The Greatest Love (2011)

Well, what can i say that hasn't been already? This is a must watch for everyone, and a complete classic romantic comedy. I'm a big fan of the Hong Sisters dramas, and this would probably come in a close 2nd behind you're beautiful. it's just a cheesy drama full of laughs and cute moments, that never get to the point of being too cheesy. it was a little hard for me to finish, because it was predictable and a little boring, but the last 2 episodes made up for it! they were so cute and funny i changed my opinion on the drama completely! so if you feel like watching a drama with your family, or introducing someone to korean dramas for the first time, i would recommend this!

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Self Apologetic Has-been Seeks Redemption

I felt compelled to write this review on account of the number of 10/10 reviews this drama recieved. Not that there is anything wrong with having a different opinion. I myself, can't forsee a drama that I would rate a 10/10. In no alternative universe could I possibly rate this drama anywhere near that high.

The dialogue in this drama is (hopefully) purposefully cheesy and nonsensical. If you are into over-the-top characters with matching dialogue, then you won't mind this.

The actress who plays the FL, played the same loveable, self-apologist jellyfish character she always plays. She even apologizes for the very act of filling her lungs with air at some points.

I get that she is meant to be a character whose soul was crushed with disappointment, so that she has very little self-esteem left when we are first introduced to her, but please, at least make her stop apologizing for her very existence. It's right up there with having a high-pitched, whiney voice in terms of the sheer level of irritation this causes the viewer.

My god, woman! Grow a spine! Stop apologizing for existing! Anyway, the ML, when not preventing her from tripping over herself, is prone to bouts eccentric aggression of sorts. Using his celebrity to justify being rude to the FL, whilst secretly trying to help her career. The SML is consistantly respectful and kind towards her, but she obviously isn't as attracted to being respected, as she chooses the ML over the emotionally stable guy.

The ML happens to be absolutely stunning, so I guess that's why the FL is more drawn towards him. I'll never forget the scene where the ML is so distanced from his emotions, that he has to hug the FL to see if his heart is beating dangerously fast or not. 😆 Only to find, after he rejects her, that his heart monitor wasn't working.

ML is definitely an eccentric original character. I can't completely hate this drama, because of the absurdity of the ML.

Overall, I found most of this drama boring, because of the dishrag FL, but the actor that played the eccentric ML, delivering ridiculous lines with a constant stoic look in his face, but with broad, expressive body language. He is worth watching. He is an amazing actor. I don't usually notice body movement, but this actor actually acts with his body like no other actor I have seen. Very interesting.

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Entertaining RomCom

I was laughing throughout the show from beginning to the end. It is an old school drama but an entertaining one. This is a drama in which ML is over the top but funny, the story is light yet deep and plot is simple yet entertaining. I had fun and I could binge watch this without even realizing the time. K dramas are known to have bad ending but in this one, I was so satisfied with the ending. It was also interesting to see how rumors can be so baseless in the entertainment world and how fake public images are used as steps to success. Music was relevant to the style of the drama.

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Cute, sweet, and full of Grade A Hong Sisters' humor...but it lacks a bit in the excitement (dare I say plot) department. Better than Fantasy Couple and Delightful Girl Chun-Hyang (my least favorites from the Hong Sisters) but defiantly not their best. I thought Cha Seung Won was brilliant as Dok Go Jin and really made the drama with his crazyness and his devotion to the heroin. Overall the story itself was mostly forgettable but it was worth it for how easy it was to watch (and all the laughs). Not sure if I would ever watch it again but I totally recommend watching it if you want a good laugh with a sweet cherry on top.

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This is one of those fabled Hong Sister's dramas. I didn't know if I was going to enjoy this because the male lead looked weird to me. He kind of has this look like he would be extremely arrogant and an asshole. While that is the case in the drama, it's not nearly as bad after awhile when the feeling start being developed by both sides.

The female lead Gong Hyo Jin is absolutely adorable in this. In the beginning I didn't see her as anything too special, but as the drama went on, her beauty really shines through and became clear. I don't know what it is, but she is very beautiful to me now, and not many could match up against her in my opinion.

The romance has a slow build, I got pretty frustrated at a certain part, and almost took a break from it, but stuck around and I'm glad I did. Other than that one section, this drama is really great. The beginning were they grow feelings for each other, and the end were their love is out and open with each other is super heartwarming.

Also the main song in this, "Thump Thump" is really amazing. I am addicted to it, and plan on adding it to me playlist to listen to more often.

This drama really does deserve the high praise it gets. It's pretty great.

I highly recommend this drama.

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Although it was normal story but This is really cute 😂
For the first time in KD I saw a childish ML like this
Annoying but cute in a funny way

I like the drama so much but i didn't see critical situations between both leads to be the reason to fall in love with eachother
But in total light drama

What bothered me
When Ml fall in love, FL didn't
Then when he didn't she did
As if they were playing

I dislike 2nd FL so much
So selfish and annoying

As usual the 2nd ML was too cute to leave him 😭
And I'm happy he somehow got over the FL at the end
But it was annoying he is going to start with the 2nd FL

I felt the chemistry of hyo Jin is so high it fits any ML she acts with

And of course Seung won was brilliant in delivering the right feeling

This drama made me feel warm and I felt many times with butterflies ❤️❤️
Highly recommended

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MY HEART HAD DUGEUN DUGUEN (BEAT)

I wanna say first of all that this Kdrama was the first Kdrama's I ever known and seen in my life start with Jang Geum, Dong Yi, Queen and I and Lie to Me, and this !! I was Highs School back then when it was televised and dubbed in Tagalog Language in the Philippines and me and cousins were watching it every night and all of us knows the OST of this Kdrama, and it was such a long time ago that is why I was not able to recall the story of this Drama so I have decided to watch this again and along the way some scenes became familiar to me, I was happy with this drama one of my Favorite ever !
It was so light and fluffy , The funniest and cutest thing is how Dok Go JIn and Ae Jong make it funny like the way they flirt with each other and confuse each other whether one will admit or not, I laughed most of the time as I watch this drama, there are some sad parts but it was not heavy in the heart, but instead you are able to feel what really the situation wants to show and the character wants to bring, you'll learn that you cannot have everything in life and not everything goes the way that you want it to be , but if you hard work there will always be a result for it just don't give up.
If I were Ae Jong I would've choose Dr. Pil Goo ! he was a total package like how can someone reject that kind of man ! you know what I am saying ? but again we cannot really force someone to love us no matter how perfect we might be specially when one has already have someone they love, I really felt bad for Dr. Pil Goo, I thought only Kdramas today has the Second male lead syndrome but I was wrong , it was already there even this times.
The Story was all about misunderstanding and Ae Jeongs Keeping her mouth shut about what really happened she was selfless but it was not really good for me , in some ways the story have really a absurd twist but I thought it is how the Entertainment Industry goes , sometimes they have to go through and be even when other people might get hurt just to be the star and be lifted up but not with Ae Jeong, she chose to get all the hate to protect her love ones and people that was important with her.
Dok Go Jin ? nothing I saw was good to him , he was just a childish big tree ! but he was really funny specially when talking to Ding Dong the nephew of Ae Jeong, they were so cute every time they have their plans for Ae Jeong, Ding DIng was the cutest kid I saw in the Kdrama so far . I usually don't appreciate cuteness of kids in Kdrama except if they are handsome but DIng Dong , so so cute, you can really notice the difference of Kids that time than of now, kids that time was so innocent and literally what a kid you know in your mind, coz now 2024 , KIds is more updated than you are , tech-y than you are and sometimes scary ikyk !
Love the way Yoo In A portrayed Kang Se ri, she was so pretty, she really does well with roles like that , As I remember she has the same role as on My love from the star , her character was annoying but love its developments
Dok Go Jin's Manager is my crush, he was so funny and super cute ! totally my style, I think he doesn't appear too much nowadays also I have found out that he had a long time Girlfriend and was married already like a long time ago ,,
All in all I literally shouted on the romance of this drama it was funny cute and light and love the ending, before ending usually goes like this , couple gets married and have a child something like that , unlike now w even really don't know what will happen to the leads like there is always a question mark . I was happy with this drama, My mom was still alive when It was aired , I thought I was watching it with her that time and she fells a sleep and I was the one left watching .. maybe Loving dramas was one of my Mom imparted to me coz she was also a lover of dramas before , and this is the reason also why I love this drama super recommended to watch for those who want nostalgic comedy and romantic cliche' dramas , you should try this one

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Fluffy and funny but with hidden depth -- some unique real life themes

I rewatch the drama after several years and it was a fun ride. 

It was interesting to watch the drama's theme especially in today's social media context where things happen even more quickly:
- How are images constructed and how a single event can drop the person's influencer status.
- How someone can go from the height of popularity to being the bottom of the pile.
One thing the drama didn't delve too much is why the general public are so mean over social media. We see the people making terrible comments turning out to be very ordinary folks and mostly teenagers. However, what is that drives people to log in and make awful comments directly? It is one thing to be critical of a drama but another to personally attack the actor; but that is today's audience. Why do we struggle with drawing a line and what should be government policy? Should there be better guidelines? How should guidelines be implemented? Is the platform responsible for those making comments? Can those running the platforms be held criminally responsible? (Not to bore people but these are real policy questions and debated by IT ministry and policy makers in my place.) So those were the serious kind of thoughts that the drama reminded me of given today's context.

It is interesting to see that the drama was written in 2011 when these issues were in its infancy and far less toxic. This drama was first and foremost meant to be a romance fluff and it is credit to the writers that they managed to weave in some interesting serious insightful themes about entertainment and social media without getting too serious. These days, it feels like dramas that want to say something are frankly a bore. They preach to the audience that I just fall asleep. So it is great to see the drama focused entirely on bringing the entertainment quotient while weaving in lightly the more serious themes. 

In terms of romance, it reallly felt like an adult romance. We often have this misconception that there is no risk involved in some decisions but the truth is even safe decisions (whether it is investment or other areas of life) carries some amount of risk. The question is if you are okay with that risk and willing to accept the lows. So we have two adults who constantly debate the risks. For Ae Jeong, she is very clear that she will not involve herself in a short term relationship as the fallouts are simply not worth it and her pride will not allow herself to be used. Despite all the negative criticisms, it is her pride and her sense of protecting those she loves has kept her going. As she sees no future, she would rather not start something. 

With Dokko, initially he would prefer something short-term so that he can get it out of his system and not have it disrupt his life. He is hilariously vain that it does pain him that his heart is leading him to a relationship where there seems to be more risk (public backlash) than reward (love). It is interesting to see that Dokko actually becomes quite serious really early on but Ae Jeong is very slow to catch that because Dokko is way too comical that it is hard to take him seriously. So, there is a slew of confusion and conflicts that essentially have these characters determine if the reward is worth the risk for this relationship.

Really enjoyed that neither Dokko or Ae Jeong change much and actually remain the same people. Dokko's vanity hilariously helps him tide over the negative backlash because he is supremely confident in his ability to bounce back. Ae Jeong's perseverance and tough hide means she takes the backlash about their relationship without really affecting her. She sticks to her ethics and protects those she loves. 

In some ways, this is a typical 'modern romance' but thank goodness, it was on MBC. If it was on some cable channel, we would have darl lighting, long shots without any dialogues, them staring at each other for minutes on end, tons of boring existential dialogues, really slow  episodes that can be basically FF and watched in ten minutes or less; or even better, just watch the preview - basically cardboard characters that look pretty and pretend to have depth. 

So it was great to see a 'modern love' type romance with real teeth but also real fluff. This is actually a tough balance because fluffy romance these days are a bore because it is way too sweet and unrealistic whereas real romance are such a bore that documentaries on disease are far more entertaining. At no point, does this drama get so serious that it becomes super boring and made me fall asleep. At no point does this drama become so fluffy that it made me get teeth ache. Definitely a fun re-watch!

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I'm coming back for thirds on this drama. Why? Cha Seung-Won and Gong Hyo-Jin. SW has a mature sexiness about him that makes his character very believable. His smokey voice and confident attitude make me wish he was the lead in more dramas. BONUS: There is a shower scene in the first episode-extra fan service. This man is in shape!

Hy-Jin's character is humble, sweet yet has enough spunk to make you want her to get back on top again. At first she's in a low place and DGJ is a jerk (tsundere) type that needs to melt to warm up but I like the tough guys that actually have a good heart deep down as long as it's not too deep. :D

It's not a new story in this drama: Girl is successful, girl struggles, girl meets snotty guy, girl and guy don't like each other but are thrown together through circumstances, girl becomes successful in a different way, attraction begins! -then this drama is for you, especially if you like your men mature and smoldering.

Also, I like happy endings and this has a happy ending. Enjoy!

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Greatest Love was one of those dramas that I watched because of Dramabeans. It had good reviews on DB and was often mentioned as one of the best works of the Hong sisters and Gong Hyo Jin. I loved GHJ in It's Okay That's Love and Master's Sun but I couldn't emphatize with her on Hello, My Teacher despite the fact that I adore both her and Gong Yoo. So I was hesitant to watch Greatest Love. I finally gave in when I saw that the lead actor was Cha Seung Won whom I was super impressed with on Three Meals a Day.

I wasn't expecting much. Greatest Love surprised me. It was so funny and despite my skepticism, I found myself laughing a lot of times even during the pilot episode -- which usually doesn't happen for me. Unlike most dramas where it usually takes 4 or 5 episodes before I start loving it, Greatest Love had me at its 2nd episode!

Cha Seung Won did the trick for me. As Dokgo Jin, he's so hilarious. Most romcom kdramas usually pair a silly, funny, oftentimes clumsy female lead with a confident, dominant, take-charge type of guy so Cha Seung Won's silliness was so refreshing to see. His struggle to come to terms with his feelings for Gu Ae Jung (Gong Hyo Jin) was so funny to watch. And his evil laugh always gets me.

The second lead, Yoon Kye Sang as Yoon Pil Joo, wasn't bad either. He's cute and kind, I would have shipped him with GHJ if I didn't enjoy CSW's performance so much. Yoon Pil Joo was a good guy but Gu Ae Jung obviously was meant for Dokgo Jin. And man, that kissing scene by the car has got to be one of the best kissing scenes in kdramaland.

Unlike the first few episodes though, the latter part of the series was heartbreakingly sad and the emotional scenes really delivered.

If you're watching this and you're new to Korean entertainment scene, you'll probably be shocked and uncomfortable with the injustice that Gu Ae Jung and Dokgo Jin. If I hadn't been reading some articles about Korean entertainment culture, I'd probably think that the drama was unrealistic. But it wasn't. It was a representation of how harsh showbiz can be, especially in Korea where anti-fans can be even crazier than fans.

Over all, Greatest Love is a must-see.

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