You Who Came from the Stars (2013)

Non mi è piaciuta, ma credo sia un mio problema

Partendo dall’ headline, mi spiego. La serie non mi è piaciuta per nulla (anche se devo dire che le premesse mi interessavano parecchio, diciamo la trama) e andando avanti con gli episodi ho fatto sempre più fatica fino a finirla con la forza. Insomma, questa serie non ha fatto per me, però credo che sia un mio problema. Credo di aver visto troppi Drama dove gli adulti suoi compartano da adulti e i bambini da bambini… infatti in questa serie mi sono piaciuti due personaggi: il cattivo (che con un cattivo non è mai difficile lavorare, basta sembrare cattivo) e l’avvocato/father figure del protagonista, perché gli unici che entro un certo limite si comportano come degli adulti invece che fare gli idioti. Tutti gli altri, dal primo all’ultimo, sono dei bambini nel corpo degli adulti: la protagonista è uno dei personaggi più irritanti e maleducati che io abbia mai avuto il piacere (o dispiacere) di incontrare, lui mi dava vibes scomode (come se fosse qui e non ci fosse), che hanno senso visto la storia, ma non mi ha mai dato altro, solo questa strana sensazione di vole prendere la prima astronave che passava e fare l’auto stop intergalattico fino al proprio pianeta (cosa che a posteriori avrei fatto subito e non dopo 400 dal mio arrivo sulla terra, anche lì, poi, mi vuoi dire che nessuno della gang di alieni che è venuta con lui sulla terra ha controllato se sull’’astronave ci fossero tutti?). Per non parlare dell’amico che non sa prendere un no come risposta e che spara cavolate (per non usare un termine un po’ più gergale) ogni volta che apre la bocca. Ah, per arrivare poi al personaggio più irritante di tutti, la migliore amica (che non è la migliore amica): una ***** (devo mettere degli asterischi perché l’unica parola che sta bene non la posso usare) che si lamenta di essere sempre nell’ombra di quell’altra, ma che non fa mai nulla per uscire dalla sua ombra, se non sperare che all’altra succeda qualcosa. E poi fa pure la vittima. Ecco in generale questi sono i personaggi che detesto di più nelle serie. Detto ciò vi auguro che vi possa piace, a me non è successo, ma credo di essere io il problema

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Elefantiaco, noioso e ripetitivo

Il brodo è talmente annacquato che i tortellini ci sono annegati dentro. Giunta al tredicesimo episodio ho oltrepassato il limite della mia sopportazione: si sta consumando una tragedia e il pathos, questo sconosciuto, dov’è? Sepolto sotto tonnellate di discorsi insulsi, istrionismi assortiti, situazioni avulse da ogni contesto anche solo lontanamente ragionevole. E non mi si venga a dire che la logica è superflua perché c’è di mezzo un alieno. Un bellissimo alieno, devo ammetterlo. Sorvoliamo pure sul fatto che costui, per quanto dotato di enormi poteri, sia perfettamente uguale a un coreano medio. Beh, meglio della media, suvvia. In fondo, anche Actarus, che veniva dalla stella Fleet, era (meglio del) giapponese medio. Siamo in Dramaland, ci può stare.
Quello che non ci sta affatto è che ogni situazione venga stiracchiata oltre ogni limite, che ci siano troppi personaggi palesemente esagerati, che ad ogni tre per due si inseriscano flashback non necessari, e così via.

La storia narra di un alieno, atterrato sulla terra 400 anni fa, che ha atteso tutto questo tempo per poter tornare a casa. E’ bellissimo, ricchissimo e ha poteri sovrannaturali, ma è allergico al sangue e alla saliva umana. Sì, sì, lo so… Dramaland, ricordate? Ad ogni modo, questo magnifico esemplare incontra una stella dei drama qualche mese prima del suo ritorno e, in mezzo a tutte le vicende dell’attrice, delle sue rivali, della sua famiglia, dei suoi spasimanti, della loro famiglia, e così via circuitando, ovviamente se ne innamora, perché lei somiglia a una ragazzina che lo aveva aiutato quando era appena arrivato sul nostro pianeta.

Avrebbe potuto essere intrigante. E lo era, in principio. Le vicende erano interessanti, le difficoltà dell’attrice erano realistiche, il progredire del rapporto della coppia principale era stuzzicante, le trame dello spasimante e del suo fratello psicopatico tenevano banco. Solo che poi il meccanismo si è inceppato. La madre dell’attrice era terribilmente respingente, la recitazione sua e delle sue [i]amiche[/i] era terribilmente calcata e caricaturale, il fratellone killer del secondo violino sembrava unto nel grasso di foca e la sua recitazione lasciava alquanto a desiderare… Nel frattempo, un uso molesto, ripetuto e prolungato del flashback, anche quando palesemente non necessario, provvedeva ad irritare gli animi già provati da insulse lungaggini e istrionismi assurdi, situazioni al di là di ogni credibilità, ripicche tipiche del genere, (s)ragionamenti insensati, e compagnia cantando.

In questo contesto, la recitazione di Jun Ji Hyun, un’ottima protagonista femminile, risulta quasi sprecata. Il suo personaggio, inizialmente molto infantile e presuntuoso, matura progressivamente nel corso della serie e viene ottimamente reso sullo schermo. La famosissima attrice che improvvisamente viene espulsa dal circuito mi ricorda terribilmente il povero Zhang Zhe Han, letteralmente cancellato non solo dallo show business, ma praticamente dalla quotidianità cinese, al massimo della sua notorietà… Ma divago. Però ci tengo a far notare che comunque la nostra protagonista femminile, almeno fino a metà del drama, passa gran parte del suo tempo a farsi salvare. Poi non so, perché l’ho abbandonato.

Che dire di Kim Soo Hyun? Buon protagonista maschile, ma nulla di cui scrivere a casa. Sarà la direzione registica, che lo vuole simile a un palo della luce, ma non mi ha entusiasmato. E, soprattutto, il suo personaggio alieno, almeno fino a metà della serie, è piuttosto trascurato. Ovvero: abbiamo la descrizione delle sue caratteristiche fisiche e dei suoi poteri, ma non sappiamo nulla di come sia la sua vita sul suo pianeta, nulla dei suoi affetti, delle differenze di ragionamento, e così via. E’ un cavolo trapiantato in un altro orto, ma probabilmente, viste le premesse, non si sarebbe potuto chiedere di più.

Ho abbandonato questo titolo con stizza e rammarico, perché avrebbe potuto essere decisamente migliore. Non è un’opera a basso budget, si vede dal cast, dai costumi e dalle ambientazioni, dal respiro generale. Sarebbe bastato ridurre un po’ le sotto-sotto trame, sfoltire le situazioni ripetitive e palesemente filler, rendere il tutto non dico più compatto, ma meno rarefatto, per evitare l’effetto di stanchezza e di noia esasperata.

Qualcuno ha lodato il finale, originale e non troppo buonista. Vorrei tanto poterne scrivere anche io, ma non riesco a costringermi ad investire altre 9 ore della mia vita su questo progetto. 21 episodi da un’ora sono veramente troppi. Non so perché ero convinta che fossero 16 e, trovandomi a guardare il tredicesimo, mi apprestavo a finire la mia fatica, ma quando mi sono accorta della effettiva lunghezza della serie mi sono cadute le braccia. No, non ce la faccio. Peccato.

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There's a reason why You Who Came from the Stars had fans watching each episode while sitting on the edge of their seats every week and peeking out their windows after the show aired, hoping for their own personal alien invasion. With Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince references woven here and there throughout the story, this drama has everything you could possibly want. It lacks for nothing! Charismatic, believable leads; romantic storyline; and an incredibly evil/creepy villain. ALL the actors brought their A-game to this one. It was one of those rare gems where they must have all just clicked and it translated to the screen. I loved everything about this drama- even the intro scene that shows the passage of time. You can tell that great care went into the making of drama right down to the smallest detail. I loved the flash backs that filled in the backstory. I loved the documentary feel when they interviewed the characters. I loved how the second male lead actually helped move the story forward and wasn't clueless/innocent and certain aspects. That was refreshing. I especially loved the fact that Jun Ji Hyun was secure enough as an actress to really show different aspects of her character and let you see the vulnerability and human-ness while still being egomaniacal and exasperating yet sweet and even goofy! I loved the internal/external monologues she would have with herself. I loved how the male lead's class lectures were tied into that episode's storyline. I loved his wild jealous imaginings. They're the most adorable kdrama couple I've seen to date and the comedic timing on the facial expressions from the two leads was perfection. The clothing/costumes especially the female lead's was perfection. Can you tell I have a lot love for this one yet?

Seriously though, I'm re-watching this show for the 3rd time now and enjoying it immensely! Even though I know what's going to happen I still have nail biting moments and I've noticed very small details that I believe I missed the first two times. It speaks of the universal search for your person or people. The ones who when they're around you, no matter where you are it becomes home. If you watch it you won't regret it.

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YWCFTS is a perfect blend of romance, comedy, and melodrama. I love the underlying theme of why humans live diligently when we are all going to die eventually anyway. The writer provided a complete story. I didn't feel the holes that are so common when sci fi, time travel, body switch, etc. stories are attempted. I'm not a fan of romantic comedy, but this was so well done and included enough melo to keep me interested.

Why isn't Jun Ji Hyun in more dramas? I absolutely adore her. She made Song Yi so real to me. I will watch anything she plans to do in the future. Honestly, I'm not much of a fan of Kim Soo Hyun. However, he played Min Joon very well. To me his character was a good blend of controlled emotion with feeling. Park Hae Jin and Yoo In Na as well as the other characters were also good.

The music is pretty.

I will probably rewatch this at some point.

I think everyone would enjoy this drama.

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Just finished this drama and have so much to say about it! Man From The Stars was a really good, one of the best this year, and I really enjoyed it. The plot was pretty interesting throughout. An alien living on our planet since 400 years and only after 400 years, when he's about to leave, he falls in love with Jun Ji Hyun's character. Kim Soo Hyun did a great job in this drama. The way he acted and presented himself, you could feel like you were looking at someone with a lot of life-experience. Someone you could call an old-soul. Honestly I've never had a crush on Kim Soo Hyun. But I've always admired his acting. He's one of the few actors who can move me with his crying. Seriously, the guy has some great crying skills that move me every time!

Coming to Jun Ji Hyun, she totally stole the show. I mean, I won't say she overshadowed Kim Soo Hyun exactly since he did hold his own, but her character made me laugh so much. Except this movie, I've only watched her in My Sassy Girl (best movie eveer) but these two works are enough for me to say that she's the reigning queen of Korean industry. Her style is just so irresistibly sassy (no pun intended).

I loved the side characters. Especially the guys. Hehe. Like seriously, her little bro was H-O-T. Same goes for the second lead. I loved the actor in My Daughter Seoyoung and I loved him equally here. Interestingly, he was supposed to play the psycho killer but thank the lords he didn't because he totally killed it with the lover boy character (again, no pun intended).

The music was alright for me. Overall I loved the drama and I might watch it again sometime. But there's just something that stops me from giving it a 10. Maybe it's the half-hearted ending or simply the fact that there are other dramas I'm more in love with than this one. Regardless, I would definitely recommend this drama to everyone. Especially for watching Jun Ji Hyun's awesome character :)

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A very fun and likable romantic comedy. Jun Ji Hyun is an absolute delight. Funny, fun, sexy, and just a great actress. Kim Soo Hyun is fantastic too as the very serious opposite to her, and their chemistry is so great. Without a doubt one of the best couples in kdrama. Great supporting cast too. I like how it gives Park Hae Jin a serious subplot for his character, instead of in most kdramas where the secondary male lead is just there to wallow in his own self pity of how he can't end up with the lead female. Though don't worry, he does a bit of that too XD.

This drama did some cool things with it's production value. How it used it's cameras for special effects of stopping time and the other powers. I thought it was well done. The only part that really disappoints me is (minor spoiler, skip ahead to next paragraph if needed) that in one episode she falls from the stunt cable as it breaks. It is filmed and planned out so dis-believably and just terrible. Even with the height, she falls on a pad and caught by a guy and both end up in small comas? WTF.

Other than that I don't have any big complaints with this drama. Though I do have mixed feelings with the ending. (Spoiler, skip ahead again if you haven't watched)
The ending is perfect in many ways. If it ended up being too happy and easy with everything resolved, then it would have been a bit too much fanservice and unrealistic (ha! I say that about a drama that is about an alien lol), it's just that it leaves unanswered questions. And the biggest one is how long can they really be happy together when we know the issue of her aging while he doesn't is still up in the air? I know not everything can end perfect, but it kind of makes it a bit sad doesn't it?


Anyways, overall a great drama with some great actors. Be prepared to cry. I cried so much at the end of the second to last episode and at the beginning of the last episode, that I couldn't even produce any more XD. But that's what makes it good, right?

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When I started this drama i expected something that goes in the star treck or star wars direction. Of course i knew it was a drama based on romance and that it would never be anything like that, but when i heard the word "alien" i expected something scifi-like.
And I'm glad i was wrong, because i hate those things. Thats why i first didn't know if i should watch it and i'm so happy that i did.

This drama is the best i've ever watched since boys over flowers.. at least for me. I cried so much at the end, not because of it's ending but rather since it was over. I'm a huge fan of Kim Soo Hyun since dream high, but compared to this drama .. whoo.. he became soo hot. I've gotta admit that the actress was new to me (i've started watching k-dramas in 2012 so don't blame me please~).
But i loved the chemistry between those two.
At first i kinda disliked her character, because she was so arrogant and full of herself, and dumb. But when the story continued you've got to see her soft side and that she was a kind person, but still she was hilarious from the beginning til the end. I laughed so hard, i almost cried.
And the male lead was kinda hard for me too, because i don't really like those characters that act so mean in the beginning and so play so hard to get, even though he has a pretty good reason.
The minor characters where adorable too. I personally loved Cheon Song Yi's little brother. He was so cute and the bromance with Do Min Joon was great.
Even the evil guy was great. I really really hated him to death, which proves how great the actor was.

The soundtrack was awesome. I loved the song "My Destiny by Lyn", but it was kinda annoying after some time. And because i'm (now) a huge fan of Hyorin from Sistar, i loved the track "Hello Goodbye". Thats the two songs that were stuck in my head, even til now.

I would definitely say it is a drama that is worth watching, even if you don't like alien stuff and such. But for rewatching i would say you should wait a while before restart watching. I waited like half a year and i coudn't remember a little things so i rewatched it.

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To tell the truth to me this drama is one of the mystic cases because of its popularity: it's not the worst I've watched but... The story doesn't have nothing by itself: a ''handsome alien'' and a 'pretty, depressed super star''. They fall in love. Well, if the story is bad, theoretically it's possible to make the show captivating by choosing a great cast, creating nice atmosphere and charming moments to distract from the banality of the plot (an example could be ''I'm not a Robot'', also a trivial plot but with a wonderful Yoo Seung Ho's acting and unexpected, well planned moments and some profoundness beyond such a superficial plot). However, in my opinion, Kim Soo Hyun here doesn't act (I haven't seen him in other dramas, so I don't know if he's capable of it). He simply goes from one place to another with the same insipid expression. That's all. Jun Ji Hyun acts a little bit more. The rest seem incredibly superficial. The atmosphere is poor. So, it's one of the big enigmas to me how is it possible that You Who Came from the Stars could be one of the most popular kdramas and, what the main actors are the best paid in Korea... :O

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I’m really disappointed at the drama fans. I crossed my finger and hoped for this NOT to be like the japanese Starman. However my hopes were crushed when I found a story full of cliché, and poorly written. Yes girls, same old Disney plot painted differently. We have the perfect PRINCE CHARMING and the princess who needs his help every once in a while. How dreamy.

I’m really so sad to see so many good reviews ignoring the fact that this drama left many questions unanswered. I’ll talk about the two main ones that bothered me. First, the whole issue with her father was just empty. Not to mention that their relationship makes you wonder if the writer knows about how interpersonal relationships work. Second, Do Min Joo was just the perfect (robotic) being and this drama, sadly, portrayed him like an object, for the drama ends and we know nothing about him except that he is an alien and has some powers. I could write a book about all the questions I had about him, THE main lead. How can we permit this!!!!

Love is portrayed like something so dreamy and flawless once you are finally with that person. Their attachment to life and their love makes me conclude that at the end they won’t accept that nothing is forever. Of course we want a happy ending, but what we mean by this (at least I) are happy, fulfilled characters…not poorly unrealistic endings (even if it was a fantasy drama).

About the special effects I have to say I liked them very much, they were very good. The acting was just good, nothing special really I did wished for some real tears. The main leads are impossible not to love, she is so cute and he is adorable. I didn’t see that much chemistry between them but I won’t touch the subject or else I’ll unleash the fury of some. There are some unforgettable moments too ;) (kisskiss) Anyways, the first half of the drama was entertaining but if you are like me, a drama fan that is hard to please and likes to ask questions, just keep in mind what I just said.

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After watching over 50+ shows and finishing this drama, I can confidently say it just climbed its way to the very top of my list.

Reason why you should watch it:

ROMANCE & CHEMISTRY: I put this here first because for me, watching Korean drama is first and foremost about the heart and soul…they are spectacularly great in depicting this (I watch Western industry films/drama for other stuff but the love and romance I go to K-drama for). This pairing of the two main characters Do Min Joon and Cheon Song Yi (KSH & JJH) is one of the best if not the best on screen couple to date. Their romance unfolds like a baby bud blooming into a most spectacular flora, it’s an absolute joy to witness and completely unforgettable. The journey was poignant, laughable, and angst ridden, an intermingle of two different species pulled off so believably that you feel as if these characters are REAL and not just characters. Let’s talk kisses-there’s like a total of 10 kisses (1 on forehead, 1 on cheek, the rest on lips) in a 21 episodes, that average to like one every other episodes! I can’t recall a show showing this much smooches! (Secret Garden maybe…but not even then)….the kisses start out innocent and keeps getting hotter and hotter each episodes until it reach the most elaborate, heartfelt, swoon-worthy lip-lock at the last episode. But beyond just their kissing chemistry, these two are so natural together it’s sometimes hard to separate them from their characters (and to think one of them is already married in real life!)…from the many longing glances to the most hand-holding in any drama history (I literally lost count of how many times they hold each other's hands, arms linking, front hugs and back hugs, and lounging times in bed!...talk about bed scenes so many of those cute innocent ones too!). And the things they say to each other?? Wow, can you take my breath away anymore? So in this regards, spectacular, Spectacular, SPECTACULAR from beginning to end!

STORYLINE: The storyline is probably one the most tightly written and well executed that I’ve witness to date. There was never a dull moment for me. Every episode was anticipated with abated breathe and every episode not just deliver but outdo my own expectation…one after the next after the next and continually so until the very end. Halfway through the show I was already deeply in love. You generally know the premise of yes an alien gradually fall for the star and figure out how to be with her….it’s a given, just look at the title “My Love From Another Star”…but it’s the journey of getting there that is just so masterfully done. It steers away from most clichés in K-dramas, it doesn’t drag one situation for too long, and it solves issue with realism that doesn’t annoy the heck out of you. To put bluntly, a show about an alien that stranded on earth for over 400 years with a spoiled egotistic superstar with a super-rich chaebol psychotic killer blended together…are you kidding me? BUT IT WORKS! It works so well together that I’m amazed beyond words. Then let’s talk about the emotions this story wrung out of you. I can’t even begin to explain. I’m a tough cookie when it comes to laughing and crying in movies and shows, some shows make me laugh a little here and there and some shows made me shed a tear or two (sometimes bucket loads) but these are far and few in between. MLFAS cracks me up!! If someone were to look at me, they’d thought I’m a lunatic…and the crying? I was able to hold out until the last few episodes which really did me in, I sobbed like a baby and re-watching those same scenes over 4 times still have the same effect. Even though the story of this show may seem melo and dramatic, it actually weaves in so much laughter and lightheartedness that just floored me! I feel that the show really did turn me (and many others) into bi-polar human beings! It can take you from laughter straight to painful hurt, to being scared, to fluttering butterflies in your stomach, and back to laughter again….sometimes within a span of a few minutes and it does it so well, I’m still left flabbergasted. And don’t get me started on how well executed their cliff hangers are. I feel like dying every episode waiting for the new one….those that get to see it straight through now should feel lucky you don’t have to endure this waiting pain, ugh. Let's not forget the Cinematography, that would be another long rant…just know that I LOVE IT!...the special effect is great and even comparable to Western movies! Lastly, I want to mention the creativity of this show…the “self-interview” mode that’s usually in the beginning and the awesome epilogues in each and every episode at the end is very unique and one of kind, it explains and enlighten so, so much! When a story-line is unpredictable for me to guess from the very beginning to the very end, then in my eyes it’s a WINNER!

CASTING/ACTING: The casting for the main lead, I already state is spectacular amazing and I wouldn’t change it for the world. No one else besides KSH & JJH could do the character justice…no one. But beside them all the other casts was picked and executed nicely as well. I loved every single one of them, that’s actually saying a lot because every drama I watch previously there’s one or two or more (and sometimes the main characters themselves) urks me to no end. Everyone seems to have their fair share of lime-light at one point or another even though the show exclusively zoom in a lot on our 2 main leads. The bromance here is one the best I’ve seen as well. One very poignant and heartbreaking, the other hilariously funny! For a second male lead, HK, they really did develop his story quite nicely and the actor definitely step up the plate when it comes time for him to shine….and boy did he shine! I applaud everyone down to even the cameos in this show.

MUSIC: I’m a little conflicted on how to rate this one. I feel I should give it a 10 because frankly before this show comes along, I could care less for the background music in any show….heck I don’t even know what OST means! But after this show, I have downloaded 3 songs and had repeatedly rape my replay button to death. No people, there’s not just the song “My Destiny” so don’t rate it base on just that. My favorite is actually “Hello Goodbye” and “Tears Like Today”…”My Destiny” was good too and some others like “Every Moment of You”, etc…and I also LOVE the remake song KSH (aka Do Min Joon) sings to our character Song Yi called “Promise” in episode 19 in a very special occasion. It’s not an OST but I fell in love with that song immediately. But there were other OST songs that weren’t as mind-blowing so I guess I’ll stick with a 9 on this.

Why some people might not want to watch it or dislike it:

1. The story does not explain everything (including the ending). I guess some people wanted everything spelled out and written in stone, I’m not one of those so I enjoy this aspect. Yes, his alien life and the sci-fi area were not really delved into and explained much but that’s because the story’s focus has always been the trial and tribulation of the relationship between two different species and how they overcome it. If the show try to tackle everything, I’m pretty sure it would have been a hot mess all over the place and would surely lose most of its focus…I’m glad it always kept the aim on the romance and that everything else is just a means to that end…leave some for our deductive reasoning and imagination please!

2. Some might complain of the casting of the two main characters (she’s too old for him?)…if you’re that immature to judge based on age and looks, then yes please do skip this show as you’re not mature enough to handle it.

3. KSH acting was underwhelming? I heard this before and I couldn’t disagree more. People expect him to act like a “human” when he’s actually an “alien”! If you wanted human emotions go watch him in Dream High, Secretly Greatly, TMTETS, etc. I personally loved his innocent depiction when first landed on earth, to harden reserve, staying away from human in a cold, detached manner after 400+ years of jadedness, and then falling in love and feeling that first twig of jealousy, to an all-out consuming love for one woman…beautiful characterization from beginning to end! The subtlety in his emotions reflect off so well from the all-out-there-craziness of SY's emotions that makes it even more hilarious to watch.

4. Some couldn't stand CSY character as the spoiled, bratty, sometimes bitchy and egotistic star profile. Personally, I think she’s THE BEST 4-D character ever introduced to K-Dramaland (and I’m not standing alone in this!). Fierce, Ditzy, Honest, Bold, Loyal, Caring, Childish, Egotistic, Vulnerable, are just a few of the words I would describe her character. Outwardly she’s flawed but she has so many layers about her that it’s a fascination within itself just seeing her changes range from one moment to the next. It’s never been so much fun to look at a character before…and a female character at it! Some arguably would say, “she stole the show!” or “she made the show!” I couldn't agree more, it wouldn't be a masterpiece without her, JJH and her character depiction of Song Yi is the glue that binds all the elements to create one heck of an astounding show....BRAVO!

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