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Not a complete waste of time, though that's hardly a compliment...Story 5.0/10:
The story had potential, but it left a lot of things unresolved while throwing in some tropes towards the end that just seemed try-hard. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself though. I think the show did a decent job of selling the Cinderella piece, Ha Won has been getting the short end of the stick most of her life, she's got the evil step fam, the whole poor status going on, but she's got that spunk, that will to not give up, and despite all of the BS thrown her way, manages to grow into a decent young lady! Unfortunately, I can't say too much more about my thoughts on this title without spoilers, but it was just a middle of the road drama. I honestly watched because there wasn't any other shows on during those days. It had enough to keep me watching until the end, but I did skip over quite a bit as well. It had the forced cohabitation trope, but somehow I still found myself disappointed. There were a couple of scenes that were squee worthy, but overall...meh.
Acting/Cast 6.5/10:
So starting with Jung Il Woo as Kang Ji Woon... I didn't really care for his character, there's the jerkish characters that have a good reason, and then there's just straight up jerks and I felt he leaned moreso in that direction. Not that there weren't good reasons for some of his angst and jerkish ways, but I was unclear about some of his motivations. As far as the acting piece, while I'm not a huge Jung II Woo fan, I feel he does some fine acting, and to be fair none of these characters other than Eun Ha Won seemed to have that much depth to them any way. I've only seen him a couple of other times. The first time I saw him was in "Flower Boy Ramen Shop" (2011), I loved the drama and he had some cool/romantic/squee moments, but really didn't like his character in that either. In "49 Days" (2011) (omg the tears felt like they lasted that long! lol), I think I liked his acting and character best, really top notched. I also saw him in "My Fair Lady" (2009), but again, such an annoying character, that's literally all I can remember thinking back on that dram (though to be fair it was a pretty sub-par drama anyhow. I hope that perhaps I can see him in another good role again soon, I know he can do it. I really need to see "The Moon that Embraces the Sun", I've only ever heard good things about it, I just haven't had the time to watch.
Park So Dam as Eun Ha Won. This was my first time seeing Park So Dam, and I really liked her acting, I always love spunky kiss ass female leads like Eun Ha Won that don't take any shit! I love how she stood up for herself and for others as well. It looks like she's been in a lot more movies than dramas so far, but I really want to make time to see "Beautiful Mind" as I love love love Jang Hyuk, and I'm interested to see her opposite a really good actor (sorry Jung II Woo, no offense!).
Ahn Jae Hyun as Kang Hyun Min. God this character was annoying as hell! Without giving any spoilers away his reasons for doing things....so dumb. I'll just leave it at that. I think I could've looked over the not so great acting if at least I could've liked the character, but alas... to be fair it looks like he's only been an active actor for a few years, but I've been pretty not impressed so far. I think he's okay as a supporting character, like Song Yi's younger brother in "My Love From Another Star" (2013), and Park Tae Il in "You're All Surrounded" (2014). I didn't see him in "Blood" (2015), but I'd heard nothing but terrible reviews and while I usually don't let that deter me from watching something (I do stand by making your own educated decision over just taking a reviewers words for it), but I think I was busy with other dramas and just never got around to it. I'm not sure I will since I'm also not a big fan of Gu Hye Seon (though apparently he is since he married her lol), I liked her in "Boys Over Flowers", and "Angel Eyes" wasn't too bad, but I shudder at the thought of "The Musical" lol. But I digress, I think this drama could've done without his character and would've been just fine.
Lee Jung Shin as Kang Seo Woo. I actually liked Seo Woo, but his character had no real purpose IMHO. He was just kinda there, and I did feel bad at one point for certain spoiler filled reasons, but honestly, his character was pretty weak and didn't grow or change in any substantial way as characters should in a story. This looks to be Lee Jung Shin's first main role, so I can forgive some of the stilted acting, but I feel he's got potential. It also rounded out CNBlue members in dramas lol I'd already seen the rest of the guys in one or two dramas a piece I feel like the circle is complete! lol I wouldn't mind seeing him in something else, hopefully something that's got some better writing.
Choi Min Sung as Lee Yoon Sung. I didn't realize until I looked up his filmography that I'd see him in a supporting role as lead waiter in "Pasta" (2010), Aw, he was so adorable! Unfortunately, I haven't caught anything else he's been in, though I hope to. As Lee Yoon Sung I felt he played the stoic character very well, and while I'm sure I'll be in the minority, I honestly had hoped after some early scenes in the show that he would be a romantic interest for our lead female (pls forgive this one spoiler?), but alas he wasn't which was saddening since of the Four Knights, I liked him the most. I also felt that he totally got screwed over for the latter half of the series, but I honestly can't say more without some spoilers...but ugh. I felt like he had some good chemistry with Park So Dam. I'm looking forward to seeing his next drama whatever that might be, and see if I can't find some time to catch him in his earlier roles.
Lastly, Son Na Eun as Park Hye Ji. I'll chalk up her stiff and not so great acting to just being young and early in her craft, with this being her first main role. I haven't seen any of her previous dramas which she was a supporting character in. Her character wasn't so bad in the beginning and I actually felt pretty bad for her, but unfortunately she became highly annoying and whiney and so my empathy and compassion went bye-bye. As a secondary female lead, Park Hye Ji was underwhelming at best. There unfortunately isn't much else to say about her.
With main roles out of the way, there is the supporting cast, but I don't have anything better to say unfortunately. While I rated the acting and casting highest in the categories, it was still pretty much middle of the road, it wasn't the worst I've seen, but wasn't anything to write home about either. I feel like any good actors could've been switched with those cast because there was no real depth to the characters, I'm sure the actors did the best they could. I often say that actors need to step up and it's possible even with poor writing a drama can be decent at the least, and this drama was just ok, but I think that's the best they could've hoped for. Again, so many plotlines were introduced but then dropped or forgotten. smh
Music 5.0/10:
I usually don't have much to say about music. This was nice, felt like it went with the drama, just middle of the road, pleasant, but nothing I felt I need to run to itunes for.
Rewatch Value 0/0:
1 since I can't seem to choose zero. While there were a few moments that were cute or even invoked a squee, it was all pretty forgettable... I couldn't even tel you what those moments were now lol
Overall 5.5/10:
I wouldn't tell someone not to watch it, but I wouldn't recommended it either... but if it was like a choice between this or Nail Shop Paris, then yes, most def watch this. :P
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Was it worth it: Absolutely.
What I liked the most: “The kisses,” she said unapologetically.
What I disliked the most: The music during the “tense” moments got cheesy. I rolled my eyes a few times.
Moment Meter: 6/10 – Lots of moments. The quality of the moments, however, ranges from straight cheese to heart attack.
Other thoughts: I’m a Jung Il Woo fan, because even though he isn’t drop dead gorgeous, he has some flattering angles and a knack for intense acting. Combine that with the fact that he had the tsundere character (like usual), and this was a hit for me. (He’s also a phenomenal on-screen kisser)
Note: Certain actors will automatically make the drama better (for me), so the rest of the review will be biased. Consider yourself warned.
It watched a lot like a reverse-harem anime, which I enjoy from time to time. Park So Dam nailed this role, and has good control over the tones in her voice. I’m not too crazy about Ahn Jae Hyun’s acting. He didn’t do poorly, but I didn’t get as much feeling from him as I did the others, and one of them is a musician before they’re an actor. I liked the story and it moved along well without stagnating too often.
Conclusion: Actor bias boosted this one up for me, so I would have enjoyed it even if it were complete garbage. Was it unpredictable and fresh? Not entirely, but it hit all of those juicy KDrama notes that keep me coming back for more.
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But, I was wrong!
Strong cast, great chemistry between all characters, excellent story line which brought out the theme of the drama and none of the episodes felt too long - kept me going from one to the next! There was such a strong chemistry between the leads, and it didn't feel forced at any point and the story didn't fall apart or seem incredulous either.
For once, I thought the OST was good too (though I don't understand Korean) but the music brought out the feelings. The characters were quite true to life without a lot of the melodrama that sometimes goes with dramatizing the difference between rich boys and poor girls thrown into their lot. A clean and sweet drama, full of touching scenes where you just want to go back, re-watch and live the feeling all over again. I don't usually re-watch dramas, but this is going to be one of the ones I will watch again!
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After watching: UPDATE----- LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! SO GOOD AND OST WAS AHHHHMAZZZZZING!
Honestly, I was pretty hesitant to start watching this show because it looked really cliched, but it was actually really really REALLY good! I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did and I'm so glad I ended up watching it. It still stands as one of the best drama OST's EVER (for me personally), with each song sucking you in, feeling how the main characters are feeling.
The plot is pretty straight forward being a Cinderella story, but you shouldn't pick up this show thinking it will be unique, because, really, it's not. It's the same ol' story told in a fun, sweet, happily-ever-after, modern style way. The ending has all the loose ends wrapped up nicely and leaving you feeling super happy. I still watch the music videos on Youtube just to see the hilarity of the character dynamics and how the story inevitably unfolds.
I am not a fan of Cinderella stories traditionally, but this show is something I would gladly rewatch, force others to watch with me, and sing along the whole way through!
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This review may contain spoilers
My Favorite n Ima Dude Like Cmon
Let me just say real fast i hate female lead not because i hate females or I'm sexist its as a male myself i can relate more to a male lead than a female lead but this ultimately became one of my absolute number one favorites as a k drama and even though it was a female lead i could still find things that were so good with the story and productionThe Character Drama and Character Development To Me Was By Far One of The Best Iv Seen From Most K Dramas How Ha Won Went From Tom Boyish To More Girlish But Keeping Some of That Tom Boyishness and i Think Its That Tom Boy in Her That Made Me Feel Like Her And Ji Woon Were Meant To Be Really The Rebellious Guy With The Tom Boy Strong Girl Is Perfect I Think The Bad Reviews Come From People Wishing She Would Have Got With The Other Brothers But This Ending Was The Best Outcome And This Show Had The Perfect Amount Of Romance Comedy And Anticipation
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The plot of the "missions" to bring the cousins closer together completely disappeared, and we were hit with a bunch of old k-drama tropes: disapproving guardian, secret relationship, hospital and health issues, fighting over a corporation...etc. etc. etc.
A lot of the characters lost their personalities. Even the female lead, who was my only reason for watching, started descending into a stupid girl who cried A LOT and refused to communicate about anything. Truth be told, I was rooting for Hyun-Min because he was such a fun character(and I'm tired to death of the cold/rude male trope), but he definitely lost his charm somewhere, and at the same time, Ji-Woon's cold personality did a 180, as if the writers were actively trying to get the viewers to like him. For me, it was too little, too late. Overall, some of the things the characters did just lacked common sense, as if it was to move the story along. Hye-Ji was also honestly such a problematic character who had no personality (other than being obsessed with Hyun-Min), and the fact that she was such a huge part of the plot development annoyed me, though I liked that she wasn't as conniving as other k-drama second female leads.
I will say, though, that the OST was good.
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Funny, cute + sweet
This was super cute and funny. I really enjoyed it! There were some slow parts, but it has a slow burn. I loved the female leads relationship with all the guys! I feel like she had something special with each of them. She was really amazing, throughout the story she stayed true to herself and wanted to do what she thought was right for the ones she cared for. I think I rooted more for her to pick Kang’s Hyun min, he was my favorite, even though he was arrogant. He really grew on me. I did love how the story unfolded, and I look forward to more shows with these actors.Was this review helpful to you?
Storywise C4K could not be more cliche. Seriously, pretty much everything about the story was typical rom-com. The plot makes you think you'll get a total reverse harem story but that storyline dies pretty much in episode one since everyone who watched a few rom-coms before knows who ends up with who or at least who doesn't end up with the other person. That is actually also the only reason why I watched it. If it was really a harem story I would've skipped the drama.
Characters
The female lead is amazing. There are plenty of headstrong or stubborn or earnest female leads in the history of dramas, but Eun Ha Won takes that to a whole different level and she does it in a charming way. I was seriously afraid she was gonna be over the top but she was like...a real human being I guess? Someone who didn't seem out of a drama but more like a normal person, you'd meet on the street, and that was so refreshing.
The other characters are pretty cliché, as well as there is a lot of character development you can expect beforehand. Another thing I have to praise though is the fact that finally we have a second female lead that is kinda a love rival but also a friend. She doesn't hate Eun Ha Won and wants to be friends with her, which I think is like a total turnaround from other dramas.
Otherwise the drama totally lives off its relationships and the interactions that come with it. Funny comebacks, lovely couple scenes, and so on and I spend pretty much every episode laughing my head off or being glued to the dramatic scene.
For me C4K is a jewel in disguise because you expect your typical rom-com and you'll get exactly that but in such a refreshing and bubbly way you'll want to giggle your heart out. I totally recommend it for people in a drama slump!!!
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A light-hearted watch
When I started watching the show, I was pretty unsure. The story is very set up like a typical k-drama romance. I wasn't particularly super enthralled by the story, however there were some sweet moments that made my smile. At the beginning, you're not really sure who Eun Ha Won was supposed to end up with, but it became clear that Ji Woon was the ultimate choice by the end. The one thing I didn't love the entire series is how mean the story was to Hye Ji. I feel like she never was able to catch a break. And Hyun Min was mean to her right up until the end of the series, and I just found myself feeling bad for her every episode, and it brought down some episodes.Overall, this isn't a bad series. The casting was really well done, and the beginning to middle of the series was fun to watch. I haven't seen too many dramas, but I think the "rich brothers meet a girl" trope can be fun if done right. Would I watch this again? Probably not, but I feel like this is a good starter k-drama for those just getting into dramas.
Despite it being very similar to many other dramas (which is not necessarily bad) the camera work and execution of the important scenes really made the series. I'm a sucker for good camerawork, and this series checks that box for me.
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