Cinderella and the Four Knights (2016)

Not a complete waste of time, though that's hardly a compliment...


Story 5.0/10:

The story had potential, but it left a lot of things unresolved while throwing in some tropes towards the end that just seemed try-hard. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself though. I think the show did a decent job of selling the Cinderella piece, Ha Won has been getting the short end of the stick most of her life, she's got the evil step fam, the whole poor status going on, but she's got that spunk, that will to not give up, and despite all of the BS thrown her way, manages to grow into a decent young lady! Unfortunately, I can't say too much more about my thoughts on this title without spoilers, but it was just a middle of the road drama. I honestly watched because there wasn't any other shows on during those days. It had enough to keep me watching until the end, but I did skip over quite a bit as well. It had the forced cohabitation trope, but somehow I still found myself disappointed. There were a couple of scenes that were squee worthy, but overall...meh.


Acting/Cast 6.5/10:

So starting with Jung Il Woo as Kang Ji Woon... I didn't really care for his character, there's the jerkish characters that have a good reason, and then there's just straight up jerks and I felt he leaned moreso in that direction. Not that there weren't good reasons for some of his angst and jerkish ways, but I was unclear about some of his motivations. As far as the acting piece, while I'm not a huge Jung II Woo fan, I feel he does some fine acting, and to be fair none of these characters other than Eun Ha Won seemed to have that much depth to them any way. I've only seen him a couple of other times. The first time I saw him was in "Flower Boy Ramen Shop" (2011), I loved the drama and he had some cool/romantic/squee moments, but really didn't like his character in that either. In "49 Days" (2011) (omg the tears felt like they lasted that long! lol), I think I liked his acting and character best, really top notched. I also saw him in "My Fair Lady" (2009), but again, such an annoying character, that's literally all I can remember thinking back on that dram (though to be fair it was a pretty sub-par drama anyhow. I hope that perhaps I can see him in another good role again soon, I know he can do it. I really need to see "The Moon that Embraces the Sun", I've only ever heard good things about it, I just haven't had the time to watch.


Park So Dam as Eun Ha Won. This was my first time seeing Park So Dam, and I really liked her acting, I always love spunky kiss ass female leads like Eun Ha Won that don't take any shit! I love how she stood up for herself and for others as well. It looks like she's been in a lot more movies than dramas so far, but I really want to make time to see "Beautiful Mind" as I love love love Jang Hyuk, and I'm interested to see her opposite a really good actor (sorry Jung II Woo, no offense!).


Ahn Jae Hyun as Kang Hyun Min. God this character was annoying as hell! Without giving any spoilers away his reasons for doing things....so dumb. I'll just leave it at that. I think I could've looked over the not so great acting if at least I could've liked the character, but alas... to be fair it looks like he's only been an active actor for a few years, but I've been pretty not impressed so far. I think he's okay as a supporting character, like Song Yi's younger brother in "My Love From Another Star" (2013), and Park Tae Il in "You're All Surrounded" (2014). I didn't see him in "Blood" (2015), but I'd heard nothing but terrible reviews and while I usually don't let that deter me from watching something (I do stand by making your own educated decision over just taking a reviewers words for it), but I think I was busy with other dramas and just never got around to it. I'm not sure I will since I'm also not a big fan of Gu Hye Seon (though apparently he is since he married her lol), I liked her in "Boys Over Flowers", and "Angel Eyes" wasn't too bad, but I shudder at the thought of "The Musical" lol. But I digress, I think this drama could've done without his character and would've been just fine.


Lee Jung Shin as Kang Seo Woo. I actually liked Seo Woo, but his character had no real purpose IMHO. He was just kinda there, and I did feel bad at one point for certain spoiler filled reasons, but honestly, his character was pretty weak and didn't grow or change in any substantial way as characters should in a story. This looks to be Lee Jung Shin's first main role, so I can forgive some of the stilted acting, but I feel he's got potential. It also rounded out CNBlue members in dramas lol I'd already seen the rest of the guys in one or two dramas a piece I feel like the circle is complete! lol I wouldn't mind seeing him in something else, hopefully something that's got some better writing.


Choi Min Sung as Lee Yoon Sung. I didn't realize until I looked up his filmography that I'd see him in a supporting role as lead waiter in "Pasta" (2010), Aw, he was so adorable! Unfortunately, I haven't caught anything else he's been in, though I hope to. As Lee Yoon Sung I felt he played the stoic character very well, and while I'm sure I'll be in the minority, I honestly had hoped after some early scenes in the show that he would be a romantic interest for our lead female (pls forgive this one spoiler?), but alas he wasn't which was saddening since of the Four Knights, I liked him the most. I also felt that he totally got screwed over for the latter half of the series, but I honestly can't say more without some spoilers...but ugh. I felt like he had some good chemistry with Park So Dam. I'm looking forward to seeing his next drama whatever that might be, and see if I can't find some time to catch him in his earlier roles.

Lastly, Son Na Eun as Park Hye Ji. I'll chalk up her stiff and not so great acting to just being young and early in her craft, with this being her first main role. I haven't seen any of her previous dramas which she was a supporting character in. Her character wasn't so bad in the beginning and I actually felt pretty bad for her, but unfortunately she became highly annoying and whiney and so my empathy and compassion went bye-bye. As a secondary female lead, Park Hye Ji was underwhelming at best. There unfortunately isn't much else to say about her.

With main roles out of the way, there is the supporting cast, but I don't have anything better to say unfortunately. While I rated the acting and casting highest in the categories, it was still pretty much middle of the road, it wasn't the worst I've seen, but wasn't anything to write home about either. I feel like any good actors could've been switched with those cast because there was no real depth to the characters, I'm sure the actors did the best they could. I often say that actors need to step up and it's possible even with poor writing a drama can be decent at the least, and this drama was just ok, but I think that's the best they could've hoped for. Again, so many plotlines were introduced but then dropped or forgotten. smh


Music 5.0/10:

I usually don't have much to say about music. This was nice, felt like it went with the drama, just middle of the road, pleasant, but nothing I felt I need to run to itunes for.


Rewatch Value 0/0:

1 since I can't seem to choose zero. While there were a few moments that were cute or even invoked a squee, it was all pretty forgettable... I couldn't even tel you what those moments were now lol


Overall 5.5/10:

I wouldn't tell someone not to watch it, but I wouldn't recommended it either... but if it was like a choice between this or Nail Shop Paris, then yes, most def watch this. :P

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I was looking for the 4th knight

I had been wondering who the 4th knight was and had guessed it to be the secretary as he is shown as one of the lead actors in the show's opening sequence. In a manner, he is a knight as he's the first one to protect "Cinderella".

I love how the show showcased that even if you don't get along well with your family, in the end, it's always your family that you can count on. The sweet moments of the main couple will also make you swoon.

I love how they showed the backstory of the 3 knights though it would have been better if they showed what the secretary was protecting when he was practicing karate when he was young. I'm also curious as to how the Chairman's sons was when they were alive and how it has transcended to their sons' mannerisms or attitude. Though this might be better done as prequel lol.

It's also unbelievable that the Chairman's wife really loved him as there was a scene of his wife talking on the phone and plotting against the 3 grandsons.

All in all, this is a light, sweet show worth watching specially if you're missing F4 (like I was when I started watching this lol)

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This started out super promising, and the promise of an actual strong, independent female lead was something so refreshing. But somewhere along the way, the drama turned into The Heirs-lite and I didn't know what to think anymore.

The plot of the "missions" to bring the cousins closer together completely disappeared, and we were hit with a bunch of old k-drama tropes: disapproving guardian, secret relationship, hospital and health issues, fighting over a corporation...etc. etc. etc.

A lot of the characters lost their personalities. Even the female lead, who was my only reason for watching, started descending into a stupid girl who cried A LOT and refused to communicate about anything. Truth be told, I was rooting for Hyun-Min because he was such a fun character(and I'm tired to death of the cold/rude male trope), but he definitely lost his charm somewhere, and at the same time, Ji-Woon's cold personality did a 180, as if the writers were actively trying to get the viewers to like him. For me, it was too little, too late. Overall, some of the things the characters did just lacked common sense, as if it was to move the story along. Hye-Ji was also honestly such a problematic character who had no personality (other than being obsessed with Hyun-Min), and the fact that she was such a huge part of the plot development annoyed me, though I liked that she wasn't as conniving as other k-drama second female leads.

I will say, though, that the OST was good.

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Cinderella and the Four Knights. I just finished re-watching this drama and am just as delighted with it as I was the first time. It's a typical poor girl ends up sharing a home with rich guy storyline (in this case, with three rich guys). High jinks ensue. It stars Park So Dam as Eun Ha Won, a plucky, hard working, no-nonsense, poor young woman about to graduate high school. She ends up taking a job pretending to be the fiance of Ahn Jae Hyun's character, Kang Hyun Min, a third generation chaebol heir. Hyun Min shares an amazing home with his two cousins, Kang Ji Woon (Played by Jung Il Woo), the recently reclaimed illegitimate grandson, and Kang Seo Woo (played by CN Blue's Lee Jung Shin who does a great job making your heart break for him), the chaebol idol. This is a romance, there are birth secrets, there's some serious second (well, third) lead syndrome. Everyone ends up (mostly) where they should be. It's not the strongest story line ever, but it's a lighthearted series good for when you want something bright.

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Very lovely drama.

I finally watched it after hesitating for almost 2 years..and i must say it was a good watch.....
All the characters were very adorable..even step sister and mother's character was good...
Now lets discuss positives and negetives of this drama in my opinion
1-fl character was very strong independant caring hardworking...her acting was very good..
2-all male leads were good in tjeir own way but my fav was hyun min even though he was a flirt and jerk sometimes but still he was the best character bcoz he was very funny and his scenes were hilarious in tje beginning..
3-side characters like grandpa step sis mom fl's best friend and most imp old lady working in sky house were also good..
4-ok now the best part of the drama..the music...btob's for u and jessi's songs were used the most and they were my fav...every tym btob's for u played i loved it.....music was 10/10
Negetives...
There r not many negetives in this drama but i didn't like the 2nd couple's story i mostly fast farward their scenes becoz it was so useless story after 7 epi...and fourth knight's scenes were very less he was a main character but with very few scenes...
Overall i gave this drama 8.5..and i will rewatch it later...
Do give it a try

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Cinderella and The Four Knights is a very nice romantic comedy with some comedic, heartbreaking, and heartwarming moments. Although it is not fully a Cinderella story, it is a poor girl meets rich boy and fall in love. Although there are some slow paced moments and characters been forgiven too easily (Eun Ha Won’s family are the unnecessary plot storyline with poor acting and story’s execution), the drama itself is really nice to watch. The leading couple has great chemistry and their romantic scenes are beautiful to watch (one of the best scenes is their fantastic and cute drunken kisses) and their playful interactions. Both leads rendered their characters very well. Some of the supporting cast could have done better and Park Hye Ji’s character was needlessly insufferable for most of the drama’s duration. Still, the drama is very entertaining and nice to watch (especially for Jung Il Woo as Kang Ji Woon / Han Ji Woon and Park So Dam as Eun Ha Won. Enjoy it!

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A light-hearted watch

When I started watching the show, I was pretty unsure. The story is very set up like a typical k-drama romance. I wasn't particularly super enthralled by the story, however there were some sweet moments that made my smile. At the beginning, you're not really sure who Eun Ha Won was supposed to end up with, but it became clear that Ji Woon was the ultimate choice by the end. The one thing I didn't love the entire series is how mean the story was to Hye Ji. I feel like she never was able to catch a break. And Hyun Min was mean to her right up until the end of the series, and I just found myself feeling bad for her every episode, and it brought down some episodes.
Overall, this isn't a bad series. The casting was really well done, and the beginning to middle of the series was fun to watch. I haven't seen too many dramas, but I think the "rich brothers meet a girl" trope can be fun if done right. Would I watch this again? Probably not, but I feel like this is a good starter k-drama for those just getting into dramas.
Despite it being very similar to many other dramas (which is not necessarily bad) the camera work and execution of the important scenes really made the series. I'm a sucker for good camerawork, and this series checks that box for me.

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I understand how many would rate this drama under 8 but under 5, no. I admit the story had a few gaping holes front and center and I was not a fan of second lead’s story nor of the second FL acting either. However there was substance enough to keep me going till episode 16. More than I can say for Heirs which I dropped at episode 2. I have learned to accept that chaebol tropes will always be unrealistic in terms of how the spoiled kids squander money like it will never run out. If you can see past that then you can see how the heartwarming relationship between the two main leads develop. It was honest, it was raw, it felt real. Their story is like a lost jewel imbedded under piles of loud and colourful confetti, find it and it will capture your attention and if you are no too careful, your heart. The actors did such a great job, they are so cute, love them to bits!

I liked the sensitive and thoughtful top star idol cousin. Why he wanted to go back to busking, if that would even be possible considering his status, is beyond me. I adored the maid, I feel the story could have given her character a more substantial role and screen time. The second FL backstory is unnecessary and confusing (too much wasted screen time) , and I did not care at all for the step mom and sister, not one bit! The confession OST will now be included in my favourite list.

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The main character is super adorable, but the show has too much drama.

I liked the start of the show a lot, and a good amount of the middle of the show was enjoyable enough, but I hated the ending. The female main character started out as having very strong values, but her core values were just tossed aside whenever the story needed to be dramatic. Her behaviour towards the end just didn't fit her previously established character, and all of this supposedly in the span of less than 3 months?

I know it's supposed to be a bit of a fairytale, but it's like a magic wand waved at the end to just make everyone be happy with whatever outcome the writers decided was a "happy ending", even if those things didn't make any sense, or the characters wouldn't have been able to make such serious personality changes in that timeframe.

The ending was way too over-the-top. It ruined the romance for me. But if you like the super dramatic cliche romance shows, this would be worth a watch.

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really interesting. But, you have to keep up with 5 different Stories. Each Person has their own story but, then they combine. I feel like the director put in so much effort and money into this movie. Every setting has something really fabulous. It could be the cars that the guys drive in our it could be Sky House which is the house that all the actors and actress lie in. Dude you won't believe how this house looks. They really went all out for this. the title is called Cinderella but, its not all like Cinderella. the only part that is like Cinderella is the step mom and the step sister. they really do deserve what is going to come back to them. but, overall the romance between all the people is really great. i just makes you smile how the girls life turn out.

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