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Some of the acting missed the spot, especially with the secondary characters. Bun, who's character I liked the most, had a bit of trouble with delivery in quite a few scenes throughout. But it wasn't enough to damage the overall of the show. The story telling was more like American TV; several separate stories strung together by common threads and a major overall plot throughout the series. Obviously there's a second season and I look forward to seeing how Bun and Boney Shrew grow closer as it goes on.
There was a good pace from start to finish. The story was "deep" enough to build emotional concern for the principle characters and it strayed enough, from time to time, from the typical formulas that it wasn't always predictable. The writing allowed the characters to grow enough from beginning to end that it was fun watching their change and the ending was quite satisfying. While it didn't have that "certain something" that makes for a perfect story, it delivered delightful entertainment and enough emotional involvement for a very good series. I've come to enjoy Kim Sun Ah's characters quite a bit. They're fresh enough and stray enough from traditional stereo types that she's fun to watch... neither a superwoman nor a damsel in distress but a character that acts and feels like real people. I think that's her greatest charm and I look forward to seeing more and more of her in the future.
All of the elements of good storytelling have presented themselves by the end of the second episode. The acting is good, the story is interesting, the characters grow with the passing of time, and the production quality is high. I'm particularly impressed with the score which "feels" bigger and fuller than what I've come to expect from television productions. Having watched through episode 13 (elsewhere), I'm still impressed with this series. While the cliché love triangle has reared its head, it hasn't detracted from the overall quality of the show. So far, the five-star rating remains.
I love this story; the music, the plot, the acting. I've watched it three times and I know, before long, I'll watch it again. I can't help feeling so sad for Hee Jin (Jung Ryeo Won's character). She ends up being punished and losing the love of her life because of she did what she believed was a selfless act. And the song 이별 못한 이별 (Not Goodbye, Farewell), which seems to be her theme song, makes me cry whenever I hear it (which is quite a bit since I bought the CD and play it over and over). Of course, in spite of my sadness for Hee Jin, I still root for Sam Soon because she deserves all the happiness that comes her way. My favorite moment is when Jin Heon lays on her belly and confesses his past, then cries. Of course, Kim Sun Ah is a wonderful in this as in everything she does. This may well have become my favorite series without having realized it.
It kept my interest from start to finish. The more I see of Kim Hye Ok, the more I like her and she was my favorite character in this drama. She does a wonderful job of showing a range of emotions and she's able to play different roles in a believable fashion. Of course Han Ga In is as wonderful in this as in everything else I've seen her in. Like Kim Hye Ok, she demonstrates a great deal of range with good delivery, emotional expression, and believable characters you can't help but care about. Yang Dong Geun's character is a bit exaggerated but remains enjoyable. I've come to expect it'll take two or three episodes for many kdrama's to settle in and this was no exception. Don't have a problem with the whole love-triangle thing... it's pretty much the norm and whether it works as a plot element depends on the writing and acting. I enjoyed the story and was satisfied with the outcome. UPDATE: I've seen Kim Hye Ok in three series since this and she's quickly becoming my favorite actor.
****SPOILER ALERT**** The ending was unnecessary. Shock value is fine but it should be purposeful. This one wasn't. There were a few "technical" flaws with regard to trained combat personnel in combat situations but I can write that off to creative license. Lastly, I thought Kim Hyun Joon and Kim Sun Hwa would have made a better couple.
Previously, Coffee Prince was the series by which all others were measured. Now, Someday joins it in a tie for the top spot. Romantic stories should always peak at the "I Love You" point and how well the mutual feelings are presented and shared by the two people involved. That moment in this story, if it doesn't leave you with tears in your eyes, then you have a whole where your heart should be... and not just a couple of tears but the kind that just keep rolling down your cheeks until a puddle starts to form. Bae Doo-na delivers the perfect performance of a woman who is broken and damaged to the point it's your heart to watch. Lastly, the song 그렇게 우린 by 김현민 may be one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard. It captures the mood of this series and expresses it in a way that goes beyond words.
Oh my! This one gets an instant five stars without reservation. I've loved Bae Jung-ok and Bae Doo Na in everything I've seen them in but this is as good or better than all the others. On that note, I wanted to comment on a post were another poster stated the lead actress was "ugly". I'll start with two clichés: "Beauty is only skin deep" and "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I realize everyone has different ideas of beauty and ugliness, but to describe either Bae Jung-ok or Bae Doo Na (since the name was not mentioned) I must strongly disagree. It might be said neither is the epitome of "Barbie" beauty but both possess an undeniable and subtle beautify beyond pert breasts, pouting lips, or vixen facial features. Back to the series: This steers clear of everything typical; no love triangles, no switched at birth child, no wealthy family versus poor family. Just six good stories that make you laugh, make you smile, and make you cry. Of the bunch, my favorites were Pleasure (2 & 3) and Outing (9 & 10).
It's easy to give this four stars. In fact, the only reason I don't give five is because it wasn't quite good enough that I wanted to immediately watch it again (that's my personal requisite for five stars). I watched this because after seeing "I Am Legend" and learning that Kim Jung Eun replaced Kim Sun Ah in that series, I wanted to sample more of Jung Eun's acting. I wasn't disappointed and found the same things I enjoy about Sun Ah attracted me to Jung Eun in this...it doesn't hurt that her eyes are mesmerizing. I'll probably watch this again even though I was initially disappointed with the ending. I'm hoping the writers were trying to say the couple are destined to meet and fall in love. If so, I can embrace that sentiment.
This is one of my all-time favorites. The cinematography is stunningly beautiful (especially the lake scene) and the acting is some of the best I've seen in any genre or from any studio (foreign or domestic). Even though the pacing slows at some points, I can see why as plot elements are added or expanded upon...and the lead character's "child-like" innocence is heart warming. UPDATE: Having completed the series, the five-star rating remains. While the ending was a bit ambiguous it lets the viewer draw his or her own conclusion about the long term outcome of the lives and relationships of the characters. The body of the story had already established the existence of miracles so, even without providing an explicit depiction, we can come away believing... This series was well worth the watch and I'd recommend it to those looking for an enjoyable 20 episodes of viewing.
After enjoying her in H.I.T., I watched Daemul because of Go Hyun Jung and was pleased to see a completely different character portrayal. Daemul had some quirks but not enough to detract from the story being told. Go Hyun Jung's growth from nervous television personality to lamenting widow and finally competent and determined politician was wonderful to watch. I would certainly recommend this to others. One last note: I loved her chair on Air Force One (or rather the Korean equivalent).
Just finishing the final episode I have to give this one five stars. The story was engrossing and the characters were portrayed well. I'll watch it again.
Hmm
I liked the acting, loved the background music, enjoyed the plot and subplots, and I love the song 상처 (Wounds), that represented the Lee Gak's feelings for the princess, and later became his and Park Ha's song. I also enjoy Han Ji Min as much in this as in Padam Padam. There are some comedic elements I didn't care for but I know they served to make the story lighter. I'd liked for Park Ha to have remembered Tae Yong from New York and I'd like to have seen more of what happened between them in the afterward, as losing Lee Gak was completely devastating and simply seeing Tae Yong as a replacement wouldn't have satisfied her feelings.