This is a fantasy, it's going to be over the top
First things first, this drama is from 2010 and I'm writing the review in 2025 after my 6th (at least) re-watch. This should give you 2 clues about my review 1) I like the drama and 2) it's a child of its time. If you are about to watch it for the first time keep these things in mind.
The lower rated reviews that I have been reading talk about bad acting, and OTT characters. I strongly disagree. Except for the OTT - they are just OTT enough for the genre and story that's being told. Hyun Bin lost weight for this role in order for the ML to be more slender which mirrors the body type of the FL. Both ML and FL do an amazing job mirroring mannerisms and body language of their opposites as they "swap" bodies.
Another common complaint is the pacing of the drama. It is deliberately slow, giving the audience time to see and invest in the turmoil the characters are going through. This of course will miss its mark for the impatient viewers who keep their finger on the FF button the entire time. But for a 20 episode drama this works. There are no stories left untold, there was no rush to wrap up a half finished story arc. Having the time for repetitions of themes within the story makes it more complete. For example the kicking of shins and tapping of the toes, they become clues to what is going on.
As a child of its time there's going to be the obligatory grabbing of wrists and pulling someone away, and behavior that more than just borders on stalking - a secretary is ordered to put a person under surveillance 🙄. And the mis-/no communication, although most of the time it is done well and is resolved.
E17 always gets me, even if I know how the drama ends. It and e18 are in a different mood from the rest of the episodes, but I think they make the drama better than if it was constant fluff and silliness.
The lower rated reviews that I have been reading talk about bad acting, and OTT characters. I strongly disagree. Except for the OTT - they are just OTT enough for the genre and story that's being told. Hyun Bin lost weight for this role in order for the ML to be more slender which mirrors the body type of the FL. Both ML and FL do an amazing job mirroring mannerisms and body language of their opposites as they "swap" bodies.
Another common complaint is the pacing of the drama. It is deliberately slow, giving the audience time to see and invest in the turmoil the characters are going through. This of course will miss its mark for the impatient viewers who keep their finger on the FF button the entire time. But for a 20 episode drama this works. There are no stories left untold, there was no rush to wrap up a half finished story arc. Having the time for repetitions of themes within the story makes it more complete. For example the kicking of shins and tapping of the toes, they become clues to what is going on.
As a child of its time there's going to be the obligatory grabbing of wrists and pulling someone away, and behavior that more than just borders on stalking - a secretary is ordered to put a person under surveillance 🙄. And the mis-/no communication, although most of the time it is done well and is resolved.
E17 always gets me, even if I know how the drama ends. It and e18 are in a different mood from the rest of the episodes, but I think they make the drama better than if it was constant fluff and silliness.
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