There are two HUGE reasons why this drama stood out so much in my mind:
1. The script - I don't mean the storyline, but rather the things that they say and the meaning behind WHAT they say. Personally, I jot down quotes of lines I like while I watch my dramas and I am 100% sure that "In Time with You" will be holding the record of Most-"Memorable Quotes" for a very, VERY long time.
2. The character setup (I'm not sure what it's actually supposed to be called, or if there is even a name for it.) - Out of all the dramas I've seen (not that I can be a fair judge of them all because I have not watched all the dramas in the world), not once do I ever remember seeing the lead-male act almost like the second-lead-male. Partway through, I started to really doubt whether Chen Bo Lin/Li Da Ren really WAS the lead-male, or if he was just some sort of secondary character. In all the other dramas that I've watched/can think of, the lead-female always ends up with the lead-male, and we (I) pretty much expect it to happen. But if she ends up with the second-lead-male instead, then it's almost considered a "sad ending".
So in my opinion, kudos to the actors and actresses for making the second-lead-male stand out so much that I just didn't know HOW it was going to end until it finally ended.
First off, the storyline. I would have to describe it as an in-depth look at a (seemingly) classic situation. Friends-turned-lovers, nothing special, right? But somehow, I felt that the way their whole relationship was portrayed was just simply...perfect.
While some might say that their "just friends" relationship dragged on for far too long, I actually felt that they were "practically lovers" to begin with. They had their “break-up” and “get-together” moments too, even if they were “just friends”. Seeing so much of their "friendship" for so long, I also feel like I got a taste of what it felt like to be Cheng You Qing - I'd always expect Li Da Ren to be there for her no matter what, being the "best friend" that he is.
So for me, even though I was hoping for change while watching from a third-person point of view (the way their friends and family members felt), their friendship was so solid that even I was convinced that there really WAS the possibility that nothing would ever change (the way Cheng You Qing and Li Da Ren felt).
In addition to their own 'big issue', there was just enough everyone-else-drama so that the whole drama wasn't "just about them", but also about work, family, etc.
As for the Acting/Cast - I was actually really REALLY impressed. For starters, the cast included newbie actors/actresses to play the roles of Ding Li Wei and Maggie, which were pretty big roles. Despite it being their first drama, their characters were portrayed very solidly and never once did I think "oh, they're just acting." I never got the impression that this was just another one of those “fake, jokester dramas”. Nope, this one was serious- serious all the way. Nothing, their words nor actions, were out of character, and I probably would've believed you if you'd told me that they've actually been acting for years. I think credit also goes to the director - from watching the "behind the scenes", I feel like he played a big part in getting their characters to come out as well.
There is one actress in particular that I must praise as well, and that is Ariel Lin. I must confess that I was never a real fan of Ariel Lin. Watching her in ISWAK, Love Contract, and Tokyo Juliet, I continuously got the impression that her characters were all the same - just simply, dumb when in love. While I'm sure it's not her fault because that's just how the script was written, I had always been under the impression that she was simply just suited for "childish roles", and I told myself that I wouldn't be too surprised if she turned out to be a childish character in this drama as well. Sure, she had her cool and composed "I don't need love" moments in Love Contract, and her serious work-focused moments in Tokyo Juliet, but once she 'fell for the guy', all of that was kicked aside and tossed down the drain, and all the serious-attitude that she’d worked to build up before was just…gone. She'd just be in silly “lovey-dovey mode” for the rest of the drama. Up until I watched "In Time with You", that was my impression of Ariel Lin. (I don't mean to offend any Ariel Lin fans or anyone who is a fan of those dramas.) I was just so shocked, impressed, and GLAD all at the same time that I finally got to see her play a "mature" role. I loved being able to watch her act as an ALWAYS-work-focused, consistently hard-working, "I'll take on work and play all at the same time" kind of character. I'm glad that I got to see this "different side" of her - a mature side that was able to control her feelings all the time, regardless of whether she was with her boyfriend or not (minus the few zone-out moments she occasionally had, but come now, we all have SOME moments). Despite her previous dramas, she wasn't too-cute, too-dumb, or too-air-headed; she was mature and sophisticated the majority of the time, "broken down" when she needed to be, and just naturally relaxing during her chill-time with Li Da Ren. For anyone that may have had the same impression of Ariel Lin as I did before I watched this drama - I would recommend giving this drama a shot to see if your opinion of her might change.
The music itself was not necessarily "amazing" or "simply grand" in any way, but it was still nice. The most important part was that suitable songs were played in suitable situations. I also really liked the addition of Chen Bo Lin/Li Da Ren's own song - it really gave certain scenes a deeper "feel" at those critical moments.
While this drama seems really typical, I think...there's just something about it that can't really be described by just "words". It incorporates a lot of different aspects of just "life", namely friendship, work, love, marriage, family, justification of self, and probably others as well. But in a sense, it’s a story that just kind of shows “Life” – it might not be your life or my life exactly, but for me, it was still close enough to hit home.
-Please keep in mind that this review was all based on personal opinion.-
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I can recommend it to anyone, even people who don't care about Korea like I do.
The play on emotions, the effects, the actors, the pure realness of this film was just epic. The transitions, the humour, the matureness of it was astounding. It was extremely well-made.
There wasn't a single second of this film that I didn't enjoy watching.
My eyes are dried out from crying now.
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The storylines were very well thought out and kept you guessing to who the culprit would be. Sakurai Sho played his role very well- a witty yet handsome butler- who doesn't shy away from bantering with his boss, who was played by the wonderful Kitagawa Keiko- a magical combination to watch!
A must see!
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I loved the leads together and they had such a good chemistry. I wished the writers used that to thier advantage. The supporting cast in this was okay but not as memorable as the one in the first.
Overall this is a good movie that can be watched again but in a few years.
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I haven't seen the japanese drama, so I can only wonder- Maybe the
story needed more time to be developed on screen, or what?
It's bright and cute and there's enough eye candy to tune onto when nothing else is happening on screen.
But from the beginning to end, I couldn't feel any connection to what was happening.
Jang Geun-Suk is cute all along, and that's about it. The scenes moved along sketchily. At no point was anything shown about why or when Momo starts to feel something for his master.Not to mention, there was absolutely zero chemistry between the lead actors.
The first time he kisses her during a fight, the scene was so devoid of any passion or emotion, it was a sham. The ending is equally so,leaving me with no idea of why exactly they got together.
All I can say is, it was disappointing.
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I recommend this drama to everyone, but especially for those who are just starting out.
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I dont normally recommend this drama to others.
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Storyline: Was awesome!
Music: Loved it! Came on at the perfect time!
Acting: Mann, best part of this drama!!! The lead actress was also very pretty and the little boy is so cute!!
Rewatch: Ehh, I wouldn't re watch it. Not because it's bad, but because it's really good and yeah. Kind of hard to explain but I really just want to keep that awesome coolness in my mind!
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I love everything in this drama, especially the characters. The leading characters by their acting and their story make the story brilliant.
Go Eun-Song, is my favourite female protagonist of all time... Her strength and way of life makes me want to be like her...
The drama has so much to teach about different values and goals for life.
This drama has a big lesson, that the human life is so empty without a goal... even the worst plan... the meanest plan...the cruelest plan, that had the protagonist's step-mother... well, we all know what happens to bad plans that hurt other people... some time later, you understand that even she hurt all the people during all this time... after all is over, she is the one who is going to hurt the most. There are so many words in this drama, that are so true, they made me cry.
The progress of the characters is one of the strongest points of the drama... you'll have to watch this to understand all the beauty of this aspect.
And the music... Just try not to burst into tears when K.Will's song is playing and the actors are making your heart stop and skip a beat... you'll be my hero :)
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Story 9/10 - Three seperate women, three different backgrounds. This drama isnt meant for being a "take me outside reality" drama but rather to make you think about your own life as you follow the stories of the three women on screen. The characters face different problems: One: Giving up on love and finding it troublesome, Two:True love doesn't really exist, Three: I've never been loved, with each seperate circumstances, viewers are able to fit themselves into the drama and see what choices the characters make, and be able to reflect on the characters actions as well as their own personal actions in real life. Females are able to connect to this drama easier while males are given an insight on a female's way of thinking.
Acting/Cast 8/10 : Not the greatest you'll see, many viewers will probably find this show boring due to the lack of action or eye candy, but they do play their roles well enough. Yuko shows her inexperience through not being able to deny her first crush while Karina is portrayed as "one of the guys." If you can get passed the acting, this drama will make you think about yourself, in one way or another.
Music/OST 7/10 : Again, not the greatest, but helps contribute to the drama.
Overall 7/10 : It's definitely a slow paced drama, which is what I believe was intended. Its a type of melodrama that you lay down on your couch with a blanket, kick back and drink a cup of hot chocolate.
Rewatch 6/10 : Once was enough. Its enough to make you think about yourself, and those around you.
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Story 10/10 : I really do like the storyline, an oblivious girl getting herself into all kinds of trouble as a prosecutor but slowly and surely begins to grow into a woman who has a sense of justice and duty. From what I've read in other reviews, the story does take a twist, going from a comedy to a more serious drama involving murder, but this was the same as Lie to Me, but romantic there, not dark matter or anything, but I digress. Theres parts of the early drama that just had me rolling in laughter, and for some reason, I couldn't stop, maybe because of KSY? Not too sure.
Acting 10/10 : Wow umm... I didn't even know Kim SoYeon can be bubbly and ditsy. From what I gathered from IRIS, she was one total b*d*ss who still was capable of loving even through her current circumstances. Her role in this is absolutely perfect, the way she acts makes you believe that she's a complete, dare I say, blonde, and in most of the early episodes, you're just annoyed with her. Her u-turn transformation from a serious agent in IRIS to a ditsy girl really proves her prowess as an actress. The directors also do a great job of keeping Lawyer Seo(sorry, I dont know his real name) in the shadows early in the drama, while the rest of the supporting actors/actress help the leads shine.
Music 7/10 : The OST's in the show fit great into the personal aspects of the characters but there were some parts where music was played where it was unncessary and invoked wrong emotions when it wasn't needed.
Rewatch 7/10 : Early episodes? Just for a laugh here and there, I hope that this continues to be interesting, be it from comedy or seriousness.
Overall 9/10 : Its a great drama, definitely underrated from other dramas, I hope it gets some more attention ^^.
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But the title pretty much says it all, and I have also hopelessly fallen in love with this drama.
I fell in love with the exploding chemistry between Dok Ko-Jin and Ae-Jung. I loved Ae-Jung's face in the camera as she delivered her role as a washed-out actress. Her pain, frustrations, her hopes and dreams. Dok Ko-Jin was exceptional! His comedic reactions are to die for and so out of his character.
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However, i did enjoy it for other reasons. The casting i thought was great. Sakurai Sho as a Butler and Kitagawa Keiko as an Heiress just goes so well. And the relationship the two have is really nice.
I also enjoyed the comedy elements to the drama. I guess that was watch kept me watching.
Overall, i did enjoy this drama and may consider rewatching it again in a few months :D
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The story is not so bad but nothing special. But the way the movie is created is really uhm perverted? crazy? Totally exagerated? sunken in blood? - Yes!!
The Acting is outstanding because I cannot really imagine how actresses/actors can play such crazy roles without permanently laughing!!
You can not take anything in this movie seriously. I think of this move more as a comedy or a parody of the gore genre.
If you are into totally perverted stories and want to laugh about thousands of litres of theatrical blood and a totally unrealistic of filming, you will like it. Otherwise I think you will be psycological hurt by this "movie"! ;)
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The story is really exciting and highly psychological. The chasing for dreams forces the candidates to open their mind reflecting about all their mistakes in life. This is often highly thrilling.
Meanwhile the main story develops and is solved in a fantastic final with a not forseeable conclusion.
Katagiri Jin does a great job because you allways feel that there is something hidden deep inside his character which will hurt everybody.
I am a rock fan so I was really surprised by the opening song which can be categorized as metal which is not typical for dorama is think!
The episodes are round about 20-25 minutes long so you can finish the whole dorama in a short time. This is also an argument for my high rewatching score!
Finally I can only say that it is not fair if you skip this season just watching the second with Sakurai Sho, because it is really good and it creates the base for the continuation.
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