Gu Family Book (2013)

let me just say wow. Haven't been this captivated by a drama since my first. watching episode one,i didn't know what to expect; but the plot, the actors, the whole cast just blew my mind. this is defiantly one for the kdrama collectors library.

ok now that you know my totally bias thoughts on this show, here is the real review:
how good looking were the main actors:
above average, the guy was nice to look at, and the girl was pretty in my opinion
How well did the actors play their part:
very well, they made you feel empathy for their situations. when they joked- you wanted to laugh, when they cried- you wanted to cry
how was the story line:
well thought out so far- im only at episode 4, its captivating enough to make you want to stay up all night watching the entire season. the directors didn't throw any cheese balls in the plot. everything had a purpose- if they speed up a romance- it was for a reason, if they slowed it down it was also for a reason... a VERY good reason.
if i say anymore i might give away spoilers :)
if you ask me i say watch... for the love of kdramas WATCH!!!

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I am reviewing this drama after eight episodes and a lot of people will find that ridiculous. How can you review a drama without finishing it? Well, I justify that simply. If a drama fails to somewhat cement itself in the first few episodes, there's a chance it will not get better. If you watch and hate eight episodes of a drama, the likelihood that what you hate will get better is very slim. Furthermore, it's not like I started hating it at the eighth episodes. It's more I persevered until the eighth episode until it was unbearable.

Another thing: I liked absolutely almost nothing in this drama. However, the biggest con in this drama is the script and characters. The script affects the characters.

Characters: Dumb. I just have not in a long time clicked on a drama with such stupid characters who are so devoid of logic and planning, I actually said out loud "you can't be serious." These characters literally dive into situations with absolutely no planning whatsoever. They neither think about the consequences or even have a plan B for things, they just ran into things and hope for the best. They absolutely do not even bother thinking things through and trying to calculate the alternative. Most of the tragic situations are so easily preventable, I started gnawing my teeth at how dumb things were, but it's important to note that this is not because of the cast. It's because of the script. I absolutely could not stand Suzi's character, I started hoping for her death because she spends way too much time needing rescue. As in with most female leads but it was unbearable because she's supposed to be a strong character who is a tomboy but so help me lord, she causes more trouble than help.

The villain is your typical evil villain with no backstory. I've reviewed a lot of dramas where I point this out. Where, the villain is the most interesting character because without him the plot is absolutely worthless. However, because he has no back story and no true understandable motive, it makes you care less and less other than finding him despicable. This villain happens to be a despicable pedophile who just likes to torture this bunch for no actual legit reason. He can easily find a young pretty girl anywhere in Joseon but he's obsessed with a particular one for no reason other than creepily staring at her.

Plot: The plot actually became comical and affected how I felt about the characters. Often, if you have dumb characters, you will probably have a dumb plot. It seems the characters have GPS's on them because you can easily run around and find the character you're looking for. Or it's a "if you can't find Kang Chil look in the forest."
Furthermore, the male and female lead end up together just because. Mind you, I didn't even get a spoiler, it becomes blatantly obvious around the fourth episode. It's your k-drama cliche where even if you like the second lead better, it is never going to happen.

I've just remembered what I liked Choi Jin Hyuk's character made this amazing but he interestingly lasts like three or was it two episodes and I'm left with the rest. Nonetheless, he was also subject to dumb character syndrome who could have easily prevented a lot of tragic stuff.

There are also very mild plot holes here and there that aren't unbearable but noticeable.

Furthermore: A TON OF CONVENIENT SITUATIONS TO SUIT THE CHARACTERS. Oh boy, were there a lot of those. The type of tripping on a brunch when running situations.

PS. This has nothing to do with the story necessarily but something that has always bothered me. Why do the female leads run in their Han Boks? I'm just saying, if I was running for my life wearing an uncomfortable dress, I would rip it up and run like the wind. I mean who runs for their life prettily trying to hold up their freaking dress. Ain't nobody got time for that?

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An unexpected series to me. Never imagined it will blow me away.

First of all, you find out it's a 24 episodes series and you might think it will be boring or drag too much but it's really not the case. One of the reasons is the depth and character development of all the supporting actors and not just the main lead couple. You will find yourself rooting for so many characters , you will be filled with a wave of emotions like no other. I cried like a river in the series, I laughed, I felt devastated, it made my heart flutter and squished.

One of the gems of this show is it's music. A TRULY Amazing OST. Pretty much every actor in this show can sing. So many talented actors that gave the show some magic with their voice.

I don't have to say much about the acting. It was very good. Some fighting scenes seemed a bit unbelievable but it's a fantasy series. My only drawback is that the female lead who was supposed to be seen as a boy to others, didn't look like a boy to me at all. If you have watched Coffee Prince you should already know how a girl who acts as a boy should really look. Other than that, no complaint.

The story was intriguing and well written. I was moved so much by Choi Jin Hyuk's story line.

Finally, you should definitely try this even of you are not a fan of historical series, like me. This show really deserves a second season, that's my only wish ^-^

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Gosh why did I love this one so much?
I'm a fan of Lee seung gi and Suzy btw...
They were jst superb in bringing out all those feels!!

Ok so the story was kdrama like n likable. They were fated to meet n they were destined to face some sort of tragedy. So the writers told us ahead of time that this will be a tragic melodrama but we still chose to watch until the end. It's our fault for wanting to know how it ends...
I've always been a supernatural fan as in loving fantasy stuff. I love it when it comes to historical drama w fantasy, fighting, martial arts, magic, super powers, gumiho!! I always thought he's a fox or werewolf or whatever he is but it's truly amazing. I love it when a some sort of monster falls in love w humans even tho it's so cliche.

The acting was powerful n funny at the same time!! Music is definitely necessary in order to perfect this drama. The feels don't you get it?

I feel like the ending was acceptable but I wish there was a second season tbh.
Sigh... Ahhh..... Yea I know LSG is dating yoona n Suzy is dating Lee min ho. Gosh How I still ship LSG w Suzy!! I will never give up on this ship n I need another season one day. I feel like this drama could have been shorter but it was alright. It's only 24 hours which is one day of your life. So, watch it n don't regret it later on that u didn't watch it earlier.

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This drama is just amazing it is from the dramas that makes you miss them if you didn't see the episode as soon as possiable and there is not many dramas that makes you feel this way and this is one f them mm i iked the story and the cast wasnt very good because of the main roll i dont really ike him and the music is really great all of their songs are amazing soo overall it is good and amazing at the beginning i didn't really want to watch t but when i started it i got addicted i was watching episode after episode i didnt even sleep at night soo it was outstanding 10/10 .

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true love :3

I just rewatched this drama after many years, i was afraid i won't like it after rewatch, but i Loved it!! <3

So it's a very good story with a not very good but ok-ish ending (to my taste). Can be lighthearted, can be quite emotional, the slow scenes are a lot (but this was the period when everyone had the super slow scenes), and it's pretty straightforward. The love story is extremely heart flattering <3

Story:
I didn't like the first eps that focused on the backstory of the parents, because of the CG, but later i got used to it. then when Kang Chi appears in the drama, smiling from behind the tree.... that's when i was absolutely hooked forever! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
I love that this story focuses on true love. the message that it says about how you are you no matter the appearance and that the true love has the power to keep you yourself, find yourself, and become stronger. That is why I absolutely loved that they had for the main lead a childhood love and slowly show us how he changes and notices where his heart goes.
I also likes the fate here. I usually really dislike childhood connections and all, but i love how fate was represented here.
When i watched it the first time i didn't understand why are they so obsessed with the navy admiral, but now when i rewatched it, i knew who Lee Soon Shin is. That knowledge let me watch this with even more understanding! I think this is a very nice idea to use a historical figure but add completely unrelated characters around him, who won't be bound by real life history. I also loved some nice quotes from here, especially this one "uneasy thoughts call upon uneasy future". But no matter what i think this story was character driven!

Characters/Actors:
I didn't like Seung Gi that much back then, to be honest, but after this drama i fell in love! Now he makes me happy just by existing lol :3 character of Choi Kang Chi is totally right out of a manga! He is the absolutely goofy funny strong character from a shounen manga. And that silliness is what I adore in this character! He was perfectly portrayed with Seung Gi's smile <3 totally Kang Chi was my ideal man type and i loved his growth! and most of all i loved that he didn't lose his "lightness", "simpleness" even after growing up so much!
Dam Yeo Wool was really cool lady! even though i was really frustrated at people who don't realize she is a girl, but still it was so cutely done that i could close my eyes on it ( a bit xD). I liked that she was strong, and wasn't a burden, but her true love helped the main lead to find his way again and get back on his feet. I didn't really like when she learning girly stuff but it was still cute. I am very sad that they decided to do that kind of ending, but i heard the writer wrote this with that kind of ending in mind from the very start.
the villain was really, villainish! i hated him with all my might and couldn't understand why are they not just attacking him.
I really loved the family where Kang Chi grew up! and i loved also Yeo Wool's family! both were really straight out of a manga and i truly loved them! <3 I also loved the brother and the sister because they really grew up too! And i loved how Kang Chi's personality was always stopping all the hate! just a main character of a shounen manga <3

Music:
I loved Seung Gi's song, I loved Suzy's song (it was especially catching) and i loved Beak Ji Young's song. others were also good! this drama had a really memorable OST.

Rewatch:
i never usually rewatch drama, but this one i did rewatch because i wanted more of Seung Gi hehe :) I was afraid i won't like it after so many years. but it was still very cute, very innocent, very meaningful i loved it to the bits! <3

The only bad part for which i took away 0.5 points in the story, was the ending. It would have been ok, if they did season 2. But this ending with a promise didn't give me satisfaction. It would have been better to make another ending if there was not going to be a season 2, but! as it all went with the prophecy and all so ok... at least there is a promise.

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This drama just cost me the whole night, because I just could not stop watching it. It might be the most addicting drama I have ever seen, surpassing even Healer or City Hunter.

In all, it was AWESOME. You would be crazy to miss on this, especially if you are into history-fantasy-romance - the love story here is phenomenal.

And it manages to be so, although there are a few critique points. But first, what was so GREAT about it:

1) The main character - he is just adorable. Just the right amount of funny, goofy, badass, strong, emotional, all mixed into one.
2) The story - the drama starts with a beautiful and tragic love story by itself which makes a great
start. The pace of the story altogether is great, and the development of our hero especially very believable. There are many highlights and quite some action during the whole plot, and of course there is a big emotional ending.
3) The female leading role can actually fight and is not a princessy princess, which is absolutely great.
4) You will live through MANY emotions, sometimes it makes you laugh out loud, sometimes sad. Thre are many characters who will trigger different reactions, the fate of e.g. the hero's first love is really tough.
5) The suspense at the end of each episode is unbelievable.

And here come the two biggest PROBLEMS I had with this drama:

1) The music - during the most romantic scenes the music is just TOO MUCH. It just doesn't fit this historical-action drama,even if its about love. They totally overdid it, for me its too whiny.
2) The main actress (SUZY)... sigh. I don't know what the heck happened, but about midway through the series she started acting so bad, it really bothered me whilst watching.
First, she was kickass, but then gradually, almost every take of her face showed just a dull staring expression, ALWAYS THE SAME. You cannot miss it. It is EVERYWHERE. Almost no emotions visible or childishly forced eyebrows, her mouth gaping open, especially in the last few episodes - OMG, I so came to hate this mouth because I could just not ignore her bad acting. Plus: When she had to play hurt/sick/fainting - this was on such an amateur level... It was almost emberassing to watch, really.
She was a really bad choice for this tough female character. If the main male role had not been brilliant, this would NOT HAVE WORKED at all.

So, the music and main actress sucked, but still, I am giving this drama 10 out of 10 just because it was 100% entertaining and emotionally versitile - and the love story was huge (I would have wished for a &quot;straight&quot; happy ending, but oh well...)

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