Oh My Venus

Most of this was absolutely brilliant, with a great story, a fantastic couple with superb chemistry and some really good characters around them. Acting was top notch, the music was good (particularly the short "whistle" instrumental that you can't get on the OST sadly). But it ran out of steam, at a very minimum the last episode was almost entirely unnecessary and I was just watching it largely waiting for it to end so I could mark it off as completed, nothing really happened.

The general premise for this one was one that had me concerned and while i originally added it to my list because it's the same actress from Tomorrow With You, but the topic of the female lead being overweight had me a bit concerned just because it's so easy to be really negative about it - and as an overweight person (all my own fault, not claiming that the universe has it against me or anything), I just don't find that kind of thing entertaining to watch.

Happy to say that I felt the topic of obesity was actually covered really well, with an underlying message that "what's inside matters more than what's outside". She's getting blood tests, not just checking her weight, fixing her diet and changing other aspects of her life like how and when she sleeps, integrating exercise into her life - losing weight is a lot more than just "eat less" and that's very well covered in this. There is another character, Soo-jin, who starts out overweight and by the time the main thrust of the story starts she's swapped with the main character and is now slim - but as the story progresses you can see she's not really taken care of "within" and is really not healthy as a result.

I really enjoyed the chemistry of the two characters, they work well together and were a joy to watch.

I thought that the wrist-grabs on this one were over the top - bordering on assault - dragging her by her wrist somewhere or yanking her around really quickly and suddenly. I know that the wrist-grab is a thing in Korea but this was one of the more extreme examples i've seen in KDrama and it looked really unpleasant.

I was also a little disappointed that in this story he basically re-arranges his life to help her, it's wonderful how much time and effort he puts into helping her turn her life around - but when it comes to his own problems, he completely locks her out and she has no way to help, he doesn't like seeing the people around him hurting and the best thing anyone can do to help him is to leave him to suffer on his own. I don't like that message at all, i'd have been so much happier if he'd taken a brave step to let her in and lean on her for the support that she was so desperate to give.

The final scene literally had me laugh out loud, I *have* to assume it was put on at the end purely for the "lols" and to tick off the standard kdrama elements - for no good reason at all, without any prior commentary to allude to it, suddenly, you find out that for a brief moment, they knew each other as kids. It adds nothing, it's completely pointless :) I don't consider this a spoiler because, well, uhm, it was pointless. :)

Summary - Up until the last couple of episodes this was one of my favourites, but it ran out of steam and just started rambling at the end. Some of the side plots didn't feel like they had good conclusions, but the main thrust of the story with the central couple was warm and good to watch. The "extravagant dowry" demand from the grand mother was nicely handled too, but i'll not say more on that one :)

Read More

My only regret is not watching it sooner

This was such a refreshing drama.

The main leads had a healthy relationship and were not afraid to express their love for each other. They flirted and acted cute but not in an overly annoying way.

The side characters were goofy and funny. They created great opportunity for the main leads to be happy with each other.

The 2ML and 2FL had their own issues but they did not try to create trouble for the main couple. It was good to watch a drama with no love triangles or a side characters trying to break up the main leads.

Although it's a transformation story about losing weight, the message is clear - you are sexy when you are healthy.

Read More

Toxic, boring, abhorrent.

Things I loved

1 Nothing. Just to be clear.

Things I disliked

1 The premise. It could be fun and relatable if they had treat it as a rom com. They treated it as a real issue and they managed to offend any decent human being out there. Shame on them for shaming people with a health issue as gaining weight.

Things I hated

1 The way hey made this into a serious drama. What is wrong with everyone involved in this mess? I started thinking it would be fun and lighthearted and it turned out a shame game.

2 The FL. This was my last attempt to like this actress. She ruins everything she's in for me. At first, I thought she'd be one of my favorites but she manages to make me hate each of the characters she plays and she drags with her her male costars. She exudes arrogance, she's terrible at comedy and she makes me depressed. Awful actress.

3 The second couple. I think there was only one other drama then I Married an Antifan or something that had a toxic second couple I hated. Now this one is at the podium as well. Not once ounce of remorse from those two execrable human beings. What kind of story is this where the mean people win?

4 The plot. it was beyond stupid. The family plot, the rich hidden hero plot. Everything was atrocious.

5 The last episode. What the hell was that? He shamed her even at the last minute? Despicable! The more I think about it the more I regret having lost so many hours for this stupid shameful drama.

6 The ML. His character is exactly what any women should avoid. Under the cover of living healthily he imposed his vision on a another human being and shamed her all the way. Shame on him. And in case you wonder. I lost 20 kg a few years ago and I know how hard it is. But no matter if I weight like now 60 kg or like a few years back 80 kg, I never once accepted or will accept that someone shames me. I pity the young women who will consider this romance.

Read More

This drama simply makes one happy ^_^

It's about a girl which we first see in her highschool years where she's very popular and pretty. Later on we see her in her adult life which is the complete opposite of her highschool life. Well, she got the job she wanted but she gained weight and is unhappy with her lovelife. By accident she meets Kim Yeong Ho who becomes her personal trainer to get a healthier lifestyle. During the drama they get to know one another better and more than better haha :D

I have to say I watched this drama with lots of joy, sure it was dramatic at some points and actually it speaks about a lot of issues people have such as depression, unhealthy living and scars people have to live with, but they made it so enjoyable to watch!
I loved the chemistry between the main cast although I'm actually not a huge fan of the actors, but they brought so much emotion and feelings across that I couldn't take my eyes off them.
 
I also really liked the supporting roles like Kim Ji Woong and Jang Joon Sung. I loved their character developend and how attached they got to Kang Joo Eun.

The Music was also very good, placed at the right moments, I still have "a beautiful lady" in my ear and can't get it out of my brain xD

I would definitely rewatch this drama just because it makes you smile and it's a beautiful and simple (well "simple" could be argued) romance to fall in love with.

Read More

Shin Min Ah and So Ji Sub together in a drama? As main leads? Check and check. What more could I want out of a kdrama, especially when the plot is as heartwarming as this one. One could assume that the drama seems to advocate good looks as being essential to finding love (especially when Im Woo Sik breaks up with Joo Eun) or attaining success in one’s job but I think it places emphasis on the need for exercising and staying fit. It is a given that the two leads are meant to be but they got together rather quickly in the series and so you are left to wonder what more is in store for them. I was very apprehensive of the fact that their relationship may become draggy and extremely cheesy. But the conflicts that were introduced in the drama kept it going at a good pace and there were times when I was rooted to the spot, waiting to see what would happen. The drama has a good proportion of humor in the sense that some of the scenes are legit LOL-worthy.

The drama is an example of what motivation and support can do for a person. It proves to us that with the right dedication, one can overcome even the greatest of difficulties. Jang Joon Sung too deals with a troublesome childhood. But with the help of Yeong Ho, he goes onto become a boxing champion. Their brotherhood is shown to be unconditional. Woo Sik and Soo Jin’s relationship is very lovable. They complement each other well. Even though Soo Jin plays the anti-heroine, causing problems for Joo Eun, she is actually very sensitive. The end to Woo Sik & Soo Jin’s story was apt and I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up things. One of the other things that stood out in this drama was Kim Ji Woong’s chirpy nature. His constant “Ma’am, Ma’am” was an absolute delight. The soundtrack of the show is too good and it mixes well with the scene to enhance the sentiments being enacted. This drama is simply amazing and has become one of my all time favorites. I would definitely recommend it to all.

Read More

A fair and thoughtful drama. Entertaining yet serious about health challenges.

As a romance this is a good, middle of the road non-melodrama, no serious disparity between the classes. And delves into some interesting topics we each encounter in modern life.

Not taking time to properly discern our health due to lack of time, work stress, personal image etc. And while it seems this is all related to the main two persons - it actually encompasses everyone in the story. So that is actually very good. In fact I was personally impressed with how well and nonthreatening the subject of excess weight was approached. To very honest, it made an impact on my own view of my health image. So there are many things to like and engage with in this drama. The challenge of improving one's health in the face of what is possible to change by attention. And also the almost impossible challenge of a devastating illness for which you have no control and can only try to face with technology and state of art medical procedures.
What I didn't like was the so-called bravado of "Venus" who seems to have lost grip on reality. She is no longer the queen of beauty in high school and has no presence whatever. She's overweight, dressed badly and has no concept of the danger of declining health. Granted this is where the story takes us and makes a tale of encounter that is quite unbelievable. But that is what KDramas are good at. The other things I didn't like were choice of actors in some supporting roles. But the most annoying thing was, too many popular English songs in the soundtrack. What a bore!

Still, how the story plays out is very heartwarming and suitable even satisfactory. So feel free to watch and have fun in your own way. My taste is not yours. But, Shin Min Ah and So Ji Sub eat up their roles and make this fairly compelling.

Read More