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Reviews
Love to Hate You (2023)
Really pleasant surprise
I can't count how many times I skipped over this one--just didn't look interesting to me. I read an interesting review, though, and decided to give this a try. WOW, am I glad I did! This is a genuinely fun show with interesting characters and some good twists on a story that's been done before (celebrity/commoner, contract dating).
All of the main actors were incredibly well cast. Their acting was natural and so enjoyable--funny when called for without going into slapstick, genuinely affectionate (all of the friends), believably passionate (or restrained) when it was right.
And speaking of which--how great was it to have mature characters (late 30s/early 40s) who act like ADULTS? No ridiculous misunderstandings, respect for parents without being controlled by them, female characters with self esteem and life experience and male characters who admire them for their strength, and no one lost their minds over their person of interest interacting with ex-lovers-- it was delightful! The show has some powerful pthings to say about sexual double standards and the ridiculous demands of Korean celebrity culture, as well.
Very few negatives to this show--only three stand out to me: first, the two senior lawyers in the FLs law firm are supposed to be funny, but they're just irritating, second, the last scenes are... why? The only time the main leads become slapstick, and it doesn't suit any of them--they're not that sort of actors. Again, I know it was meant to be funny, but it just came off as weird and uncomfortable. Finally, there were moments that the ML's makeup was so heavy that he looked like Bela Lugosi in Dracula. I know Korea has a youth obsessed culture, but he's a damn attractive man without trying to cover his smile lines-they make him MORE attractive, IMHO.
None of those were bad enough to spoil my enjoyment of this series, though. This is one I know I'll revisit, and there aren't many of those for me.
Ibeon Saengeun Cheoeumira (2017)
Realistic, grown up drama
I absolutely loved this show--one of the few I am sure I will watch again. No fantasy, no chaebols or magic or over-the-top silliness, just real people dealing with real life. The leads are quirky as hell, but they acknowledge that. There are scenes that are terribly sad, but not melodramatic, and scenes that are hilarious. The various couples represent different faces and stages of love, and there are some GREAT lines. I respect the female lead's decision near the end--some of the other reviews kind of freaked out about it, but she knew what she needed in her life. I can't say enough good things about Because This Is My First Life.
Hilleo (2014)
Very, very good!
Healer holds up really well for a show that is almost a decade old! It's full of action and a sweet romance that never gets soppy or sloppy, and does not take over the show. Every actor does a nice job with characters that feel "real", for the most part. There are some K-Drama cliches (childhood friends, over controlling parent--come on, the leads are supposed to be 28, but a kiss is worth a death threat from dad?), but even the meant to be funny characters never quite fall into slapstick comedy (a sort of cringy aspect of many K-dramas) There are a lot of reviews that slam the end of this series, but it seemed fine to me (aside from a character who is terrified of driving suddenly driving like a pro). I liked both leads, but was particularly impressed by the male lead. Not a fangirl "He's so handsome" thing (lol)--in fact, I finished Samdal-Ri not long ago and he left me shrugging. Couldn't figure out why he's so popular. He wasn't bad, but nothing about him stood out. Now I get it, I think. He is very, very good in Healer. Action with a bit of heart fits him better than cute romance. Looking forward to watching The Worst of Evil now.
My Heart Is Beating (2023)
Very funny, very good!
HeartBeat is a riot! I have genuinely laughed in every episode, usually several times. The male lead is handsome, but even more impressive is his comic timing-he's very funny (watch the milk maid or shrimp scenes and don't laugh--lol!). He also has a soft side that works very well for the series--he is very much not a stereotypical scary vampire (though he can be menacing). Bringing a character from 100 years ago to today would be a stunning difference, and I love that the actor is allowed the vulnerability to show that--he's not "too cool."
The female lead has the same strengths--funny and vulnerable. She's quite pretty, but not over the top glamorous. That works so well for her character! She has a mind of her own, and strong drive to succeed. She's a wonderful character for the audience to empathize with!
The supporting cast is strong, and the special effects (what there are) work well. I'm iffy on the vampire friends, but they fit the 'over the top' goofiness of friend characters in many K-dramas.
8 episodes in and I already don't want it to end!