The story line: I really liked the storyline they didn't focus too much on the side characters story and they stuck to the main plot of the drama. It did not drag what so ever. I know in some mystery dramas the story ends up being craggy and people start to lose interest but in this drama it doesn't. The directed and the writer does not go overboard with it. It was fast paced too, I didn't feel like the drama was fast towards the end I felt it went at the right place which was good because most dramas finishes the drama with a fast pace.
The storyline itself it nice and I also liked the side stories they were fun. As the main plot of the drama is kind of heavy the side stories makes you appeal more to it which is weird that I don't know how to even explain.
I would date the storyline: 9.0
Acting: Needless to say the acting was on point. Everyone did well the main cast, supporting cast etc. I really loved Song YoonAh. She's really amazing and I love her works. It was my first time seeing Kim So Yeon and she did an excellent job made her character live. Those two were the highlights but of course song Jae Rim and Kim Tae Woo did well to. Song Jae Rim is just so cute, really loved him in here and Kim Tae Woo did a good job as the villain in the story. I really hated him which means he did a good job. Wish to see them all in newer projects in the future. Acting was;10/10
I don't think there was anything I disliked apart from the title because once you watch it you will start to think about the title like "who is the secret mother" "what does the title mean by secret mother" it could have been titled with something better that suits the show more such as "mothers secrets" in which if you had watched the drama then you would understand what that would have meant.
This drama is underrated and it shouldn't have been. You would definitely enjoy this drama if you give your full attention/concentration. One of the 4/5th drama I have liked and enjoyed so far for 2018
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Needs Work
I'm late to the party, though in this case isnt a bad thing.Let me start by saying hazing is a fucking attrocious act and it should not ne treated as anything less.
The homophobia is something ill comment on later.
You can definitely tell this is an earlier BL drama due to how subject matter presented and how topics are poorly handled. Like how this show ia trying to make hazing seem like a trivial thing...i shit you not.
Three or more odd moments stick out were characters are like 'oh i met my wife' or 'it heloe appreciate...', 'and i made friends...'. that is just glossing over an act that is very problematic. Its not an after school event were people ocassionally get abused by others, its a problem and it is poorly handled, i cant helo but think the head writer was very disillusioned.
Now onto the homophobia...i dont know what its like im Thailand so i have to right to throw american homophobia into their culture, but the "i don't like men just Arhit..." ruined that moment when they openly admited they are dating. Yhis isnt the first bl to do this, but as high as it is rated youd think they set a golden standard and they go below what is stated.
It has no rewatch value. Its not even good fluff, the story is more "serious" with the hazing, but the lack of using the material to have a better story was completely wasted
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Queen of Ambition is no joke. I really wanted to give it top scores, but there are some things that are missing. BTW...this has a lot of adult content, so I wouldn't recommend this for just anyone. Joo Da Hae is the epitome of evil. I understand that she goes through some major horrific moments when she is young, but wow... I really can't explain this story without spoilers. It has murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, twin switching, etc. Ha Ryu is so pitiful and sweet that it is hard not to fall in love with him. I enjoyed the ending. They took the time needed for the main characters before spending time on the side stories. I really appreciate writers that do that. Ok. Now for the acting. I will tell you the bad first and why I couldn't give this drama higher scores. Soo Ae to me is just not the femme fatale that I thought was needed for that role. I get that she is supposed to be cold-hearted, and I did see her expressions change, but there just seemed like she was missing something. Honestly, I just don't think that she was pretty enough to ensnare all of the men that she did...especially since she was never sincere. Is that too superficial? I would think that Kim Tae Hee or Chae Jung Ahn would have been a better casting choice. They are prettier and their acting abilities are better.
On to the much better...Kwon Sang Woo was daebak as Ha Ryu. I felt so deeply for his character even when I was mad at him. There were times when I blamed him for what he was going through even as he blamed himself, then I would realize that he is just too kind-hearted. I also thought Yunho did well in his role as Do Hoon. I kept yelling at him to wake up and realize who Da Hae really was.
I also liked the other actors. I'm not much for extra characters, but all of these were needed to add to the story. I really liked Kim Sung Ryung as Do Kyung.
The music was good.
I probably won't rewatch this just because I already know what will happen.
It is full of angst and at times I was just yelling at the characters. If you like melodrama, then you will love this.
Edit: After watching Soo Ae on 1N2D Korean variety show, I realized that she seems to be a soft person and that may be why her role isn't really that believable. I give her props for trying something that seems to be completely out of her element and doing a passable job.
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It does stick to its genre of being ROMANCE, COMEDY, HISTORICAL and MILITARY!
NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT!
Well, where to start. hmmmm.
[The Story]
YOU ARE SO GONNA LOVE THE PLOT. Its about a woman pretending to be a guy for the war. She became a war hero so when she revealed to the emperor her real identity, she was pardoned. After knowing she's a woman, the emperor took this chance to marry her off to a prince. This prince is quite opposite to the girl. Their roles here might be a bit reversed however, from time to time, you will see the main girls feminine side bought out by the guy and you will see the guy's manly side bought out by the girl. They complete each other's personality. In the entire series, YOU WILL LOVE the development of the characters relationship. One good thing about this, is that it's not just about the two of them but also how they contribute to their country and how that contribution helped their character progress in time.
[The Ending]
Well, the ending is good but not THAT satisfying. Just finish it and find out for yourself. DONT WORRY, YOU ARE NOT GONNA REGRET IT!
The OST also deserves an applause! It makes you feel SO EMOTIONAL! The song makes you cry out of nostalgia... It makes you feel like the main characters are real people from legend..Their love really feels so real.
[P.S. The main guy sang it too with some other singer which is not the main girl]
Speaking of legend, they kind of remind me of the real ballad of Mu Lan. The main girl is Mu Lan and the guy is her lover. The series really does make you believe that the main characters really were legendary lovers from the past, like they were actually part of history and that you can still feel their love resonance to the present. Watching the series makes you feel like you were back at those ancient time too.
Will I re-watch it? I already did for the 4th time already AND I WILL AGAIN after I finish the rest on my list
Do I recommend it? YEAH! OF COURSE!!! GO WATCH IT NOW!
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Story:
I liked the story. It was actually pretty interesting and different in a way. Some would say that the age gap between the 2 main character is hard to overlook but it was okay for me. What I mean is I wasn't really paying attention to that part as the drama is based around something fictional, the age gap is just a part of that. I like the relation between the two main characters but also with the second couple. The bromance was also a very good part of that drama. I just wish Deok Hwa played a bigger part of the drama. Usually, there are some characters that I don't like in a drama, like a big villain but I just liked every characters here. And also, I enjoyed everything regarding the Grim Reapers organization and especially the Grim Reaper (Lee Dong Wook).
Acting/Cast:
They all did a great job and I think they all suited their role. Gong Yu as always is a very good actor. I was also very surprised by Lee Dong Wook, if was just perfect as the Grim Reaper. Also, Kim Go Eun is a good actress (that I saw in Cheese in the Trap before) but rather than feeling sad with her when she cried (near the end) I was just impressed. I usually don't like the cryings in dramas also so seeing Lee Dong Wook always with teary eyes/crying was kind of hard for me but he did a good job! I also often find the main female lead annoying but she was okay.
Music:
I think Goblin wouldn't have been that great without this OST. Seriously, the music in the drama was just perfect. All the songs were just beautiful. If the music wasn't that good, I think I would have rated the drama 7.5 instead of 8.5.
Rewatch value:
I would probably not rewatch it, or I would skip some parts. The episodes are unnecessarily long.
So why do I think Goblin is overrated?
- There are tons of flashbacks and they are ALWAYS the SAME!!! That was SOOOO annoying! I hate when they do that in dramas. Like they would put the same flashback twice in the same episode and in almost episode... And for what? We didn't forget that happened so why? This is why the episodes are long but it is just long of flashback I think... It could have been maybe 10 minutes shorter if it wasn't for that...
- Then, that wouldn't really affect the rating but it kind of annoyed me to some point.. The product placement here it just too strong. So we can see it everywhere and in every drama but usually it's more subtle than that. They were literally saying: eat SUBWAY and your life will be better. (or something like that). I understand that they needed money to have that good quality in the scenes but come on...
- Then I feel like the story/plot could have been better used... It is kind of a waste of the characters I think. And I wanted to know more about the deities.
So yeah, I'm happy I watched it but I wished the realization of the drama and the use of the characters would have been better handled. When I finished the drama I had a bitter feeling. I enjoyed it and really liked it but I felt like the potential was a bit wasted. So I think there are many more stuff to talk about regarding that drama but I'll just stop here :)
Anyways, Goblin is a drama that need to be seen ! :)
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If you're a die-hard romantic, you simply can't afford to miss this one!
You won't believe how much I'm in love with this series! From the heart-touching soundtrack to the captivating storyline inspired by folklore, everything about it is a perfect balance. The chemistry between the leads is off the charts, and the rest of the cast is equally amazing. The narrative is so beautiful that it never lets you lose interest for a second. And don't even get me started on the bromance between Goblin and The Grim Reaper - it's pure entertainment! Plus, Deuk Hwa's character is just too cute for words. Gong Yoo's charm and wit will leave you swooning, and the female lead and Deok Hwa are absolutely adorable together. The narrative and the poetic elements of the show are so enchanting that they'll make you want to fall in love and believe in magic all over again. If you're a die-hard romantic, you simply can't afford to miss this one!Was this review helpful to you?
PLOT:
Age gap between the leads in dramaland isn't very common. At least not in the way that you'd see the characters ever acknowledging this. I've seen age gaps which were fun or cringe, but this was actually quite nice. The way the drama started off and the interaction between the leads felt like a Western story to me. They form a genuine bond and their love and relationship follows that. I wasn't a fan of the male lead but he was watchable and watching him being in love with the female lead was a lot of fun. The only downsides started after Ep 15 where the good moments were less and secondary melodrama took over. If it weren't for the leads, I wouldn't have watched this nor completed this as none of the secondary characters were interesting. The uncle and the friend were super boring. The drama with the second leads and the mother-in-law didn't go with the plot at all. There were times the drama ignored the cooking aspect and concentrated on some other uninteresting points. I also didn't fully love the food aspect as I am a vegetarian and almost all the dishes had meat in it.
ACTING/CAST:
Zhao Lusi steals the show for me. This role was slightly different from her previous dramas although she always does comedy in all her dramas. She looked fabulous and her playful side always made me smile. I like the fact that she has good chemistry with whoever she acts with. The ML actor was new to me but he did a good job too. He looked older than he was supposed to be, but he never let age get in the way of affecting their chemistry.
OST:
Normally I wouldn't like these kinds of songs, but all of them fit the mood of the drama pretty well.
OVERALL:
If food and romance with a big age gap is your thing, go for it. I would say don't lead the age gap deter you from watching because the leads did a genuinely good job of it. Zhao Lusi is a treat to watch and the food that they show seems delicious. A special mention to the SL because I felt like he matched with the FL better. This drama is a one-time watch and you'll find some delightful moments to watch. If you don't like the leads then don't watch this as the drama doesn't have much else to offer.
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Although it can get a little hectic at times, this is a beautiful story dotted with humour, showing us that love is the same whether we live in a dark or a light world.
I would definitely recommend it!
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To be honest it broke my heart a little. I don't want to spoil anything, just watch it!
The synopsis does not tell a lot about the story and sounds a little bit boring, but trust me, it's good.
Seoyeon's choice surprised me a lot, didn't expect that AT ALL. At the beginning I found Minjae kind of creepy but then I understood what was happening.
The acting was great, they both did an awesome job portraying Seoyeon and Minjae. (In case you didn't know, both of them worked together in Thirty but Seventeen.)
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This review may contain spoilers
Best 2023 Kdrama??
From the acting to the plot, everything about Boyhood was top tier. I loved the action sequences a lot, I wish there were more frightening scenes of Im Siwan without the mask.All of the other actors were great too. One thing I liked about the show was the genre switch, it felt jarring, but quite realistic at the same time.
Unlike most of the other revenge/underdog kdrama, Boyhood wasn't unrealistic. Like, yes Jang Byungtae ended up winning against Gyungtae, but it wasn't because of his strength, but endurance that he had built for YEARS.
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Intense. This Lakorn was one of the first I ever got into watching and It was worth every minute. The story line was so unique and dramatic that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next!
I didn't honestly get interested in the story until the second sister was introduced.
The main actor and actresses pretty faces were icing on the cake to their WONDERFUL acting. Some of the conflicts the actors and actresses were put into seemed to really affect me.
The main lead almost seemed too nice to me though.. if that is possible... and the first female lead introduced in the beginning seemed too naive to the point I got very angry.
The actor who played the main antagonist of this drama did a wonderful job because I truly despised his character with every bone in my body.
I didn't pay attention much to the music because of how interested I was so into the story.
There are a lot of different emotions in this drama and I would recommend going into this lakorn prepared to cry , and very much prepared to become angry.
The chemistry between the leads was not the greatest but somehow it was made up for by the end of the drama.
I definitely recommend this lakorn to anyone looking for a dramatic drama full of secrets, revenge and learning to forgive.
You should definitely check it out!! Enjoy!!!
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the lack of slice of life in cdramas
my sister recommended a drama to me because the male lead is her favorite k-pop idol. i declined several times, but after finishing taeri's drama, i decided to give it a chance. my dear friends or my unfamiliar family showed koreans doing slice of life so well but there's no good slice of life in cdramas, but i found "the forbidden flower" to be an exception. recently, i started watching "sweet games." these types of dramas may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you enjoy this genre, "sweet games" is a solid choice. i wish "do you like brahms?" had more comedic scenes like this drama because it strikes a great balance between drama and comedy.Was this review helpful to you?
Heo Im (Kim Nam-Gil) is a very famous acupuncturist doctor who worked in one of Joseon's superintendents, caring for the most needy people. It turns out that at the same time, he was accumulating a lot of wealth going to treat senior officials at night.
The opportunity Heo Im so much hoped emerged: he was cast to treat the King's disease, and completing the treatment, he could finally win the position of a royal doctor.
At the beginning of the journey to palace, he was surprised by a desperate father with his very sick daughter in the lap and decided to leave them waiting, giving priority to the treatment of the king. It occurs that before starting with acupuncture, Dr. Heo's hand began to tremble and he wasn't able to apply even the first needle. The incident was considered an insult to the King and he had to flee the palace before being imprisoned. But the officers chased him and cornered him on a bridge. After receiving an arrow, Dr. Heo fell into the river and traveled in time.
~
Live Up To Your Name, Dr. Heo ... I started to watch without many expectations and I was completely stunned by the script! It is simply amazing and very well written. No flaws, the story flowed very well and was a phenomenal experience. It's from another level. It isn't a simple time travel drama.
The drama is a mix of medical, historical and romantic comedy genres with a more adult twist. The exchange of environments (Joseon / Seoul) is fantastic and very well made and occurs at the most opportune moments. They also succeeded in highlighting the change in medicine between the two centuries, focusing, for example, on equipment such as the needle, herbs, then scalpel, medicines and others.
Oh yeah, the story brings up several other historical points and characters that were important to medicine. The history pass in the time when the Japanese invaded South Korea. Let me cite an example: Dr. Heo Jun (Uhm Hyo Sup) was actually one of the best royal doctor during the King Seonjo Dynasty in Joseon and constantly appears in the drama , bringing brilliant lessons; So we still take a "bath" of historical knowledge.
Acting/Cast
It's even funny because, at the beginning of the drama, I watched two completely flawed protagonists. Dr. Heo had been torn apart by the injustices of the world and could no longer be considered a doctor, for his values had been lost in the arduous path that life was in Joseon. Choi Yeon-Kyung decided to be a doctor after losing her parents and resent her grandfather, she became apathetic (apathy - lack of passion), a little arrogant and did not sympathize with her patients.
The evolution of the characters is the big point of the plot! They with their own faults help each other, correct and grow in an impressive way. And you know what else? The story unfolds at a perfect and exciting pace.
I can say that I followed Dr. Heo's path and that today I am his great fan. That I understood your feelings, your inner conflicts, your responsibilities and your despair. And this is all merit of the brilliant performance of Kim Nam Gil.
The secondary characters are so charismatic and I've been falling in love with them little by little. Everyone has some influence on the plot and their presences have made the story even more unique.
Music
The OST is beautiful and exciting.
Rewatch Value
Yes, this drama has a flaw: it's over. Oh really! I'm missing this drama, I didn't want it to come to an end so quickly.
And the romance? The romance is beautiful! Perfect! The protagonists have a lot of chemistry! Really! And as the Japanese samurai said there in episode 16 ... They look beautiful together!
So if I could honestly say to you guys not to miss a drama that was broadcast in 2017 I would say that's the one. I know a lot of people don't know and didn't follow and that is why I need your help so that this review reaches the hearts of our chingus!
It's a drama to get involved, get excited, have fun and that's exactly what we're looking for!
~ Sorry for my English.
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