THE GOOD: The visuals of this show are beautiful. Good wardrobe by male lead. Good use of publication house job setting and the supporting cast were the better part of the show.

THE BAD: There are A LOT of things I hate about this drama. The story revolves around the female lead so romance is really just a bonus part in this whole series. The problem is, the female character is too problematic and never changed her selfish ways until the end of the show. There's a whole long list of flaws in the female character, her choices and reaction in life, which made her too tiring to watch -- too tiring that I don't have the energy to write a long essay of them. Now, for the romance: it was so meh. There was no chemistry between the main leads and the FL's acting makes her character even less likable. She looks like she's not really into him.

To sum it up, it's tiring to watch a female protagonist who has a very miserable life and makes it appear like it's all due to the whole world being unkind her, while masking her selfishness under her woe-is-me state, and then decides to go into a romantic relationship with her best friend whom she has abused since start of their friendship (never caring for his feelings or story for 20 years) because he's rich and obsessed with her, so he could help her out of her depressing life.

Lire davantage

Only discovered this recently and, boy, I'm glad I did! Thinking this was made in 2013, I'd say this show was ahead of its time with strong female lead who fiercely faced social issues of age and economic gap, or being in a competitive field which favored men. Wide age gap between the leads were overcome by their exceptional chemistry. Their conversations were also very mature despite much younger male lead (no bickering trope, thank god). This has the best, most peaceful and natural cohabitation of leads shown in Korean dramas.

There was no over-the-top antagonist and the villain was well used for the show's crime-thriller genre. Female lead acted really, really well and young male lead was also very good. The supporting cast equally did well in the acting department which made the show even more lovable. Show and the characters were well-written, where all the leads (main & secondary) have the biggest character growths seen in dramas.

There's never a dull moment in this show. It got me so hooked that I finished it in 2 days. And I so love the soundtrack!!! Definitely a classic you'd love to re-watch over and over again!

Lire davantage

Plot of this drama is a cliche. But, the acting and the songs more than made up for it. The leads were so good and I have never cried so much in a Korean drama than I did for them. This is Da-bin's best work and watching it now, after she died, will further make you feel like she was similar to the female lead character. She has strong chemistry with both the main and secondary male leads.

The music is so, so good. I wasn't a fan of the male lead initially but was won over when he sang the saddest song of unrequited love (Half Love). I feel this is an underrated drama.

Lire davantage

This show is a masterpiece! It has a very well-written story that fleshed out all of the 15 characters in its ensemble cast. An impressive feat, indeed. You will end up loving each of the character in this show. A bonus is that the writer and director didn't make anyone a male or female lead in the show. All the gangs are equal leads, all the parents are also equal leads.

Story focus is on the families and their very loving relationship with each and every one in their neighborhood block. That's the biggest heart of this show that you cannot find on any Korean drama to date. It makes you wish you grew up in such a loving block. The lessons imparted in this show are very real. It's a show that both kids and parents can enjoy, and learn from.

Music: The songs chosen for this drama are perfect! Even the nostalgic, popular English songs from the 80s gave the show additional heart.

Lire davantage