Coffee Prince (2007)

Since there are already a lot of good, positive reviews for this drama, I'll keep mine brief and focus on what I disliked.
I really, really loved the first 2/3rds of the drama. However, the drama loses interest for me after the romantic tension is gone and all the problems are solved (I seriously don't count his grandma's resistance a real problem, since we have seen how nice she is to Eun Chan in previous episodes and know there is a strong likelihood she will come around). Sure, there are some plot points to complete and tie up during the remaining episodes, but none of them come close to being as engaging as watching Han Kyul's emotional turmoil over liking Eun Chan. I also did not care too much about the three side couples in the drama--even Yoo Joo's and Han Seong's relationship became dull for me around episode 11.
Apart from all that, yes, the drama is great and deserves all the hype it gets.

Leggi di Più

Here's the deal with this drama. Episodes 1-6 were just ok to me. They were decent episodes, but the bickering chemistry between the leads was only there for the first 1-2 episodes, then fizzled out and they were interested in other people. I started to lose interest. Then episode 7 hit and it's at this point that their chemistry starts to be out of this world. Those episodes are absolutely a 10/10 masterpiece. Even if you don't watch anything else, you MUST watch episodes 7 -to whichever episode they finally end up together. Thank me later.

However just like in the beginning, I also wasn't that crazy about once they finally got together. This time it was mostly because the writer used lots of immature arguments and fights between them as plot points, almost like they ran out of ideas and so now the show just focused on their arguing over everything. It was beyond bickering chemistry, it was bordering unhealthy. But the show was still totally watchable in these later episodes, and they were still the most adorable couple. I still can't recommend it enough, just beware that there's ups and downs to this show as you go through it.

By the way if you're hesitating to watch this because of the gender bending, do it, you won't regret it.

Leggi di Più

Entertaining Rom Com.

Gong yoo is a very flexible actor. It shows here that his love for eun cha is so great that he promised for an all in relationship because he thought that his lover is a guy. Eun cha on the other hand shows how he cares for his family that she has to disguise a man to work in the coffee prince. I like the part when gong yoo and his grandma help eun chan to fulfill her dreams to be a renown barrista and she has to study abroad. On the other hand, gong yoo decided to stay in korea and did not pursue his ultimate dream job as a lego designer in usa because he does not want to be far from eu chan. I think that is a true measure of love by willing to sacrifice for the happiness of someone

Leggi di Più

cute, funny, comforting

It's 2022 already and I thought that I will watch such an old drama :).
Even though the production is different from what we see now, it is so good too watch and (at least for me) the quality wasn't a bother at all. When it comes to the story it's really unique and precious. The couple made my heart warm too many times. There was something different in those romantic moments between Eun-chan and Han-gyeol. These moments are really pure and throught the series you can feel that some of them weren't scripted.

If you like something light, funny and comforting, give it a chance and you won't regret it :)

Leggi di Più

One of the best!

The first few Kdrama I watched and totally in love with it! Moreover, I end up in a huge crush with Gong Yoo!!! This drama gives me butterflies with the gender neutral situation and realising gender doesn't matter. Many times I think it's beautiful given that it was showing in 2007. Until today I still think that Gong Yoo should be with Yoon Eun-Hye (she's so cute) and they make a great match.

With this drama, casts like Kim Dong-Wook and Kim Jae-Wook caught my eye and still continue supporting them till today. The drama is so fun, engaging and no dull moments, I still misses the whole squad.

Leggi di Più

Wholesome, Nostalgic & Feel Good Drama

Ah, I completed this drama in 2 years. Yes, I started it in November 2021 and watched 15 episodes, and then in January 2024, I completed the other two remaining episodes. And I can say it is one of the best dramas you see. If you're someone with a low attention span or ADHD, you probably won't like it.
Because it's like a slow melody, like how Korean dramas used to be back in the day. The acting, cast, and story are all fulfilling. Gong Yoo is hands-down the best Korean actor for me.
I really wish it would have had 20 episodes because this drama has potential. But nonetheless, I recently finished it, and I recommend it to every human being to watch these wholesome 17 episodes. You can have a better story, you can bring a better cast, and you can bring better directors, but still, nothing beats this 2007 show, even after 17 years. I'm so ecstatic, and I thank God every day for introducing me to Korean dramas. I love you, Gong Yoo!!

Leggi di Più

Classic for a reason

This is such a massive underhanded criticism of homophobia that uses heteronormativity to make its point, I love it.

Gong Yoo and Yoon Eun-hye. They're so cute! No wonder the former became such a big star in Korea.

The secondary leads are the main reason why I can't give this a perfect score. The character played by Lee Sun-kyun (RIP…) was annoying and the actor didn't do a very good job in my opinion. He was over-acting his scenes and he never came across as believable to me. That was one of his first roles though, as he would go on to have much better roles in the future, namely in Parasite.

However, the others did a good job.

I love it when people mistakenly answer the phone with something other than the phone itself. This time, it's a toy cube. If I remember correctly, the other times I've seen this so far are in Dreaming the Reality (1991) (Sibelle Hu answers a Coca-Cola can) and The Stunt Woman (1996) (Michelle Yeoh answers a brush). These are the only other such instances I can recall right now. Fun gag.

It's strange because, although the writing is a bit forced, contrived and overly dramatic sometimes, I would still praise the writing in this show, mainly because they managed to make realistic, believable characters that feel human and unique. They all have quirks that make them endearing, even if sometimes the story forces them to act in a certain way. It's an odd dichotomy but it is what it is. Imperfect writing can still manage to be absolutely great when it sets its aims high enough.

If you're trying to flee the soap-opera cliché nature of kdrama (especially the OST, this one is refreshingly silent in all the dramatic moments), then this should be your next destination.

I'm not queer and/or LGBTQ+ so it's hard for me to say whether it's good representation.

But it's a killer gender-bender story for sure. Hella hard to beat on that front.

Leggi di Più

I found this drama rather simple but refreshing in a way. I specially liked the dynamic between the characters since I haven't seen many dramas were the girl is a tomboy. I honestly thought the fact of the female lead being mistaken for a boy would make the show unbearably clichéish. But thankfully the way that aspect of the story was used made the show funnier and more heart-warming. Also, all the characters are very real and go through legit struggles.
I can totally understand how this show influenced the drama world, as it has that iconic feeling, despite the simpleness.
I looooved Gong Yoo in this, although it wasn't my favorite performance of his; his character was so funny!! I saw real development. Honestly, I loved every character. Usually, female characters in older dramas are difficult to like but "My Chan" (lol again haha) was really likeable and a good character.
It has its flaws and it isn't a drama that I would rewatch (at least for now), but I can see its quality and value, specially since it was released 12 years ago!
Don't regret watching it at all.

Leggi di Più

I've wanted to pick up this show because I kept hearing about how this kdrama has one of the best kiss scenes in kdrama history and BOY ARE THEY RIGHT. IT's not only the kiss scene though, the romance was very very well done. It's probably of my favorite couple. Their dynamics, their bond, it's really cute and fluffy and makes me squeal like a little girl.
Marathoned this series.

Of course it was slow and boring at times, and I didn't really like the side characters romance because it quite annoyed me a bit. Except for that japanese guy, that guy was awesome. Anyway, it's still worth the the slow parts, also because of how lovely the actors are, especially the main girl!

Leggi di Più

I actually took a break from this drama in the middle of watching because it did drag, but overall this drama is one of my top 15 favourites. To be honest i might just like this drama because Yoon Eun Hye is brilliant in these circumstances with kissing/affectionate scenes.This drama doesn't shy the romance,for example in other dramas, when the actors kiss it doesn't seem like they are enjoying themselves (i just call that bad acting), it really looks as if they are forcing the kiss which makes it seems less 'wow' than it should. I also liked the different storyline,I TIRED OF THE SAME STORYLINE AND CHARACTERS.

Leggi di Più