Pinocchio (2014)

A Friends Lovers Whirlwind

Lee Jung Suk and Park Shin Hye! Their chemistry as friends is so believable and the concept of a person who can't lie without hiccuping is so much fun. Their family dynamics are entertwined in a messy, dramatic knot and these two precious beans are just caught in the middle. I love that we not only get to see them grow up together but pursue the same profession together, untangle their family trauma together and reveal corruption and crimes together! It was a great ride. I also love the brother and side Oppa is so sweet and you feel so sorry for him at the end. It was a solid drama and a for sure must watch.

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I started on Dramaland judging a lot the performance of Lee Jong Suk, as I said in some posts before. But now I'm starting to love his characters and the productions that he participates in. It's always a fun experience and a crazy plot with a lot of exaggeration and drama. It isn't for every kind of spectator but certainly will conquer most people. With "Pinocchio" we see more of it.

The story is very simple in the beginning, but when you start to go deep in the episodes, things get very interesting. I really was involved in the plot and started to get curious about how things could end. For me, this is the essence of a good story. You have to be connected with the plot. Some things, as I said on the "first impressions", was a little too much, but I put in the "Lee Jung Suk's fantasy quota", haha. If you aren't a big criticizer, you gonna let these little things passed.

About the actor's performance... I really started to look at Lee Jung Suk with other eyes. I could see the emotion and strength of his performance in many scenes. Honorable mention to episode 11 and 12, when I went down in tears. I won't give spoilers, but these episodes were just powerful. About Park Shin Hye... Guys, I just don't appreciate her performance on dramas. This time I thought she was blessed with a good character, because Choi In Ha is very intense and spontaneous, but even with this benefit I still couldn't feel personality on her. She is good at crying, but I just can't feel the emotion of the character. I really tried this time, and I expected that soon she can show to us an excellent performance. I have to say that I loved Yoon Yoo Rae (Lee Yoo Bi)! Most of my laughing was in her scenes! She crying and telling that wasn't... I start to laugh already remembering, hahaha. Seo Beom Jo (Kim Young Kwang), just useless for me. They put the character as stupid in the beginning and tried to change this in the process, but I just not bought it. Honorable mention to "araboji" Choi Gong Pil (Byun Hee Bong) <3

The OST wasn't remarkable to me, what it's a shame, and the production was a little simple... But considering the year of the production, we can just let this pass.

I will put this show as a PRETTY GOOD ONE (★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★) just because of the little things that I mentioned about the reality in the story and because of the end, that was graceless for me compared with the crazy plot twists that we had in the process. If you are looking for something interesting and simple, funny and emotional, this drama is for you.

See you soon!
XOXO, Mari.

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10/10 is my rating. This was a 2014/2015 South Korean drama than ran for 20 episodes (~60 minutes/episode). Choi Dal-po is a man with a troubled past full of family tragedy that resulted in him being orphaned and adopted into the female lead's, Cho In-ha (played by Park Shin-hye), family. Cho In-ha has Pinocchio syndrome where, in this drama, she hiccups if she lies making it impossible for her to lie without this "tell." Pinocchio syndrome is real although it does not typically exhibit in this way - more often associated with uncontrollable autonomic responses to stress. Playing along though Cho In-ha hiccups until she resolves the issue. Both decide to become reporters for very different reasons. They develop feelings for each other fairly early on but must suppress them due to family bias about an "uncle" and his "niece" being in a relationship.

Spoiler 🚨 I loved this one. These two were so perfect together it is hard to not envision them actually being together in real life. The "mystery" in this was very intriguing, the character development was deep and amazing, and the love stories were heart warming. It was not what I expected from reading descriptions but that is often the case. I looked forward to every episodes and gained even more admiration for the acting ability of these two incredible actors.

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My first Kdrama with Lee Jong Suk as leading actor and it was great. Since then I watched a few more Kdrama with him as a leading role as he knows how to pick a great drama. It took me a while to be engaged with the story, the beginning was a little slow. But once the show got back to the present it started to be good and it hooked me till the end. The only flaw for me here is the female leading role, Park Shin Hye might be a great actress but in every series with her as leading role (the heirs for example) I couldn't relate to her, she has some kind of distance when she acts and its hard for me to empathized with the character.

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Pinocchio is an awesome drama, i loved it so damn much. This drama is all about reporters, how a single step of reporters can change a whole life of a person. It shows the importance of truth when it comes to reporters. If you want to watch a drama filled with love, rivalry, heartbreak, and again love. This is the dose for you.
Overall, I loved the main leads. From their acting to expression, every bit of it. They are really awesome at acting.
I don't even remember how many times had i re-watched it . Every time you watch this, it feels like the first time.
You should definitely watch it without any second thought.

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Pinocchio is a nickname for the character this story revolves around.

Choi In Ha, acted by the unbelievable Park Shin Hye, who did a fantastic job in this drama, is a person who can't lie or else she has to hiccup. A very unfortunate feature, so it seems. Yet, she strives to be happy in life - just as much as anyone else in the world. When she crosses paths with Choi Dal-Po, her same-aged uncle, her life story changes drastically.

Pinocchio does a wonderful job of depicting what it's like to be controlled by the media and how everything works behind the scenes when you are a reporter. It clearly shows the scary side of media on a whole other level. Pinocchio itself has a very complex and weird-structured story. Even after finishing the drama, it's not 100% clear, what the red thread throughout this story was and that makes it very enjoyable to watch on the one hand, but it also makes you a bit confused and worried at times.
To highlight outstanding acting performances, I clearly - as I already hinted at - have to point out Park Shin Hye as the main anchor point of this story. She just depicts this character perfectly and her acting the hiccuping is so real to a point where it's scary that it's only acted. She couldn't have done this better and it's definitely her best drama act so far. Lee Jong Suk is very strong here, as usual, but I think he got outshined by Park Shin Hye a bit. Talking about the supporting cast - very well acted were the roles of Jang Hyun Gyu by Min Sung Wook, as the crazy nitpicking reporter who just has the most unique humor ever shown in a tv show period, and also Yoon Yoo Rae played by Lee Yoo Bi (I know she is listed as a main role here, but I wouldn't call her that), who supported especially Park Shin Hye and Lee Jong Suk perfectly. These two actors made side stories impactful and enjoyable as no other and I can't think of any better choices of well-acted roles than these two and Park Shin Hye.
I overall enjoyed Pinocchio quite a bit, but let me warn you: The first 3-4 episodes are weird and misleading and you might actually get annoyed by some story twists here and there. Also by one or another character - so bear with it. It only get's better from there. Another critique point of Pinocchio could be the awful depiction of tears on the actors and actresses faces'. I'm not sure if I ever saw any worse job done than here and even though that shouldn't keep anyone from watching this great show, it could get you annoyed sooner or later, since it's being used quite a bit and just doesn't look even close to real. For me, Pinocchio get's a 9/10 or 9,5/10 score - depending on what I decide on in the next few days - I have to let all this sink in a bit more, since I watched this drama in less than a week of time span and just finished it now.

More in-depth review: https://youtu.be/oLiyySnTP90

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Ahh another drama of Lee Jong Suk that has something to do with justice and doing what's right! It is something that I admire in him.

I can say that this is a drama that is such an eye-opener for me to the NEWS side of the Media Industry. I totally saw what people with power can do to manipulate everything that we see in the media in order for us to believe something that is false. Starting with the plot, I really admire that it actually roots from something for the leads or the main characters to solve. I also like the character development of the characters in the whole drama. Thinking that they were simple characters with such ambitions, you can see how they realized things that were causing them grief and pain.

Going to the characters, this is one of the Park Shin Hye characters that didn't annoy me at all. I'm glad that her character here as Choi In Ha was natural yet it gave a look at how strong she can be in order to do what's right. I don't have much to say about Lee Jong Suk's character or Dal Po because he portrayed it really well. He was someone funny, but he was also someone that knew how to be caring despite his clashing emotions between love and hate. Lee Jong Suk's acting did not disappoint! I'm glad Dal Po and In Ha were mature enough to solve problems and I like that they didn't drag the romance part of the drama too much.

I also loved Kim Young Kwang as Seo Bum Jo! Literally a different chaebol in your usual dramas. The only thing I didn't like about him was at the beginning of the drama, for some reason, what he did put me off. Lee Yoo Bi as Yoon Yoo is the cutest! My friends told me that they were annoyed at her for me, she isn't at all. She gives off such a light mood for her character that was somehow relatable at some point. Let me also applaud the veteran actors and the supporting casts in this drama. I would like to highlight Yoon Kyun Sang and Shin Jae Ha because seriously, they were both so good. Even with little screen-time, they never failed to capture my attention at how good they act and how they portrayed their characters. I was sympathetic and at the same time, I understand where the hard emotions were coming from.

I had a hunch that Every Singe Day was part of the OST in this drama and when I searched it up, I was right haha. I loved how the songs created by the band fits just right for the drama.

This drama had flaws, and I really think that despite the good character development, it's just hard for me to watch 20 episodes. But that's better than rushing and fitting all the consequences in 16 eps. Overall, I give this drama a 9.5/10.

P.S. More dramas for Shin Jae Ha pls!

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Don't watch or not watch based on an OPINION. Use it as a small base or guideline. Try out a few ep and see if it clicks. I usually just skim the opinions....

I was hesitant to watch it because of the "public opinions". Eh ....she can't kiss...heir. ....she suck....blaah...blaah. I took it as a grain of salt but it linger and sway me a little to put this off.

Reading ppl hate has taught me many things...

A great scene is when an interviewing intern was gossiping and using it as a FACT. She claim that the FL didn't get nor deserve her job or reward. That only got the job because she's pretty.

...they asked...

Did you check the fact? The source? Are you here to report news or tabloid gossip.

I feel reviews can be like that. You need to check/try it for yourself to :check:

Any reviews I write is solely based on how I feel. I mostly have interest to write reviews on dramas that I've enjoyed. If it gives the feels while watching it did it's job.

I barely Ffw scenes. It had me laughing and crying. The family dynamic is awesome. The growth and support of characters. They challenge each other's views.

1 of the best line for me is them questioning which news is more important/ better. News ppl want to hear or need to know.

ML asked.

Do you want the good news or bad news?

-good news

You got concert tickets to Pink

- awesome. What's the bad news?

You got pancreatic cancer

-Whaat? Huh? asshole why didn't you tell me earlier?!

So tell me which news do you want. A news you NEED or want?

He schooled the jaded adults.

The Leads pushed each other to be better. I cried like a baby for the characters. My heart couldn't take it and I ffw so I can get to the point/reveal


Music was ok. Nothing stood out for me to add to my playlist.

Characters were awesome. Even the minor supports. Villian was good. We didn't get soo much that it was overbearing.

Rewatchable

Yes but it's tooo long for me to wait again....lol I'm allergic to 16+ but occasionally make an exception or lots of FFW

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Pinnochio was one of the last dramas I had yet to watch of Lee Jong Suk’s. As a fervent stan of his talent (and visuals of course), I am always amazed by the dramas he acts in. My only complaint is that he plays the same role in every one of his dramas and there is a lack of variation in the character he portrays-- the strong-willed, intelligent, and righteous good guy with a strong moral code. Despite this, I always feel like I’m in a comfort zone in every drama he plays. I can be guaranteed that the plot is full of intrigue, romance, mystery, and supernatural--with all these genres combined in a balanced fashion. LJS dramas follow a conventional format to say the least, but I am provided with so much security and enjoyment while watching them. I also love how there always seems to be a deeper message regarding morality and jurisprudence and that there is so much wisdom to be taken in after finishing the drama.

Pinocchio portrays the dark undertones of media coverage through the lens of a reporter. It shows how much politics is involved in media and makes the audience second doubt the legitimacy of the news itself. In particular, it brilliantly shows how obtaining the truth is an impossible and difficult task. The truth-seeking journey provokes so many thoughts and illustrates how there is so much ambiguity in certain circumstances. I found that this message was prevalent in LJS’s “I Hear Your Voice” as well.

In Pinocchio, I like how the conflict was central around characters with familial relations which made it even harder to digress right and wrong of each action because the protagonists get to analyze situations from a bird’s eye view (and also bringing about so much emotional turmoil) instead of being stubborn, mixing up the endeavour for justice even more. The characters undergo huge development and maturation while being faced with the realities of truth and realize how much grey there is in their initial worldview of black and white. Despite the never-ending journey for the truth, the truth is subjective and truth can be twisted to cause harm--this was portrayed through the quirky, supernatural element called “Pinocchio syndrome” which I found creative and effective at reinforcing the joys and dangers of handling the truth.

I enjoyed the conflict that Choi Dal Po had between following the ethics of a reporter or following his own moral code. (Although ethics and moral codes both refer to principles in which one follows, one is external that is socially accepted and one is internal such as personal belief) But what I found well done was that the drama portrayed the human condition in a way that was realistic. No one is inherently evil and everyone has their own means of justification. The way this was gradually portrayed was well paced. Naive and emotionally driven Choi Dal Po juxtaposes the collected and rational Cha Sun Ok. Throughout the story, they gradually reveal the emotional side of Cha Sun Ok as Choi Dal Po learns to approach situations through a more reason-based and objective lens. The reason/emotion conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist reinforced that the path to truth is contingent on both reason and emotion to keep each other in check. The side characters weren’t just side characters: they all had a purpose in portraying the message (save for like two which were there for some added cuteness) and everyone had a backstory that kept up the intrigue or contributed to the emotional and mental development of the protagonists in some way. I feel like I went on such a journey as I reflect on who the characters were in the beginning to the end, and how much happened in between. The plot was action-packed and properly placed in a way that kept tension but revealed enough to satisfy our demands.

As much as I enjoyed the plot, I felt like the most lacking part of the drama was the romance. I suppose for Choi Dal Po to love Choi In Ha would be a step in forgiving and letting go of the grudge he had on her mother. But it felt so unnecessary and insignificant in the midst of the action. In this regard, the romance was just too conventional to be considered unforgettable. It is there because there has to be a romance, but the focus of this drama was more on the message behind new reporting and character development. I couldn’t feel the chemistry between the leads, especially because I was not a particular fan of Park Shin Hye in the first place, and I felt as though LJS, Yoon Gyun Sang, and Jin Kyung were who made it great. Simply, there was no emotional connection for me between the couple, there were no heart-wrenching scenes between them, and it felt like it was more about having a romance in the drama and looking like a couple. The level of romance appealed more to teenagers because of its predictability and lack of tension.

Overall, the main plot is what is worth watching in the show and it definitely got me hooked. For the most part, I disregarded the romance aspect of it, but Pinocchio has everything--some amazing characters, an intellectually stimulating plot and a sprinkle of romance. It’s something that I’m glad I checked out and invested my time in. I recommend this if you’re a first-time LJS watcher, if you’re an old LJS fan, if you like a great plot, and if you want a good watch!

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This is my first of both park shin hye and lee jung suk - been waiting for this on netflix- glad they’ve finally added it - although it is not one of the dramas which I can’t wait for next day to see the next episode nor not one of those that makes me flutter big time - it does give me right dose of everything i like about a drama and to mention one of the very few dramas which has more than 5 characters which interests me.

As for park shin hye - i did not really find her beauty appealing and rather bland and typical - but she actually is gorgeous in this drama and acts well.

Lee jung suk (oh i have seen secret garden prior this but i skipped all of his scenese there so technically this is my first of him) on the other hand can easily catch attention bec of his looks and and smile - he is good at crying - cold hearted - playful and romantic scenes too - just lacking on eyes expression in showing sarcasm/mysterious in our language “angas” (ie- lee seung gi in hwayugi - when he looks scary in a good way)

Although ki Ha myeong family story is really a tragic - it didn’t make me cry - what made me shed tears is whenever Cho dal po adoptive family can’t hide how they care for him and how they adore him. The warmth in their house and the chemistry amongst them is soothing. (I love the younger gi ha myeong too - such a handsome boy)

The arguements were satisying til the end. The only thing off for me is weight between media and police/detectives - it is at times off - but i can say acceptable - so id let that slide.

Overall a good drama which reminds us the difference between lie and truth and that there is nothing in between.

I might not re watch this but I definetely recommend it!

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To quickly summaries the way I feel about this drama all I can say is.... I have rewatched this an unhealthy amount of times.

I specifically remeber getting into Asian dramas and seeing “Pinnochio” as a new series. It first caught my eye due to the otherworldly sort of cover because I thought it was a fantasy drama, which I hadn’t watched any of at the time. So I decided to give it a try and forgot everything I thought about it beforehand within the first few minutes.

From the first episode until the last you never know what’s going to be thrown at you and no matter what it is you’ll keep watching. The frustrating parts will fuel you to finish the series, and the warmhearted parts will hold you in place, reminding you of the good things within all the choas.

A “quick” note on the actors. Of course five years later I am now familiar with nearly every actor and actress in this drama however when I first watched Pinnochio that was not the case at all. Now I’ve watched so many other shows with each actor/actress I can say, each and everyone of them are just amazing. Lee Jong suk is great at every role he plays, it’s like he has a sixth sense for great roles. His character Dal Pol is very complex and gets pulled and pushed around in every conflict but he still powers through it. Every emotion is perfectly reflected in his eyes, body language and facial expression. The love for his “dad” and restrained love for his “niece” as well as his heartbreak when he finally connects with his brother are all so well done. I could list a hundred scenes that just blew me away but that’ll take a while. Each actor/actress bounced off of each other perfectly, creating great conflicts, humorous pairs and great family dynamics. Each character is unique and are driven by different things which the actors/actresses do very good to make clear.

In all honestly I can’t remember the OST at all but that’s because it’s been a while since my last rewatch and most of the time the music falls on deaf ears haha! Beside goblin and School 2015: Who Are You I cant remember any songs from anything I’ve watched so my opinion on the music will stay neutral :)

Overwall, this is an absolute classic and a must watch. I dont think it’s suitable for new kdrama fans as it’ll probably become boring to some however it is definitely crazy to not give it a go at some point!

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15/03/2023

Am so glad this wasn't 70% romance, 20% fillers and 10% story.

Won't go into any details except to say that it is true that one unjustified word or one malicious act from someone can cause irreparable damage to a single person or an entire family - for life.

I enjoyed this K DRAMA for about 10 to 17 episodes although at times the crying scenes were a bit too much and I felt the main female actor over acted her role quite a bit. Also, the same dyed hair colour for all leads by the end seemed unnatural and superficial.

For me, 16 episodes would have been enough with less emotional drama and angst - especially the last few episodes.

This series would have been excellent if the focus had remained on the main story line of two young brothers seeking revenge, separately, for the injustice done to their family by a ruthless female reporter. No romance or 10% would have sufficed.

Overall, it is a fantastic story, it has a great cast, perfect music and there are moments that are truly heartfelt and tissue worthy.

I actually came to write about something quite trivial, but it was what I noticed over time and just had to say something about it...

The Piggy Banks.

The piggy banks in Dai Po's room (family apartment) went from a group of piggy banks to about two over some episodes after his "dad" kept raiding them for the money inside.

Hilarious! To me that seemed quite funny.

Not sure why that stood out above everything else with it not really being a funny drama 90% of the time, but maybe for me through the seriousness of it all that provided some comic relief or a bit of needed diversion.

A KDrama worth watching despite the angst or if you can tolerate it!

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