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Total run-time: 3h, 21m. I saw this on YouTube, look for the HD versions, under the title Like Love 2.
ACTING/CAST: Superb, all around. The performances by the cast that played the families was fantastic.
MUSIC: Standard music for a drama.
REWATCH VALUE: Oh yeah, gonna watch it with a friend.
OVERALL: A very satisfying continuation of the story. Don't forget to watch the outtakes! Also, these guys have a lot of fan service so check that stuff out. Also check out the Like Love shorts, He's Next to You.
TL;DR: The relationship is threatened by families on both sides, and the boys must persevere.
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I had never seen any of the main leads earlier so for me there acting skills were unexpected, I'm really really impressed and now would like keep the track of their dramas.
Enough with the review, if you were planning to watch or this drama was on hold then what are you waiting for you should give it a try!!
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Bottom line: Going By the Book is a slightly twisted comedy featuring an affable and quirky hero (who's actually a villain -sorta), that you have to see!
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Kwon Sang Woo- I know his dramas are really great and his emotional scenes are heartfelt. whenever he cried I cried and when he was happy I smiled. the love he has for Choi Ji Hoo (Jung Suh) believing in their love from children, although he was not sure if she would believe him when he said he loved her, cause they were kids and he was questioning the meaning of love, his love for her is astounding. Even when she was 'supposed to be dead' he would not give up and he kept her in his heart.
This drama is about a never-ending love of 2 people who believed that as long as you love each other it does not matter the time you are separated from each other, your heart would always find a way back to each other.
Some scenes I did not agree with, what's with having a relationship with the person your family member was dating? That's so wrong on all accounts. It should matter, it they were intimate, you do not date your relatives past or present lovers. that said -
Shin Hyun Joon (Tae Hwa) the step-brother, after seeing his love for Jung Suh I tried to understand his feelings and after a while I was at a point that I could sympathize with him. Jung Suh, was the first person to show him love, to give him a birthday present, to actually reach out to him as a person, so I could understand the reason he was so attached to her, although it was a bit too much at a point.
This drama is for all mother's to watch so you know the way not to bring up your children. Lee Hwi Hyang (Tae Mira) the evvil step-mother (yes, it needs 2 v's)and kim Tae hae (Yu Ri)
I wanted to hurt these two. really hurt them. I cried until there were no sounds coming out of mouth at the level of evil these two did. And I know it's just a drama which ends at episode 20, but my heart refused to accept that at one point. I had to really take a break and listen to some music before I could continue again.
The drama was worth all the time, tears, smiles, cursing, everything as it has a very good ending. the OST is good also.
So if you like romance, suspense, and everything else then you'll have fun watching this, just be prepared to cray a lot in between, but there are some very good moments, very good, and that makes the rest of the tears worthwhile. This drama is worth 100% in total value.
Enjoy!
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1This review may contain spoilers
Cuteness incarnate
Recently, thai bls are ferociously betting on cuteness and it pays off: just see the success of My School President! Well, Our Winter is somewhere along the same lines.Story is very simple: two Thai boys meet in Korea in wintertime and they spend some time together and fall in love. THE END
These are 14 short vignettes giving us every step of falling in love: from meet cute by accident to happily ever after. And all along flogging drinks and brand winter clothing! Product placement and the whole shabang!
Korea is stunningly beautiful under the snow. The actors are cute and oozing chemistry. And the way their relationship deveop is cute!
So this is basically a cute 14 minutes to enjoy and that will make you smile!
What more can you ask from such a microseries?
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This review may contain spoilers
!MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!Main couple? If you've seen the previous seasons, it's basically the same concept; they break up, FL got locked in a room and ML saved her, new love rival, but with the campus setting.
At least the female had learned how to stand up for herself
Side characters are more interesting, i really like A-Hoon and Ji-Seong.
A-Hoon is a cutie, who makes the drama more comedic. I really like his interaction with Ji-Seong.
Ji-Seong and A-Ra, i didn't expect them to be together after what happen in season 2. Same with Seung-Hyun and YuNa, i never expect this couple would happen.
Seol and Ju-Ho, after 2 seasons they finally together... At first, i don't agree with how Seol making Ju-Ho experience unrequited love. But seeing how she used to pursue Ju-Ho. I think he deserves it. I was waiting for either Young-Dae/Ju-Ho to have a kiss scene with Seol. But instead of with Seol, we got a scene of them accidentally kiss each other.
Tbh Hyewon is still lacking in terms of expression. She basically had the same look from the beginning to the end. Well, sometimes she smiled a bit. It's still acceptable, after all this drama were her first work.
As for Wonpil and Hyunsuk, they pull off their role.
The crossover with Light on Me and Be My Boyfriend's character was funny. I mean... before i checked the actors profile i didn't realize that some cast of LOM had appeared in Best Mistake too. Especially Choe Chan Yi, i really liked him as Ji-Seong ever since i watch this drama. But i didn't realize he's the same guy who played as Da-On.
I don't really notice the music
But the quality/cinematography was good.
However i can't help but think that this drama should've ended with the 2nd season. I feel like this season only filled with cringey draggy plot.
Overall, it's worth watching if you only want to see your bias's acting. Just remember to watch it with 2× speed, throw the logic away, and enjoy the ride!
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Before starting let me just put out there that I haven't read the manga yet, so this review is solely based on the drama. However, I'll point out that the drama does a good job of making people want to read the source material, if they haven't.
This story starts in an aftermath, where many stories would end. You have a divorced father, who recently lost his twin brother, a little girl navigating her parents' separation and a widower brother-in-law who comes into their lives for the first time, after his husband's passing. Still, even though the events that lead to this setting are sad and filled with regret, the drama is not centered on that, but in the re-building of a family and the search of happiness.
The drama could have gone melodramatic so easily, and it could have used the subjects it portrays for gratuitous suffering, but it never does. It deals with stuff like bullying, homophobia, grief, separation anxiety and letting go, but it always does so respectfully and with emotional maturity.
It could have also turned preachy or superficial, considering that Yaichi (performed by Sato Ryuta) isn't gay and is left to understand the life of his brother who was, and to navigate his relationship with the brother-in-law he is meeting for the first time. Yaichi, being not only the protagonist but a kind of ambassador to Mike, who is a foreigner and a stranger in many ways to their community, could have very easily turned into a 'ally savior' trope. But there are well crafted elements throughout the story, instances of development and conversations with Mike and other characters, that allow for this show to be a great combination between a mature lgbtq+ narrative, a wholesome family story and a way to put out there subjects into conversation that the audience the drama was aiming to might have not seen in this way before.
Also, absolute stand out thing to me that I was not expecting is the way in which Yaichi's relationship with Natsuki, his ex wife, was written and performed. It's complex yet very simply human but it's not demonized or made into a him vs her situation with their daughter in the middle, like a lot of dramas with divorce tend to do.
The kids in this are adorable, btw.
All in all, wholesome, bittersweet yet with a positive spirit and an ultimate message of family, I would absolutely recommend. The only bad thing is that it's only 3 episodes long.
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popcorn > plot
If you're after an easy horror watch, this one delivers. It's quick, fast-paced and punchy to give you that instant adrenaline hit without overthinking. Don't try and piece it all together, sit back and enjoy the ride. Just don't expect to trust water as much after this one. A gripping popcorn flick for a low effort, high thrill experience, exactly what you came for.(spoiler: included a well-known film theory in the comment for this review)
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Have to be a fan
I don't think this show deserves such a low rating. It is a simple story but with an innovative storyline, not the trope Kdrama or Kmovie plot that we see so much of. A Kdrama-loving Ahjumma who speaks no Korean is lost in SKorea. It's more than just a-fish-out-of water story. It deals with deeper issues of living in a big city - the dislocation and isolation that elderly parents feel - experiences that both people who live in big cities like Seoul and Singapore can similarly identify with. [Aside: I certainly wouldn't call her relationship with her son "estranged" as the synopsis describes. It's just a normal mother-son relationship in a busy big city.]However, you really have to be a fan of Kdramas and perhaps more importantly, identify as Singaporean to really fully understand the in-jokes and appreciate the context of the movie. There's a real kick from watching a Singaporean actress, who is a household name that many of us grew up with, acting in a Korean production starring a few stars that many of us are now fan-girling. In particular, I get a real kick out of listening to Kang Hyung Suk speaking rather impeccable Mandarin for a non-native speaker.
Would I watch this again? Probably not. It was good enough but certainly not an Oscar-winning movie. It gave me a sense of home and also fun to see a linkage to my self-professed adopted culture. It is a good fun ride if you leave your heart switched on but switch off your brain. Just go for the ride.
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surprisingly good
I was worried after the first episode that it was going to be too over the top with the yelling and the pettiness. But it soon settled and I enjoyed the way they developed the characters, and we got to know them and what drives them, how they ended up in the situation they are in. This drama flowed pretty fast with only 13 half hour episodes, so it didn't get bogged down by a lot of useless stuff. But the ending did wrap up abruptly and very tidily, which I was both annoyed with and somehow was ok with - one more episode might have rounded it out to fill out the ending more properly. I'm not mad at it though.I have waited so long for Jung Woo to be a romantic lead again after Reply 1994 - and I was not disappointed! Oh Yeon Seo, who I've only enjoyed watching in Korean Odyssey, did a really good job in this. She nailed this role. I enjoyed the side characters - especially 'Samantha'. The neighborhood busy-bodies were nosy and jumped to conclusions, but I liked that they apologized when they knew they were wrong and tried to make things right. That made them endearing rather than irritating.
This was just a nice healing type of drama and would be great for a quick watch some rainy weekend!
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This dorama is both sad without being tear-jerking and fun at the same time. It manages to give a warm feeling in each episode. The characters are all very lovable and their interactions are really genuine. All of the actors did a fantastic job in my opinion.
It is a perfect family dorama to watch. There are no big twists or turns but somehow the story flows nicely within its own tempo.
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Something is missing
I am a huge fan of reincarnation dramas but unfortunately this was not the one for me. I was expecting to really loved it a smart female lead and a reincarnation plotline are literally my 2 favourite combos in Asian dramas but unfortunately i didn't like this one as much as expected. It felt mid,like something was missing but i can't exactly explain what. The acting is ok,story is easy to follow,couples have good chemistry and plotlines are interesting but at the same time i felt like i was hurrying up to the finish line with this drama especially acter they got married that's when it just became a 2x speed type of show. At the same time it was interesting and nice to watch but not something i would go out of my way to reminisce about.Was this review helpful to you?
Sigh, what is there to say
This is going to be a review focused on events and behaviors rather than individual cast members.Recommend For: Anyone who likes relationship Drama with an emphasis on the capital “D”, complicated relationships, playing detective/armchair psychologist (I do not mean this in a derogatory way at all—I dabble in both), or learning healthier relationship dynamics (in this case, a lot of it from a what NOT to do perspective lol)
Do Not Recommend For: Anyone looking for a “feel good,” “peaceful,” “not like other dating shows” program. If that’s what you are looking for, drop after episode 3
Okay. Wow. This show started off very peaceful, very heartfluttering, very soft. And ended the complete opposite. It will give you whiplash and, depending on which couples you are rooting for, you may even feel very depleted/down/anxious in real life after certain episodes.
The showmakers did a great job creating storylines—the middle section (before Singapore) dragged a bit but things really picked up once they were in Singapore (the last few episodes). Lots of drama, lots of twists, lots of building up mystery of what certain contestants will do. I think this show went from “Oh yeah, it’s obvious who will pick each other at the end” to “Hmm, this could really end in three+ different ways.” So that element of it is great.
The showmakers tried to make it a heartwarming, deep show, but unfortunately it ended up being a messy drama due to two castmembers being very confused and confusing. Literally, there is no one on the show the two didn’t confuse at one point or another. So I really don’t blame the showmakers for how the show turned out. They did a phenomenal job crafting the familyvibe and making space for the siblings to show love for each other and acknowledge each other in a way that family sometimes forgets to do in regular life. A good reminder for all of us to let those we appreciate know how and why we appreciate them.
Moving on to the main bit: I think this show should be shown in high school health class (remember the healthy relationships module?) because there is SO MUCH to learn. From this show, I’ve become more mindful of:
• Words
o There are times when a castmember is sensitive to words they receive, but then turn around and dish out hurtful words too (not on purpose, probably just didn’t think carefully about the impact of their words or thought they were making a joke when it wasn’t actually funny). It makes me reflect on things I’m sensitive about others doing but excuse when I myself do the same thing.
• Clarity
o Confusing people is hurtful and causes harm over a longer period of time than just telling the truth. Rip the band aid off once instead of tugging at it over and over. From watching the cast, I also learned key things to look for if I suspect someone is being insincere or playing with my emotions:
Are they clear? Can I ask them a yes/no question and actually receive a yes/no?
How do I feel when they speak to me? Do I feel anxious, confused, and like I’m always having to *guess* what they’re thinking?
Do our conversations go anywhere or are they in circles and jumbled?
• Walking Away
o Part of maintaining healthy relationships is knowing when to walk away. I realized that even if all the butterflies and attraction are there, sometimes it is best to just cut the relationship off at the very beginning if it’s already creating anxiety, negative tension, huge yo-yo-ing of emotions. I realized that I personally just want something peaceful and calm, that makes me feel good without the unnecessary anxiety over whether my partner actually likes me or not. Of course, the castmembers are in a situation where they have a limited set of people to pursue for a period of time, so I don’t at all mean this as a dig at any of them who chose maybe not the healthiest connection.
• Values
o Having similar values means you can share a similar foundation. If I’m liberal but my partner is conservative (in terms of family roles, expectations of behavior, etc) it may require a little extra attention to make sure we both feel healthy and supported. There are some differences in values that will prevent a relationship from being healthy and fully supportive of all sides, no matter how wildly the partners love each other.
• Self Care
o Dating when you haven’t worked through your own traumas and issues can mean that your defense mechanisms, built in response to trauma, can hurt your partner. I don’t think I have to be “perfect” before I get into a relationship, but I will definitely be working on my communication and processing. I noticed a lot of pain came from a castmember keeping everything inside and only at the last minute expressing their real feelings (even to their sibling!), when it easily could have been avoided by saying something like “Hey, I’m interested in you but I’m also a little confused about if my feelings are real interest or just fleeting. I want to find out if it’s based in something real and want to let you know about my current confusion so you can make the best of your time here as well.”
o It is impossible to please everyone. Be yourself, be honest (but not curel) with your thoughts and feelings, and you will build a community that supports who you really are as a person.
Anyway, very long review. I didn’t want to write too much about my thoughts on the psychology and behavior of the individual castmemebers (although, believe me, I have a LOT of thoughts, and have shared a lot of it in the comments already lol) since we all interpret their behaviors and character differently, but wanted to instead focus on what I took away from the show. I appreciate the dating programs that also, through the cast, provide insight into a healthier way of creating, maintaining, evolving, or ending relationships.
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Watched because of F4 syndrome (f4 fan here)
I honestly watched and searched for this drama because of k-drama Descendants of the Sun and c-drama My Dear Guardian.....I like the themed of those drama, and searched for lakorn that are also the same themed. Hence as per suggestion by google and youtube I ended up to watched those 4. For me this is my top among the 4. Not just that I am fascinated by Weir and other cast. But also the way they act, the flow of the story, and the feeling/emotion show for me are so catchy........I feel pity for the second lead couples as they had to separate in that way. But in overall for me this is a recommended drama for all.
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