I enjoyed this romantic comedy quite a bit. It wasn't perfect by any stretch, but I enjoyed it and was entertained despite the flaws. They gave the characters some good motivations for their actions with the backstories, so you could at least understand what was driving them.
There are a few things I think that I could be critical of, and they mostly revolve around the side characters. The first thing that I wasn't happy about is that I felt like the 2nd male lead, Yeo Reum, was led on for far too long before being cut loose. They also didn't follow through with his back-story. I would have liked to have seen less of him overall. The 2nd thing I felt was stepping on the lines of good taste was Hyeon Hee dating Jang Mi's ex-boyfriend. She knew what Hoon Dong put her friend through, and yet she still went after him and manipulated him into a relationship with her. I didn't understand the motives for Se-Ah's character at all either. The side characters were just not well done in this show compared to the leads.
I enjoyed the antics of Jang Mi and Gi Tae while keeping the secret of their fake relationship, but I also thought that, in the end, it wasn't a very nice thing to do to their parents. These two were a roller coaster couple, and kept you on your toes. I enjoyed the little teasers at the beginning of each episode that showed you one thing, but only showed the full aspect of the scene towards the end of the show. It was enough to hook you good and proper. Jang Mi was my favorite character throughout the show and the glue that held the others together.
I thought the family characters were well-done. They were all very flawed in realistic ways, and were the catalyst for the way the leads behaved and their thought processes.

The music was enjoyable and fit the scenes.

I don't think I would re-watch this, but I am glad I gave it a shot and finished it. I was entertained and enjoyed it for what it was.

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This was my very first ever Kdrama that I watched (spring of 2015) and will always hold a special place in my heart! It is immensely re-watchable. My dh has watched it several times. Kim Mi-Young is a sweet meek character who gives and gives, while taking everything that is thrown at her. Lee Gun seems kind of weird at first with his obnoxious laugh and that hair, but he really has a good heart underneath that cold chaebol exterior. He sees Mi-Young's suffering, and it starts to melt his heart toward her. I cried buckets watching this, but still go back occasionally and rewatch some of my favorite scenes. There are lots of laughs as well, and you will feel like you are on a roller coaster of emotion. I know that this is a remake of the Taiwanese version, but I took a peek at the other one and think this one is better all around.

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This was just the cutest little marshmallow of a show. It was very fast paced - finished in an evening - and was obviously based on a manga, but darned if I didn't smile all the way thru it even if it was silly and shallow.

The main leads - especially Ami - were adorable and they looked really cute together. The acting was fair, but Matsui Airi's smiles just made everything better though!

There's no substance to this show at all. It's a sweet couple that marry and then fall in love (at lighnting speed) with lots of 'skinship', while still barely knowing one another.
It was just the mindless time pass I needed to relieve all the heavier dramas I've been watching lately.
Just don't expect a lot from this show, and maybe you'll be entertained. :)

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Great "Who Dun It" Mystery

I was quickly caught up in this drama. The writers created a whole mood. They set up their tale very well, sometimes I wondered if we were watching a tale woven by the main character, novelist Kang Yeo Joo, rather than a narrative about her...and I'll let you wonder as well. This is the kind of thriller I like most - it had mystery, drama, romance, and a touch of comedy as well. There was nothing lacking in this drama of suspense. The writers kept you guessing until almost the end when they finally unpacked all the secrets. It had some flaws, which affected my rating, but overall I was pretty pleased with the show.

Cho Yeo Jung was perfect as Kang Yeo Joo. I wasn't as big a fan of Go Joon in this as in other things I've seen him, but he didn't do a *bad* job, there were just certain traits this character had that I wasn't fond of. I enjoyed all the supporting characters also, and the major ones did a wonderful job.

I thought the music was pretty great, actually, though! My favorite track was the theme song, O.V.E.R. by SURAN. It was really catchy and I definitely added it to my drama playlist. :)

Normally, I wouldn't re-watch a show like this as the suspense and mystery is gone after the first watch, but I honestly wouldn't mind seeing this one again. I'd love to search for the clues on the second go and see how well it really fit.

Final verdict - if you like this genre, or even if you're curious, it's definitely worth a go!

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Great family drama

This is probably one of the best family dramas I've watched so far. I don't watch them often, but so many times they get a bit draggy or makjang. That didn't happen in this drama. The story was lovely and heartwarming. I really liked all of the main characters for the most part - even the child actors. There were a few annoying side characters, but thankfully those characters didn't stay for the entire length of the drama. My two chief complaints were that the moms occasionally got a little screechy, but that's about par for the course in this type of drama. It never lasted *too* long so it was all forgivable. And the other was the tone down of one of the romances and that one 'romance' was a blip on the radar (wanted to see where that one went!) But overall, I was sorry to see this one end. It was such an enjoyable show (made all the better by buddy watching with a friend).

Lee Sang Yeob as Yoon Kyu Jin was probably the stand-out for me as far as acting goes in this drama. He played so well with all the other characters and went through a lot of emotional stuff. He played best off his on-screen brother, Lee Sang Yi as Yoon Jae Seok. They were hilarious together in the majority of their scenes. And I would be remiss to leave out Lee Jung Eun as Kang Cho Yeon. She was an adorable woman with heart and soul and a lot of great advice.
I enjoyed all the relationship pairings - most of all our doctor couple, Yoon Kyu Jin and Song Na Hee.
They had so many good family relationships in this drama - not just romantic ones.

The music was pretty good - but I'm not much of a music person.
I would absolutely re-watch this - even though it's 100 episodes (50 hours). So that says a lot! :)

If you love family dramas, this is one to add to your list. And if you've always been reluctant to commit to a longer drama but have been curious, then this would be a great one to start with!

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I've been wanting to watch this show for a long time, but just have never felt an urgency to watch until a friend recommended it as a binge-able romcom to fill some time. The story started out very well, but became much too political and draggy from the middle onwards. I ended up fast forwarding some of those scenes in the last few episodes just to get back to the romance part.

This was my first encounter with Kim Tae Hee, who made the drama. While there were too many scenes of her crying, she also had a very infectious laugh and I enjoyed her happy bubbly personality the most. Song Seung Heon was quite adorable and seemed like he had the ability to really have a sizzling chemistry with KTH. However, I feel like the writers underutilized the romantic potential for this pair. I loved the bickering and banter between them, but longed to see more "skinship" because it was really lacking. We got far too few kissing scenes, and far too little romantic scenes in general.
I pretty much despised Yoon Joo from the moment I laid eyes on her, and that didn't change - but, as the villainess of the show, she succeeded!
I didn't have any issues with the acting from anyone, but other than the leads, the 'court lady' helper and the young chef were the standout side characters for me. They were both very cute!

Story-wise, I felt by episode 4 that the main leads were just running around from one scene to the next, and Lee Seol did a LOT of crying. (She cries very prettily, but still...) I watched this in 2018 and it's a drama from 7 years ago, which I feel shows because it has a decidedly "classic" K-drama feel to it. There's nothing wrong with that, but if you are late to this party, it does feel a bit noticeable compared to newer dramas. The romance seems to be dialed way back, and every time the characters get close to having a moment, something causes them to be interrupted and the action moves to something else. They left the conflict resolution between the main leads until the last couple of minutes of the show, choosing instead to focus the majority of the last episode on resolutions that I cared little about.

The music was nothing interesting, just general instrumental - I don't even recall hearing a 'theme song' or song with lyrics. I feel like I did recognize the classic American song "Sleepwalk" during a romantic scene (it has no lyrics), but I've always associated that song with sad scenes for some reason.

I don't see me re-watching this show, but I'm happy to check it off my list of classic shows.
It was worth it just to see Kim Tae Hee and Song Seung Heon.

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This was a touching little special/movie. Yes, I had a few questions at the end that didn't get answered, but the ending was a happy one. I think maybe they needed one more episode (or slightly longer episodes) to fully end the story and answer the hanging questions, but otherwise, I was happy I watched this. You will probably shed a tear or two, but it's not overly sad. The scene where Man Soo meets up with Eun Sook again in the present day just caused my eyes to leak suddenly and uncontrollably. (I'm not crying - you're crying!)
Anyway, cute, heartwarming little special that you should probably try to watch because, hey, it's only 2 hours, and what else do you have to do that's so important anyway? ;)

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This was an interesting short drama that seemed to buck the trend a bit for dramas. At four episodes, it's just basically a long movie. The characters were engaging and relatable and there was just enough to tell a proper story.

I loved all the ajusshis - they were all adorable as they tried to care for and protect Ok Hee, each thinking she could possibly be his daughter. And not just for the sake of her possibly being his child, but for the friendship he shared with her mother, Baek Hee. Baek Hee gained sympathy from me as the story progressed. The girl playing the daughter, Ok Hee, was a standout in this show and I believe she has a bright future as an actress. I enjoy Kim Sung Oh in his many character roles, and this one was no exception. I'm also fond of Chae Dae Chul.

I didn't really notice the music, so can't comment.

This was a good choice for when you are crunched on time and want to squeeze something in. I was not disappointed in it at all, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

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Sweet Stranger and Me started off with a lot of potential - especially for a show with such a cringey sounding premise. I mean...girl falls for her stepfather?? Say what? But as you get into the story, you'll be telling people..."but it's not really LIKE that!" I don't want to give away the plot, but it's not as icky as the summary makes it sound at ALL.

I was drawn to this show and only gave it a chance because of Kim Young Kwang. He won me over in Go Ho's Starry Night, and I needed to see something else he was in. Luckily for me, this show was starting just about the same time as I finished the other. For me, he was the best thing about this show. I think that I would have dropped it completely about 3/4 of the way through if it had not been for his cute little smiles and Nan Gil's "heart eyes" for Na Ri. Soo Ae's acting didn't blow me away, but she wasn't horrible. Lee Soo Hyuk plays the second lead, and as always plays so aloof that it's hard to get a read on him. Jo Bo Ah as Yeo Joo was easy to hate at first, but she grew on me. However, I read that several were just annoyed by her altogether. The bad part is that the writers sort of just forgot to give her a reason to even be in the story after the first few episodes. It really felt like she was tacked on to the rest of the group with no real reason to even be in their midst any longer. She just kept showing up for no explainable reason.

The writers also set up a way more interesting story than we received in the end. It started off fairly strong and then sort of petered out as it wore on. I wouldn't re-watch this and I would only recommend it to KYK fans if you just REALLY need to watch him in something. I was pretty disappointed in how this one played out.

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SKL was full of cute. That just sums this show up really well. Seo In Guk as Louis and Nam Ji Hyun as Bok Shil were just so cute you could die. Louis is a high maintenance fella, but Bok Shil is so sweet and naive that she just takes care of him faithfully and trusts him implicitly. While he's high maintenance, Louis is also incredibly loyal and adorable. She can't resist him.

This is just one of those shows that make you feel good while you watch it. Cotton candy fluff at its finest. Watch this when you want to smile non-stop and watch the cutest couple fall in love. :)

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This show may be a little hard to review. I realize that I am watching it 11 years late, but I've heard many times what a good show this was....so I thought I'd see what the fuss was all about.

I'm going to start with the characters first because I believe that's where the strength of the show lies. Sam Soon was an amazing heroine. I loved that she was not the cookie-cutter drama girl. Sam Soon was chubby and loud and sometimes had a bit of a potty mouth. She was a force to be reckoned with. However, Jin Hun as a hero, was a bit weak. I don't think he was ready for the storm that was Sam Soon. She came into his life and restarted his "clock" which was stunted after a life altering accident. He was stuck in the past, mourning his lost family and lost love Hee Jin...who comes back to Korea just as Sam Soon and Jin Hun are starting to make a connection.
This was where the drama got frustrating for me, even though I continued to watch in hopes that Jin Hun would mature and be a worthy love for our girl Sam Soon. He had his moments where I loved him, and moments where I nearly hated him. The two did have some sizzling chemistry together, but then he would ruin it by saying something childish and mean...I know that his words were not true, and so did Sam Soon, but it was hurtful all the same and I didn't feel he did enough to make up for it a majority of the time. I think Jin Hun also didn't do enough to clear up the inevitable misunderstandings that he caused.
Hee Jin was a second lead female that you couldn't bear to hate, but at the same time just wished she would move on already and not tie Jin Hun to the past that he'd just started to let go of. Henry, played by the handsome Daniel Henney, was a refreshing character who I felt was under-used. His interactions as a non-Korean speaker with Sam Soon, a non-English speaker were a treat as they tried to communicate in broken Konglish. Hee Jin should have snatched that man up right away and forgotten all about immature Jin Hun.

I was entertained by this show and can see where it may have broken a lot of drama tropes for its time. My heart squeezed for Sam Soon many times. Sam Soon wore her heart on her sleeve and it was hard not to be moved by the emotions that she was feeling. I was a bit disappointed by the ending, but it was not a bad ending. I don't care if it would have been cliche, I just expected a little....more.

The hair and clothes in this show are quite out of style now (2016), as well as the technology, but I don't think they detract too much from watching this now.

As a classic K-drama, I would recommend it when you are in a drama lull and need something to fill a void, but I wouldn't say that you need to rush to watch it. The storyline can be a little slow and repetitive - I mean how many times must we watch Sam Soon's heart get broken before she gets her happy ending? My final judgment is that I have a sort of love/hate feeling towards this show. I don't know if I would ever re-watch it or not.

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I just finished marathoning this drama while home sick. This is another drama that was popular for a good reason, and another one that I put off watching for way too long. This show gave me all the feels - there was laughter and tears. A roller-coaster of emotions throughout.

The romance was out of this world (pun totally intended) and I lost count of how many times they broke my heart and put it back together. The chemistry between the actors was wonderful - the kisses were romantic (and the aftermath was somewhat humorous). The side characters were used well.

I read that some were a little disappointed by the ending, but it was appropriate regardless - you won't be brokenhearted at the end. Do Min Joon's "happy dream" is an emotion wrecker. I think the writers dealt with the ending in the best they could. I was satisfied with the ending they gave us, and that was what was important.

The music was used well - it evoked the right emotions for the moments.

If you are one of the few out there that has put this off, or a newbie to Kdrama, put this on your list and make sure to watch it. Also, a little tip (I didn't figure this out until several episodes in and had to go back) - be sure to keep watching after the freeze frame end with the music. There is a little extra tidbit for you at the end of each episode, and it's another little piece of the story. The episode is truly over when you see the book with the people as star outlines. :)

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I finally got around to watching this drama! I've had it on my list forever just because I like the main actors, but I wasn't sure whether or not I would like the show based on the description. I took the plunge last week and was so glad I did. This show hooked me from the first episode.

D.O's performance of Joon Young was chilling. I thought that the child actors did a great job as well - (those brothers are adorable) and the boy playing a young Hyun was well cast especially.
The acting was great from all the cast, though, and Park Bo Gum's facial expressions were on-point.

I thought the storyline was well-done, and it kept me wanting to know more. I liked the suspense of it and how the story unfolded a bit at a time, but it's not as suited to a re-watch because the suspense is no longer there. I also enjoyed the bit of comedic moments as well, and the hint of romance. The bromance between the brothers was really emotional, and somehow the writers even made the "bad guys" sympathetic characters.

There were very few missteps, and I thought it was a solid choice.

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This was a fairly simple story. I wondered how they would stretch a drama out to 16 episodes that was based on an average length American movie. They did surprisingly well, even if some of the elements became a little repetitive. I would have liked to have seen the resolution come just a little bit sooner so we could see more "happy couple" time, but for the most part I was satisfied. I liked the growth of Sang Shil/ Anna, and seeing her develop relationships with the new people around her. While Sang Shil's words to others may sound cold and calculating, she's not trying to deliberately hurt others. She just speaks blunt truth with no sugar coating to spare their feelings.

The acting and casting were done well. Han Ye Seul's delivery was very dry, but I think that was supposed to be down to her character. Jo Anna is a very blunt character, but we also learn the why behind her seemingly cold exterior. As Sang Shil, a woman that cannot remember who she is or anything about her life, she still carries around that air of a wealthy heiress. Oh Ji Ho was lovable as Chul Soo, and I definitely enjoyed all his smiles. He should do more rom-com as it suits him very well. The 2nd leads were played well. The second female lead was appropriately annoying. And the secondary romance with the older couple was cute and funny. The character of Kang Ja provided several laughs, and I probably enjoyed her character most after the leads because she's also a sympathetic character.

The music was fitting, but of course, still dated since at the time of viewing, this drama is 10 years old.

I enjoyed this for a one-time watch, but I doubt I will re-watch this anytime soon. (This may again be due to the fact that this drama is a lot older at the time I viewed it.)

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I watched this for Gong Hyo Jin and found myself really liking Jo In Sung as well. There is a great chemistry with all the actors in this ensemble. The story is fresh (if a little laggy in some spots) and interesting. There's a bit of a mystery to work out with the main lead and his past, and a great twist in there. The leads did an excellent job.

I like that neither of the two leads is "perfect". They are both broken people, and yet they find a way to love each other in spite of their internal struggles and pasts. Because GHJ's character is a psychiatrist, we get to see a little bit of her treating patients. While you may think this bit doesn't add to the story, each diagnosis we see helps her character understand a bit more about either herself or JIS's character and furthers their relationship. There will be some tears shed, but I think this was an enjoyable drama.

Sung Dong Il can be annoyingly loud at times, but he still acts his scenes well. There is a bit of a secondary romance that goes on in this, but you'll have to be your own judge about how you feel about it. The relationships between the housemates and friends is a bit confusing at first, but sort of sorts itself out shortly. This story focuses a lot on mental health and humanizes people with mental health issues. This is a subject that I feel is very misunderstood by most people, so I like the way they handled this aspect of the show.

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