Watch it for Park Hyungsik :-)
I loved this drama. I started watching it, because Park Hyungsik is in it, after having watched and loved the actor in High Society. He is adorable, and it is worth watching SWDBS just for him. Actually, when I rewatched the drama, I skipped everything but the romance plot. This is the kind of drama that, despite being cheesy, is also extremely charming, and that's because the main leads "sell" the romance so well. I'm an ahjumma, but while watching it, I felt like a young girl again, loved and falling in love. If you are looking for a realistic drama - skip it. But if you want to feel romantic - this drama is just right (unless yu don'r fall for Park Hyungsik, but is that even possible?)Was this review helpful to you?
- Interesting characters with a diverse set of personalities.
- Unique animation that communicates ideas, and sentiments well.
- Nice blend of dark and light drama in the first two-thirds of the series. I found that the way the two major plot points of the story were transitioned between suggested a sort of "life as it is". At the same time that, say, a major romantic relationship milestone was met, a dark, immoral act was committed concurrently, and these scenes would follow one another. It was really good at keeping the darker elements from becoming uncomfortable and created a more realistic and not-to-scary lens to witness the darker sides of the drama from.
Cons/ Overall:
- The drama had a great start, the characters were interesting, to say the least. Even when some characters became unrelatable, and unrealistic, the personalities of the others would redeem the overall impression of the show. I feel that this series suffered from the usual trend that I find with Kdramas: It starts off with an engrossing cast of characters, a compelling storyline, and great progression, but by episode 12/13 the characters behave in a way that seems inconsistent with how they were initially portrayed. There is an argument with no directed intention, which felt contrived, relationship problems that could have been avoided by simply communicating the problem, and responding in earnest, the female lead becomes incredibly passive in the relationship. The characters begin to react very emotionally to their circumstances and the drama no longer feels true to itself. The sense of immersion is lost because the initial draw of believable and even relatable characters is lost, and now you, if you're like me, just have to finish because you started. Personally, I thought the outfits were nice, so that also motivated me to stick around. ^_^
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The kidnapping sub-plot was also super intriguing, and I was really invested in how the characters would deal with it. It scared me but also ended up creating a really good balance between light, fluffy scenes and darker moments.
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She's physically strong but mentally weak
Do not watch this if you're into powers and you think this be one of those power comedies that is light heart take on being a powered individual.Why? She barely uses it productively and each time it's just ugh frustrating.
Mentally she's a weak character and the show does it's best to show you she's growing mentally stronger but it's so contrived I just cannot. The romance is also not my cup of tea like all of a sudden guy shows up, buys his way in and she's just swayed by that like any girls out there would have seen that coming and it really is poor that they used something I've seen in 80's style of series of how they made the girl "comfortable" being around the same guy all the freaking time like give me a break.
I won't spoil it but you'll see how she goes from mmm does he like me oh no he doesn't because he's...
That's just weak.
There's other parts that drag on like so much filler characters that don't add to the plot nor main character developments. They have this useless ass girl and her brother which you'll see if you watch this and it's just why even have a story line for them.
It's such filler and there's so much useless characters you'll see.
I would have rather seen no villain but a reporter who has his own issues has a gut feeling there's more to this town than what it seems and the show is around her trying to hide her powers as being exposed to the world will be detrimental to her and her family.
One of my friends kept saying "you need to watch this if you into powers" and honestly I think it maybe cause I'm a guy. She probably likes this for the romance going on while I was in for a comedy-power show and all I got was mediocrity.
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This review may contain spoilers
feel good but some problematic elements
this show is a powerhouse in and of itself. it's got good rewatch value and the leads have good chemistry. it's worth a watch, but there are a few things that are frustrating to have to watch. my only two issues is the problematic way Bong Soon's mom will beat Bong Soon's dad (until he's got bruises in one scene) and that's played for laughs. The gay character is also used as comic relief in a way that gets really tiring. it feels uninspired to have the punchline of a joke be that the gay character is a stereotypeWas this review helpful to you?
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Ironicaly Weak Female MC
Another trope of the female lead always getting herself into trouble and making terribly emotionally charged decisions that draws out the conflict for another 10 episodes. The side charcters don't serve more than plot progression, objects for dispensible humor, or sudden context so the show brings nearly 0 consideration to them having character growth. Jokes where the punchline is "acting/being gay" painfully overdone. The ONLY saving grace is the cast who did well carrying out such a lacking, one note script.I have no notes for the actual cast. The character dynamics were great and it felt like the main couple had a great connection looking at them but writing them together came so forced. He might as well have been omniciently summoned every moment she's not thinking of him because the sentimental niceties that draw them together are outweighed by his sheer instance on getting closer to her through the show that it's more like he wore her guard down by being the most orbitting figure in her life. They are cute together and there are a handful of funny instances from side characters but the crude humor and letting the villian just keep getting away made it such an annoyance to watch. Not for me and never again.
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The story is unique but I felt it's empty somehow
The characters were fine but not impressive and no characters development
No comment about the chemistry of the leads because I am not investing too much on romantic part of any kdramas.
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From the get go you know the story is going to be lots of fun. It involves Do Bong Soon, a small girl with superhuman strength. There are two sides to this story, which you get to watch build up into the climax of the drama. One side deals with her learning to deal with the strength she has, and of course, her love life involving two very tall, very beautiful dudes. The other side deals with a psychotic kidnapper who takes young girls and locks them into a dungeon. Doesn't make sense right? These two storylines eventually merge into one coherent one. The comedic timing of this show though is amazing. From the dialogue, to the effects, and even the sound effects, every aspect was perfectly done and made me die of laughter. It's definitely a fun show all around, despite the darker side theme.
The acting was absolutely done very well. I've known Park Bo Young from two of her other works, and once again she's proven her strong acting abilities here. Park Hyung Sik has definitely improved very much and despite his status as an idol, he's become a very competent actor as well. Their chemistry was off the charts and made me feel so many things. Aside from the main characters, every actor in this show was phenomenal. You can tell they put 101% of their effort into their acting and it definitely shows. Their commitment to making this the funniest drama is very evident once you watch it.
The music was very memorable. I especially loved Jung Eun Ji and Mamamoo's OSTs, but many others were great as well.
I would definitely rewatch this drama, as I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a super fun and adorable romance that is definitely binge-worthy. It's not too action packed, but interactions between characters were very much enjoyable. Props to the sound director as well for the perfectly placed sound effects. I loved this drama so so much and it's become a top 10. All in all, definitely worth a watch!
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Oh man, this was a great show. I can see why it's breaking records for JTBC. It stars Park Bo Young as the titular character, Do Bong Soon, a young woman with superhuman strength, and Park Hyung Shik as Ahn Min Hyeok, the CEO of a gaming company. Ji Soo plays In Gook Doo, the second lead, who is a cop and Bong Soon's childhood friend (and her crush). Much of the story is the pursuit of the killer and serial kidnapper terrorizing the neighborhood in which Do Bong Soon lives, and that plot line does admirably well at being creepy and challenging for the protagonists, but is largely just back drop for the truly delightful interactions between Bong Soon and Min Hyeok. There's a love triangle, but really only sort of (I'm ready for Ji Soo to actually play a character who gets the girl, though I'm not at all unhappy with his character /not/ getting to be with Bong Soon) because one of the three spent most of his life with his head in the sand. I love that Min Hyeok is intrigued by Bong Soon from the beginning and doesn't spend really any time at all trying to change her. I love that he embraces her strength and treasures it, and that he wants to protect her and keep her from harm, but also doesn't stop her from being an active participant in her life and in facing the various challenges that cross her path. The chemistry in this cast is just amazing.
Minus .5 on story only because some of the story lines get dropped so fast that there's not much satisfaction (and at least one semi-major one doesn't even have a resolution). The music in this show is catchy and delightful.
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Story:
When i first saw the plot of this drama and heard the title, i immediately thought of "Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok joo", and wasn't to excited about watching it. Now don't get me wrong, i looooved "Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok joo". I just thought it was unnecessary to make a new drama with the same plot, all over again. Especially since "Weightlifting fairy Kim Bok joo" just fininshed airing not too long ago.
But once "Strong Woman Do Bong soon" started airing, people started talking about it a lot and therefore, i had to watch it.
When i started watching it, i loved it right from the start.
Although it, in some ways, are similar to "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo", it wasn't as similar as i had feared. It's mostly just the fact that both of the female leads are strong and doesn't live up to the stereotypical "pretty-like-a-doll" girls that we are used to seeing in dramas, and the fact that both dramas are romantic comedies. In a way you could say that "Strong Woman Do Bong soon" is the "adult" version of "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok joo". "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" is more "dark" i guess you could say.
You have the creepy kidnapper, and the adult jokes, that made it more "mature", while "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok joo" was more sweet and not as "dark".
(The reason for why i'm using ("") when i say "dark", is because "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" wasn't really that dark either. It's mostly just an absolutely hilarious and sweet drama, but it's "darker" than "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo", if you get what i mean...why are both of those titles so long?").
Overall the story was great and entertaining all the way 'till the very end.
Acting:
I have officially added another actor and actress to my favourite-actors/actresses list. I have seen dramas with both before, and they both did well in those too,
it's just that i like to see actors act different types of roles before i make my mind up on wether i think they're good actors or not, and i can honestly say that Park Hyungshik and Park Bo young are great actors.
Their chemistry was great, they were such a cute couple and their bickering is the best thing i've seen this year, or the next best thing i've seen this year after the bromance.
Can we just take a minute to talk about how much i ship Hyungshik and Jisoo, like for real. I kinda hoped that this drama would take a turn and that Hyungshik's character actually was gay but...you can't always get what you want now can you?
Music:
The music was good, very fitting with the superhero theme that this drama has. I don't have much more to say.
It was good.
Rewatch value:
9/10, because i don't really rewatch dramas, but it's a drama i could've rewatched, if that makes any sense.
Overall:
All i have to say, is that i think "Strong Woman Do Bong Soon" is the best drama that has aired so far (of the once i've seen at least) this year! Loved it.
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The poor humor fails to hold up a very weak story with a very imbalanced message.
This drama wasn't trying to be too grand so it feels a little excessive to be too dramatic in denouncing it. I watched it for the humor, for a silly, bizarre story that didn't take itself too seriously. Which is largely what this was. The humor was humorous, even if sometimes it was quite cringey. The story was fairly cute, if love triangles don't bother you too much (they bother me, but whatever).Stories like this, that do this deliberate switching around of gender roles, are always failures when they try to say too much. I've never seen such a drama that didn't get a worrying amount of basic stuff wrong.
The general idea here is that the Do women are the strong ones in their families, both in terms of physical strength and personality. To borrow an old expression, they wear the pants. In that sense I really appreciated that Do Bong Soon was actually more meek and submissive than her forebears. The contrast was more compelling and it allowed for growth as her character, presumably, would learn that physical strength isn't the only or even the most important kind of strength. And that was a bit what they were doing.
The difference in how the two male leads treated her was also interesting. They both still had an instinct to protect the woman they cared about (which is good and fine), but one did so because she was weak (he assumed) while the other was doing so because no one should have to endure dangers and hardship no matter how strong they are.
That was pretty much the only thing they did right. The rest of the drama was deeply weird in its depiction of "strong" women. I'm not sure I agree with viewers who say that Do Bong Soon's mother was trying to get her to basically rape the main guy. I only watched till episode 10 so maybe that occurred after that. What I saw was a wildly overbearing mother who insisted that her daughter make the first move with a guy who would definitely reciprocate because he's a hot-blooded male. Tasteless and vulgar, yes, but not rape. Somewhat funny at first given how inappropriate it was and how much Do Bong Soon hated it. But it dragged on way too long.
I'm also not sure I agree with other reviewers who say she was abusing her power the entire drama. The fact is that yes, the way she was slapping people around who were much, much weaker than her was pretty excessive. But that's where the tone and message of this drama fails. According to its own rules, the Do women can be physically abusive with their strength if it helps other, weaker people, or at least doesn't serve their own interests. Which seems fine, but it implies that smacking people around because you can is generally acceptable as long as the person getting smacked around is "bad." Too, Bong Soon almost always beat up men who were hurting women, children or the elderly. Which, again, is fine within the environment of the drama. But her beatings were BRUTAL. By anyone's standards. And this enormous imbalance of power is never addressed. It's all okay, according to the writers, because she's a small woman who has been underestimated. And therefore deserves to be brutal? Or has the right to be cruel enough to make her a villain in any other story? According to the writers this is all fine because it's funny.
All the Do women in the drama (Do Bong Soon being only somewhat of an exception) are terrible. If this drama were described without specifying the genders of any characters, Bong Soon's mother would be assumed to be a hated villain and the rest to be backwards and sexist. Funny how that assumption is reversed when you find out they're women. I have no problem with women being depicted as overbearing and prickly. I have no problem with women being depicted as too domineering and somewhat cruel in a relationship, especially if they experience growth along the story. But domestic violence is never funny. The rest, sure. A person could make a kind of comedy out of it. But things like domestic violence are not funny. If the gender roles were reversed and the man was bruising the body of the woman, it would never be depicted as funny. So why is it funny for the woman to do so?
I found that alone disturbing and off-putting enough to make it impossible to continue watching. The thing is, this drama's story is not great. Its success relies entirely on the quality of the romance and the quality of the comedy.
The romance was a long drawn-out love triangle. I hate love triangles so I'm a bit biased when I say it was therefore unwatchable. Strange, though, because there was some mature dialogue about how childish and selfish love triangles can be and how acting only on one's emotions always hurts people. And then the entire romance is a love triangle? Actually more of a love... octagon? I lost track.
The comedy was, at first, wonderful. Silly and absurd and nonsensical but with just enough heart. But then it lost its footing. The gangsters in the hospital, especially the one who lost his teeth, were more gross than funny. Humor suitable for a five-year-old maybe. The mother's abusive nature was never funny, despite countless scenes that made us believe that the writers seemed to think so. Their attempt to redeem her was set against the backdrop of kindergarten humor so it lacked both logic and drama.
The humorous interplay between Bong Soon and her boss was genuinely funny. Her ineptitude as a bodyguard was logically acceptable because how the hell would she know the first thing about being a bodyguard? And the absurdity of hiring her was another nonsensical illogical piece of comedy that could survive the environment of a drama that doesn't make any other kind of sense. But her almost mercenary motives painted her character in a selfish light that was never remedied with growth. And then the humorous interplay was taken over by semi-serious, semi-humorous love triangle antics so it lost all its charm.
The general idea of great physical power making a person able to dominate any relationship was never really addressed even though they set it up repeatedly. The dominant mother was never called out for abusing her own power -- physical or emotional -- as a strong woman hurting weak people with her strength. Meanwhile Do Bong Soon was expressing sorrow that the serial kidnapper was using his strength to hurt weak women. Is using one's strength to hurt people only bad if you're male? The writers of this drama definitely thought so. Thus you get humor that fits this world view and it never sits right.
Ultimately the humor fails to hold up a very weak story with a very imbalanced message. Eventually the humor becomes as much of a drag as the rest. I wouldn't recommend this drama to anyone.
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