Secret (2013)

Story: Standard Korean melo. You get a lead that sacrifices everything for love and family; a lead who is a sceptic but romantic at heart; a lead who is the cause of all evil and a second female lead you will love to hate. Throw in the deaths of people who should not die and you get your standard Korean melo. Why did I watch this? I was bored and this drama does nothing to elevate my boredom. Got suckered in by all of those enthusiastic reviews on how good this drama was. I should have known better than to trust the reviews coz I have quite a picky taste in drama now (having watched decades of it!). Still waiting for the next best thing to appear. Truth be told, I fast forwarded a lot (basically watched Parts 1 and Parts 4 of each episode) and still I am able to follow the storyline and guess what is coming up next. Me thinks it's the curse of someone who had had watched far too many Asian dramas that hardly anything impresses me now. If you are fairly new to the Asian drama scene, you might find this drama interesting (compared to your everyday Hollywood fare).

Acting/Cast: Mature cast and experienced actors. No complains here.

Music: Standard Korean melo songs. Nothing outstanding that sticks to your mind after the final curtains are drawn.

Rewatch value: Not in my rewatch list. Can do without.

Overall: Watch in fast forward mode to past time when you are totally bored out of your mind! At least you get to see Ji Sung in action.I am being lenient by giving it a 7/10...call it a favour for Ji Sung.

Leggi di Più

I really liked this drama. I liked how it get better from one episode to another and to mee it got excitinf from ep.4

The story plot isn't that unique it's revenge, love story and a innocent person go to prison you can find it in many Kdramas but this drama was different in how the characters developed and changed from good to bad character or the opposite in a realistic way, so I liked the development and that all the roles was very effective and there were no shadow role but all was effective in the drama and acted very well. I loved the ending it was strong in a simple way you don't need for a bomb and all die to have a strong ending. I like how it ended but I think it needed for more explaining so one or two extra episodes would be nice.

The acting was supeeeer I loved how all act. Ji Sung acted very well he was amazing and his reactions was super especially when he laugh the cry, his acting was brilliant and I think this drama is one of his best performance . Jung Eum acted very well ad I liked her acting and I believed her. Bae Su Bin was so brilliant he reflects all the emotions, development and the details of his character I believed him.

I love the music it was beautiful and I enjoyed it very much especially Ji Sung song.

I can watch this drama again and again especially my fav. episodes.

If you like melodramas and revenge stories you'll enjoy this and definitely will enjoy the acting.

Leggi di Più

When I first started watching this drama I knew it was a melo and I knew there would be a lot of makjang, however I got a lot more than I expected.

Right from the beginning I had problems in accepting the whole basic concept of the story (which I won't spoil) as I found it to be too extreme and unrealistic but I carried on watching the drama nevertheless because of the incredibly good acting but also because I hoped that the story would take a more believable twist as the episodes unfolded.
Instead the masochistic turn of events carried on becoming more and more extreme up to the very last episode.

What, in my opinion, made this melodrama special was the outstanding acting of all the four main leads (my favourite was Ji Sung) who had an amazing chemistry amongst them and were extremely talented in portraying their anxieties and distresses.

Personally I will not rewatch this as I couldn't go through all that anguish again, however I heartly recommend it to all melodrama lovers.

Leggi di Più

EDITED REVIEW:

Previously, I had written a very lukewarm review for this drama. Originally, I did not think this drama was anything special. However, upon rewatching a few scenes I found myself enjoying it more than I did the first time. That doesn't make it the best drama in my book, but I found that once I overlooked a LOT of annoying sub plots I liked the drama much better. In fact, I now think that it is one of most unique Kdramas ever.

According to my observation, most Korean dramas start out great and then go downhill towards the end. This drama started fine, had some unbearable moments in between but by the time it picked up, it became very addictive.

For me, majority of it till episode 8 or so was unbearably bad. I personally hate tragedies which take place without contributing anything to the plot. This drama was supposed to be about her boyfriend's betrayal but what we got was a whole lot of useless crying scenes.

There is way too much crying, too many sacrifices and too much loss in the drama without making much sense half the time. Till the time this dramas sets out to redeem itself, it seems like it is too late. I, however enjoyed the romantic conflict which takes place in the second half of the drama. It doesn't make sense too but the characters and actors pull you in and I found myself rooting for them.

In my original review I had said that the bad outweighed the good in the drama. Now, after a certain time passed I can't remember the bad stuff but definitely remember the good parts fondly. This drama was very and still is very conflicting for me. On one hand- I absolutely hated it and on the other hand, I couldn't get enough of it.

I always feel that a drama that manages to get the right reactions out of you is a job done well indeed. Too bad that I couldn't digest the 'sad' part of it otherwise I wouldn't have had any issues with the story at all!

The strongest part of the drama lies in its acting department and the romance. All actors did an amazing job especially the two main leads. The OST is simply wonderful and Ailee's ballad is one of my favorites ever.

I'll be on the lookout for a better or similar drama now. :)

Leggi di Più

It's true to it's genre and captivating till the end

I am a bit shocked they managed to put all that drama in 16 episodes but at the same time they could perfectly execute how hate turned into love at a rational manner without any inconsistencies. Most importantly it was very interesting to wonder "who is the victim here? who is the one who is suffering more?". They both did, but not because of each other. He manages to give her everything she deserved and didn't have from her previous relationship, for which he gave up her whole life and she gives him trust. She believes in him, till the very end. That was what made their relationship strong. He also trusted her back and for such a "obsessive" (as would appear to many) man he sure was not jealous or possessive at all. He trusted her words too and even wanted to give the minimum respect to the man who once was worthy of the love of the woman he loves, even if he took away someone so important to him.
Overall I found the FL to be strong, consistent and capable. She portrays the emotions very well. But all leads deserve a lot of praise for their acting, the roles of the villains too.
The last episode was well made, it gives appropriate closure to every single character.
I rewatched it after many years and thought of leaving a review until I remember all that happened.
I will probably rewatch it when I forget about it all, because of the chemistry and great acting

Leggi di Più

There are some dramas, where you watch them, but you forget what happened. This one, on the other hand, you will remember the name and the plot. This drama had a very interesting start and very interesting ending; however, it turned out to have many melodramas elements, which I'm not a fan of: too much tears, and pain, plus I did not like the abusive behavior of grabbing someone's arm ( It bothered me). However, this drama had presented real life elements, which if you do watch it you will recognize them. It also presented some tips such as not trust your boyfriend that easily....

Anyways, this drama turned out to be very interesting plot-wise because it contained many twists and turns, which reminded me of a crime drama (see how the crime is unraveled). The actors had played their role, and I was not aware of what will happen next.

As for re-watch: I might rewatch or i might not. For the most part I found out what happened, so I probably won't watch it again. But I might come back and watch parts of it....

Leggi di Più

This drama is waaaaay over-rated in my opinion, the first five episodes were a real hell to go trough, it was just too boring. I wanted to give it up every minute of it, luckily it got better afterwards, however this drama was still not my cup of tea, it couldn't make me cry nor did it make me laugh, i was simply not moved by it. there was at least one person crying in every episode making it overdone, it had some good songs but the placement of moment was so bad, at emotional moments they would play a qwerky tune and it would totally throw me off, the reason why i still continued was because i was really interested in one character gwang soo, he seemed like the only light point in this depressing mess, but i can't say this drama was total crap, it had good acting and well i liked the last minute plot twist it pulled of, it is good enough to keep you interested and hanging, they just dragged the story to much, i'm glad this was only 16 episodes.

Leggi di Più

SO FAR SO GOOD. So intense and compelling. Honestly, I started watching because of Ji Sung (I mean, come on haha). But the storyline kept me so engaged that I stayed up all night marathoning the whole first 8 eps... and have been painstakingly waiting for new eps. It's gripping and honestly, for those who are making Nice Guy comparisons - I personally think it's not like Nice Guy at all and this is coming from someone who JUST watched Nice Guy right before Secret (though I loved Nice Guy as well).

I have never really been keen on Hwang Jung Eum's acting but she's really good here and makes you really feel for her. I know people say she looks plastic-y but honestly, I find the second female lead more plastic-y for some reason - probably because HJE can emote really well and her facial expressions feel more natural where Lee Da Hee feels a lot more stiff.

Also, Bae Soo Bin is always amazing. I mean, it's hard to believe that I had second-lead syndrome for him during Shining Inheritance and here, I just hate his guts - though sometimes he overdoes it (I mean, that crazy, over the top screaming and face-scrunching every time he sees Yoo Jeong lol)

I'm really starting to ship the leads and can't wait for all the intricacies to unfold so they can both move on, and heal each other's wounds. And SAN

Leggi di Più

Do you like your drama to keep you sobbing? Episode after episode? Even when you swear to yourself there's just NO WAY you're going to shed any tears this time; you can make it through that hour. Do you like your drama to have as many twists and turns as a couple dancing the tango? How about heart-aching romance? Ahh, dear reader, then you're in luck.

If all of the above sounds like the recipe for a drama befitting to your tastes, then go ahead, click "add" and set it to "currently watching". I will claim no responsibility in the time it will rob from the next 3-4 days of your life. However, you will thank me.

This melodrama, no no, melo- makes it sound too laid back. This MEGAdrama will hold you. Yea, sure, it has the typical Chaebol-poor girl theme. And I must admit, I found Lee Duk Hwa playing the Chaebol dad quite hilarious when I first accepted that was his role in this show. However, as much as it is typical, it is different. There's so much that is unexpected in the story that you can't help but be a prisoner to it; NEEDING to know what will happen next at the end of every episode. Knowing you have all the episodes right in front of you and trying to show restraint. Say goodbye to those 3-4 days. Apologize to your employer and friends ahead of time.

The story is non-stop drama. Even when it's moving slow, it's moving slow dramatically. In the beginning, you'll be angry. You'll want to drop it at least 5 times. You'll hope and be let down repeatedly. But at some point, all your angst will be rewarded. Trust me, it will. Remember this... it will. The elation you will feel when that point comes will be unmatched. Hang in there.

Bae Su Bin was good in his role, while Lee Da Hee fell flat, in my opinion. The two that make this story riveting are Ji Sung, and especially Hwang Jung Eum. They made it feel real and overwhelming, as if it was truly happening to someone somewhere. Very well matched actors for the main roles, indeed.

I believe this has been the first drama that I ended feeling satisfied. I certainly wouldn't have ever thought that could happen when I started it, but it surprised me along the ride in a way that sets it apart from other dramas. Get your tissues ready, clear out your schedule, and remember... your angst WILL be rewarded.

Leggi di Più

Tragic. Poignant. Touching. Memorable

I seldom watch tragic melodramas cause I have a very low threshold when it comes to hearttwrenching tragedies and unspeakable loss of loved ones coupled by horrid antagonist that from the start you pray for their death. So I have to be truthful that for my sanity I skip parts that I couldn't stomach. usually I would have dropped the drama but the plot was too compelling. Ji sung and Jung Eum are so perfect for their role I can't imagine this drama will ever work or reach their emotional pinnacle without them.

Ji Sung really cements his ability as a fantastic actor with his role of President Jo Min Hyuk. His pain, frustration, anger, loss and even hatred was so palpable. You almost reach towards the screen either to comfort him or shake him. His expression and the way his eyes speaks when he looks at Yoo Jung was so multi facet. He really channels that looks of love and longing. Of wanting to be closer to her to keep her by his side and yet still tear himself away from her. Episode 12 to 14 has really memprable scenes of them

I never thought too much about Hwang Jung Eum. She really blew me away with her role as the pitiful but strong Yoo Jung. Yoo Jung really turns out to be a character I have to admire .. To survive those loss, abuse in the prison, self guilt and looks of disgust from others. Also I think she cried truckloads in this drama and made me reach for the tissues too.

If I have to be critical. I would say the ending scene of them was too short for my liking. For all the tribulations we witness them, I would have liked to be rewarded for more. Which is why after this drama I'm moving on to Kill me, Heal me, another drama of them together.

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