Reviews

This was a fairly simple story. I wondered how they would stretch a drama out to 16 episodes that was based on an average length American movie. They did surprisingly well, even if some of the elements became a little repetitive. I would have liked to have seen the resolution come just a little bit sooner so we could see more "happy couple" time, but for the most part I was satisfied. I liked the growth of Sang Shil/ Anna, and seeing her develop relationships with the new people around her. While Sang Shil's words to others may sound cold and calculating, she's not trying to deliberately hurt others. She just speaks blunt truth with no sugar coating to spare their feelings.

The acting and casting were done well. Han Ye Seul's delivery was very dry, but I think that was supposed to be down to her character. Jo Anna is a very blunt character, but we also learn the why behind her seemingly cold exterior. As Sang Shil, a woman that cannot remember who she is or anything about her life, she still carries around that air of a wealthy heiress. Oh Ji Ho was lovable as Chul Soo, and I definitely enjoyed all his smiles. He should do more rom-com as it suits him very well. The 2nd leads were played well. The second female lead was appropriately annoying. And the secondary romance with the older couple was cute and funny. The character of Kang Ja provided several laughs, and I probably enjoyed her character most after the leads because she's also a sympathetic character.

The music was fitting, but of course, still dated since at the time of viewing, this drama is 10 years old.

I enjoyed this for a one-time watch, but I doubt I will re-watch this anytime soon. (This may again be due to the fact that this drama is a lot older at the time I viewed it.)

Leia Mais

Few points about why I like and dislike this drama:

1. Too much conspiracy it's too painful to watch. My heart bleeds for Prince/King Gwanghae.

2. I despise Prince Neungyang; he's very greedy and crude that my blood hits the ceiling! I even swear that I won't watch a show with him in it ever again. That's how cross I am with him. Yes, this is getting personal. Gggrrrrr!!! Same goes for that bitch Jo Yeo Jung.

3. I'm so impressed by Gae Shi's devotion to King Gwanghae; it's heart-rending.

4. I believe Seo Kang Joon's (Hong Joo Won) acting is a bit lacking; even his speaking of the historic language is awkward. I still like him, though, especially those brown eyes. Meanwhile, Han Joo Wan's (Kang In Woo) sad emotion is superb that at first, I thought he was sad in his real life; or perhaps he really is. And I've always admired and respected Cha Seung Won's (Prince/King Gwanghae) acting skills.

5. I hate that they cut conversations (even trivial ones) too often as if trying to make everything a mystery—it's appears pretentious—and show them as flashbacks bit by bit. Why don't they leave those insignificant conversations alone and just focus on the significant ones?

6. Ever since King Gwanghae disappeared from the scene, finishing this drama has become a struggle. :-( Bogosipeoyo, Gwanghaegun!!!

7. This drama has so many time leaps it can beat all dramas in that area; well, it covers three kings. :-)

8. And have you ever wondered? Why do they shake the body of someone who's injured or dying? It must hurt a lot. I laugh every time.

Overall Impression: It is a good drama. I'll probably rewatch it 4 years from now but surely, it'll only be the first half of it where Gwanghae still exists. Then, I'll skip to the last episode... or not. Hee hee...

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Leia Mais

Do you know how a drama just feels old? It has a more romanticised feel to it.
I was looking forward to this drama for the chemistry. Everyone always says Yoon Eun Hye can kiss. And let me tell you, she doesn't disappoint. Ah, she's great. She just takes the kid's gloves off the Kdrama. And she's so adorable.
I have so missed Yoon Eun Hye. Her personality is really entertaining. The girl is fierce and saucy. And how cute is she in hanbok!
The plot of course is just terrible and cringe worthy but the drama really caught my attention when Yoon Eun Hye's crying face came out. She's incredible at those moments.
Actually, the second half of the drama just had the right vibe of melodrama for me. I do hate the overused love triangle but I haven't seen it in a while so it felt nice to see again.

Gi Joon
I didn't find him particularly captivating to begin with. I did like his devotion to his brother.
People lose all their dignity when it comes to karaoke.
Who knew this guy would have such a playful and joking side to him?
Towards the second half, he really puts in a lot of effort in pursuing Ah Jeong.
Also, I don't think I get tired of father-boyfriend meet and greets. They crack me up.

Sang Hee
It was great to see Sung Joon relaxed and smiling so much.

Romance
Towards the end of watching Lie to Me, I was also watching a family drama. So the cheesy romantic moments really were great.

“If I go home, I would miss you more. I would be more tired if I miss you.”

Hooray for no slow-mo kiss!

Leia Mais

*You can't see it, but it's there*

That motif gets introduced in the beginning by Fumie's grandmother, and gets revisited often throughout the drama. It perfectly fits the world she shares with Shigeru.

This story is based on the life of Mura Nunoe, the wife of the manga author Mizuki Shigeru, most famously knows for the manga Gegege no Kitaro. The story starts during the late 1930s, all the way to the mid-80s. Most of the drama though, is set during the 60s, which represents the first couple of years of marriage between the protagonists, Iida Fumie and Miura Shigeru, their struggle with their differences, and with poverty. As the drama goes on, we get to know them as they get to know each other. We see their weaknesses, unlikeable traits that aren't easily changeable, but we also see their strength that makes their relationship so beautiful, and how each makes the other a better human.

The drama isn't just about the couple, it is also about life during this era, the expectations, belief, and how to deal with the constantly changing world. It is about dealing with the pains of the past, the nightmares we might've gone through, and believing things will get better. No matter how many times the world turns on you, there is a silver lining. In the case of Fumie and Shigeru I find it's the golden friendships built with people they met, all wholeheartedly wanting them to succeed.

Overall I really enjoyed the cast. Matsushita Nao was perfect as Fumie, expressing her insecurities and passivity, yet displaying her strengths in being clear minded when needed. Osamu Mukai took a little while to get in shape with the character, but eventually got there. I have to say Osamu was just a wrong casting when I compare the Real Mizuki Shegeru's age, who at the start of the drama was in his late 30s, to Osamu, 28 at the time. Despite that though I thought he was great at showing Shigeru's gruffness, yet tender heart and wild imagination, and specially his way of being positive no matter the situation.

The drama is rich with diverse characters and the cast does justice to it, to say the least. It is too wide of a cast to mention all, but I'd like to highlight my delight with the actors playing Shigeru's parents, Takeshita Keiko and Kazama Morio. They were fantastic as an old bickering couple. Honestly I did not understand why their sons didn't want them around too often I really loved them. The father Shuhei was just a delight to have around, and the mother, most famously know as Ikaru, was a woman of principals. Yes you might find it tiring at times to deal with her, but she always had a fair point in her argument, and is the type that is out to make things right, no matter the opposition. For me, that is the making of a true heroine. Finally I'd also like to mention Osugi Ren as Iida Genbei, Fumie's father. I have to say I've seen that actor in a lot of roles, but this is by far my favourite role he plays. He's the typical patriarch father, who makes his decisions without consulting anyone in the family, yet he was capable of being someone who had a sight for the long run, and all his decisions were based on that. It can be frustrating at times, even making me angry at him, but you can't deny that he has the wellbeing of his family in mind first and foremost. He can easily become someone you can trust and rely on, and he isn't above admitting defeat, you just have to show him what you're made of before he can back down.

I had one pet peeve in this drama, is the fact they don't age the characters properly. It doesn't really get in the way of good acting and good story telling, but it did bother me a lot, because it removes from the authenticity of what we're watching. For some it might not be a big deal but for me it was. I do notice this is an issue with many asian dramas though, but I can't accept it.

Most of all, this drama was a biggest reminder of how I should look at the glass half full, how I can be very ungrateful, how I should have faith that things will be better. Fumie had many times where, like me, she saw the world moving while she was still at the same spot, not able to catch up. When things first started to change, it wasn't this sudden amazing thing that happens. She just took things one at a time, and made the best of it, for it to turn into something amazing later on. It made me think that a lot of times we endure a lot and just want this one magical solution. This drama was splendid at bringing the point home, that things will not magically turn good, but the magic is here in the little things we do, and little do we know, some time later, it becomes what he originally were looking for.

This is my first Asadora, but will definitely not be the last. It will however always have a special place in my heart. As someone who used to have a fear of long dramas, this one flew by quickly.

Leia Mais

I watched this purely for Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo and boy, did they pay the price for the stunning visuals and spectacular backdrops. The cinematography and visuals were absolutely stunning. SJK ans SHK are beautiful to watch too of course. Definitely a big draw for most people to watch- beautiful to look at. With that said, the plot fell short for me in the last two episodes. Things did not add up and it kind of took the cheap way out but I didn't mind it too much since the other 14 episodes were good. There were some scenes that have you at the edge of your seat holding your breath for a couple of seconds (even though you already know what's going to happen). The music was great, the chemistry was just oozing off the screen. It's worth the hype but don't overthink some of the plot points. Definitely a rewatch for some of the cute cheesy lines the alpha male lead continues to deliver. You may become lactose intolerant after awhile though.

Leia Mais

This had the potential to be so much more! I watched this special/film mostly for the cast but the story turned out to be amazing as well! I wish they did (or would) put this story in to a drama or a sequel film! This show has the potential to get a lot of love from a lot of people! From the cast to the story, it was all very uniquely well done and I would love to see more! I really liked the idea of a detective story like this film! I definitely recommend that more people watch this show! It made me laugh, made me cry, made me sad, mad, and angry, too. A lot of emotions all wrapped in to one! This story was fantastic!

Leia Mais

Tragic. Poignant. Touching. Memorable

I seldom watch tragic melodramas cause I have a very low threshold when it comes to hearttwrenching tragedies and unspeakable loss of loved ones coupled by horrid antagonist that from the start you pray for their death. So I have to be truthful that for my sanity I skip parts that I couldn't stomach. usually I would have dropped the drama but the plot was too compelling. Ji sung and Jung Eum are so perfect for their role I can't imagine this drama will ever work or reach their emotional pinnacle without them.

Ji Sung really cements his ability as a fantastic actor with his role of President Jo Min Hyuk. His pain, frustration, anger, loss and even hatred was so palpable. You almost reach towards the screen either to comfort him or shake him. His expression and the way his eyes speaks when he looks at Yoo Jung was so multi facet. He really channels that looks of love and longing. Of wanting to be closer to her to keep her by his side and yet still tear himself away from her. Episode 12 to 14 has really memprable scenes of them

I never thought too much about Hwang Jung Eum. She really blew me away with her role as the pitiful but strong Yoo Jung. Yoo Jung really turns out to be a character I have to admire .. To survive those loss, abuse in the prison, self guilt and looks of disgust from others. Also I think she cried truckloads in this drama and made me reach for the tissues too.

If I have to be critical. I would say the ending scene of them was too short for my liking. For all the tribulations we witness them, I would have liked to be rewarded for more. Which is why after this drama I'm moving on to Kill me, Heal me, another drama of them together.

Leia Mais