I have high expectations. Even more so for historical dramas and I'm starting to hate myself for it.

Let's get one thing straight: I am all for love triangles/squares/whatever shape they come out to be, but one thing I cannot stand is when they objectify the women. The plot was also dragged out for way too long. I think at one point, I wasn't even sure what the actual plot was anymore. There were just so many twists and turns, I could barely keep up with it.

There were a few actors/actress that blew me away, Kim So Hyun being one of those people. It still amazes me to see how far she's come and how much she's accomplished at such a young age. Compared to her, I am nothing but a potato.

With historical dramas come ballads. I've noticed for quite a while now that ballads can sound pretty similar to one another. So much so, that they can feel a little boring at times. There were some original soundtracks that stood out to me, however, the majority didn't impress. But for those that did, extra points for them.

Overall, I think this is still a watchable drama. The ending will give you a satisfaction like no other. You might even let out a sigh of relief. Historical dramas hold a very special place in my heart because they take me back to a time that I never got the chance to experience. In addition to that, I also get to admire the costumes. So even though it lacked in some departments, I still had a good time. I don't regret finishing it but this drama definitely won't make it on my list of ones to rewatch.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

It's been a while since I've finished this drama so I initially (and foolishly) believed that I wouldn't have a problem with reviewing this drama. But boy was I wrong on some many levels. Immediately, all of the emotions I've kept tucked away somewhere came rushing out.

This storyline is so unlike any other and that's the main reason why I loved it so much. I'm a true sucker for historical dramas and although I do enjoy a happy ending, I find myself appreciating a drama more when it doesn't always give me what I want. Life happens, you know?

With idol turned actors, I usually have my opinions about them. There are only a few that I have positive opinions about and Im Shi Wan is one of those people. He did such an amazing job delivering those raw emotions, it gave me chills.

And no words can describe how much I was affected by their soundtracks. Even after finishing the drama, I wasn't ready to let go. I had to listen to their OST's every second of every day for almost an entire month because I was clearly possessed. But no matter how much it hurt whenever I listened to it, it didn't hurt as much as when the final episode aired.

Overall, I think this drama did a sensational job at making me feel some type of way. This has got to be one of the best dramas I've ever had the pleasures of watching. I would highly recommend this to anyone who's looking for a good romance. But keep a box of tissues next to you, just in case. This drama is too good not to come back for. There is no doubt in my mind that I won't be returning for a second run.

With that said,
Llama out.

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First off, I just wanted to give this drama a huge round of applause because we all know that it is damn near impossible to get a second season for any k-drama. If you're currently attending college (like me), you will find this drama very relatable. That may or may not be a good thing, but nonetheless, still relatable. For me, I found comfort in it. This drama taught me a lot of life lessons and made me realize all of the little things that I've taken for granted.

The storyline will definitely give you a fresh black eye. I was not prepared for all the feels, even though I should've been because I also watched the first season... and I know what you're all thinking: shame on me. *inserting a cutout of my face plastered on top of Cersei's nude self as she does the walk of shame here* But I also loved how they each had their own trials to face, yet were brought together by this sense of comradery.  

The writers did a fantastic job of creating each individual character and the actresses did an even more spectacular job at bringing them to life. As I watched each of the girls go through their own trials, I really felt like I was with them every step of the way. It was nice to see how each character faced their own obstacles but did so together. One thing that I was truly disappointed about was that I didn't get to see some of the original cast. That isn't to say the new members didn't do well, because they did. I just missed those familiar faces.

The original soundtrack for this drama was a pleasant surprise. Maybe because it's not as upbeat as most of the other soundtracks but this one definitely gave me chill indie vibes (with the occasional heart-wrenching ones).

Overall, this drama is a must-watch. Even if you're no longer in college, you'll find yourself reminiscing about those days. But if you're not in college yet, it'll still give you a good idea of what to expect. Would I rewatch this? Yeah, I think so. There might come a day where I would, I just don't know if my heart will ever be prepared for it.

And with that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

I had a really hard time finishing this drama. Not because it was bad, but because it was very dark and left me questioning all religious groups by the end.

In the beginning, I was very intrigued. I was curious to see how this storyline would progress and ultimately how it would go down. However, at times, the progression felt a little slow. But I think it was by the middle that I started to feel a little uncomfortable watching this. You see, here's the thing. I've never been a religious person, but I figured when the time was right I would gladly explore that realm. However, this drama completely knocked that ball out of the park for me. I don't think I've ever been so traumatized by a drama in my life. Of course, that isn't to say that this drama wasn't good. It did a compelling job of storytelling. But is it my cup of tea? No.

All of the actors and actresses did a tremendous job with maintaining the suspense. But really, I think the antagonists were the rising stars of this drama because it's never easy to be a convincing bad guy. I mean, not just anybody can make a smile look so evil.

As for the soundtracks, it was dark and rough around the edges. I think the main reason why my overall ratings for this drama is so much lower than what others might've given is because of the music. Again, not saying that the soundtracks were bad. My opinions are irrelevant. But is it my cup of tea? No.

Overall, I think the cast members were great and did an excellent job at bringing this story to its full potential. I would recommend this drama, but only to those with a brave soul. And I hate to say this, but I just can't bring myself to rewatch it again. I probably should've known from the start that this wasn't going to be the drama for me, but I truly thought I could handle it then. I just didn't know how much of a wimp I really was. But now I know.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

Remakes never really work out for me. If it's nothing like the original, then I'm usually not interested. And sadly, that was the case for this drama. I had high hopes for them to succeed because the manhwa was such a success, but it came out a little short.

If you're a fan of the original work, just know that the plot doesn't go down the route you think it might take. For me, that was a bit of a disappoint. I understand that when doing a remake, it can't entirely match the original. But they could've at least tried to follow it. Where one thing lacks, another should make it up. I was hoping the costumes would give them a chance at redemption, however, it only left me with a big hole in what could've been something great.

The casting was only mediocre. If I'm going to be entirely honest, the supporting characters were the only reason why I stuck around and finished it.

Luckily for them though, I'm more generous when it comes to the original soundtracks. Just give me good ballads and I'm all ears. I basically like anything that can give me feels, even if it's just a little bit.

Overall, if you haven't seen the original work, then you'll probably have a better time watching this than I did. One thing that I'm starting to realize is that my expectations for this drama might've been too high. At the end of the day, my loyalties lie with the manhwa version so unfortunately, I'm going to have to say no to rewatching this.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

I'll be honest, these past few months have left me in a slump. I had a difficult time finding something that stuck with me. Which is really frustrating because cuffing season hits me EXTRA hard and the only way I can relieve those symptoms are by watching rom-com dramas. So when this drama came into my life, I became a changed potato.

As far as the storyline goes, I think everything is great. I cannot stress enough just how easy this drama was for me to digest. However, there were a couple of factors that kept it from being amazing. For one, they held off on some extremely crucial information that still needs to be addressed. It was also irritating to see how long it took our protagonist, Kim Min Kyu (played by Yoo Seung Ho), to face his problems.

Casting-wise, I have no qualms whatsoever. I've always been a huge fan of Chae Soo Bin's work so it was really nice to see her again. Plus, It's never an easy task to play two different characters in a single drama, so she definitely deserves a huge round of applause for her efforts. Another person I'd like to shine the spotlight is Ssanip (played by Kim Min Kyu). Just because I don't think I can find a better representation of me in the drama world: forever a third-wheel.

The original soundtracks in this drama will surely give you that warm fuzzy feeling and help ease the aches and pain that come every cold winter. There aren't a lot of dramas where I can confidently say I loved every song they produced, however, this is one of those rare exceptions. The artists did such a wonderful job setting the tone for this entire series. I honestly couldn't be more proud.

Overall, I think this is a must-watch. Even if it isn't exactly your preferred genre, I'm sure it'll ease its way in there somehow. So I guess I'll just end things here by saying I am very grateful for this drama because it pulled me out of a dark time in my life but also thank you, Jesus, for your guidance. Let's only walk the flower road from now on. You a real one.

With that said,
Llama out.

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I have mixed feelings about this drama. I'm sure this applies to most people but I'm not really a fan of obvious plots. The main reason being it takes away the excitement of needing to know what happens next. And for me, that's the most thrilling part.

Don't get me wrong, I think this drama started off really well. But at some point, I felt as if they were only trying to complicate things to make the plot seem a little more interesting. Character growth is a little slow in as well, however, that can be overlooked. As far as endings go, though, I think they did an exceptional job at wrapping everything up and even leaving a nice bow on top of it all.

With a cast this talented, it's hard not to fall for this drama. But if you know me, you know that I've always appreciated a good villain. I even found myself sympathizing with the antagonist. Is that wrong? I mean, I just spent the last 40 episodes watching this dude dig himself a deeper and deeper hole. It's only natural that I would feel some type of way for him.

But I have to say, if there's one thing I love the most about this drama, it's their original soundtracks. I especially love it when the actors/actresses themselves take part in it as well because it gives the drama a much more significant meaning.

Overall, even though it wasn't a smooth ride from start to finish, I think this drama did enough right for it to earn the gift of being recommended. However, if we're talking about rewatch value, then that's a different story. Personally, I wouldn't rewatch it only because there was nothing that stood out to me or left me begging for more.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

There are two things that I want to applaud this drama for. One is for being realistic and the other for making me laugh so hard my butt almost fell off.

The storyline was well thought out. It's a beautiful story about four best friends trying to find their place in this world and I think that's why this drama did so well in this first place. It spoke well with its audience. With each episode, I could feel my curiosity grow, as I was constantly trying to anticipate what would happen next. Plus, there was so much going on that there wasn't even a second for me to feel bored.

What makes this great cast even more commendable is their chemistry on set. The connection between these four friends felt so real that I truly believed their friendship went beyond just their acting.

If you've read my other reviews, you would know I'm not really a fan of upbeat music. But strangely enough, I found this drama's soundtrack super uplifting. If you're ever in a bad mood, I would highly advise you to jam out to some of their OST's because they'll cheer you up for sure.  

Overall, I give this drama a big thumbs up. To all you romantic-comedy fans out there, this one's for you. Though, I probably won't rewatch anytime soon. Only because I still vividly remember a lot of it. Maybe when I don't anymore (and need to refresh my memory) will I do so.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

It's hard not being able to talk about what happened in this drama because it's all I really want to do. And of course, I know I'm not allowed to spoil anything, as I understand that there are still some people who haven't watched this yet. But what could be more important than this?! Actually, don't answer that. I'm well aware of the fact that there are far more important things to take care of.

But anyway, I think this drama definitely deserves all of the attention it's been garnering. With a storyline as unique as this one, it's no wonder people find it so refreshing.  Plus, the cinematography is just beyond amazing, making me especially envious of the fact that I don't get to live in their so-called reality. The villain, however, was introduced a little too late in my opinion. I would've loved to see him earlier on in the series.

On the other hand, the chemistry on this set was absolutely incredible. I'm super thankful because it was for this reason that these actors were able to grace us with so many fantastic ad-libs to look back on in the first place. All of the actors/actresses had their fair share of memorable moments but ultimately, I don't think anything will ever compare to the bromance between the Goblin and the Grim Reaper.

Even though the original soundtracks did a fine job at capturing its overall theme, there are only a few that I could actually see myself listening to outside of this drama. That isn't to say that the music was bad. It just didn't fall under my preferences. The soft ballads, however, felt like whispers of the heart: soft yet powerful. And for those, I loved every second of it.

Overall, I had an interesting time being taken on this emotional rollercoaster. Unfortunately, I wasn't nearly as satisfied with the ending as I was with the rest of this drama. At first, it seemed like a happy ending but the more I seemed to think about it, the sadder it truly was. It's sort of like the feeling you get when you receive a delicious-looking cookie, but the taste just doesn't turn out as good as it looks. As far as recommendations go, I would still encourage people to give this drama a try. And although I wish I was given a better ending, it's not bad enough to the point where I wouldn't rewatch it. 

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

There are so many things that I want to praise this drama for, however, I'm sure the other reviewers have already done that so here's my attempt at trying to make this review a little different.

Plot-wise, they did exceptionally well. It was really nice to see this drama tackling hard subjects that I think Korea's mainstream society tend to avoid. I'm particularly proud of the fact that they didn't change our female protagonist in any way. I loved how she never gave up on the people and the things she loved for the guy she loved, and I think that's a lesson we should all learn. Plus, it's nice to know that at least one person has got her priorities straight. Unlike me, who is choosing to write reviews at four in the morning over sleeping.

The chemistry on set was clearly great because the two main leads end up dating even in reality. And although they've already broken up, I sincerely hope this drama will continue to remain as a good memory for them both to look back on. I think Lee Sung Kyung is undeniably talented when it comes to acting. However, I don't think she was the best candidate for this role. I'm not saying this because I think she's too skinny. I'm well aware of the fact that she went to extra lengths to try to look the part for this role. However, she also admitted later on that the weight gain had caused her depression because she could no longer fit into her old clothes. To me, that was disappointing. She took on the role of a character who truly has the power to help women (especially women in her culture) feel confident in their own skin. But if the woman behind the character isn't confident in her body, what is that supposed to tell other young women out there?

On the bright side, I ended up loving if not all, most of the original soundtracks. I'm not exactly sure about why that is but maybe it's because I connected so well with this drama. I didn't even know I remembered them, however, I just found myself automatically humming along to the music. It definitely took me by surprise because I hadn't seen this drama in an entire year.

Overall, this series was just so full of SWAG that there was not a moment I didn't love. Despite the fact that I do have a slight problem with its casting, there was nothing wrong with the drama itself which is why I would still recommend it to people. It was a smooth ride from start to finish and I'd simply be lying if I said I couldn't see myself coming back for more. I don't think I've come across any other drama that has shown us such a perfect depiction of what young love should really look like.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

There's so much to say about this drama but not enough words to describe the effects that I'm still feeling after watching it. This is hands-down one of the best dramas I've ever had the pleasure of pushing aside my studies for. I loved it so much, I found myself watching all of the BTS and the bloopers.

The plot was never boring and I had a blast being taken on this emotional rollercoaster. I'll be honest, it'll be hard to watch some of your ships sink, but don't give up! Because it's the ships that do sail that will make it worthwhile to stick out until the end. That doesn't count as a spoiler, right? Anyways, everything from the costumes to the cinematography was absolutely stunning... And you know the storyline is good when those 45 minutes per episode just fly by.

Yang Mi and Mark Chao did such an amazing job portraying their characters. They did so well, they deserve a standing ovation. Their chemistry on set was undeniable, and I sincerely hope there comes a day when they would be reunited by another drama. But this isn't to say that the other actors/actresses didn't do well. They all exceeded my expectations and everyone looked so beautiful.  I loved them all, including the antagonists.

The soundtrack for this drama killed me (x1000). It was as if they knew exactly when to play it; and when they did, all those feelings felt like arrows going straight through my cold, brittle heart. But props to them for making me feel some type of way.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a good heart squeeze. But be warned because ever since I finished it, I've been having serious withdrawal symptoms and I don't think this is going to go away anytime soon. The only way to solve this problem would be to rewatch it. But I have to keep from doing that because finals are around the corner and I don't want to dig myself a deeper hole here. But you guys are more than welcome to! (Kidding, but not really.)

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

I think what makes this drama stand out from the rest is the idea it gives about what the true meaning of family is, which is that it's much more than just the blood that runs through your veins that connect you to another person.

As some of you may already know, there are a lot of adaptations to this story. I haven't gotten the chance to see or read the others, but regardless of that, I can still confidently say that this version will always be my favorite. My only regret is that it lacked closure for some parts. Maybe those blanks were purposely left blank for us to fill in ourselves, I don't know. However, I would've liked it more if it wasn't.

If there's one thing all of us reviewers can come to agree on, it'd be that the acting in this drama was absolutely remarkable. The cast did an amazing job at bringing each and every one of their characters to life, which is more than I could've possibly hoped for.

When it came to the music department, they were certainly not lacking either. I don't think there are enough adverbs in the dictionary to describe just how much I love it when they add traditional elements into an original soundtrack. Not to mention all of the great instrumentals packed in here as well. In addition to that, it's always nice to see the cast lending their beautiful voices into the mix.

Overall, I had a blast watching this series unfold. I would easily recommend this to anyone who's craving a good historical drama. I am only saying goodbye for now because I'm pretty sure a day will come where I'll be back to watch it all unravel before my eyes again.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

While watching this drama, I couldn't help but I wish I had the ability to time travel. However, at the same time, I'm also kind of glad I don't. Knowing me, I probably wouldn't have the courage to see what my future held anyway.

The storyline will drag out for a long time. To be honest, I think 16 episodes were too much for this drama to fill. Maybe if it were only 12 episodes, it wouldn't have felt so prolonged. That doesn't mean this drama wasn't good. I am absolutely in love with the aspect of time traveling. Plus, the cinematography was breathtaking. The only thing I found weird throughout the entire series is that nobody on the subway seemed to notice him disappearing and then reappearing out of nowhere.  

My favorite actor for this drama would have to be Kang Ki Doong. I think he was the ultimate scene stealer and I just love how his character is like everyone's best friend. I also want to applaud Baek Hyun Jin for his impeccable acting. In all of my years of watching k-dramas, I don't think I've ever hated a character (especially an antagonist) so much in my life. If I had to point out one negative thing, it would be Shin Min Ah's acting. I love you girl, but sometimes you are just too extra for me.

I really wish this drama came with more original soundtracks because then I could've based on ratings on something more. They were your average ballads, nothing more but also nothing less. I would've given them a higher score had they riled up my emotions, however, they failed to do so.

Overall, I think this drama does a good job of answering all of the questions that need to be answered and then leaving the rest for us to figure out ourselves. While they may leave you hanging for a while, I think the end is certainly worth it. For those who are patient enough, I would recommend this drama. Unfortunately, I can't say I'd rewatch this. I think once was enough for me.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

I wasn't aware of the fact that this drama was only two episodes long. So when I had already finished it, I was still waiting because I thought there was more. But I should've pieced those puzzles together when I thought the plot was moving at a much faster rate than usual.

I'm quite the introvert myself, so I found this drama very relatable. I might not be of the same intensity as our main character here, however, I'd say I'm pretty darn close. Or maybe I'm just a potato. Nevertheless, I think this drama had a positive message to spread, which is why I felt it resonated so well with its audience.

All of the actors/actresses did incredibly well with their acting. The only problem I had with the casting was that I felt Min Hyo Rin didn't really fit her character. I don't want to blame her for my inability to connect with her as the character, so maybe I'll just blame myself for not being as visually appealing as her. How do I even explain this? Basically, what I'm trying to say is that because she's super pretty and I'm not even within 20 miles of her league, I can't fully relate to her character. Or at least, I don't understand why her character is the way she is.

This drama only had two original soundtracks so there wasn't much to base this rating on. I was a more generous with this scoring, though, because of how much I loved one of their soundtracks. I think that one song did a noteworthy job of setting the tone for the rest of this drama.

 Overall, I'm quite satisfied with its ending, although, I do wish they had given me a little more time. If anyone has extra time on their hands, I would definitely recommend this short series. Despite it having some minor setbacks, there were easily overshadowed by all of the great things I love about this drama. If I find some extra time myself, I would have no qualms about rewatching it.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più

This drama captivated me from the start and that is not normal. Let me explain why. Although I do try to keep an open mind to all genres, if there isn't much romance in it, I find myself having a hard time sticking around. This drama, however, left me in a daze.

At first, It'll be hard to get a good grip on what's going on because the timeline is a little scattered. I wouldn't worry too much about that though because, by the end, everything will fall into place. And yes, I would've loved it if there was more romance. But on the other hand, I'm also glad they didn't waste any precious second diverting from the actual plot.

Major shoutouts to Yeo Jin Goo and Gong Seung Yeon, because I can only imagine how difficult it was to play multiple roles at once. But nonetheless, they did an insane job of making all of the characters they played unique in their own ways. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better cast.

There weren't a lot of soundtracks for me to base my ratings on and I've come up with two ideas as to why that is. One, not a lot of people jumped at the opportunity of making a soundtrack for this drama, which is a bummer because they totally deserved it. Two, they decided to just turn it down a notch because they wanted to put more focus on the drama itself. Whatever the case may be, they definitely took a hit for this section.

Overall, this drama is a prime example that we should never judge a book by its cover. Or at least, I shouldn't. If you're new and is looking for something to dip your toes into, I would highly recommend this one. I just don't see myself rewatching this only because I was so content with its ending. And also because there's no romance to look back on.

With that said,
Llama out.

Leggi di Più