The dramas main flaw is the story line. I think if had some minor tweaks it could have been a great show. With that said it wasn't your typical love triangle and I genuinely didn't want any of the male leads to get the girl.

I loved the character of "Gong Ji Chul / Jong Bum". They did such a great job with both sides of him. I really liked the emotionless version and his sincere desire to know how to feel. That is where I began to find fault with the female lead, her concern for him was patronizing much of the time and seemed to devalue who he was.

Other than that - they all actually did a good job to me.

Leggi di Più

And the MVP award goes to our sidelined player "Fidelity". What a fantastic drama from start to finish. Every episode, even the frustrating " ugg noooo... whyyyy?!" episodes still left me impatiently waiting for the next one to come out.

Mature subject matter for sure. Infidelity, work politics, friendships, trust, and so much more. I don't want to say too much and spoil it. I will mention though, if you don't like a "who done it" kind of show you might not like this one. A lot of things stay hidden for a long time - it's a slow progression of truth.

The acting - WOW. They all hit it out of the park. Everyone did a fantastic job with their character. The cheaters left you struggling to find anything good in humanity, and the victims reminded you that all is not lost. I read a few articles saying that Lee Sang Yoon was getting a lot of negative feedback because folks loathed his character. I mean - it's a show - not real life. I'd take that as a compliment if I were him - that "I" did such a good job being a jerk that folks were struggling with it. Jang Na Ra. I love her. I'm so happy she played this role. I was skeptical at first because she's been typecast as the cute and sweet girl next door. She grew wings in the is drama and soared. She was level headed and decisive and had sound workplace ethics and more importantly a strong moral compass. I loved her character. ( and okay she was still cute and sweet).


Anyway - rewatch? Maybe a few years from now. The who done it element keeps me from wanting to because it's like saying surprise 2 times and expecting the same response.

Shout out to all the other actors - I know I mentioned only two, but man they all did a great job. <3 sorry for typos - it's early.

Leggi di Più

It's hard to critique any 70 episode drama without finding some flaws in it - so I won't.

I loved so many of the characters that it would probably be an endless list of who and whys. Ning Yi (Chen Kun) / Male lead and Feng Zhiwei (Ni Ni) held their spots of being my favorite movie couple of all time and people in this drama. I loved the playful banter and tongue and cheek verbal exchange that they had especially during the difficult moments in their lives.

Chen Kun reminds a of Daniel Day-Lewis in mannerisms and acting style- when facial expressions and body language speak volumes. Ni Ni was such an endearing person - you couldn't help fall in love with her fierce desire to do what's right. I really like that in spite of the tangled mess of situations that unfolded - they and those close to each of them remained loyal.

I'm kind of surprised by the lower ratings - I loved it. Rewatch value? I could watch it again now - and I just finished it this morning. Suffice it to say it's been a long time since I've watched a historical drama I've enjoyed this much. I hope to see more of Ni Ni - I think this is her first TV drama since she's mainly a film actress. And well Chen Kun - I'm totally going to movie/drama marathon him.

Leggi di Più

I loved this drama. I mean I really loved it. The storyline was "mostly" believable. Nothing was too over the top. Admittedly like most 100+ episodes there were moments when you just wished an anvil would fall on the various antagonists of the show.

I know a lot of folks have been bent out of shape because the bad guys/gals didn't get what we all think they deserved. However I liked the idea that there was forgiveness and acceptance in the end.

I do think they could have ended it sooner, the whole cancer thrown in at the 11th hour really wasn't needed. I was disappointed too that there wasn't any real physical connection with Geum Hee and Sang Won - they kind of gave off a sibling feel when it was all said and done. It wasn't a deal breaker though.

Rewatch? Most likely not. Too long.

Leggi di Più

Not over the top

Phoenix definitely had it's good days and bad days, which I've come to expect in long dramas. There were quite a few characters I didn't really care for, however the ones I liked kept me coming back.

Applauds go out to Lee Ji Eun (Hong Soo Ha) and Seo Jung Min (Seo Ha Joon). Both did a fantastic job in their roles and really kept the show afloat. No spoilers other than the bad guys/girls were bad and the good guys/girls were good. The last couple of episodes I almost didn't watch - but I'm glad I did. Through out the show the writer seemed to really try hard to bring out the humanness in us all and the end focused on that.

If you like Monday through Friday dramas I'd put this on one in my recommendation list. While it may not be the best daytime drama you'll watch, it certainly has a redemptive quality about it.

Leggi di Più

I loved this drama. Admittedly in the beginning like all longer shows I wasn't sure about the plot or the acting. I had some doubts about the main couples chemistry and up until the middle I was secretly (or not so secretly) cheering for the second male lead.

Even though there were definitely a lot of things I might have done differently - I like that for the most part things weren't over the top and although there were some pretty unlike-able characters, there really was only one bad apple.

Happily ever after? Sure. But not until the end a lot of struggles and trials. I liked the realistic ending of complicated forgiveness.

I'm trying to keep this review vague so as not to spoil anything. I know a lot of people are probably struggling with why the main antagonist didn't have a harsher end. She was definitely a loathsome character who was caught up in greed due to a painful past. And although I don't fully understand why she did what she did - I do relate to the fact that after she saw her son crumbling emotionally, she was filled with remorse.

So Yoo and Seo Yoon ended up being one of my favorite main lead couple in a drama.

Rewatch value - I don't know. I say no now, only because of the length- but who knows come winter when a good drama is what you need.

Leggi di Più

This will be a short review. Outside of the character flaws in the leading lady this was a great drama from start to finish. I don't mean to say I didn't like the female lead... however I think the writers could have done a better job. I've seen more dramas than I can count and hands down the Male Lead has to be one of my favorites. He was consistent from start to finish. What's not to like about a man who is wholly devoted to one woman.. who would risk his life every time for her and his brothers.. who's is charming . The casting was great in this drama..everyone has a story and you couldn't help but fall in love with them. The Villain... he was awesome... and even though he definitely has some screws lose.. I felt bad for him. sure I'd watch it again.. not because it's worth watching...but who watches a 40 episode twice?... Well at least not me. ENJOY! This really was a good

Leggi di Più

I'm sad it's over. I really loved this drama. In the beginning I wasn't quite sure if I liked the storyline but I enjoyed how the show played out and the ending met my hopeful expectations of "normal" retribution and all that stuff.

I'm not sure if I had a favorite character -- but I really liked Choi Dong Seok (the doctor) and his uprightness that was never swayed by personal desire. I enjoyed watching Oh Sun Jung (Pil Jung's sister) and Lee Tae Woo (Eun Joo's brother) relationship evolve - they were super cute together. And last but definitely not least -- Kang Seok Hwan ( the bad brother). He did a great job acting a bit aloof and as a mama's boy and I couldn't help but notice what great facial expressions he had in some of the scenes -- It'd be nice to watch another show with him.

I don't normally re-watch 100 plus episodes but could see myself watching this one again sometime down the line.

Leggi di Più

After watching a 124 episodes I can honestly say it wasn't a bad drama. I actually liked the story line even though I would have tweaked it a bit.

The most difficult hump for me to get over was the first 1/3 of the drama. Watching Hae Jin being mistreated and cheated on left me feeling conflicted at times.

I liked the ending. Not everyone turned out nice or repented from their misdeeds which gave it a more realistic finish.

Why did I give it an 8 ? Seo Do Young is one of my favorite male actors and I loved his character. Anh Ye in I and Song In Guk did a great job as well with their roles (side couple). And I enjoyed the way the writer made use of Seo Do Young character who is a writer too, to interject what is most likely his real life feelings on the ups and downs of creating a script for a drama. I thought those scenes were especially good.

Leggi di Più