East of Eden (2008)

I'm writing this right as I finished watching the show with tears running down my face because they just won't seem to stop.

Great story, cast, acting, filled with action, corrupt society. Really kind of like what is happening today.
Story very interesting two babies (Song Seung Hun and Yun Jung Hoon) switched at birth by a vengeful nurse.

I got s attached to this drama, I had to remind tell myself repeatedly that it would soon, then I could go back to my life and resist punching my screen was not an option, lol.

towards the end I started having feelings of resentment towards Lee Dong Wook, as I could not believe that he was so stupid and I actually thought him selfish and ungrateful (as I said I got too attached).

Would I re-watch? No, even though it's a great drama, I was upset with the writers, for making the ending like that. You can't just take a good person out of a drama like that, especially one that everyone depends on.

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I really liked this drama, I recently re-watched this drama this past year (2013) and I enjoyed it just about as much as I did when I watched it the first time.
Obviously there is a switch of birth at the hospital by a nurse filled with revenge against the villain.

Cast: I loved most of the characters, and hated a few too. My favorite was not the main lead (but he was the reason I watched this drama the first time lol) I fell in love with Park Hae Jin's character (this is actually the drama where I became a fan of Park Hae Jin) - he plays the good guys son raised by the villain - he has a lot of pain in his heart b/c he is good-natured but get's forced to do things at times that go against his conscience. He does what his "father" orders him to do and puts a seal on his heart in order to act it out. He will commit one MAJOR sin in this drama - but as the drama progresses you feel for him again and he wiggles his way into your heart. (I personally found him more attractive than the lead guy) and I liked his "love story" more than the lead guys too lol. Don't get me wrong though I still loved the lead guy ALOT and I loved his "love story" too (but his is more tragic - his pulls ALOT of tears out of your eyes *sniff *sniff)
The villains son - to be honest I liked him a bit at the beginning and then really started to detest him somewhere in the middle (believe me you probably will too - if you get emotionally attached to characters as I do).

Music: was AMAZING!!! I loved how the producers kind of gave each character their OWN song (if you read the lyrics you'll understand what I mean - reading the lyrics as you watch the drama is a true tear jerker)

Re-watch Value: Is a definite (since I have already re-watched this drama :D )

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The one thing that I really did like about this drama was the premise: two babies switched at birth, growing up in their enemy's family, and then the resulting crisis years later. It seemed like a compelling story, but unfortunately most everything else about this drama kind of ruined it for me.

The drama was way longer than it needed to be, first of all. It would have been a better drama if they'd cut the number of episodes in half. Often the story went around in circles, with no real plot development happening. You get sick of seeing the characters doing and saying the same things for the umpteenth time. It got incredibly boring to watch after a while.

As the story clunked along, it increasingly became awkward and lopsided. I found it difficult to really believe or understand the motivations for the actions some of the characters were taking, since they often seemed inconsistent with the character. One of the main actresses apparently bailed before the end, and her character gets an awkward sending off, leaving a very obvious void for the remainder of the drama.

At times scenes were overacted to the point of just seeming ridiculous. Exhibit A: when you're emotional and talking to your brother, you simply yell each other's names back and forth for no apparent reason. "Hyung!" "Dong-wook-ah!" "HYUNG!" "DONG-WOOK-AH!" "HYUUUUUNG!" "DONG-WOOK-AAAAAH!" (rinse and repeat). Likewise, when you get angry with someone, you're supposed to yell their name angrily and then silently stand there, staring intensely at them. If you watch this drama, you'll notice the precise same intonation every time someone says Shin Tae-Hwan's name: "shin Tae HWAN!"

Despite the overacted scenes, I don't think most of the actors were outright horrible (when they weren't yelling someone's name, at least). With one exception, that being the White Guy. White Guy could not act his way out of a paper bag.

By the time I reached the last episode, I was thoroughly sick of the drama and had lost any empathy I'd previously felt toward the characters. So the bad news: it's not the happiest ending in the world. The good news: if you're like me, by episode 56 you wouldn't care if all the characters took a flying leap off a cliff.

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First off, I'm writing this right as I finished watching the show. Had tears running down my cheeks for the past 20 minutes now because they just won't seem to stop.

Story - 10 : It's definitely a story that interested me. Two babies switched at birth by a vengeful nurse, only to discover later on in life what happened.

Acting/Cast - 10 : This one explains itself if you watch the show. The acting was fantastic. The actors portraying nice characters had you loving them at all times; the actors portraying "villains" had you wishing you had the ability to hit people through your screen.
There was, of course, the few English speaking actors every now and then that took overacting to a whole new level, but you learn to deal with it.

Music - 10 : The OST is absolutely amazing. Every song (and instrumental) is perfect. Their timing with the scenes is perfect.

Rewatch Value - 6 : I think, looking at how many episodes made up this show, this questions answers itself. Maybe, a long time down the road when I have a lot of free time, and desperately need to cry, I'd rethink this decision.

Overall - 9 : Up until secrets started slowly being revealed, it felt like it was moving incredibly slow, but I still found myself hooked. And once everybody knew everybody else's secrets, I found it hard to turn it off.

Like I stated above, if you ever need to watch something that'll have you crying your eyes out more often than not, and you don't mind a bit of a slow story, this show won't disappoint.

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ok, so maybe i should start by saying i'm a very sensitive person and usually get too attached to characters, so the reason i gave this drama such a low score on my list is the end, which i'm sure you can guess by now is not good. if only the end was good i would give the drama 10. it was very hard for me to recover after that.

so if you don't mind that the drama has a bad end, you should watch it 'cause like others said, it's a great story and also the acting is excellent. if you are sensitive like me or just don't like bad ends in general, do not! watch this drama.

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I finished watching this drama few days ago, and no matter what I do, I cant move it from my heart nor my mind!
I can't stop listening to OST and crying over them T_T
I really wish if I could forget this entire show and re-watch it again!

The main story is good, the drama catched me from the first episode, (I saw till 4 then stopped according to exams, then completed it all in a week xD) but some where at the 20s it got really boring >< anyways, if you forced yourself a little bit more, you'll find that this drama deserves!
The focus on the main story started at near episode 36 or so, and from there on, this drama is incredible! (and also tear-jerker T_T)

I loved the characters, my favorites are the brothers Dong-Chul and Dong-Wook
even though in the middle Dong-Wook started to annoy me, but I understood him and sympathized with him till the end

The music! oh don't even mention it, it is amazing!! I really care for ost when watching dramas, and this one has a really good combination of them. I specially like Fate Reverse by SG Wannabe, actually I am listening to it almost every day since the 4th episode of the show xD

re-watch value is low since I don't re-watch dramas usually + this drama is really long!
also I didn't heal yet from watching it T_T I'm sensitive person who got emotionally attached so easily, so this drama was kind of shock to me ^^" but I won't tell you to throw all this journey because of the ending, give it a try!

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East of eden was one of the greatest melodrama that have been produced by Korea. I have watch about 200 korean drama and this drama will be on my top 5 ! Actually,I'm discover this drama through Song Seung Heon. At first, I hesitated to watch this drama because of the total no of episode was quite long. But, I force myself to give it try and end up, I never regret my decision. I'm quite late for discover this drama but in my opinion better late than never is it?!


Story/Character: For me, the story was very intense from start to finish. I truly enjoy the journey life of Lee Dong Chul from child until he turn into adults. I felt his sad, sorrow ,passion, happiness and how he willing to sacrifice his own life for his lover, family and boss! Lee Dong Chul was a good man, son, brother, worker and also husband! He also very loyal to his family, lover, friend and boss even though sometime they treat him in a bad manner. For Lee Dong Wook, at first I like his character, but after he discover the "truth" about his real parents, he turn into a monster. But for me, this what make the story become more interesting. For Shin Myung Hyun, I pity his life! Actually, he is such a fine man. But because of his situation to live with his own real father's murderer (he did not know), he quite jerk at early episode but later he turn into such a kind and responsible man after he discover the truth about his real parents. Sometimes, I'm quite sad about how everyone treat him badly even though it is not his fault. For Guk Yong Ran, I'm quite attached with her character development. At first she quite childish and rude but after she face many difficulties, later she turn into a mature woman. Her love story with Lee Dong Chul was epic! I felt their sincere love and how they willing sacrifice their own feeling towards each other in order to survive ! Lee Dong Chul and Guk Yong Ran have amazing chemistry as a couple!
But, I WARNING who ever want to watch this drama because of Min Hye Rin(Lee Da Hae), better forget about it because her character very mess up and going out no where from early episode until the end(she leave this drama in the middle episode) . And I'm quite agree with the Lee Da Hae decision to leave the cast becaue her character did not fit to the story and it also did no show any development at all.

As a conclusion, this drama is worth your time if you want to watch something that will touch your soul. But the negative thing about this drama was the ending. I'm quite frustrated how can the writer do that to Lee Dong Chul after what he had been going through! But still, I LOVE THIS DRAMA.

Acting: I'm quite impressed with the acting skill show by everyone. They give their best for this drama!
Music: Very outstanding and memorable! My favourite OST was "No one else" by Lee Seung Chul.
Rewatch value: I will watch this drama again in the future!

Extra: I think. this was the best character that Song Seung Heon have ever played!


Thank you for reading my review !

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Honestly, I hesitated really long before I decided to watch this drama. It's not because of the story or the Actors, because Song Seungheon is my favourite Actor. I am hesitating when it comes to dramas with morte than 30 1 Hour Episodes, because there is very much makjang and they are too long. So I have a love-hate Relationship with them.
But I love Song Seungheon and I am a big Fan of many other Actors and Actresses who were in this drama. So I gave it a try, even though I was spoiled how it ends.

Story: The Story is amazing. A boy witnessed the death of his father and wants to take revenge of the Man who killed his father. The drama takes place over more than a few years, I think it were 30 years with some time jumps. A nurse swiches two babys and changes the Life and the future of two families. The older Brother lives only for his family, He gives up everything to gain power even the love of his life. He lives his life for his younger brother who wants to become a prosecuter and takes revenge by law. But their Life changes when the dark secret comes to light...What should he do? His younger brother is the child of his biggest enemy...

Acting/Cast: First of All, I am a fan of more than one of the Actors, so this could be long.
I want to begin with my most favourite Actor. Song Seungheon plays the oldest Son of Lee Kichul, who died when Lee Dongchul was five years old. Since the day his father died he lived only for the revenge and his family. He loves his younger Brother, Lee Dongwook, even when he learns about the truth. For his brother he would give all he has. His Life, his Luck, all he has. Song Seungheon is an amazing Actor. I don't know why he is often criticized for his performences. But in this, you can't criticize him, because his acting is that of one of the best Actors in Korea. From his first until his last Appearance he stands out with an amazing Acting. Yes, he is very attractive, but I love him because of his acting. And in EoE he shows us that he can act. His role is very difficult to play, I think. Because Lee Dongchul has a tough life. He had to be not only an older brother but also a father. Because of circumstances he can't hold his promise but he helps his family even though he is far away. His deep love for the daughter of his boss shows us is warm side outside his family. He is a good Man who is uneducated but intelligent and a very good businessman. He gives up his love because of his revenge and because he knows the two of them live in two different worlds. Song Seungheon made me cry very often, because of his intense acting. When he cried, I cried. And he cried a lot. But I am one of the woman who like men who can cry. I mean, why shouldn't men cry?? They are humans as well as women are. When he laughed, I laughed. He was the one who had to suffer the most and his acting showed it in an amazing way. I think I know why he got the Daesang for his performence.

His younger Brother Lee Dongwook was played by Yeon Jung Hoon. I know his as a villian in Mask and there was his acting brilliant. So I was wandering if he can act as a Man who loves his family and wants to get revenge on the murder of his father. All in All his Acting as a victim. I was impressed by his Acting and the characters development. I mean he suffered a lot, too. His character fighted the whole drama. He was tricked, he had a difficult time when his brother wasn't next to him, but he survived the Fight against his enemy who later turned out to be his real father. I was very impressed by the chemistry between these two brothers who loved eacht other. They give up everything for each other even though the find out they aren't related by blood.

Lee Dahae played Min Hyerin and was supposed to be the Main Actress in this drama who has a conflict between her affection for the two brothers. Honesty, I was a fan of her coupled up with Lee Dongchul because I wasn't a big Fan of the other female Lead. I hoped the two of them would end up with each other, but Lee Dahae quit the drama because of some reasons. So she wasn't able to appear until the end. Min Hyerin is a character who goes through a big change throughout the whole drama. She is the daughter of a businessman who owns a newspaper. Lee Dahae is one of the most talented Actresses out there. I liked her in nearly every drama I watched with her. She did a very good job and I was very sad, when she didn't appear anymore.

Lee Dongchuls Love Interest Gook Youngran was played by the (at that Time) rookie Actress Lee Yeonhee. I didn't liked a character because she was nerve wrecking. Her Acting was good, but not amazing and her character was...annoying. I don't understand why he would give up everything for a woman like her. But his Love for er was real and she loved him, too.

Park Haejin as Shin Myunghun had a very big development in his character. The whole time I hated him, until the second half. I pitied him because everyone hated him. He was in a very big pain. His Acting was very good, but nothing compared to his Acting in Bad Guys. But this drama was one of his first so I understand that.

Lastly, Han Jihye. She played Kim Jiyeon who is loved by Myunghoon and Dongwook but she only loves Dongwook. He Character development was the only one I disliked. She was nice at the beginning, but after years passes she wasn't pitiful but awful. I don't know why, but I hated her halfway.

The Family of the Lee Brothers were very nice, even thoug sometimes I hated the Mother. Lee Dongchuls Friends were okay, and the Veteran Actors lived up with my Expectations.

All in All, the Cast was very well picked. I am not one of the Viewers who are satisfied with the allround cast everytime, but here I was.

Music: The Soundtrack was wonderful. I liked the Songs very much.

Rewatch Value: Even though the drama is very long I think I will watch it again in the future, because the cast is really amazing and the story is very good. It has all. Romance, Action, Rivalry...

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