purplenette

Heaven's Promise is one of the best makjang revenge melodramas that I have ever watched. There were so many birth secrets that it is a wonder someone didn't marry a parent or sibling. LOL The story wasn't really anything new, but it is wonderfully absurd. I can't tell you how many times I laughed during this drama, but I also cried a few times (I rarely cry watching drama). It is weird how connected I felt to the main female lead regardless of story line. I think what I liked most about this is that the main female lead has plenty of support and she is smart. I get tired of the "good guys" searching for revenge being stupid and alone with maybe one or two people to help. I was bothered by a few things though.
Again, it annoys me when the "bad guys" don't even understand what they did wrong. Also, the ending left a lot to be desired. There is plenty of crazy for every character though.

I'm totally in to Lee Yoo Ri. Even that I'm not going to feel anything stare she had to have for part of the drama made me feel something. She played both Lee Na Yeon and Baek Do Hee really well. I could definitely tell them apart regardless of hair because they had different personalities. The transformation Na Yeon goes through after the tragedy is palpable.
All of the other actors are good too, but Kim Hye Ri stole the show as Park Yoo Kyung. I love to hate her.

The music is good.

I probably won't rewatch this. Once is enough.

If you like revenge dramas, then this is one of the best. I recommend this to everyone. Just ignore the absurdity of the plot. LOL :-)

Read More

The story has a Sex in the City feel to it and the lead actress reminds me of Kim Sun Ah. I don't normally watch romantic comedy, but this was recommended to me so I took a chance. I can't remember who recommended it, but if you read this, then Thank You. :-) The main story is pretty well done. I admit at first I was kind of put off because I felt like the writers were portraying strong women as manly. However, soon I realized that wasn't their intention and grew to like the writers outlook on women and men and relationships.

I do have one comment. Being 38 myself, I find it offensive that the writers make that out to be old. Give me a break. "Youth is wasted on the young." --- George Bernard Shaw Anyway, all you teens and 20s out there will soon become 30s and 40s. Then what?

I enjoyed Shinohara Ryoko's portrayal of Sakura as strong and naive. I like how the character grew with out losing her core self. It was really well written as were the other characters. Miura Haruma who played Hiroto is some pervy noona bait for real. He is also a good actor. The way he smiled and looked at Sakura made me firmly believe that he was in love with her. Fujiki Naohito portrayed the long suffering Tachibana very well. All the other characters were worth watching also. The side stories weren't bad.

The music was good.

Over all I enjoyed it and may revisit this drama in the future.

If you like romantic comedy with a little angst thrown in, then I think that you would enjoy this drama.

Read More

I get where the writers were trying to go with this drama, but I don't think it was executed very well. First, the development of the story and the characters was too slow. I take points off because they had to "narrate" at the end to explain the point of the drama when they could have used more plot and character development to explain. When a writer has to do that, then I feel the story wasn't developed well.

As for the acting, I think all of the actors did a great job with their characters. None of them really looked like high school students, but it didn't matter. It was pretty much an all star cast. Too bad the veteran actresses stole the show. Kim Ki Kyung as Eun Sang's mom and Kim Sung Ryung as Kim Tan's mom were just too funny and their relationship was fully developed and fun to watch. I enjoyed their part in the drama the most.

The music for the most part was just horrible.

I won't rewatch this.

If you are looking for something that doesn't make you think and you want to see hot guys...Lee Min Ho, Kim Woo Bin, Choi Jin Hyuk, Kang Ha Neul, etc...then this is the drama to watch.

Read More

Birth secrets (that really don't stay secret long), kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, redemption, etc. are in this drama. I do think it is a little slow and they could have done this in fewer episodes, but it is written well. I have seen my share of melodramas, but I don't think I have seen one that has taken the direction that this one did. It has the typical aspects of Korean melodramas, but from a different perspective. I even liked the ending. If you are looking for typical romance, then you won't find much here. It is very low key, but there are some deep feelings. It has it's funny parts too.

Kim Jae Won is one of my favorite actors and he doesn't disappoint. He is very charming as Eun Joong. He has a subtle way of eliciting emotions from the viewer for his character. Ki Tae Young was also really good as the other Eun Joong. His characters emotions are written all over his face which to me is a sign of a good actor. Jo Jae Hyeon as Ha Myung Geun and Park Sang Min as Jang Tae Ha were just excellent. Kim Hye Ri as Go Joo Ran/Jang Jo Ha's mom is too funny at times. Her interactions with the other actors are usually comedic even when she is trying to be manipulative and serious. The other actors are good also.

There is some decent music in this drama. The Position's "Last Love of My Life" really fit well with the drama theme.

I probably won't rewatch this.

If you like melodrama, then this is a good one...just a little slow.

Read More

Once again I was totally captivated by Iris. I think that although there are some reminiscent scenes in this sequel, there is also a great continued story line. My only complaint (really since this isn't a romance, it isn't like I can complain that much) is that I didn't feel anything between Yoo Gun and Soo Yeon. Well, at least from her end. However, the rest is action packed and suspenseful. I really thought it was interesting that from some characters point of view, they thought they were doing what was right for their country no matter what the action. Then there is Iris motivated by power and greed. Of course, I could see the ending coming a mile away (as I'm sure most people will), but it was fun to watch it play out. I have tons to say, but we can't post spoilers...so...

When it comes to acting, I believe Jang Hyuk has a gift. I laughed with him and I cried with him. His personality change was believable. I was fully invested in his character as Yoo Gun. Kim Yeong Cheol did another excellent job as Baek San. At this point I can't decide if I love him or hate him. His character is truly on of those that show there are two sides to everyone. I gave the acting a 10 for those actors alone. Lee Bum Soo is no joke as Yoo Joong Won. I really had no clue what his character was about for a while. Oh Yun Soo as Choi Min was also good, but nothing special. I felt like she was just a way to keep Yoo Gun in the story line and then she was gone. Lee Da Hae as Soo Yeon left a lot to be desired in my opinion. I felt nothing for her character except when Yoo Gun was upset. I thought Im Soo Hyang as Yun Hwa was a heck of a lot better. I can't give away the ending, but if there is an Iris 3 and she is in it, then I'm totally watching it. I also thought that Doo Joon from B2ST and Lee Joon from MBLAQ were good. This is the first time I have seen them act and they didn't suck.

OH...and watching the outtakes made me think that a lot of these actors did their own action scenes and were hurt. It looked brutal to me. So props to all of them for that!!!

The music was pretty good. GO and Mir singing "Foolish Me" is a really good song that you should check out even if you don't watch this drama.

I might rewatch this sometime.

If you like action and suspense, then this is a drama that you should watch. :-)

Read More

I rarely watch, much less recommend romance dramas, but this is an exception. I think this can be enjoyed by everyone regardless what genre of drama a person prefers. It has an "old school" feel to it of something that was made in the 1960s. The story has a vintage, pure appeal to it even as it capitalizes on the cynicism of romance that is prevalent in today's society. side note: I liked Reiko the most.

I know pretty much nothing about Japanese actors. I fell in love with Kitagawa Keiko. Not only is she gorgeous, but her acting is great. Yuki is just as Mamoru describes in the last episode. Kusanagi Tsuyoshi was excellent as Mamoru. I was Mamoru before I met the person I have been with for the last 12 years. I thought I was destined to never be in a long term committed relationship and I was totally okay with it. I really identified with the character and I think that is a tribute to the acting. The other actors were good also.

The music is also great!!! Moon River is one of my favorite songs.

I will probably rewatch this at some point.

I recommend this to everyone.

Read More

I have a love/hate relationship with this drama. The story is all over the place. I can't even begin to tell you how messed up it is. The GREAT scenes are with Hyun Tae and Mong Hyun's story line. I enjoyed it the most. Mong Hee's story line turns into a nightmare. ALL of the moms except Hyun Soo's mom are CRAZY and EVIL. How they ended it with them ticked me off. Hyun Joon's story line is just sad. I ended feeling like he struggled the most because some of his earlier actions were against his true character and because of his mom and wife. OOOOHHHH...Sung Eun gives me the creeps. Hyun Soo's story line is also strange. I won't go into how much I disliked how they handled some of it. I guess they thought a time jump was enough. I liked Yoona's character the most and she isn't even in it much. The grandmothers are boring as all get out and to tell the truth I ended up skipping most of their story line. I didn't miss anything by doing so. Mong Kui's story line is barely there, but it doesn't suck. I really like Yoona and Hyun Soo's mom interaction toward the end of the drama. I can't post spoilers or I could write all day about this drama. I can't say it was horrible, because there are some great and precious moments. I ended up with mixed emotions.

This cast is great. It is really too bad they ended up in this drama. I wasn't disappointed in the acting. Han Ji Hye is the main reason I watched this, because I loved her in May Queen. I think she did well playing two different characters as Mong Hee and Yoona. Then of course there is Yeon Jung Hoon as Hyun Soo, Lee Tae Sung (I loved him in Rooftop Prince) as Hyun Joon and Park Seo Joon and Hyun Tae. All very good looking men and excellent actors. Very yummy!!! Baek Jin Hee as Mong Hyun is too cute. All the veteran women actress also did well playing the crazy moms. I really disliked them and I think that is a huge credit to their acting abilities.

There is some good music in this.

I don't know if you could pay me to rewatch this.

I would not recommend this. It is only my second 50 episode family drama. It isn't so bad that I wish I had my time back, because I'm glad I got to see some of the actors and some of the cute story line. If I were you, I would read the recaps that people have written to find where the cute parts are and just watch those. :-)

Read More

OMG...just skip everything and only watch the romance between the leads and even then you should stop watching at:40:15 of the last episode. This writer just ticked me off with that ending. I lowered the score 1 point for it alone. The rest of the story is just political and the other characters are stupid and annoying (well, except Shin Yool's people). I think the plot of the story is interesting. It is the writers execution of the plot that is the problem. It is like the writer wasn't sure where the story should go and had a hard time incorporating all the story lines so that it was smooth. Also, character development and change are common, but somewhere around episode 20 some of the characters changed to the point that it wasn't believable. Although, I guess love can make you do strange things. Also, the writer totally wasted a character. I was so mad that I almost gave this drama a 1. One thing the writer got right was the last "fight". It was the one thing the writer kept true to the story line and to Wang So's character.

This drama has some over acting from all the actors, but I think that they were directed to act that way. Other wise why would they all be overly dramatic? Then there are some well acted parts like diamonds in the rough.

I am a Jang Hyuk fan and I believe he gave the performance that was expected of him as Prince Wang So. Regardless of the directing he is still handsome, funny, serious, and sincere as needed. A lot of people say that Oh Yeon Seo has had too much plastic surgery. Maybe she has, but it seems that she has no problem expressing her emotions and I enjoyed her character as Shin Yool. That is where it stops. Lee Ha Nui as Yeo Won was just too wooden and even when she cried it seemed insincere. Her back story make since as to why the character would be cold, etc, but there is a difference between that and Pinocchio. Im Joo Hwan failed miserably as Wang Wook. His acting was really bad and he mostly looked like he was in drag. He is no rival to Jang Hyuk that is for sure.

There is some music that I liked.

I will never ever rewatch this.

I do not recommend this to anyone. Not even sageuk lovers.

Read More

This is a typical story of rich man, poor woman with some cool twists but complete with a crazy woman in love with the male lead, a crazy mom that acts entitled and crazy ex looking for revenge and sad second male lead. The support and love from the main female lead's friends and family makes this drama tons better. I usually hate a lot of secondary characters, but in this drama they are necessary and make the drama better. I enjoyed the ending.

Park Hae Jin as Shen Ah and Li Fei Er as Meng Chu Xia were cute and they have good chemistry and the progression of their story seemed probable even in drama land crazy. The friends and family were well acted and I thought that they felt real. The son is totally adorable.

The music is good.

This drama is worth rewatching although I probably won't.

If you like a good romance mixed with melodrama, then this is the drama for you.

Read More

While glancing through the other reviews, I noticed that this drama didn't get a lot of good reviews. I thought it was really good. I watched it in two days. It is light and deep at the same time. Although I figured out the family dynamics pretty early on, I still enjoyed watching how it played out. If I have one complaint, then it is not seeing enough romantic time between Panda and Hedgehog. I can't post spoilers, but I could have watched an episode 17 with a celebration and some added romance. The ending seemed rushed, but it was good.

I enjoyed all of the actors in this drama. I had no idea that Donghae could act, but he did great. My favorite character is Oh Yi Na as Won Yi. I will be looking for more dramas with that actress.

The music was good.

I will probably rewatch this.

If you enjoy light romance with very little angst, then you would enjoy this drama

Read More

This is the second Taiwanese drama I have watched. I'm totally hooked now. This drama was about romance and following your dreams and being true to yourself. It didn't take me long to watch it. For some reason it gave me the "I just have to watch the next episode" syndrome. It isn't perfect...the grandma is totally annoying and there are some draggy parts. Mostly though it is full of character development that I really enjoyed.

I think Sui Sonia was great as Ma Xiao Qian. She plays smart, strong, nieve, and vulnerable character that keeps her idealistic views while facing reality. She is some one I will look for in the future. Lan Blue and Wen James are also good playing hateful jerks that change due to their enteraction with Xiao Qian. I LOVE Zhong Xin Ling who plays Xiao Qian's best friend, Mary. She was daebak as a caring, funny, straight-forward, advise giving friend.

I enjoyed the theme song. The music is good.

I won't rewatch this.

If you like romance, then I think this is a drama to watch.

Read More

This is definitely the kind of drama that I like. There is murder, attempted murder, lies, betrayal, lost family members, love and hate, etc. All the great makings of a melodrama.

I will admit that at times this drama is a little slow, but it is a build up to what happens next. I like the ebb and flow as the main character takes sweet revenge. I'm usually really good at figuring things out, but this had a twist that I didn't see coming. The ending is a little sad, but it is acceptable. Anyone that had been through what the main character, Yoo Shin Hyuk/Yoo Gang Hyuk/Seo Ha Eun had been through would need some time to deal with emotions. This drama is a roller coaster of emotions for the viewer so I think that everyone can sympathize with his character.

Uhm Tae Woong plays Yoo Shin Hyuk/Yoo Gang Hyuk/Seo Ha Eun to perfection. You can totally tell the difference between the twins. I'm kinda surprised people didn't figure it out right away. I love his facial expressions. He is one of those actors that tells a story with his face. If you liked him in this, then you should watch The Devil and The Equator Man. Both awesome dramas. I also loved Han Ji Min's character Seo Eun Ha. Now this is a woman that I can like. She never waivers even while believing her love is dead and being pursued by another man. She cries when it is appropriate, but not a weepy character. She is strong and does everything she can to help Ha Eun. I liked her in Padam Padam and Cain and Abel where she plays similar strong roles. I think the other actors do really great also. Kim Gyu Chul as Choi Dong Chan is really good at being bad. He is in several other dramas where he plays a total ass and he is good at it.

The music is appropriate although sometimes I did wonder why they were playing certain music in the background.

I probably won't rewatch it, because I already know how it ends, but it is rewatchable.

I really think if you love melodramas that you will like this one.

Read More

I love this drama. The love story between a mother and child, friendship, family, and lovers is so well written, directed, and acted. I was skeptical of the chemistry between the leads at first because of the 15 year age gap, but I was absolutely wrong. Their love for each other is palpable. Although you would think that this drama is sad (and it is sometimes), I was left with a feeling of optimism. Live your life to the fullest because you never know if you have one day, one month, or years. The story does have typical Korean troupes such as rich, jerk man falling for poor, optimistic woman, but they are written in a way as to not interfere with the depth of the story.

Uee is phenomenal as Kang Hye Soo. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed her performance and I was completely invested in the character. Where did Lee Seo Jin come from? I have never seen him in anything and I am wondering why. I can see why Hye Soo fell for Han Ji Hoon. He felt real. With all the fake in this world, that is my highest compliment. All the other actors are good also. Shin Rin Ah is totally adorable as Cha Eun Sung.

I enjoyed the music and have downloaded some of it.

I may rewatch this sometime.

If you enjoy dramas that are uplifting, then I think you would enjoy this. It is reminiscent of the drama Scent of a Woman which I also highly recommend.

Read More

Endless Love brings the era of change to democracy in Korea to life in an emotionally, thought provoking way. The story is a little monotonous at times, but I think the writer is trying to express how the citizens of Korea faced one hurdle after another on their journey through change. Seo In Ae represents them in every way. Power hungry politicians that care only about themselves is not a new concept, but this drama also gives those people a human quality. I usually hate dramas that revolve around politics, but his has enough personal life story lines that it isn't bad. There are tons of birth secrets and murder attempts. Some of these characters should have been dead a couple of times over. Some people might be disappointed in the ending, but it is appropriate.

Hwang Jung Eum is an actress that I used to hate, but she is getting better. She does well in the emotional scenes of Seo In Ae. There are times though that she falls back into that expressionless face which is so annoying. Ryu Soo Young does a passable job as Kwang Hoon. His character is a jerk. So, I guess him frowning all the time was acting. Then there is Jung Kyung Ho as Kwang Chul...OMG...he can act. I felt more for his character than anyone else in the drama. Jung Woong In is excellent as Park Yeong Tae. That creepy smile can give a person the shivers. I was disappointed that I didn't see more of Kim Joon. The other actors are good too.

The music is OK.

I won't ever rewatch this, but it is one that can be rewatched.

If you like politically motivated, period dramas, then you would probably enjoy this.

Read More

OMG...It took me soooo long to watch this. I now remember why historical dramas are not my favorite. If Ji Sung had not been in this, then I would have quit after the first two episodes. It was like watching Big for Gong Yoo. The conspiracy theories were great, but who becomes king and all the political BS is just so BLAH!!! Plus 50 years and 35 episodes and I look up the history and Lee Sung Gye was only king for 6 years. REALLY??? Ok...enough of that. There were nice romances, but they really don't capitalize on that so if you are looking for romance, then this is not the drama you are looking for. The story isn't bad per say, it is just long and drawn out. I could only watch this a few episodes at a time, because I felt like they took FOREVER. I don't understand why they trusted some people knowing that they were conniving...as you watch this, you will understand where I come from. I yelled at my screen so many times..."Why are you trusting her/him???". So annoying. I'm just glad it is over.

The acting is really well done as well as the cinematography. Ji Sung, Ji Jin Hee, Song Chang Ui, Lee Yoon Ji, and Kim So Yeon are well worth the watch if you are into this genre. I didn't even realize that Kim So Yeon was the same girl that I like so much in Iris. Good for her, she is versatile.

The music is fine.

I WILL NEVER REWATCH THIS.

Again, if you like historical dramas, then I'm sure you will like this.

Read More