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.
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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” 😉
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Strong start, then the need for schemes took over
I got hooked, and really enjoyed the first 6 episodes.The story was strong, and the acting was superb.
Then, the crazy plots kind of took over, and what could have been a really good, gripping drama became a more “run of the mill melodrama” with mischevious people and one plot after the other.
The acting of both the FL and the 1st ML did impress me, which was one of the main reasons why I didn’t drop this. The other reason was that I was curious what kind of ending they would give the story.
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Too many crazy plots/intrigues
I review these type of dramas on their own scale. Can't really rate this up against for example "The Worst of Evil", lol.Don't watch if male dominance triggers you.
*** I ended up dropping this after watching just over 20 episodes. It got too crazy/plot heavy for me - just relying on intrigues, dominance and attractive (?) cast. ***
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Very memorable, very touching
This was one of my first historic K-dramas, and my-oh-my, did it leave an impression!It must be at least a year and a half (probably more) since I watched it, and I have watched endless hours of K- and C-dramas since, but this still has a special place in my memory.
First of all: The acting was top-notch. They brought their characters to life in such convincing ways, displaying their inner and out emotions so you can’t not connect. That goes for both the main leads, and several of the supporting.
And then: The script. How it weaved the love story into the depiction of this difficult time in history. It made me interested in finding out more about this part of South Korea’s history, as not really something we learn about here where I live (or it’s just that I’m too old so don’t remember from my school days 🤭).
The cinematography and music was also good as far as I can remember.
This is one of a handful of dramas I highly recommend to my friends, and one I can see myself watching over again.
Warning: You will probably cry.
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Realistic and charming, challenging stigmas
What sets this apart from a lot of other Cdramas for me:- That it challenges what I assume are stigmas towards some groups (certain careers and disabilities) in a very natural way (not overly "preachy" or "propaganda-ist").
- The locations: I love that the majority of the story is unfolding in their hometown, not in Shanghai. It is charming and creates a very natural atmosphere. At the same time, the Shanghai-scenes are important parts of the story.
- The character gallery, their individual progressions and developments.
In addition, I think they nailed the casting, and pretty much all of the actors delivered strong performances.
All in all, this is a series I would recommend, and one I can see myself watch again some time.
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Good acting makes the not so-original story worth it
The story is not very original, quite the contrary – it contains a lot of well-used tropes. They are just scripted and executed without going "over the top", or kept at a more realistic level. And I would say the strong cast helps a lot too.So: All in all this is worth watching if you like workplace romance dramas.
The "successful CEO helps woman in her career" story also felt quite familiar, but I can't quite pinpoint the drama it reminds me of.
The cast:
Tan Song Yun as the FL Ji Xing is good as expected. I find that she always brings great energy to her characters, and delivers strong and convincing performances.
Xu Cai is quite fitting as the ML Han Ting, except I sometimes thinks he looks a bit too young, lol. I kind of wish he could bring a little bit more personality to his character, though – he sometimes felt a little bit "flat", but that could also be how the character of Han Ting was interpreted.
Most of the supporting cast was also good in my eyes.
I liked how the characters developed and grew, and even though there were some predictable elements, it wasn't annoyingly so.
Thanks to me coming across a post about free viewing on Viki for a limited time, I binged this over a period of 2,5 days!
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Fast paced, with funny moments, but also quite gory
So this is a medical drama that is kind of fast paced, «action» packed, made lighter with some funny moments. But beware: There are also some scenes that are quite gory.I feel that the drama kind of wants to present itself as serious/realistic on some aspects, but then there are elements that are (from my POV) just very unrealistic (like jumping off the helicopter with a guy over your shoulder, no safety equipment).
I enjoyed watching this; it didn’t feel dragged out, and even if there are some politics/power plays, they were not as «over-the-top»/too heavy and domineering as often can be in K dramas.
The acting was brilliant, both from the main cast and the supporting actors.
I am hoping for a season 2.
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