Reviews

This drama was full of twists and turns. The concept of the parents or grandparents picking their kids/grand-kids life partners is so hard for me to take in. All these dramas w/ the blind dates being set up for ppl to get to know each other for the intent of marriage is like taking away the persons right to love who they want. But it can work out if the person writing the script puts that into the story!



The idea that 1% of anything is worth fighting for just made the drama for me. It totally lets those of us that don't think that way understand the concept of y all these girls in these drama's r so persistent. I don't know any1 who would stay w/ some1 even though they knew they would not get anything in return. I guess the idea that there is always some1 else out there is more common in the US (which is probably y the divorce rate is so high).



Anyway, I loved this and will watch it again. I recommend that every1 give this 1 a try.

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Simply amamzing. The cast is a fantastic pick. My favorite character is Hyun Si Hyuk or better known as Taecyeon. I'm sure a lot will disagree with me and say they like Kim Soo Hyun better. Although I got to say, he has a really sweet role in this series, I like Taecyeon much better. Anyways, Suzy is really cute and a pretty good signer at that and I look forward to her acting as she grows up. IU is too irresistible as a character and she sings extremely well. Jason is Jason and the other actors really help bring out the other kid's acting. Must watch if you like dramas even the slightest bit.

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I loved this drama b/c the story it was very touching. I know lots of ppl that have ended up in a similar situation but obviously not the same. I loved the actors b/c they brought a real down to earth feel to the story. I loved how they showed their feelings in different ways, which has a lot to do w/ the back ground that they came from. I understood the story very well b/c I fell in love at a young age also. Being w/ that person makes life better and having beautiful memories to remember when he is not w/ me makes those times pass easier. I think this drama touches so many ppl b/c they know how to sympathize w/ the lead characters. If you don't get it that is probably b/c u have never felt what the story is trying to portray. Watch this and enjoy it but expect to cry b/c it is that moving.

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Another one of those Hong sisters' work and like all of their past work (eg: You Are Beautiful etc), it has all the humour, creative storyline and likeable characters. However, this drama is not without its weaknesses. Here's my review of this drama:



Story: Overall, a fun and creative story involving a love story between a fairytale creature and a human. Lots of funny and memorable scenes and interesting characters (eg: the action director and dae wong's aunt, dae wong's grandfather etc). Pretty straight forward storyline and we all know by now that the Hong sisters ALWAYS write happy endings, so no surprise there. If you love fairytales and happily ever after sort of theme with fun, this is the drama for you. However, the biggest weakness of a Hong sisters' work is the ending. In my opinion, the ending is a weak ending. They should have spent more time expanding the events and rationale leading towards the ending. The drama would have benefited from an extra episode or another 30 mins to set things in motion towards the ending. As it is, the ending felt forced as if the writers just wanted a happy ending for the characters forgoing the work that is needed towards building this happily ever after. Like I'd said before, endings are not the Hong sisters' strength. My advice for those who are planning to watch this drama:- Just enjoy the journey. It is hilarous, good entertainment with the occassional tear-jerking moments.



Acting/Cast: Lee Seung Gi's a good actor and I think we have pretty much establised this by now based on his past work. It is no wonder he draws in the ratings despite his not-so-good looks (that's just my opinion!). My biggest brownie points, however, goes to the drama new comer Shin Min Ah. This particular young lady has in the past done work on CFs, modelling and movies, but with this drama, she made a fantastic debut as the naive and loveable gumiho. All I can say is she shined in this drama!! The rest of the cast was brilliant as well. I love the actor that played the action director and Dae Wong's aunt, not to mention the actors and actresses playing Dae Wong's grandfather, friends and first love interest (yes! even that annoying woman was well portrayed by actress Park Soo Jin!).



Music: Lovely OSTs worth downloading.



Rewatch value: Good rewatch value, especially when you just needed entertainment without wasting too much brain cells to figure things out. Lots of funny scenes that are guaranteed to entertain you.



Overall, time well spent on the coach. Do not let the hurried ending spoil your mood or decision to watch this drama. If anything, it is highly entertaining.

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The opening minutes of episode 1, were enough for me to know I was in this for the long haul.



The first six episodes are brilliant at summarising and basically laying the groundwork for the rest of the series, without making the audience feel like they were loosing out. Or things were being rushed too quickly.



A beautiful story, with adorable characters (even now, I remember little Xio Bin, the five year old with the charisma of a person twice his age...wait, are 10yo's charismatic? You decide)



The grasshoppers are frigging annoying, and with them chirping horribly in one shot, and the next one everything's deadly quiet clearly show there needs to be a continuity error person on the lookout.



Also some of the supporting character's tales are worth skipping, but otherwise BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

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I watched this drama following the recommendation of a friend, whose judgment in terms of good dramas I've come to trust completely. And, not surprisingly, I loved it.

It's not well known, possibly because it's not studded with the usual idols fangirls swoon about. Sad, because it is wonderfully acted and incredibly original, from the surprising beginning to the absolutely unexpected ending. The pace is slow, which can deter some, but I personally found it perfect, with the exception of a couple of instances by the middle. The symbolism of it captivated me from minute one, and I think this is the most fitting title of a drama ever.

This dorama is a collection of memorable lines and even more unforgettable characters.
Takizawa Hideaki and Fukada Kyoko do a splendid job in portraying their characters: the first leads the viewer where he wants, once liking him, another time hating him, then again fearing him or feel compassion; she, on the other hand, is either love or hate. I usually am deeply annoyed by girly girls all cuteness, pink and seeming candour, but she is so artless, even in her machinations, that I found her adorable. This is not a pretty girl playing cute: cute is her essence, and even in her apparent silliness, there's an unexpected depth of thought.

But who really did it for me are the secondary characters, played by Yosuke Kubozuka and Uchiyama Rina. Terrific acting skills and wonderful character development by both. Not that I doubted it: I still have to see Kubozuka playing a part without doing an outstanding job. And Uchiyama is downright brilliant in this.

The music is another very strong point. Without being a fan of Abba myself, I thought the soundtrack was chosen with sense and logic. I like it when single music pieces identify a single character, to the point you know who's going to be portrayed even though you close your eyes.

In conclusion: I watched this thanks to a Perfect recommendation; I hope to be able to pass on a little of that with my review.

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After a very high pitched recommendation phonecall from my Jang Geun Seuk fangirl friend, I decided to watch this drama. At the time only 8 episodes were out, and I was really liking it. Little did I know that the first half of the drama is the only good part to it.



The story is very shallow to being with, but they made interesting twists to keep it alive. That is, after the writers was left just as confused as the viewers. The last episodes are barely just people talking about the same things they always have been talking about, and it's just not fun to watch anymore. It's also very predictable near the end.



The music is okie. I like Jang Geun Seuk's voice, and his song 'My Bus' was great. To be completely honest, that song was also part of the reason to why I decided to watch this drama.



All in all, I was disappointed in this drama. Previously I have watched mr. Seuk in You're Beautiful, Baby and me and Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do. If I hadn't watched those, I probably would have ended up disliking him. He shows off in all of the above, but he's just a sad sight in Mary Stayed Out All Night. The acting overall is dry, and the characters are just left as big questionmarks in my mind. I am still puzzled as to what happened to Moo Gyul's mother and so on.



All in all, this is not a drama I am willing to watch again. The drama had a great cast and had great potential, but it just didn't work out. Being a person who always scores a drama of the impression I'm left with at the ending, it's difficult for me to remember the 'good parts' since they were greatly outnumbered.



Sorry, but my overall is a 3.

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This is the first time ever I drop a drama because it is too good. It sounds like a paradox, so I'll do my best to clarify my reasons.



As I said, this is an amazing drama. It's based upon a true story, which explains why I find it hard to rate the plot. The way it is narrated is quite unique: it uses the technique of flash forwards, making the viewer aware from the very beginning of the destiny of basically each character. This style can be very confusing at the beginning, to the point viewers may think they are watching the wrong episode; once established, though, it becomes highly intriguing, and one of the strong points of this drama.

Instead of depriving the viewer of the thrill to know what's going to happen, this method excite the curiosity to find out HOW it happened, and why.

If there were a separate rate for direction and editing, I would give them both a 10 without hesitation.



The acting is stellar. I'd go as far as to say that it's more suitable to an essay movie than a television drama. As a matter of fact, this is by the same director of the 2001 movie.

The cast is so convincing and the acting so intense, one truly believes to be watching the real story, instead of a screen revisitation of it. Characters' changes are portrayed subtly and slowly, giving the viewer time to understand and empathize.

I found myself talking to the screen more than once, praying one or the other of the characters would not make that choice which, I knew, would change the course of their lives forever.



The music is poignant and moving. Combined with the beautiful photography and the outstanding acting, it brought me more than once to the brink of tears - and I don't cry easily, if ever.



So why did I drop it?

Because I was empathizing too much, and it pained me. By the middle I was so involved in this story I would feel restless and anxious. Mind you, the show has got many sweet, touching and funny moments. I just couldn't take all the emotions anymore.

It is my intention to go back to this drama in future, maybe after a strong dose of surreal/hilarious/ridiculous shows, like a camel storing water before a long journey.



Hence the very high re-watch value.

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