1
2
1
The best thing about this drama is the cast, and I don't mean just the leads. The only thing that kept me watching towards the end were the ensemble of doctors, who I had grown to like a lot (especially super cute Kim Min Suk). There were also some good guest appearances, and some intense medical storylines, but as a non hospital drama fan, the stories started to wear thin after a while.
But back to the main couple... I am still not sure how I felt about them.
In the beginning Park Shin Hye's character is really interesting, a rebel with a high IQ seemed like a character I could root for. She is matched with Kim Rae Won who plays a beloved teacher and mentor, and that's when things get weird... chester the molester weird. The romance was hard for me to root for, because a teacher giving inappropriate attention to a student isn't very romantic to me, even if he is a nice guy. It didn't stop me from being curious however, so I kept watching to see how it would evolve. Although I loved the way they worked together in surgery (those scenes were intense), their love story was just frustrating, and often boring. I know the Hye Jung character was written to be difficult, with walled up emotions, but even the sociopath doctor in "Beautiful Mind" seemed to be better at romance than her. In spite of Ji Hong's cute devotion and patience with her, I never could did get excited about their romantic storyline. There are a few "cute" moments, but they often felt forced. For me, the chemistry just wasn't there.
Then there's Seo Woo, who I oddly thought was the most sympathetic in a weird way. I didn't like her, but I felt so bad for her throughout the show. Although her character was pretty much reduced to being jealous for 20 episodes, I still empathized with her. The friendship storyline was my favorite part of the drama, and she had the only scene that made me tear up.
Uhm Hyo Seop, who played her dad, was my least favorite. His character is a greedy villain, but also dumb and childish. I like to root for good villains, but I couldn't take him seriously. I don't know if that's bad acting, bad writing, or both. He had waaaaay too much screen time and importance.
Other characters like Yoon Do and BFF Soon Hee didn't have enough of a storyline. I wish more time was spent on developing that than on the boring revenge and hospital corruption plot that dominates the second half of the show. They did give the story a pretty good ending, but I already stopped caring by the final episode.
So would I watch this again? No. What about the soundtrack? I barely remember it.
Overall this started out as a potentially good drama that just couldn't keep up the momentum for 20 episodes. Of all the doctors shows that are out there now, I would say it's safe to skip this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
On the surface this is another romance about a girl who pretends to be a boy, and gets away with it, and a spoiled rich guy who falls for her. What makes Coffee Prince different, is that there is so much more depth than is usually in KDrama romances (yes, even the good ones). The themes are more realistic, and the content is more adult. Coffee Prince shows us how extremely complicated love can be, while still being fun to watch.
The cast is perfect. Yoon Eun Hye is the most convincing androgynous character I've seen in any drama. It's more than her just looking enough like a boy, it's her whole demeanor that makes the idea of her being mistaken as male completely plausible. Gong Yoo is charmingly goofy, and instantly crushable (watching this began my minor obsession with him). Equally crushable is Lee Sun Gyun, who I would fall in love with again later in Pasta, but is much more kinder, gentler, and understanding in this role. Then there is Chae Jung Ahn, who is frustrating to watch, and hard to like, but equally brilliant. The chemistry between them all is amazingly acted, and their story is well written. People who aren't fans of romances normally, may appreciate how imperfect this story is. There are also plenty of cute moments to inspire butterflies in die hard romance fans. It also has the most beautiful love confession in the history of dramaland period ! (or rather, exclamation point)
The minor characters are also very well played. I loved the dynamics between the Coffee Princes too! This is the kind of cast that you miss when the show is finally over. I can't believe Lee Eon died shortly after, but he was my favorite of the other "princes".
The only thing mediocre about this drama is the music, which is fine, but I did not rush out to find the soundtrack, even after obsessing over this drama.
The other criticism is that the drama does become a little less engaging in the final episodes, but at that point you will probably love the characters so much that it won't make you love the show any less. The ending wraps things up perfectly in my opinion.
My main reason for writing this review now, even though this was one of the first dramas I ever saw, was to promote it's re-watchability. It also manages to not feel as dated as many dramas tend to be over time. Besides the flip phone technology, this drama could easily be successful today. It's also very timely, concerning issues regarding gender roles and sexuality, which is a hot topic these days. In that respect, maybe it's ahead of it's time.
So, yes, of course I recommend Coffee Prince! It remains high on my drama favorites list, with no signs of being bumped lower any time soon. If this is one of those dramas that you always meant to watch, but never got a chance to, just do it! This is one of those occasions when it is safe to believe the hype!
*warning: not only may you very likely crave coffee while watching, but you may either be tempted to eat everything in your fridge, or be too disgusted to ever eat again, after watching Eun Chan eat!*
Was this review helpful to you?
Choi Ji Woo is great as Cha Geum Joo, and I admit I have never seen her in a drama before. She was likable early on, and I liked that she was a savvy lead, not a doormat. Her acting isn't perfect however, and there are more dramatic moments where she seems to try to play cute to the camera, which didn't really work for me. Luckily for her she was cast with two attractive and talented leads. Joo Jin Mo
as Ham Bok Geo "Hamburger" is grown and sexy, and a great match for her. I loved their flirty moments, and chemistry, especially in the beginning, although I kept wishing they would take things up a notch. He is an absolute charmer, and he charmed me in this role, though he's another actor I've never seen before.
Then there is Lee Joon as Ma Suk Woo, who was cute perfection. He was honestly my favorite character of them all, and I think the best actor. He managed to seem innocent, yet not naive. I loved watching his chemistry with Geum Joo when they worked together, though I admit she seemed waaaaaaaaaaaay too old for him. The love triangle between these three is pretty hilarious, even if it's a little unrealistic, they pull it off well. This was the highlight of the show for me.
The rest of the show is a messy melodrama revolving around a scandal I had a hard time following, and a mystery that didn't really grab my interest, but there is a villain that is really creepy, who I wish had a better storyline and more screen time. I still managed to enjoy the court scenes, which featured a great supporting cast, even if it was pretty obvious how things would go.
Then there's Jeon Hye Bin as Park Hye Joo (who I will forever think of as Oh Hae Young) who plays the main character's complicated sister. She is really good at playing a low key b!tch, but she honestly didn't have the acting chops to pull off such a complicated role. Her acting was so bad at times she seemed to be making fun of the role. There was just not enough depth, and I think that's this show's biggest problem. The character also had a few transformations that made no sense, especially at the end, but that could have maybe been fixed with better acting too, i think.
The show is pretty light hearted even though it deals with some very heavy themes, which I think worked against it. People treated things like going to jail, sex trafficking, being a fugitive, and even murder so lightly that I could barely take it seriously. The later episodes also focus so much on the melodrama that the show lost much of it's appeal. Still I liked watching the story unfold for some reason, and never thought about dropping it. The ending could have also been a lot better, but since the story wasn't a strong point, I'm not sure if it would have made much difference to my overall thoughts on the drama.
Overall, a pretty good cast made this show decent, and enjoyable. Like most shows it loses much of it's charm in the final episodes, but the cast made me want to stick with it. I doubt I'd watch it again, but I will miss some of the characters. I doubt this show will be high on anyone's favorite list, but I'm glad i checked it out. The fact that there are no other reviews seems so weird since I've seen much worse dramas with tons of reviews! I'd say it's the perfect "In the meantime" drama for those with nothing on their queue, and wiling to give it a chance.
Was this review helpful to you?
What I absolutely loved was the beginning. I would even dare to call it the best beginning of a revenge story that I've ever seen. From the opening moments to the time he is finally free, I was on the edge of my seat. Oh Dae-Su's transformation is also amazing to watch, and I was completely impressed with Choi Min Sik's performance.
From there we get to the heart of the revenge story. Oh Dae-Su's search for the man who ruined his life is full of intrigue. Yoo Ji Tae brilliantly plays the antagonist Lee Woo Jin, with a really creepy sophistication. There's also an epic hallway battle scene, that shows some amazing direction, and is pretty iconic. I was falling completely in love with this movie, and then there's Mi do...
It's hard for me to express how much I hated this character. At first she seemed interesting, but then it was clear that her character would be weak, and shallow. I watched a rescreening of this film recently, and overheard two women complaining in the bathroom about how offended they were by her character, and how this ruined the movie for them. I was also offended. Then there's a minor character, Lee Soo Ah, who I found to be equally shallow, and offensive. I cannot blame the actresses, these characters were simply written poorly. The female characters are my first major problem with this film.
The other issue I had was with the ending. The story behind Oh Dae-Su's kidnapping, and how this revenge story is resolved, is meant to be shocking, but I thought it was just ridiculous. Some people may love the over the top story, with it's controversial subject matter, but I thought it was too unbelievable to take seriously. This was a major let down after loving the beginning so much. The end just kept on adding shocking twist, on top of shocking twist, and then ended in a bloody confrontation that was also shocking. When it was all over I felt like I had watched two different movies. I definitely preferred the beginning movie over the end movie.
I can agree that this is a well made film, and very original, but I can't exactly say that I liked it. I would still recommend it because of the parts that were exceptionally well done. The great moments are what stayed with me once it was over, and made me almost forget why I didn't really like it.
It's also worth seeing if you're simply in the mood to watch something twisted.
Was this review helpful to you?
Binge worthy Teen Angst
"Here's My Plan" is the perfect example of a drama not overstaying its welcome. At four episodes, it is the perfect satisfying length for binging. Not too short but not dragged on for too long. This is a darker teen coming of age drama, although it's much more intriguing than depressing. Think more teen "Fight Club" style, complete with an inner monologue throughout explaining all the motivations behind the crazy twists and turns. This is more than a story about a plan going from bad to worse to much worse. There is a suspenseful element to the story, with a touch of revenge and romance, but mainly it's a confession from a girl dealing with her past traumas in very unconventional ways. I loved that the story was so unpredictable and kept my interest throughout, and the cast was perfect.Leading the cast is Kim Hwan Hee who is brilliant as Lee So Hyun. What made So Hyun so interesting to me is that she isn't very likable, or a "good" person, but you kinda can't help but empathize with her. We see what fuels her choices , so even when those choices frustrated me I still sympathized with her and wanted to see her win in the end. Kim Hwan Hee brings a lot of depth to the character so you can still feel her vulnerability even when she's being cold or calculating. I also felt sadness in her smile which was something mentioned by Yoon Ho who is played so well by Kim Do Hoon. Cho Yoon Ho balances out So Hyun's more anti-social vibe with his genuine concern and caring for others. By the end of episode one I absolutely adored his character. I loved their awkward but realistic chemistry, and he showcased the kind of likability that will make him an ideal romantic lead in the future. Their odd relationship isn't exactly the main plot, so don't expect too much romance, but it definitely fuels how everything progresses.
Every member of the cast really is great! I don't want to mention too much to avoid spoilers but there are no weak links in this story. It's also a pretty small cast which gives you space to feel like you know the characters better. My favorite character by far is the Grandma! She's the real MVP!
Would I watch this again? Yes! Although some of the excitement of wondering what will happen next is gone, the performances are so solid and the story evolves so well that I can definitely see myself watching this again. Once it was over, I was satisfied and didn't feel the urge to rewatch any scene in particular (except maybe one), which is the only reason my rewatch rating isn't high.
The music is good too. I thought the retro and British punk vibe matched the angsty mood of the drama well. There's no memorable ballad or song (besides Girls & Boys), but I did think the music did well in setting the mood of the drama.
Overall, I highly recommend this drama. It's emo, it's about trauma, it's about revenge, it's heartbreaking but the pace and style makes it also... dare I say... fun to watch. If you are looking for cuteness and feel good escapism this is the wrong drama for you. I liked the theme of figuring out what happiness is and whether you can be happy even having to deal with painful circumstances, and I loved the resolution for that. Many will compare this with "Extracuricular", which is similar as far as angst and empathetic young anti-hero leads, but this is not an action thriller, it's a story of self discovery and healing told in a less conventional way. I loved that the main character's journey is messy. Some of the last episode felt a bit too easily resolved, but the story is solid throughout with no unnecessary scenes or side plots. This drama is a good example of how well that can work! It actually gives you time to binge and go out and have an actual life afterwards! Crazy, right?! I can think of a lot of dramas that I would have probably liked so much better if they were 4 episodes instead of 16. I hope they make more shorter dramas as good as this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
It stars Shin Hye Sun or Yang Se Jong and they really are a dream match. I find it funny that neither of them is actually 30, but I guess that makes sense since both characters are stuck in their pasts. Shin Hye Sun as Woo Seo Ri does an amazing job of handling all the emotions her character has to go through, and seeming inappropriately youthful without being too silly. I was also extremely impressed with Yang Se Jong as Gong Woo Jin who was both heartbreaking and heart melting in his role. They had a great chemistry which felt honest, and sweet, and I absolutely fell in love with them falling for each other.
The supporting cast is pretty much perfect. I loved Ahn Hyo Seop as the super cute jock Yoo Chan, and his bromantical and hilarious teammates. I really liked Woo Jin's coworkers, and how they dealt with his antics in a caring way. I was also extremely happy to see one of my favorite K-actresses Ye Ji Won as Jennifer, a kind of robotic Mary Poppins character who easily became one of my favorites in the cast. I may never be able to say "Jenni-fer" normally again! Even the dog was great!
I also have to mention how well all of the younger versions of the characters matched their older versions. They did not have to look like perfect matches to match their personalities perfectly. For once I wasn't annoyed by constant flashbacks, because every look back made sense and added to the depth of the story. I appreciated that.
Another unsung favorite in this drama is that house! I haven't fallen in love with a kdrama home like this since "Secret Garden".
So, does this drama really cover romance, comedy, drama, mystery, and music? Kinda, but not in a way that feels disconnected. I also love that all of the parts of the story seem well thought out and connected. Even what should seem improbable feels like it makes perfectly reasonable sense as more of the story is revealed.
Music is also a major part of this drama. Although the original songs were appropriate, they were not particularly memorable. I just liked the way love of music was shown throughout the story.
Would I watch this again? Definitely! Not only was it easy to binge through (32 episodes even felt short), but It'll be fun to rewatch it all knowing there will be new moments to catch now that I know the full story. I already caught something while rewatching the first episode that I definitely had no reason to notice the first time. A small trivial thing, but a huge part of the story, just like this drama's overall theme. I definitely want to applaud the writer for paying attention to those kinds of details.
There were a few minor parts of the story that felt a little rushed through as far as explanations, or became less important, but not in a way that affected the pace or telling of the story at all. I hear that it was originally much longer which is probably the reason. Still, I was more than satisfied with the end, which felt pretty perfect and solidified this dramas spot on my favorites list.
So if you're thinking about watching this drama for any reason, just heed the advice of Yoo Chan... "Don't think, feel!" or rather "Don't think, watch!" This drama definitely got me in the "Feels" and I loved every single episode of it!
Was this review helpful to you?
Im Soo Hyang plays Kang Mi Rae, a girl who's "Gangnam Beauty" looks contradict with her shy and insecure personality. I thought she did a good job making Mi Rae sympathetic, and a character I wanted to root for. Sometimes I think she played up the shyness a little too much, and at times her wide-eyed stares felt less sincere and were more annoying. She is matched with Cha Eun Woo as Do Kyung Suk, who plays the emo-est emo rich kid that ever did emo in the history of "Emodom". I thought he played his anti-social hottie role quite well, but he had some wide-eyed extra robotic moments that bordered between cute and laughably bad. Their relationship was pretty sweet, but anyone expecting romance should lower that expectation. Their chemistry is much more awkward than anything. Still cute, but very VERY awkward. Maybe the age gap had a little to do with how tentative they seemed around each other at times, but they still looked pretty good together.
The rest of the cast was good, even if some of them were typical for this kind of drama. I really loved Mi Rae's parents, and liked Do Kyung Suk's family drama. I liked the students, although some were definitely more memorable than others.
Oddly my favorite performance in this drama was Jo Woo Ri as Soo Ah. She definitely helped to keep the show interesting, even though her actions would feel a little repetitive at times. I thought she had the best role and performance.
I know my perspective is different, as an outsider to Korea, but the themes were generally universal and often relatable. I will say their ideas of who was supposed to be attractive vs who wasn't were very odd to me, but the way Mi Rae broke everyone's' looks down was a nice touch. I doubt I will ever really understand the pressure to be attractive in Korea, or how normalized plastic surgery seems to be there, but I think we all can relate to wanting to fit in, and struggling to become comfortable in your own skin when society implies you aren't good enough.
Meanwhile, I am also a person who was distracted by Im Soo Hyang's plastic appearance, but that's probably because the show brings so much attention to her looks, when I would normally just overlook it. At the same time, I loved the way they handled how she used to look, and thought that was a smart choice by the director.
Overall this is a drama that actually tries to say something important, which I appreciate, even if sometimes it was as subtle as a hammer to the brain. It may not get high marks for romance, but they do make a cute unlikely duo, and as a coming of age story I was definitely entertained. This drama also touches on topics like bullying, harassment, sexism, abandonment, image pressure, suicide, domestic violence, eating disorders... without making the episodes depressing. Just consider this a feel-good drama about becoming confident in who you are, and not letting the past dictate your future. I may not have loved it as much as others, but I certainly loved the point it makes.
Oh, and the use of PSY's "New Face" was a cheesy but nice touch!
Was this review helpful to you?
Jang Hyuk first won me over in Fated to Love but this role is completely different. There's no infectious laughter, in fact he rarely cracks a smile, but as Pil Joo he shows so much emotion behind what on the surface seems like a permanent poker face. From the beginning I was fascinated with, and rooting for, Pil Joo. Seeing the constant torment on his face at each betrayal, then watching him always be a step ahead, was an addictive combination. Even though he is insanely manipulative, he's also extremely sympathetic, and it's impressive watching this master strategist implement his ultimate plan for revenge. Whatever praise he gets for this role is well deserved.
The majority of the rest of the cast is just as praise worthy, and help create the perfect atmosphere. With a character like Pil Joo, you need characters just as compelling to make the story work, and although everyone was really good, Jang Seung Jo, Lee Mi Sook, and Lee Soon Jae were perfection. I loved Lee Soon Jae's matter of fact callousness as the head of the Jang family, Jang Gook Hwan (aka Grandpa from HELL). He was so nonchalant about being so unbelievably evil that I almost had to laugh at times. I adored Seung Jo's manic charm as Boo Cheon (the ultimate frenemy). Boo Cheon was so complicated that he's the kind of character you sympathize with and want to see destroyed. I loved him, and loved to hate him. He was also really good at saying more with his expression than words could. He had one scene where just him closing the hotel door was one of the most gripping episode endings.
Then there is Mi Sook's Jung Mal Ran (aka Psycho Mommy Dearest). Mal Ran is the kind of villain that I love. She somehow made being completely unmerciful attractive. Without giving away too much, she is the main target for Pil Joo's revenge, and their scenes together are many of my favorite moments in the show. It seems weird to call what they had chemistry, but that's what it felt like... intense rivalry, constant suspicion for sure, but also a little sexual tension. Even her outfits were amazing. I already liked her as one of the dueling mom's in Jealousy Incarnate, but I had no idea she was capable of this kind of performance. She is the worst mother possible, but in the best way!
The only character who was good but not as great as the others in my opinion is Park Se Young. As Na Mo Hyun she did a good enough job, but with such an epic cast it's easy for her to look mediocre in comparison. It could also be the way her character was written, being the least duplicitous of the bunch. She does hold her own in many scenes, but always in a way that still seems to leave her out-shined by her costar. I guess being the only goodie two shoes among the vicious can have that effect.
Betrayal, greed, and revenge is what drives this drama from start to finish, so don't get fooled by the genre tags or the synopsis. This is about THE WORST family you could ever imagine, and the fight to see who will be the next to lead the company once grandpa dies. Even though I've seen way too many dramas with this kind of plot, I don't ever remember one doing ruthless so well. Don't expect laughs, or anything even slightly resembling comic relief. Expect lots of people not trusting each other, and for good reason. Still it doesn't go overboard with melodramatic sadness, so its more engrossing than depressing. Instead of romance, I would say there is intense longing and deception. Instead of law, I would say that these characters take extreme liberties with the law in ways that are very entertaining. This is a drama where you wonder how far each character will go for their goal, and then stand back and watch them probably go way beyond what you would imagine they would do... at least that was the case with me. I had many jaw dropping moments at their actions.
Another thing worth mentioning is the music. It's less about songs and more about how much music is used to drive the intensity in the story. I especially loved the cliff hanger music at the end of each episode. Once I heard that music play I knew something unbelievable was about to happen. Even in the last episode, when I thought they couldn't possibly fit in another twist, that music always told me otherwise.
Would I watch this again? Absolutely, but I couldn't give it a perfect rewatch score, because knowing what will happen does lessen the intensity. The performances themselves are mesmerizing enough to keep me watching, but cliff hangers lose some of their charm when you know what will come next.
Overall I highly recommend this drama. The writing, directing, and acting were all too good to miss. If you want something light to watch, this is definitely not for you, but I'd still say add it to your queue for when you may be more in the mood. If you start watching and feel like it's too slow, this is one of those dramas that just gets more and more exciting as it goes on. If the idea of a makjang scares you away, think of it more as a revenge drama, and if revenge dramas aren't your thing, maybe think of it as a character driven melodrama. I say this because Money Flower is missing some of the elements I normally love in a drama, but I didn't really miss anything at all. I started watching with no expectations, and an open mind, and I knew early on that this would end up on my favorites list. It was so fun being shocked every week, and wanting to curse at my screen. I was satisfied with the end, and liked that it still left me wanting more, but with enough closure to not feel cheated. After 24 episodes I am sad that it's over. I'm not sure there's another drama that can fill the intensity void this one will leave.
Was this review helpful to you?
The main story is about two emotionally damaged, insecure, and manipulative people who fall for each other, but can't trust each other. There are times when that scenario is fun to watch, but a lot of the time it's extremely frustrating. I think Han Ye Seul and Sung Joon had some great chemistry, but it was less about feeling butterflies, and more like watching two rivals fight to the death. I still can't believe Sung Joon is so young, because I totally believed him as Choi Soo Hyun (who is supposed to be in his mid 30's). I guess it helped that Hye Rim seemed so immature to me (and often annoying), so they sorta balanced each other out. Both characters are super flawed, but still sympathetic, which is why I could watch their back and forth without getting too angry at either character. Choi Soo Hyun's backstory did make me cry several times (abandonment stories always get me in the "feels"). On the other hand, Hye Rim's "French" cracked me up every time. I also appreciated that they weren't shy about their physical attraction.
If you want cute, that's where Lee Joo Hyeong and Hwang Seung Eon come in. Lee Joo Hyeong is kinda adorkable as Won Ji Ho, but also kinda creepy (the blinking definitely raised his creepy factor). Ji Ho is at awkward level 100+, and his chemistry with Yoo Rim is the romantic highlight of the show. They were great comic relief, and good for lightening the mood. They were also more unpredictable than the main couple.
Jung Jin Woon, as Choi Seung Chan, was also super cute, but his relationship with Bae Mi Ran was a little too out there for me to root for. I think this is the most extreme cougar situation I've seen in a drama, but maybe challenging my notion of what's acceptable was the point. Some one cracked me up with the term "Ahjumma-zoned", but even that is putting it mildly. Their scenes were sweet, but still made me just a little too uncomfortable. They were both great in their roles though.
The writers also added a few patient scenarios to the show. The psychological subplots were only mildly interesting, and some were just too out there to take seriously, or too overused in dramas. I think the writers were looking for interesting ways to fill in the story, but I wasn't interested. Their therapist methods were also super questionable, but it's KDrama ethics, so I'll give them a pass.
Would I rewatch this again? It's possible, but not likely.
Overall, It was the characters, more than the plot, that made me like this drama. if you are looking for romantic escapism, this is not it. If you have ever been in a relationship with an emotionally damaged person, or have been that damaged person, or both, you will probably relate much more to the story (*raises hand*). I did get emotionally invested in the main characters, and all their issues. Still, It doesn't take itself too seriously, which keeps it from being too depressing. I also was satisfied with the ending, which didn't cross the border of being too cheesy (it came close though... lol)
I'm glad I watched this one. It did hold my interest, even during the slower moments, but I would hesitate before recommending it. It is definitely unique in a lot of ways, and has an interesting cast of characters, but if you don't like it in the beginning, I predict you will hate it by the end.
Was this review helpful to you?
Ha Suk Jin and Jeon So Min are a great match. They not only play their roles well, but they have very realistic chemistry with each other. Watching them felt like eavesdropping on an actual couple, even with all the tropes. I especially loved the way he looked at her, and it's worth noting that their kissing moments are much hotter and realer than the kdrama norm. I've never seen either before, but they nailed it.
The only reason for lowering my cast score was that although I loved the leads, the best friend, and Jae In's lawyer, many of the supporting cast members seemed pretty useless. A lot of them didn't have enough screen time to make me care about them, or just had a ridiculous role like Seo Eun Chae as Han Joo Hee. I'm not sure if she or the role were the problem, maybe both, but although I can see how she added to their story, she was my least favorite part.
I also gave the story a lower score, because of the lack of originality, poorly fleshed out backstories, and a few "dramatic" moments that made no sense to me, but what they did well was trim a lot of fat from the episodes. I confess that I actually binge watched this whole drama while sick, and I was able to finish it in a day and a half! I was on episode 4 before I realized that the episodes were shorter than usual, and that's also when I finally gave up on waiting for a big dramatic story to happen. The episodes seemed to fly by as I watched Jae In and Dada become closer, and that was all the entertainment I needed.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. I liked the main characters enough for a possible rewatch, but I can't say the same about the rest of the plot.
Oh, and the OST. It's a great match for this drama, including a cute spinoff of the jackson 5's "I want you back", but I was pretty indifferent to Ji Soo's songs, and his storyline.
Overall, this is a good romcom, and definitely worth watching for fans of the genre. I think my score is lower than most because I tend to like more intriguing plots, but this simple story has a lot of charm. I also think making it shorter was very smart (I can't believe the original was so long), so there was no time to get bored with the story, and it took no time to get hooked. It's the perfect drama for weekend binge watching, while still leaving you with some time left for real life (If you're not sick like I was)! I'm glad I took a chance on this one.
Was this review helpful to you?
As far as the cast goes, I would give the 2 leads a solid 10. Kim Myung Min is not exactly a likable character at the start, but his portrayal of Anthony Kim had me from the beginning. I love watching a good villain, so a hero with villainous tendencies is right up my alley. He was the perfect contrast to the sweet, but in no way a pushover, newbie writer Lee Go Eun, played by Jung Ryeo Won. I loved watching them together on screen. They didn't have a necessarily steamy chemistry together, but they worked so well together, and their love story was fun to watch.
I liked the entire supporting cast, but I honestly found Si Won's character to be a bit annoying. I know that was kinda the point, and I know I will incur fangirl wrath, but I felt like he sometimes had too much screen time. Oh Ji Eun, on the other hand, seemed a little too forgettable for a second lead in a triangle. I did think Min Ah's and Kang Min rivalry was hilarious, and that they played their parts very well in that respect.
This drama was entertaining the entire time, never really dragging, in spite of being relatively predictable. The ending felt like It snuck up on me, because I wasn't quite ready for it to end, but it was actually the perfect length (it didn't drag, or feel rushed).
I would say this is a must watch KDrama within a KDrama, and for that I should rate it a 10, but for some reason I just can't classify it with my favorites. Maybe it's because the rewatch value for me is just not that high. I didn't know what to expect the first time around, so I am not sure all the excitement would be there with a second viewing.
Still, I think this drama should be praised for being original while simultaneously playing off of every drama cliché they could think of. At the heart of The King of Dramas is the questions "Why do we love dramas", and I think this drama does a pretty good job of answering that by giving us a little bit of everything. I would certainly recommend it to all ardent KDrama fans.
Was this review helpful to you?
In honor of Lee Sun Kyun... one of the reasons I fell in love with dramas.
I've recently taken a break from dramas and writing reviews while mourning the loss of someone very close to me but it was learning about the tragic passing of Lee Sun Kyun that kept me up tonight and ironically led to me staying up to watch "Sleep". I have been a fan of Lee Sun Kyun since "Coffee Prince", and missed all of the recent scandal and drama while caught up in my own personal sadness, so this has been a truly shocking evening. Maybe that's why this simple yet disturbing psychological horror story resonated with me. How your mind can play tricks on you when you're in a heightened emotional state is always a concept that fascinates me and adding a sleep disorder to that makes it even more interesting. This drama walks the fine line between familiar horror tropes that just work well with direction and visuals that are fresh and memorable. It was also the perfect film for the mood I'm currently in... something sadly disturbing and haunting.Lee Sun Kyun has portrayed so many roles that I have loved and this one isn't necessarily a standout among them, but he is definitely in his element. He plays Hyun Soo, an aspiring Actor who lives with his super supportive and very pregnant wife Soo Jin played by Jung Yu Mi. Their relationship seems pretty ideal until Hyun Soo's disturbing actions while asleep put major stress on their lives. I love that the way things slowly evolve is so realistic and that's what made it so disturbing to me. Yes, there are some classic horror moments including possibly animals and kids being hurt, but that's pretty much par for the course in a horror movie as far as I'm concerned, although this movie never goes overboard with over-the-top blood or comes close to anything truly gorey. In true psychological horror fashion, it's more about setting up a creepy atmosphere with many of the horrors implied and without being so abstract that you lose the actual story.
As for the story, I thought it was well told, with an ending that will probably leave a lot of room for debate. I thought I knew exactly how the story would go, but the start of Act 3 caught me off guard. I wouldn't call it a mindblowing ending by any means but it was an interesting ride and for me a satisfying conclusion... at least my interpretation of what happened.
Would I watch this again? Yes. I am a fan of horror and this is one that was entertaining to watch with a great cast and great direction even if it's not necessarily groundbreaking. Other Lee Sun Kyun fans may not be in the mood to see him playing someone going through so much mental agony just yet, which I understand too.
Overall, I am glad I stayed up to watch "Sleep". It reminded me of classic horror movies like "Rosemary's Baby", with quite a few images that will keep me up a little longer. People looking for a horror film with epic twists, major jumpscares, or diabolical villains will likely be disappointed. I liked the concept of one's mind possibly being the real horror... or not. Or the horror of not having control over your actions, which legit freaks me out. Could there have been improvements? Sure. Could some parts of the story use some more depth and explanation? Sure. But as is, I think this movie still delivers.
***Thank you Lee Sun Kyun, for bringing such ease of talent to so many great roles. You will be missed. Sleep in Peace : (
Was this review helpful to you?
Yoo Ah In plays Lee Sun Jae, a music prodigy that accidentally catches the attention of a professor at a prestigious music school, and is thrust into a world where his raw talent is in demand, although he comes from a very different world. Sun Jae's story is the only thing I cared about in this drama, and he comes across as so genuine, impulsive, and passionate, that it makes total sense that Kim Hee Ae as Oh Hye Won would fall for him. The problem is that their chemistry is what is supposed to carry this whole drama and it got old for me very quickly. Yoo Ah In is just an amazing actor, so he handles the range of emotions required for the role, even the most melodramatic moments, in a way that still felt real. I cannot say the same about Kim Hee Ae. At times I couldn't tell if I didn't like her performance, or how the character was written, but I think it's both. Oh Hye Won is meant to be cold and business-minded until she awakens her passion with Sun Jae. I think they did that well in the beginning but eventually, she just becomes so wish-washy and whiney and honestly hard to sympathize with. They also didn't seem to have much chemistry beyond physically and musically, which makes such a controversial relationship hard for me to root for. I got more surrogate mom vibes which got very Oedipusy and weird. Eventually, they relied too heavily on flashbacks too, so the romance in the drama felt stale.
As for the supporting cast, the performances were fine but the corrupt school storyline bored me completely. This takes up a lot of the drama, and I guess was meant to show off the strength of the female lead, but she was so overly melodramatic, and they were so stereotypical, that I zoned out during all of those scenes. Many of the corruption scenes felt repetitive anyway, full of frustrating character choices, so I probably could have skipped most of them and I wouldn't have missed much.
The only supporting character that I really liked a lot was Kyung Soo Jin as Park Da Mi. I loved her being the aggressive voice of reason, which is funny since she initially annoyed me. She was also one of the only characters that showed any growth.
Would I watch this again? Definitely not. The only reason I didn't drop it was because I wanted to see how things would turn out for Sun Jae. Even during the lead actress's big speech in the last episode I was ready to finally give up because I felt nothing. It was her moment and I cared more Ah In's reaction shots. His longing puppy eyes kept me watching, but they couldn't make up for scenes that dragged, musical interludes that felt way too long, and way too many flashbacks. To me, it felt like 4 episodes worth of story stretched out to be 16.
Overall I was ready to like this drama way more than I did. I know many people were more into the music and forbidden romance than I was, so I would say that if you aren't excited about this couple in the beginning, don't expect it to get any better. It wasn't even the extreme age difference that bothered me or their physical chemistry, but they seemed to focus more on mood than developing their relationship. They actually listened to a whole Billy Joel song which took up more time than any real character or story development. That's what this drama felt like to me... a mood that you have to be into more than a story with anything to offer beyond the synopsis. I think that maybe you have to be in a sip wine and listen to classical music mood to watch this drama and enjoy it, otherwise, there are better things to watch than this not even very secret love affair.
Was this review helpful to you?
I will start with Shin Hye Sun, who I loved as such an innocent character in Thirty But Seventeen, but in this drama, she is completely different in the best way! As Lee Yeon Seo she is smart, no-nonsense, and always one step ahead of what's expected of her, and even though she is extremely temperamental it was hard not to like and root for her. In a lot of ways, she plays the role the male lead usually plays in this kind of romcom (rich, mean, but misunderstood), while L plays the role usually given to women (cute and thoughtful enough to win her over). L really is perfectly cast as a charming angel, and although I understand people critiquing some of his more dramatic scenes, I think that what he did right outshined his weaker acting moments... also his dimples... who can deny the power of that dimple whenever he smiled?!! Together I think they had great chemistry, and I especially loved their banter in the beginning. Their melodramatic scenes were less interesting, but I still loved seeing them together, no matter what.
The rest of the cast was filled with great performances and mediocre performances. I think Lee Dong Gun is a master at playing a sinister 2nd lead, but I feel like he was a better actor than what was written for his character. Woo Hee Jin was great too as the maid/surrogate family. A lot of the villainous characters were made to be super campy and were hard to take seriously because of that. I think the sisters Ni Na and Ru Na were good at playing extreme opposites, but because both characters were so one-note I didn't feel much for them, and they are both major parts of the plot so I should have cared a lot more than I did.
Besides Yeon Seo, the best character and the real MVP of this drama is Kim In Kwon as Archangel Hoo! Not only was he hilarious, but he also had one of the few moments in the drama that actually made me tear up. His chemistry with L was just as entertaining as the main couple in my opinion, and he kept this drama entertaining when the plot and couple drama started to get repetitive and boring. He was definitely a scene stealer and a major highlight in this drama.
I think the plot is where this drama lost its way, which is very disappointing because the early episodes were so strong. Without giving too much away, I will say that I was intrigued by the angel on a mission plot. The set up for this drama did have its fair share of clichés, but I thought the story, in the beginning, was well told. I thought certain elements were very creative (the feather handkerchief especially), and I liked the angel mythology in general. Unfortunately, I don't think the conclusion of this drama was well thought out and so the last half of this drama started to drag and became super redundant and boring by the end. It was also annoying to have so many "rehearsal" scenes when it was clear that Shin Hye Sun is not a great dancer in real life. The earlier dance scenes with Kim Bo Mi, who obviously has ballet experience, made more sense but watching long scenes where Shin Hye Sun would "emote" when she should have been dancing was annoying, and felt like filler to drag out the story more. If this drama was shorter I would have liked it much more, even with a vague ending, but watching the same crying scenes over and over again and the same arguments on repeat made it very hard for me to want to keep watching. I also wonder if the writer got talked out of the original ending because the last episodes definitely seemed thrown together.
Would I watch this again? Maybe. I can see myself watching the beginning and then skipping most scenes until getting to the end. There were many scenes and moments that I liked enough to want to see them again. I also thought the soundtrack was perfect but I still didn't love it enough to want to hear the songs again now that the show is over.
With a couple this cute, I thought this drama would be added to my favorites list for sure. I love a good cheesy fairytale that tugs at the heartstrings! The problem with this drama is that it didn't tug at my heart. I wish I cared more, but by the end, I was just waiting for it to be over. I do think that there is enough good in Angel's Last Mission: Love to justify a recommendation for romance fans. It's not the best this year, but it's far from the worst. It's "tragic romance-lite" for those who like melodrama but don't want to watch something too heavy. Also, did I mention the dimples? I can overlook a lot of plotholes just to see those dimples. They deserve their own drama. If you're looking to find deep meaning at the end of this drama then set your expectations much lower. If you're a ballet fan maybe you will appreciate how the "Giselle" performance parallels with the romance between Angel Dan and Yeon Seo, but to me, the connection felt forced and overdone. The crime plot is also very weak, the explanation for Angel's mission is messy, too many things were left unresolved (seriously, what was up with the crazy dance teacher?), but the love story, even with its flaws, still delivers. At the very least, I hope this sparks a trend for more female lead roles like this! I think their dynamic was a refreshing twist on the same ole thing I love.
So, in the end, I'm glad I completed the mission of watching this till the end, but I won't declare my love! I'd say this drama is more like a summer crush than real love, and I'm satisfied with that.
Was this review helpful to you?
A well played drama.
It surprises me that so many people were disappointed by this drama since it's been a while since a drama impacted me so much. I can agree it isn't perfect, but this drama gets so many things right. I went in without any expectations and couldn't stop tears from flowing by the end. If you've ever experienced a loss of a family matriarch or patriarch this drama may hit harder. This isn't truly a romance drama or a melodrama, it is more a sentimental story about a family facing a major loss and honoring the successes and regrets of a long life. This drama also leans on the familiar trope of a charismatic character who joins a family and transforms it for the better... think Mary Poppins... with a convincing North Korean accent. ; ) I'm a sucker for stories like this, and I was not disappointed.The NK Mary Poppins and charm of this drama is Kang Ha Neul as Yoo Jae Hun. He truly shines in this role as a struggling actor dedicated to his craft who is persuaded to play the long-lost grandson of dying Matriarch Ja Geum Sun played by Go Doo Shim. The chemistry between these two is the heart of this drama. Ja Geum Sun's life may have been filled with amazing accomplishments but she also carries hurt from past losses that haunt her into old age. The goal of this reunion with her grandson is meant to give her peace and closure before death but it ends up being challenging and healing for the whole family. Yes, there is a romantic element with Ha Ji Won's character
Park Se Yun which I did think was cute, and they do play the past characters well (especially in the opening scene), but the chemistry that truly mattered in this story was between Grandma and her newly "found" Grandson.
I won't speak too much about specific characters since getting to know the family is a large part of the story, but the entire cast is so good. Their family dynamic is people living together but estranged until they are forced to deal with their ailing Matriarch. There are no over-the-top villains or cheesy fights for succession, instead, it's a fight over hotel ownership that isn't based on greed for once but instead based on emotions. I could sympathize which each grandchild's POV, and although this might not be exciting to some viewers to me it felt more real. I also liked that who would ordinarily be a female second lead was her own interesting character, and I loved the chemistry between the two hired actors. The actors are all stellar and all work well together. There are absolutely no weak links, not even in the staff. The least interesting character was the ex-"Bae" Dong Je, but I think that was just the way his role was written. I disagree with a lot of critics and think all the characters got an appropriate amount of screen time, including Steven Noh as Ri Moon Sung, who even while mostly silent gave a really powerful performance.
Would I watch this again? Yes! If you have any interest in acting it will be hard not to relate to what motivates Yoo Jae Hun to create and perform. And although there aren't many swoon-worthy romantic moments or epic fighting showdowns, watching Jae Hun vs the family dynamic was endearing enough for me to want to watch it all again. There are a few touching moments I wouldn't mind rewatching again as well.
The sentimental music is a bit over the top but appropriate. It definitely inspired tears to keep on flowing.
Overall, I applaud this drama for successfully finding the balance between the actors and the roles they are playing which is not easy to do well. The "plays within a play" parts were done perfectly. And I love that the title actually makes perfect sense, which is rare! lol!
Having lost two close grandparents I often reflect on the things they've seen and endured and survived, and it was hard not to think of them while watching. I also know the feeling of reuniting with a side of my family that I was not raised with and this also made me reevaluate the value of family. I think this drama is meant to relate to viewers in that way, and left me with an inspired outlook in spite of my many tears. I loved that everything felt resolved by the end (yes, everything) but still open to all the possibilities that life could throw one's way. I love that there were funny and silly moments to balance out the tougher moments. I love that there is space for hurt and regret and love in the writing. I easily overlooked some of the weaker parts of the plot because the stronger parts had a bigger impact.
"Curtain Call" is a drama well played. Lower viewer ratings aside, count me among the few that would give this drama a standing ovation!
Was this review helpful to you?
