Most people are unfamiliar with the type of drama. It's a midday drama, so it's targeted towards housewives and stay-at-home-moms. It's a drama that touches on a variety of themes such as marriage, family-life, homosexuality, etc. Not only is it a moving drama, but it is also funny and entertaining. The best part is the cast though. Moriguchi Yoko is a powerful actress who leads the rest of the cast. Along with Kato Kazuki, who as usual is his sexy self. Then there are a variety of fun actors like Takagi Shinpei and Takagi Manpei, Mayame Akihiro, Amano Kosei, Wada Masato, and Kaji Masaki. This is a drama that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something different and fun, but with lots of plot twists and a detective-style feel. Oh, and bonus, it takes place at a host club. How much better can it get?
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This review may contain spoilers
Nice cast, but messy series and so many plot holes
First, I really like the Pit Babe cast and I watched all the Boys’ Journey episodes. So it’s sad to see them being so underutilized in a terrible story. The show feels rushed, and it gets worse in the second half of the season. A lot of development happens off screen and there’s no intention of explaining things. I hope the cast will be utilized better in future projects, specially with some changes in “partners”. Nut and Sailub have so much chemistry, and Ping and Garfield was a great surprise in their scenes.Now, let’s check on some loose threads:
North and Sonic: Are they a couple? Are they just friends? The series had no interest in trying to answer that because they needed another scene to try to create chemistry for Alan and Jeff. It’s wasted time because that chemistry never materialized.
Babe’s dad: Why? There’s no payoff with him being alive. How did he end up being part of the “cure” team? How did Jeff get to know him and the doctor that helped to fake Charlie’s death? I feel like that was a major plot hole. He just briefly mentions knowing them.
Pete/Kenta/Way: Does Pete like Kenta back? Did Pete like Way or just cared/was worried for him?
Guns that are not used: Why does Tony and his team not kill people?! Tony’s plans would’ve all worked out if he just shot people. Every single plan from Team Babe goes wrong and they end up with guns pointed at them, but the bad guys never shoot. That makes zero sense! We saw Tony killing a child with a sword in the last episode, he definitely would give the ok to just kill random people, like Alan, Kim, North and Sonic.
Also, why would Tony let Kim go?! Unless it was Kenta who helped him escape… but that’s doesn’t get mentioned.
All the kids from the Foundation: what happens to the kids? Did they get rescued? What about the kids that were already sold?
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Why stop at second chances?
A light but enjoyable watch for me. Even though it was 40 minutes per episode like a regular drama, it felt like a web drama production. The plot moved at a good pace, and the issues were resolved quickly. Some silliness here and there but overall, the humor was good. It did come across as a lower-budget drama and the sets and props were not impressive. However, what the show lacked in budget, it made up with good fight scenes and lovely outfits, particularly notable in the dresses, accessories and hair-styles for the FL.The story was interesting, and refreshingly unique. There has been a lot of "second chances" dramas lately but this one went beyond that with the opportunities to "do-over" in multiple episodes.
The romance was sweet and the leads looked good together, with the chemistry between them adding to the appeal. I liked the leads - both seemed pretty new and could certainly use more experience improving their acting. However, the potential is there, and they already have a good start with their good looks and charisma. Hankiz Omar is gorgeous, and Yan Xu Jia is attractive even though I think he could have been styled better, especially his wig.
The OST was nice, my favorite was the romantic song (不宣 - Bù Xuān: Unannounced by 司鴻博 - Si Hongbo) that came on during the poignant scenes between the leads.
The supporting cast felt mostly amateurish and certain characters were over-the-top annoying for the most part. However, the ending was good, wrapping things up, showing character development for most. Given how fast-paced the show was, the ending felt appropriate rather than rushed.
Overall, I would recommend this if you are looking for a light-hearted and engaging diversion.
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It was all I ever wanted from a romance plot
I'm not a big fan of C drama or K drama. I have watched only a few of them during my 6years of following TV shows. So, I almost don't know any Korean or Chinese actors/actresses by name. I'm telling this to make it clear I didn't like “Hidden Love” this much because I'm a fangirl of the cast members or whatever (as some people may assume).I watched this 2 months ago on my 18th birthday completely by accident. I wanted to cheer myself up on this so called “big day”, and it was recommended on some app, so I started watching it with the expectation of a very ordinary romantic series which is fun for one day or two, and will be forgotten the next week with lots of cliché. HOWEVER, I can tell without a doubt it was one my best experience of watching a series or a movie. It was all I ever wanted from a romance plot. This series is literally a proof that a romance can be engaging and lovable without any stupid unnecessary drama which are only in the story to waste time because the writers don’t have any better ideas. It was pure joy for me.
The plot is pretty simple and not new, but the way it is processed, is absolutely a breath of fresh air.
Although including some cliché, the series broke a lot of norms in romance plots and can be called subversive; The story didn’t include a love triangle; It didn’t have an evil character who would destroy the main leads’ relationship; It didn’t have a bad boy ML who is arrogant about other people’s feelings and depressed and half naked all the time. It didn’t break up the main couple over stupid BS which are unrealistic as hell; It didn’t have unnecessary filler plot only to kill time and have more episodes.
We have a teenage girl, SANGZHI, who’s got a crush on his brother’s friend; she makes every excuse to be around this young man. She does some very stupid things like going to another city all by herself with made up excuse to see him, but at the end she is very realistic about the fact that she can’t be with him and keeps all of her feelings to herself for years (such a big burden for a girl at that age) and moves on which shows her growth despite how hard it can be. When she is actually close to her dream, she acts very mature and careful. quite Opposite from some other female leads, she understands that the male lead can’t be at her service 24/7 (referring to episode 16); instead of nagging or breaking up, she asks about his feelings, make sure if he’s ok, and tries to make him happy and secure.
And there’s our male lead, JIAXU (definitely my new fictional crush lol), who has gone through the worst; He was shammed by everyone for his father’s action; He had to watch his mother slowly dying; He was forced to pay debts at a very young age; but this didn’t turn him to an asshole/bad boy. Instead, it made him more responsible. He is very respectful; He cares about people; He loves to help others. When he becomes sure of his feelings about SANGZHI, He doesn’t hesitate to confess his love for her. And we can’t talk about him without mentioning his flirting ability. It is in another level. Never seen a character being this flirty and respectful at the same time. I know it’s a little cringe, but I want to gush over his appearance for hours. I mean just look at him (SANZHI, sister, you had every right to have a crush on him). His physical look really blesses the eye.
And I adored ML’s performance. His eyes are very expressive. He is surely talented, so is SANGZHI’s actress.
SANZHI and JIAXU as a couple, are definitely one of the best in all kinds of medium I have seen. Their chemistry is out of this world, thanks to the main leads’ acting. The way JIAXU’s actor plays with his eyes and looks at SANGZHI is just amazing (made me want to pause the series and just look at his eyes for minutes). The way they position their bodies shows a deep intimacy and very natural affection. These two will give you gallons butterflies every episode.
Everything about this show, from plot simplicity to actors’ performances and chemistries, really made my 2023 summer. I will remember the time I spent watching it as a memorable birthday “gift”. I will definitely come back to it every once in a while.
P.S. sorry for the bad English. It’s not my first language.
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WANNA BE / HELLO MODEL: Simple yet deep, straightforward, fast paced mature romance drama.
"Wanna Be / Hello Model" is a hidden yet beautiful drama that explores the complexities of the modeling industry through the eyes of its compelling characters. The story revolves around a famous supermodel, portrayed by Cici Wang, who finds herself in a life-altering accident that forces her into a three-year hiatus. Upon her return, she grapples with PTSD while meeting a witty and ambitious fishmonger, played by Daddi Tang, who is also facing the challenges of a hereditary eye disease. Their paths intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to a journey of self-discovery and resilience.The storytelling is refreshingly straightforward yet deeply engaging, ensuring that there are no dull moments.
Each character is richly developed, with even the side characters adding their own unique charm to the narrative.
The female lead, portrayed by Cici Wang, is a captivating blend of intelligence, beauty, and complexity. Initially cold and distant, her character gradually reveals layers of vulnerability and warmth as the series unfolds. She possesses a delightful mix of laid-back charm and fierce savagery when necessary, making her both relatable and intriguing. Her work ethic shines through, and I can't help but admire her stunning wardrobe—her wavy long hair and chic outfits perfectly reflect her profession as a model.
On the other hand, the male lead, played by Daddi Tang (Tang Xiao Tian), is equally compelling. He's witty, ambitious, and refreshingly straightforward, never one to be taken for a fool. His ability to stand up for himself, even in front of the female lead, adds depth to his character. With his kindness and cuteness, you'll find yourself rooting for him throughout the series. Their dynamic is fascinating, as their personalities complement each other; they share similarities yet maintain distinct differences, creating a captivating on-screen chemistry.
The romance between the leads is definitely my favorite aspect of the show, just as I anticipated. Their relationship is beautifully mature, characterized by a directness in expressing their feelings rather than dancing around them. Initially, they start off as bickering enemies, providing plenty of cute banter and humorous moments as they constantly challenge each other. As the story progresses, they transition into mutual friends and colleagues who support one another in their professional lives.
The development of their romantic attraction is natural and engaging, featuring flirty moments that gradually evolve into a deep connection. Their chemistry is electric, filled with tension and those delightful butterflies that make every scene captivating. What stands out is the mutual effort they both invest in the relationship; it’s refreshing to see both characters looking out for each other and providing support without one feeling more invested than the other. This dynamic makes their journey all the more rewarding to watch. So far, they are undoubtedly my favorite couple this year!
The acting is impressive, and I must say, it’s my fourth drama featuring Tang Xiao Tian, and the second where he takes on the male lead role. I sincerely hope he lands more lead roles in romance dramas because he truly excels in them. His eye acting is phenomenal! As for Cici Wang, I'm definitely going to keep an eye on her future projects; she’s really talented.
In summary, this drama checks all my boxes: it offers a simple yet profound narrative, straightforward and fast-paced storytelling, a natural buildup of romance, interesting and complex characters, and great sizzling chemistry between the leads. The acting is top-notch, and the original soundtrack is beautiful. Plus, with each episode being only 30 minutes long, it perfectly caters to my attention span. I highly recommend this drama if you're looking for a simple yet beautiful romance story!
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Uncomfortable at first but a truly emotional resonant drama
I give it a begrudging overall 9/10 .I just want to start of by saying that Goblin is a really sad drama . I just want to put that out there because all the top comments and reviews out there on the World Wide Web rave on in a fan girl manner that you would think it’s Boys Over Flowers . I was misled and the sadness genuinely caught me off guard. It’s SAD.
Now that’s out of the way - let me address why I give it a begrudging 9/10.
Goblin did not convince me at all that it is a perfect show. It’s age gap and high school lead was really uncomfortable for me to fathom .Why did they have to make her into a high school kid though ? And though Gong Yoo is hot and all ; he really looked considerably older than his female lead and that was just uncomfortable. But that’s an internal personal bias and has nothing to do with the plot unraveling . Creep factor aside - this was a really original story with an interesting and dare I say new premise. I admired how the writers stayed true to their intentions and you could tell they never fell off but kept focused . It had great quotes too and I loved the deity aspect of the show - it gave it a divine elegance.
However - This is a tricky review to write because as a romantic drama - it ticks all the right boxes . Great sweeping love declaration scenes ? Yes . In fact they are touching. Angst ? Yes - sure to cry like a baby . Great supporting leads with equally engaging angsty story lines ? Yes , yes and yes. Great romantic kissing scenes ? Yes.But nooo. It’s not a 10 . The plot was not tight enough . It was repetitive using the same set ups over and over again that it actually wasted time in setting up other important relationships such as the supporting leads relationship progression and the reincarnated relationships that were discovered along the line. Kudos though to the plot twists which were very much appreciated. Sure to keep a viewer tuning in.
It also had time in its 16 episodes with rich story to insert a villain which I thought was deft. I also liked the way they handled the past informing the present and the notion of reincarnation and it’s supporting motifs. The romances were also lovely. Emotional resonance was very strong too. I cried like a baby in Ep 13 which is one of the best moments in tv history . The last episode was so poignantly sad too. Comedy was also very well done .
The acting and cast were unblemished . Gong Yoo was so funny and melancholy at the same time . The Grim Reaper was gorgeous and grim at the same time and the female leads were assertive , spunky yet passionate in the same this show
The soundtrack is quite possibly one of the best of the best and does much to bolster the ratings . I loved every song and my standouts were Beautiful Life , Hush ( Goblin lullaby, the second leads song I miss You , I Will Go To You Like the First Snow, oh my word - I’m listing the whole sound track ! That’s how good it is !
The fashion was off the charts! Deok Hwa’s coats and suits , Grim Reaper’s cozy oversized sweaters and Goblin’s coats were amazing! Sunny’s outfits are worthy of a Pinterest board alone.
Rewatch value is quite strong once I get over the creep factor . Souls are apparently immortal and ageless right ? So we will stick with that and suck it up ...
As for the OVERALL - don’t waste anymore time and go ahead and watch it ! If there’s anything this show convinced me of other than a sad love of a lonely and great god Is that it’s definitely one of those shows you need to have under your belt for posterity reasons . Also ,If you loved My Love From the Star , you will surely find this pleasant too. If you like some supernatural and super sadness then this one is for you .
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The Interest of Love. A story of four imperfect flawed people learning to love
making their mistakes, falling and picking themselves up again. Yes the plot of the drama can be frustrating hence my rating but it's a drama that makes you think. Certain scenes ect can be dissected non stop getting a different outcome every single time. And well that's life. I think that's what both the writers and the director wanted to achieve. The characters here aren't perfect and cardboard cutouts. They are flawed and realistic. Sometimes their choices leave the viewer scratching their head with either confusion or frustration.At it's core tho, it's a slow and interesting story that shows a complete different side to love. Love isn't all rainbows and sunshine. Sometimes it's pain and heartbreak. The Interest of Love shows that well. SuYeong and SangSu are two very damaged characters trying to find their place in the world and their lives. One is idealistic and romantic while the other is emotionally damaged and closed off. The second leads carry their own pain and burdens too. MiGyeon(SFL) especially is someone who has been hurt heavily by both her past and SangSu and although she makes you hate her at times she also makes you root for her. She is the one who picks up herself the most and learns from her mistakes. The best character of the drama and my favorite. She made me proud. In the end I think both SuYeong and SangSu let go of their past trauma & learn the lesson they are meant to but not as well as MG.
The realism, slowness of the drama and the open interpretation of the ending can turn people off but I'd say give it a chance. It's a deep drama that makes you look at love in a different way and think about things differently. I enoyed it even if both SY and SS frustrated me at times. Will I recommend it? 50-50 it depends on taste. If you want a simple, slice of life drama then IoL is definitely not for you. If you want a slow, true to life drama then I suggest watching this: may not regret it. I didn't.
I think the cast did an incredible of portraying these characters. I have found some actors I really liked while watching this.
Overall I give this an 8.0 because there were certain parts I really enjoyed while others left me frustrated. While I re watch? probably not. As much as I liked the cast, I think it's a one time drama. It might lose it's appeal with re watches.
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Unfinished & Incongruent Plot Points
I think they did a good job of continuing the story from Sweet Home Season 2 and keeping it interesting with the questions of the neo humans, Lee Eun Hyuk reappearing, the origin and possibility of destroying all the neo humans, and the genetically created infected people including the girl with the tentacles, the rock guy, and liquid metal guy. There was some tear jerkers with the Wang Ho Sang turning, Yi Kyung dying in the tunnel trying to save her daughter, and the little boy turning into slime. I'm kinda glad that they included the slime boy even if he didn't do much for the story. I guess it is stuck to the webtoon story as I don't remember the little slime boy doing much of anything besides guiding somebody somewhere and I think the mom recognized him like they did in the drama.Now are the things that they just mentioned and hinted at, but didn't give a conclusion too. First off is Dr. Lim and the infected monsters he created and the vial that was in their stomach. That was just mentioned towards the end of season 3 and I don't think he explicitly said how they worked and even what they were composed of. Sergeant In Hwan mentioned that it was Sang Wook's blood, but I don't think Dr. Lim said that and he was just saying that to stall him when the crow platoon was sneaking residents out. Dr. Lim took the vial out of Ja Yeong, girl that could sprout hundred of arms out of her back, but it didn't seem to affect her when it was taken out, but she already was hinting at her pain before that.
One other big plot hole and I thought it was going to make a big impact in the last fight was Chief Ji's son that transformed and was hanging from the ceiling. It maybe was a cocoon, but it seemed that it ate people in that form and it was also hinted at neohumans being drawn towards it. The neohumans were killed outside of the entrance by Sang Wook on a whim and he hinted at them being drawn to something after being reborn, so I thought Chief Ji's son was going to come into play later. Tak In Hwan also mentioned they were going to eliminate her son, but they never followed up on that and Chief Ji was so hung up over it and I don't even think she made an appearance after that talk about her son and her suicide attempt.
Biggest plot point and one that the Sang Wook was worried about was the source of the neohumans, because they were immortal in comparison to Sang Wook. They mentioned this in like 6th episode when Hyun Soo and Eun Hyuk were in the church after they met up. They talked about it like they were going to stop all future neohumans by destroying the source, which I thought was going to turn out to somehow be Chief Ji's son, but I guess they didn't have enough budget to finish that plot point.
Kim Young Hoo the rouge soldier that was sent out to the lab in season 2, I didn't care much at all for his plot line as it felt like it was just used as a bridge to help bring together Eun Hyuk and Hyun Soo and Eun Yoo. One other character that I didn't care at all for was Father Peter and Sun Hwa, the one person who stayed behind while others was evacuating, as they didn't have much character development. It seemed like they were hinting at a relationship, then it randomly shows a flashback of her briefly showing monsterization symptoms, but it felt like those two where an after thought when it came to the plot.
One thing that I thought they did well was the internal conflict that was often brought up in the original webtoon and I liked how they portrayed that in the drama like when Hyun Soo initially brought Yi Kyung back from monsterization and when he was fighting within himself between his true self and monsterized self.
I felt like they made Yi Su so much weaker then she could've been, because she summoned the giant buff monster to show off to Sang Wook. If she could do that, then couldn't she have an entire army of over powered monsters at her hand, instead of just turning residents and making them pretty much just meat shields with no attack ability.
I felt like they were just killing of people to make for tearjerker moments, but the way they were going about it didn't have that much impact for me. The only death that impacted me was Yi Kyung, but even then I felt like I couldn't dwell in the death, because it immediately moved onto the next scene where Yi Su was being dragged off. Eun Yoo showing signs of monsterization all of a sudden and then going off on her own felt like they didn't know how to end her story line, so they just choose something easy that wouldn't affect the main plot. Yi Su's character absolutely killed the acting, as her acting was on point when it came to the crucial scenes. I think her character stood out most for me, as her character was most congruent throughout the story and made sense.
Lastly I think it was fine to end it how they did regarding the rooftop scene to pay homage back to the beginning of their encounters with each other. The neohumans coexisting with humans was so rushed and did not make much sense for how the plot was being setup before with them possibly destroying the source of the neohumans. That point felt hashed together to put a cap on what they would do regarding the neohumans.
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I would recommend this to everyone, regardless of genre preference. The only problem is that this drama is very difficult to catch hold of. This is probably why it's not as popular on the internet. I didn't even know a Chinese version existed until a classmate of mine told me about it. She gave me it's DVD and I dramathoned the whole thing in 3 days. I hope this drama gets more attention and I hope someone uploads it somewhere with subs.
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But it isn't so much the plot which makes this into a great watch: it's the direction style. Everything about it is over the top: from the athlets who fly around the court as wuxia warrior on a battlefield, to the characters who have the flavour of manga drawings, from the camera angle which plays with frozen scenes and facial expressions, to the plot itself, with its never completely serious twists. References to the battlefield, the Romans, the Greek and Sun Tzu's the art of war are scattered all over the show for the most attentive viewer to catch.
The scenes displaying street basket are awesome and the beautiful music is chosen with sense and aim.
I'm ready to recommend this to every basketball lover. Should you happen to hate this sport, then it may be a harder watch, unless you are appeased by the good-looking actors, in heaps here, and the beautiful, strong and far from whining leading ladies.
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A quiet drama about how life goes on
Let me start by saying that I think the amnesia trope is one of the worst tropes out there — it's convenient, it's tired, and it's a lazy way of forcing characters to go through character development all over again. But there are some dramas where amnesia IS the plot, to which I have no choice but to just wait and see if it's done well.In this case, it's...okay? The event itself and the fallout immediately after it is almost laughably early 2000s drama cliche, but the entire drama somehow does a good job of staying grounded in its melodramatic vibe and I think that's the part that makes all the difference.
At its core, this drama is very nonconfrontational, which I kind of have mixed feelings about. On one hand, it feels like there are scenes missing, especially discussions between characters that I wanted to see but didn't.
On the other hand, it feels like that's part of what gave this drama its mellow, realistic vibe. There are some things in life that you don't say, some unsent letters that will never be read, some decisions you can never undo. But life goes on.
Overall, this was a comforting watch and I admit I'm partial to the younger timeline (as I expected) simply because of how innocent, fun, and full of life the characters were. There are some side characters that got more screen time than I would've liked, but the leads did the job and stole my heart, all to the the tune of a fantastic OST.
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FOR ME! This is probably the best written, best acted, best thought out romantic comedy I have ever seen anywhere, anytime. I cannot think of enough words to describe the intensity of FEELING this show left me with. The building of every single relationship in this show was not just thoughtfully developed, but of such a high degree of intimacy that there was not one extraneous person in the entire show. I wanted to watch and know more about each and every person and the degree that I will miss this show is so high just because of that. I want very very badly to see more of these people, to share more of their stories and am so sad that we will never be given that opportunity. Imagination is a wonderful thing, but the visual verification of the remarkable relationships between all these people made this show an absolute gem, a must watch, and one that will forever be worth watching again and again. Out of any show I have ever watched, this one proves what romantic comedy can do to warm the heart and heal the soul. Despite the sadnesses that life can bring, these people and this show prove that the unselfish love of one person for another, be it lover, family, or friend, can give you the strength to go against the odds and fight for what is important in life. Because it is the loving support in those relationships that will get you through loss, adversity, prejudice, and all the other hardships life throws at you. This show was so much more than entertainment. It was a lifting of the spirit, an absolute joy, and a testament to the writers and actors who so brilliantly brought this story and these characters to such real life.
As to those who were mostly looking at the negatives. Yes the lead female is a typical Kdrama cliche as far as her behaviors and I know that her younger sister really irritated a lot of people in the first several episodes. If you are going to watch and love Kdrama, there are things that sometimes you just have to understand and accept about Kdrama and the mindset of the main audience for them. As cliche characters go though, these, imo, were utilized in as subtle a way comedically as the writers could make them. There were reasons for the behaviors that, if you pay attention, were used not just for comedic relief, but to present a different outlook on a situation....to make the audience open their minds and think about what was happening in a different way.
But where this show really impressed was in its depiction of the love of family and the close bonds built between an adoptive father and grandfather and the sons they loved so well. And the love of two sisters that was so strong one could give up on infatuation in the recognition of true love despite how painful and yet still retain the bonds of sisterly love. And the love of 3 young men who, despite youthful exuberance and goofiness, understand perfectly the intensity of need, love, pain, and loss of their friend and stood over him and grieved with him in his loss and rejoiced with him in his happiness. The lack of petty, made up misunderstanding, miscommunication, over the top scenarios so prevalent in most kdramas today was mind boggling. In kdrama as a whole, the lack of those things in this show in themselves are such a departure from standard kdrama tropes as to be remarkable on their own.
SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH...PLEASE SKIP THIS PARAGRAPH UNTIL AFTER YOU WATCH THE SHOW...PLEASE!
And the tender love, acceptance, support, endurance and found joy was depicted so wonderfully by a family dealing with the heartbreak of dementia (SPOILER DO NOT READ THE NEXT 2 LINES UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW:............................................... and with the death of a greatly loved grandfather. The loss of this person was so beautifully written and acted that the grief in and emptiness of that home could actually be felt)....................................................................................
I realize there may be many who will not nor cannot feel this way about this show. Age and life and just the mood you happen to be in at this point in time really affects a person's reactions to a lot of the dramas I watch. So perhaps my exuberance over this show is out of proportion and there will be few who agree with me. But, for me, at this moment in my time, and with this show, I am so perfectly happy that it really doesn't matter. And it is all any of us can ask of any of the shows we watch. If it lifts your spirit as it did mine, I am so happy to have a kindred soul out there to share my happiness. If you are disappointed, I am so sorry I led you towards something you felt you wasted your time on and hope we will be in better communion on another show on another day! Peace! :)
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Well, there are a lot of things that happen in this drama which you must have seen in other historical dramas as well. So what sets this apart from all the rest? I think the answer to that lies in the whole drama itself. After watching from ep 1 to 62 I realized that it is one of those dramas which need to be watched in entirety before one can fully appreciate it.
This is a cleverly written drama. It has a nice script and all the right elements in it keep you engaged. For a drama to have that pull factor, the characters need to be fleshed out well. It is a cherry on the top when you also have the right actors to play these characters to make them more real. Here the cast is made up of actors I consider a class apart like Ko Hyung Jung and Kim Nam Gil. So of course, they HAD to be good. These two actors not only impressed me as usual but blew me away is the right way to put it. They probably took the drama to an entirely different level than it would have been otherwise. Apart from them, Lee Yo Won, Uhm Tae Woong and Yoo Seung Ho also did a great job. The cast seemed to have been chosen wisely and had great chemistry with each other. I would also like to mention Nam Ji Hyun here who did a spectacular job of playing the child version of Deokman and I daresay made more of a lasting impression than Lee Yo Won did. I have liked Nam Ji Hyun's previous portrayals as well and she never disappoints.
I liked the entire span of the drama. Right from the historical events depicted in the beginning to the childhood episodes to the ending. Most Korean dramas (especially historic) are a disaster with their endings and here is one which did it right. All writers should take a clue on how to end a drama from this writer. The events were always flowing at the right pace and surprisingly- the melodrama in this was kept lower than I expected from such a long one. There is makjang in it but it somehow seemed smart makjang than something used as filler.
I also loved how the drama focuses on its title. The queen is actually given importance and we get to see her be one. I loved Deokman's character. She was smart, flawed and strong. She always knew how to do the right thing and pulled out from every hole she fell into. Of course- she had two amazing guys beside her which made life better for her. Yushin is seen as nice, righteous and loyal. Bidam is sly, calculating, fierce, passionate and much in need of love. LOL. I can never ever forget Bidam's amazingness thanks to the almighty Kim Nam Gil. He made the character impossible not to love and made him so real to me that I felt his every pain and happiness as he did on-screen. I also loved Yushin but I prefer Bidam a bit more. Deokman was lucky enough to have such amazing guys who loved her more than anything. Although romance is not a central part of the drama, the dynamics between these three characters were exceptional.
The fight scenes, costumes, sets, politics and battles always keep the drama going. There is a lot regarding the throne and battle for power in this drama. It will always make you question what is right and what is wrong and what is fair and what is not. It shows how big a burden power can be. This is the driving factor of the story in the later half.
Plus, the characters are all so wonderfully messed up and tragic. They all have abandonment issues, mommy issues and what-not. They constantly go from good to bad and vice-versa, taking you on the crazy ride with them. The character development of Deokman and Bidam was phenomenal. I liked how Deokman acted like a ruler when she was one. She was pretty believable in her struggle to fit into the role of a queen. Now this brings me to the hotness called as Bidam. I wanted to hug him because of all that emotional baggage he seemed to carry with him. I have a thing for misunderstood bad boys like him. Mishil is one of my favourite antagonists ever now. She puts all Kdrama antagonists to shame with her badassery and cunning attitude. Others can only hope to be half as awesome as she was.
The soundtrack of the drama is pretty good. The song 'Windflower' by IU has become one of my all-time favourites. The background score and ending score in the drama are brilliant. I can never forget the ending score. It will always bring back all the feelings and memories.
I can go on talking about this drama and it will never end. LOL. So let's just end it here and go watch the drama if my point of view convinced you even one bit. :D
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This is a Masterpiece!
Can't even put in words how much this series has affected me. It is a Masterpiece. The Ost, the editing, the storyline, the chemistry, the acting every single thing is just awesome!! Every character had it own story and the actors did a marvelous job to inact it.The continuous bashful comments by the Goblin and the Grim reaper are savage. It never misses an opportunity to make you laugh till the very end and I was laughing my ass off throughout. Not only comedy, it is full of romance and drama. The lines are beautiful and everything connects so well ( things said in past connects later to a thing happening in present) Just WOW❤️
A moment i felt goosebumps and in another I was crying (literally a lot) and in next i was laughing like anything, its that level.
I recommend this to everyone who loves Kdrama ( even if you don't you'll after watching this🔥)
A Classic of all time❤️
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