14
14
3
1
2
6
2
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
Of Gentle Feelings and True Affection: A Tale to Delight the Heart and Enchant the Feelings
I must confess myself entirely governed by the inclinations of the heart when it comes to the subject of Korean dramas. Should a tale so enchant me — if it cause me to sigh with longing, to champion the felicity of the characters, to loathe the villains with untempered zeal, and to yearn most fervently for a romance of tenderness and charm — then, most assuredly, such a drama shall secure a cherished corner in my affections. I am not, by nature, of analytical disposition; I do not dissect performances nor assess the finer points of production. It is the whole, the sentiment, the essence that captivates me. And if the principal romance should stir the gentler parts of my soul, then I confess — my heart is quite entirely won over, without the least hope of recovery.Head Over Heels ensnared my sensibilities within mere moments of its first episode. I found in Park Seongah a creature of such innocence and ingenuousness, that I could not help but see a portion of myself reflected in her gentle manner. Nay, I envied her. I longed — ardently — to one day know an affection such as hers, kindled in but a single glance at Bae Gyeonuh. Her love was so sincere, so untainted, that I was transported into a reverie, dreaming sweetly of their union.
To witness the blossoming of his regard for her — steadfast, unwavering, and, in time, surpassing even hers in depth — was a source of endless delight. Perhaps it is the influence of my upbringing, steeped as it was in the romantic ideals of fairytales, where noble princes strove valiantly for the happiness of their beloveds, that rendered Gyeonuh’s devotion so very affecting. His every action bespoke his desire to shield Seongah, to ensure her welfare, and I was wholly under the spell of his quiet heroism from the very beginning.
I felt no grievance that the narrative did not extend to the resolution of his familial entanglements. Indeed, I am of the opinion that such individuals were unworthy of his presence, and their exclusion from the tale’s conclusion caused me no dissatisfaction.
The love shared by those two souls awakened in me a longing to one day experience an affection so earnest, so guileless — and, perchance, equally returned.
I have secured the entire drama for my private enjoyment, to preserve it for those occasions when I shall seek the comfort of nostalgia, and to feel once more the delightful tumult of emotions that their romance so exquisitely inspired.
For me, this drama deserves a resounding ten out of ten, for it is no ordinary story that may stir one’s heart to such heights, as did the tender and whimsical love between Seongah and Gyeonuh.
Was this review helpful to you?
Strawberry Ice Cream and Daydreams: A Most Pleasant Reconsideration
Let me be perfectly candid: I found it necessary to watch the drama a second time in order to properly appreciate the finished result.After reading so many favourable remarks — and considering that the principal reason I remained until the very end of my first viewing was the appearance of Seo Kangjun, who is, I must confess, by a considerable margin my favourite Korean actor — I resolved to give the story another opportunity.
I must admit that, during my first attempt, I was hardly the most attentive spectator. I happened to be enduring a rather intense bout of anxiety and, to speak plainly, I was in a most disagreeable humour with myself. In such a state, even the most charming story struggles to receive the attention it deserves.
The following day, however, proved far more agreeable. After a refreshing bath, and with my room delicately scented with notes of vanilla, cotton, and lavender, my spirits felt considerably lighter. I suddenly felt inclined to watch the drama again — this time with greater care and with a sincere determination to enjoy it properly. And most delightfully, I did not regret the decision in the slightest.
Every young woman, I believe, possesses somewhere within the quiet corridors of her imagination a small hidden chamber where she keeps those tender daydreams she indulges in whilst perfectly awake. You may recognise the feeling: a romantic melody begins to play, and quite without effort the mind constructs an entire tale of passionate and dramatic love, with oneself most conveniently cast as the heroine. In many respects, this drama awakened precisely that sensation in me, for the heroine often appeared to be living through fragments of a romantic fantasy she might very well have written herself.
Viewed from a more thoughtful perspective, the story speaks rather perceptively of how a past relationship, particularly one that leaves its scars, may give rise to quiet insecurities and uncertainties within the heart. Such wounds often shape the manner in which one conducts oneself, and even the courage with which one dares to consider the possibility of loving again. It is therefore hardly surprising that Seo Mirae seemed more comfortable engaging with relationships arranged through a carefully designed programme — something distant and controlled — than confronting the unpredictability of genuine affection. Those lingering scars even coloured her notion of the “ideal man”, when in truth the very person who embodied those qualities had been standing rather nearer than she realised.
I will confess that I had hoped for somewhat greater development of the characters. Yet the drama ultimately reminded me of the sort of light romantic picture one might watch on a rainy afternoon whilst happily finishing an entire bowl of strawberry ice cream. It made me laugh, sigh contentedly, and — if I am to be entirely honest — feel a small measure of envy towards Mirae. After all, she had the good fortune of having Kyeong Nam in her life, and her moments with Eunho were responsible for no less than 99.99 per cent of the dreamy sighs I found myself letting out throughout the story.
Would I watch it again very soon? Perhaps not. But for the present moment, I can say with complete sincerity that every minute spent watching it felt entirely worthwhile.
Was this review helpful to you?
Wherein Coldness Yields to Affection, and Wounds Bloom into Love
It is with a most tender heart that I endeavour to set down my thoughts on ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’. The drama bewitched me entirely: I smiled, I sighed, and I found myself counting the days until Saturday as one might count the hours until a beloved visit.Yeon Jiyeong was presented with a simplicity of truth that won me at once. She is strong, determined, hard-working and responsible — qualities not ostentatious, but admirable all the same. Her amiability, together with a ready humour and the genuine warmth of her friendship, made her magnetically agreeable; she seemed less a stranger upon the screen than a companion I had longed to know.
King Yiheon was first shown as a young gentleman of sarcastic tongue and frosty manner, a mask of disdain that kept others at bay. Yet, as the tale proceeded, it became apparent that this exterior sheltered a heart sorely scarred. Beneath that guarded bearing there lay nobility and much suffering; and to witness Yeon Jiyeong, by patience and affection, turn those wounds into blooming fragments of love was as touching as any gentle transformation one could desire.
I confess a weakness for romances wrapped in a little fantasy: such things stir within me a delicious, childlike sense of wonder, and I do not demand rigid logic so much as the warmth of a happy ending. This drama obliged me in both delight and consolation. I devoured each episode as one might a birthday cake, replete with whipped cream and strawberries, and often felt the impulse to step through the screen and administer a brisk dose of common sense to certain ill-natured characters.
In brief, ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ has taken up a cosy corner of my affections. It is a story I shall most assuredly revisit, for it leaves the heart light and the imagination a little more willing to believe in gentle miracles.
Was this review helpful to you?
