Extraordinary You

Perfect Story within a Story Drama w/a great love triangle

Just rewatched for the feels. If you love the story w/in a story trope (one of my favorites) you will be satisfied with this drama & if something hit you right, then it could be an almost perfect drama for you, like it was for me. The synopsis here is pretty solid: she discovers she's a character (an "extra" character, mind you) in a story, who at times has no control of her words & actions & at other times, does. It seems like this aware personality is quite different than the storybook one. It's not a spoiler because you discover all of this in the 1st 3 episodes! ;) Of course, the rest of the drama plays out this tension between determined fate & the efforts of free will in a fun, magical way that feels fresh. There seem to be a lot of dramas in the last few years with this isekai-style story & this is a top favorite of mine.

:D
1.) story w/in a story where characters become aware of themselves in parallel storylines
2.) best dang 2nd lead bad boy next to Segi & the one from True Beauty (excellent use of the love triangle trope here)
3.) production quality & OST = A+
4.) sci-fi/fantasy feel with some of the visual effects
5.) manga cross-over done RIGHT
6.) good pacing w/transition scenes & fluidity of plot (well-told story)
7.) it got me to enjoy a "School drama" again; it's been a while...
8.) that being said above, lots of playfuless & satire w/the F4 concept as well as drama cliches in general
9.) some mystery mixed in w/the personal growth mantra; so many twists & turns in this plot; it kept you guessing
10.) it's soooooooo cheeseballs at times & I LOVE it
11.) the FL is outgoing & spunky! Fun to watch (though some Viki users disagreed & found her annoying, not sure why!)

Great story! If you like any or most of the ab0ve, give this one a shot. It will definitely hook you & keep you hooked!

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Literally i didnt even mean to start the drama . It was that my sister wanted to watch it so i said why not and there were like 4 episodes so i said why not?? it had only 4 episodes but boy was i in for a ride . Every week waiting for it was a torture because you didnt know what happened next . There are a lot of poeple in the comment section that are saying they didnt like it because during the end they turned Dan Oh to a lovesick puppy who went on about Haru rest of the episodes . i totally disagree . When Dan Oh figured that she was in a comic and much less pleasant fact that she was an extra, she wanted a life out of it . Where she was herself and someone who knew her as herself out of the character settings and then she met this boy who could change her destiny but also knew her for who she is and loved her for who she is not for the character setting. So why cant she be in love with him and be herself ? He respected her for who she was and loved her for who she was. in life having individuality is important but if you dont have anyone to share it with then whats the use ? ANS YES i am a bit mad that the writer didnt give us definite answers as to why Haru ha ssuch powers and what will happen next and is this really a happy ending but i am kinda ok with how the story turned out . Baekyung had his redemption that i am really glad for i would be so mad if he really killed her but he ddint and verything turned out to be fine . To be honest every drama has its shortcoming so does this but overall this drama really was a breath of fresh air and the only drama this year which had me yearning for more even after its ending . Since i watch dramas without looking at the cast and the actors this drama really surprised as the rookie actors were great .i have seen jaewook in search www so i knew how good he was but rowoon surprised me and i am really looking forward to his future works and even Hyeyoon!! the other rookie actors were really great too!!

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Disappointed, but loved the concept

I am so disappointed!! I really really really wanted this drama to be on my favourite list but they literally flushed away all the potential just to follow the same old crappy storyline after half (I didn't read the webtoon so I don't really know whose fault is xD)

First of all, I liked the actors, especially the main girl, she did a great job portraying the unlucky side character (and if I found her "haruyaaa" annoying at some point I can only blame the lame script)
In the beginning I thought this was genial. The characters who basically break the 4th wall by becoming self aware and start a quest to set them free from their destined path. I'm totally sold! The really fact that is an invented universe and there is this "shadow" had the potential to make literally anything happen!
The very idea of "mocking" boys over flowers adds a cherry on top lol (because I despise that drama, sorry 🙈)
The most fascinating part was when the true character came out from Pre-established characters who are usually very flat. I wondered how they would be off the stage? The same? opposite? To me opened an universe of possibilities and questions: if they're able to think outside the storyboard did they became real? Are we all part of a bigger play? How they become self aware? Why there is the manhwa in the library?
Then appears this unnamed side character who somehow gets in the way and succeed (briefly tho) in what the fl constantly failed: changing the story (even tho it doesn't really makes sense...like when he put Dan Oh's watch to Se Mi and it worked (?) Like other times things just appeared from nowhere during the stage part, how exactly did he fool the writer? can he do this because he's a tiny extra? Or because his connection with other characters? We won't ever get the answers to these questions unfortunately 😅)
I don't despise the romance per se, but if it's going to be that repetitive and redundant, I'd rather leave it out, it's not like there wasn't anything to say here. Yes Haru is cute but what else? They really did a poor job with his characterization, Baek Kyung has a shitty set up and he's a jerk who can't apologize but at least he has something other than Dan Oh in his life.
And to be honest there was already a love drama between the "protagonists" of the manhwa going on, no need to add another shitty and draggy triangle.
Also, I really wanted Do Hwa to get the girl, he was really a superb character, really funny and honest he made me laugh every time (the fact the author only makes him play violin in front of Ju Da lol), but in the end she chose the hyper flat discount version of Jun-Pyo (his lines are only "my woman here, my woman there" gosh we got it you're the alpha uga uga)
The worst thing tho is that the lesson from this drama seems to be that no matter how much you try, you can't change your destiny - it may be true for illnesses somehow but it's really not a good morale to me 😔

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TRULY EXTRAORDINARY

( NOT REVIEW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR )

If you are looking for a review then this one is not the one I am just making notes and rant mine thoughts.




As I am writing this I am watching the ending/ last episode. Wow, this is something completely different from what I would watch. If I saw this title I probably not watch it but I saw a seen in tik toc for u page and then I watch it. The story....... this is confusing at first then you understand and then it hit you with more information then you get more confused. The beginning was like the F4 and then little bit of W since it about their life and comic. I personal like Nam Ju because he is so handsome, I was wishing that out of all the guys for the main girl crush / like / finance why does it have to be that guy who looks like the main lead in love holo and also I was saying he was no cute because of he has under circles but somehow I love his coldness for dan on. Another thing is every male lead in this drama is so tall like all over170 cm and also the main lead is over 180 cm like wtf. I wish that nam ju and that joo ad where the main lead in the drama but not the supporting character but also they are the main leads in the comic book for the story. ( this is really confusing because....) The story itself is really confusing for me. First, they realized their life is not what they except and they are just extra for the story and then really people find out like kguny and do Hwa. I was like why will you mention things that make no sense to them about like their character, story and author and the writing to them because of that they slow. Like even now even Joo da knows about the story. And then out of nowhere, they hit you with a strike of things like the three lead, the heart girl, number 13 and Kyung were in different storybooks and they were the mains but that was like in the historical days. Like why do we have to know this stuff and that where I started to get broad and not interested like when I first started. And I kinda think they see in the future was kinda like a spoiler for the drama but others might not agree, that my opinion. Overall I really like the first six to five episodes and then the rest I skip everything mostly because it was that great anymore. and the last thing is this story is truly really extraordinary, I kinda want to say I never have seen a story like this before but it kinda likes the W but also different. This shows like a scary part because of the f**king, that what it gave in the chilli. I just finished watching the ending like what the heck, so..... he was gone for a year but he came back at the very last minutes until the ending, I am okay for some drama to have this ending but this one nope and I also I have to comment on nam ju , why is he so cute and that strawberry shirt, hop he is going to be in more rom-com drama. Before my rating was a four and a half start ( 9.0 ) but now it is a four-start, felt that four-start ( 8.0 ) is a good rating for this drama.

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Best drama ever

❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Trumpet Creeper, Secret, and Whatever Comes Next — Dan Oh and Haru still chooses to be together

Okay, let’s get one thing straight — Extraordinary You is not your typical transmigration or "fall-into-a-book" drama. No no no. This one said, "Let’s be different, let’s break the fourth wall, let’s mess with your heart and brain at the same time." AND IT DELIVERED.

From the very beginning, the premise already had me hooked. Like HELLO?! Characters realizing they’re in a comic book? Jumping from one "stage" to another? Acting one way in the “stage” but being completely different in the “shadow” when they’re free from the author's script? GENIUS. 🤯

And don’t even get me started on the reincarnation twist. The way they slowly unraveled Trumpet Creeper (aka the past life version of the story) was chef’s kiss. Just when you think you figured things out, BOOM — plot twist. The story went full-meta, and I LIVED for it.

Now let’s talk cast, because WOW. 🙌

🎀 Kim Hye Yoon as Eun Dan Oh? ICONIC. Her comedic timing? So on point I was literally giggling every time she started narrating her situation to herself like a manic side character detective. She made Dan Oh such a lovable, feisty, and heartbreaking heroine. One second you’re laughing at her stage antics, next thing you know, you’re sobbing into your pillow.

🌸 Rowoon... MY HARU. The way he played not just one but three versions of the same soul?? Like??? From clueless background character #13 to soft and curious Haru v1, then finally to the bold, smoldering, I-will-fight-the-author-for-you General Haru v2 from Trumpet Creeper? He gave RANGE, people. When Haru v2 started showing those “past life” vibes, you just knew he wasn’t just any reincarnated male lead — HE WAS the Haru. The way he changed his tone, his eyes, his walk — UGH. I swoon. 😩

🔥 And of course, Lee Jae Wook as Baek Kyung. Playing a character like that? NOT EASY. I know he was scum at first, but let’s be real — he made us feel for him. That inner conflict, the slow "awakening," the tragic realization that he was never going to be the lead? OUCH. He made us love and hate him at the same time and that’s TALENT.

💚 Also special shoutout to Do Hwa a.k.a. the forever second male lead I wish had his own spin-off! His narration, his commentary, his unrequited love? Relatable content. And don’t even get me started on Squid Fairy. Mysterious. Annoying. Dramatic. But we love him for being the meta gatekeeper of the comic universe 😂

Now, about the ending — I know, I know not everyone was satisfied. It wasn’t the “we changed our fate and lived happily ever after” fairytale some people wanted. But honestly? It was the most sensible and beautiful ending. Because at the end of the day, they’re just characters in a book — but they lived. They chose. They loved. And that made them real enough for me 😭

✨ 10/10. Would rewatch again and again. I wouldn't change a thing — not the heartbreak, not the chaos, not even the stage cues. It’s one of those rare gems that made me feel every single time. Like kilig, confusion, existential dread, pain, joy — THE RANGE!!!

In conclusion: Extraordinary You is extraordinary for a reason. Period

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First of all the plot is not cliche. But the way the drama was executed can make it the cliche romance drama in certain ways. But for this show, that's not a con! It brought out the fun of watching a kdrama with the traditional formula. Why this drama was appealing to me even though it has elements that I generally don't like is because it's in a comic book setting. So the cartoonish behaviour and cliches is excusable and acceptable. Even if you do not like the cliche romance drama in a high school setting (like me), still give this drama a try. It's cute, it's fun, it's full of suspense, heart breaking at times but loaded with scenes that can't make you stop smiling, laughing or saying 'you go girl!'

Now onto my actual review:

This drama was great! It could have being much more with the latter episodes (which is why I rated it 8 stars instead of 9 like I planned to). But still it was good enough.

I really anticipated this drama because of Kim Hye Yoon since I was really impressed by her acting (and visuals) in Sky castle. And I am not dissapointed. Her acting was really good. Normally I drop dramas because of characters like Dan Oh. I'm not a huge fan of cutesy dramas with aegyo characters because it comes off as nothing but cringy and boring to me. But Kim Hye Yoon really pulled it off. It was really enjoyable to watch her. Dan Oh's behaviour could be embarrassing and over the top at times but Kim Hye Yoon's acting was not. I'm so happy she got this drama as a main lead and I hope she gets many more great projects in the future. I'll be sure to watch every one of them.

It was my first time watching Rowoon act and he was good too. I didn't expect anything less from Lee Jae Wook either. I am glad that the drama used an all rookie cast because it really brought out their potential. Can't wait to see Rowoon and especially Lee Jae Wook in more dramas to come.

In terms of visuals, the drama aced it. They really pulled off the comic book and fantasy vibe. A number of scenes were really gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing which is something I never expected from an MBC drama. Plus they really gave justice to the actresses and actors good looks with the costumes, makeup and probably lighting too. Kudos to the director, cinematographer, editors, costume designers, makeup artists and all the other behind the scene staff.

The background music and OSTs were something else that I didn't expect to be so good from this drama. But everytime I heard the first note of a bgm or ost being played I used to always pique my ears and increase the volume. The music really helped with the mood of the scenes. Without the music there would be less tears, less smiles and less goosebumps from us. That's how good the music was.

However while I absolutely enjoyed this drama (so much so that I watched 28 episodes in 2 days and had to impatiently wait for the last 4 to air) I feel like it could have also being better. It did not reach its full potential. I'm not sure how the manwha went on with the second volume and its ending but the drama could have being a little more experimental with its final set of episodes and its ending. It could have touched on the writer of the web comic and their background while also diving a little deeper into the scenes of the finale. In my opinion, the drama did not give me that settling satisfactory feeling that I usually get from the dramas I love. This feeling does not depend on 'What' they end it with (such as a happy or sad endings) but 'How' they end it. But regardless of all that I still genuinely enjoyed 30 of the 32 episodes.

So in short, Extraordinary you is one of my favourite dramas for 2019. It's not THE best I watched this year, but definitely ONE of the best :)

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