I felt a little guilty for not enjoying a series that everybody seemed to be raving about but I was honestly so disappointed in this one that I had to check some reviews to see if it was just me. Reading the opinions of others has helped give some clarity to my own feelings and in one case has offered some cultural reasoning to justify what I consider to be character failings however none of these have relieved my pain so maybe writing this will help.

My complaints break down into three groups - OST, plot lines and character traits.

OST: This may be my first k-drama with an all English soundtrack (if there were Korean tracks I failed to notice) and my first thought was how distracting it was watching people interact in a foreign language with somebody crooning in English in your earhole. After many dramas where the OST becomes as ingrained on your memories as the most touching scenes do, I wondered if Koreans watching dramas with more typical soundtracks are just as distracted by the constantly repetitive lyrics. If I never hear any of these songs again in any version I will count myself blessed.

Plot Lines: Every single storyline in this series had an unsatisfactory ending. Whether it be the relationship of the main characters, the friendship between Jin Ah and Kyung Sun, the behavior of Gyu Min or the sexual harassment in the workplace. In each case we were presented with an issue of conflict, there was much angst and aggravation until the worst possible outcome was realised (or forgotten in the case of the ex-boyfriend) - and then after a jump to the future there is brief resolution. I'm actually quite angry that such an important issue as sexual harassment in the workplace was given the treatment it got. I doubt anybody suffering from this treatment would feel inspired or hopeful about coming forward from watching this.

Character Traits: I will concede that in order for there to be drama, there must be conflict. Tropes like bad boy turns good or family disapproves of relationship all require failings of character and as a previous reviewer wrote "If you don't know anything about Korean culture or the passive characteristics of Asian, this drama will seem silly & annoying, and will never understand the reasons behind choices & actions made", I also recognise that these stories are being told through a different set of cultural norms. However just because something is prevalent within a culture doesn't mean it's right or acceptable and although drama as an art form is often about reflecting truth in society, it is also a medium for setting examples for how we could live. Nobody in this drama became a better person. Joon Hee was possessive and controlling until the end and Jin Ah was a compulsive liar throughout.

What I perceived as being a story about an unconventional relationship where true love wins out against negative cultural norms, turned out to be about a group of self interested and morally deprived individuals failing to grow as human beings. Truth in society indeed.

Leggi di Più

Possibly the best k-drama I have watched so far but it's actually quite difficult to write anything because ultimately this drama just left me speechless ...and satisfied.

I have nothing against the tried and tested formula of a romantic tale of love set against a backdrop of serial killers, hospital politics, school life, royal life in the Joseon dynasty, chaebols, vampires, gumihos, aliens, witches or time travel - but how refreshing it is to see a relationship based on purely caring about another human being.

The plot lines were all interesting enough to carry the characters through without relying on big dramatic moments, not that there wasn't any intense moments, but the series as a whole seemed to have an energy that reflected the reality of life. The relationships all felt authentic and for the most part, the backstories were believable.

One of the reasons I enjoy Korean dramas so much is the portrayal of emotion. Anger and grief can often come across as forced or over acted but the more sensitive moments reel you in completely and I often find myself thinking that if this same acting and emotion was in an American show, it would be an Emmy Award winner.

If you're looking for another love story with hopes for the gorgeous couple to walk down an isle together, there are plenty out there I'm sure you'll find what you need, however if you're interested in a tale of forgiving others, of forgiving yourself, of loyalty in love, of strength of moral fibre and perseverance against the tests of life, then I challenge you to be disappointed in this. I only wish I could watch it for the first time again.

Leggi di Più