Fabulous 30 (2014)

Story: Basically a story about three best friends who are around 30 years old, each with their own stories revolving around 'love'.

Acting/Cast: Was not a fan of particularly anyone in this, but now I absolutely loved the cast of this drama! It was perfect! I loved how natural everyone's acting is! It was brilliant! Now for the pairings, I know alot of people liked Danson and Albee the most, but for me I preferred Darren and Vivi. I loved the development of their relationship - it was so natural and something I really admire. Darren really stood out for me in this! I absolutely adored his goofy role and loved the way his character grew as the story progressed.

Music: "Love You... Love You... Love Yoouu.." That's all I remember.. XD I noticed these long dramas never really seem to have any songs that stick to me. I guess since they're long and quite low budget, they don't really concern themselves with the songs too much?

Rewatch Value: Although this drama was very enjoyable, I probably wouldn't want to watch it again. I loved the overall story and development and wish that it could continue. I would totally continue watching more of it.

Overall: This was a great family drama filled with lots of friendship and love. I loved the pacing of the drama and how each characters stories compliments each other and the overall drama itself. I loved how natural everyone was which made the watching experience all the better.

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Super light drama. The story is cute for the most part. It focuses on the friendship between 3 woman, and their each individual relationships. There's also a family aspect for each of the characters. Because it's a 76 episode drama, the plots move relatively slow, the dialogues are longer than usual, and the diary recap scene done by Vivi's character at the end of each drama is a bit tedious. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this drama very much for a long length drama mainly because the friendship/family part was very heartwarming. There were also many lessons incorporated in this drama and in each episode.

Of course, Danson was phenomenal in this drama; he has now become one of my biases. His relationship with Albee's character was adorable and I liked their romance. Darren being dorky was a completely different character for him; I was blown away at how realistic he made his character out to be. His romance with Vivi was pretty boring, but their friendship was fantastic and well developed. Jennifer Hong's crying scenes were really well done and I liked her strong+independent woman character.

The music was pretty repetitive, but I noticed there was like a 'theme' song for each couple when their individual romantic scene came on. I thought that was pretty cute; I personally liked the songs a lot.

The rewatch value is low because 76 episodes is really long, but I would rewatch some of the creative romantic scenes that I liked. I would recommend this drama for those of you that want to watch a longer story yet is still entertaining. I recommend this drama; it is definitely one of the better long length t-dramas out there! (read my other review; i think this drama is slightly better!) (The 8.5 rating is for its quality BASED on the fact it is a long length drama; if I was rating in comparison to all dramas then it is probably an 8) (9/8)

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a sweet Taiwanese drama thoughtfully grapples with serious issues

If I were at a party, I would automatically assume that these three main characters flitted within social circles that never overlapped. Their differing values and life choices shaped them into three distinct women: (1) married, fierce career-minded mother going through a divorce, (2) free-spirited orphan who only worked part-time jobs in order to fund her travels and (3) awkward, timid book editor who is unceasingly kind. Yet as childhood friends, their deep bonds held into adulthood .

Of course, this series revolves around relationships—not just friendships, but also workplace colleagues and romance. And throughout this slow-burn, slice-of-life drama, these women were unified by shared space and love for one another. They held disparate perspectives that only helped each other grow more. They consistently supported one another without restraint, listened deeply and spoke difficult truths.

All three faced what felt like very real challenges:
• Struggle with viciously judgmental mother-in-law causing divorce
• Reconcile with daughter who has not been a priority
• Confront trauma of parental “abandonment”
• Explore how to love someone whose health is imperiled
• Muster enough courage to speak up for oneself
• Avoid the Cinderella version of romance to engage with someone who appreciates the daily, usual self

Obviously I enjoyed watching this, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t have its problems. Like many Taiwanese dramas,
• Some of the cute background songs lodged in my head for days
• The leads started with painfully extreme, stereotypical characterizations that softened over time but some of the side characters (mostly family members) remained over-the-top throughout
• Flashbacks were incorporated A LOT
• The drama was fairly long with 76 episodes
• I had little cultural context to understand some situations
o Is having a landlord-imposed curfew and punishments like writing pages for rule violations a normal practice when renting an apartment?
o Is it common for young adult children to make choices solely based on parental preferences?

So, overall, I would recommend this. But know what you’re getting into when you start. And be willing to accept the extreme characterizations in the first 5-10 episodes with the understanding that they will be seasoned and settled over time.

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THE STORY
Well overall the story is forcus on 3 woman around their thirties who have sisters-like friendship. Don't expect much on this, dun expect heart flattering like "love, now" or comedy romance like "It started with a kiss series". It more of a light story but slightly lesser comedy comparing to maybe "sweet sweet bodyguard".
The summarized, vivi and daren (who i think is the main couple in the story) has the most boring romance story among 3 of them, altho along the way followed by some comedy experiences, but too much slow pace scene is what i think. Other hand, danson and albee is the epic weird always bickering couple that doesnt show much of their development, more likely their bickering scene is worth watching tho. Lastly Jennifer and Hans had a sad romance since the beginning. The rest u can watch urself hehe.
The story also has a recap part with vivi writing on her everyday diary altho sometimes she just writes it too slow and so i just forward them. They also slowly reveal on different characters background.

ACTING
Overall the acting was normal, altho vivi did a good job in her blur character i find it lacking at some scenes like getting shocked and did some abnormal unnatural actions and im not saying her portraying her fear of H____ altho that was exaggerating but normally fine and quite natural. Other than that i don't have much saying for the rest as it was alright.

MUSIC
quite normal i guess

REWATCH?
I don't think so. The overall plot and interesting stuff going on is not enough. probably in the very far future not very near i would consider re-watching it. (No idea my rate of rewatching drama) its a OKAY enough interest one time watch. but not really for a rewatch. Unless those who really like light stories. Not to mention if its a normal light story of 20eps, can consider, but its a light story of 76...

OVERALL
I think just a light TW drama. people who prefer fast paced like me are not suitable to watch, but feeling like having some slack light time can try it out. for me i just watched it for Danson. This is more of a family show with light comedy and romance. More of a drama preferred person to watch this. in my opinion i feel that its okok. not very appealing half way through and starts to lose interest at many mid parts.
I have to say i am a little biased giving the 7.5, i probably just give a 6 if the show did not have danson.

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OVERALL
Nothing special. Watch it if you're desperate to watch something light.

THE STORY
The impression I had while watching Fabulous 30 was that it was made by people who didn’t take the story seriously. The characters had some depth, but they chose not to dive deeper into them. The relationships had the potential to be complex and real, but they chose to leave them at a superficial level. And, to top it all, they had to make a 76-episode drama 80% about every random possible thing BUT the main couples, keeping us from really seeing any romantic scenes between the characters. A waste, no matter how I see it. I must also say that the main girl’s (I think Xu Wan Ting was the main out of the three best friends) story was quite boring. Her friends had way better love lines, but these were not explored as much.

THE ACTING
Meh. I always thought Jennifer Hong was good and Vivi Lee was not bad, but the others did not impress me. Chemistry-wise too, didn’t feel much.

THE MUSIC
Mm…there was a duet I liked. I’d say it’s okay.

REWATCH VALUE
Not watching 76 episodes again for just a few episodes that really were worthwhile, no. Unless I get desperate.

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