Could have been 4 episodes shorter
As my headline says: I kind of thought this was coming to an end in episode 16, but then it kept going for another 4 episodes.Brief synopsis:
The male protagonist, Moon Soo Ho, was as adopted into Jung Hae Ra's family when he was in his adolescence after his father died in a mysterious fire. He later disappeared abroad, where he became very successful. Jung Hae Ra on the other hand met misfortune, her family loosing their fortune, and both her parents dying.
She now works as a travel agent, working hard to advance her life. By chance she gets a job trip abroad, where she happens to meet Moon Soo Ho, without recognizing him from her youth. He on the other hand finds out who she is, as he has been searching for her for many years. He pursues her. Back in South Korea their paths cross with his wife from a past life, who was cursed to live forever after her evil deeds back then. She is still obsessively in love with MSH, so how will this love story unfold?
I have a bit mixed feelings for this. I kind of liked it, but then it did go a bit heavy on the scheming and the plots. I thought it was a little confusing in the beginning with the jump between times.
The cast was good. The main couple played by Kim Rae Won and Shin Sae Kyeong had some sweet scenes - they showed intimacy in an affectionate, sweet way.
Seo Ji Hye as Sharon really plays her villainous role well, as do Kim Byung Ok in the supporting role as director Park.
The music was a bit different, but I wish they could have used it a bit more subtle, maybe; I felt it got a bit too much in length.
All in all, when the story threads fall into place it works for a while, until it gets a bit too heavy on the plots. I think it could have been simplified a bit, and I didn't quite see the point of the aunt; her character felt a bit redundant, to be honest.
Was this review helpful to you?
Healthy relationships
A good balance between workplace drama, slice-of-life, family and romance.The relationships portrayed, both family, friends and coworkers, are realistic and develops well, supporting the storyarchs and pace of the drama.
Acting was strong from pretty much everyone. Dylan Wang mastered the portrayal of a young person with sincere feelings well, and I must say the actress playing FL’s mum impressed me.
The “opposite age difference” is shown in a very realistic way, and I particularly liked how they addressed the concerns and obstacles through the views of different people around them.
The supporting characters’ stories did develop on their own archs, without being too dominating. They could have dropped some of it and made the drama shorter, as they were not really essential to the story, but those scenes didn’t feel like a total waste of time either.
All in all, this is a good drama to watch if you like more mature, healthy relationships.
Was this review helpful to you?
OK - nothing more, nothing less
OK, but not great. Not very memorable, to be frank.I did use the skip forward, and I did consider abandoning, but ended up watching all episodes.
It did have some funny moments, but looking back at it I can't really say it left me with much of any emotions or impressions.
FL is sweet, but the ML didn't fully convince me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Healing drama and healthy relationships
This surpassed my expectations. It was funny, sweet, and emotional, with great acting by the two main leads, and her parents.From the synopsis here and on Netflix, I started this thinking it was something I would be able to watch over time, not binge. That quickly turned out to not be the case!
Fangirling took a backseat in the story as it progressed, and the story turned out to be more of a healing drama, with mature, healthy relationships - both romantic and family-wise.
It was so refreshing to see a couple in a drama that actually were communicating well with each other, as well as being considerate for the other person. I would also say they had rather good chemistry.
What I did not quite like was the character of the first director (Cindy's mum). She was just overly exaggerated - made me cringe. That character could still have done it's part in the story without being so extreme.
I saw some comments about not seeing the point of the second ML (mr Nam Eun Gi), but I thought he played a part in the story, without it taking too much space. I would say that his story, together with Ryan's, showed two different "versions" of a similar issue (difficult to explain without giving away possible spoilers).
If anything, her friend's employee/artist was the character that felt a bit unnecessary to me, even if he didn't take up too much of the story.
Was this review helpful to you?
Some things are great, some things are not…
Key take aways: Starts off good, middle part way too plot-heavy, gets better towards the end but feels a bit rushed and predictable.Acting was strong, music ok, effects not great.
The following I wrote when on episode 24, but my thoughts are pretty much the same on these points after completing all episodes:
First of all: Fu Yun Shen (1st ML), brought to life by Cheng Yi, is just such a wholeheartedly good character. He didn't start out like that, but he turns out to be the kind of persona that fills you with a warm feeling. Everything from his acts and behaviour to the way he talks and smiles. Great acting by Cheng Yi.
As for Zhang Yu Xi portraying Zhu Jiu (1st FL), I have had some mixed impressions of her before, but I do think she fills this role well.
They had some sweet moments, but not off-the charts chemistry.
Fu Xin Bo as Fu Xi Zhou (2nd ML); I have liked some other works of his I have seen, and he does OK, but I think maybe his character becomes a bit "flat" as it progresses. I do like how they try to show his internal conflicts (will not divulge further to not give spoilers).
Then:
I sincerely wish the writers had skipped the family dramas and scheming character types. That would have made this SO much better. They could have created a story arch in a different way.
The drop that kind of did if for me now was Zhou Zhi Zhi's mum, but Fu Yun Shen's mother is also way over-the-top.
Some scenes are a bit too fake-looking (props & visual effects), but other part of the cinematography is quite beautiful.
I also find it a bit annoying that the female characters, especially Ruan Ruan, but also occasionally Zhu Jiu, talks in so childish ways. I know RR's character is supposed to be a bit spoiled and childish, but still - to talk like she is a 7 year old?
Was this review helpful to you?
Could've been shorter
Main reason I watched this despite its age, is because I like Hyun Bin as an actor and was curious about one of his roles from a bit further back.I saw some mixed reviews, and although my opinion differ from those giving very poor reviews, I can't give it top score either.
I like the acting: I think Hyun Bin plays out his double role well. I am a bit more mixed about Han Ja-Min; I felt she "overacted" the sadness/weariness a bit at times.
As for the storyline, it got a bit too plot-heavy. I felt it could have been rounded off nicely at 12 episodes; I kind of expected it to be near an end in episode 10.
But: I must admit I got emotional (last 2 episodes).
Was this review helpful to you?
Charming and enjoyable
One of my first Jdramas, and it was an enjoyable watch, with some funny moments adding to it’s charm.The storyline had an original twist to it, but do bear in mind it is in the fantasy-genre.
I found the FL charming and suitable, and thought the chemistry between her and the ML was quite good.
I must admit: 80% of the time when I set the stars here I don’t really remember the music, so I usually put that “around the middle”, unless I actually really noticed the music.
Overall, this was sweet and entertaining.
Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet, easy watch
I would say this is a rather “innocent” story: it is sweet and uncomplicated, without any big ups and downs and dramatic plots.It contains a lot of the familiar tropes, but they are kept at a “calmer level”.
The cast is ok; the two main leads portray their characters’ personalities rather well, although their chemistry could have been stronger.
The screenplay also stays focused on the main characters. Yes, the supporting characters also have a story, but it is not elaborated too much.
Don’t expect any big surprises, but if you want an easy, feel good sweet romance with some funny elements, this is worth watching.
I liked how they approached the part that led to his “night time online study” 😉
Was this review helpful to you?
Action with a western-vibe
This had a solid story, good cast and acting, cool music, and in general a quality production. The only thing I can put my finger on was that it was too dark at times, especially when watching on a small screen (mobile).The story was well balanced; there was build-ups (suspense), intense fight scenes and action, and personal stories for some of the characters, seasoned with some light romance on top.
The story was a bit predictable, but not sure it would have been better if it hadn't been.
The whole vibe is a bit like a good old fashioned western, but it fits quite well.
It can't quite measure up to my two favourite historical Kdramas Mr Sunshine and My Dearest, but then again I feel it necessarily shouldn't be compared to those either. But both of those are amongst my highly recommended series that I also probably will rewatch one day.
Not sure I will watch this again, though.
Was this review helpful to you?
Familiar tropes, but entertaining
Don't expect original plots – this script contains a lot of the familiar ones, but it is still rather entertaining. It also covers some more serious topics, like harassment in the workplace, but it isn't a serious, heavy drama. You have to watch it on the right premise; I kind of remember it as a hybrid of a romcom and a drama.The kid is an absolute charmer, and he almost makes this worth the watch on his own, lightening up the show with funny scenes and "adorableness".
I like that the FL is strong and independent with a career in what some might think of as a more male dominated area.
The cast is quite good, and the two main leads interactions are often spot on.
Was this review helpful to you?
Original storyline
Stories based around alternative realities and timetravel can either be done well, or be very confusing. This is done quite well, and combined with a strong cast and good visual effects I would definitely say it is worth watching.There were some instances when I found it confusing as to where they were, but that could also be because my attention was not fully on viewing (I was multitasking 🤹♀️).
It felt a bit dragged out at times, and the ending was not really surprising, even if the scriptwriters tried to trick us with some twist and turns in the events.
Was this review helpful to you?
Charming and feelgood, although not very original
This was a lot better than I expected after reading the synopsis.Although the storyline itself contains a lot of the familiar tropes from Cdramas, the charm, the small lighthearted humorous moments, and the acting resulted in a feelgood viewing experience for me.
Some of the common plots are also kept at the "less dramatic" level, keeping it more realistic.
The soundtrack is not intruding, but well chosen, adding to the mood and vibe in the different scenes.
Grandad was excellent – the actor portraying this character did a fabolous job. I kind of wished we saw more of him!
I liked Xu Ruo Han (FL) in “Forbidden flower” and thought this role suited her quite well.
Even if kind of typecasted, Wei Zhe Ming (ML) is also an actor I like, and he nailed this role quite well. I can't really remember if I have seen him in many humoristic scenes before, and even if these were just small lighthearted moments I found his timing and execution to be spot on.
This is a C-drama I can see myself rewatching when in the mood for something not too heavy, not too melodrama.
Was this review helpful to you?
It is a classic for a reason!
This was amongst the first K-dramas I saw. I found it a good mix of romance and action with a bit of humour.Although it did have some clichés and stereotypical plots and characters, I did enjoy the series.
This is the role I’ve seen SJK in that I liked him the most in.
Considering this is such a classic, I should probably write a more detailed review, but instead I will say it like this:
It definitely helped me get hooked on K-dramas.
Watching it today some effects and characters will probably seem a bit outdated.
Was this review helpful to you?
Female main character was just too much sometimes, although I guess some of my dissatisfaction is partly due cultural differences.
Still watched all episodes, mainly because of ML.
This is one of the weaker dramas I have seen within the "first responder" theme.
It is mainly the female character that didn't sit right with me, and their interactions. She didn't seem worth it, to be honest!
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful story about overcoming life challenges and personal growth
Great cast and class acting, good script, filmography and music. Emotional (you might cry) and a bit inspirational.I guess one could say the script depicts feminism (probably not the best choice of words, but I can't describe it better in English).
The script actually raised quite a lot of what I guess are stigmas and societal/cultural challenges, like divorce, remarriage, gender equality, traumas and more (without spoiling too much), and it did so rather elegantly. And with that I mean it didn’t really feel too “preachy”/ moralistic, as some other shows I have seen have been.
If anything bugged me I guess it is that especially Rose didn’t really age visually. I don’t mind her looking youthful at the end, but then again - maybe it was to show she kind of found herself again?
I spotted one very obvious blooper (brand new car model spotted in Paris-scene).
One of the things stopping me from giving full score:
Some lengthy scenes and flashbacks could have been shortened, and it was VERY obvious what car brand put their marketing budget to use here (so much so that I found it a bit annoying 😆).
A show I definitely will recommend if you like quite realistic dramas without big intrigues and plots.
Was this review helpful to you?
