May I Help You

A decent healing drama that feels arbitrary at times until the big reveal

The premise of this Show is centred on the FL who just started work as a funeral director. She suddenly began to see the spirit of the dead under her care and can interact with them. There are some caveats but that is not important right now. The first apparition who appears before the FL happens to be the younger brother of the ML and he asked her for help. In most cases, this is the general structure of subplots. Various ghosts will ask the FL to help them to fulfil a final task on their behalf. Sometimes, the task is quite elaborate and comes with a touching backstory while others seem to be an afterthought that the Show squeezes in just before the credit rolls. There doesn't appear to be any obvious link between the various tasks.

As the story progresses, a central plot begins to take shape which linked some of the threads together, but it was not until the last episode that the writer-nim gave us the grand reveal that ties everything together. The Show is quite melodramatic, and I would seriously doubt anyone can sit through all 16 episodes without being affected at least once. The writer-nim really toy with our emotions in the last episode but a more astute viewer might see this as a cynical exercise to heighten the melodrama. (I’m trying to keep this spoiler free so please bear with me.)

In hindsight the hiding of the connections between the various threads did the show a disservice because while the impact of the final reveal is significant, we get the “Now I get it!” moment once and it is over. Ergo, the middle section of the show can feel a little adrift. The love line of the leads is certainly front and centre during this section. You might also start to wonder why all these apparitions appear before the FL and only her.

Speaking of the love line of the OTP, it is nice and serviceable. There is a bit of skinship, and they have a decent amount of chemistry, but it is not amazing. Their relationship is pretty much on rails. After saying that, the 2OTP’s romance is even weaker. They are an odd pairing and is mostly used as light comedic relief.

I think that is the key weakness of the show. While the idea of helping ghosts to fulfil their last wishes is reasonably novel and rewarding, the execution is a bit uneven. The Show really comes together once we find out the raison d’etre but that is almost too late. The romances, healing and growth of the leads are mostly predetermined. It is nice and rewarding to watch as it unfolds, but the Show can feels like a scrapbook of highlights but also a fair bit of standard fillers.

In terms of acting, it is generally good. The leads earned their keeps. The poor FL has certainly been put through the emotional spin cycle a few times. There are lots of cameos and the veteran actors can really deliver the goods. In fact, most of the senior support cast are superior to other shows.

In the end, it was a decent, watchable show. It tried to be clever with the causality plot, but it only partially succeeded. It is most likely an one-time watch for me.

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Emotional sweet some what light drama not smart one

This drama is very light and sweet, it's not extraordinary or unique, it's just a sweet peaceful type of drama
I got emotional a lot watching it and I consider any drama that makes me emotional, laugh, and crying to be a very good drama
it served its purpose for me
it made me feel happy sometimes and sad crying loudly other times
its love story isn't that touching, it's more like a healing drama
it made parting loved ones peaceful and calming,, healing the people left behind just with that thought of their parting loved ones at peace
don't watch it if you want something very funny or something very smart, it's not at all
also, they dragged the story of the dead kid too long and made it somewhat thrilling a bit but they failed at that unfortunately
overall it's emotional drama but not smart drama
it's for your heart, not your brain
I gave it 7.5 ratings because it touched my heart

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Ghost Whisperer KR version

Okay, so the premise made it sound like we were going to get some Ghost Whisperer Melinda Gordon action, and that truly captured my attention as it was my favourite show growing up. The main difference is that this show is significantly more lighthearted and doesn't always focus on Baek Dong Joo. The show does a really good job of balancing heavy elements of death and grief with some light-hearted romance. I enjoyed that every character was able to have some type of spotlight outside of their development with Baek Dong Joo.

Kim Tae Hee is the epitome of pathetic (the good kind) as he interacts with Dong Joo and watching them learn and heal together is what made me continue to watch even though the drama went a little off Script.

The ending is extremely bittersweet with an emphasis on Bitter. I would recommend watching this if you're looking for a good heartfelt drama. And I was crying by the end of a lot of the episodes

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Unsatisfying ending

This is going to be a short review because the drama isn't all that complex. It had everything to be unforgettable but I think it lacked complexity as the story progressed. The twists were very simple and not that impactful, although kinda sad. Some characters were left behind as the story progressed and although I liked learning about multiple characters that appeared for just one episode, it became detrimental to the development of the characters we were following throughout the show. I think Move to Heaven did a great job at balancing these "temporary" characters with the development of the main characters – in my opinion, way better than this show. The ending was unsatisfying in certain aspects.

Despite all of this, I enjoyed this show because I could binge watch it in two days and not have to think too deeply about it. The chemistry between the actors was what sold it for me, although in the last episodes I feel like their relationship was too underdevoloped and... didn't hit that much? LOL I like sparkling love, and this one was too mature without the fire in it? But I loved both actors and the supporting cast! This show made me laugh and it made me cry and I think it's a good show for a chill weekend.

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Supernatural + light dose of romance= Satisfactory

LIKE:
Cinematography, colour pallet, locations and the interiors of the apartments and funeral home.
Wardrobe was appropriate and in good taste.
The FX for sending the people on to heaven were very feel good.
Writing:
the concept of helping both the living and the dead.
The idea behind why FL was ‘gifted special hands’.
I liked the message of being truthful with those close to you, so you don’t have regrets when they are gone.
Music:
was well suited for the scenes and I didn’t notice it being overpowering when actors/actresses spoke. However I didn’t notice anything standing out or really memorable either.

DISLIKE:
Production:
Shaky Camera Syndrome [Someone forgot to activate the film stabilizer!]
Zooming in too close; don’t need to see their nose hair or clogged by makeup pores.
Writing:
Similar concept seen with Mystic Pop-Up Bar and other shows, so nothing new.
The ML and FL are cute for the first portion of the drama, then ML’s trauma shifts the whole show to be about that, before ending with FL trauma. But don’t worry there’s a happy ending, comedy included! Some parts were rushed and it felt a little disjointed. Could also be the editing though. There was some character growth, but we get no definite conclusion for a few supporting characters that were seen throughout the show.

OVERALL:
Very very slow burn for the romance, but we got a little bit of it. Thankfully the comedy wasn’t over the top or frequent. I would recommend it for a supernatural drama, if you are just starting out in this genre. There are better dramas than this, but it is satisfactory and even young teens can watch it. I won’t rewatch it and there were no moments that I wish to see again.

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Connecting the trivial meaning of death in a new light

/- Actual Rating: 8.5/10
/- Finished this on All Saints Day to bring out a closing to another great series. Though, it was unsettling to think that you beautify the dead before their passing by talking to them one last time. I find it peaceful to imagine our loved ones carry on their final wish without remorse or regrets.
/- This series actively made me understand the comfort of each of us passing on and meeting again (just in another world). So I take it positively to see my still alive loved ones to pass on with lesser burden inside me. This has comforted me well enough that I'd get to see them again soon time and fate decides.
/- A belief-changing and perspective driving one.

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Preparem os lenços, não tem como não se emocionar!

Não devemos pensar demais no amanhã, mas viver intensamente o agora, pois não sabemos o que nos espera, e podermos assim deixar de aproveitar ao máximo a vida. Isso foi o que me transmitiu esse Dorama.

Numa pegada de sobrenatural, conhecemos uma Prota que consegue se comunicar, ao tocar, com pessoas falecidas, e com isso fazer com que as mesmas possam deixar sua última mensagem. Prepare os lenços, pois cada história, com os falecidos, tem seu toque de emoção.

E mesmo se odiando no começo, os protas não conseguem deixar de se apaixonar. Foi interessante ver o desenvolver dessa paixão. Ela foi, na verdade, o bote salva vidas dele. Pois, vivendo há anos com o sentimento de culpa, ela trouxe cores ao seu mundo.

O desenvolver do enredo foi bem elaborado, e confesso que teve momentos que me conseguiram pegar de surpresa, e olha que é difícil isso.

Só me sinto ainda um pouco incomodada com o “vilão” que eles criaram para o desfecho da história. Eu tinha me simpatizado tanto, no começo, pelo personagem, que essa transformação dele me deixou um pouco deprimida. Há, tinha momentos que eu ficava agoniada com o sofrimento imposto do prota. Sei que ele se sentia culpado, mas reaja meu filho. Viver de alto piedade por muito tempo não era a resposta.

Fiquei surpresa como colocaram uma explicação, onde todas as pessoas que apareceram se conectavam com a personagem, até mesmo o casal principal. Meio que compreendi que como a salvaram, ela seria responsável de prover, da melhor forma, o adeus de cada, como um milagre.

Só não considero um dorama perfeito, já que pra mim faltou algo. Não é aquela história espetacular, mas interessante de se assistir. E senti falta de um pouco de química entre os atores.

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Simple yet heart warming

I like how the plot focused on kindness unlike usual revenge theme which I'm kind of sick watching them. It's draining.

LIKE

My sudden realisation on why Tae Hee used one arm to save Joon Ho

When the school girl said she regretted not confessing earlier to her crush that made Dong Joo mustered up her courage

When Dong Joo suspected why she couldn't wake Hae An's brother

What Il Sub commented on Hye Jin's case - that statement was very powerful

The real reason why Dong Joo was blessed with her special ability

When Tae Hee and his parents visited Joon Ho - that scene was painful

When everyone was talking about the kind of person Dal Shik was

The moment I realised what Hae An did

When So Ra and Jung Hwa both comforted Dong Joo when she was at her lowest

When Priest Michael found out who was the lady who helped out and visited Dal Shik

DISLIKE

The main leads chemistry is not there but then again this is not a love story

MUSIC - personal fav

Goodbye My Friend - Jamie
Reminiscence - Jung Joonil
Pray - Lee Won Seok

REWATCH VALUE

Seven for now probably re-watching some day.

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Completing Wishes Of The Dead

A funeral director and a doctor (due to past trauma, now works for his uncle "A Dime A Job", doing odd jobs) are the basis of the relationship found in this story.

I had no expectations nor idea of of where the story will lead me as I watched the first episode. Obviously, from writing of this review, I completed 16 episodes without any difficulty. I found this drama absolutely refreshing and enjoyed so much the representation of lost souls and spirits through Baek Dong Joo, who can communicate with the dead, when she touches them in preparation for their wake and funeral.

"A Dime A Job" Kim Tae Hee becomes the loving and supportive boyfriend to Dong Joo. Sceptical at first, Tae Hee eventually becomes her biggest supporter as she tries to complete the last wishes of the dead.

Every episode was entertaining and the un-folding of Tae Hee's past also kept the drama going. Lots of good stories which pulls at your heartstrings. I enjoyed this drama thoroughly.

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WONDERFUL SERIES

I see everybody has different tastes by the reviews.
I only watched this because of the ML (just recently watched him in a series and I liked him so had to watch it)
I read the description and thought it may be goofy or simply not good!
But I loved this series! It had a few good twists too, but most of all I thought it was very sweet and I loved how they wrapped it up in the end explaining all the people that died and the ones that lived because of how they were saved. OMG it was amazing!
I cried many times through the series, but loved loved loved it.
I enjoyed the ML , FL., the Father, the Priest and the Uncle. Good cast I thought.
I only rated "rewatch" low because I rarely rewatch a series.
I think this is a worth watch, but of course everybody has different tastes.

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