Ooh, a truly underrated gem. Didnt anticipate loving this show as much as I did! I really enjoyed seeing Ryo find…
Why I liked the romance: Ryo is very clear that Ichiko was the woman for him from the very beginning. No surprise why. But I can see why Ichiko felt strongly for him - the drama throughout shows that he really understands her and isnt afraid of challenging her to address her issues. So she could see him as her equal as a partner not just someone she "managed" as her talent. They were true comrades. Machida Keita acted so well that you can sense his feelings for her all thru 2nd half. We see Ichiko struggling to figure out the right thing to do briefly, but she knows he's really important to her.
I loved the touch of the father making up with Ichiko because he knew his son was gonna make his move soon :)
Ooh, a truly underrated gem. Didnt anticipate loving this show as much as I did! I really enjoyed seeing Ryo find himself as an actor and Sawatari coming into her own as a good manager. The supporting characters are quirky and add charm. The writing paid attention to small things so the storytelling felt very natural all thru., whether in case of main cast or supporting.
Special shoutout to Machida Keita, excellent acting - loved seeing him slip into different roles throughout the drama. I imagine the casting brief for Ryo being "Find a young actor who can REALLY act!!!". Machida-san sure can!
The romance is very much in the background. For someone who isnt too fond of noona romances, I actually bought into this.
All in all, a great watch if you want a peek into J-ent behind the scenes and want to see a tale of people trying to achieve their dreams thru their struggles.
What a heartwarming show. It has such a deft touch that in each episode it keeps things light on the whole but unfailingly makes one teary-eyed in the end, especially all 2nd half episodes. Wonderful, i loved every moment. A without doubt 10/10 show for me
An easy, lighthearted watch, with a fairly good pace. No unnecessary angst or dramatics. Romance is relatively low key, hinted here and there but lots of consistent comedy stuff. Loved the second couple's plotline as well. But yes, the drama feels dated in how it frames raising a child as a "woman's job". Performance wise, Chae Rim is great. Siwon is clearly raw but not that bad actually. Ye Eun is a sweetheart and will steal your heart! Overall, I agree this needs a better rating than the current 7.4 - 'twas a fun watch
Interesting article, but your methodology ended up missing a major kdrama that gave a boost to Hallyu, at least across East Asia: My Name is Kim Sam Soon, aired 2005!!!
The show may have politics as its setting, but its firmly focused on romance all through with a fair amount of comedy thrown in, unlike City Hall(which I absolutely love!). Light hearted and well-acted, it keeps your interest. The best thing I liked about the show was its depiction of the couple in love - natural, sweet but no cringe.
This is not really a thriller or a mystery series - rather a no-holds-barred look at troubled families and familial relationships. The first half dragged on a bit with little actual plot movement, but the second half picked up and was quite emotional. Pretty good performances all around. I personally enjoyed N No Tame Ni far more though.
This was a spectacular watch. The performances particularly the four main characters - Lee Sung Min, Go Soo, Yoo Teo and Shim Eun Kyun - were fantastic. Even though the subject is dense, the plotting still keeps you engaged.
A special word for the stylish directing and camera work - definitely added to its vibe. As did its amazing OST. Can you tell I absolutely loved the drama :)
So i finished this show and I. Am. In. Awe. Very rarely does one find a drama where every single character delivers.…
Loved reading your analysis! I just binged thru the drama and cant get over it :). And agree with everything (except eugene isnt in korea when he calls at the end) but I think he takes to heart her advice to not hide away, so he will likely come back.
Oh this drama literally consumed me for a good while. What can I say except... amazing! Hye Yeong is ❤ - what a wonderfully written character. Lee Yoo Ri and Lee Joon were spectacular as was Kim Hae Sook. 50+ episodes fly past and you are left wanting more!
Is it a crime drama,? Yes, But more so, it's a beautiful, moving study of relationships (particularly those not of blood) and how they enrich our lives and sustain us , often unknowingly.
Atmospheric and contemplative, it starts with a standard serial killer case, but then it turns towards unravelling the whys of characters' choices(over 2 timelines, multiple crimes). Its a little slow-paced, but I personally loved the careful unpeeling of the mystery and the process of knowing the characters and their motivations (and seeing their growth).
All the characters, not just the main cast, are all wonderfully fleshed out - believable and flawed. The performances are uniformly fantastic - with Park Hoon being the most impressive. The kids too were really great.
A special mention for the superb cinematography - some of the drone shots were gorgeous.
What a beautifully done drama. Slow paced but you grow to love the characters, their relationships and the way the mystery unfolds bit by bit. Fantastic performance by everyone particularly Eikura Nana. Really enjoyed it - this is why i love jdoramas.
An exceptionally well-made drama. Tight plotting, excellent performances by the entire cast and slick editing. Yes, it has some minor flaws but it does not take away from the experience. Must watch for lovers of thrillers (even if you don't watch time travel like me!)
K-Drama 
Machida Keita acted so well that you can sense his feelings for her all thru 2nd half. We see Ichiko struggling to figure out the right thing to do briefly, but she knows he's really important to her.
I loved the touch of the father making up with Ichiko because he knew his son was gonna make his move soon :)
The supporting characters are quirky and add charm. The writing paid attention to small things so the storytelling felt very natural all thru., whether in case of main cast or supporting.
Special shoutout to Machida Keita, excellent acting - loved seeing him slip into different roles throughout the drama. I imagine the casting brief for Ryo being "Find a young actor who can REALLY act!!!". Machida-san sure can!
The romance is very much in the background. For someone who isnt too fond of noona romances, I actually bought into this.
All in all, a great watch if you want a peek into J-ent behind the scenes and want to see a tale of people trying to achieve their dreams thru their struggles.
Performance wise, Chae Rim is great. Siwon is clearly raw but not that bad actually. Ye Eun is a sweetheart and will steal your heart!
Overall, I agree this needs a better rating than the current 7.4 - 'twas a fun watch
Light hearted and well-acted, it keeps your interest. The best thing I liked about the show was its depiction of the couple in love - natural, sweet but no cringe.
The first half dragged on a bit with little actual plot movement, but the second half picked up and was quite emotional. Pretty good performances all around.
I personally enjoyed N No Tame Ni far more though.
A special word for the stylish directing and camera work - definitely added to its vibe. As did its amazing OST. Can you tell I absolutely loved the drama :)
Atmospheric and contemplative, it starts with a standard serial killer case, but then it turns towards unravelling the whys of characters' choices(over 2 timelines, multiple crimes). Its a little slow-paced, but I personally loved the careful unpeeling of the mystery and the process of knowing the characters and their motivations (and seeing their growth).
All the characters, not just the main cast, are all wonderfully fleshed out - believable and flawed.
The performances are uniformly fantastic - with Park Hoon being the most impressive. The kids too were really great.
A special mention for the superb cinematography - some of the drone shots were gorgeous.
Yes, it has some minor flaws but it does not take away from the experience. Must watch for lovers of thrillers (even if you don't watch time travel like me!)