This was a pretty slow-moving drama, and there were some things that I wish had been portrayed differently, especially towards the end, but it did raise some interesting questions about dealing with the choices you make in life and to what extent you should regret, to what extent you should look back, and to what extent you should let go and focus on moving forward. (I also felt the acting of the male lead wasn't as strong as it could have been at times, especially in the more emotional moments).
"What I didn’t like about this drama was how stoic and cold the male lead was throughout the whole drama. I had hoped that once the main leads got together he would at least be sweet towards the female lead but he didn’t improve much in that area."
My thought exactly! Good review, I agree with many of your points.
A complete list of the episode titles if you're interested in the topics they cover: Ep.1: Do you dare eat hot pot alone? Ep.2: Do you dare go to an ex’s wedding alone? Ep.3: Do you dare celebrate Christmas alone? Ep.4: Do you dare eat New Year’s Eve meal alone? Ep.5: Have you traveled alone? Ep.6: Do you dare have an operation alone? Ep.7: Did you grow up on your own? Ep.8: Can you move house by yourself? Ep.9: Do you like visiting the seaside alone? Ep.1o: Do you enjoy being alone?
This drama was a lot more wholesome than I originally anticipated, based on the synopsis and poster. I definitely thought it would be a bit darker with more melancholy characters, but instead what we got was Zhang Liang, a welcomed ball of just pure sunshine and good feelings.
What I liked most about this story was its emphasis on understanding. The basis of the business the characters create together was "Don't judge a person by their cover," which was thoroughly explored throughout the drama. There were many "mini-stories" that interplayed with the core theme and central story nicely, interwoven with the radio show offering extra insights. Also, the main stories involving our main characters, especially towards the end, were beautifully done and encompassed me in a wave of emotions.
The friendship between the three main characters was lovely and really heartwarming; it's definitely the central focus of the show, so if you come looking for a good romance, this isn't the right drama. The romance is there, lightly, in the background, but the emphasis is more on growth and just how to be good to people in your community without giving away too much of yourself.
It's a drama full of heart, and while I do think some parts could've been done better, and some performances weren't quite up to snuff, I'm glad it turned out contrary to my expectations - the final result was much better than what I had initially imagined.
Ok, I have watched the first two episodes and I am bewildered here. Why is the fl apologising to and taking responsibility…
In my interpretation, no. I think throughout the drama, the ml and fl both have their ups and downs and support each other through them. I just rewatched the scene you were referring to, and while, yes it would have been nice for the ml to give some acknowledgment of his part in the falling, it's not like it was his intention to have them fall off the roof, and at the beginning I think it's just part of his personality to be particularly prickly and standoffish, so his attitude fits his current traits. Also, I don't really think the fl was a doormat at all, she just has a high sense of responsibility and thus will always to step forward to do what she thinks is right - like apologizing in that situation - even if she's not particularly at fault. That is also part of her character that grows and evolves over time.
What? Master's suns main couple was awesome, what did you not like about them?
I don't remember exactly because I watched it when it first came out 7 years ago, but I distinctly remember having a feeling that was very similar to this drama - the leads have no chemistry, they keep making terrible decisions, and they just aren't a joy to watch, to the point that even after they become a couple, I still don't enjoy their interactions.
Goodness. I haven't disliked/felt so uninterested in a main couple like this for a long, long time (probably not since 2013's The Master's Sun). I think the only reason I was able to sit through the whole thing is because I watched in small chunks during my breaks at work, so it was more digestible than consuming a whole 1 hour+ episode in one sitting (I did that for the last two. It was rough).
There are exactly four things I liked about this drama, thus my final rating. (1) Kim Seon Ho/Ji Pyeong. He was wonderful, a layered character who often made me feel things deeply during his scenes, especially when compared to scenes without him. His scenes with Kim Hae Sook were lovely, and his final choice with what to do with his investment brought tears to my eyes. (2) The family side-plot. Starting with the visually-stunning first episode and ending a very touching scene near the end (trying to avoid spoilers), it circled back to its beginning beautifully and meaningfully. (3) The side-characters. I liked Cheol San and Sa Ha the best, but Yong San's story was also interesting (if a bit underdeveloped), and the evolution of Do San's parents was also rewarding. (4) The directing. Probably the main reason I kept watching. It was a very beautifully-shot drama for sure.
All in all, I won't be touching (or thinking about) this drama after finishing it, but in the end, I'm glad I held in there because I at least got to enjoy the satisfying conclusion to the first three points mentioned above.
I ate this drama up. It took about 10 episodes to really suck me in, but once the plot (and especially the angst) really took off, I got sucked in. The two leads, in particular, were really adorable, both as a couple and as themselves. They had good character arcs and their feelings for each other once they got over their obstacles felt really genuine. I liked the side characters as well and the explorations of real love vs. expectation, dealing with the trauma left from the previous generation, letting go of hatred, etc. Lots of good topics.
The one big qualm I had with the drama is that sometimes characters would make decisions too abruptly or suddenly change their entire thought processes, things that had been building up for episodes, at the drop of a hat, or due to a single line of dialogue. Also, the process of falling in love was a bit abrupt, not like the slow-dance, lovely build-up we're used to in more modern dramas. Sometimes I only realized characters had fallen for each other because they explicitly said so.
All in all, it was a great drama and I'm glad I watched it. Happy to see a drama made 15 years ago, which I have absolutely no childhood nostalgia for, can be so enjoyable.
I generally enjoyed this drama. I felt the middle was stronger than the beginning and ending, and there were some thread points that I wish had been explored further - especially concerning the female lead, whose importance essentially disappeared from the plot after her Big Climax, which happened pretty early on. I also kind of felt similar towards the male lead, but he at least got a bit more fleshing out and further growth after his big reveal. Also, while I still don't think Ben Wu is the greatest actor, I felt this role really suited him and he did a better job compared to the other dramas I've seen him in.
I do wish they had spent more time focusing on the production of live streams and what actually goes into having that sort of company and the ups and downs of broadcasting. But, alas, most of the focus was on the development of the characters, which I can't exactly be upset about seeing how much I enjoy that sort of thing.
In the end, my favorite characters didn't even end up being any of the leads, but the supports. I loved Ma Li, and I'm glad she got more screentime at the end there. The actress playing her has great comedic potential. Princess Leia was also an interesting character who stole the scene every time they made an appearance.
Overall, it was a fun ride, and in most of the episodes, I just found myself smiling and enjoying these character's interactions so much. It's a good drama for some lighthearted viewing.
Is there a lot of growth with the FL's character? I dropped after midway through episode 3 because I couldn't…
Yeah, the step-sister a bit of a caricature at the beginning, but she does get more character growth and a pretty good arc overall. She doesn't stay the cartoonish villain for the whole story.
As for the female lead, for me personally, I never felt she was too over the top, and I liked how she just decided to go for it once she knew she had entered into the novel world. I felt it made a good parallel between her timid-ness in the real world vs. the freedom of entering into a world where consequences mattered less because you're essentially at the author's will. It goes into more detail about how that works as the drama progresses, so I think it will make more sense if you watch more.
It was more than just lack of communication, there were communication but it was all just lies since they first…
I'd still call it lack of communication since he didn't exactly "say" those lies, he just didn't correct anyone when people assumed things about him. I could forgive it for the age thing, but then he kept deliberately setting up more miscommunications so he didn't need to "tell" Ra Ra anything, he could just let her imagination run wild or have other people do the work for him; no communication necessary. The more I think about it, the more I get angry about what a jerk move that was.
Good first half, disastrous second. I liked the characters; they were good people and treated each other with such warmth.
The biggest problem with this drama is the lack of communication. I thought we were past "noble idiot" type plotlines? Why can't you respect someone enough to tell them when you're in trouble and let them make the decision for themself about how to deal with it? "I don't want them to see me suffer" is such a selfish reason for hiding important information from someone you supposedly care about. More like you want to feel like then "hero" for saving them from the pain you didn't even let them in on in the first place!
The last two episodes had a lot of tropes I absolutely abhor, so pretty disappointed overall. At the same time, I can't forget the memorable lines and fluffiness of the first half.
I was unsure how I would rate this drama up until the final episode... what a superb conclusion to a thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable drama. I think I can boil the things that made my rating fly so high to three points:
(1): The mix of fiction and real-world and how they interacted with each other. I already love dramas that deal with the publishing industry, authors, or a heavy emphasis on reading anyway, but the way this drama interconnected the two really had me pondering questions that I hadn't thought of before. For example: The relationship between the reader/viewer and the media they're consuming. How much of our expectations do we force onto the content we consume? Do our expectations limit the potential of the characters? How "real" should we consider these "fictional" characters to be, really? What happens to characters who don't get an ending? What happens to characters after a story ends? What if their story never ends?, etc... It's a revolving door of mystery, and to have a drama provoke that much after-rumination is such a rare gem.
(2) The plot. I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but the way the plot went full circle to collide with where it began was really beautiful and went in ways, though unexpected, I fully appreciated. I liked how the threads were tied up, basically, which (however unfortunate) is rare in drama world. Also, the characters got their growth, the natural consequences and rewards for their behavior.
(3) Lastly, a small thing, but it really hit me hard. When the male lead, our stereotypical "overbearing CEO," begins reading the trope-ridden romance books published by the female lead, I readily anticipated the typical reaction of underlying mocking or scoffing. But his reaction was something I didn't realize I needed, a sort of affirmation of sorts, that he also enjoyed the books in his own way. He saw past the typical tropes and clichés and found the magic and appeal that draws so many of us to this particular form of entertainment. (Case in point, upon beginning a new book: "Not bad. Another shower scene.") Even just typing this now balloons my heart with appreciation. Kudos to the writers for putting those scenes in the drama, they're the type that sticks with me for a long time.
There were many things I liked about this drama, but those are the three main ones that bumped it up to "masterpiece" status. The chemistry between the leads was also off the charts, and there were a lot of lovely fluffy scenes to balance out the darker situations. I highly recommend this drama to anyone interested.
I suddenly had the great urge to rewatch this one. Maybe because I'd been watching so many newer TW-dramas that have such great potential but don't end up coming through with the execution. Maybe because I wanted to go back to something I loved. Maybe I just really love the theme song. At any rate, it was a fantastic rewatch, and I was reminded once again why this drama was one of the early few to get a 10/10 from me.
I think what touches me most about this drama is the utter humanity of its characters. This has a lot to do with the strengths of the leads, but man, did Vic Chou dominates as Chen Ling. The vulnerability, the hard edges that ever-so-slowly soften as he learns to let go of his past and embraces the person Qi Luo believes he can be. It's magnificent. Chen Ling, though falling into the stereotypical "bad boy" persona at the beginning, doesn't fall victim to the tropes that surround that caricature. Rather, he's held up as an example of a flawed person, someone whose actions you should not admire or pursue. He's given the time and space to develop and grow.
Luo Qi's growth and development is just as beautifully laid out and developed. She had a good pace of slowly opening up and blossoming into the person she could have been all along had those terrible things not happened to her. Their love story is one of the most beautiful I've seen, but also very realistic and deals with issues in, while not always the most mature way due to their age, at least in a thoughtful and meaningful way.
To put it simply, this is one drama that I think will impact and touch me the same way as the first time I saw it all those years ago. Despite the not-so-great video quality, it really shines through as an example of a story that is well-laid out and characters that actors put their heart and soul into. It's a gem and a classic for sure.
https://wp.me/p2xBRi-5P
My thought exactly! Good review, I agree with many of your points.
Ep.1: Do you dare eat hot pot alone?
Ep.2: Do you dare go to an ex’s wedding alone?
Ep.3: Do you dare celebrate Christmas alone?
Ep.4: Do you dare eat New Year’s Eve meal alone?
Ep.5: Have you traveled alone?
Ep.6: Do you dare have an operation alone?
Ep.7: Did you grow up on your own?
Ep.8: Can you move house by yourself?
Ep.9: Do you like visiting the seaside alone?
Ep.1o: Do you enjoy being alone?
What I liked most about this story was its emphasis on understanding. The basis of the business the characters create together was "Don't judge a person by their cover," which was thoroughly explored throughout the drama. There were many "mini-stories" that interplayed with the core theme and central story nicely, interwoven with the radio show offering extra insights. Also, the main stories involving our main characters, especially towards the end, were beautifully done and encompassed me in a wave of emotions.
The friendship between the three main characters was lovely and really heartwarming; it's definitely the central focus of the show, so if you come looking for a good romance, this isn't the right drama. The romance is there, lightly, in the background, but the emphasis is more on growth and just how to be good to people in your community without giving away too much of yourself.
It's a drama full of heart, and while I do think some parts could've been done better, and some performances weren't quite up to snuff, I'm glad it turned out contrary to my expectations - the final result was much better than what I had initially imagined.
There are exactly four things I liked about this drama, thus my final rating.
(1) Kim Seon Ho/Ji Pyeong. He was wonderful, a layered character who often made me feel things deeply during his scenes, especially when compared to scenes without him. His scenes with Kim Hae Sook were lovely, and his final choice with what to do with his investment brought tears to my eyes.
(2) The family side-plot. Starting with the visually-stunning first episode and ending a very touching scene near the end (trying to avoid spoilers), it circled back to its beginning beautifully and meaningfully.
(3) The side-characters. I liked Cheol San and Sa Ha the best, but Yong San's story was also interesting (if a bit underdeveloped), and the evolution of Do San's parents was also rewarding.
(4) The directing. Probably the main reason I kept watching. It was a very beautifully-shot drama for sure.
All in all, I won't be touching (or thinking about) this drama after finishing it, but in the end, I'm glad I held in there because I at least got to enjoy the satisfying conclusion to the first three points mentioned above.
The one big qualm I had with the drama is that sometimes characters would make decisions too abruptly or suddenly change their entire thought processes, things that had been building up for episodes, at the drop of a hat, or due to a single line of dialogue. Also, the process of falling in love was a bit abrupt, not like the slow-dance, lovely build-up we're used to in more modern dramas. Sometimes I only realized characters had fallen for each other because they explicitly said so.
All in all, it was a great drama and I'm glad I watched it. Happy to see a drama made 15 years ago, which I have absolutely no childhood nostalgia for, can be so enjoyable.
I do wish they had spent more time focusing on the production of live streams and what actually goes into having that sort of company and the ups and downs of broadcasting. But, alas, most of the focus was on the development of the characters, which I can't exactly be upset about seeing how much I enjoy that sort of thing.
In the end, my favorite characters didn't even end up being any of the leads, but the supports. I loved Ma Li, and I'm glad she got more screentime at the end there. The actress playing her has great comedic potential. Princess Leia was also an interesting character who stole the scene every time they made an appearance.
Overall, it was a fun ride, and in most of the episodes, I just found myself smiling and enjoying these character's interactions so much. It's a good drama for some lighthearted viewing.
As for the female lead, for me personally, I never felt she was too over the top, and I liked how she just decided to go for it once she knew she had entered into the novel world. I felt it made a good parallel between her timid-ness in the real world vs. the freedom of entering into a world where consequences mattered less because you're essentially at the author's will. It goes into more detail about how that works as the drama progresses, so I think it will make more sense if you watch more.
The biggest problem with this drama is the lack of communication. I thought we were past "noble idiot" type plotlines? Why can't you respect someone enough to tell them when you're in trouble and let them make the decision for themself about how to deal with it? "I don't want them to see me suffer" is such a selfish reason for hiding important information from someone you supposedly care about. More like you want to feel like then "hero" for saving them from the pain you didn't even let them in on in the first place!
The last two episodes had a lot of tropes I absolutely abhor, so pretty disappointed overall. At the same time, I can't forget the memorable lines and fluffiness of the first half.
(1): The mix of fiction and real-world and how they interacted with each other. I already love dramas that deal with the publishing industry, authors, or a heavy emphasis on reading anyway, but the way this drama interconnected the two really had me pondering questions that I hadn't thought of before. For example: The relationship between the reader/viewer and the media they're consuming. How much of our expectations do we force onto the content we consume? Do our expectations limit the potential of the characters? How "real" should we consider these "fictional" characters to be, really? What happens to characters who don't get an ending? What happens to characters after a story ends? What if their story never ends?, etc... It's a revolving door of mystery, and to have a drama provoke that much after-rumination is such a rare gem.
(2) The plot. I can't say too much without giving spoilers, but the way the plot went full circle to collide with where it began was really beautiful and went in ways, though unexpected, I fully appreciated. I liked how the threads were tied up, basically, which (however unfortunate) is rare in drama world. Also, the characters got their growth, the natural consequences and rewards for their behavior.
(3) Lastly, a small thing, but it really hit me hard. When the male lead, our stereotypical "overbearing CEO," begins reading the trope-ridden romance books published by the female lead, I readily anticipated the typical reaction of underlying mocking or scoffing. But his reaction was something I didn't realize I needed, a sort of affirmation of sorts, that he also enjoyed the books in his own way. He saw past the typical tropes and clichés and found the magic and appeal that draws so many of us to this particular form of entertainment. (Case in point, upon beginning a new book: "Not bad. Another shower scene.") Even just typing this now balloons my heart with appreciation. Kudos to the writers for putting those scenes in the drama, they're the type that sticks with me for a long time.
There were many things I liked about this drama, but those are the three main ones that bumped it up to "masterpiece" status. The chemistry between the leads was also off the charts, and there were a lot of lovely fluffy scenes to balance out the darker situations. I highly recommend this drama to anyone interested.
I think what touches me most about this drama is the utter humanity of its characters. This has a lot to do with the strengths of the leads, but man, did Vic Chou dominates as Chen Ling. The vulnerability, the hard edges that ever-so-slowly soften as he learns to let go of his past and embraces the person Qi Luo believes he can be. It's magnificent. Chen Ling, though falling into the stereotypical "bad boy" persona at the beginning, doesn't fall victim to the tropes that surround that caricature. Rather, he's held up as an example of a flawed person, someone whose actions you should not admire or pursue. He's given the time and space to develop and grow.
Luo Qi's growth and development is just as beautifully laid out and developed. She had a good pace of slowly opening up and blossoming into the person she could have been all along had those terrible things not happened to her. Their love story is one of the most beautiful I've seen, but also very realistic and deals with issues in, while not always the most mature way due to their age, at least in a thoughtful and meaningful way.
To put it simply, this is one drama that I think will impact and touch me the same way as the first time I saw it all those years ago. Despite the not-so-great video quality, it really shines through as an example of a story that is well-laid out and characters that actors put their heart and soul into. It's a gem and a classic for sure.