Sometimes you find just the drama. The drama with the greatest story, wonderful cast and music that fits perfectly. However sometimes you find a drama that makes you believe its wonderful at first but that by time becomes less sparkly and more dull. My Secret Hotel is just that drama for me.
And why?

Firstly, the story.
I've said this in a previous review, love triangles is really not my cup of tea. If i take the time to watch such an drama it must have something more going for it than just romance. The thing with My secret hotel was that by also having a murder case floating around, I believed that the romance would benefit from it and not just become battle of the idiots. Sadly that's not what happened. Instead everything became mush and meh. In the end the only reason for me watching it was two reasons alone. Who she would end up with, and that only because I loved one of them and hated the other. And the second reason being that I loved the romantic scenes between Sang Hyo and Hae Young and wanted to see this wonderful couple as much as possible.

Secondly, the cast.
I did love both Sang Hyo and Hae Young, both the actor and actress really did a good job from my point of view. And yes I know that everything surrounding this couple was rather mediocre and meh, but I still liked them both as a couple and by themselves. However I do find Hae Young more tolerable in the end. He is just adorable and funny in how much in love he is with his ex wifey. So really, I watched this show til the end mostly because of my love for him. When talking about the rest of the cast there's really not anything to say. The only other major character is Sung Gyoum and he for me is just in the way for the most parts. I really did not like his character. The actor is not horrible, that's not what I'm saying, It's really just that in any other series I would love to see him as the main love interest, but for this one, Not so much. The supporting cast is just not anything to sell. They're there and they do what they're suppose to do but not anything more. Tho shout out to Detective Kim, played by Ahn Kil Kang. He really is an awesome actor and I love to see him in just about any series.
And the love rival in this one is just about the most stupid and ridiculous I've ever seen in drama thus far. She really doesn't feel like a rival at all because she's just hanging on him and never really has a shot in being the next love. The show would have been saved so much BS if she'd been dropped and thrown away away.

The music would have been able to save the show a little, but the problem is that it didn't really do its job in expressing all the emotions in the scenes and I felt that it always where the same song playing in the background and even that song was not the most perfect. It was not bad persay but not the greatest either.

Yes again the rewatch is not high and yes it's mostly because of the whole love triangle thing but this time its more than that. I totally love the couple, and I nearly fell in love with Hae Young (Whom I am I kidding, I totally did) but imagining myself sitting thru this whole show all over again just feels like an impossibility, maybe that's just my current feeling and sure I do hope I get the feeling to see this show again, but for now I'll just stay satisfied over the fact that I even finished it the first time.

Overall and lastly, the show is not horrible. But it's not great either. I know there exists good love triangles out there, but this one really is not the best of them. Its mediocre. I truly wish that I would be able to recommend it to everyone, but however much I fell in love, I can't. I was able to watch it because I was sold on the idea to see Hae Young for 16 whole episodes but I also know that not everyone works like me. Even I felt tired as hell when episode 14 came along. My last words for this one is, give it a shot maybe it really works for you. But don't have to high hopes about it, because the the risk of becoming disappointed is greater than you think.

Happy watching!
Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

Once, or rather twice, I saw a series just like this one and it was Taiwanese and that made me very wary about this remake. You see I really did like the taiwanese version. It was awesome and I didn't really thought good of the Korean remake. But the thing about this little show is that already at the first episode it made me eat my own words. It turned out to have something really great.
And why?

Firstly, the story.
The story is great. I mean come on its very romantic when a lonely and insecure woman that is looked down upon is kind of saved by the prince on a white horse (Come on, whether or not you like it, it's still very romantic) the thing is, where the show makes a turn from the typical White horse Handsome prince, is when you see that Lee Gun (our main lead) turns out to be this extremely hilarious nutcase. Good looking, Yes. Prince like, Yes. Sane, NO! But that is what makes the story differ from the Taiwanese version and doing its own thing.

Secondly, the cast.
The cast for this show is great. Fun thing is that the only one I knew of before watching was the female lead, Jang Na Ra. But I ended up loving the character that I thought I would hate the most. Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk) made me seriously love him in this show! He captured the crazy and nutcase(y) persona of Lee Gun so well and I felt that this man really don't give a F about how crazy he may look, he just went full on doing his thing and that ended up doing this remake a favor. It made the show so much more likable. It made the show so much more funny and when comparing it with its predecessor you really feel the difference just looking at the two main leads. The female lead, tho okay and really feeling like the post it note girl, sometimes felt like she was just there rather than being the biggest (second biggest) character that she was suppose to be. And even after the magical change that every damn character goes thru (in nearly every drama) she still felt the same for me and that was a tad wrong. However I do like Jang Na Ra as Kim Mi Young and she did do a good job. Maybe I'm just blinded by the great performance by Jang Hyuk, too bad.
The second male lead for me was totally useless. Sorry. I didn't like his character in T version either to be fare. And even tho I've started to like Choi Jin Hyuk quite a bit I really felt that he should've dissed this role. Because it was not memorable for me. I liked that Dylan (T version) never had a lot of drama around him, but in this version he ended up being a bit to much romantic. So the cast was okay, but really the reason for the score where because of Lee Gun. Awesome job!

Now we will talk about the music and here is also the reason for the magic that the show produce because this OST is perfection on it's own. It so wonderful and fits the show like a glove!I had to rewatch some scenes just for the perfection showing on my screen. Ailee is greatness itself singing the songs here and because of the show, I'm now a big fan of hers.I found myself bawling my eyes out and much of it because of the musical score.

The rewatch score is mediocre i know. The thing is that even tho I really liked it and all. I've sadly already seen the T version 2 times and even tho the two versions differ quite a bit, it's still the same show, at least based on the same story and in the end it shows. Maybe I will find myself watching it again in the close future, and to be honest I hope I do.

Overall and lastly, this show is good! Whatever you heard from me this show is a great show. Its a funny show as well as a sad one. It'll make you cry rivers and also make you laugh your lungs out. However If you have watched the T version you will compare the two, it's nearly impossible not to. I do hope that the majority of you reading this is newbies to Fated to love you because then I will whole heatedly recommend the K version to you. My mistake was that I already had seen the T version when this jewel came out and I just know that if I hadn't seen that first and this also was my first introduction then I would have loved it so much more. Truly a great show with an extremely crazy but lovable main lead that will make you love his crazy ass.


Happy Watching!
Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

Shows that can make me laugh all by myself in my bedroom is always a win. A show that is silly and yet is able to catch those "awwwww" moments is just right. So yes Marriage, Not Dating is just the right win series.
And why?

Firstly, the story;
The story, tho not all that original, is fascinating and capturing. It is not all that serious either but it really has no need to be. All this show needs is the right cast and the right touch to become awesome. I must say that i really do like the setting of the show, The whole "pretend-lovers" puts on a really funny show and also makes the characters themselves grow and develop. Sure I had a problem with the love triangle (square??) going on because, just as the show rocked the other things, the love triangle really was not needed in this show at all. But to be honest I would say the love triangle became less interesting because of the second lead, but that's really just my own opinion on it.

Secondly, the cast:
The cast for this one is AWESOME, and i really mean it. Sure, Joo Jang Mi seem to be a really annoying, over the top and also overly attached, but as the show go on, you really see how strong and independent she is. The beginning will trick you into feeling hesitant about watching, but as soon as episode 2 starts, that's the best moment in history.
The First male lead is by far my favorite, and he's also the one that I feel develops the most from start to finish. Also he is adorable. It's my first Kdrama with Yun Woo Jin and I'm just saying he sold it! He was the one that made the show as great as it is both with the funny aspects but also because of his romantic inputs. I also felt that both he and Han Groo had really great chemistry, but that you have to decide on your own.

The chink in the chain however, and I just know that people will hate me for saying this, is Jin Woons character Yeo Reum. Yes I just said that... But its the truth and why? Because I didn't really feel his acting working here, and I totally fell in love with him in Dream High 2 (until that whole show just F up), but his character here has to be more mature, he's no longer suppose to be a teen/ young adult. And the thing about his character is just that he has to reflect that emotional and left alone parts of the character, and that's where Jin Woon fails. (MY OPINION) However charming he is and however good actor, this was not the best role for him.
The side characters was rather meh, but even among them their could be a gem or two. Personally I really came to like the actor playing Joo Jang Mi's ex, Heo Jeong Min.

The music for me is not that memorable, there is a few I do recognize but non is that, you know awesome sounding. But the thing that was truly awesome was by far the sound effects! They used it alot and just at the right moments too, It made the scenes so much funnier also, in the scenes that didn't have any dialogue still had that glimmer because the sound effects brought light to every funny scene, whether or not it had dialogues. Points to that by far!

I put a rather high Rewatch value on this one and it's a simply reason to why. Its funny and light- hearted, and if you ask me I would say that it can be extremly hard to find a Kdrama that don't use a lot of drama in it and instead just go the easy breezy and light way. This show has its drama, don't be mistaken, but it also keeps the audience laughing and enjoyed.

Overall and lastly I would say that this show is by far one of the most funny and likable Kdrama that 2014 had to give. I know there were a lot of good ones, but this kept me happy, laughing and just in "Aww" - mode all the way thru and I wouldn't mind watching this a couple of times more.
I really recommend this one to you all!


Happy Watching!
Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

I can't believe how close it was that I didn't watch this drama. Why? It's not my first choice story wise. I've never liked the dramas where the love triangle is the main focus of the show. However this show changed that. Even tho the main focus was the love triangle between the three main characters, the story had so much other good thing going for it that made me enjoy it. The story is just a small part to why the show is a good watch. Firstly the cast and characters. When saying this I come to think about a discussion I stumbled upon while watching. One comment in particular said that the thing that was so lovable with the show was that there were no typical bad person. A person that where there solely for the audience to hate, like so many other kdramas tend to have. Instead the show went with the less popular alternative in actually making the characters more realistic and human by making them all have flaws and good qualities. Thereafter you, as the watcher, get to decided whether or not you like them.
Giving an example, I really liked the headstrong, independent and determined personality of Yeo Reum, but at some points I found other sides of her to be annoying, like how she seemed to confused and didn't think about her own happiness. But in the end she stayed one of the more likeable characters for me. The other two main leads can we talk about for along time but I will make it short. I think that either you come to like one of them a little more. Personally I liked Tae Ha more than Ha Jin. Reasons being that however much he loved her he also thought about her goals and hopes. Meanwhile Ha Jin came across a little blind and seemed to turn away. Others may not get these feelings but that is my own opinion.
The supporting cast was wonderul at times but at other times really make my blood boil (I'm looking at you Joon Ho). But it doesn't make the show bad, instead makes it more realistic. And really if I was to say my favorite supporting characters I would say, without hesitation, Joon Ho and Sol. I don't care so much for their independent love stories, but as the supporters to our three ( cough* one) main characters I really loved them.
The music, tho good, could at times feel foregettable and I found myself not even listening to it, and I do listen when I find the music to be just as emotional, happy or exciting as the scene itself. Of courses looking back I have actually found some scores to be quite good.

Lastly, the reason for the low re watch score is easy to answer for me. As I said before, this isn't my typical choice for a show. The whole love triangle, tho not the reason for me watching it til the end, was still there and I still didn't have the real interest in seeing it fully. I loved the parts that had comedy and heartwarming moments between Yeo Reum and her friends or Tae Ha, but the scenes with Ha Jin and the other girl wasn't really anything, neither was the parts where it was tense and confuseing. However theses feelings were there because I didn't have enough like nor interest in this type of storyline. If you do like heavy love triangles then this show will definitely be a really good match. For me it was a good watch but there's so many other good shows out there that I'd rather see one more time.

I'm happy that I came around to watch it, I started out che sera sera but I've still not watched it til the end. I loved the actor and actress in it tho and I'm happy to have seen another drama with them and their romance. Sadly I now believe that I never will be able to finish Che sere sera, the difference in Eric here and is CSS is to big, and Tae Ha is really likeable.
Anyhow, I really recommend this drama to you love triangle lovers out there, and also to you like me that has less of an interest in it, it's a good show either way.

Leggi di Più

I don't watch Taiwanese dramas on a regular basis and to be honest it's because I never really find one that speaks to me as being both entertaining and good. However this doesn't mean that I haven't found a couple of good ones because I have. So is Miss Rose one of them? You would think that it would be. The cast is quite good and the story seem to fit me. But no, Miss Rose is not one of the better ones. I would rather explain it as me still sitting on the fence but facing the side that says that Miss Rose in a rather dull series.
And why?

Firstly, the story:
I know that there are plenty of people out there that really enjoyed this show and loved its story, but I'm not one of them. I really got bored of this dated plot that goes by with;
Girl is poor and weak but a reaaaally good person.
Boy seem to be jerk but proves to be a total good guy.
Boy with his own troubles saves girl and "teach" her to believe in herself.
Boy falls for girl.
Girl falls for boy.
Ect. Ect.
I'm not saying that this classic tale is bad, I would be a hypocrite to say that, since I have multiple dramas that I love using that exact build up. However it is how it's executed in Miss Rose that's what makes the show rather dull. The conflicts and drama is not very deep and unserious (not in a comedic way but as not dramatic enough) so in the end, the climax just stays uninteresting, in which it shouldn't. The romantic plot that supposedly drive the story forward is either boring or, for me, seem to be dead and unchemical. When our main couple can't aid the shows poor storyline, than it's bad. It's sad for me to admit as a person that mostly talks bad about sidestories, but in this series the sidestory about Sheng Jun and Xiao Ke was THE ONE THING that kept me going til the end.

Secondly, the cast:
As I've said before, if the story is bad then it's the characters assignment to carry it and somewhat save it from doom. Sadly that's not how it ended up being. I'm not saying that the cast is bad, no, I feel that the most of the actors captured their individual roles rather good and portrayed them well enough. It's not their fault that the majority of the characters are either hateful or just a complete bore. Yes I said it! Sorry! But really who can for real say that Si Yi is an interesting character!? Sure she is a good person and all but she's sooo boring, I feel mean to admit that I didn't feel bad for her at all because she just welcomed the shit thrown at her, being the resident doormat of the show. I have far to much problems with that kind of character to even remotely feel a tinge of sadness for her.
Cheng Kuan, is harder for me to hate and that basically because I just love the bromance he shares with Sheng Jun. Both actors really have a good chemistry while acting together, at least compared to the non existing one between our main couple. Truth to be told I had no problems what so ever with Cheng Kuan in the most scenarios he was in, in exception to the so called romantic moments with Si Yi. Their so called love just fell flat on its stomach and was, by the end of the drama, painful to watch.
The love rivals are not anything to brag about. Vivian is annoying and the typical mean b**ch like in so many other shows, but really her character is to much a cut out so it's not even interesting to fallow her evil scheming, reason being that you probably already seen it a hundred times before. The guy rival, Yi Zun are less of a son of a B**ch, but that doesn't matter considering the fact that he possesses the same amount of bore as our main female lead.
As I've already said so is it thanks to the funny Sheng Jun and the easygoing Xiao Ke that I even finished the show. I loved them both as individual characters and as an item. So cute and adorable.

The music in a show is very important. It's there to enhance the emotions in a scene and make the watcher feel the drama and suspense. And just because of that, I'm picky when it comes to this subject. I have to remember the OST and feel that I can save it on my phone for later enjoyment. It's to bad that I've still to find an breathtakingly amazing OST in a Taiwanese drama. Miss Rose OST does not bring anything more to the table than what I've heard before. Either its the actors singing the main theme or the generic and boring insert-dramatic-music- here kind if bullshit. But considering the story, it's not weird that the music couldn't become something greater.

Rewatching is right in the middle. How come? You know when I seem to really be bored by this drama... Because I have seen it more times than one. Ok maybe "seen it more than once" is to overdo it. I've technically only watched it fully once. But I've skipped and seen moments (Sheng Jun Xiao Ke moments) quite a few times now.
I know that I won't ever actually sit down and watch this drama all over again. It didn't bring me any reason to sit through that one more time and so I wont.

Overall and lastly I will say that this show is just as cliche as the name of it. A supposedly romantic and cute story of a odd couple and all that. For me this was a total snooze fest that I've fallen asleep to a few to many times which says a lot about how I feel about it. But this is just me. I don't like to recommend or unrecommand dramas because I feel that each and every one should try things and see for themselves. After that we'll see who agrees with me and not.

Happy watching!


Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

There always comes a time when you either stumble upon or find one particular drama that just feels right. That just hits you in the head like a flying ball and you realize that this show is by far one of the best kdrama that you've ever watched. Stars falling for the sky is just that ball for me, and like I just described, it really did come flying, hitting me more deeply than I first believed it would.
And Why?

Firstly, the story.
Sure, how many times haven't we heard of a sad story about a person losing their parents and ending up fighting to survive. Giving up everything about themselves so that the people they care about can have a good life. I would say that we hear about this kind of story quite often. However that's not the point, the point is how this kind of story is executed and presented. How the actors represent the people going thru the hardships and also how well everything is put together to actually feel realistic and therefor sad. And that is exactly why, ladies and gentlemen, Stars falling from the sky is so damn good!! Because the story is so well presented and also making the main lead growing so fast and in a good way to be there for the people she loves! It's not easy but she does it and it all becomes great. The thing I love a lot with it tho is that the show is not only a serious drama all the way thru, it has it funny moments and the moments when you just feel like placing your hand thru the screen and strangle the people that destroy the perfection.

Secondly, the cast!
And this is easily the best and most important part of the show. You see the cast is making such a good job in actually making you see the horrible situation that this family finds themselves in. Before I get deeper into the characters I definitely have to make a shout out to the kids in the show because they really made a great performance. You really felt the family bond and love, they are kids yet really make it feel extremely real.
My favorite character is easy to say. Of course its Pal Gang. She just feels so real, and sure I hated her so damn much the first scenes that I saw her in. She felt so selfish and naive, and not to say Stalkish as well. However she grew as a character and became such a good person. As soon as reality hit her face and she found herself homeless with 5 kids, where one was a little baby, her survival instinct toke over. She understood that she no longer needed good looking hair (I think she also came to resent her long hair after the incident) nor fancy clothes. All she needed to think about was to find a home and a safe place for these 5 kids. And another thing that really made me love her, was that the romance that was really in your face in the beginning changes and in the end I felt that the romance wasn't a big deal to make the show good. Sure I loved the outcome romantically, but whether or not the show had the romance it would still be a really fantastic show.
The male lead for me, was really good. Sure I love Kim Jo Hoon as an actor, but he really was fantastic in this role. He changes, just like a lot of the characters, but along Pal Gang, he made a drastic change thruout the show. And as you saw him grow into a very likable person you really will fall a tiny bit for him. Plus he is so cute holding a baby! There's two other important male characters you can talk about but for me they where not AS important, Sure they had there impact on the show, believe me, but it's not needed for me to speak of them. However I have to bring up the female love rival because nothing can really describe my hate for her. Sure I usually hate the female love rival, there's few cases when i actually like them, but in this show it's just pure hate! I present to you, Fish Lip. She is so damn annoying and there where so many times during my watch that I just wanted to put my fist to her face and knock her out, sad thing that the screen was in the way. However hateful she is, it gives the series that fighting spirit.

The music is good too. It fits perfectly to the series with its themes. There's specially one song that all watchers will come to recognize after you're done with the show. The feelings that bubbles while watching this series just becomes more emotional with this OST.

My rewatch for this show is high and why is that. Funny shows tend to get that high of a rewatch but not the sad ones, however I've already rewatched it 3 times while writing this review. It's a perfect show in so many ways and really it doesn't matter how many times you watch it, because the show stays just as awesome.

Overall and lastly, this show has it all. It has Aww moments, emotional scenes and laughing out loud and spot on dialogue. The characters stay real and yet menages to be really likable and sometimes even adorable. Its a sad story but its wrapped up in a cute little fairy tale resulting in, when you're done with it, you walk away feeling light and happy. It's a must watch for every romance lover out there that likes stories staying rather realistic and true to the fact that shit happens, but that you still can get up and continue walking.

Happy Watching!
Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

Sometimes, when in a desperate search for that one drama, you can slip and fall down the stairs. And no, I will not cover it up and pretend it didn't hurt and instead just share with you all exactly how hard I fell and how much it hurt. Putting it simple, I fell down the Kdrama stairs and I got really hurt by it. For you that don't get the little symbolism i'm using, I'll just say this. I was looking for a drama that had one special actor. I had to watch a series that satisfied me and didn't make me dislike him more. I thought that I had found that drama, or perhaps a drama that could change my mind. It did however change my mind, sadly not in the way I wanted and not for the better. What may this drama be you may wonder. Its Wild Chives and Soybean Soup.
And why?

Firstly, the story:
I knew for a fact that many people out there watching these dramas have a tendency to not like flashbacks, more often than not, I disagree. To a certain point. When said flashback is ongoing for to long or take over the main story, then I can't help but feel the same as my fellow watchers. But still, even during those times and I still shut up and wait for that flashback to be over. However this time I have to utter my feelings, 'cause the flashback that's used in this little drama doesn't just take over the show and go on for to long, it totally messes up my feelings for the rest of the show. Sure the flashback is essential, kind of, to understand why some characters act the way they do. I personally still feel that they are idiots either way.
What do I mean exactly tho?
The story is just...there. It doesn't feel amazing but it doesn't suck either, it's just there. This feeling does not, however, appear until after we have a 6 episode long flashback of our main characters fate and history. The flashback, that I felt annoyed at in the beginning became somewhat good after a while. Sure I wanted the story to move on so that I could see the reason to why I even watched the show from the start, but I did find the flashback to have a rather good feeling to it. I liked the characters and so on, sadly after a while, some things happened and the snooze fest began. Then it all ended. The main story had arrived. I was excited for approximately 10 minutes into the real thing. After that I started to miss the younger version of the main characters and the setting they where in. The whole thing just fell right on it's face and couldn't stand up again! Everything that happened onscreen ended up going into one ear and out the other, while my eyes forgot what had been shown to them. That is how I would explain my feelings anyway.

Secondly, the cast:
Reason to why I found this drama and the reason to why I watched it was, again and once more, because of the actor Nam Gung Min. Twice I've seen him in a drama, first time I hated his character but believed that I would like him in something else, when he wasn't the love rival. I watched Unemployed Romance, where I found him to be around Meh and Maybe. After blaming these feelings on the bad script and pacing, I started my hunt again. Believing, still, that I would find him likable. I've finally come to understand something. My hunt will end here, the possibility that I will find something I'll like with him as one of the mains is close to zero. I can only say that I tried. When watching him play the character that I already in the flashback found to be just alright, it just came falling down. The whole way he carried the character just .... It was hard to watch. I got so irritated just looking at his smug face and for the majority of the series, I wanted him to stay quiet and out of sight, this sadly can't happen when the aforementioned person is the male lead. The female lead, Lee So Yeon as Jang Kook is ...better but still not good enough. The change from the young version and the adult one is way to drastic. It doesn't feel like the same person. I never found myself convinced that the girl I had watched earlier was the new woman in front of me. When that happens it's anything else than a good thing. The story feels less whole and feels less real then it should. It's just an unattractive thing to have when the person we're talking about is in fact the main female lead. I've only seen her in one other drama, I did love the drama and I liked the her character, but I think that's also the only series with her that I'll like, at least for the time being. If we take a look at all the other characters that is part of this little mess, there can be a lot of things said. The brother of the female lead and the drama around him is the one thing that, after the main story, is the most annoying to fallow. The girl that is in focus in that specific sidestory is one of the worst characters here, for me at least. The mother and the conflicts that arise between her and the grandmother is uninteresting. The other side of the series, meaning the male leads family is not any better. The uncle is likable and one of the few characters that I can stand. And for the first time I have absolutely nothing to say about the love rivals, Mind blown!
Now someone out there is thinking "Oh no! Is there not a single person in this series that actually is a good character?" To answer that, yes there is one character that I felt really attached to. He was, of course, best when in the flashback but he keeps on being the best when moving into the main story. The character I'm talking about is Park Moo Chul! He was enjoyable and felt real. He felt to be in good balance when between the young and older version, and that they could have been the same person. We got enough backstory about him to understand what and how everything in his life played out. His relationship with our mains is rather cute and was the better part of the story. If you ask me he and Jang Dal Rea/ Jang Kook made such a cuter and better couple then the one we got. Sadly that didn't happen. That is it in a nutshell.

I'm not going to say anything about the music, it's not anything magical or special in my point of view. I'm sure that there will be some person out there that will disagree with we, as there always is.

Are you really asking me about the rewatch value? The one and only reason to why I finished it was so that I could review it! So that I could warn people. Yes I liked Moo Chul, but remember I liked him the best in the flashback episodes and therefor disappeared way to long ago.

Overall and lastly. I'm not saying that you won't like this one. I'm sure that some of you will. However I don't and that is what I've presented to you. The show got destroyed by the flashback, if it had not been better than the main story, I would never have seen how bad the story really was. Most of all, this series have finally given me the rest of not looking for more dramas with Nam Gung Min. He's not going to surprise me with a topnotch role as of yet. No more looking for me,however if he comes across a shockingly perfect role for himself, I hope it comes falling into my lap so that I'll be proven wrong, however until then his labeled as an unliked actor.

It's all up to you, dear reader. As I always say, the choice of watching is all up the the person that is going to. If you find it interesting then watch if not then don't. Whom am I to decide that. All I do is say what I think and that's it.


Happy Watching!


Mivaaa!

Leggi di Più

I hate it when I discover a series and I really wanna like it because of reasons other then how good it is. You can't force "like", it has to just appear and that is the thing with this kdrama. I really wanted to like it. The themes of the show is simple, easy breezy and short, all things that is lovable after watching a more serious show, but Unemployed Romance didn't hold up for me.
And why?

Firstly, the story.
I liked the idea for this show. It seemed to be easy and not too dramatic.I was worried about the few episodes but I figured that this simple series didn't need more than that amount of episodes to be good. I was wrong. The story was not bad, the length was. They tried to cram so much story into that little space. We started out by not seeing our main male lead until episode 3 and after that we have 3 episodes of backstory. Because of the series mare 10 episodes I really think that was a bad move. We had 4 episodes to build up the present time drama and rekindling plus the side characters stories and romances. Too much for such a short time. There where love rivals too and nothing felt well executed because of all the things going on. The ending for me, without spoiling anything, left me stunned for a second, wondering wtf just happened and how much of everything that actually was real. I hate that kind of ending too because it feels like someone just opened my Kdrama central (brain) and F everything up in there.

Secondly, the cast.
Let me present to you why exactly I wanted to like this series, the actor Nam Goong Min. You may wonder why I wanted to like it because of him. Easy to answer. I hated him, and I mean HATED his character in My Secret Hotel. I felt "like" for the actor but because of the character that he played I couldn't like him at all. So I wanted to see him play the main love interest in a different show so that I could love him openly (Sounds wrong?) and that's the thing. Funny enough tho I really liked his character. Kim Jong Dae is really cute, especially when younger. I found Goong Min so much better as the funny, little dorky and romantic persona compared to the strict and rather boring character that is Jo Sung Gyoum. I'll have to continue looking for another series with him that I truly can enjoy.
The Female lead is nothing special for me. Just around but still having funny moments. Not even in the 3 episode long flashback she stood out or made any special impression on me, and that is what the lead role is suppose to do.
The love rival, and I'm talking about the male one, because the female love rival is so forgettable it stays deep in my head and I cant reach it. You can say one thing and that is - Seo Jun Yeong is adorable. Even when trying to look like a smart lawyer. I really liked him, however closer to the end he started to get on my nerves and I wanted him to just move on with his life. He had stayed still for too long in my P.O.V.
The supporting cast is mediocre. As long as they stay supporting to our two main leads (Again because we have no time for any other storyline than the main romance) I have no problem with them. But as soon as they started to take up too much space I just wanted to put them back into their little "supporting characters" - box and put it in the dark corner of the Kdrama world. Stay put!

The music was actually the good point. I noticed this when I either was confused or when I simply was bored. The music kept the mood going on in the scene. Not much more to say about this tho.

Rewatch is close to zero for me. Ja, I did like Jong Dae and he was dorky and adorable, but it is by far not enough to make me rewatch the whole thing again. Sure it's only 10 episodes but because of the mediocre aftertaste of those 10 episodes I think I rather don't watch it again. NO I think not.

Overall and lastly, however much I want to say that this show was cute and worth watching... I can't. It's not that good and to be honest, it's not that easy breezy and not undramatic either. If the writers just had left some of the things be and let other things take its place, the drama wold have been better. I know now that to much shit going on in one short drama is a bad idea in every single case. Short drama - little and simple story. Long drama - Bring on the arcs of storylines.


Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

If you ask me, everyday dramas tend to be too long. Meaning that during the time it runs the pacing, the story line and the characters end up being either boring or dull. Of course that is just my own opinion on the matter. This is the reason to why I have a hard time finishing such shows. However when I do finish them I have many things to say about it. So of course this rule also applies to this drama here. Cheer up Mr. Kim is one of the few series that I've actually finished, that being a long drama that i finished. And with that said, I must admit that I now wonder what made me want to watch it til the end.
And why?

Firstly, the story:
The story is, in it's own way, quite different from our generic Korean drama. However it doesn't stop it from having as much drama as them all. Sure Cheer up Mr. Kim tackles problems and things that's not usually there. The story, if you just look at the bigger picture isn't bad. It's more interesting than bad. A man that takes care of different children for different reasons, even tho he himself has a hard time in life. He teaches them to be proud of who they are and to go after their dreams. He also cares for them and has a hard time in letting them be hurt in any way. He has an inability (Kind of) to think of himself and focus on his own well being. It's not a bad story. However when you go off track and dive into things that really has no reason to be there, and then pushing it all over 100+ episodes, then the story and characters suffer. So many things happen and by the middle (in my own personal experience) felt it to be annoying and way to much. When you spend the majority of a series being annoyed at someone or a situation... or in the worst case, both. Than it's not a good sign. I feel that if the drama had stuck to the main story about Mr. Kim and his good heart for his family, then the story and series would have been much better. The show really didn't need all the romance drama and side plots (that long running Kdramas tend to love) that takes over and lead us into a f:ed up mace. I also wished that there were more focus on the kids and their individual stories and love. It would have kept it more fresh.

Secondly, the cast:
Here is were the drama suffers the most. I'm not saying that the actors suck or that they have no idea how to act out the characters they're portraying. Nope, the actors and actresses did a rather good job, no, my blame is all on the characters we're fallowing throughout these 100+ episodes. How come? Cause' of them all being annoying or disgustingly in your face all the way thru. When you go with that many episodes, you must at least have one character that you feel is good all the time. Sure I may be clouded by the dislike that I feel for this show, so I say that non of the characters are good. But no, there are some that I did like and enjoy nearly the whole time. Mr. Kim's niece is one. Some would say that she has an attitude and should have respect more often, however I know after all these episodes that she had all the right to say what she did. The other character that I enjoyed a lot was Go Juu Sung. Yes I was one of the people that hated him the first episodes that he was in, however with his character development I came to really love him. He was a easy going character that really, after his own arc, was the only dramafree person, and trust me, that was well needed. Sadly the focus wasn't put enough on the kids and therefor toke away alot of my favorites.
Moving on to the love rivals I can only say this. THESE ARE THE WORST RIVALS EVER! People that have read my other reviews know by now, that I have a deep problem with rivals in love. These two take the price. In combination with our main leads this was a catastrophe. If I didn't want to hit one couple, then I wanted to hit the other one. Our main leads, that were not that bad on their own, became close to intolerable when with the individual "lover".
I've come to understand that I will never like the actor of Yang Jin Woo. He will always look like the manipulative, in your face jerk for me. Sorry but that is one thing I know.

Even if the music had been woulderful, good, cool, perfect and fitting. It would still not be able to save this show for me. Not even good music could cover up the mess.

As we all can guess by now. I will, most probably, never ever watch this show again. It's a rear chance for any long running show that I would watch it all again, however with Cheer up Mr. Kim I would say no way.

Overall and lastly. When I was done with it and looked back at this show i couldn't understand why i was stubborn enough to watch it. Now I know the answer. I wanted to see a happy ending for this guy. And without spoiling anything I will just say that for all the time spent I was so not happy with how it all ended. I felt it to be unwell and unfinished. Bad endings are one of the worst things, but it gets even worse when the whole series made you detest it as well.

As I always say, the choice of watching is all up the the person that is going to. If you find it interesting then watch if not then don't. Whom am I to decide that. All I do is say what I think and that's it.

Sadly this show didn't make it, but to be truthful, I most oftenly don't like them long dramas anyway.

Happy watching! ¨


Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

I hate to have high hopes about a show, and as we have been proven before, I have all right to be. How many times haven't we've seen shows with great potential getting obliterated by the end. So I was as prepared as I could be when I started watching this little show here, leading me to not have high hopes at all. But ohohoho I had no need to be worried really because... Master's sun, it's as good as they come.
And Why?

Firstly, the story:
I have to point out that when i read the plot summery for this show I was a little wary about actually watching it. Was it the whole ghost thing? Was it the actors? I can't put my finger on it but there were just something about the whole thing that just felt no good. However I decided to just watch it and oh dear was I lucky I did.

Yes the story differ from your other typical korean dramas out there. It takes a different and more bold turn compared to other romantic comedies out there. This is not one of the many love stories of boy meets girl and love arises. The whole story depend on the scars of our two main leads and how they grow as people. Also how important they find the other person to be. Sure one of the biggest storyline factors is the whole - Let's talk to ghost and solve mysteries. Ending up helping the both of them and they come to make a deal to aid one and other. It's not dark tho, even with all the ghosts. It's also an extremely funny series with a lot of interesting and cute catchphrases. The show hold up so well on what it want's to be. Its romantic, funny and interesting but also include the darker and more sadder parts, that comes naturally when death is part of the whole deal. It's about moving on and and letting go, which I find to be a good balance.

Secondly, the cast:
Here's the true shine of the drama. The actors and actresses are making such an amazing job at being the characters they portraying. They make me believe they are real and that this story and the lives included in it are all part of the reality, at least it makes me wish it was.
Gong Hyo Jin plays our female main lead, the ghost- stalked medium. She starts out as the scared but brave woman that is in this bizarre situation but still tries her best at helping the new people that she encounters. By the end she is more comfortable and seem to have gotten used to being what she is.
I must say that she is amazing, not just as Tae, but as an actress. She really bring this character to life and I found myself to sympathize with her rather often.
Our main male lead, So Ji Sub had me confused in the beginning. After all, I couldn't get if it was he's acting or the character that was stone faced and inexpressive, but as I continued watching I realized that it really didn't matter. He gave the character life and I ended up loving him alot.
The other characters, like the Aunt, The uncle, Model and rival, security guard and all them ghosts could be mentioned and talked about, but for me, they never seemed to matter sense all my focus was on the main characters and their wonderful chemistry. All in all I would say that all of them did a great job and fitted perfectly for their roles.

Funny thing to point out tho, I talked about the generic love story in my latest review and how in that show it was executed poorly and all. Fun thing is that Master's sun does the same kind of cliche generic love story concept too, of course with it's own twists, but you don't think about it really.
Joo Goon actually symbolizes a savior in Tae's eyes. Because with him near her she can rest without having ghosts bugging her all the time. And putting it that way than she kind of looks like the weak and klutzy, not to say odd, female lead. But all that ends up just being the concept of the characters. They end up creating something more, and less generic and typical.

I can finally say that I stumbled upon a show with an epic and outright wonderful OST! The music in this show is by far one of the best one. It captures every feeling and tone of the show, whether it's the dramatic scenes, the ghostly moments, the "Epic and awesome" timing or the romantic themes. All music is there and all fits precisely right! I have found so damn many soundtracks that I love to listen to over and over again!

When you watch a show that leaves you empty, excited and overly in love with it then it's easy to say that you'll watch it again, maybe more than once or twice even. And that is the feeling I'm having about this show. I really want to sit down someday in the future and just watch it from beginning to end, all over again. Because I just know that when I've done that I will feel just as amazed and happy as I did the first time.

Overall and lastly, Master's sun is so many things at the same time and I've seen shows that have done the exact same thing before and fell down... like waaaaay down. However this one didn't fall, all these themes and emotions made it fly up instead. You get thrown around an emotional roller coaster, but by the end you feel it was worth the ride and that you wouldn't mind doing it again.
Master's sun is different, odd and unique, but it's beautiful and it gives you a story that doesn't leave you disappointed.



Mivaaaa

Leggi di Più

Have you ever felt empty after watching a drama, and the emptiness is neither the good kind (Meaning the kind where the series was that awesome so afterwards you have nowhere to go) or the bad kind (Meaning a feeling of just no words and wanting to just quickly forget and move on), it's just an wast emptiness where you have no feelings and you have no idea what you think? Have you ever experienced that? I have and that series was this series. Bride of the Century.
And why?

Firstly, the story.
This story is not hard to fallow, it's rather simple actually and it has been made before. That is what you're going to think when starting out. And yes in the beginning it really feels just like a lot of other series out there. The rich ignorant, rather mean and also a tad selfish CEO/Chaebols son etc. and he, this apparent douchbag of a man falls in love with the odd, different, poor and utterly "charming" girl that finds herself suddenly in the presence of this guy. And after that, depending on the setting itself, the douch suddenly gets hit by a lightning bolt (a metaphorical one) and is shocked to find himself caring, worrying and feeling jealous over this oh so non attractive girl. All of these things are there. It's part of this show as well. It makes a turn after that making it also have some kind of supernatural and true love themes in it. I do like it that the series really try to make us see that these two characters truly fall in love with each other, so much that they will have a hard time living if the other person is not there. Making me really feel the Aww:s at every turn. Another point, which is either likable or not depending on the watcher, is the myth surrounding the family and the marriage of the eldest son. I never felt the importance of that really. I put more interest in the couple and the drama around them and therefor didn't find that storyline to be important. HOWEVER the show itself finds this plot to be key so you can't get away from it.

Secondly, the cast.
I will start out by spilling the beans. Yes the biggest reason for me watching this drama was, without a doubt, so that i could watch my dearest Lee Hong Ki in another Main Role. I love him and he is so charming, and that voice of his is so different yet such a charming part of him. But I didn't continue watching just to see him. I did want to see what happened to be fare. Also the leading lady is really great, because she succeeded in pulling of, not one, but two performances playing two totally different girls. I can really see how that can be a tough job but she did it. I must say that she even made it seem that the two girls where two different people playing them at times and that is a great skill. The rest of the cast is neither special nor hateful, they're just meh. OK sure you will come to hate Jang Yi Kyung after a while and also both the mothers. The female characters takes the price of actually being the most annoying. The majority of the cast, that at least I found to be, that was likable was male characters. I'm not saying that all the female characters sucked but there where many female characters that did annoy me.

The music is fantastic and fits the mood and tone of the show really well. It really feels like some kind of romantic fairy tale or a story that your grandparents tell you, sharing their romantic and fateful meeting. The music brings out those feelings really well and I found myself just staring at the screen.
I feel that the music is one of the most important parts of a series or a movie and i'm always as happy when I find such ones that succeed in combining both visuals and music to make something beautiful.

The rewatch is neither high nor low in this case and that's because right now I still carry that vast emptiness and I still don't know how I feel. The first half of the show was really good in my opinion and it made me seem stuck to my computer. But as soon as the second half appeared it seemed to lose the grip that it had over me and by the end I just felt that I wanted the series done and over with rather than wanting more out of it. I did like the ending, it was cute and really felt finished, but it was the later half of the show that made the ending lose that spark.

Overall and lastly. I do like this show. It had a cute romance going on and you really wanted the two main characters to really find their happily ever after. However the drama surrounding this show, in the end heaved it down and it couldn't shine brighter nor all the way til the end. You really should watch it because if you're looking for a romantic story than this fits right in. Try to stay optimistic, knowing that the ending episode is good and will at least make you feel like it was worth the while.

Still up to you tho!

Happy watching!
Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

I want to like Taiwanese dramas, I truly do. However they keep on making me fel that they are just.... Kind of meh. Usually they have a god premise and interesting story, but as you keep on watching, episode after episode, you come to realize that the series has nothing new, nothing captivating and leaving you with a disappointment that can't easily be removed. So for the most times I don't even bother looking for taiwanese drama anymore, considering the fact that I seem to be unlucky with them. But there can plop up a random drama here and there, and without any major hopes I start watching it. This is the story about how I came to watch Sunny Happiness. So let's see how this one turned out. Let's just say that I still have the same feeling about taiwanese drama as I've had until now.
And why?

Firstly, the story:
The story is one that I have the tendency to actually look up, meaning that the kind of premise used in Sunny happiness is one that I love to watch. A contracted marriage AND a baby on top of that. It all just scream interesting to me. However after a episode in, one realizes that it will take the drama some time to actually get to the point. Sure i get that we'll need some time to get the story about all the characters and how and why they act the way they do, both to the people around them and to each other. Plus the fact that the series has a lot of characters, you know, as many taiwanese dramas tend to do. Putting all this aside tho when we finally get introduced to the actual story we've been waiting for, the party seem to get started!
But alas no. After the long time of waiting and getting to know everyone, we get disappointed about the fact that the drama has no originality and takes from it's predecessors. I mean i remember the first taiwanese drama that I ever saw, and that was "Fated to love you". and while watching Sunny Happiness I saw all these similarities between the two shows, so much that when the big Thing happened a was pissed off. Nothing was different, all was the same and when i understood this, I couldn't watch the show as anything else but a rip off from other things I've watched so far. So to finalize it all. I would say that the story had something going for it because I (ME) love this kind of plots, but when one get's deeper into it you see all the faults that the story makes and in the end it just feels like a waste of time.

Secondly, the characters:
The characters is better than their story, not to mention that the differ from the characters in Fated to Love You. Sure there is your stereotypical rich and mean guy meeting your typical poorer but extremely strong girl, and already there we see the difference between the two shows. Fated to love you uses the shy and insecure female character instead of Sunny Happiness strong and independent one, and only that makes it a little better situation. The character of Fang Yong Yong alone however, is not my favorite one, after all she is not the most interesting character. She acts the way one would expect her to and she has no problem with her attitude towards other people, tho she always acts out of love and justice towards people around her. And for all that expectedness, I feel her to be a boring character. however good a job the actress did with her.
The second main character is better by far, Xiang Yun Jie. Sure, he's much more from the typical character list, but he was both mean and sympathetic at the same time. Once you got into everything you kind of understood that he wasn't a mean person, only that he was strict and tough as a person. I do like that there wasn't so much drama in his character. He saw everything as they were and acted accordingly. And thanks to his character I had the power to watch all the way til the end.
Of course we also have to mention the so called "love rivals" because when don't I. This time our love rivals are the ex-wife and the brother. Let's start with the Ex- wife. After having enough of Yun Jei's ways she separates from him and raises their child alone, with Yun Jie not even knowing about his existence. And when their son finally meets his father, she realizes that she may have feelings for him still. And bla bla bla. Anyway I don't have so much problems with her as i expected. Sure I was bored whenever she and her problems were onscreen but her as a character, not so much problems there. Because she isn't a person that wishes bad on anybody. She is a fare and considerate. Compared to our second love rival. In the beginning you think that he will be a cute and caring character as like being a little brother looking up at his older brother. Guess what, not the case. He is scheming and always treating people badly to reach his goals. Just like he uses love to get his hands on thinks so that his brother will lose to him. This could work if one could buy the reason to why he acts that way. But I really can't see why he must be such a bad person just because he is seen as the lesser capable one of the sons. After all he seem to be less picky than Yun Jie and so that is kind of proof that he isn't as capable as the him either. He's just all over the place and he is hard to pin point at times too, so he's not one of my favorites. However the actor that played him did a good job, I'll give him that.

I do remember liking the music here but looking back I have no clear memory on how it sounded and if the songs themselves were good or bad so that's a bad thing in and of itself. If i can't even remember the music that means that the music didn't have the capability to actually leave an impression on me at all. The thing that I did like tho is that the music didn't have singers in them, which i've noticed is a common thing in taiwanese dramas and a thing I find to be rather meh. So background music that only relaid on tones and melodies was a much better choice here, making room for the watcher to actually hear the feelings in the scenes.

And finally we're here again. With the big question about the rewatch value. And as i have a tendency to do, I will be my usual self and say that this series wont have me watching it again anytime soon. And looking at the things that I've mentioned so far that wont be such a hard thing to understand. I mean The story failed in keeping me invested all the way, especially sense it made such a bold move of just F:ing everything up. The characters a mediocre and aside from a few of them, they seem to be rather one dimensional and only having few certain character traits. Sometimes breaking free from them to have some kind of character development and that's it. Music breaking free from the taiwanese drama norm but being unmemorable is just as bad as anything else. So as you all can see. me watching this again would for real only be a waste of time. I know the characters already, I know were the story is going and i know how everything end so there is really nothing left for this series.

However much i've complained tho, the series isn't super bad and I can definitely say this, Sunny Happiness in one of the better Taiwanese dramas I've seen. So there's always that. It's really up the the person reading this review whether to watch or not. As I always say. It is up to you, if you wanna watch, do, if you don't, don't.
I do hope this review helped a tiny bit either way.

Happy Watching!

Mivaaa

Leggi di Più

Say that you are a fan of something? Lets say that that something is charming psychopaths in tv shows and drama. Then let say that shows continue to ruin these shows by implementing some kind of “the thing you came here to see is a lie”.
Before I begin my spoiler review I will say this if you are a fan of darker shows with redeemable bad guys then you will enjoy this show.

Let’s start!

The story:
So the story seem to be pretty straightforward. You have a gritty and hard-to-control police man that gets to be a team-leader over a group of criminals. Their purpose is to catch other bad people like murderers and gangsters. Every time they succeed, they are rewarded by a couple of years shortening of their prison time.
You have the professional and cold hitman killer, the strong gangster and the rumored youngest serial-killer and psychopath.
Alongside the different crimes they try to solve there also exists another storyline. That of the psychopath and his memory loss. He do not remember killing anyone yet he still has a life sentence in jail. Why are people continually trying to get him killed and is he the one that killed the team-leaders daughter? All of this is what the show tries to answer for us. This is where the show get ruined. You see, dear reader, I am a big fan of psychopaths when watching shows and I do not like fake outs or redemption when talking of these characters. Yet that is exactly what this drama chooses to do.
Let us make the best and coolest character on the show actually be innocent so that we show that good people can be emotionless as well. I just wanted to watch a good Korean drama with a psycho that kept these characters dark. I am not only talking about the psycho now. The show gives redemption to all of the bad guys on the team. The gangster want to become an honorable man, the hired killer realize the damage and pain he caused by interacting with a pretty lady and as mentioned just now the famous serial-killer is in fact not a killer at all.
This is triggering and irritating. What if I am a person that likes to cheer for bad people in fictional stories? Why do we have to make the main characters actually good people just because they are the main characters? WHY?

The characters:
Initially all of the cast are great! The difference of their personalities and all of their violent tendencies clashes in a comedic fashion making their interactions both interesting and entertaining to watch. They start off working together not because they care or respect one another but because they need to and can utilize the others skills to gain positive results for themselves. The gangster is a typical slow and aggressive type that still have some loyalty. The hired killer keep a cold expression whenever dealing with violence and the genius psychopath never changes his facial expression, whether it be because of anger or being attacked.
But again all of this falters when they start to care more about each other than their own set of rules they have created for themselves.
The gangster almost chooses to die himself instead of killing Psycho for his boss. Same with the hired killer. Throwing away all they know because they hope to become ”human” once more.
The biggest disappointment for me was the psychopath. I kept on waiting for that one moment where his calmness would transizione into the behavior of a psychopath. This never happened and that made me feel stuck with a gloomy fellow that had nothing more to offer than being smart.
Then we have the rest of the cast. The policewoman everybody’s watching hates, the prosecutor everyone think is a bad person an secretly the one behind everything and the mad dog, team leader. Revenge and hatred incarnate.
Look at that. The policewoman keeps on being boring and irritating. The team leader chose these people for a reason beyond catching bad people and he is deep in depression after the loss of his daughter. Enough to do anything to avenge her death.
And finally, the prosecutor! Surprise surprise, he is a bad bad man and crocked in all the ways.
It all could have been so good! Why!
The acting is amazing and incredible, do not get me wrong, the writers are to blame here.

The music was good enough. It helped building suspence and shivering thriller feels.

I won’t be watching this again. I guess one could say that I have been scared by this experience. All I wanted was bad people to cheer for, instead I get bad people, actually being good people, trying their best at returning to a normal life.
Overall and lastly: if anybody has a drama that utilizes bad guys like psychopaths and let them stay bad, please recommend them to me. I am tired of all main character being good heroic people.

Have fun!

Leggi di Più