This drama came to me one night when I had absolutely nothing to do and was still suffering from Goblin and Healer withdrawal syndrome. Perhaps because in my very young lifetime, I have been through company mergers & acquisitions twice: the first as a director of the company originally owned by the investment firm with majority stakes to the merger & acquisition, hence I was part of the integration team to ensure the other company we ate up seamlessly blended to our big picture, and second as part of the consultants that a global investment company (similar to Gold Partners!) brought in, later to be integrated as part of senior management, to make the recently-acquired company profitable for selling later on.
I think this background was primarily why this drama got me hooked. I loved how the writer kept upping the stakes so the business-side of the drama ended up riveting and actually complementary to the romance story line, not disjointed and unrealistic as that of, say, Doctors. I am glad the writer did not dumb us down (in fact, my cousin and I started having serious discussions about financial markets and financial instruments because of this drama!)
I have seen complaints about how Kim So Yeon's character, Kim Sun Jeong (KSJ), felt awkwardly flat and powerless, but I think the reaction stems from the perspective that this is a story about the two main leads, its hero and heroine. However, when you come to think of it, and if KSJ's internal monologue during the last few minutes of the final episode is any indication, this is Jung Kyung Ho's character, Kang Min Ho (KMH), story-- his evolution from being the best heartless corporate raider in the planet to being a competent and selfless CEO who also happens to find time to still love. Please view the story with this type of lens. It will make the entire series justified and enjoyable.
And then the star of the show, Jung Kyung Ho. I can totally see how his face and overall appearance made him perfect for his cruel and angtsy role in Cruel City but to take on the role of KMH showed his range. In his first incarnation, he was much like his role in Cruel City (although of course since this is also a rom-com, his sporadic childish outbursts in front of his trusted secretary Oh Woo Shik made his cruel side a touch lovable) and as the episodes progressed, the more I understood and empathized at why this man-child acted the way he acted. Towards the middle, we see Jung Kyung Ho act like a man “possessed”— keeping his character as KHM still true to character but resisting his changes every step of the way. By the time we get to his third incarnation, which I fondly call KMH 2.0, we see him channel his cruel intelligence into a more positive light while also making sure he has time for love. Jung Kyung Ho was so great, the alternative title should have been [Audience] Falling for Kang Min Ho (see what i did there).
Anyway, if you want an intelligent drama where the characters don’t fall out of character and the settings the characters were in were given due respect, take some time to watch this drama. The first couple of episodes may feel slow (really, things only started moving faster after the heart operation) but hold on to your horses cos this drama might just take you in for a surprising ride.
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This K-drama was so full of heart (pun intended) that I watched it again, and the second time with my teen-age nieces and nephew. This is a story of a man who focuses his life on getting revenge before he dies of heart disease, instead he gets a heart transplant, and then he begins to change as a person. He falls in love, develop friendships, finds a purpose, and (dare we hope) a happy ending. Jung Hyung Ho plays Kang Min-Ho up to all kinds of corporate shenanigans to ensure the company his father built, and his uncle stole was destroyed. May I say that Jung Kyung Ho was hilarious and got funnier with each episode, seconded only by his trusty side-kick Woo-Sik. The trio of Min-Ho, Woo-Sik, and Ok Hyun were amusing as Captain Hook, Tinker Bell, and Wendy. Yoon Hyun Min did very well as the friend turned not-so-nice guy and his story line of the progression from good to bad was believable. The budding relationship between Min-Ho and Soon-Jung was sweet and well played out. Still, most of the scenes were stolen by the funny comedic timing of Jung Hyung Ho. I hope to find another show with him playing such a well-rounded and entertaining character. The other supporting characters were well developed and well played in this upbeat K-drama. Please note that I prefer all bad guys eventually get punished for their misdeeds and this show did not disappoint in that regard.
The music and camera work enhanced the story and did not detract from it. I found little about this show to complain about as long as I’m a person easily entertained by lighthearted comedy and drama, and I am. If anyone reading this review prefers to watch a serious drama with lots of angst. This is show is not one for you. While there is a smattering of serious scenes, the majority of the show can only be described as moderately paced fun with interesting characters and witty dialogue (keep in mind my dialogue was subtitles). I love that there was a moral to the story, especially at the end. Please give me more K-dramas like this.
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Now apart from the "Yeah, I know it will turn out like this" story, what makes this drama worth your time? It's the acting. Should I restate how good Jung Kyung Ho played his character here? And Kim So Yeon also did a very amazing job with her role. For awhile, I really shipped this couple and really believe that maybe somewhere in Korea and sometime near in the future they really love each other and is getting married soon (LOL).
This really is a good drama worth watching just because of the chemistry and acting from the main actors, especially Jung Kyung Ho. I know I will be start watching all his previous dramas, because of what he had offered in Falling for Innocence.
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The central plot in this show and the plot devices are not unique at all, hence my admission that I only watched it for the actors. Fortunately, I did come to enjoy this show quite a bit.
The lead couple has a really cute romance - I’d put that down to the cast and their chemistry. As the show went on, the male villain became more and more villainous for the sake of it, he just eventually became a non-compelling villain. One of the poorer villains around.
One of the more boring aspects of the how is the corporate hijinks, trickery and plotting. Safe to say this show didn’t handle that plot device very well. During those times I got pretty bored and sometimes found myself using too much brainpower trying to understand what was happening in the company. The initial part of the show is cute, but dangerously goes into classic melo territory in the last 4 episodes or so, filled with unspoken misunderstandings and groundless accusations and assumptions, plus huge plot holes that were not properly resolved/explained by the end of the show. Definitely tainted a show that was otherwise enjoyable.
Otherwise, a not-too-draggy watch that was well-paced for 16 episodes.
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The cast were amazing. A common story with great cast and acting really changes a simple story to an interesting one.
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I ended up completing the drama in less than a week (which is pretty fast for me, as I work full-time and long hours). It was much better than I had expected and the story line was good, with a good balance of drama, comedy, the evil guy and the age old good-overcomes-evil theme.
The male lead did a really good job in developing his role - running the range of loud, calculating and cold-hearted boss, out for money and couldn't care less about feelings, to the romantic, soft-spoken, funny boyfriend. I must say I was pulled in to his character very much so.
The female lead (though seemed a bit old to be with a younger male lead) did a good job too, the perfect complement. I also applaud the supporting roles too, especially the father of the man who died in the crash - just LOVE his style, not just in this drama but in other dramas too!! Extra shot of soju for him!!
In all, a great upshot drama about what life should be all about and how those who have had hardships and sadness in their lives can move on and make life to be what they want it to be. Try it out.
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OST was good, but not memorable for me. Overall really good drama and plot here. Worth to watch it till the end. As for rewatch value. Yes but not in the near future. When I am up to it , I will do it.
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The first time watching this is little bit boring.. but you will find it interesting when the story began..
The more you watching it , it'll be more interesting..
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Story: A+ story. It really had me sucked in from episode one. I had sooo many emotions watching this show! I love how the characters were developed, and the story had so many twists and turns that you never see coming. Plus it had equal parts comedy and drama which was nice.
Acting: Really good acting from most characters, the actors made me believe in the characters, and evoked the intended emotions. Had me angry when I needed to be, and sad. I hated the main guy at first, but he really brought me around and I loved him by the end. I wasn't as sold on the female MC only because sometimes her reactions weren't what I wanted. But that's a personal problem, lol, I didn't write the show.
Music: Good. I liked the ending song. But the music throughout the show wasn't memorable to me.
Would I rewatch. Yes. Because the MC guy was REALLY funny. And I liked the Ajusshi...he was so sweet! But I don't typically rewatch shows. But if I had to, I'd rewatch. The story was compelling.
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Neutral: The story isn't incredibly original. This is mainly driven by character development rather than plot.
What disappointed me: The male leads got a ton of development--which is great--but it was so much so that it made it obvious how much the leading lady...didn't. I would have put this drama in the great category if she had had more of a goal. All of her wants, while understandable, were directly connected with the men in her life. She was awesome, so I wanted to know more about HER dreams and wishes. You don't get to see that in the drama. Her arc was more of a flat line than anything. She doesn't change as a person at a all, while both the main and second lead had full arcs.
Would I recommend it? Not in a OMG! way. It's a good one to binge one when you're in a lull, or you're just in a particular mood.
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Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
Life is worthwhile when you have someone or something to live for
This drama was not bad and also not great, it's just ok. I found the beginning slow and a bit boring but it did pick up around episode 3. The business Mergers and Acquisitions premise was well documented and a constant thread throughout the drama.The overall story though is quite weak, the antagonist didn't make sense, why is he so evil? there is no plausible explanation. The plot device of the company repeatedly coming back from the brink of destruction and bankruptcy also got old pretty fast.
The end of the drama was quite rushed, the time skip was irritating because it was an obvious attempt to bring Min Ho back without a proper explanation as to how he actually survived, super annoying and lazy writing.
Jung Kyung Ho is the standout star of this show hands down, his sometimes dorky, sometimes suave, sometimes deeply contemplative but always cute portrayal of Min Ho is magical and engrossing. That's not to say that his costars didn't pull their weight, I especially enjoyed Woo Sik and Wendy for their hilarious performances and also for their own unique and cute loveline. Woo Sik and Min Ho's scenes together were such a hoot to watch.
Sun Jung portrayed by Kim So Yeon is a great stable character although I wish she had been more casual in the personal moments away from the office, her stiff demeanour just gave the OTP interactions less spontaneity and an unnecessary formality which took away from our male lead's vibrant take on his character.
The two secretaries at the office were very entertaining to watch.
I also loved Senior Ma (Dong Wook's father) he's a great, engaging actor.
The villain of the piece, Joon Hee played by Yoon Hyun Min is inexplicably evil and awful, so much so that I stopped taking him seriously which is such a shame because he's actually a very good actor.
Music is ok, though I didn't notice it much.
This is a pleasant drama to watch but not outstanding. I give it a 7.5 out of 10
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