Cinderella and the Four Knights

신데렐라와 네 명의 기사 ‧ Drama ‧ 2016
Completed
Sian
8 people found this review helpful
Oct 2, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5
Despite how incredibly cringe worthy almost every scene was, I found myself inexplicably drawn to this show. I religiously watched it and fell in love with all the characters. I'm not even sure it's possible to explain why I liked it so much, there was nothing I could relate to at all. However every week I came back for more and now it's over I'm going to miss it! The OST was amazing and I would surprise myself by singing along whilst watching.

Anyway, as far as easy, comical, cheesy telly goes this was great!
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Completed
iOizys
5 people found this review helpful
Dec 13, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 2.5
First Things First
I dropped this drama a while ago and I couldn't remember why so I started watching it again. In the beginning I loved the show and I hadn't even noticed I had reached the 5th episode. Near the 8th episode is when the show really went down hill... sigh

The Problems
  
1.
 I would like to talk about the leads.
When you begin the show you will assume that a certain person in the first lead. The writer gave this person all of the characteristics of the first lead, but I felt something was wrong. While watching the show I noticed the second lead was getting all of the first lead's scenes. It finally dawned on me that the second lead is the first lead.

The problem is that the second lead showed complete interest in the heroine and he didn't pay any attention to the second female lead! And then boom he suddenly has no interest in the heroine and looves the second lead. While this is going on the second lead trying to steal the heroine from the second lead but is overly affectionate towardw the second female lead.

2.
The second female lead pops out of nowhere and is stuck between trying to be friends with the heroine and not. I honestly still don't even know what her motive is. She knows the second lead likes the heroine and is all fine with it except the many times when the second lead confessed. It felt like the second female lead was always on her period and kept having mood swings.

3.
Majority of the characters are just annoying af, I loved the heroine and the secretary but that's about it. The Grandpa was really insensitive and he annoyed me whenever he spoke yet the heroine treated him like he was the best person ever. I feel like the writer tried to fit too many clichés into one drama and this was the result.

The major problem with the drama was the story line, I would say the plus side is that there is a lot of fluffy moments.

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Completed
MariKim
5 people found this review helpful
Mar 11, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 3.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 4.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Summary: Don't waste your time. There was not one interesting thing about this drama, the writers used all the stereotypical drama storylines, the most of the characters were flat or annoying, the acting was mediocre at best, and the music was all bubble gum.

+/- Plot:
The whole plot followed every stereotype of K-Dramas and with all of the new shows with interesting storylines why would you even consider watching this one. I'm sure we've all seen this show a million times. I don't even have anything else to comment on the plot, just because it was so bland and boring. I can positively say that I wasted 13+ hours of my life (because the last episodes I watched in fast forward mode, just to finish it sooner). I was totally going to give up, but I thought I should watch till the end to write an honest and fair review.
There were some scenes you may call cute, but really overall the editing made the scenes very childish, cheesy, and hard to watch.

+/- Characters/Acting:
I'm just so disappointed. The acting was mediocre for the most part; I would say the best was surprisingly Ahn Jae Hyun. I can see that all the actors did their best to do their characters justice, but no amount of good looking people with flat characters can save this sinking ship--especially when there are countless other cutesy dramas with better plots that this is contending with.
The most terrible thing about this drama is Son Na Eun's character, and everyone and the writers know to be true. I mean sure Korean standards for women may not be quite progressive yet, but still this character obviously doesn’t portray a strong individual role model for the youths of Korea, which this obviously targeted towards. I mean, she feels this need to be accepted by a douchebag of a man, but when that doesn’t happen even after her bombardment she falls back on another man. I am so utterly disappointed in these script writers...

+/- Music:
It's literally ALL bubble gum. AND I HATE BUBBLE GUM.

Rewatch Value:
Never ever, ever, ever would I ever consent to watch this drama again. This one may go down in my books of terrible dramas.

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Completed
addicted2dramas
4 people found this review helpful
Oct 5, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
I am probably rating this drama a little higher than it deserves but I'll give it an 8 for nostalgia sake. This drama was so old-fashioned that I loved it. I love all older dramas like You're Beautiful and Boys Over Flowers so that's one reason I enjoyed this in spite of how frustrating it got at times.

The story was predictable right off the bat and I went into watching it not knowing anything about it. The cast was one reason to check out the drama and in the end that was the best thing about it as well. It's got romance, angst, cute moments and some sad moments. I think the reason why it was fun in the beginning was that the romantic development of the characters who end up together started pretty late. I mean you could tell she would end up with him but they develop feelings quite late which should've been good, but made the romance half-hearted for me.

This is another classic case where all guys are head over heels for the main girl and you will have no idea why. I think the whole idea is to not have an idea and instead kick back on the couch and watch it without thinking too much. The heroine is a typical knock-off from the 90's/early 2000's dramas and serves as a romantic interest without offering much. The characters are all pretty one-dimensional and feel like they're there for you to appreciate them for how they look and how they're supposed to be. Almost every character in the story will make you wanna tear their hair out at some or the other point.

I like cheesy romance, so this was my type of drama. It was like watching an old drama with modern camera and that was surprisingly refreshing from the current type of dramas that air. I would have loved to say that the romance is the best part about the drama but that's what makes the drama weak. The development was too slow and they get together too fast. Their longing for each other and 'love' never really felt authentic to me. It in fact made me roll my eyes. I loved the the main girl with the third guy best. They had a great dynamic and it was great to see Jungshin's improvement in acting.

Ok, a very shallow point- but what made me annoyed of Naeun in this was her cheeks and not her character so much. She honestly screwed up her face and I ended up feeling sorry for her. She is bad at acting and her cheeks don't help much either. It's horrible when something as trivial as that distracts you from someone's acting. I hope she can improve in her future projects.

The strongest points of the drama are the visuals of the actors, the soundtrack and the chilled atmosphere the drama had in general. Things get messy and confusing at times but once you get past that, you have a likable cast with sugary moments and an outdated (yet oddly charming) romance. I mean, the romance is weak but it's not the worst. It didn't work for me because I was hyped for no reason and when it turned out to be.... ordinary, I found myself let down. It might work for some though.

Definitely worth a watch if you want something nice and light.

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Dropped 16/16
Caithyral
7 people found this review helpful
Oct 3, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
Let's make this short and sweet.

The drama had a good premise. Once in a while we all crave for the cliche, typical korean drama. One cute , poor girl. A couple of rich, handsome guys. Interesting interactions, jealousies etc. The side girl to hate, the second lead guy to swoon over and so on.

However while this drama started out on good grounds. Our Cinderella had a wonderful start with both the main and side guy, it somehow just crashed midway. I am not sure what happened but the drama just died at episode 6.

All the characters are two dimensional and the interactions between them are just as boring. There is little sense behind the characters behavior. They will act one way through out the show, and then just suddenly change and do a 180 for no damn reason.

The music is somewhat okay.

Rewatch value ? I would like to say 0. Yes zero. Once was painful enough.

I would not recommend this drama to anyone. Watching the last five episodes was hell, which I only got through so I could write a review over what a train wreck this show was.

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Completed
Otiose
3 people found this review helpful
Jun 12, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 10

Cinderella Plus

With the Cinderella name titled up front you know going in that it’s a romance, a drama, and a comedy with a Cinderella and a happy ending. The romantic entanglement question is over three ‘princes’ vs one. The comedy elements are focused on the step mom and sister (three abusive stepsisters reduced to one). The drama aspects have many extra big reveals that have nothing to do with the original Cinderella story. These reveals tie together seemingly unrelated events from early on and are discovered through flashbacks and in later episodes and deliver some satisfying twists, and of course because this is a Cinderella inspired story our Cinderella here overcomes all obstacles and wins the heart of one of the three princes, and she gets her own happy ending along with better endings for the whole family.

The second time I watched I was aware of the many twists and reveals but enjoyed anticipating the hints woven into the story - there are many - of what was to come.

The twist on the original Cinderella story is that the poor abused girl is coerced into cohabiting with three princes (three cousins of a filthy rich family) who detest each other and resent being forced to stay at the family mansion. A bit contrived? Absolutely, but it sets up a fun story with our spunky Cinderella’s presence in a (mostly) hostile house and her ever optimistic, bubbly personality acting as a catalyst to bring about the three princes going through steep character growth by the last episode.

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Completed
IamMyOwnHeroine
3 people found this review helpful
Oct 31, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.5
Warning! Long Review/Reaction/Opinion

First of all, the drama title caught my attention since I’m very much in love with fairytales ever since.
From the start, I don’t have too much expectation from the drama since I know the story line is already a cliché – rich guy falling in love with poor girl. The only twist is that she has four knights in shining armor. But in my opinion, it’s three knights only.

PLOT
As I mentioned, plot is already a cliché. The development for me is very slow. I find some episodes boring but I still keep on watching, hoping it will develop sooner. I’m bothered by the missions given by rich grandpa. Is it only 3 missions? After the trip mission, what’s next? The 3 grandsons don’t even get closer after the 3rd mission. They just get closer on the process. The 4th mission I believe is just an excuse of Ha Won. The ending proves that this is indeed a fairytale with a “Happily ever after”.

CHARACTERS
I love the characters since I knew most of them especially Jung Shin – CNBLUE Fanatic here. :)
The main female lead is not so beautiful but definitely cute and with lot of charms. I believe, she gave justice to who Cinderella is.

Until now I’m calling Jung II Woo as the “Scheduler”. Yeah, I knew him since 49 Days and I knew how good an actor he is. It’s regretted that he can’t show his 100% skills since this is just a very light drama. Nevertheless, there’s indeed chemistry between him and Ha Won that you should definitely watch for.

I find it really hard to watch Ahn Jae Hyun! As if I’m controlling myself to fall in love with him more. Haist! If only he’s not yet married. Well, I still cheer Ahn Jae Hyun from behind. Let’s get back to his character. I just don’t get it after his broadcasted confession with Ha Won. He had 180 degree character change. And his story just revolved with Hye Ji afterwards. He confessed that he like Ha Won but he didn’t give justice to that confession. He got rejected, so what? He can fight for it or formally accept defeat. But atleast he should do something and don’t let that scene left hanging. He just switch right away to Hye Ji. Although I knew he love Hye Ji from the start but I felt that his confession to Ha Won is somewhat true as well.

Jung Shin! The so called “Avatar” of his CNBLUE brothers. Haha. I find his character very genuine. Actually, I still find Jung Shin in his character as Seo Woo. I’m wondering how his fellow CNBLUE reacts everytime they watch him. I love Jung Shin but there’s nothing too much to say about his character in this drama.

I also knew Son Naeun way back WGM stunt with Taemin of Shinee. I am quite surprise that she also acts. Is this her first time acting? If yes, I will forgive her poor acting skills. She has a lot more to improve if she really wants to pursue this field. I find her character a nuisance in this drama. I think it’s better if she just played a real antagonist. Maybe, she’ll be appreciated more that way. I felt that even without her character, the drama will still go on as it is.

The fourth knight but a not so knight at all, Secretary Yung Soung. IMHO he is the knight of the rich grandpa and not by Ha Won. :) I don’t know why they include him as the fourth knight but we can’t barely feel his presence as Ha Won's knight at all.

OVERALL
If you are just looking for a feel good drama without any high expectations, I will recommend this one. It’s not bad at all and it’s still worth the 16 episode watch.

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Completed
uyiep
3 people found this review helpful
Apr 5, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 5.0
Quite disappointed. I was quite excited about this drama for its star studded cast and romance general plot (which is my favorite...).

Storyline is sooooo predictable. I mean, in general, story for these kind of Cinderella plot is actually kind of predictable, but this story is wayyyy beyond that (except for the last part maybe). Of course there are fluttering moments and some parts that I enjoyed it but there are really a lot of parts where logic doesn't fall in place. From the weird love rectangle (not sure if it ever existed) to the Sky House, its just not understandable for me.

Cast. Well. Naeun (Hye Ji in the drama) gotta work harder. I am not saying that the other actors/actresses are great or bad, just that Naeun lacks a bit. From jealousy to annoyed, I really don't think she portrayed the emotions well.

Jessi's voice is amazing. Loved the track by her and other OSTs are easily forgettable...

Watch it for for for.. I don't know, maybe if you like any of the actors/actresses.

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Completed
arbios
6 people found this review helpful
Oct 2, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 3.5
cheesy from beginning to end

the music was the best thing about this
i felt like a 12 year old was writing thin
Son Naeun's acting is terrible

Park So Dam's character is amazing and her acting is good

i probably will never rewatch this
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Dropped 12/16
Mystal
5 people found this review helpful
Jan 5, 2020
12 of 16 episodes seen
Dropped 1
Overall 4.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 2.0
Rewatch Value 4.0

Lost it's momentum

The show started incredibly well. The plot revolves around Ha-Won accepting a job from a rich old man to help his four grandsons come together as a family. She receives "missions" from him, and after completing each mission she would receive a bonus to help her get closer to her dream of attending to college and becoming a teacher.

The grandsons are the usual, generic kdrama fare. You have the ladies man, the quiet sullen one, the forgettable one and the music one. I wish Seo-Woo (the music one) had more screentime, since as the episodes dragged on he was the only character not tied up in a generic, show-stalling kdrama plotline.

7 or 8 episodes in, I expected the story would continue to be a series of story arcs revolving around each "mission," where the characters learn lessons and improve as people, as well as deepen their bonds and relationships. This, I thought, would be a great format for the series. I was strapped in.

Then, after the (not really a spoiler since every kdrama seems to have this for some reason) vacation arc, the story just stops. There's an entire episode - 1/16th of the damn show - where no one leaves the mansion and everyone keeps going into each other's rooms and enacting the same scene over and over.

Person A walks into person B's room; person A says some dramatic line and leaves the room dramatically; Person B is left in his room looking constipated for five minutes while sad music plays. Then Person B enters Person C's room and the same scene happens. Repeat for about an hour.

Everything I enjoyed about the show just stops. I'm at episode 12 now (and subsequently dropping the show) and for the last 3-4 episodes no-one mentions a "mission." The format of the show changes, like whiplash, into every cruddy Kdrama I've ever dropped.

Everyone spends hours dilly-dallying about who loves who; the main character's IQ drops about 70 points as her laser-sharp wit is dulled; the show just loses its momentum and its focus.

Part of the reason this happens is because the vacation arc changes the focus of the story from Ha-Won to the secondary female lead, Hye-Ji.

Hye-Ji is a great example of how k-drama writers like to add in an emotionless tertiary female character whose only existence is to slow an otherwise good show to a screeching halt. Almost every scene with her ends with her mumbling something, then leaving the scene so one of the two angsty manchildren in the love hexagon can look slightly sad while time slows down, the camera goes crazy, and a loud power ballad plays with the singer screaming "Without you!" 26 times.

The showrunners could have replaced Hye-Ji with a cardboard cutout of a girl with a speakerphone attached and her actress' robotic performance might have actually been better.

Now the show is adding a bunch of side-storylines to muddy the already-slowed-down show into an icicle's pace. The show started amazingly, built up a great format for its story, then hit a wall and never recovered. Out of the 12 episodes I watched, 4 of them should have been cut. I'm not going to dare wasting my time on the other four.

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Completed
PHope
4 people found this review helpful
Jun 6, 2017
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 2.0
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 1.5
he sole reason why I've watched this drama was the fact that BTOB were included in the soundtrack. But I was hoping that I would be proved wrong and that this drama will surprise me and be a hidden pearl. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The story is about a poor girl, who is kicked out of the house where she is living in along with her step mother and her step sister (the Cinderella fairy tale similarities can't be missed), accepts a job from a rich businessman who asks her to make his three grandsons become a family. However, the drama kept falling into the cliché cheesy traps again and again. The romance is okay, even though it was way too predictable. Fortunately, the chemistry between the lead actress and the three boys was really good, and the performances were okay and therefor I give this drama 2 out of 10.

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Completed
Maxi
5 people found this review helpful
Oct 28, 2016
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 4.0
I love the OSTs and y'all will surely agree. Acting is good. The plot, well, it is something that you can still enjoy even it's cliche. My problem lies within the lack of chemistry between main leads.

My ship sunk.
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Cinderella and the Four Knights poster

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  • Score: 7.8 (scored by 70,505 users)
  • Ranked: #3887
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  • Watchers: 131,486

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