DramaHeroine

I didn't realize until sitting down to watch that this was a sequel of sorts to 7 First Kisses (okay, maybe not a sequel really, but sort of), which I also watched, although I found that one more difficult to push through. As much as I loved the premise of Kisses (I mean, I play Otome games), I wasn't finding myself all that eager to press play on each consecutive episode. Queen Makers, however, was significantly easier for me to watch and enjoy, and I think I probably owe all it all to the female lead.

I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but I love shy, insecure, awkward female leads. I can appreciate a 'strong' female character (although I think there needs to be a conversation on what exactly that means, because I think people don't understand what they ask for when they ask for strong female leads), but I don't relate to them on just about any level. Insecure female leads are infinitely more relatable to me and probably always will be, because as much as I might wish I were some sort of strong and brave and resilient person, I'm not, and these characters make me feel like I'm not alone in being so useless. So yes, I loved the female lead here. Of course, it didn't hurt that the actress playing her did a superb job. She may not have Looked the part of an awkward, 'unattractive' girl, but she definitely emanated the emotions of one through her portrayal, and that goes a long way.

Now does this web series have a strong storyline? No. It's fluffy, it's cheesy, it's way too rushed and has a glaring plot hole or two. But I was still able to enjoy it for what it was.

So if you can approach a web-series like this with the attitude of 'I'm not looking for a perfectly plotted story. I just want a little fluff' then you will enjoy this just fine.

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This movie is far too short and fast-paced to really do a lot with it's plot and characters, and the main actress is obviously very green, but the female lead is very likable and her struggles relatable and her ultimate triumphant over them rewarding making this an easy, enjoyable watch.

I liked how kind Haruka always was in the face of very mean people and how she always chose to focus on pushing through her struggles and finding a way to be successful rather then getting revenge. She never mistreated others but always stood up for herself, and she knew what she wanted in life and was willing to work to get it. (Her pet turtle was also a cute added element to the story.) She may not have had a lot of book smarts, but she quickly demonstrated her street smarts time and time again.

It was a cute movie with a likable main character, and I enjoyed watching it.

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I watched this movie ages ago when I first got into Korean dramas and movies, so I had no frame of reference for what Korean media was like back then, and I remember being immediately hooked on the story (much like I was with many other movies and dramas from that time) despite how outlandish and stereotypical and just Odd it was. I rewatched it last night to refresh my memory on the story so that I could write up a review for it, and I have to admit, my feelings have not changed all that much. Of course, now that I've been a Korean media druggie for awhile, I can see all the typical hallmarks of old school Kdramas/movies as well as all of the flaws I totally ignored on my first viewing. This is one of those classic K movies that if it came out today exactly as is, I doubt it would be all that popular. (Although I bet someone could do a successful modernized remake.) But even still, there's something about this movie that makes you love it. The actors really sell their characters. (I had no idea Ha Ji Won played the female lead until re-watching. I was That new to dramas the first time I watched it, lol. Considering the types of roles she's gone on to do, it was fun seeing her doing something so incredibly different.) The story is something we've all seen a thousand times before at this point, and yet it doesn't feel bland or overdone. It just feels like a lot of fun.

Because this movie came out when it did, it was perfectly poised for future cult classic status. And honestly, it deserves that status. I don't expect that I'll watch it again, unless it's in another ten years from now to be like 'Oh yeah. That movie.' But I mean it when I say it's a fun movie and required viewing for any Korean drama/movie fan.

(Just so you know, the finale scene is confusing and I don't really know what the purpose of it is, so I just ignore it and recommend you do the same.)

Also, WARNING: There is gross-out, toilet, not really sure what to call it, humor sprinkled throughout this movie. Things involving boogers and other bodily fluids, one particularly gross bit in the later half that I won't even type up because then I might vomit. It's not pervasive throughout the movie. Most of it occurs towards the beginning/the first half of the film, and it is spaced pretty evenly. But if you don't like that sort of thing or need a warning beforehand, well here's your warning.

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Anytime I find myself relating to the main character(s) of a drama on a personal, emotional, often private level, I know I'm going to end up loving a show, and this time was no exception. I was Very emotionally invested in Mi Rae's story, because I related to her Very deeply. I wanted to see her overcome her insecurities and give herself permission to live a fulfilling life, and it was so rewarding watching her open up and let others in.

What I probably enjoyed most about this drama is how subtly it dealt with it's subject matter. All throughout were these tiny moments and messages that compounded on top of each other. The story was never pushy or loud or obnoxious. It never tried to shout it's message from a rooftop. It didn't go for cliché or for 'Woman power'. It chose instead to weave a simple message into the everyday things characters said and did and felt about themselves. It created a message meant to be felt, not necessarily spoken out loud, which is where any true, genuine truth should be held and understood.

This drama is not without flaws though.

The entire finale was truthfully a letdown. While I liked a lot of how everything played out, it felt very rushed and out of order. Mi Rae and Kyung Seok get the happy ending together they deserve, but it felt a bit like the writers trying to create that 'perfect romantic ending' rather than just letting the characters be themselves. Soo Ah receives what I consider a fitting, and hopeful, redemption story that I wish could have started to unfold a little sooner as it would have helped the audience relate to her a lot better.. And I'm soooooo salty about how all of our side couples were sort of dropped by the writers at the end, because I wanted their happy endings, and we didn’t get them!!!

Ultimately, I was waiting for the drama to tie together all of the little, subtle messages it had been sending throughout the story, and that didn't happen. The focus on creating that 'perfect romantic ending' and trying to give Soo Ah an affective redemption arc took away from what was really the overall message of the drama. Beauty is subjective, and it's objectively in all of us.

(And for anyone wanting to know, yes. Cha Eun Woo is probably not the best actor, but I think his acting style worked fairly well for the character, and I didn't find it particularly distracting while watching.)

Despite my disappointment with the finale, this is still one of my favorite dramas that I've watched this year and definitely on my list of favorite dramas I've ever watched. It treats it’s characters and subject matter with thoughtful kindness, and that goes a long way in overcoming any other mistakes a drama might make. I highly recommend giving this drama a chance.

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It's too short to really do a whole lot with its premise, and I didn't find myself particularly eager to watch each episode, but it's a fun and light-hearted story so long as you don't take it too seriously. I will admit that I found it difficult to pick a favorite suitor. With the exception of one potential love interest who feels shoe-horned into the story, the rest of the male leads are all fairly interesting and attractive. (And just like in an Otome game, there's someone for every viewer, lol.) Not all of the lovelines personally worked for me, but I did quite enjoy some of the others and totally could have seen them expanded into a much longer story.

I guess the best word to describe this web drama is cute. Ultimately, I'm not going to recommend it, but I'm not going to discourage anyone from watching it either. It was a fun premise I would love to see expanded into something longer.

I want to put a warning here though for anyone who might be going into this expecting certain things from the romance(s). There isn't a definitive romantic ending. (Or alternatively, there are six, sort-of seven, of them. However you want to look at it, lol.) If you are going into this expecting her to ultimately pick one guy to be with, you are going to be disappointed, because it doesn't happen.

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It's based on a manga, so it's obviously over-the-top and a little ridiculous in terms of it's acting and storytelling style, but that's also what makes it so much fun. I was roaring with laughter throughout each and every episode. I loved our leads to bits and enjoyed every moment of interaction between them. I also found the story to be quite heartfelt and moving in how it dealt with family relationships and the pressures of Japanese school life. I did want more of a conclusion to the romance in the finale, but I guess that's just more incentive to read the manga the drama is based on. I already planned on reading it, but now I Really have to. If you are not a fan of the outlandish style of acting and storytelling Japanese dramas sometimes employ, this might not be the drama for you. But if that doesn't bother you, and you enjoy a good story centered around school life and innocent romance and family and friendship, then I can't recommend this enough.

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Yes to more dramas like this. Yes to realistic and relatable characters, yes to engaging and well thought out plots, and yes to tackling real-life issues. Taking on male breast cancer was massive, and I appreciate the drama writers willingness to go there. Pyo Na Ri was this fascinating combination of confident, vulnerable, honest, bold, and self-aware. Hwa Shin and Jung Won were two fascinating love interests with a heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking, friendship. The make-up of this drama is almost flawless.

I only have 3 complaints.

1) The three-way cohabitation nonsense that comes a little past the halfway mark (three-way not to be confused with the sexual term).

2) The kiss at the hospital between Na Ri and Hwa Shin when Na Ri and Jung Won are tentatively dating.

3) That silly song/dance at the wedding in the finale.

The first two are important. The last one isn't a big deal. (I just thought the scene was hilariously stupid.)

The cohabitation is never really justified by the writers and lasts waaaay longer than necessary, but the kiss is addressed as being a very poor and inappropriate decision that has consequences. Unfortunately, the character's responses to the kiss is to create said, weird, three-way cohabitation arrangement that is just awkward and uncomfortable and annoying to watch. (I recommend finding a unique way to watch those episodes to ensure you don't go nuts.)

Even in these frustrating moments when you don't really understand what exactly the writers think they are doing though, they found a way to make these characters feel real and believable, like people you want to root for.

I recommend this drama, and I might even rewatch it some day.

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I'm surprised I haven't written a review for this by now considering I was so entranced by this drama from start to finish. It's very unusual to find dramas about real people and real stories told through such unartificial means. Most of the time, we're given a set of stock characters and stock situations that may or may not deliver on their promises. Age of Youth aspired to do something different. I won't say that it exceeded in every respect. There are too many loose ends once the story wraps, and sometimes the pacing is weird. One plot line comes completely out of left field and still frustrates me even though I will concede that they found a way to make it work. But what Age of Youth brought to the drama table is something we don't see in other dramas.



They brought real people.



And I love this drama for that.

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It's been Ages since I watched this, all the way back to when I first started watching dramas. I've tried, to no avail, to find the whole thing with subs somewhere, but my search has always been fruitless. Or I would find it but no way to download it. It's one of those drama's where either you like it, or you don't. It requires some buy-ins that not everyone is going to be on board with. The idea that someone could have a sense of smell as strong as a dog's. The idea that someone who wears a frilly, Japanese street fashion would become a police officer. The idea that they would wear said fashion while on the clock. The idea that all of this happens at the same time. If you can't buy into all of that, then this drama is very much not for you.

Luckily for me, I have no problem buying into all of that, so this drama is very much for me, lol.

I fully admit that it's goofy and over the top and unbelievable in every aspect. And I that's why I bloody love it. I love that she has a sense of smell as strong as a dog's. I love that she wears Lolita, and to crime scenes, no less. I love the potential (but never actually fulfilled) romance. I am an unabashed fan of this drama, and I will be forever.

I JusT nEed to GEt thE WhOle thINg dOwnLoAdeD tO My LapToP So i CaN wAtch It oN rePEAT foR tHe REST Of MY LIFE!!!

I'm a little intense about this drama, lol.

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I did not expect to come out of this drama liking it so much. You never really know how 'overweight people' stories are going to play out, whether the message will be one worth ingesting or not, but your expectations are never very high. I usually just hope for a story that's at least fun if not realistic or fair.

I had no reason to be concerned here. This drama had so much of worth to say, and it said it so beautifully, with the most heartfelt, difficult truths coming in the second half. I cried multiple times.

Now I'll never be a fan of Japan's often preferred style of overacting, turning everything into a melodrama circus, but 3 or 4 eps in and I had completely tuned it out. The story was just so compelling.

This is definitely worth watching.

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With dramas like this, I don't know how useful it is to critique them based on any sort of serious metric. True Beauty was never going to be deep-thinking or artistically minded or particularly focused on it's writing, and you're setting yourself up for disappointment by taking it too seriously. So while it ultimately doesn't have very much depth, I'm not upset about it. I just wish I'd been able to finish the drama with the same level of enjoyment as when I started.

Unfortunately, the reality of dramaland is that for some dramas, the first half feels one way and the second half feels another, and you don't know how to feel about the drama as a whole, and that's definitely what True Beauty was like for me.

The first half was my jam. It wasn't stellarly written, by any means, but it did all of the things I wanted it to with a cast of likable characters, and that was enough. But the second half was equal parts plodding, occasionally frustrating, and sometimes even boring. The theme of confidence and self-acceptance and what beauty really means really takes a backseat. There are a number of genuinely moving moments, but the drama ultimately doesn't do a very deep, or consistent, exploration of these issues. And then the last two episodes not only have very little to do with any of this but they also focus on secondary issues that don't make sense being so far in the forefront of the story.

If you want a drama that broaches it's topics with thoughtfulness and some level of depth and consistency, you're better off watching a drama like My ID is Gangnam Beauty. While not perfect, ID understands it's subject matter and commits to it while True Beauty mainly uses it as a means of getting it's leads together. If you're not concerned with any of that and just want something fluffy and teen-angsty and cute and pretty, then by all means, watch this drama. You'll probably like it well enough.

Ultimately, True Beauty is a surface-level teen drama, and it knows it and does it well.

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So I sat down earlier this week to start ep 15 and realized...I don't want to finish this drama, lol. I went into Anti-Fan with the mindset that I didn't really care if it was going to be tropey or poorly written. I was going to let the drama take me where it wanted to go and enjoy the journey.

And up until ep 14, that was enough.

Going into ep 15, however, I found myself dreading having to watch anymore. I had zero interest in the story or the characters at that point, and sitting through an hour of them no longer appealed to me. I think this was due to a few things. 1) I'd gotten all of the enjoyment out of the drama that I was going to, and I was ready to move on to something else. 2) Ep 14 and the problems it created for the story had finally set in and I was suddenly feeling a lot more aware of the dramas flaws. 3) My currently watching-list has gotten a lot longer than I really like it to be, so I think my brain was screaming 'PLEASE DROP SOMETHING FOR THE SAKE OF MY SANITY!', and this drama isn't exactly at the top of my list of favorites, so it's the one my brain decided had to go.

Looking at this drama critically, it's not something you would watch because of great storytelling or compelling characters or stunning visuals. This is the sort of drama you watch when you want to turn off the critical side of your brain. The thing is, in order to enjoy a 'bad' drama (or book or movie or western television show or anything really), it has to do a sufficient job of distracting you from it's flaws. And while this drama did a decent job of doing so through ep 13, ep 14 brought said flaws into stark relief. Once that happened, there was really no going back to the enjoyment and forward motion I had been experiencing before.

A couple of other users suggested in the comments that this drama should be viewed in two parts, ep 1-13 and ep 14-16, and I have to agree. Maybe if you do, you'll be able to watch the final two episodes.

Personally, I just couldn't be bothered.

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Started this drama with so much hope and excitement and ended with no desire to finish it.

This was my first Siwon drama, and I was as hype as a person can be without spontaneously combusting. (The man is gorgeous.) I did not realize going in, however, that his style of acting is so....hammy.... I'm not typically a fan of hammy acting, even when it's intentional. As such, I didn't really enjoy his character as much as I had hoped I would. (Not that Siwon wasn't absolutely adorable at multiple points throughout the story. Siwon can't help but be too cute for his own good.)

Truthfully, almost all of the actors can, and have, done better things. They certainly put in the effort, but the characters were just so poorly written that it made no difference. (Although I must admit that Gong Myung's performance impressed me, even if his character frequently infuriated me.)

Unfortunately, the story was pretty lackluster as well and did nothing to counteract Siwon's corny acting style or the poorly written characters that surrounded him. The story set up some really interesting premises initially. Chaebol turned clumsy part-timer, Candy who Likes part-time work and has no interest in a 'real job,' Chaebol potentially renouncing his life of riches, and Candy guiding him along the way. (That's really it in terms of premises that were interesting.) These were characters I liked and wanted to know more about. But the drama never went anywhere with these ideas and just turned into a generic, bland amalgamation of nothingness instead.

I usually feel incredibly guilty about dropping dramas, even when they're terrible.

I dropped this 2 episodes from the end and never felt like going back. (And I didn't drop it sooner because I was on the Dramaclub at Dramafever for it and was only able to drop it when I did because things got kind of hectic in my life at that moment and provided me an out.)

When I drop a drama and feel no guilt...that is one heck of a bad drama.

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