I only gave a 9/10 because I became emotionally invested in Siwon's character, and do not accept he way the show ended, otherwise it's a good show.
47 Reviews
Siwon
nonsignificati6 October 2018
I liked it!
chilligrrl23 June 2019
I waited until the end to write my review and well, i liked it! I'm totally fangirling over Siwon and loved his role in it the best. I wish his ending was a bit better though. The male lead was really obnoxious at first but thankfully grew out of it; i'd have thought knowing his background he'd have been a bit nicer to the underdog but i guess there's a story to tell. The humour was great (the port-a-loo/toilet scene in the countryside was the BEST) and well, as predictable as it was it was a nice, happy show with a feel-good vibe and good laughs :)
Pretty to watch
sonia-9511126 November 2020
I totally enjoyed this series! I literally only started watching it because I watched Itaewon Class and enjoy watching Park Seo Jun. His role in this drama is so different to the other two shows I've watched and he is very good in this one too! I loved the themes in this drama. Friendship, what's pretty, how we don't back ourselves... it's a pretty show to watch with some very funny scenes and colorful side characters. Also the male second lead ... very cute!!! I recommend watching this pretty show!!
Along the lines of and as good as classic Hollywood screwball comedy
MetroVavin9 February 2018
Jeong-eum Hwang is a gifted comedian as well as actor. Her physical comedy is of the same type as Jerry Lewis, but it works better for me. Where Jerry Lewis' neurotic character makes me cringe with discomfort for his pain rather than laugh, Hwang's neurotic character while panic-stricken and shaking with fear nevertheless comes across as being strong in spite of that. Her physical comedy and her mugging is inspired... funnier to me than Lucille Ball, in the same class as Madeline Kahn or Claudette Colbert.
Beyond that, though, she is able to mix up completely straight acting, heart-warming and genuine, with outrageous clowning and make it work. She is supposed to be ugly, but it's a comedy, and the fact that she really looks like a model made up like a clown, or Little Orphan Annie, is part of the fun. She is actually gorgeous with very fake painted freckles and a frizzy hairdo to provide a pretense of ugliness.
Korean cinema is producing actors like Hwang and Ji-hyun Jun who rival Hollywood's classic best in charisma and talent.
All the actors did a great job. Si Won Choi carried off his own intensely over-the-top comic role.
Someone said the story was illogical. Classic comedy from ancient Roman times to Shakespeare and right up to the great screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's is all based on an engine of preposterous coincidence, mistaken identity, and entangled love triangles. It's wildly improbably but the conventions of the genre allow it to highlight aspects of human behavior that are dead accurate, compressing lifetimes of intensity into a few hours. The exaggeration and compression is what turns observations of human behavior into entertainment.
In fact compared to the comedic plots of Plautus, Shakespeare or Frank Capra, I found "She Was Pretty" to be much more believable as well as more complex and intricate. Several people thought the plot was unlikely, that characters would not make those choices. I found them very plausible. People in intense emotional relationships, and even in distant work relationships, don't make rational choices. They don't make good choices. At least from what I have seen, people do dumb and self-sabotaging things more often than not. The reasons the characters give for their actions might in some cases seem a stretch, unless you consider the strong emotions of fear and shame that drive them.
The soundtrack was also criticized. I enjoyed it. Lyrics are sung loudly right over dialog, where the lyrics are classic songs expressing the emotions the characters are going through even as they are barely able to acknowledge it themselves. I thought that was unusual and creative and that it helped to communicate the great timeless feelings people have about romance.
One of the themes of the film is panic, panic attacks, both from trauma and from love-obsession. The examination of psychological stress and the support of friendship gives the series a weight beyond just making us laugh, although it did that for me very well.
One of things Korean TV is not is subversive. Don't expect insightful social criticism or political commentary. The story basically exalts conventional Korean social values, as well as the worship of fashion and conspicuous consumption, in spite of some egalitarian themes. These writers would not have had to worry about being put on the Hollywood blacklist (1947-1960). Nor is it Monty Python or Douglas Adams, comedy that is often built on brilliant philosophical questioning. The Korean Wave is strictly pop culture as far as I have seen... I gather a sort of Confucian social conservatism and conformity is a Korean national value.
Have only watched about 2/3 of it so far although as such comedies go the outcome is 200% predictable after a few episodes; I don't expect to be surprised. I don't want to be. The fun is how you get there.
Beyond that, though, she is able to mix up completely straight acting, heart-warming and genuine, with outrageous clowning and make it work. She is supposed to be ugly, but it's a comedy, and the fact that she really looks like a model made up like a clown, or Little Orphan Annie, is part of the fun. She is actually gorgeous with very fake painted freckles and a frizzy hairdo to provide a pretense of ugliness.
Korean cinema is producing actors like Hwang and Ji-hyun Jun who rival Hollywood's classic best in charisma and talent.
All the actors did a great job. Si Won Choi carried off his own intensely over-the-top comic role.
Someone said the story was illogical. Classic comedy from ancient Roman times to Shakespeare and right up to the great screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's is all based on an engine of preposterous coincidence, mistaken identity, and entangled love triangles. It's wildly improbably but the conventions of the genre allow it to highlight aspects of human behavior that are dead accurate, compressing lifetimes of intensity into a few hours. The exaggeration and compression is what turns observations of human behavior into entertainment.
In fact compared to the comedic plots of Plautus, Shakespeare or Frank Capra, I found "She Was Pretty" to be much more believable as well as more complex and intricate. Several people thought the plot was unlikely, that characters would not make those choices. I found them very plausible. People in intense emotional relationships, and even in distant work relationships, don't make rational choices. They don't make good choices. At least from what I have seen, people do dumb and self-sabotaging things more often than not. The reasons the characters give for their actions might in some cases seem a stretch, unless you consider the strong emotions of fear and shame that drive them.
The soundtrack was also criticized. I enjoyed it. Lyrics are sung loudly right over dialog, where the lyrics are classic songs expressing the emotions the characters are going through even as they are barely able to acknowledge it themselves. I thought that was unusual and creative and that it helped to communicate the great timeless feelings people have about romance.
One of the themes of the film is panic, panic attacks, both from trauma and from love-obsession. The examination of psychological stress and the support of friendship gives the series a weight beyond just making us laugh, although it did that for me very well.
One of things Korean TV is not is subversive. Don't expect insightful social criticism or political commentary. The story basically exalts conventional Korean social values, as well as the worship of fashion and conspicuous consumption, in spite of some egalitarian themes. These writers would not have had to worry about being put on the Hollywood blacklist (1947-1960). Nor is it Monty Python or Douglas Adams, comedy that is often built on brilliant philosophical questioning. The Korean Wave is strictly pop culture as far as I have seen... I gather a sort of Confucian social conservatism and conformity is a Korean national value.
Have only watched about 2/3 of it so far although as such comedies go the outcome is 200% predictable after a few episodes; I don't expect to be surprised. I don't want to be. The fun is how you get there.
Be more Most-esque
alaningle76 November 2020
After 15 years apart first love school friends plan to reunite but their circumstances have changed and one decides to get her friend to pretend to be her. A simple plot in which the storyline is predictable but what makes this really worth watching is the comedic talent of the star Jeong-eum Hwang who is outstanding. An excellent supporting cast with well rounded characters all add to make this series a highly recommended romantic comedy
Good enough
PennyReviews15 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
She was pretty, as the very name suggests, is about a girl who used to be very pretty and rich. However growing up, she turned out to be ugly and poor, struggling to find a job to pay off her college founds. On the other hand, her ugly child friend, who happened to be her first love and had moved away years ago, which resulted to them loosing any contact, comes back as a handsome, successful man. Needless to say the drama is full of awkward situations and clumsy romance. The first episodes are very entertaining and the romance seems promising. But the love triangle, for me, ruined the drama. Plus, the protagonist kind of changed when she became "pretty" again. She was more independent and loud and tomboy when she was "ugly, and then she changed her clothes and became all girly and cute and fragile. And there were things that remained unexplained, like the the male leads tend to not hear anyone when he was reading from his computer. Anyway, it was an okay drama so 6 out of 10.
Recommended
reem-najm11 July 2020
Not as much chemistry
adrine-1472529 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The begging of the drama was promising and exciting. I thought that Kim Hye-jin and Kim Shin-Hyak had more chemistry than the leading man. The romance between the leading couple was a little boring. I would have preferred her to see end up with Shin-Hyak. The show was to predictable.
So Funny :-)
sez_tim10 January 2021
This is one funny show, chemistry between actors is hilarious. I did find sometimes that there was some much exaggerated acting going on that moved over to corny. But that only happened a couple times, the storyline is a sweet and frustrating one, but like most kdramas comes around to deliver a awesome story. If you want a good heart felt laugh and sigh, then watch it.
Enjoyable nonsense
makeweight15 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Well, this is fun, but the ludicrous plot-line means that truly industrial-spec levels of suspension of disbelief are required throughout. The main plot premise is the old The Truth About Cats And Dogs routine: Girl A thinks she won't measure up to Boy A's expectations so asks beautiful best friend Girl B to stand in and then has to look on as the two of them hit it off. For a one-off blind date with a complete stranger, yes maybe; for a reunion with your long-lost best-ever pal from childhood to catch up with old memories, which the best friend can't possibly have, and that somehow has to be sustained for 20 episodes, no, it's a complete nonsense.
And of course her boss at her new job on a fashion magazine turns out to be, yes, Boy A who is now handsome but also a bit of a major jerk. And believing her to be just another office junior (and one with clumsy tendencies anyway) he shows his worst side as a rude boss. Meanwhile into her life comes Boy B, also working on the magazine but secretly a best-selling author. Who is funny, generous, outgoing, caring and wise, and likes her - and eventually falls in love with her - For Herself (ie not as a childhood memory). As a character he is altogether much more engaging than Boy A. And this second love triangle could have thrown up some interesting and dramatic thoughts and conflicts about the choice Girl A should make between the two. But it doesn't, because throughout she is entirely and rather monotonously fixated on Boy A.
And eventually she and Boy A do end up together and live happily ever after. Boy B, by far the strongest and most likeable character in the show, ends up very much where he started, relegated to "just friends" with our heroine. Which rather sums up the waste of this strong character by the writer. Why not at least have given him writer's block or something, which Girl A could have bust him out of, so that at he/his art had gained something meaningful from the relationship?
So, a story of beautiful people confronting all-too-implausible situations entirely of their own making, and endlessly deferring doing the one thing that would sort matters out. Things are finally resolved not by honest admission but by chance discovery of the lie. It's all thoroughly enjoyable, but spoiled by sheer implausibility, and an awareness of what might have been a really much more dramatic and meaningful story.
And of course her boss at her new job on a fashion magazine turns out to be, yes, Boy A who is now handsome but also a bit of a major jerk. And believing her to be just another office junior (and one with clumsy tendencies anyway) he shows his worst side as a rude boss. Meanwhile into her life comes Boy B, also working on the magazine but secretly a best-selling author. Who is funny, generous, outgoing, caring and wise, and likes her - and eventually falls in love with her - For Herself (ie not as a childhood memory). As a character he is altogether much more engaging than Boy A. And this second love triangle could have thrown up some interesting and dramatic thoughts and conflicts about the choice Girl A should make between the two. But it doesn't, because throughout she is entirely and rather monotonously fixated on Boy A.
And eventually she and Boy A do end up together and live happily ever after. Boy B, by far the strongest and most likeable character in the show, ends up very much where he started, relegated to "just friends" with our heroine. Which rather sums up the waste of this strong character by the writer. Why not at least have given him writer's block or something, which Girl A could have bust him out of, so that at he/his art had gained something meaningful from the relationship?
So, a story of beautiful people confronting all-too-implausible situations entirely of their own making, and endlessly deferring doing the one thing that would sort matters out. Things are finally resolved not by honest admission but by chance discovery of the lie. It's all thoroughly enjoyable, but spoiled by sheer implausibility, and an awareness of what might have been a really much more dramatic and meaningful story.
Performances as good as classic Hollywood screwball comedy
MetroVavin10 February 2018
Where is the charisma, charm and comedy brilliance of Classic Hollywood? All those souls realizing Hollywood has descended to the least common denominator have taken rebirth in Korea.
Joen-eum Hwang is as charming and attractive as Cary Grant, her over-the top comedy expressions are as funny as Gene Wilder or Madeline Kahn, her expressions of love and caring are as sincere as Audrey Hepburn. She plays a unique combination- a sexy and charming model type who is also a funny looking hilarious clown. I didn't expect there could be another talent of the calibre of Ji-Hyun Jun, but I was wrong.
She is supposed to be playing an ugly character, nominally indicated with outrageously fake clown freckles painted on her cheeks, but she is drop-dead gorgeous and terminally cute.
The other players also do great, especially the many supporting characters that are spot-on and totally convincing. Jun-hee Ko, her close friend, was brilliant with a difficult dramatic role. Other reviewers have favored Si Won Choi, who played a kind of crazy,lovable joker, always playing practical jokes. His character was as exaggerated as Hwang's, and provided a counter-balance to her eccentricity. I didn't think his few moments of sincere feeling were as "real" as the other main actors. The other main character is her love interest played by Seo-joon Park, who is credible but it's tough to make an impression while Hwang is busy chewing up all the scenery.
The premise is along the lines of "Ugly Betty", but the plot lines as far as I can tell are totally different.
Other reviewers have criticized the plot as having unbelievable coincidences and character decisions. Classic comedy from Plautus, through Shakespeare and Billy Wilder, uses plots based on unlikely coincidence, mistaken identity and complicated love triangles frustrated by people's deceptions. That's how the genre works to portray human behavior in a condensed, engaging format. The character's choices were mostly believable enough, for me, given their many insecurities and hang-ups. If people didn't often helplessly do stupid things there could not be any movies at all.
What I liked about the story line was that many complex story lines were dovetailed together supporting each other, all supporting the arcs of the main characters. I also liked how how the characters and situations evolved into a continuing story. The series contains its own sequels. It doesn't follow the Hollywood formula of a single big climax.
You wont see much skin or sex beyond holding hands and kissing. The characters follow a strict and hard to believe pre-marital moral code. They also have a strong work ethic; one main message of the series is that everyone should work very hard at their corporate job to attain success through team effort, which will bring happiness. It's the opposite of subversive. The outcomes for everyone are very predictable from the beginning, which is how it should be in a screwball comedy. The fun is getting there.
Joen-eum Hwang is as charming and attractive as Cary Grant, her over-the top comedy expressions are as funny as Gene Wilder or Madeline Kahn, her expressions of love and caring are as sincere as Audrey Hepburn. She plays a unique combination- a sexy and charming model type who is also a funny looking hilarious clown. I didn't expect there could be another talent of the calibre of Ji-Hyun Jun, but I was wrong.
She is supposed to be playing an ugly character, nominally indicated with outrageously fake clown freckles painted on her cheeks, but she is drop-dead gorgeous and terminally cute.
The other players also do great, especially the many supporting characters that are spot-on and totally convincing. Jun-hee Ko, her close friend, was brilliant with a difficult dramatic role. Other reviewers have favored Si Won Choi, who played a kind of crazy,lovable joker, always playing practical jokes. His character was as exaggerated as Hwang's, and provided a counter-balance to her eccentricity. I didn't think his few moments of sincere feeling were as "real" as the other main actors. The other main character is her love interest played by Seo-joon Park, who is credible but it's tough to make an impression while Hwang is busy chewing up all the scenery.
The premise is along the lines of "Ugly Betty", but the plot lines as far as I can tell are totally different.
Other reviewers have criticized the plot as having unbelievable coincidences and character decisions. Classic comedy from Plautus, through Shakespeare and Billy Wilder, uses plots based on unlikely coincidence, mistaken identity and complicated love triangles frustrated by people's deceptions. That's how the genre works to portray human behavior in a condensed, engaging format. The character's choices were mostly believable enough, for me, given their many insecurities and hang-ups. If people didn't often helplessly do stupid things there could not be any movies at all.
What I liked about the story line was that many complex story lines were dovetailed together supporting each other, all supporting the arcs of the main characters. I also liked how how the characters and situations evolved into a continuing story. The series contains its own sequels. It doesn't follow the Hollywood formula of a single big climax.
You wont see much skin or sex beyond holding hands and kissing. The characters follow a strict and hard to believe pre-marital moral code. They also have a strong work ethic; one main message of the series is that everyone should work very hard at their corporate job to attain success through team effort, which will bring happiness. It's the opposite of subversive. The outcomes for everyone are very predictable from the beginning, which is how it should be in a screwball comedy. The fun is getting there.
Stopped at 1st, then resumed
elainepka4 July 2020
The female lead annoyed me on 1st episode, so I stopped watching for a while. But I can't resist my urge to resume bcos PSJ was in it! And the plot was my usual romance twist where the guy hate the girl at 1st but ended up falling for her later on 🤣 And the female lead character became bearable eventually 😀
Mediocre
brookesbooks7 February 2016
Let me start out with the positives, because there are some. I liked the chemistry between the actors, and it's very easy to tell that they got along on set. I also enjoyed the comedy of this, I found myself laughing a lot during it.
The problem is mainly with one aspect of the show, and unfortunately it's a big one. The writing for this is awful. The choices that the characters are not only nonsensical, they're choices that no human would ever make. The main story doesn't flow, and there's a huge plot shift part way throughout the show. There's also this mystery which I already knew the answer to the first time it's brought up. Another thing which got over very irritating was the music, whenever the characters were silent they would play this music which would describe how they feel. Seriously, we know what's going on, we don't need this music.
I'll talk about the four main characters. The main lead's is one of those clumsy characters you either love or hate, I personally found her irritating, this type of character was done much better in other shows such as Ugly Betty. The male lead...okay I guess, though the actor wasn't as good as his costars. The second female lead had the best subplot, and she has several interesting dilemmas. But the spotlight was stolen by Choi Siwon's character, Shin-Hyuk, mainly because the man was hilarious and the character knew how ridiculous everything going on was. Seriously, Shin-Hyuk needs his own spin off, that's how funny he was!
Overall, this drama does have some good moments, but if you're going to watch it throw logic out of the window.
The problem is mainly with one aspect of the show, and unfortunately it's a big one. The writing for this is awful. The choices that the characters are not only nonsensical, they're choices that no human would ever make. The main story doesn't flow, and there's a huge plot shift part way throughout the show. There's also this mystery which I already knew the answer to the first time it's brought up. Another thing which got over very irritating was the music, whenever the characters were silent they would play this music which would describe how they feel. Seriously, we know what's going on, we don't need this music.
I'll talk about the four main characters. The main lead's is one of those clumsy characters you either love or hate, I personally found her irritating, this type of character was done much better in other shows such as Ugly Betty. The male lead...okay I guess, though the actor wasn't as good as his costars. The second female lead had the best subplot, and she has several interesting dilemmas. But the spotlight was stolen by Choi Siwon's character, Shin-Hyuk, mainly because the man was hilarious and the character knew how ridiculous everything going on was. Seriously, Shin-Hyuk needs his own spin off, that's how funny he was!
Overall, this drama does have some good moments, but if you're going to watch it throw logic out of the window.
A gentle, delightful and decent series
peterxnxn13 October 2016
Much, much better than a fairy-tale. If the childhood with its tales passed, behold there are movies like this, that can say a delightful story with pleasant, trustworthy people.A series truly like a tale, very, very originally, about a childhood love fulfilled after fifteen years, after a special series of events, rarely sad, the most are very funny. In addition, much common sense in this series story. I really like that is no knavery, grudge, selfishness. I'm fine with sincere and friendly solutions, I love happy endings. There are many beautiful, delightful, intelligent, funny scenes. I could see some scenes often, never bored. All the story is well thought out and developed; like a puzzle (some in movie's plot) in which the parts hang together. The main character Hye-Jin(actress Hwang Jung-Eum) is acting perfectly, no secondary character to surpass. I found that is good so. If I have to nitpick something it would be this: I'd have liked character Sung-Joon (actor Park Seo-Joon) to be oldster in the final scene with his daughter; The series could very well be called ,,The Umbrella''.
A series that can bee seen even for the many funny scenes.
A series that can bee seen even for the many funny scenes.
Good series.. gets better after second episode
chsan-9960629 August 2022
This is what I wrote after just first two episodes:
I am only on episode two of this series and am already frustrated with the extreme overacting of the female lead. She is presented as "ugly" even though she is quite decent looking. I don't know what the hell Korean beauty standards are. And then her ugliness entails being extremely loud and clumsy and doing completely stupid things that you would never expect from a 30 year old. And on top of that Park Seojoon's character is shown as so arrogant and demeaning. He just insults her to her face. In any workplace that would be grounds for dismissal. I am not sure how much of this drama I'll be able to tolerate before I quit.
Now, after finishing the series, here is my genuine review: Really liked the whole series except for one glaring flaw. There was no reason for the leading lady to undergo the transformation that she does in the second half. Everything was going her way- her job was good, the male lead was falling for her.. the series did a bad job of explaining the transformation. And then, when she becomes a writer she goes back to her previous self. It's weird. Anyway, there were several things I liked about this series. The biggest one was that the male lead falls for the girl BEFORE the transformation and isn't just miraculously struck by her beauty after the transformation. I think that is what made it realistic and likeable. Also, the side characters are not annoying like in other dramas which is so refreshing. I didn't have to skip the parts with side characters. Also, I really liked the second female lead.
I am only on episode two of this series and am already frustrated with the extreme overacting of the female lead. She is presented as "ugly" even though she is quite decent looking. I don't know what the hell Korean beauty standards are. And then her ugliness entails being extremely loud and clumsy and doing completely stupid things that you would never expect from a 30 year old. And on top of that Park Seojoon's character is shown as so arrogant and demeaning. He just insults her to her face. In any workplace that would be grounds for dismissal. I am not sure how much of this drama I'll be able to tolerate before I quit.
Now, after finishing the series, here is my genuine review: Really liked the whole series except for one glaring flaw. There was no reason for the leading lady to undergo the transformation that she does in the second half. Everything was going her way- her job was good, the male lead was falling for her.. the series did a bad job of explaining the transformation. And then, when she becomes a writer she goes back to her previous self. It's weird. Anyway, there were several things I liked about this series. The biggest one was that the male lead falls for the girl BEFORE the transformation and isn't just miraculously struck by her beauty after the transformation. I think that is what made it realistic and likeable. Also, the side characters are not annoying like in other dramas which is so refreshing. I didn't have to skip the parts with side characters. Also, I really liked the second female lead.
The Main Actor Goes To Choi Siwon
lia0002730 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
From my title review people might think that I am a big fan of Choi Siwon but believe me that I am not a fan nor knowing him a lot as an actor I only recognize him as a member from super junior boy group from south Korea. I seldom watch Siwon's drama mainly because his choice of drama plot sometimes was not interesting.
This drama has interesting beginning but weak plot near the ending until the end and acting of the main actors are just so so. It's easy to guess how the story goes on and the acting of the hero is totally sucks.
Hwang Jeung Eum the heroine acting decent however she still needs a compatible partner to balance her acting but the weak plot and the predictable scenes gave no surprise and the hero just ruined the show by showing his incapability as an actor with his stiff act and weak face expression. Lame scenes of usual Korean drama and weak characters keep showing not giving me enough interest to hang on for this drama. Only Siwon who was acting good throughout the show with his good act and funny facial expressions, not to mention his understanding toward his character which made his character became lovable and there was one actor Park Yoohwan his acting and his facial expression are better compare to the main actor. Predictable plot and ending are such a reason why this drama is boring.
The soundtrack mostly annoyed me with the horrid singing by the singers that the production company chose, not enough feeling to sway me with this drama's idea, background song/ost. is truly important for the audiences to make "it feel" from the drama. Once again Choi Siwon with his acoustic singing and music turned out as a decent background music of his character.
This drama has interesting beginning but weak plot near the ending until the end and acting of the main actors are just so so. It's easy to guess how the story goes on and the acting of the hero is totally sucks.
Hwang Jeung Eum the heroine acting decent however she still needs a compatible partner to balance her acting but the weak plot and the predictable scenes gave no surprise and the hero just ruined the show by showing his incapability as an actor with his stiff act and weak face expression. Lame scenes of usual Korean drama and weak characters keep showing not giving me enough interest to hang on for this drama. Only Siwon who was acting good throughout the show with his good act and funny facial expressions, not to mention his understanding toward his character which made his character became lovable and there was one actor Park Yoohwan his acting and his facial expression are better compare to the main actor. Predictable plot and ending are such a reason why this drama is boring.
The soundtrack mostly annoyed me with the horrid singing by the singers that the production company chose, not enough feeling to sway me with this drama's idea, background song/ost. is truly important for the audiences to make "it feel" from the drama. Once again Choi Siwon with his acoustic singing and music turned out as a decent background music of his character.
Lots of fun and well worth a watch
OldGuyUS12 March 2023
It was better that many reviews indicate, IMHO.
This show is a lot of fun. There is plenty of humor from the main cast. It is pretty low on the trauma meter, which I like. I really enjoyed the show.
To address the somewhat over-the-top comedy of the FL, played by Hwang Jong-Eum. As I always note, this was the way the show was written and produced, and the actress interprets what she is given, I imagine. She did a masterful job which I guess is not at all easy. I really enjoyed her character and she made us laugh a lot. It may not be your cup of tea and that is fair enough.
Park Seo-Joon as the ML was great, as always, and incredibly good looking, too!
I'd like to call out Si Won Choi for pulling off being a total nutball, without being annoying or tiring. He was great and actually perhaps my favorite character in the series.
Ko Jun-Hee as Min Ha-Ri was absolutely great also. Her acting was very natural and compelling, and of course she is just incredibly beautiful. I wonder why she is not in more series as a lead? The friendship between Ha-Ri and Hey-Jin was a highlight of the series.
If you looking for a nice mix of humor and romance, this is it.
Why just an 8 if I enjoyed it so much?
I think the leads were really good together, but they were just a tad lower in chemistry than some other Kdrama couples, even given their respective (screen) personalities. The chemistry in the later part of the series grew as the personality of the ML was more relaxed and natural. His "stiffer" personality in the early part of the series seemed less natural.
The additional cast beyond the four main characters were a bit underdeveloped.
I have thoughts on how the secondary leads turned out, which I was a bit disappointed in, but I don't want to include any spoilers by getting specific.
Mild Spoiler, I guess?? There was a nice, happy ending that lasted for more than an episode, which I appreciate.
This show is a lot of fun. There is plenty of humor from the main cast. It is pretty low on the trauma meter, which I like. I really enjoyed the show.
To address the somewhat over-the-top comedy of the FL, played by Hwang Jong-Eum. As I always note, this was the way the show was written and produced, and the actress interprets what she is given, I imagine. She did a masterful job which I guess is not at all easy. I really enjoyed her character and she made us laugh a lot. It may not be your cup of tea and that is fair enough.
Park Seo-Joon as the ML was great, as always, and incredibly good looking, too!
I'd like to call out Si Won Choi for pulling off being a total nutball, without being annoying or tiring. He was great and actually perhaps my favorite character in the series.
Ko Jun-Hee as Min Ha-Ri was absolutely great also. Her acting was very natural and compelling, and of course she is just incredibly beautiful. I wonder why she is not in more series as a lead? The friendship between Ha-Ri and Hey-Jin was a highlight of the series.
If you looking for a nice mix of humor and romance, this is it.
Why just an 8 if I enjoyed it so much?
I think the leads were really good together, but they were just a tad lower in chemistry than some other Kdrama couples, even given their respective (screen) personalities. The chemistry in the later part of the series grew as the personality of the ML was more relaxed and natural. His "stiffer" personality in the early part of the series seemed less natural.
The additional cast beyond the four main characters were a bit underdeveloped.
I have thoughts on how the secondary leads turned out, which I was a bit disappointed in, but I don't want to include any spoilers by getting specific.
Mild Spoiler, I guess?? There was a nice, happy ending that lasted for more than an episode, which I appreciate.
Kim shin hyuk was the only good part of the show
Bigmac1231 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Was invested in only Kim shin hyuk's character. He should have been the main lead. Ahhh what a waste of such a beautiful character. I stopped at episode 12 because my heart literally broke. He deserved a better storyline and the girl. I love k dramas but wish they would stop breaking my heart by making the nice guys only side characters who always end up getting rejected while the rude guy gets the girl. Smh.
It's OK.
shareen_shany1 December 2021
Korea is a land of beauty. More than 90% of their population takes great care of their skin. They believe in classic beauty. Its not only women but also men, they take care of their skin, hair & wear the proper attire.
But in this drama, the lead actress role is over exaggerated! She is very loud, poorly dress in a fashion magazine, very clumsy, like having speech impairment & frizzy hair. Even its freckles, it looks like bad acne! Such a turnoff!
She doesn't fit the job in the fashion industry! She behaves like she has mental issues! She acts like crazy maniac! Its driving me crazy, she constantly talking to herself loudly in public, office, chattering her teeth, jerkring like a maniac! I fast-forward when she does crazy stuff. The way she chews the gum & the way she sleeps. It's not even funny!
She is bearable to look at after the trendy attire, makeup & hairdo.
I found the story of the supporting actor very cute & funny to watch.
The reason I continue watching is because of the leading actor, he is actually warmth, understanding & adorable despite her clumsiness!
If you like comedy, some romance thrown in & find the leading actress funny then this is the show for you. But for me, it's not a show that I will binge watch again.
But in this drama, the lead actress role is over exaggerated! She is very loud, poorly dress in a fashion magazine, very clumsy, like having speech impairment & frizzy hair. Even its freckles, it looks like bad acne! Such a turnoff!
She doesn't fit the job in the fashion industry! She behaves like she has mental issues! She acts like crazy maniac! Its driving me crazy, she constantly talking to herself loudly in public, office, chattering her teeth, jerkring like a maniac! I fast-forward when she does crazy stuff. The way she chews the gum & the way she sleeps. It's not even funny!
She is bearable to look at after the trendy attire, makeup & hairdo.
I found the story of the supporting actor very cute & funny to watch.
The reason I continue watching is because of the leading actor, he is actually warmth, understanding & adorable despite her clumsiness!
If you like comedy, some romance thrown in & find the leading actress funny then this is the show for you. But for me, it's not a show that I will binge watch again.
Nothing special
thehopefully27 April 2021
Not the best drama I have seen, but it was definitely worthwhile. The storyline is nothing special, it is comparable to other series out there. Of course it must include a (1) love story (2) with your childhood love (3) while (4) someone else also falls in love with one of the main characters.
I only watched this drama because I had nothing else to do/watch, I even fast-forwarded a few episodes.
Although it is just a 'basic' story, I really liked the actors. They did a good job of bringing the story to life. For example, the chemistry between the characters of Hwang Jun-Eum and Choi S-Won.
Jun-Eum's characters is originally a little bit shy, especially when she interacts with Si-Won's character Shin-Hyuk. By using humor that does not match with hers, he slowly gains her trust.
I really enjoyed Hwang Jung-Eum 'ugly' appearance. However, lets not talk about that ugly laugh. It made me cringed a few times.
Thus, if you have plenty of time and you have nothing else to do/watch, give it a try. If you value time, I recommend skipping this one.
I only watched this drama because I had nothing else to do/watch, I even fast-forwarded a few episodes.
Although it is just a 'basic' story, I really liked the actors. They did a good job of bringing the story to life. For example, the chemistry between the characters of Hwang Jun-Eum and Choi S-Won.
Jun-Eum's characters is originally a little bit shy, especially when she interacts with Si-Won's character Shin-Hyuk. By using humor that does not match with hers, he slowly gains her trust.
I really enjoyed Hwang Jung-Eum 'ugly' appearance. However, lets not talk about that ugly laugh. It made me cringed a few times.
Thus, if you have plenty of time and you have nothing else to do/watch, give it a try. If you value time, I recommend skipping this one.
Best kdrama
dayitastorm14 January 2020
Lackluster and cringe-full
hjalsayegh8 November 2020
Imagine if the show ugly betty did NOT focus on the fashion industry, relationships between the different characters, Betty's drive and ambition, and had a really really REALLY bad script.
That's this show. The main character is one of those clumsy, innocent female leads that is supposed to be endearing but was taken too far to where she was just annoying.
One of the characters actually asked her if she was a cave dweller or her father lived in a forest somewhere collecting ginseng... yeah, she does act like that. It's the born yesterday troupe where the person acts like they've never spent a day in society. After all when you're 30 it's normal to not only apply for an internship but also get paid enough within the first two months to cover all your student loans AND have enough for a top to bottom make-over, even though you don't know what blush is...
The male lead is... fine. He's rather meh here. The side characters are the ones that stole the show. Ha-ri had an interesting subplot and the actress subdue reactions made far more impact then the leads exaggerated ones.
Si Won Choi playing Kim Shin-hyuk stole every scene he was in. He acted like he knew how silly it all was and just had fun with it.
The situations are forced and belong in a 90s drama not in this day and age. The music loud and obnoxious. The ending flat. The side characters are the only reason to bother with this.
That's this show. The main character is one of those clumsy, innocent female leads that is supposed to be endearing but was taken too far to where she was just annoying.
One of the characters actually asked her if she was a cave dweller or her father lived in a forest somewhere collecting ginseng... yeah, she does act like that. It's the born yesterday troupe where the person acts like they've never spent a day in society. After all when you're 30 it's normal to not only apply for an internship but also get paid enough within the first two months to cover all your student loans AND have enough for a top to bottom make-over, even though you don't know what blush is...
The male lead is... fine. He's rather meh here. The side characters are the ones that stole the show. Ha-ri had an interesting subplot and the actress subdue reactions made far more impact then the leads exaggerated ones.
Si Won Choi playing Kim Shin-hyuk stole every scene he was in. He acted like he knew how silly it all was and just had fun with it.
The situations are forced and belong in a 90s drama not in this day and age. The music loud and obnoxious. The ending flat. The side characters are the only reason to bother with this.
Meh
SIshh22 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This show was soooooo long. Should have been wrapped up in about 10 episodes. The lead male character was the most annoying, insensitive, selfish character - not to mention STUPID. Fancy being teased your whole life and growing up to treat others like you were. The first half of this show he treated the female lead like a total trashbag. If he had half a brain in his head it would not have taken him nearly as long to figure out that she was the one he was looking for. Nevertheless, I get it - it's TV. But I prefer a show that I can keep a level of belief. As annoying as the character "Ten" was - at least he liked her regardless of status, which is something you could feel he wanted reciprocated.
One of my favourite dramas
hello_sue1234525 February 2022
I really adore this drama, the main actress makes so many funny faces you can't help but love her characters. I also love the chemistry of her friendship with friends and the story is just so feel-good. If you want a feel good drama to marathon watch, this is a very lovely one to watch.
NIce surprise.
elsamirre6 March 2022
While I understand why there are so many low ratings, I must say that I really enjoyed this show. I went for PSJ after watching Hwarang. I first saw this actor in WWWSecretary Kim and, unlike the whole world, I didn't think much of him. But in Hwarang, he grew on me, and in this show, I finally realized how cute he could be.
I also liked the female lead, so cheerful and sparkling. Their chemistry seemed genuine and the kisses were among the best ones in drama lore. Way better than the ones in wwwsKim, if you ask me.
The second male lead was great in his clown-like character. I found myself rooting for him (too), even in the last 8 minutes.
The show was hilarious. Not once, did I skip. Well, I did skip... hours of sleep.
9 stars is a lot for a drama that is far from perfect, but I review with my heart, and those 16 hours brought a lasting smile on my face.
I also liked the female lead, so cheerful and sparkling. Their chemistry seemed genuine and the kisses were among the best ones in drama lore. Way better than the ones in wwwsKim, if you ask me.
The second male lead was great in his clown-like character. I found myself rooting for him (too), even in the last 8 minutes.
The show was hilarious. Not once, did I skip. Well, I did skip... hours of sleep.
9 stars is a lot for a drama that is far from perfect, but I review with my heart, and those 16 hours brought a lasting smile on my face.
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