AngiBorahae

So while eagerly waiting for the next episodes, I wanted to write down my honest thoughts about this drama. We're half way through and I'm still curious about what is to come...

The plot itself isn't really unique and there are quite a lot of clichés scenes. But the thing is.... clichés exist for a reason. Because people usually like specific scenarios. And I'm totally in for absolutely well-made clichés. Be it the romantic scenes, the childhood destiny, the jealousy trope... I'm in! I'm currently totally obsessed with this drama. Every week I'm looking forward to this heartwarming and cozy drama.

And I think a big part of my obsession are the leads. Kim Seon Ho and Shin Min Ah. Both of them bring so much life and depth to their characters and them together... BOOM! Amazing chemistry! The acting is marvelous and especially heart fluttering during their romantic scenes. I've been a big fan of Kim Seon Ho's acting since his role in Strongest Delivery and he really nails melo and romantic scenes. His gaze is just indescribable soft and lovely. And don't get me started on his micro-expressions! He's an actor incredibly good in taking the spot light and making the scene his.

I'm looking forward to Doo Shik's story and the unraveling of his past. I hope the writers keep up the good pace. I'm kind of traumatized by the drama Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol... which had a similar sentiment as Hometown Cha Cha Cha and I really loved that drama in the beginning, but it became the worst case scenario ending total makjang.... Heartbreaking writers fail...

But let's be optimistic and hopeful :D Caaaan't wait for the weekend... Why does this week feel slower than usual?

Saw that this drama was trending again and I remembered how much I loved it when it aired. Definitely gonna rewatch it soon :D Was surprised by the amount of negativity in the comment section tho ._.

I don't really understand the amount of hate this drama and especially the FL is getting lately. It's okay if u didn't like the drama and the characters, but judging the people who actually liked the drama is kind of weird.
The FL is in no way an angel, but she's also not the devil you make her out to be. Her character development is actually one of the best parts of the drama. I still remember how much I cried watching the scene where Sang Tae fed crying Moon Young... One of the most heart-breaking scenes in my opinion.

I loved the flawed characters and their relationships so much in this drama and there was never a scene that bored me. So for everyone, who didn't watch this drama yet. Just start and form your own opinion. If you like it, great, if not, also great! To each their own, but don't go around judging people for liking it...

Wow, this was so enjoyable to read *-* It's been quite some time that I've seen the drama but I missed HJP and wanted to read some comments and discovered your review. Thanks dear. I enjoy it very much :)

Hmmm.... just watched the last episode.... and I feel empty :(
Not quite satisfied if this really was the ultimate ending. I love HP so much, so even tho I liked the episode overall, it definitely wasn't satisfying as the last episode of this wonderful drama. It's been such a long journey.... but somehow I feel empty....

... I don't know.... I just feel empty....and sad....

Yeah, please no... I'm still traumatized from Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol.... that drama was so amazing, warm and cozy... until they ruined it in the last few episodes and made it a horrible makjang -_-

Wow I didn't know. That's quite sad actually, but still interesting input.

Ah okay, that's what you meant. Well, I feel bad for all the people missing out on this ^^ Maybe part of the low ratings might be because it's based on a Japanese book?

It doesn't have a low rating. It's just that it has a lot less viewers and people who ranked it. I'm watching both dramas and like both a lot. Completely different vibes, but both incredibly enjoyable. I think it's just easier for people to get into romcoms than slice of life dramas.

Still at least we're watching and enjoying this incredible drama :D

Seriously this is outrageous -_- Never gonna pay for MGTV again... big a** joke

The first two episodes were nice, but I'm not quite hooked yet. As of now there's nothing really special or unique. If it weren't for Kim Seon Ho and Shin Min Ha, I'm not sure if I would have started this drama. But I think it was a decent start, so I'm gonna watch it further.

I thought it's kinda weird that Doo Shik is super ultra nice to everyone, but kinda mean to her. Yeah, I know he still helped her a lot, but he was even mean to her when they first met. Maybe because she was an outsider? Not a village resident? Not sure... he must have had his reasons for acting that way.

Still, it's super great so see Kim Seon Ho again. It's quite the opposite character of his previous drama as Han Ji Pyeong. Where he was a loner and here he is super friendly with everyone ^^

Both Min Ha and Seon Ho are sooo beautiful and their dimples!!! Just one of the reasons I would watch this drama til the end even if the story sucks lol XD

I'm also mad. Why did I pay money then >_< I want my money baaack ._.

Oh really? I didn't know... is it necessary to watch One and Only to understand Forever and Ever?

I loved this drama so much back when it first aired and so I'm gonna rewatch it now, because I'm bored and want to watch something exciting again. And I'm sooooo pleasantly surprised to see Jung Moon Sung in this drama. I didn't remember him back then, but watching him now in Hospital Playlist as Jae Hak alongside Jung Kyung Ho is so fun, because I love their chemistry so much. Didn't know the two of them were in Cruel City together. So cool :D

Thank u for your input and you have really good points!
I also think the writer is awesome when it comes to family or friendship relations, but love... not so much. Especially after the couple is formed, the process before is actually quite enjoyable tho.

I can understand Ik Sun of not wanting to get hurt, because of her past experiences, but the process to that decision is a big boring cliche for me and that's something I don't like, when I know the writer is capable of great writing. It's just disparaging their characters, especially Ik Sun.

As for winter garden, they're a calm and lovely couple, so that a conflict is arising, wasn't actually bad, but make their scenes more exciting. But for the same reason u listed I actually thought it's weird, that a couple can't be together during such hard times. I guess they will keep being strong in supporting each other, but I would want a relationship, where I know we're gonna be together trough happy and sad times. But everyone deals with hardships differently, so acceptable :)

Thank u. I usually don't watch Chinese historical dramas, because they bore me after some time ;_; The only one I really liked was The long Ballad.

But One and Only doesn't have a lot of episodes, so maybe I will try. Thanks :)

So gonna have a quite long rant about Jun Wan/Ik Sun couple... or the love relationships in HP in general. I love HP S1/S2 deeply and it will stay one of my fave dramas ever, but something about the love plot lines in this drama really irks me.

Well, I think I'm not the only one.... I just hate what the writers turned JunWan/IkSun'S relationship into. The writing for this drama is usually marvelous and unique, especially the relationship ones, be it friendship or other relations. That's the strong point of HP and why a lot of people , me included, love it to pieces....And I loved Jun Wan and Ik Sun's relationship so much in season 1. They are both head strong characters with a really goofy and lovely side.

But this boring "I broke up with u, because I thought it's the best for u, but I still love u after more than a year"- trope.... is something I expect of dramas with bad writing. It's just a typical boring cliche story. This isn't something both their amazing characters deserved and it disappointed me hugely how uncreative the writers are with their relationship. It's sad. Just really sad! I loved Ik Sun, but this made her look so bad and immature. Sigh... what were the writers smoking/drinking?

I feel that the writers don't know what to do with their couples once they're together.

Jun Wan/ Ik Sun -> "Let them break up! But let both of them still be likable, so make Ik Sun sick, so she can have an excuse to go back to him, once we know what to do with them again!"✓

Jeong Won / Gyeoul -> "Hmm... we're not gonna break them up (yet?), but just have their screen time together limited. Let Gyeoul have family issues and not have time for Jeong Won anymore, so we don't need to come up with scenes for them!"✓

That's how I imagine their conversations -_-

I'm scared what they're gonna do to Seok Hyung/ Min Ha and my deeply treasured Ik Jun / Song Hwa couple :'(

If they ruin or harm Ik Jun/ Song Hwa couple in anyway, I'm gonna riot!!!!

How does the novel end? I can't watch this drama any further if I know there's gonna be a sad ending... I don't care about slow burn romance, even if they just end up together in the last ep, but if they don't end up together or worse someone dies, then I rather not watch it ;_;

Is Allen Ren a good actor? I've never seen a drama with him. Can someone recommend me some? Best would be a drama in modern time. I don't really like to watch ancient historical or fantasy dramas.

I came here for Bai Lu because I loved her in Arsenal Military Academy and anticipating this drama. Allen Ren looks kinda like a child compared to her. He's older but has such a baby face. Does he act and look mature in dramas?

Edit: Thank you all so much for the recommendations!!❤❤
I will try out One and Only first and then Under the Power or Miss Crow with Mr. Lizard :D And I saw a few clips of him and he looks so much older and mature in those clips. Mydramalist should really change his profile picture. He looks like a child actor in that one XD

I'm actually really pissed at the writers for this. He's such a happy fluffy ball even with all he's been through and I love every single scene with him and he became one of my faves. Why are the writers so cruel to him? Not fair :'(

It's completely okay, if u don't like it and want to drop it. Everyone has a different taste. I love it and enjoy it very much, but it's totally okay, if it's not your cup of tea :) Hope u have seen Cruel City with Jung Kyung Ho in it, because that's my favourite drama with him ;D