---> REPLY 1997

so i'm watching this drama just because of Seo In Guk.  i thought he did extremely well in King of High School and checked out his other works.  true enough, the guy is a naturally gifted actor even if he is originally a singer*he won in a singing contest*. as far as his acting career is concerned,  i learned from the net that he gained prominence in this particular drama and boy, now that i have seen it, i can understand why...

there's really something about this guy that draws me to HIM*lead guy*.  is it those tiny swollen-looking slits oriental eyes and the full lips that looks like it is forever pouting... i'm not gonna lie and say that good looks doesn't help but honestly,  it's the depth of his acting... You have to understand, this is his 1st starring role, the guy has onscreen "presence" in abundance ... that is the main attraction!  it is something that i rarely see, but i know a real gem when i see one^^ someday i hope to see him in a heavy drama, i feel like he's a guy that can hack those kind of roles and pass any acting test with flying colors^^
SHE*lead girl* did really well in this drama too.  for an idol,  she is a natural and i did not see any awkwardness in how she portrayed her role. impulsive, blunt that borders on violent, straightforward, brutally honest.  

the 1st thing i like about this drama is the story.
Short Synopsis:  the story of 6 former high school friends from Busan who met again in 2012 and brings back memories of the 1990's... a time when extreme fan culture emerged and Kpop was blossoming and idol groups take center stage.

the 2nd thing i like about this drama are the relationships... the high school friends,  the lead girl and her parents,  the lead guy and his brother, the brothers and the lead girl's parents, the lead guy and his gay friend, and even how the lead girl's parents relationship is sometimes odd and loud and loving...  all these are not always harmonious, oftentimes dysfunctional but definitely loving^^ 

what i love the most about this drama is the love triangle... sooo sweet, and yet there's also a tinge of tragedy >.<   usually,  i want to beat the crap out of those characters that are written to be oblivious to their feelings for each other.  you want to smack some sense  into them and say "she likes you, you like him... so get on with it!".  but here i love how they went about the struggles and  the sacrifices,  until the 2 finally got together. the 3 of them,  it was not an easy path but it helped a great deal that they have the elusive CHEMISTRY^^

everything else considered... i think this is the best TVN production that i have seen so far.  although i'm sometimes confused what year a particular scene is*it's sometimes 1997, 1998, 1988 even 1968*,  i wasn't lost for long.  the relationship between characters are beautifully written and executed,  it's like were happily reminiscing about things that really happened in the past... heartwarming ^^ 

Let me leave you with this one picture below, it took awhile to get here but it got there alright ...

---> CUNNING SINGLE LADY

Short Synopsis: Ae-ra is a local beauty that took her mom's advise about the kind of man to marry seriously by falling in love and marrying Jung-woo, a geeky computer engineer studying to enter civil service. She happily kept home for her husband but at their 100th day wedding anniversary, Jung-woo resigned from his job and set up his own business. with Jung-woo's business struggling,  Ae-ra made ends meet by working multiple jobs. After suffering a tragic event from the stress of being the sole breadwinner and living in poverty, Ae-ra divorces Jung-woo after four years of marriage. Three years after the divorce, Ae-ra finds out that Jung-woo became successful and wealthy, while she is still paying debts. The fun begins when Ae-ra schemes for revenge, while Jung-woo believes that Ae-ra wants him back because he has become wealthy.

given the storyline that you read above, we all know that even if they are already divorced in the story, they would eventually get back together and live happily ever after.  and that's the reason why i'm in this, any romantic comedy that has something to do with marriage then i'm in!  i'm already looking forward to seeing jealousy,  rekindling of attraction and desires, being drawn to each other against their better judgement... aaahhh*spazzing*... love always finds a way... i'm too cheesy it's giving me goosebumps*toinks!*

this drama could do without some of the characters*a tad too many if you ask me*, they seem unnecessary in the story but the second lead guy and girl are a very welcome addition. Their own issues added more drama, fun and excitement in the lives of our ex-lovers*as if dont have more than enough of that as it is*.

And what about Ae-ra's family, now they're an interesting bunch ^^ her mom... so capable and wise and yet so putty in the hands of her aging lothario of a husband*we all have an Achilles heel*.  Back to mom... one of my fave scenes was when she lashed out at Jung-woo for the way he treated her daughter... so fierce, like a lioness protecting her cub!

i love Jung-woo and Ae-ra and the actors that portrayed them.  HE is so dashing as a CEO and so funny and dorky when he is with Ae-ra and lets his guard down. Behind his cool, polished and sophisticated exterior is still the same awkward geek.   The storyline and these two leads are the reason why i have a very strong feeling that this is one of those very few dramas that i will watch over and over and over again! In fact, i have already revisited it twice!

im happy that issues did not drag for too long to affect the flow of the story and they were able to wrap-up all the loose-ends nicely... well, except for one... Ae-ra's in-laws and their opinion of her.  where's the justice in that? Apart from that, i give this drama a two thumbs up 👍👍

---> KING of HIGH SCHOOL

yet another drama that i am watching simply because it is a TVN production^^ i may not always go ga-ga over every drama that they produce but what i always look forward to is how they are going to surprise me each and every time. now,  with a lame plot where the male lead*a high school kid* has to pretend to be his brother*a company executive*,  i'm asking myself..."why are you even considering watching this drama?"
i have no answer to that one except maybe... sometimes, i'm pretty lame myself!

 

i have to confess though that as early as the 1st episode i already like the male lead^^ ahhh,  who is this kid???  there's something about him and the way he looks and carries himself that i totally dig.  when he smiles his eyes are like that of someone who is about to get into a naughty mischief and when he's mad his eyes are menacing in a way that penetrates your soul.  he's perfect for that role... cute but somewhat brutish teenager with raging hormones.  the way he grabbed the lead girl on the streets and kissed her that one night...  then in ep11 when he called the lead girl noona in the elevator... and in ep12 when they got back together,  the way he hugged her outside his school... kid, that was so sweet.

i have a serious and i mean SERIOUS problem with the lead girl... her hideous hairstyle that has to be disheveled at all times to further piss me off... those unflattering specs that sits on the tip of the bridge of her nose that looks like it's about to fall at any time... does she get up from bed in the morning and just tie her hair at her nape without at least running a comb throught it?  and, while her fashion sense doesn't leave much to be desired most of the time*ahjumma dresses and socks with shoes /sandals, urgh*,  my bigger problem is the way she speaks is totally dreadful, her geeky manner,  and her personality coupled with her dorky posture that spells L O S E R in all-caps! ohmaigattttt... having described her like that,  HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU CONVINCE ME THAT OUR MALE LEAD CAN FALL IN LOVE WITH HER??? she looks and acts so pathetic the only way anyone would give her a 2nd look is out of pity!  and please, im not being mean,  it's the reality people, THE REALITY!

When a guy gets jealous when he has no rights whatsoever to be... that's my favorite situation in every rom-com. But here, instead of me enjoying those scenes, i couldn't bring myself to watch it i had to reach for the fast forward *Orz*

So, i was about done with episode7 and that's when the kiss happened*the pic above*, the hug was in ep6 and i'm debating with myself if i should... If i could continue watching this.  I couldn't watch the kiss it was sooo awkward for me *Orz*  just saw the preview of ep9 and i dunno if i have to prepare my tummy for some major vomiting.  They were acting all lovey dovey and sh*t... I dont think i can take it. Oh, oh, oh... Did i forget to mention that aside from all my complaints above there's also this little matter about our male lead still in high school and that he is 10 yrs younger than our female lead? I did forget didn't i?  Mr or Ms Writer of this drama,  couldn't you have at least made our female lead a little bit more visually palatable to your average viewer?  had you made our female lead a little more likable by doing away with some of the things that drives me off the wall as i stated above, it doesn't have to be all, just some, then i'm sooo ok with the 10yr age gap... really!  the woman is actually pretty*see the pic below*.  i know she's not suppose to be pretty in this drama but did you have to make her look and sound that bad*Orz*

what's even more frustrating is that, i love almost everything about the love story part.  all the scenes... the dialogues... and the lead guy... he did sooo well... the way he hugs her, and kiss her and stares at her... ahhh,  i feel like an over-protective older sister watching her younger brother fall for the wrong chick! i just can't get over that "mismatch" of epic proportions!!! just look at the 2 pics below and tell me, do you see those 2 getting together in a romantic way, even in your nightmares???  eeewww right? *Orz*

despite all my complaints and rants,  there may be some of you who may be tickled pink at the thought of this odd pair falling for each other and all that.  by all means, i'd recommend it for you for your viewing pleasure.  it's well made, even i am interested to know how the story will end.  its just for me, as far as the love story is concerned,  i will ALWAYS CLICK ON THE FAST FORWARD BUTTON SPECIALLY AFTER HOW THE PICTURE BELOW CAME ABOUT.  excuse me ladies and gentlemen while i find myself a good size brick and smash it on my head*for finishing the drama*... and an even bigger brick for the writer's head*for writing the stupid wedding as it is...Orz*  no matter how cute and funny and realistic the arguments of the people around them were written, IT STILL DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT HE IS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL.*bwahahaha...i'm sooo affected^^*  i guess it's for shock value huh writernim?  well congratulations, you did not only succeed in shocking me, you also succeeded in annoying me at the same time*Orz*

if after watching this drama you agree with what i wrote here or if you think i'm just being petty and shallow... I leave that up to you. TO EACH HIS OWN BABY!  ^^

---> FLOWER BOY NEXT DOOR

Short Synopsis: Ko Dok-Mi lives peacefully in apartment #402. She a recluse that rarely leaves her apartment and obviously has some "mental" issues. Peeping out of  her apartment window at her neighbor has become part of Dok-Mi's daily routine. Her comfortable and peaceful life is shattered, when a group of handsome neighbors appear at her door, one of whom is Enrique *Que Geum*, a brash young man that unwittingly managed to drag our heroine out of her comfort zone whether she likes it or not.

TVN productions has this way of presenting something new in their dramas that somehow always pleasantly surprise me. this is the 3rd of the "Flower Boy" series and i have to say that i wasn't too impressed with the first episode but soon enough it proved that it was worth the watch^^  how Dok-Mi's dark, reclusive, quiet and lowly existence became boisterous and exciting when a group of flower boys "forced" its way into her life is interesting to see.

I have to say though that i wasn't too confident about our lead's onscreen chemistry. in fact, when it was becoming apparent that they are gonna get together, there was a huge question mark on my head. also,  for some reason, HE and SHE looked somewhat awkward together because HE was unbelievably childish and looked  unbelievably young in the entire drama, like, junior high school level young! Besides, i have a serious love-hate relationship with his personality and gestures and mannerisms and the way he delivers his lines... not always cute Que Geum. dunno if it was what the director asked for or it was all him though*Orz*

truth be told,  if i were to re-write the story and pick a better match for our lead girl,   i'd pick the webtoon writer neighbor and explore his rich family and how he or is it they(?) cut ties with each other angle.  His issues seems more interesting to me, not to mention his looks*ehem^^*  and let us not forget his long devotion to our female lead as attested by his webtoon entitled "Flower Boy Next Door"

the "screaming dialogues" needs a special mention as far as any review for this drama is concerned.  it is an extremely... annoying and unique feature that it deserves to be noted accordingly *Orz*  i have a feeling some of the actors may have developed some vocal chord problems and likely grew nodules on their throat after filming this drama for excessively screaming their lines at the top of their lungs! way too often... way too much... just to drive a point!
the love angle is always my "main thing" in watching dramas no matter how cheesy or lame it may be presented.  for as long as i see excellent onscreen chemistry between the leads then i'm in.  unfortunately, i dont feel it here.  BUT, despite having said*well... written in this case* that,  what this drama has offer is something else...a fresh take that sometimes borders on being dark on the melodrama side what with Dok-Mi's character being sooo lonely all the time... it could be quite tiresome.  and then here comes Enrique's quirky personality that lightens the mood preventing it from being all dark and gloomy.  let me just leave you with this MV that sums up this drama...*credit to the owner of the vid