I enjoyed this lighthearted saeguk. Even though the plot was quite simple compared to usual saeguks it was brightened by the very good acting of the leads. This is what made the difference for me resulting in a very pleasant watch also thanks to the nice and fluffy romanticism.
I only watched Sorry I Love You out of these and it's a drama I will never forget. I am trying to find the right moment (mood wise) to watch 1 Litre of tears. Another drama that made me cry buckets is a J drama called Nankyoku Tairiku...which I think is the story that made me cry more in my life so far.
After seeing both versions of this drama (Japanese and Korean) I can say that I enjoyed both but I preferred the Korean one as for me it was warmer and more spontaneous. The plot also was much more solid in the Korean version and on the whole it was an easygoing and pleasant watch for me. It's encouraging to see how Korean dramas are starting to give importance to romance between older couples. :)
Excellent article as I have always had the same problem with female leads in K dramas. Out of the ones you listed I have only seen Descendants of the Sun, Time between Dog and Wolf, Coffee Prince and Witch's Romance and I agree that the females there were pretty strong.
I also enjoy a lot most of the characters played by Ha Ji Won (Secret Garden, King2Hearts and Empress Ki) as I also appreciate good fighting skills in a female character. :)
Thanks for writing this article. The first time I discovered and appreciated him was in Tomorrow's Cantabile (as I probably saw him first in Bridal Mask but I was too involved with the main plot to notice him as a new actor).
I remember saying to myself that he seemed a really good (and attractive) actor and that I would have preferred his character to be the lead in that drama.
After that I watched all his current dramas and my initial feeling was totally confirmed. He is young but already very, very talented and I am sure we will enjoy many more great projects of his in the years to come.
This is a very original article and I enjoyed reading it. I agree that in the dramas listed the secretaries were really funny and entertaining. A couple that come to my mind were not funny but left a big impression on me because of their loyalty are the secretary in City Hunter and the one in King2Hearts. I really loved both of those characters. :)
I held on to this drama until the end only because I usually enjoy all dramas with Kang Ji Hwan. Unfortunately this time I didn't enjoy the story as I found it predictable and dragging especially in the second half.
If the writers had carried on with the style of the first 10/15 episodes the whole drama would have been much more entertaining and original but once they went down the usual revenge/power struggle plot I totally lost interest. I think from now on I will keep away from revenge dramas for a while. I wouldn't recommend this to future viewers.
I enjoyed reading your article. Yes watching a 50+ episodes long drama can seem daunting but I agree with the advice given below that handling one or two episodes at a time in between other dramas is the key to success...I was so happy that I could watch Giant, East of Eden, Queen Seon Duk and many other 'classic' Kdramas in this way which I would have regretted missing if I had given up.
This melodrama was very touching and beautiful. The photography was amazing and the acting was at really top level. I just found out that it is from the same writer as Sorry I Love You and in thinking back I could recognize the same style throughout the story. This is the first drama I saw with Kim Woo Bin and I found his acting flawless and very intense. I am glad I watched it although I would only recommend it to those who don't mind really sad stories.
Thanks for writing this article. Long Vacation with Takuya Kimura was the drama that got me hooked to drama watching three years ago and I never stopped since. I then stalked him and watched most of his dramas (all the ones you listed) and I only found out later that he was part of a musical group.
Of the other SMAP members I only watched a few dramas on the whole, the majority with Nakai or Shingo and I enjoyed them although I believe the best actor out of all of them is definitely Kimura.
I have always been very curious and fascinated about their great success in Japan as I actually prefer them as actors/TV entertainers rather than singers but of course it's a matter of taste. It is a pity they are disbanding after such a long time.
This drama was very interesting and entertaining for me. I can't compare it to the American version which I haven't seen but the story here was particularly intriguing and well made. Usually legal dramas can get heavy going and a little boring whereas on the contrary this drama dealt with engaging cases all the time. Finally a female lead in a Korean drama who is strong, clever, independent and also (very important in Korea apparently) not too young who decides what to do with her life by ignoring all the usual social pressures and being proud of her choices. I would very much like a sequel of this.
I only watched the original and remake of one of the dramas you mention and I agree with your verdict...I much preferred the J version of Nodame Cantabile. For what concerns the K version of Fated to Love You and of Liar Game they were both fantastic but I never watched their original version so I can't compare. I am now looking forward to the remake of Scarlet Heart. :)
I second the suggestion of Last which is another great drama. I will watch the last two Episodes of TGW this evening but I already know that I will also rate it very well as I thoroughly enjoyed.
I was never a fan of PSH so I started watching this drama whilst being very skeptical and mostly because of the male lead KRW. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by PSH's role and by how well she acted here and by the drama on the whole. The plot was nothing to write home about and I thought the first episodes were the most intriguing and interesting of the whole show.
What an amazing drama. Everything was perfect about it but what I appreciated most was Jang Hyuk's acting which was flawless. Lately the roles he had played were lighthearted and his laughter had become one of his distinctive traits whereas in this role he was completely different (he never laughed once and rarely smiled) and he was totally believable which goes to show what an amazing actor he is.
I also really enjoyed the story and most of all the father/son relationship. This is one of the best dramas of this year for me so far.
I also enjoy a lot most of the characters played by Ha Ji Won (Secret Garden, King2Hearts and Empress Ki) as I also appreciate good fighting skills in a female character. :)
I remember saying to myself that he seemed a really good (and attractive) actor and that I would have preferred his character to be the lead in that drama.
After that I watched all his current dramas and my initial feeling was totally confirmed. He is young but already very, very talented and I am sure we will enjoy many more great projects of his in the years to come.
If the writers had carried on with the style of the first 10/15 episodes the whole drama would have been much more entertaining and original but once they went down the usual revenge/power struggle plot I totally lost interest. I think from now on I will keep away from revenge dramas for a while. I wouldn't recommend this to future viewers.
Of the other SMAP members I only watched a few dramas on the whole, the majority with Nakai or Shingo and I enjoyed them although I believe the best actor out of all of them is definitely Kimura.
I have always been very curious and fascinated about their great success in Japan as I actually prefer them as actors/TV entertainers rather than singers but of course it's a matter of taste. It is a pity they are disbanding after such a long time.
I also really enjoyed the story and most of all the father/son relationship. This is one of the best dramas of this year for me so far.