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This review may contain spoilers
I'm kinda in shock over how good this drama turned out to be considering how long I've been avoiding watching it. I knew the ratings were high, but because there were 51 episodes (which is enough to scare me away) it lived forever on my planning to watch cue. My advice is to not let episode-count-a-phobia stop you from watching this AMAZING drama. The impressive cast and the intriguing story make every episode worth watching, and before I knew it I was finished. By the end I even found myself oddly craving more, because I'd grown so attached to the world of "Empress Ki".First, this is definitely one of the best cast ensembles I have ever seen in drama. I admit that I didn't check the cast list at all before watching, so there were so many pleasant surprises as far as actors I've loved in other dramas. Ha Ji Won is one of my favorites ("Secret Garden" being my actual favorite drama of all time). She's the ultimate sweet but bad@ss leading lady, and this character is perfect for even her. The story follows her journey from gender-bending youth to Empress (not a spoiler, so don't worry). She goes through such a range in this story that I was impressed with her from beginning to end. She is matched with Joo Jin Mo, who charmed me in the mediocre drama "Woman with a Suitcase", and super impressive Ji Chang Wook from "Healer" (another favorite of mine). I think each of their performances, and the chemistry between these three characters, were flawless. Jin Mo is perfectly cast as charming and heroic. Chang Wook's character is so emotionally complicated that his performance was one of my favorites of all, and so different than his acting in "Healer". This is the kind of dramatic love story that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster... Flirtation, Mistrust, Passion, Betrayal, Obsession, Loyalty... and they made me believe every moment of it. What I love about all of the characters is that they were so developed, with flaws and vulnerabilities, that it all felt real, even when the plot got outrageous.
I get overwhelmed when I think of everyone in the cast who deserves to be mentioned for giving such excellent performances, but I will only mention a few. Jung Woong is so good at playing complicated villains, like the one I loved so much in "I Hear Your Voice". Sometimes he gave me chills he's so good in this. Jun Gook Hwan is also an impressive villain, the kind you sometimes secretly root for just so you can keep watching them be evil. His sons were hotties, but Kim Jung Hyun deserves a special shout out for being the Duracell Bunny of evil... (he kept going and going and going). Baek Jin Hee was so slapable she was perfect. The Empress Dowager frustrated me the most because she was so good at being duplicitous. Kim Ji Han, with his sexy Alan Richman-esque voice, was also a standout for me. But honestly, I could just run down the entire cast list and praise everyone, from the servants, to the soldiers, to the royals. I love the bromances between the heroes, the catty smirks between the ladies, the nail biting fight scenes between almost everyone, even the kids... This is a cast with not only no weak links, but so many memorable performances.
As far as the story, it is really hard to keep a drama with so many long episodes interesting, but this drama absolutely does. This is a shakespearean level saeguk, with so many twists it's impossible to see them all coming. I also loved that the the drama starts near the end point, so you see where everything will lead first and then are glued to the screen watching how everything will finally get to that point. It also covers a lot of genres. There's romance, and action, and of course revenge, with even a few supernatural moments. There are also comedic moments, but know that this drama is definitely more tragedy than comedy, and often times frustrating and depressing (in an entertaining way) the further along the story gets. I also like that after being less enthusiastic about some of the middle episodes, the pace starts to pick up again near the end so much that I literally could not stop watching.
My critiques of this drama are very few. One is that the circumstances are so unbelievable at times that I almost wanted to laugh inappropriately, but the actors always made the story work no matter how crazy the plot got. Another issue for me was that I was bored by certain parts of the story, towards the middle, although they added to the character development, and made sense to the story as a whole, I was just personally less interested in some of the political rivalries and wars (especially in Wang Yoo's storyline). There are also tropes you find in a lot of dramas, but the storytelling is so engaging that it never feels cliché.
As for the ending, I thought it was simple and perfect. The last 2 episodes pack so much in that it was a little overwhelming, but I felt like there were no loose ends at all, and the very last moment kinda ends with a haunting question... at least that's how I interpreted it, which made the whole story complete.
Would I watch this again? DEFINITELY! It's now tied for my favorite Saeguk with "The Princess' Man". I'd probably take my time with a rewatch, and enjoy the performances, instead of rushing to finish in order to know what happens.
Overall, The characters will haunt me for a while. Every villain was sympathetic, and every hero/heroine pissed me off, which made the power struggles so much more compelling. I love stories like these that make me actually curious about the real people that inspired them. I know very little about the actual history, so I can't reference what is real vs what was made up. I can only assume that there's only a small amount of this story that's based actual events. However, like every good makjang drama, the more unrealistic the better.
I definitely recommend this one as a must watch! I was addicted by episode one. It's certainly not a lighthearted drama, so arm yourself with enough tissues, and be ready to curse at the screen, and clutch at your broken heart. Trust the ratings and reviews on this one, it really is THAT good. If you're a big fan of anyone in the cast, you don't want to miss them in this. 51+ hours later I don't think you will regret it.
Wow, This drama may have finally cured my episode-count-a-phobia!
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I'll start with the romance, which is really the heart of the story, but was my least favorite part. Although the romance was written well, I just never really connected with the main couple the way I usually do when sucked into a K-drama. Jo Yoon Hee is super perky, and Lee Jin Wook knows how to look aloof & hot, but the chemistry between the two of them was lacking in my opinion. Jo Yoon Hee's cuteness was not enough to carry her through emotional scenes, and Lee Jin Wook (although a stronger actor than his co-star) too often seemed emotionless, even with all that his character goes through in the story. I wanted to fall in love with the love story much more than I did. Towards the end I cared a little more, but that's due to the great writing, not their performances.
In general, I think the acting in the entire show was ok, but not stellar. Some of the supporting cast had more personality than the main characters. Still, I can't say that anyone in the cast was really bad... well, except for Jeong Dong Hwan. The stupid faces he made as Choi Jin Cheol were so cartoonishly bad that it was starting to piss me off. He started to remind me of Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone.
I think the true star of this drama is the story. Once I got through the set up episodes, the story was non stop surprise revelations & plot twists, which I love. This is the kind of story that will leave you sleepless, as you marathon it, just so you can see what happens next. The story doesn't lose steam towards the end like most dramas do either, which is impressive. It also had the kind of ending that made me want to immediately re-watch the whole story from the beginning, although there weren't any real 'stand out' moments that I wanted to necessarily watch again. I'd re-watch just to see if knowing the ending would change how I see the rest of the drama.
If you're not a fan of open endings, consider this a warning. Still I loved the ending, which made me think, and I don't think was that ambiguous. I believe it was way better than if everything was spelled out clearly or tied up with a corny happily ever after bow. There also weren't any glaring loose ends, which considering how complicated the story gets, was enough closure for me.
I had no idea, based on the premise, that this would be one of the best written, and surprisingly believable, time travel k-dramas that I've seen. (and there are A LOT of time travel K-dramas!) With a different cast my score would have been much higher, which is the only reason why Nine: Nine Times Time Travel didn't quite make an "9" overall score from me.
My review may not be as high as everyone else's, but I understand why there are so many fans, and would definitely recommend it, because who needs sleep? lol!
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The acting was pretty standard for a bad horror movie. They did a good enough job being catty, and looking scared when they needed to. The music was average k-pop, but the main song was not as catchy as I think it needed to be. I was expecting something more disturbing, like suicide club. Instead, this was a sub par teen horror flick. Fans of gore will get a few moments that are somewhat gross, but most of the scares rely on eerie sounds, creepy images, and of course a long haired ghost. And the ending felt like a blatant rip-off of carrie, which was laughably bad.
I've seen so many good reviews for this that I can't believe I watched the same movie as everyone else. I would not recommend this movie to my worst enemy. My guess is that you really have to love melodrama about k-pop groups in order to tolerate this. There are much better movies out there for real horror fans.
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Most reviews compare the story to Romeo & Juliet, but I think that is an understatement. Though the story does revolve around two "star-crossed lovers" from opposing families, it's also about ruthless political ambition, best friends becoming archenemies, family betrayal, unlikely heroes, and revenge. Like many Shakespearean plays, the story embellishes some historical events, & figures, which helps to make it feel authentic. Every character is expertly played, and written. The end of every episode had me anxious to watch the next one. I was sometimes frustrated by characters, and situations, but never bored. I was a little disappointed, and frustrated, by the ending, but I was also impressed that it didn't take the expected route. I was tempted to give this drama a 9 because of the ending, but I decided it was just too good for that.
The cast was definitely outstanding. The characters really had great depth, and real character arcs. The heroes were flawed, and the villains showed vulnerability. You can actually see the characters change (for better or worse) as the show progresses. Kim Yeong Cheol made me actually empathize with his merciless, and unbearably stubborn, portrayal of Prince Suyang/King Sejo. There are too many great characters to name them all individually, but I have to mention Lee Min Woo who had such an unexpected effect on me as Jung Jong, with his goofy smile. He was the first character to bring me to boo-hoo tears. The friendship between Seung Yoo, Jong, and Officer Shin was just as heartbreakingly tragic as the main romance.
The multiple stories were balanced perfectly, and never made the plot drag, or feel like mere filler. The romance is, however, the heart of the story, and Park Shi Hoo's awesome performance is what ultimately holds the show together - I mean, he is the Princess' Man after all.
I can't say enough good things about Park Shi Hoo. Whether a scene called for romance, action, comedy, or tender emotion, he handled it all flawlessly. As for Moon Chae Won, I didn't even realize that she was the obsessed girl in Shining Inheritance/Brilliant Legacy, which I think says a lot about her ability to lose herself in a distinct role. I also appreciated that she was a just as strong as the male lead, in her own way. I think they had great chemistry, and worked very well together, especially when considering the grand scope of their romance in this drama, and the range of their feelings for each other.
The direction, the cinematography, and the music made every episode feel like a movie to me. I did initially think the opening theme sounded a bit too much like a korean "carol of the bells", but it soon added to my excitement for the coming episode.
I highly recommend this drama as having something for everyone, but this is definitely a tragic one. If you're looking for a cute/feel good drama, look elsewhere. For fans of historical drama, this is a must. For non fans of historical drama, this one is worth giving a try. I would love to watch this again, even knowing the kinda frustrating conclusion. It's such a good story, that knowing what will happen doesn't ruin it, and in some ways may make it better.
The Princess' Man is one of my new favorites for sure. The 24+ hours spent watching it were so worth it!
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Will this finally be my gateway drug to CDrama?
I love dark comedies, and stories that present difficult subjects in unique and intriguing ways. Suicide and depression are topics that are difficult to appropriately address without going heavy on the melodrama but this drama succeeds in a refreshing way. This is also a super easy drama to binge since the 8 episodes are under 30 mins and that is exactly what I did one Sunday evening, ironically when a famous suicide in my area was just making the headlines. This drama made me laugh and empathize and reflect without being preachy or corny. It isn't perfect, but after watching so many disappointing dramas recently it was the best I have seen in quite a while. If this is what CDrama's are like, count me in!It stars baby-faced Connor Leong as Mi Chong, a depressed almost 30 yr old who has plans for the perfect suicide that keep getting ruined by Vivienne Tien as the bold and unpredictable Zhi Liao. I won't say too much more about how they meet and what happens next, but the suicide attempts are worth mentioning just in case that's too much for some viewers. They have great chemistry from the very beginning, less in a cheesy romcom way (which I do love too) but more as just two quirky characters who influence each other. One of my favorite movies is "Fight Club", and they definitely gave me similar vibes to the narrator and Marla. "Definitely Not Today" also relies on narration much like "Fight Club", with some super creative visuals and animation that add to the uniqueness of the storytelling. Their relationship carries the whole drama, with only a few side characters of any importance, and I never grew tired of watching them together on screen. The story only slowed down for me when too many other characters, like the officer and brother, were introduced. The two main leads were all I cared about and a good example of being strong characters individually but even stronger together. Both balanced being hilarious and heartbreaking masterfully.
The rest of the cast is pretty forgetable or too generic... even the funny ones. Figaro Tseng was convincingly cast as her brother, but still forgettable because it's a relatively short appearance.
Would I watch this again? Definitely. In fact I definitely started watching it again... (wait for it)... today lol. It's so short and well-paced that it's easy to watch in one sitting. Where this story goes and how it ends is less impressive than how it starts. The ending does feel rushed and the villains just weren't as interesting as the leads, but just watching them face all the random (VERY random) things that came their way, and each other, was enough to keep me entertained throughout, along with the clever visuals. I can see myself wanting to watch this if I'm in a 'woe is me' mood. There's something oddly comforting and heartfelt about watching these messy characters and all the hijinx that ensues.
I have to thank AnQuat for this brilliant suggestion! I feel like I have a favorite CDrama now, even if it's only my first. (too soon? lol) Dark comedies may not be for everyone, but I love how that style of storytelling allows more freedom to not take even serious matters too seriously. I'm impressed by how much storytelling they packed into these short episodes too. There are some poetic reflections, maybe a tad too much diary entry style narration, and a few possibly triggering scenes, so it isn't only about laughs but it always stays true to its unique style even when somber, which makes me definitely recommend "Definitely Not Today". I wasn't moved enough to tear up but the writing, directing, and acting all impressed me. It was the perfect cure for my recent drama slump. I hope for more dramas like this!
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Yumi is frustrating and flawed and so relatable thanks to some truly adorable cells!
I really loved this drama. I didn't know what to expect when I started it but it was fun and smart and frustrating and so relatable. On the surface, it's a pretty mundane love story with the usual romance tropes and misunderstandings, but it's the cells and their antics that reveal all the inner turmoil that was so easy to identify with. Even when Yumi drove me super crazy seeing her cells made me understand her and reflect on times when I was just as sensitive and irrational. Plus the cells are so super cute!!! I was almost tempted to give this drama perfect scores because of my cell bias, but the main thing that stopped me from doing that was Yumi herself.Kim Go Eun plays Yumi. I actually found her performance overall to be a little dull, but that worked pretty perfectly with the premise. Her lowkey performance is a great juxtaposition to the chaos of the cells in her head. This is my third attempt at a drama with Go Eun as the female lead, and she's always bland to me. I didn't like her in Cheese in a Trap, and I still haven't been able to watch Goblin (Yes, THAT Goblin... the one that everyone loves so much). This time, with the help of the talented voice actors who play her "cells", I finally could enjoy her in a lead role. I was still annoyed by Yumi for most of the drama, but I was also empathetic. Yumi is an insecure romantic, in love with the idea of love, but still scarred from a traumatic breakup. She is matched in this drama with Ahn Bo Hyun as Ku Woong. Woong doesn't make the greatest impression on her at first but soon I was sucked into all the ups and downs of their unexpected relationship. Would they have been an exciting couple to watch without the cells, probably not, but with the cells input, commentary, and actions I was hyped to watch every single episode. Don't get me wrong. I loved Woong, and Bo Hyun's performance, I just think two laid back leads only work well in this kind of scenario. I was also more #teamWoong than I was rooting for Yumi, and I appreciated getting insight into his character too.
The supporting live action cast were all great, although many of them are pretty one note (like the hilariously annoying Ruby, and infuriating Sae Yi), but the real MVPs of the cast are the voice actors. I have my favorites... (Shout out to "Naughty"!!! I loved "Hunger" too!) but they are all the true stars of this drama, with some even taking on multiple cell roles. I don't know the webtoon at all, or how true to that the original cells this drama is, but getting to see and hear them made them seem all so real and made me imagine my own internal cell village. Yes, they are adorable but they show how messy, and contradictory, and imperfect people are, even with the best intentions. I know it's not exactly the most original concept, but the execution is unique, and it really is brilliantly done.
Would I watch this again? Definitely. Just to see the cells? Absolutely. Of course I am happier that there will be a season 2 with new episodes. Still, the concept is clever enough to keep me entertained watching the same episodes again, even if the overall plot is basic, and the lead wasn't always likeable. Being able to comiserate with her is much more important than liking her.
The soundtrack is great too. It's been a while since I wanted to download a song from a drama and "If I could read your mind" was as addictive as this drama. I loved how the soundtrack complimented the cuteness of the cell world without being too cheesy or childish. I love when constantly repeated songs make me excited and not annoyed while watching.
Overall, don't let the cartoon characters fool you. This isn't a Korean "Inside Out". This is a grown up drama about how crazy love can feel on the inside. It's cute, it's sad, it's infuriating, It's hilarious. I would definitely still consider this a light hearted drama, with nothing in the story that's too heavy, although some of the most entertaining parts may have you reflecting deeply. I never cried, but I laughed and cringed a lot. It's not a typical RomCom, so some people may be disappointed by the milder chemistry between the leads, but with the cells taking the lead I didn't miss any chemistry, and they definitely felt like a very realistic couple. I was more rooting for Yumi's growth than chemistry. I also prefer the awkward and realistic relationship plot vs the idealistic love story plot that's the romcom norm. I'm curious about the webtoon but I'm also too afraid to spoil season 2 to check it out just yet. I highly recommend Yumi's Cells as perfect to binge, especially since these are really bite sized episodes within episodes that keep the drama moving at a great pace. I'm really looking forward to seeing this same cast again (yes, even Go Eun, and especially Woong.) a rare k drama treat... while hopefully dodging spoilers from the webtoon and it's fans. I can just imagine my inner cells grabbing popcorn and planning a watch huge party in anticipation of season 2!
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I think I should start with the lead Ok Taec Yeon as Tae Pyung. I do think he did a good job in his role but since his character carries the entire drama, I wanted to love him more. He plays Tae Pyung as cool, and clever well but when things became more melodramatic and intense I felt less connected to him. I also wished I knew much more about his backstory which was treated more like an afterthought. He is matched with the equally cool, confident, and clever Lee Yun Hee as Seo Joon Young... the only person who's death he can't foresee. I think they make a great team in the beginning, especially when they are initially feeling each other out. I do think they lacked strong romantic chemistry though, which doesn't help when romance drives the story. It's not that I didn't like them together, I did. They had many moments together that I liked. It's that they lacked excitement, and even in the most heightened and emotional moments they were just too casual and cool with each other. It seemed like the plot had more passion than they did, although it also rushed something that didn't have enough time to develop.
I thought the rest of the cast was pretty good too. The officers, reporters, Tae Pyung's support team, and assorted bad guys all played their part well, but Im Joo Hwan definitely stands out as the best of the cast. His character was so complicated, and I think he did a great job of playing out the range of emotions required without being too overdramatic or unrealistic. I also love seeing him in duplicitous roles, which I think he excels at. More than the female lead, he felt like Tae Pyung's true match. I think they worked well off of each other. I also felt the same way about Jung Dong Hwan as Teacher Baek in his more supportive role. Still, I didn't love anyone in the cast enough to give the acting a higher rating.
As I already mentioned, it's the story that drew me in. Tae Pyung's dilemma about whether to stay a loner, the murder mystery, ruthless reporters, and revenge aspects of the story are super exciting for most of this drama. As the story progressed towards the ending I felt like there was a shift and that's when things started to drag and unfold as expected. There were also a lot of flashbacks, or rather flashforwards that started to feel overdone. I almost wish this drama had fewer episodes, and then maybe they would have trimmed more of the fat. I felt like I was just waiting for things to end like I knew it would which was completely different from the unpredictable feeling I had when I first started watching. The end also felt cheesy and way more melodramatic than the beginning, which added to my disappointment. Stronger character development and performances definitely would have helped.
Would I watch this again? Probably not, but I am curious if I would catch things that I missed the first time if I did. Maybe if I loved the main couple more I would, but I can't see myself watching every episode again unless I completely forget the plot over time.
Overall, this drama is pretty good but not as amazing as I thought it would be. The ending was decent, so I didn't feel like I wasted my time watching, and I like the theme about making the most out of your life in the moment instead of fixating on the end, but the writing seemed to sometimes defy all logic just to get to the ending they wanted. If you like crime thrillers I think the originality of the story makes it worth watching. If you're looking for a great romance I would probably skip this one, or at least put this lower down in your watchlist queue. If I had a power like Tae Pyung to see how this drama ended ahead of time I still would have watched it, but I really wanted it to be so much better.
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Obviously, the person in this cast deserving of the most praise is Yoon Hyun Min in the dual role of the lone tech genius Nan Do and the ultimate supportive ai hologram Holo. He really made them feel like two completely different characters and I completely sympathized with both of them. Sometimes scenes with actors talking to themselves can feel cheesy but Nan Do and Holo's scenes always felt very realistic. He is matched with Go Sung Hee as the socially awkward Han So Yun who was also so good and easy to sympathize with. They definitely have great chemistry, and this drama certainly centers around romance, but I like that there are also themes about self-acceptance and supportive friendships that are just as strong. This certainly isn't the first drama about a robot/ai/hologram that directly or indirectly teaches humans how to connect with each other but that doesn't stop this from being a memorable story with great characters.
The supporting cast is great, and I loved that some of the bad guys were sympathetic and some of the good guys weren't always likable. The duality of some of the main supporting characters made them way more interesting and realistic and helped to make the story less predictable. However, there is one character who stayed pretty much one-note, Nam Myung Ryul as the ruthless and moralless Baek Nam Gyu, but he was just so good at being evil that it worked well. The story is definitely over the top in some ways and melodramatic at some points but I still think that it all comes across as completely plausible because the cast is so good.
Would I watch this again? Yup. I'm glad all of the episodes were released at once because it was fun just watching them without interruption. It's also the kind of story that I would enjoy watching again even if I already know how the story ends, especially because of So Yun, Holo, and Nan Do. It also is well told, and concise without much filler, so the episodes feel like they breeze by, while still providing the right amount of action, butterflies, and feels, and a very satisfying ending.
Overall, It kinda reminded me of a long Korean "Black Mirror" episode, but I felt much more emotionally invested. In many ways it's a look at how disconnected we have become due to the convenience of technology and the value of true human connections. I laughed, I cried, I got frustrated, I felt inspired. If you ever felt shy, insecure, emotionally guarded, or distrusting of humans in general, I think these characters will resonate at least a little. From the beginning to the very end (and I really loved the ending) this story is well told and had me hooked, which made me forgive any flaws in the logic, possible plot holes, or extra cheesy moments. This is a great sci-fi romance, and although it doesn't quite match some of my current favorites, it comes very close because it's so much fun to watch. It's certainly worth watching just to see Yoon Hyun Min be a second lead ina triangle with himself (impressive), and the pretty imaginative special effects. If you're looking for a drama that's binge-tastic you found one! I think if you give it a chance you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was. This drama has a more than meets the eye quality that I appreciated, and that's not necessarily a Holo glasses nod, but if the glasses fit... watch it ; )
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One of the best things about this drama is the cast. Every lead and supporting character is exceptional, and makes this a great ensemble. Ji Sung plays the sensistive and passive male lead Cha Joo Hyuk and is matched with Han Ji Min as the extremely aggressive and tempermental Seo Woo Jin. They actually have amazing chemistry, but what they also do well is portray one of the most frustrating to watch couples in all of dramaland. You can probably find reasons to hate both of them, and definitely hate them together, but that's what makes this drama work so well. It really makes you think about what it can take to make a relationship work, and what makes it worth it... or not.
This drama doesn't just focus on the main couple's drama but there is also the entertaining characters working at the bank (I loved all of them), as well as Joo Hyuk's bffs and sister, Woo Jin's mom, and Joo Hyuk's crush. Part of the fun of this drama is how they all interact with each other even when things change. There's also a lot of comedy to keep the story from feeling too depressing, or heavy handed with nostalgia and regret. The whole cast really worked well together. There are also some pretty awesome cameos and references to other dramas that were maybe unecessary, but a nice touch.
I gave the story a slightly lower score, even though I was very entertained from beginning to end, because a lot of it is pretty implausible. It's best if you turn off your logical brain and enjoy the ride. I also had an issue with the mysterious homeless man character, who I really liked as well, but I wish his backstory was a bigger part of the story. However, the writer did do a good job of giving every character some time by the end so there didn't feel like there were any loose ends or unresolved stories.
Would I watch this again. Definitely. I admit that I was so annoyed by the main couple in the first episodes that I would love to rewatch it all with a different perspective. The cast alone is entertaining enough to make me enjoy watching it all again, plus I'm a sucker for stories about learning to appreciate your life even if it's imperfect. I also love "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind", and the mood of this drama reminds me of that movie.
Overall this drama may not have made me cry like other turn back time dramas, but it's not exactly lighthearted either, and I loved how it presented a more realistic relationship with imperfect characters that I wasn't even sure I would want to see end up together in the end. I think thats what makes this familiar scenario stand out from the rest. Instead of the expected grass is not always greener storyline I felt like this was more about actively working to create the life you want while embracing the fact that it won't ever be perfect. I highly recommend this TwilightZoney drama. If I could go back in time I'd assure myself that this one is definitely worth watching. Also, it's a good reminder that happily ever after is in the eye of the beholder.
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This review may contain spoilers
I think "Circle: Two Connected Worlds" is the perfect sci-fi binge drama I was hoping it would be. With only 12 episodes, and such a compelling story, I easily finished this in two days. The most interesting thing about this drama is how it's literally split into two different stories, so it almost feel like you are watching the original and the sequel at the same time, and you're basically waiting for the stories to eventually connect. The first part is set in 2017 (which is actually the past and called “Beta Project"), and it has more of a sci-fi thriller feel. This story centers around a disturbing trend of suicides at a school that are more than they seem to be. The second half is set in 2037 and has more of a sci-fi fantasy feel with a detective edge (called "Brave New World") which took a little more time to grow on me. I do think the fantasy world was imaginative, yet realistic, for just 20 years into the future (I want those phones), but I still was more into the the story set in 2017 involving the 2 brothers, the suicides, and this mysterious "being". The Brave New World part of the story has more of a dystopian society feel, that is equal parts "ideal" and creepy. I guess which you prefer may depend on what genre you prefer. Those looking for a romantic drama should know that this falls more in the category of bromance. The story centers around the relationship between twin brothers played by Yeo Jin Goo and Ahn Woo Yeon in the Beta Project episodes, and Gong Seung Yeon rounds out the trio as the mysterious Han Jung Yeon. There are so many twists in the story that I am hesitant to talk about any of the characters too much, but it's fun to figure out who's crazy, who can be trusted, and who the heroes will be. Yeo Jin Goo as Kim Woo Jin definitely has star quality that I remember from "The Moon that Embraces the Sun", and "Missing You", where I think he was better than his "older" counterparts. He is the deserving star of this drama and I think he did a great job. I was initially less impressed by Gong Seung Yeon and her blank face stare, but I really started to like her as well, and I'm impressed by how beautifully she cries.
In the 2037 cast the stand out is Kim Kang Woo as Kim Joon Hyuk. It's initially very hard to figure him out which I think is a good thing for this kind of story. This is the first drama I have seen him in, so I had no expectations for him, and by the end he made me tear up. I also really loved Lee Ki Kwang as Lee Ho Soo, his reluctant side kick. This was another character that really grew on me as the show progressed.
The rest of the cast, in both worlds, were really good, even when some were, almost comically, acting in an over the top manor. The villains in particular were definitely extra wide eyed crazy. But all the characters were played well, and those who had a matching future counterpart were matched pretty well. Even the kids were super cute, so I have no cast complaints.
Now, the story is definitely full of complicated and confusing twists, and some of the logic may not work if you pay too much attention, but in general I thought they did a good job of keeping the story constantly interesting, especially when the two stories started to merge more. There may be some holes in the science that I'm sure you could find, but what I liked about the story was that it was more about the moral questions that the science brought up, than the scientific details. I think they hit on some really thought provoking questions like "What makes us who we are?", or "What creates inner peace?", or "Can science go to far?", or even "Should happiness trump all else?". Those are just a few of the things this drama touched on in this story that I thought were very interesting. There are some other thoughts and themes that would fall too close to the spoiler zone to mention here, so I will just sayI enjoyed the philosophical aspects of this drama as much as the story.
I will say that I have mixed feelings about the end. I think the goal was to leave it open for possibilities of a sequel, or just to keep people thinking. Not every question is answered either, but I think everything that needed to be resolved was resolved, and the rest is just open for interpretation, or a season 2. I could see myself watching this again, because it's not drawn out, and it would be interesting to watch the story knowing how all the pieces fit. I admit that the fact that it's not very predictable is what kept me watching initially, but the story and characters are entertaining, and the surprise element isn't it's only appeal.
Overall this is not the kind of KDrama I would usually watch, but I'm glad I expanded my horizons a bit. I do like sci-fi in general, and love Thrillers, and both of those elements were done well here. This may not be full of rom com antics, but it is not totally without some romantic elements. If you like endearing cops cracking the case, there's some of that too. It's also the perfect length, so there is absolutely no dragging storylines, or rushed endings. I know this personally opened me up to watching more dramas like this one. "Circle" didn't give me the obsessive feels that my favorite dramas give me, but sometimes a really good story told well is all you need!
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The story itself has a lot of familiar thriller elements. There's a murder mystery, a kidnapping, a race against time, and a cunning criminal behind it all. Ryoo Seung Bum is great as the subtle, and unsuspecting, mastermind Lee Seong Hyo. I liked that he wasn't a crazy over the top villain. It made him seem more sinister. He is matched against forensic expert Kang played by Sol Kyung Gu, and tenacious rookie detective Min Seo-yeong played by Han Hye Jin. Sol Kyung Gu was great, but I was a little less impressed with Min Seo-yeong. There was nothing wrong with how she played the character, but she just seemed a little timid and forgettable for my taste. There was also an obnoxious cop, who seemed too much like comic relief to me. Still, the entire cast was pretty solid, although the real star of this movie is the script.
In the beginning the plot is pretty slow, but trust me when I say that you'll want to pay attention to all that's going on. I was reminded of other thrillers that I love (Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, Primal Fear) but I think No Mercy is still an original. I had no idea how it would all end until the very end. Now that I know the whole story, I am curious to watch it again from that perspective, but I admit that some of the suspense will be gone. I also want to warn viewers that there are some very graphic moments, but nothing explicit without a reason.
I know it gets compared to Old Boy a lot, even by the friend who recommended it to me, but unlike Old Boy's over the top revenge ending, this ending was just brutally haunting.
I think this is a must see for any fan of revenge thrillers, or if you just want to be told a great story (even if it's not a happy one).
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Way too much time is spent on characters whining about money. They whine about not having enough, who's getting it, and how to get more of it. I was tempted to fast forward through some scenes with particular characters, but I was afraid I'd miss too many key plot points. I would have preferred it if Lee Seung Ki, and Han Hyo Joo had more screen time together instead.
Though I loved watching Lee Seung Ki's character's transformation the most, the entire cast impressed me. Of course Kim Mi Sook stands out as the epitome of a wicked stepmother, but she could have had less screen time in my opinion. Quite a few of the characters have really good epic crying scenes, though I personally was never moved to tears by the story. Still, the actor that impressed me the most overall was actually Yun Joon Suk, who was so believable that I initially thought he was autistic.
I am glad that I decided to stick with it, and watched the whole thing. There are definitely a few moments that I already want to watch again, but I don't know if I could ever watch all 28 episodes again.
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Cha Hong Do and Ko Yi Seok’s chemistry was so unexpected that my jaw literally dropped. I started watching assuming I knew how the story would go… Awkward “unattractive” girl with issues and obnoxious rich guy with family drama… so many KDramas follow this storyline, but this one deviates from what’s expected. I hated their dynamic in the beginning, but by episode 4 everything completely changed! Chun Jung Myung and Choi Kang Hee were so good together that their relationship felt real, and I couldn’t stop myself from watching them. I remember liking Choi Kang Hee in “Protect the Boss”, and some of that no nonsense attitude showed up sometimes in this drama too. I remember Chun Jung Myung from “What’s up Fox”, and even though that was made almost 10 years ago, he had the same unexpected sexiness mixed with cuteness which makes him a perfect KDrama romantic lead. They may not look the part of an epic kdramaland couple, but his babyface adorableness, and her uniqueness, completely won me over, and was seriously steamy. If you’re still looking for eye candy, Lee Jae Yoon fills that role very well, even with the dumb hair. I’m still missing his character from “I Have a Lover”, so I was happy to see him in something else, with a much more significant role (I will be stalking… I mean watching his other dramas for sure). He’s equally charming too, which makes for an awesomely complicated love triangle… which turns into an odd love pentagon at one point, but that speaks to the uniqueness of this drama.
I give a definite 10 rating for the main actors, and for all of the supporting actors, except one. Yi Seok’s father is bad, like really bad. So bad I have to write it in the review, even though he is barely in any scenes. So bad I had to take half a point away. I really liked Detective Yang, and thought Chairman Grandpa was great. The person who I literally thought was useless until the later episodes was So Hee. I know she’s an idol, and I think she did a good job, but she was still annoying. She kept behaving in a way that I guess was supposed to be cute, and I didn’t find her, or it, cute at all. She also seemed extremely childish, so it was hard for me to take her in a relationship seriously, especially not a real relationship with Detective Eye Candy. The show is written so well that even she started to grow on me, and I eventually stopped thinking of her character as useless. That’s another thing I loved about this drama. There were really no throwaway/filler moments or characters.
I really do have to applaud the writer and director. I loved that each episode starts with what will happen later in the episode, which instantly won my automatic interest from the very beginning. I loved sometimes seeing things from the character’s point of view. They were able to incorporate a lot of cool storytelling styles without being too gimmicky. I also loved how they approached the theme of Love, what it is, what it can endure, and with characters really being honest about how they feel (which isn’t always good). I can’t really say anything bad about the story, only that it switches genres, almost completely, about halfway through. Suddenly it goes from RomCom to Family Melodrama, and although it makes sense to the story, it is still a different tone than the beginning, which some viewers may not like. The family drama was not my favorite part, but it did bring depth to the characters that I liked a lot.
About the music, the soundtrack is as quirky as the show. I liked some songs, and hated others, but every song matched the story well, even the ringtones!
Is “Heart to Heart” rewatchable? Definitely! I finished the last episode and immediately started to rewatch episodes 4 & 5. I know I will watch this all again at some point, and I can even endure the less interesting parts, because they still add to the overall story.
This drama definitely won my heart over completely. Whenever I thought I could predict which drama cliché would be used next, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s also refreshing to see unconditional love stories, where flaws aren’t deal breakers (I’ll give just one spoiler - There is no amazing make over, which also made me happy). I definitely recommend this drama, and I recommend watching it with an open mind. You have to ignore things like therapist ethics violations, police brutality, identity fraud, and of course stalking, and just embrace the knowledge that some things are ok in Kdramaland. I also recommend waiting until episode 4 before deciding to drop it, because the first few episodes are not a good gauge for how the rest of the show will be. It’s also binge-watch friendly (It took me 3 days to complete). By the end of the last episode I was completely satisfied, and inspired by love and all it’s possibilities.
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It's a beautiful feeling...
I really loved "Healer"! It's definitely one of the best drama's I've seen recently, even though my rating may be a little lower than the all 10 reviews left by most viewers. It's the kind of drama that is multi-genre and appeals to a wide audience. It's also the kind of drama that makes 20 episodes seem like not enough time! The romance, suspense, relationships, action, and great characters make every episode fun to watch. I'm definitely going through withdrawal now that it's over.Ji Chang Wook as the "Healer" is so good! I immediately developed a crush on his Superman/Clark Kent routine. He went from dorky/awkward to action hero with such ease. I was definitely impressed by his performance, and hope to see him in another drama soon. Park Min Young was the perfect match for him. I liked that she was brave in spite of her fears and comfortable being herself. My favorite part of this drama was the romance between these two. The chemistry between Park Min Young and Ji Chang Wook is addictive to watch! The romance wasn't too cheesy either (so nonromance fans shouldn't get turned off). I felt like I was really watching two people fall in love.
The entire cast gets a 10 from me, but Hacker Ajumma was probably my favorite of the rest of the cast. Still, my second favorite part of the entire drama was Reporter Yeo's outfits. Every single outfit was so amazing that I just had to mention it. Also, I'm a fan of the red glasses!
I made the story score much lower than most, even though I loved almost every episode, and was totally into the action, and suspense. My issue with the story was that it was complicated to follow because of how it was told. The backstory was such a large part of the main story, and details were revealed so slowly, that I got confused and would sometimes lose interest. There were so many characters, and relationships, and flashbacks, that it was just hard to keep track. Eventually, it does get explained, and I was still entertained by comedic, and action scenes in the meantime. It also makes my rewatch score pretty high. Now that I know what the story is, I think that it would be awesome to watch it all again.
Overall "Healer" was an awesome superhero kind of story, that is exciting without relying on all the usual KDrama clichés. The ending leaves some loose ends, but it also leaves you wanting more. I'm so glad I decided to watch this drama while not knowing much about it. It a great vehicle for Ji Chang Wook, and Healer is such a great character, that I would be happy to see a "Healer 2"!
This is definitely a great drama to add to your must-watch list!
*Update* After a second viewing I just bumped up all of my original scores because years later this drama still holds up and I think loved it, even more, the 2nd time!
And as for the soundtrack... as much as "Eternal Love" is still kinda annoying, "You" is still my jam!
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I'll start with the romance, which is what stopped me from dropping the show. It's another basic arrogant chaebol meets quirky girl cinderella story. If you're a fan of this type of drama, you know exactly what to expect (jealous 2nd leads, family feuds, evil moms, hilariously cute fights, love triangles/squares/pentagons...), but what makes this drama different is that the main love triangle is between two girls pretending to be the same person. This part of the story only works, and works well, because of the lead actress Yang Jin Sung. She plays both characters so distinctively well, that I could tell who was who just based on their expression. Not many actors could pull this kind of role off, and she definitely does.
Then of course there's the leading man, Lee Hong Ki, who made me cry in "You're Beautiful", this time cast in a more mature role. I think he was great, and looked completely different without the bleached hair. He's strong in emotional scenes, as well and likable in lighthearted funny scenes, and together they made a perfect match. I loved their chemistry, and although predictable, I liked their story. If this was strictly a romance, my overall score would be higher.
What I didn't like about this drama was the ghost story. To be blunt, I thought it was poorly written, dragged out way too long, and then was rushed at the end. I was initially intrigued by the mystery, but I soon grew bored with it. Then, out of nowhere, in the last few episodes, they rush through explaining everything in the story with epic flashbacks. I honestly wasn't interested in the backstory at all, which seemed thrown together. They did their best to explain everything by the end, but a lot of the explanations were uninteresting, and even silly, to me. There are also a lot of 'time filler' scenes at the end. Again, it was the great cast that stopped me from skipping through these scenes. I thought the story was bad, but the actors who played the characters made me want to care more than I did.
Another issue I had with the writing was how some characters seem to have complete changes in personality without reason, or explanation. I loved Na Doo Rim's fighting spirit, that allowed her to even fight grown men, but all of a sudden she couldn't even take on a middle aged woman, or run without tripping. She made some choices toward the end that made absolutely no sense to me, and became a weaker, less interesting character as the show progressed.
Speaking of badly written characters, I see that I am not alone in thinking that Jang Yi Hyun's feelings for Doo Rim were a little creepy. I also had a huge problem believing that so many women were so desperate for love that they would sacrifice their life for it. Really? That idea seemed a little too one-sided, and sexist, but maybe that's just me. Giving up your lifestyle, sure, but actually giving up your life? That just seems a little too over-dramatic, even for K-Drama.
Overall, I am torn between the good acting, and bad writing. If this was Kang Joo & Doo Rim's love story, and about 4 or 5 episodes shorter, I would recommend it. If you are a vengeful ghost mystery fan, which I am, I think you will be very disappointed. I liked a lot of moments in this drama, but I couldn't see myself watching the entire thing again. There were times I couldn't wait for the next episode, but by the end I was forcing myself to complete it, because each hour felt like a century.
I guess, if you're between dramas, and lower your expectations, there is enough in Bride of the Century to probably keep you entertained.
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