This review may contain spoilers
Black Dragon doesn't mess around
Summary (tear-jerker warning): Surprisingly gwiyeoounnn! I love that the characters are slightly quirkier than in the usual Asian romcom. The female lead is strong and doesn’t take crap from anyone. The male lead is still full of himself (as most chaebols are portrayed) but in a more comical way than I’ve seen in other romcoms. There’s such upfront romance that I blushed at the end of the first episode. Lol. Most of the misunderstandings were quickly and easily resolved, and they didn’t give up on each other when it counted the most, especially Black Dragon. One of the scenes made me cry because it was so heartwarming. It was also nice that they featured a different genre of music than in the usual dramas. And for some reason, I felt like having a coffee candy after each episode (Kopiko, “’it really wakes you up”). XD I just realized at the end that they were also advertising Chokipong as well. Wow… The ending was a bit weird and disappointing but, sure, I would re-watch it.
Details: It was great seeing that Baek Su Jong didn’t let herself be bullied or looked down by anyone, as well as stand toe-to-toe with the “perfect (no mistakes)” but also clueless Ban Ju Yong. I thought it was gwiyeoun (cute) that Ban Ju Yong’s dirty little secret was so innocent (video games, books, glam rock band, etc.) when the other bachelor chaebols were using women and gambling off their parents’ money.
Throughout the movie, I just wanted to give Ban Ju Yong a big hug. Having lost my parents young, I could totally relate. But his haelmoni withheld the only thing he ever wanted or needed: to be loved and accepted by the only family member he had left in this world. I was so livid when she kept blaming Ban Ju Yong FROM CHILDHOOD for his parents’ death (he was only a kid, you freak!). It’s a wonder he didn’t develop any disorders other than a collectors’ obsession and being emotionally stunted/blind. It only took like multiple people, particularly Chief Kwon, talking sense into her for her to finally realize her mistakes. I cried when they finally reconciled.
The love story of the supporting characters Seo Ha Jin and Kim Shin Won was also cute, especially when Ban Ju Yong had to finally give his hyeong advice on love and how proud Kim Shin Won was of Ban Ju Yong growing up so much.
One of my favorite scenes is when Ban Ju Yong drops his most loved and carefully procured possessions to save Baek Su Jong. ^_^ The other one is the mall lights and water fountain special effects when they kiss. Epic. Lol. In a way, she became his #1 obsession, the only person who ever showed him tenderness (like with the chocolate milk) and treated him like a human being. Black Dragon didn’t mess around after he realized what his most prized thing in life really was. Lol.
I also love the manifestation of the video game world in a realish setting and game animation (danger levels) layered onto reality. Wish that could have been expounded on more. His need to keep recording notes on his watch was hilarious, especially at the end. Not sure why the story kept focusing on Baek Su Jong needing to find a hobby and I wonder why she didn’t just go back to gaming. That would have nicely rounded the ending (the leads as their game characters).
One of my least favorite scenes was Strawberry’s (age 19) heartless response to Black Dragon’s (age 15) confession. But I suppose she was also a kid herself and that shocking (age) revelation was the tipping point for everything she had endured in her life. Later, Baek Su Jong kind of didn’t grow up either (super cruel reaction) when Ban Ju Yong was trying to make it work out with her after they discovered their true identities.
The ending was a little strange and disappointing. They dragged on the last episode with at least two video montages of the leads’ love story, one photo montage of the show, and a strange necklace that had nothing to do with anything… And what I thought would be a proposal was a closing voice over. Kind of wish they just did a proposal (with maybe key/lock design rings) instead. Other than that, it was a great watch.
Side Notes: This is the umpteenth show I’ve seen where there’s emphasis on mobile contact profiles (how do you save my name); is that important in Korean culture? None of the Korean family or friends I know ever talk about that…but they’re also Americanized. Lol.
Details: It was great seeing that Baek Su Jong didn’t let herself be bullied or looked down by anyone, as well as stand toe-to-toe with the “perfect (no mistakes)” but also clueless Ban Ju Yong. I thought it was gwiyeoun (cute) that Ban Ju Yong’s dirty little secret was so innocent (video games, books, glam rock band, etc.) when the other bachelor chaebols were using women and gambling off their parents’ money.
Throughout the movie, I just wanted to give Ban Ju Yong a big hug. Having lost my parents young, I could totally relate. But his haelmoni withheld the only thing he ever wanted or needed: to be loved and accepted by the only family member he had left in this world. I was so livid when she kept blaming Ban Ju Yong FROM CHILDHOOD for his parents’ death (he was only a kid, you freak!). It’s a wonder he didn’t develop any disorders other than a collectors’ obsession and being emotionally stunted/blind. It only took like multiple people, particularly Chief Kwon, talking sense into her for her to finally realize her mistakes. I cried when they finally reconciled.
The love story of the supporting characters Seo Ha Jin and Kim Shin Won was also cute, especially when Ban Ju Yong had to finally give his hyeong advice on love and how proud Kim Shin Won was of Ban Ju Yong growing up so much.
One of my favorite scenes is when Ban Ju Yong drops his most loved and carefully procured possessions to save Baek Su Jong. ^_^ The other one is the mall lights and water fountain special effects when they kiss. Epic. Lol. In a way, she became his #1 obsession, the only person who ever showed him tenderness (like with the chocolate milk) and treated him like a human being. Black Dragon didn’t mess around after he realized what his most prized thing in life really was. Lol.
I also love the manifestation of the video game world in a realish setting and game animation (danger levels) layered onto reality. Wish that could have been expounded on more. His need to keep recording notes on his watch was hilarious, especially at the end. Not sure why the story kept focusing on Baek Su Jong needing to find a hobby and I wonder why she didn’t just go back to gaming. That would have nicely rounded the ending (the leads as their game characters).
One of my least favorite scenes was Strawberry’s (age 19) heartless response to Black Dragon’s (age 15) confession. But I suppose she was also a kid herself and that shocking (age) revelation was the tipping point for everything she had endured in her life. Later, Baek Su Jong kind of didn’t grow up either (super cruel reaction) when Ban Ju Yong was trying to make it work out with her after they discovered their true identities.
The ending was a little strange and disappointing. They dragged on the last episode with at least two video montages of the leads’ love story, one photo montage of the show, and a strange necklace that had nothing to do with anything… And what I thought would be a proposal was a closing voice over. Kind of wish they just did a proposal (with maybe key/lock design rings) instead. Other than that, it was a great watch.
Side Notes: This is the umpteenth show I’ve seen where there’s emphasis on mobile contact profiles (how do you save my name); is that important in Korean culture? None of the Korean family or friends I know ever talk about that…but they’re also Americanized. Lol.
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