Some of the interaction between the couple- particularly in the first part - seemed repetitive. The plot felt kind of slow for me at first. But once it got going there are some really charming, funny and romantic moments in Secret Garden that makes it all worth it. The body switching provides some light fun. Joo Won and Oska are really endearing and funny characters. The relationship between the 2 cousins is heartwarming. Joo Won is somehow arrogant, funny and lovable all at once. It is worth watching just to enjoy these characters. Overall it is really charming, funny and romantic and worth the time.
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There's nothing particularly remarkable about Secret Garden, but it is a solid drama. I finished it in 3 days and there was no point where I didn't want to continue watching (I actually had to convince myself to pause the drama and go to sleep haha). There's nothing particularly unique or breathtaking about Secret Garden, especially when you compare it to what all has been released in the K-drama world since it's release. BUT, it *is* enjoyable. I found all the characters enjoyable to watch. My favorite character was probably Oska (Yoon Sang Hyun is so entertaining!) because he was cute and sincere. Even though the male MC's mother was a b*tch, she wasn't that different from most chaebol mothers portrayed in the K-drama world, so I wasn't too surprised or terribly bothered by her antics. And all the characters got a clean ending and the ending for our MCs was wrapped up well and satisfying.
The OST was nice, but it isn't my favorite out of all the K-dramas I've watched, BUT I really really REALLY love Scar by Bois - you can feel the pain and sorrow of the song and it gets stuck in your head in a good way (very easy to hum by yourself haha).
I would really recommend watching Secret Garden if you haven't gotten around to it, especially if you've been in the K-drama world for a while. It feels like a mainstream "classic" that everyone really should watch. Secret Garden definitely has more PDA than the dramas I'm seeing these days, but it leaves you with very pleasant and warm feelings.
Also, I found Kim Joo Won's chant about the turtle and the crane joke to be sooooo adorable. XD
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What I liked:
Acting – Ha Ji Won can do no wrong in my eyes. Loved her in Empress Ki, loved her in King2Hearts, loved her here). I’ve only seen Hyun Bin here and in Crash Landing on You – loved him. Supporting cast was nice, but completely lost to the powerful interpretations these 2 leads brought. The two of them delivered so much through their body that I often found the lines annoying.
Props to acting when switching as well – the SMS ringtone never ceased to make me laugh out loud.
I don’t like Yoon Sang Hyun (please don’t judge, my heart is full of other favorites), but he did a nice and heartfelt interpretation. Pretty much the only one not lost from supporting cast.
Chemistry – can I give it above maximum marks? Romantic dramas might be my favorite and I do admit Korean actors excel at delivering chemistry. In my opinion, also their differences would help them in their life – him being all forward, going ahead at full speed, not caring about unimportant people he may step on, her coming a bit behind, apologizing, lifting people up and making friends . Bad cop, good cop never gets old.
Hyun Bin’s character realism – Kim Joo Won’s concerns about what he should chose, until making his decision, felt real to me. I am not rich, but I do believe once you are rich, money are part of who you are so giving them up is like giving up a part of your body. So I do understand his infatuation, his need to be among quality and expensive things, in an entourage of people like him. But in the end, it’s all about fate ?.
Ha Ji Won’s character – especially liked her pride in being what she is (alone and poor), but nevertheless her trying to be better for Kim Joo Won. And by better, I mean in matching his chaebol standards. Also, she was so hoooot in this drama. Action scenes are a perfect match for her.
What I disliked:
Not so much… School’s director was pretty much a pain to watch for me. But hey, it’s tough to deliver your lines to Ha Ji Won and Hyun Bin. I need to repeat that they got my full attention in every scene.
What I got over:
Maybe small spoiler… After hospital switch – I didn’t quite understand as it worked. But maybe it was just me totally engrossed in main characters and missed the explanation ?.
Story – nice fantasy elements, but with less powerful leads not sure if it would’ve been memorable.
Already rewatched, will probably rewatch in the future.
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Warning tho: Hyun Bin`s mom would get on your nerve. Like the typical rich mom that don`t like their son`s girlfriend or whatsoever. And of course, Bin too. The typical `rude and insensitive guy to the main female lead` during the first few episodes.
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An Unpolished Gemstone from 2010
I gave it a try because I noticed this was an earlier work by the same screenwriter who wrote 'The Goblin' and 'The Glory'.This came out in 2010-2011 and is a Cinderella story with a supernatural angle thrown in. Some of the commentary in the dialogue was seriously blunt talk about class differences and issues with marriage between the humble classes and the elite few. Later Cinderella stories I've seen toned it down from what's here.
The bad is the acting (or perhaps we should blame the directors?) which at times is horrible with the actors screaming out lines and bellowing. Very off-putting. And then even my first time through the rough transitions and dropped or mishandled threads are very noticeable. What saves the production, as flawed and dated as it is, is it has a lot of heart. I found myself ignoring the bad acting and getting so engrossed in the story that the full hour episodes flew by.
Given this came out in 2010 and the screenwriter later followed up with such polished work as Goblin and Glory (among others) it seemed often that there were story twists and scene situations that she was experimenting with and that later were used by her (and other screenwriters) very successfully in better executed productions.
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Totally in love with this drama
Watched this drama several years ago and loved it .Was so good back then .I recently decided to rewatch old dramas.I must say I’m more than in love this time around ..I understand everything better now ..Everything is so on point .from acting to storyline ,to the ost..My fourth time rewatching and I never get tired.The progression is beautiful and right paced
No cringy moment
First drama I’ve watched, where the show is still good and not cringy after they start dating.
The chemistry between the leads are amazing
So I’m love with the fl she’s such a great actress as well as the ml
Even the love between the second leads is to die for
A very sweet emotional rollercoaster
It’s more than amazing how a drama is still so good after 13 years ….
A must watch!!
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This review may contain spoilers
What a fun drama
I watched this drama 15 years after its release and expected to cringe a lot.Boy was I wrong. It had me on a crazy rollercoaster, wanting to know what would happen next, like immediately.
All I can say, it had me hooked and I'm glad I gave it a chance.
This drama really showcased Hyun Bin's talent. He was a very convincing Ra-im. I found out he lost weight for the role, but the mannerisms, the gait, even his stares and sometimes shy gaze. Ugh, he's a wonderful actor.
I must say (I forgot her name) but FL was great too! As Ra-im I oftentimes found her to be too passive, but as soon as she crept in the role of Ju-won, hats off.
I forever hate how dramas tend to cram a lot of progress in the last episode, this one did it too, but I could forgive it because the story remained consistent. The nasty mother remained nasty and thus held her end of the bargain to never accept Ra-im.
Again, I really enjoyed this one.
Only thing "bad" about this was the hair and some of the outfits, but that was '10 fashion for you. All in all, solid 8.
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the story were good written .. i laughed , felt love , sad and got crazy with every one of the characters !! i really enjoyed every minute of every second of the series !!!
the music was great and on point ... i loved the ost so much <3
the acting was so so good .. every one of them acted their role like it was his for real !! you could feel oksa hurts form his ex and how she manipulated him and hurt his heart .. then Sseon hopless love for him and how hurt he was then actually he was the one that made oska happy again with Yoon ...
then Kim and Gii omg they made me crazy from laughing all the time and how they got the chrachter so freaking on point when they swapped !!!
i really love the series so so much and watched for 3 times never felt bored at all ..
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A classic that might not age well for some
high rating is probably unjustified, but it was One of the first 3 dramas I ever watched. It made me fall in love with the genre. Time may not be kind to this drama as the clothes ARE going to be outdated, as are the many tropes & sensibilities. The tsundere male being demanding & over bearing while being a (Jane Austen's) Mr. Darcy type in many ways; I found it fun & didn't care about the possible masculine toxicity because it just doesn't bother me.I wasn't thrilled about the parental drama or the soul/body switching, but I over looked it as they didn't delve too far into the ramifications. Has a Happy ending.
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