by Yumi for most of the drama, but I was also empathetic. Yumi is an insecure romantic, in love with the idea of love, but still scarred from a traumatic breakup. She is matched in this drama with Ahn Bo Hyun as Ku Woong. Woong doesn't make the greatest impression on her at first but soon I was sucked into all the ups and downs of their unexpected relationship. Would they have been an exciting couple to watch without the cells, probably not, but with the cells input, commentary, and actions I was hyped to watch every single episode. Don't get me wrong. I loved Woong, and Bo Hyun's performance, I just think two laid back leads only work well in this kind of scenario. I was also more #teamWoong than I was rooting for Yumi, and I appreciated getting insight into his character too.
The supporting live action cast were all great, although many of them are pretty one note (like the hilariously annoying Ruby, and infuriating Sae Yi), but the real MVPs of the cast are the voice actors. I have my favorites... (Shout out to "Naughty"!!! I loved "Hunger" too!) but they are all the true stars of this drama, with some even taking on multiple cell roles. I don't know the webtoon at all, or how true to that the original cells this drama is, but getting to see and hear them made them seem all so real and made me imagine my own internal cell village. Yes, they are adorable but they show how messy, and contradictory, and imperfect people are, even with the best intentions. I know it's not exactly the most original concept, but the execution is unique, and it really is brilliantly done.
Would I watch this again? Definitely. Just to see the cells? Absolutely. Of course I am happier that there will be a season 2 with new episodes. Still, the concept is clever enough to keep me entertained watching the same episodes again, even if the overall plot is basic, and the lead wasn't always likeable. Being able to comiserate with her is much more important than liking her.
The soundtrack is great too. It's been a while since I wanted to download a song from a drama and "If I could read your mind" was as addictive as this drama. I loved how the soundtrack complimented the cuteness of the cell world without being too cheesy or childish. I love when constantly repeated songs make me excited and not annoyed while watching.
Overall, don't let the cartoon characters fool you. This isn't a Korean "Inside Out". This is a grown up drama about how crazy love can feel on the inside. It's cute, it's sad, it's infuriating, It's hilarious. I would definitely still consider this a light hearted drama, with nothing in the story that's too heavy, although some of the most entertaining parts may have you reflecting deeply. I never cried, but I laughed and cringed a lot. It's not a typical RomCom, so some people may be disappointed by the milder chemistry between the leads, but with the cells taking the lead I didn't miss any chemistry, and they definitely felt like a very realistic couple. I was more rooting for Yumi's growth than chemistry. I also prefer the awkward and realistic relationship plot vs the idealistic love story plot that's the romcom norm. I'm curious about the webtoon but I'm also too afraid to spoil season 2 to check it out just yet. I highly recommend Yumi's Cells as perfect to binge, especially since these are really bite sized episodes within episodes that keep the drama moving at a great pace. I'm really looking forward to seeing this same cast again (yes, even Go Eun, and especially Woong.) a rare k drama treat... while hopefully dodging spoilers from the webtoon and it's fans. I can just imagine my inner cells grabbing popcorn and planning a watch huge party in anticipation of season 2!
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