Well

ggma-clnz-awesome

OK. I watched this show for the first time in 2015. I was 15. I had just been whipped into phase of watching Korean Dramas by one of my good friends. Compared to the first Korean show I watched, which I also loved but for other reasons (Boys Over Flowers), this show seemed so much more genuine.

(I have not included spoilers about events but I might have included spoilers about different character's characteristics. If that makes any sense.)

First of all, the relationships weren't outlandish. There is no extreme hate between any of the characters in the show. No arch nemesis. The parents/grand parents are more reasonable when it comes to the romance of the main characters than any other K drama I have seen thus far. The supporting relationship in the show is a refreshing, long lasting love between reasonable, authentic adult characters, which, understandably has some hiccups along the way.

Second, the characters weren't to the extremes. I have seen so many dramas with bratty chaebol sons who wear expensive clothing and drive fast cars. Han Kyul is rich and spoiled, but his wealth is toned down so that he is a believable character. Eun Chan was believable too. She didn't beat up people twice her size and the actor wasn't fighting too hard to pass as male. She seemed natural and cool. Sure there are some wacky characters in this show, Mr. Hong, Ha Rim, Sun Ki and Min Yeob, but none of them do extremely garish things which ruin the mood of the show.

Third, Gong Yoo is just great, isn't he? He is a very handsome individual and I quite like the ensemble of different facial expressions that he can pull (my favorite is the raised eyebrows). Plus, he still looks great ten years later!

Fourth, Yun Eun Hye is terrific as this 24 year old tomboy. Her chemistry with Gong Yoo has not been surpassed by anyone in any other the other shows or movies I have seen him in. I must admit, after watching this, I haven't been able to bring myself to watch any other shows that she is in. I see her as such a boy, and without the short hair and masculine tendencies, her performance in other shows and movies always leaves me feeling a bit empty.

The plot kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the end. I'm only docking one point. Half a point because the ending is lacking some, and even though I've watched the show through a few times, I'm always hoping there is something extra that I missed at the end. Plus another half a point for the scenes which I feel are unnecessary and cumbersome to the plot, like Sun Ki's story (sorry Sun Ki).

score 9/10

ggma-clnz-awesome 18 January 2017

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3623582/