The first few episodes of this show drew me in. Now I'm addicted, but I'm often frustrated by certain aspects of the show.
What bugs me most is the performance by Kim Byeong-cheol as Dr. Cha's husband, Seo In-ho. It could be the way he's being directed, but it's as though he thinks he's in a farce while everyone else is in a comedy drama. His expressions are exaggerated. At one point, when he gets upsetting news, he faints by falling over sideways in a straight line. This is during a serious scene.
In contrast, Park Joon Geum, as In-ho's mother, Kwak Ae Shim, is an absolute QUEEN as she portrays a hard-to-hate but opportunistic woman who demands to be pampered by her family, including DIL Dr. Cha. She effortless adds humor to every scene, and it doesn't feel forced or interrupt the flow or feel of the scene.
I should add that Uhm Jung Hwa, who plays Dr. Cha herself, offers an endearing performance as a compassionate newbie doctor who is learning to value herself.
There are many moments that make the show worth watching, some heartbreaking, some hilarious. But it's definitely an uneven ride, with so many situations that could be resolved if people just stopped trying to hide the truth. It's also frustrating for other reasons, but I won't include spoilers.
I'm about to begin the last 3 episodes of this 16-episode series. I sincerely hope it has a satisfying ending, but I don't know that yet.
I've only watched a few other "K Dramas," and I haven't sought them out because they are K Dramas. I watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which is an exceptionally good show. I wasn't going to watch Castaway Diva because I found the name off-putting. But when I found out that Park Eun-bin, who plays Atty Woo, was playing the main character, I watched it. I found that to be another very good show. Dr. Cha is not a bad show, but it has its flaws. If you haven't seen the other too yet, I'd say opt for those first.
What bugs me most is the performance by Kim Byeong-cheol as Dr. Cha's husband, Seo In-ho. It could be the way he's being directed, but it's as though he thinks he's in a farce while everyone else is in a comedy drama. His expressions are exaggerated. At one point, when he gets upsetting news, he faints by falling over sideways in a straight line. This is during a serious scene.
In contrast, Park Joon Geum, as In-ho's mother, Kwak Ae Shim, is an absolute QUEEN as she portrays a hard-to-hate but opportunistic woman who demands to be pampered by her family, including DIL Dr. Cha. She effortless adds humor to every scene, and it doesn't feel forced or interrupt the flow or feel of the scene.
I should add that Uhm Jung Hwa, who plays Dr. Cha herself, offers an endearing performance as a compassionate newbie doctor who is learning to value herself.
There are many moments that make the show worth watching, some heartbreaking, some hilarious. But it's definitely an uneven ride, with so many situations that could be resolved if people just stopped trying to hide the truth. It's also frustrating for other reasons, but I won't include spoilers.
I'm about to begin the last 3 episodes of this 16-episode series. I sincerely hope it has a satisfying ending, but I don't know that yet.
I've only watched a few other "K Dramas," and I haven't sought them out because they are K Dramas. I watched Extraordinary Attorney Woo, which is an exceptionally good show. I wasn't going to watch Castaway Diva because I found the name off-putting. But when I found out that Park Eun-bin, who plays Atty Woo, was playing the main character, I watched it. I found that to be another very good show. Dr. Cha is not a bad show, but it has its flaws. If you haven't seen the other too yet, I'd say opt for those first.