PHope

I think that with Korean Drama it's all about timing. If it is your first one, then it will always be dear to your heart. Therefore I can understand why this drama is so loved and one of the most popular korean dramas. However, watching it ten years later, I do fail to see what other saw. The story is okay, too close to a manga story but with the korean notes all over it. However, everything that kept happening were ridiculous. I can't even imagine what the production of it costed, as they went to countless trips, even had a horse race, a car race, sports cars and castles for houses. But it wasn't the riches that spoiled the plot. The amount of cliche twists was unbelievable and I was left wondering if they really used that trop, as most of the events happening were idiotic. Though, there were some parts of the story that I liked. I especially enjoyed the side pair story, as they were cute, and also the start of the drama was really strong.
Now, for the characters; most of them were okay, although the leading lady got a bit annoying eventually with all the screaming and falling while walking. But, the highlight of all was her family. They were basically potrait like caricatures, always pushing the girl to do things she didn't want just to obtain money. The F4 were adorable, so I can't really say much about them (though at first they were really dislikable).
Overall, a lengthy drama, with ridiculous plot, some annoying characters and a good cast : 4 out of 10.

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It's not that this movie isn't enjoyable. However, it isn't something you haven't watched before. And because of the lack of originality, I don't believe I will be able to remember this one. The concept of the two boys who meet the shy, outcast girl, was nice. The friendship bonds that were created were sweet and adorable. So, frienship vice, this movie had it right. Romance vice, however, that didn't work out well for them. The couple didn't have many moments together so that the love story be properly developed. So, weak romance, okay story and good performances : 5 out of 10.

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Surprisingly, not a bad movie. Though the story is a bit of a let down when it comes to expectations, the overall result is okay, with a satisfying ending and some nice development. Kamanashi Kazuka, whose previous works showed more acting talent than this one, was okay portraying a police officer who is as introverted as it gets and who shuts his young bride out in her every attempt to get closer to him. His female co star is good as well, being all cute and childish, enough to convince that she is way too young for what she is going to attempt. The romance between them is nice, though the movie would have been better if it showed a more realistic plot. But, overall it's enjoyable, so 7 out of 10.

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This movie captures you with the story, which is as strong as it is heavy. First of all the visuals are as good as needed, with the scenes raw enough to express the emotions that this film wants to express. The film makers didn't hesitate to use scenes like the ones in the men's bath, that can be shocking and work as a punch in the guts to make you understand the seriousness of the matter. Now, the stories are interesting, especially the one with the father and his kid, but some of them were just there and not as strong as the rest. Eventually, however, towards the ending, things got a little chaotic. The final battle was long, longer than it should be and that kind of made me tired to watch. Eventually, the main problem of this movie is it's length, as some scenes were just too long. But it was an interesting movie to watch, so 6 out of 10.

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So, the story is so so, kind of cliché really, with the boy dying and
the girl totally clumsy but good hearted. All that suggested a romantic
story that you all know very well and still you're gonna watch anyway.
But, this movie has something that, at least for me, the rest of the
same plot movies didn't, the great performances. Especially from the
leading lady, who was really good portraying the naive girl who falls
for the bad boy. The romance, on the other hand, was okay, with the
first part of the movie seriously better than the last one. At least
the ending was good, so 6 out of 10.

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Funny and with good action scenes, this movie had it all, action, comedy, romance and mystery. The story is very clever, with a paid assassin loosing his memory after falling down in a public bathroom. It's nice to watch the assassin trying to fit in his new life and succeeding becoming a famous actor, when the other man tiptoes around the assassin's costumers and tries to save of his potential victims. Some of the scenes were very humane, others too comical and others too unreal. The performances were the key point of success of this movie, as it supported the whole story and made it entertaining and looking believable. Though, still, there were some clichés and boring scenes, which made me give this movie 7 out of 10.

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A movie that the title (and description for that matter) doesn't do it justice. Truthfully, they both make it sound like a comedy that would quickly get boring. But, it is actually quite an enjoyable film, with the leading lady rocking it with her performance. The movie had a light feeling, but explored the family dynamics very effectively, giving it a little depth. The fact that the film makers didn't focus, or added, a romantic element into it, to overshadow the whole main story, helped a lot to turn the film into a more unique movie than the rest manga like movies. However, the romance "danger" was there, with an other outcast dropped there, dangerously approaching the girl. But the film just kept focused on the main plot, having the girl outsmart herself and aim for the miracle. So, 8 out of 10.

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A sweet story about strangers who meet and giving chances to people
around you, as well as having a second chance in life. The main
characters are outcasts by their society, misfits that they work
together to produce the best sweet red bean paste pan cakes that
quickly become popular. There is tragedy in the movie, but the
makeshift family that those misfits create is sweet, as only those
three could understand and support each other. The performances are
great, without overdoing it with the dramatic element and thus making
everything more realistic. The scenes are beautiful, with the spring
cherry blossoms the meddle with the people's tragedies. Overall, a nice
film, so 6 out of 10. PS even my mom who avoids Japanese (and non
English films in general) loved it, if that helps.

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A mini drama part of a bigger project, that started really strong, but failed to give a satisfying ending. The concept of this drama is very clever and original: a girl grim reaper, who used to be a fan-girl for a famous singer, is trying to keep her idol alive. So, the first episodes were really good. They were funny and cute and the romance was exiting. Towards the middle, the romance started to develop, and it was a nice romantic story, but the ending was really confusing, at least for me, and felt like they were wrapping things up for the next story. I wish they had explained what happened more. Also, the jump forward seven years later didn't felt like it, and, honestly, it was like some of the chemistry between the couple vanished. So, 5 out of 10 for Universe's star.

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One of the classics to watch when you are into K drama. Though the romance is the main theme, the back stories are okay too and keep the interest high till the end. Plus the whole girl dresses up as a boy is very interesting and common theme for many dramas, as it makes it entertaining for the audience with the thrill of finding her out and all the goofiness that follows her tries to keep her identity hidden. The awkward moments were too many, especially in the beginning, with the lead actress making a total fool of her self in any way possible. The weakest points of this drama, however, was the music, as the same songs were being repeated over and over (the drama the entertainer did the same, though it contained more songs in its soundtrack). Plus, the whole illusion of Gemma's nun mother was simply unnecessary and a little childish. But all in all an okay drama, so 5 out of 10.

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Unexpectedly, Secret Garden is quite entertaining. Sure, the story and the romance wasn't the best of the best, and the performances were so so, but still I can understand why this drama is so popular. First of all, the drama is about a rich, cynical CEO who meets a poor stand woman who gets his interest. Their lives get even more complicated, when they magically change bodies. Okay, the magic part wasn't that good. It was a little childish at first, but it had a not-that-great explanation in the end. And the body exchange was very entertaining the first time, but the second time was just uncomfortable. The main male character was very funny, due to his character, and in the end, that was the only thing supporting the drama. For me, the twenty episodes were a bit too much; the story could have easily finish at the sixteenth or the eighteenth episode, and still, it would have been as good, as the final episode was a quick wrap up, mixed up with a few concert songs, some flash backs and family life moments. So, 6 out of 10.

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