What made this movie watchable?

The storyline… it kept me hanging on until the very end.

If you are a very curious person like me when it comes to mind-boggling stuff, you are definitely one to hang on till the last scene even though this movie has a lot of draggy moments. The camera tends to focus on everything and anything, but then at the end of the movie, I got to understand the significance of those lens focuses.

The cast was great, I like Miyazaki's character as Mari, I thought the characters in this movie did not seem complicated but I got that all wrong. The lead actor was a bit too good for this movie though, I felt that he could have done better on other films, his acting here was a bit wasted. But still, he was awesome and brought his own character to life. He was able to pull off the kind of role for a person who sees different perspectives in simple stuff and yet trying to live a normal life.

The ending confused me a lot and there are also scenarios where I had to analyze or think too much to actually understand what was going on but overall this movie is a good watch once I came to terms with the fact that there were a lot of meanings on the different scenes that were shown.

This film made me watch it twice so just I could re-analyze and understand everything that actually happened. The soundtrack was okay, but what really got me listening was the ending song entitled "Gerbera" in the last scene. That song gave me the meaning of synesthesia altogether. It was a significant title once I was able to understand the whole meaning of the film.

Giving this 8/10 for everything I have mentioned and recommending it to those who don't mind draggy stuff and would love to have their brains twisted into analyzing the film.

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In my opinion, Skip Beat Taiwanese drama version has a lot to offer.

I initially watched this solely for Siwon and no one else. I don't even know who Donghae or Ivy Chen was prior to watching the show. Adding to this... I've also never heard of Skip Beat anime/manga at all! *Ducks in a hole* (No flame throwing from fans please! I'm just being honest here.)

What surprised me though, was how much it worked for me. I guess it's a good thing that I have no idea that this was an adaptation - hence I had nothing to compare it with. Although, I have a bit of hesitation when I learned there was a lot of CG effects where in things were faked - I have a bit of aversion in those things, but it wasn't that bad and the story really hooked me up. The story line was awesome and it hit that funny spot in my heart. Not to forget those heart warming moments with regards to friendship and all those special ties with other people. I'm happy that the focus was not too much on the love story between a man and a woman but about the love for all the people around.

The actors were good in portraying their roles, it wasn't that hard to be absorbed in their "acting within an act" it was really fun to watch. The comedy was really funny as well and Ivy Chen's character as Gong Xi was hilarious. She brought out unexpected fun in the whole duration of the series. As for Siwon... I love watching his facial reactions and his hot choco-abs whenever it's shown but what turned me off was the fact that his voice was off. Since it was dubbed weirdly, they should at least have looked for a voice over who sounds like him. The same goes to Donghae. I do understand that both guys are Korean and they had to do this... but the least they could have done was do it nicely, right?

But anyways... setting this aside, this drama is still one of my favorite ones. Music wise - I got addicted to it and still listen to it up to now. I relieve my favorite scenes whenever I hear the OST. As for re-watching, I have no idea how many times I have re-watched this show anymore since 2011. I was just hooked to watching my favorite scenes again and again.

Over all this drama was fun fun fun. I would recommend it to people who liked the manga and anime. It does not deviate much from the original and yet it also has its very own charm.

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What I love about this drama is the prettiness of Shin Min Ah. It’s as if she doesn’t age at all or more like she keeps getting younger and younger as she grows older. If that even makes sense? Her role here is fresh and cute that I couldn’t take off my eyes on the screen because it’s too unbelievable even if she’s supposed to be a fox. Aside this, the story line is very very amusing. Episode per episode would just send you off smiling and laughing with all those hilarious moments the main characters gets into.

This isn’t your typical romantic comedy where girl loves boy and boy falls for girl… it’s different because girl is fox and boy is human. Then mix in different immortal beings of the world in the picture, like for example a goddess, a goblin and a human half goblin… yeah. Underworld creatures and immortals are invading the story line but it’s what makes it more interesting.

Not to forget the OST, it adds to the whole concept of the drama: cuteness, hilarity and love in whatever kind of form.

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The story line was quite simple but what really made this movie going for me was the fact that the main actors were good in portraying their characters. I'm saying this not as a fan because Lee Seung Gi is my bias, but because he really is good. Even Moon Chae Won, who I could care less of, did really well in this film. They really had a good chemistry going in every scene, it didn't feel like they were trying too hard to be into their roles. It's actually endearing to see them bicker, help each other out and eventually fill in the void of their own heart aches.

Music wise, it was a big help for important details in each scene but it was not something I couldn't forget or get an LSS (Last Song Syndrome) from. I also have to confess that I re-watched the film again after seeing it, I just had to replay some parts which I found really eye catching, which I will be mentioning below.

Here were some key points in this film that I found really lovely:
Friendship of the main character - since I am a sucker for best friend themed film, the turn of events for me at the end was a plus point. I like the fact that both of them really cherished each other and counted on each other for consolation in their personal lives.

Back drop - the places where the main characters spend their time was really something worthy to take note of if ever I do get to visit Korea. I'm not much of a party person, but that club in which they spend their time drinking was pretty much awesome. I've never seen a club which had a theme of a bath house/disco bar. It was weird and yet it was working well. Then there's those cozy apartments which belonged to the lead female and that house in which the main guy's family lived. It shows the coziness of a korean living. Finally, Jeju Island. That beach back drop was really something indeed. I love how saturated blue the ocean was and the waves... it was something that could pull me into really visiting the island.

Ending - it was the average ending where two people reconcile and such, it was not outstanding and even border lines into cheesiness, but I loved the closure. I am delighted in a movie that gives proper closure to the main characters. It was cute and simple. And definitely something I enjoyed watching.

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This drama left me highly disappointed.

I was initially looking forward to it because Joe Chen was the main female lead but then the character was a berserk. There was no consistency or proper flow in her character's development as Lin Xiao Jie. The writers might have wanted to make her progress fast but they did it TOO fast there was nothing substantial in her newly reformed persona. As for Tang Jun, at least him being Tom and Tang Jun at the same time was a clear cut thing. And his fondness to Xiao Jie was obvious and unwavering giving us a solid main lead. Then there's Godfrey as Gao Zi. The man is like a prince, I swooned at first sight and I was already shipping for the second lead instead of the main one. His character was quite fickle though that's why I still liked Tom despite the huge difference in the hotness scale.

The story was subpar, the usual rich-guy-meets-poor-girl and it was all predictable I almost cried out of boredom because I was already telling myself what's about to happen. There were also scene executions in which made the story far fetched and circus-y already. There were unneeded plot lines which only made the story dragging and made the episodes longer. Over all it was tiring to watch. I only finished it because I was hooked with London's wonderful view along with Xiao Jie and Tang Jun's cutesy moment.

Oh... I also liked the soundtrack... but I'm still not recommending this as a must see drama. I would hate myself if you wasted precious drama time on this. But then again if you're a fan of the main leads... go ahead and knock yourself out with their cuteness.

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Ah… this drama started with a bam for me. All the cute, the hotness and the… music? Okay… not the music but it’s more of seeing Kim Jae Wook, Jang Geun Suk and Moon Geun Young in one show. My favorite kdrama actors/eye candy people in one SHOW??? How could I not look forward to it?

That’s until I’ve watched through 5 episodes.

This is the type of drama that just tells you, no matter how hot or how popular the actors are, if the story line is crappy, the drama ends up dead.

It was cute, yes. I would have to be honest with that. Seeing Wi Mae Ri strut in her fake voluptuous hair emphasizing her eyes, it was enough for me to go on and watch it. Then throw in the musician Moo Kyul with his long hair, pale skin and shiny shiny smile! Oh wait… not to forget the rich daddy’s boy Jung In, the angsty big boy with daddy issues and melancholic aura. Yes. I’d say they were quite good characters! The show could have been better but it just died with the plot line.

The story revolved in a never ending mess about being in debt, going broke, living a hobo life, making lies which made no actual sense, being employed, being engaged, being dragged around… it was going nowhere. The story went round and round with little bits of cuteness that couldn't save the drama. It was sad because the production had big name actors thrown together and yet they were not able to utilize them to their highest potential.

I won’t be recommending Mary Stayed Out All Night/Mary Me Marry, but if you like to get all gooey eyed to these eye candies… be my guest, just don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

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The film was short, simple and has a lot in it. Although I didn't understand 75% of what they're talking about, I was able to get the gist of the whole thing. What I love about this film is that it doesn't need much words for you to understand what was really happening. (Still, i would love to see this with subs) It was a good watch especially for teenagers who are having troubles in school and bullying.

The film shows two unlikely characters meeting and helps each other in the most unusual way (Oguri Shun and Aoi Miyazaki). Friendship falling off and starting anew. The ending was pretty much special for me, it was directed well. The last scene kind of gives you a glimpse of a drastic change due to a decision that was made.

That's all I could say about this movie because I want you to check it out your self if you have the chance. And hopefully, by then some subs are out.

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A slow paced film that almost bored the hell out of me in the 65% duration of the show but the ending part was quite a revealer and made me change my mind about the whole idea of the movie.

What I liked about this was how everything coincided with each other on the ending part. Initially I watched the film because of Ikuta Toma being one of the characters but slowly, I realized that there are other veteran actors casted in this film which was quite surprising because I thought it was a really low budgeted film. Then again… that’s what they wanted the movie to seem like.

Over all, the movie was funny in some ways, confusing due to the fact that it made me guess some of the character’s real intentions. The sound track and the setting did make sense after finishing the 103 minutes run.

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I have this love-hate relationship with this movie.

Love it for Song Hye Kyo and her leading man, hated it because of how the whole plot line was executed. Though in history, I already knew how it was going to end, I still had that tiny bit of hope that they would do something colorful about it so it wouldn't be much of a hard blow to watch. I guess have put too much expectation on my plate.

Cinematography wise, everything was beautiful, literally. Even the brothel itself was fixed up nicely. Music score was a plus, since it did help out build the drama, but it wasn't something I would remember forever. The story was a bit draggy and berserk, it swung from one plot to another and I hate having that kind of story line in the movies I watch.

So what other perk do I have with this movie aside from the leading actress? It was the fight scenes and Hwang Jin Yi's clothes.

Firstly, the fight scenes were choreographed carefully that it had really great results. Watching these fights were awesome, never mind the blood and gore, it was all good to watch. Secondly, Hwang Jin Yi's Hanbok were breathe taking. It had so many details in it and definitely glamorous even for a courtesan. I guess the fashion designer did put a hint of modernization on her dress although it was supposed to be on the Jeoseon era. Anyways, she was one of the greatest Gisaeng's after all. I guess the least producers can do was dress her nicely to cover off the sub-par story line.

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A musical drama in which I dared myself to watch to see if I could stomach in a couple of kids singing pop songs and dancing around some stage. To my surprise, it wasn’t the crappy show that I expected. The acting may have been a bit off with some of the characters which I presume is their first time to be casted in a drama, but still, the overall delivery and concept of this drama was far from what I anticipated. It was better and was really heartwarming.

The colors and cinematography all throughout was eye catching and the characters were as colorful in their own life story that it brought out the goodness of the series.

I have more thoughts about this drama and am definitely recommending this for those unbiased people who want to check out the pop-culture-industry of korea. Music wise, it was alright since I'm not much of a kpop fan BUT I love IU's rendition of Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles :)

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I have this habit of checking out drama's because of the cast and this drama did not disappoint me. Ha Ji Won's acting as usual, was flawless. I did have high hopes about the script/story during the initial episodes up to the middle part, but that left me disappointed in the end. The ending felt like a wreck. Why did they have to put an open-ended ending for the viewers?

It could have ended nicely when she finally became an empress because it was, after all the ultimate goal. What disappointed me was every 10th-15th episode the plot line changes and the story shifts its focus on something else aside from the previous problem on hand. That was really annoying.

I could have loved both kings - Yuan and Goryo alike but instead I fell in love with Taltal, Governor Bayan's right hand and nephew. Sometimes I day dream that he and Sunyang would actually end up together instead of the power driven-infused kings. Their tandem by the end of the drama was more in place than her link with the kings.

The music was timely, I couldn't ask for a better sound track for it. I have already re-watched several scenes from random episodes just because I liked the cinematography and the kick-ass fight scenes and archery of our heroine.

I would recommend this to watchers who are into saguek and all the palace/warlord/politics conspiracy, but let me warn you that the romance isn't the main focus here, it might even disappoint.

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Upon checking the previous reviews and comments, I realized not a lot of people liked this drama and had almost the same complaint. I would also have to admit that I was the same. I had to put the drama on hold for a long time before resuming it. I guess the first few episodes were pretty much disappointing compared to the original storyline.
Do take note that this live action drama is VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE WEBTOON. If you are watching for that reason, beware and do not put your expectations too high.

If I would be rating this prior to the saguek part, it would probably have received a 5/10 for me. For the saguek period, I give it a 7/10. Post sageuk and after finishing the whole drama, I give it an 8/10 and here are my following reasons for the different ratings.

Pre-sageuk:
I felt that the drama was a bit draggy and had this vampire teenage angst going on, then not to forget that I have read the Webtoon version which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was pretty much hard not to compare, which I did throughout the episodes and had myself disappointed a lot of times. It might have been better if I haven't read the webtoon first prior to watching the drama, unfortunately... the drama came 1 month after I have read the whole thing. But anyway, the first few episodes for me was blah. The fact that I wasn't a fan of the lead guy did not help at all. The other cast members were pretty much new to me as well, except for the parents of the main characters who I think brought something in at the table with their pro-acting skills.

Sageuk:
I know a lot of people hated this part, but not me. I love sageuk and this was probably one of the reason why continued on with the show, despite the fact that this was not even part of the original webtoon story line. I'm glad though that they included this, because if not, the drama would have probably ended at 6-8 episodes. This part explained a lot of things about the vampire community, the history of their diet and the treaty between normal humans and vampires. It had the cute, the romance and the exact heart breaking scenes you need in a drama to keep you moving forward. It also told the backdrop about the fate of the main characters.

Post Sageuk:
Initially, I didn't feel like continuing on with the whole thing because I was already satisfied with the saguek part so I put this on hold for a few months, but I knew I had to finish this and so I did. There was this sort of dismal feeling on the first few minutes of episode 11, but the songs and bits of change in the story line made me push through. I guess the last 2 episodes were able to give closure to the whole story and I accepted it with a whole heart.

Other bits that made me like the drama:
Second Leads - I enjoyed the fact that the supporting characters had shifted in their attitude. The way the actors delivered it may not be perfect but they still definitely gave me the feels. Compared to the webtoon - the attitude change did happen and I'm really happy about that.

Music - it was cute, bubbly and left me with a good feeling. Seol Hyun and Lee Jong Hyun's voice were pretty good. In each of their solo songs, I was caught in a bit of trance. I'd prefer rock anytime, but having to listen to their music gave me a different feeling all over.

Overall, I liked the drama and how it changed my mind on rating it. I don't feel cheated at all that I watched the whole 12 episodes. I probably just needed a different perspective.

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A sort of modern type sageuk drama… if that’s even possible?

Why did I say it was “sort of modern type”? Let me give you a clue… does Hana Kimi ring a bell? Or maybe Ouran High? To make things more simple what about You’re Beautiful? Or Coffee prince? Well, the last one was sort of a far fetched drama concept throw in but what makes it the same with the first two dramas? Ignoring the fact that 1st and 2nd were Japanese and the last one was Korean? The third one has a better resemblance since it is also Korean but it’s still has a different story line than this.

Got it???

Yep! It’s a cross dressing drama all over again. Throw in one girl in a lot of hot boys, make her dress up and pretend to be a boy, that’s exactly the concept of this drama. Then again, I have to remind you that THIS IS a saguek drama setting. A setting of the korean’s joseon era. An era where girls are unacceptable to hold prominence in schools or royal standing unless they get married to the prince, or kings or nobles. If they are caught associating in high ranks like Sungkyunkwan (Joseon’s most prominent ALL BOYS university) they get executed as an imperial order.

If that’s not interesting enough for you to watch, I don’t know how to convince you anymore. All in all, this drama is one heck of a show. With all those hot young actors to boost your esteem and the OST that’s very much modern to listen at but with a taste of sageuk and most of all the natural setting of Joseon with young boys + girl running around… YOU BETTER WATCH IT. Or you’re missing half of your KDRAMA life in it’s youthful state.

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The first in the Endless Love drama installment directed by Yoon Seok-Ho: Autumn Tale is another Song Hye Kyo film along with Song Seun Heon.

Honestly, I’m not much of a fan when it comes to heavy drama because I tend to really get carried away but then this drama got showed in all its soap opera feeling. It just became too hard to ignore that I had to seat it through and finish it up to the last episode. I would be proud to say that I only cried once around the ending part.

It wasn’t much like the melodrama I have encountered lately whereas in every episode you just had to grovel and cry out loud in sadness or frustration. Autumn Tale was something more on the side of frustrating with this sense of bittersweet romanticism all throughout the show. If it’s possible to pull out all my hair during the first half of the drama I would have done so because it has that redundancy of I’m-not-yours-you’re-not-mine-we’re-not-for-each-other-so-let’s-just-forget-about-everything then it will go back to being I-know-you-love-me-and-we-love-each-other-so-let’s-stay-together-and-forget-everything. Having that out, why on earth am I recommending this?

Because Autumn Tale is worth the sound track, worth the backdrop, worth of SONG HYE KYO herself. The root of the story line may have been too much (having babies exchanged at birth??? puhleeeeeaaaassseee… not again) but the overall concept of the story is worth the watch. The characters themselves and the actor’s and actresses’ portrayal of their roles were amazing that you get to feel all that love, that hurt and that desperation. I say give it a try because it’s just that good despite the short comings.

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Another melancholic kdrama series starring Song Seung-heon of Autumn Tale along with Son Ye-jin. This drama is about a heart beating for someone due to the unknown which eventually is answered as love. Ahhhh… the melodrama bites in!

Summer scent is the third installment of Endless Love Series, right next to Winter Sonata. As to why the director chose Song Seung-hun to act as the main lead again since he already acted in Autum Tale (first installment of Endless Love Series), I have no idea but the series was lighter than the preceding installments. Watching the drama was a bit refreshing due to the fact of a new setting, much lighter mood on the actors and an easier plot line.

Main man has a dead girl friend, dead girl friend’s heart was donated to the main woman in which the main man eventually falls for. It’s kind of a far fetched conflict, but whatever suits your taste. We all know that an internal organ has nothing to do with falling in love. If I donate my liver to someone, would my man fall for that someone just because that person had my liver? What if I donated my kidneys, lungs, heart and cornea… would my man fall in love to multiple people because they have a piece of me just because I’m dead and they are living? That’s just plain weird.

Setting my cynical comments aside, I still liked the drama. After bashing it, then I recommend??? WHY???

My reasons are very much quite simple:

Song Seung-heon is hot.

Son Ye-jin’s beauty and acting would take you in.

The story itself (never mind the main conflict) hooks you up with so many thoughts about real life that all you can do about it is relate and continue on watching, regardless if you’ve missed your bed time or not.

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