Falling for Innocence (2015)

Maybe it's because I'm a soap opera fan, but I just love the "new heart/change in personality" plot. It's completely bizarre and unrealistic, but if you're looking for reality why are you watching kdramas to begin with.

Falling for Innocence is a good kdrama. The best way I can put it is that it's solid. I don't have much to complain about, if anything at all. So why didn't I rate it higher? Emotional attachment/connection to the story and characters plays a big role in my ratings, and while I did immensely enjoy the characters (except the second male lead ugh) and wanted the best for them, this drama did not impact me emotionally in the slightest. I didn't get the feels. I can't walk away from this drama saying it means something to me. It is enjoyable though, I was never bored, and it's quite entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit.

What I did walk away with from this drama is a love for Jung Kyung Ho. He is fantastic! At the beginning of the drama, his character, Kang Min Ho, is a rude, arrogant, vicious businessman in the money-lending business (I'm not sure what his exact title was) out for revenge against his uncle who stole his father's company. Turns out that Min Ho doesn't have much time to live, because he suffers from the same heart condition that killed his father. With only a 1% chance, Min Ho is lucky to get a heart transplant. But with this new heart, he has a drastic change in personality (though i don't really think it's drastic) and ends up falling in love with his donor's fiancée. It sounds so cheesy and gag-worthy, but it's really not. It's a really cute story about appreciating the life you have, redemption, and love. This drama also has a lot of really great quotes, such as "happiness may seem to pass by, but sadness passes by too."

The acting and cast was great, music was really cute (could definitely get stuck in your head), but I honestly don't ever see myself rewatching this drama. Maybe a couple scenes, but not the whole thing again. Not to say that it's a bad drama, but that emotional connection is missing for me.

My minor complaints about Falling for Innocence is the ending. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. I felt it was pretty lazy, like the writers just feel like coming up with a way to explain how the leads ended up where they did. And I have no problem suspending disbelief, but if Lee Joon Hee (the antagonist) really didn't want to get caught, why didn't he get rid of the thing that got him caught. (Lol I know I'm being ambiguous but I don't want to spoil anyone). Also, the title of this drama is weak as hell. Like, I get it, but they could have chosen something much much better.

Overall, not a bad drama at all. More than decent in it's own right. I'd recommend to anyone who really loves rom-coms (like me).

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Okay, I am going to admit that I have become a little obsessed with Jyung Kyung Ho. I don't think that I am the only one either. In addition to being absolutely gorgeous, he is also a stunning actor. The emotion and skill he is able to put into every single one of his roles is just astounding. Oppa's role in Falling for Innocence did not disappoint at all. Sometimes his acting would give me chills, and he definitely stole every scene that he was in. The main female lead was decent and I had a lot of love for her, but she didn't do much. The second male lead was annoying and I liked Jin Goo's character way more. He lived on as the second lead in my heart. The plot was what really set this drama apart from the rest. It was so complex and yet simplistic enough to create an entertaining story for tons of people. I think Oppa is just really good at picking scripts. I am giving this one a 7 because the drama is not as memorable as Oppa's performance was.

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This is a watchable melodrama with very little sub-plots.

The BGM really resembled that of Healer's, which I enjoyed. The acting by the leads was top notch. I watched this for the romance and not for the business / corporate takeover aspects. The beginning of the drama had a good story flowing but became a mess towards the end of the drama as the writers tried to wrap everything up neatly in the last 2 episodes. However, the ending felt rushed and as a viewer, I felt robbed of the potential cute romantic scenes between the leads... I would have been more satisfied if I got to watch more cute scenes by the leads.

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This drama was everything it promised to be: A romance with comedy. For me personally, the second half of this drama was far more interesting than the beginning was, whereas often drama’s usually have a strong first half and a weaker second half. What I’m trying to convey is: it doesn’t lose its touch even nearing the end.


Story
The story is not a very original plot to begin with, but I don’t think that has to be considered a bad thing. More importantly to me is the pace, which felt good. Not too slow, not too ridiculously fast. It’s very obviously Romance with a touch of comedy, so obviously there’s going to be a lot of that in the plot. The first 7 episodes didn’t really grab me empathetically (might be my personal problem so don’t weigh this comment too heavily), but around episode 8 I started getting more into it.

There were scenes that really got to me, especially one during episode 12, 15 and 16. I think the writers and cast did wonderful in getting the feel of it right. I got to admit that during the second half of this drama, I laughed and cried a lot. Much of that thanks to the amazing acting.

The only real critics I have, is that I would have liked to see more development in the female lead’s character. Comparing her from where she began to where she ended.. I feel like her development was very small. So when it comes to connection – I don’t really feel connected to her. But hey, that’s fine. All the more attention for Jung Kyung! ;)

And next to that I felt the last episode was a little lacking in explaining a thing or two. Yes, it gives closure, but I feel like I'm left with a few unsolved questions regarding a matter I won't spoil.

As a final note - the story really sets you thinking. So despite it being pretty simple a story, there is definitely lots of emotion going on. For me - it made me think a lot about living life and what it can mean. It gives you a new perspective.


Acting/Cast
The cast did a good job and I have no critics on their acting. The only thing I personally wasn’t sure of was the chemistry between the male lead and the female lead but that can be subjective. I loved Jung Kyung Ho as Kang Min Ho. But I’m not sure if I liked Kim so Yeon as Kim Sun Jeong as much. She felt a bit flat to me, especially compared to Kang Min Ho who I felt had many more layers. Though looking back at the story, I think that’s not her fault. She played the role she was given fine, but her character didn’t have half as much development as some others.

Either way – Their acting was good. The characters all had their flaws and strengths and like every human had to deal, reflect and develop accordingly. (But Kang Min Ho far more than Kim Sun Jeong.)

As for the character Kang Min Ho. I did at times find him too abusive in his behavior. This was mainly at the very beginning. And how Kim Sun Jeong kept swallowing this… I don’t know – I would have been more put off by it maybe? But I do see the loveable sides of Kang Min Ho, so eventually that started to make up for it for me. This feeling was forgotten during the second half of the drama.

Can I just say how amazing Jung Kyung’s acting is? He made me fall in love with his character so totally. He was the perfect mix between a man and a boy at the best of times. The comedy scenes he did were so natural! He often had me laugh with him and having a boyfriend doing such cute things in such a natural way like he did here – that’s many a girl’s dream, no doubt.


Music & sound
I can’t say the music popped out for me personally. It suited the mood just fine, but there was no song that got stuck in my head as I watched it.

As for sound – I was constantly annoyed by the squeaking of chairs. I think the mics picked up on that sound a little too well for my taste. But maybe that’s nitpicking.


Rewatch Value
If you want a romantic ride without too many twists and thoughts, this is definitely a good one to watch it again. As for me? Right now I’m not too sure I will. There is nothing new to find for a second watch. The only thing I might watch it for a second time would be Jung Kyung Ho’s acting. Especially the moments where he jokes around.

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I really enjoyed the series. It was upbeat, funny and heartfelt. I’m sure there is another movie or series out there thats like it but the cast made this show their own and really did an amazing job. I must admit that there were a few moments that really tugged at your heart strings. I am extremely pleased with the acting. The male lead stole this show and truly carried it through to the end. The series couldn’t have survived without him.

What I like most about the series was the male leads personality, his acting and charisma. What I disliked was it seemed to lack a bit in the chemistry area. Our female lead was always serious, all business and somewhat distant. Her character was an extreme opposite vibe than the other cast members. She did smile about 2 or 3 times.

Overall good series.

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“É 100% de certeza que todo aquele que nasceu, morrerá. De todas as coisas que eu conheço, a coisa mais justa é a morte. Eu já estou quase lá. Eu só preciso aguentar mais um pouco.” – Min Ho

Comecei a assistir esse dorama há exatos 12 meses e por mais que tenha gostado desisti da história e quase um ano depois resolvi voltar a ver, comecei ontem no capítulo 1 e fiz uma mega maratona para fechar o ep 16. Eu realmente não recordo do que me fez parar de assistir, mas com toda certeza ainda tenho em mente o que me motivou a começar e a retornar ao dorama.

Jung Kyoung Ho e Yoon Hyun-Min são os culpados, já tinha me apaixonado por eles em Cidade Cruel na qual eles são uma dupla de amigos, ambos tinham tanta química juntos que quando descobri que eles estariam juntos novamente resolvi assistir, agora eles são inimigos e gente, eles ficam bem juntos em qualquer situação.

Agora com o dorama finalizado estou contente de poder assistir a atuação deles, a história foi bem desenvolvida, com muitas reviravoltas e atitudes inteligentes. A personagem principal surpreendeu bastante pela sua maturidade, os personagens secundários eram uns amores. O dorama tem muitos pontos fortes e poderia ser considerado perfeito se o final não fosse tão corrido, acho que daria para desenvolver mais um ep para deixar as questões bem fechadas, mas acredito que seja algo rotineiro de doramas coreanos, quando a história é muito boa o final não será muito satisfatório, mas reclamações a parte, quero recomendar e muito. Vale assistir!

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Don't look at the promo picture, its a lot better than that, and worth watching.

It's not a rom com, in fact in parts it's pretty dark, about betrayal in friendships and business.
So it is a bit of a murder mystery, business boardroom drama, and a romance where the ML changes. The script is pretty good and manages to handle most of this in an almost perfect mix, even though fairly early on who the villain is, and I had worked out almost all of the plot from the Ep2.
The two male leads are what made this for me, plus the experienced charector actors who all good, and given good roles.
Jung Kyung-ho, who is an amazing comic actor was able to show make the change believable, in what for me is the fantasy part. and Hyun-min Yoon was in a role I had never seen him play, which was refreshing. The 2nd couple were sweet and not irritating, and I liked the running joke.
The huge problem I have is the FL was written as a good submissive woman who something terrible happens, and she just does nothing, she is a blank page. It was just not believable.
In all it's a pretty easy watch.

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