The acting is good and characters in the storyline are great. Overcoming the the feeling of hatred towards the person you believed have done bad in your life, turning it into something special and bringing deeper relationship between the leads. I so love how the male lead slowly falls inlove despite the anger kept within.
Praise to the writer for the story plot.
Give points to the director which result to good ratings and multiple awards and nominations.
overall ... i love this kdrama...
Was this review helpful to you?
This drama defined the thin line between love and hate.
Started this drama for Ji Sung after watching Kill me, Heal me. He's an AMAZING actor and I loved the chemistry between the main leads.I LOVED this drama. Didn't like the stupidly of the FL at first, but after 4 episodes, I started to like her more.
Music: Perfect. All the sound tracks went so well with all the scenes, it made them so much more dramatic and let you feel the tension.
This drama really shows you the thin line between love and hate. It shows the difference between love and obsession and love that starts from obsession. The opposite of Wuthering Heights.
Main Leads (Min Hyeok and Yoo Jung): I loved Min Hyeok immediately and throughout. I also loved Yoo Jung, she grew on me, but at first she was just plain naive and stupid. Min Hyeok and Yoo Jung, though they seem a world apart, especially in the first few episodes, they were really alike. Out of every character in this drama, they were the only two who truly knew how to love another person and sacrifice for them. Min Hyeok was at first obsessed with revenge, but his stalking of Yoo Jung litterally saved her life countless times. He was there for her when no one else was. I found it ironic and quite funny that the person who said they hated Yoo Jung the most, was the person who was always there for her to lean on and rely on. His revenge was an obsession, but his love for her was real unlike the relationship between the second leads.
Second Leads (Do Hoon and Se Yeon): I really liked the Se Yeon at the start (the first half) of this drama. She had a really nice friendship with Min Hyeok whome she was engaged to. She was a really nice person in general, which is why the Do Hoon started obsessing over her. I wouldn't say Do Hoon ever truly loved her because he didn't have the emotional capacity to love. At the start she was simply friendly to the Do Hoon and very clear that she only wanted friendship. But when she started actually siding with the Do Hoon, and not just to make Min Hyeok jealous, I started to dislike her, I HATED her double standards. Her love for Min Hyeok was an obsession, similar to Do Hoon's obsession with her. Her downward spiral was very satisfying though I did find it a pity that such a good person went down as she did. I'd blame it on Do Hoon, but she helped further instigate him by leading him on and telling him to go up the social ladder, entirely so that she can make Min Hyeok jealous. The only satisfaction I found with Se Yeon and Do Hoon's relationship was that they were both pathetically clinging on to each other and using each other, and were both too stupid to realise this.
My favourite quote:
- Min Hyeok after he reads Wuthering Heights says: "Revenge that starts from love ends in tragedy. What I'm curious about is, if it's the opposite, love that starts from revenge, what happens to that?"
- Min Hyeak to Do Hoon (FL's ex) after he starts dating Yoo Jung: "Pitiful bastard. Do you still not know what you've lost?" (He truly appreciated the Yoo Jung, something the Do Hoon didn't have the capacity to do and couldn't fathom why Do Hoon treated her so badly).
Ending (SPOILERS):
The thing I was anticipating the most in this drama is not the main leads ending up together, but the second leads getting what they deserve. I really wanted the Yoo Jung to get her justice and by episode 15 it really seemed like she would. But, I was NOT satisfied with the justice she got. Do Hoon and his mother deserved MUCH worse. They both needed to be punished for EVERYTHING they did, but they didn't. I didn't care much for Se Yeon, the fact that her love wasn't reciprocated and would never have been reciprocated by Min Hyeok was enough for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Misery with a side of Love
If you're into dramatic dramas with villains and unbelievable twists with some toxic romance that ends well and don't mind watching something a bit dated then this is for you.At first I thought this was going to be amazing coming from watching nice man from 2013 I can say this was much better. similar storyline but written so much better with a more redemptive characters.
what I liked:
-the male lead was almost a step ahead of everyone. he was understanding and steadfast in his love instead of flacky and febble.
-the female lead was strong but allowed herself to be weak sometimes. I love the feminine give and take that was going on.
the OST was awesome.
-the clues were nicely put together and didn't feel messy with no crazy amnesi or something stupid like that.
-it was balanced well with her being a mom and a woman in love at the same time. -sometimes one takes precisence but not this time.
-the characters got to grow and go through some amazing development.
-their chemistry was great when they let themselves get into it.
-it was worth the wait to see them fall for me.
-it left a smile on my face.
what I didn't enjoy as much:
-not enough love scenes of both characters just loving and enjoying each other.
-love scenes came too late in the game, like episode 12, and they were far and in between all the problems.
-the happy ending was way too short and abruptly cut to credits. wish we could have seen them together for longer as a reward for making them go through so much.
-the criminals got redemption arcs ( they were so horrible I wanted them to rot)
Overall great dramatic melodrama where the characters were not completely insane and no crazy unbelievable plot twist like double or triple amnesia. and the love made sense and so did the breakups. where the couple were sincire and smart and made smart decisions most of the times. so yes I'd recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I'm not a huge fan of melodrama and romance together but however, this drama could be perfectly summarized into two words: A masterpiece. It had some flaws but I'm glad that I watched every last bit of it, although I have had my moments where I was so frustrated and wanted to drop it within the first few episodes, this drama definitely won't fail you once you pick it back up again. Let's start with the actors. I've seen Hwang Jung-eum's acting before in Kill Me Heal Me, but I found her acting in Secret to be more likeable than KMHM. Some people won't like Yoojung's personality at first as people might view her as submissive and somewhat of an idiot but I found Yoojung to be the optimistic but naive girl that by showing her kindness, the world would repay it to her the same way. However, that wasn't the case as she suffered and endured a lot and had a total 180 with her personality to the point where I cried every time she did and felt her pain to the max. Ji Sung did a superb work with portraying the rich but a huge jerk of a guy that thought he could have it all but then started to develop a sense of responsibility for all of his actions, while also having an obsession disorder that I think was portrayed amazingly. Bae Soo-bin and Lee Dae-hee. Amazing. Bae Soo-bin is the definition of the guy whom you thought was the perfect boyfriend to the person whom you wanted to crush him every time you saw him and Dae-hee was the perfect classy but petty second female lead and I couldn't help but want to see more of them. Truly wonderful actors.
The story was a reversal of Wuthering Heights. A love that resulted from revenge that was not an easy plot to realize into a likeable drama like this one, but I was so fascinated with every plot twists and obviously, the 'secrets' that were uncovered, which would make you view the whole drama from a whole new perspective. However my one critic is that the ending was a bit unreal for me and how Se-yeon let go of her grudge so quickly was questionable. The ending was fast-paced and all of Yoojung's problems were all solved and uncovered by themselves, which I thought was going to be bit-by-bit. In spite of that I rooted for the poetic justice that Yoojung has finally received.
The music is amaaazing!! I still get shivers and I have all of the OST's on my playlist, definitely a masterpiece OST that truly convey what each of the couple's are truly feeling. Rewatch value is a 9 for two things: The crying and the melodrama. Even if you rewatched the drama a couple of times you would still sympathize with the characters and cry with Yoojung and that what makes it even more amazing, but not for sensitive hearts like mine haha. ;w;
Overall, this drama is a 10/10. definitely would recommend. If you're looking for a quality drama, quality actors, tear-jerking music that would truly 'steal your heart', a drama to cry your eyes out while still cherishing those happy moments once in while, then definitely go for it. Don't watch it if you're looking for a time-waster or watch it while multitasking cause this drama WILL TAKE UP YOUR ENTIRE SCHEDULE. Seriuously, I binged watched it while i had my finals #sorrynotsorry. :D
Was this review helpful to you?
Great drama but 2nd leads excessive screen time is overwhelmingly annoying
Very good drama and Ji Sung is absolutely amazing but the second leads really got on my nerves. By the middle of episode 14, I was ready for someone to whack both, Se Yeon and Do Hoon. They were given way too much screen time. It seemed just about equal to the leads which caused me to feel some turbulent emotions. Lots of positive feelings during Min Hyeok and Yoo Jeong’s scenes and then boom, here come the second leads and their terribleness that immediately killed the mood. This up and down happened way too frequently. If not for this, I would’ve rated this drama a 10/10. Also, Min Hyeok’s father’s hair and makeup were terrible and distracting. I couldn’t take him seriously while looking like a Madame Tussaud wax figure. Other than that, I really enjoyed this drama. Ji Sung and Hwan Jung Eum pair up very well. Glad I gave this one a shot.Was this review helpful to you?
Wow.. Very dramatic but also so beautiful
How can one bear this many dramas ? Maybe because she is loved by far much...A very dramatic melodrama, a tearjecker and at the same time, it was wonderful. Great acting, great story, great lovestory, very well paced, gripping...
I bingewatched it cause I couldn't let go after episode 6. The actors are soooo good and the chemistry between the 2 leads is amazing. It's a story about revenge, hate, family, impossible love... and how far one person is willing to go to keep a lie, how far one is willing to go for love... and how love can save someone.
It's a must watch.
i didn't give the drama a 10 because i'm just a littlfe frustrated by the end, i wanted a little bit more of them together :-)
Was this review helpful to you?
What A Good Surprise
As the headline says, this drama took me by surprise. I had been going through quite a number of K-dramas prior and was not expecting much from this one. However, I got glued to it from the beginning right to the end. The plot was highly acceptable, the acting was superb and the script intelligent. I found myself not fast forwarding and even rewound some parts to understand the plot more, which is so unlike me.So there you have it. A story about love which started with revenge, electrifying chemistry where Ji Sung (Jo Min Hyeok) did a great job! with Hwang Jung Eun playing Yoo Jeong (lead roles). My heart pounded watching Min Hyeok's hate turning to love for Yoo Jeong.
Supporting roles were also extremely believable by Jung Soo Young (a friend made by Yoo Jeong whilst in prison) and ex boyfriend Ahn Doo Hoon who acted his mean part well. The friendship between Min Hyeok and his assistant Gwang Soo had me laughing quite a bit too. They were cute together.
The Directors had the flow of the drama plotted out really well with no boring moments and enacted in a clever way. I was tensed and looked forward to every scene as the real reason for Yoo Jeong being betrayed unfolded.
A drama worth watching and not to be missed. Ji Sung was fabulous. This would be a drama I would want to watch again real soon.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
I do not usually watch melodramas but I thought I may give Secret a go (because i just finished kill me heal me and I loved the chemistry between the 2 of them) AND I LOVED IT!!! This drama is a culmination of tears, amazing chemistry and unforgettable moments which heavily provokes a substantial amount of sympathy from audiences!
OK LET US BEGIN!
STORY- 10
WOW!!! what a freken story! twists and turns at every corner! Its a confronting awakening to the fact that love as pure may not be existent HOWEVER the 2 mains don't let us down there! This was acting at its best! Clearly because i think i finished about 2 tissue boxes watching this!! It took me on a wild ride that's for sure!!
ACTING- 10
AGAIN WOW! GOD I LOVE JI SUNG X JUNG EUM! PUTS THEM AT THE TOP FOR ME!!! God they are too good as a couple! their chemistry comes so natural! Its like they're a couple in reality (but that is not going to happen because JI SUNG is taken :( )! Even the bad guys did a good job at being bad, obviously because i punch my screen whenever I i saw se yeon and do noon! So the acting was a definite 10
MUSIC-8.5
It was GREAT.....always had the ability to make me cry like a baby! But i docked 1.5 off because it just lost that happy feel...i know it's a sad drama but i just needed a bit of happiness
REWATCH-8.5
I watched this series in a day and a half! It got me hooked and I am certain i will watch it again just because they did such a good job with the chemistry! I love a arrogant, rich man falling for a not so rich, bright girl....its the romance we all hope for :D
Overall-9 :D
Its not quite a 10 because i think what let it down was the fact that it was a bit overly tragic (the ending saved it tho!! )! BUT i loved it :D
SO DO YOU WANT AN ENGAGING STORY WITH FABULOUS ACTING!
THEN WATCH SECRETS!
YOU WILL NOT FORGET IT!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
I really like this drama, for me it is one of the bests of all time.
I think my points for story/acting/music/rewatch value/overall is enough to understand it's gorgeousness there is not much to say. If you want to watch this drama, but still has hesitation, forget all of it and watch it.
Okey at the begining, the story was so worrywart(not sure whether is is the rigt word or not I meant so sad and dark)and for some of you it is similar to Nice Guy but it is not. I watched Nice Guy and like it but let's be fair beside the revenge and prison parts they are not even close. When the story goes on, you just forget all of your bitternes and you go with the flow.
I can't even remember when I started to watch it, it was like yesterday for me.
There is nothing to say cast, Bae Su Bin is the bad guy again, but let's give the devil it's due, he made the best of the role. But still don't like him hehe :)
And Ji Sung&Hwang; Jung Eum, I love them so much, they did an amazing work with this drama.
Even musics were slow(I dont like that kind of musics so much), I relly like them too.
Overall it was FANTABULOUS!
Thanks for everyone contributed to this drama.
P.S: I wish there was a special episode, still heartbroken about it :(
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Back to the story, the thriller is good, I really looked forward to what will happen on the characters especially to Do-Hoon and Yoo-jung, how will Min-Hyuk get his revenge, how will the family of Do-Hoon treat Yoo jung, etc. Though the acting is a little bit meh. The romance between Yoo Jung and Min Hyuk was so out of the place. Why would you like someone who is connected to the death of your past lover and why would you fall for someone who makes you suffer? That is so weird. Their 'relationship' was so forced in this drama. And why do Min Hyuk keep thinking that he owns the women here? For example his lines like "don't die without my permission", "Smile for me' keeps dragging Yoo Jung etc. That is so cringy. No wonder the reviews in this drama before was 10/10 because that kind of things were so normalized before.
I like Choi Gwang-soo and Seo Ji-Hee in this drama, they're cute.
I'll just give this drama a 5/10.
Was this review helpful to you?
