Oh My Ghostess (2015)

Commedia carina, ma protagonista sbagliata.

Serie difficile da recensire, perchè per quanto mi riguarda mi sono ritrovata in una situazione davvero singolare: di solito i protagonisti sono chiari, possono piacere o non piacere, essere credibili o meno, ma resta il fatto che sono quelli. Mai mi è capitato di trovarmi a sperare di avere come protagonista - femminile in questo caso - un personaggio che poi invece non lo è. Davvero, una situazione strana. Ma procediamo con ordine...
Commedia che sa essere a tratti divertente e a tratti più profonda. Il protagonista è chiaro fin da subito, lo chef Kang, abilmente interpretato da Jo Jung Suk, in una delle sue performance a mio avviso meglio riuscite insieme al ruolo secondario in "The King 2 hearts" (e anche lì riveste i panni di un personaggio estremamente corretto e cauto, sentimentalmente impacciato e inesperto, concentrato sulla carriera ma fondamentalmente dall'animo gentile...E' il suo ruolo, insomma!). Abbiamo poi due figure femminili: Na Bong Soon, giovane aiuto-cuoca in grado di vedere i fantasmi e timorosa di tutto, persino della sua stessa ombra, non che segretamente innamorata dello chef e poi Shin Sun Ae, fantasma di una giovane ragazza morta che vaga senza pace nel mondo degli umani e che solo Na Bong Soon può vedere. Caratterialmente sono una l'opposto dell'altra, tanto Bong Soon è un pulcino spaurito capace solo di balbettare "mi scusi, chef", "mi dispiace, chef", "si, chef", tanto Sun Ae è dirompente, schietta, diretta ed esuberante. Il rimpianto di Sun Ae è quello di essere morta vergine, motivo per cui si impossessa del corpo di giovani donne cercando - senza successo - di raggiungere il suo obiettivo e togliersi il capriccio. Ovviamente si impossessa del corpo di Bong Soon, dapprima senza il suo permesso e poi in accordo con la giovane, e punta dritta al letto dello chef Kang, che si trova quindi davanti a un personaggio bipolare, che alterna - pochi - momenti remissivi/timoroso e - molti - momenti "maniacali", così come li definisce lui, in cui la fanciulla cerca palesemente di saltargli addosso. Sono i momenti più divertenti e più frequenti, perchè già dopo i primissimi episodi i momenti della vera, noiosissima e inconsistente Bong Soon si riducono all'osso e al comando del suo corpo c'è quasi sempre Sun Ae. Tutti i momenti più intensi e divertenti della serie, baci (quasi tutti) inclusi, sono tra lo chef e il fantasma. E se inizialmente l'interesse di Sun Ae è prettamente fisico, col tempo finisce per innamorarsi anche lei dello chef e il rapporto tra i due si arricchisce anche di scene molto dolci (come quella sull'altalena dove lei confessa tutte le cose che vorrebbe fare e che non ha mai fatto). C'è una terza figura femminile, che nell'immaginario dovrebbe fare da rivale, ma che sembra quasi non entrare nemmeno in scena, perchè sostanzialmente la verità è che la rivale di Sun Ae è Bong Soon: inutile dire che la simpatia è tutta per la prima, la coppia formata da lei e dallo chef fa scintille ed è anche la coppia che occupa l'80% delle scene, tant'è che speravo fosse lei alla fine a incontrare il lieto fine. Certo c'era l'ostacolo - non da poco - della sua dipartita, tornare in vita era un po' una forzatura, a meno di rubare il corpo a una Bong Soon magari in punto di morte... ma Bong Soon non è un personaggio cattivo, è piatta, insignificante, timida, perennemente impaurita, ma dipinta come una ragazza di buon cuore, quindi regalarle una brutta fine non sarebbe stato possibile. Ed ecco quindi che a una certa Sun Ae si fa da parte, l'attenzione si sposta sul mistero legato alla sua morte, mentre lo chef - venuto a conoscenza dell'esistenza del fantasma - dopo un primo momento di smarrimento decide di dichiararsi a Bong Soon (certo, apprezzava da anni il blog che la ragazza gestiva senza sapere che fosse lei, ma torno a ripetere che tutte le scene importanti della serie le ha vissute con la ragazza fantasma). Anche dal punto di vista dei personaggi secondari, spiccano il padre e il fratello di Sun Ae, e le relazioni di famiglia sembrano per assurdo dare ancora più spessore al personaggio. La fine è stata una magra consolazione: Sun Ae trova il suo lieto fine nell'aver risolto il mistero della sua morte e nell'aver avuto modo di rincuorare il padre, Bong Soon si mostra sempre più sicura di sé stessa e inizia a mostrare quel carattere che sembrava non avesse (che nelle ultime scene arrivi a porsi in modo sfrontato come era solita fare Sun Ae l'ho trovato poco credibile e francamente fastidioso).
Concludendo: una commedia carina, che fa apprezzare la fanciulla fantasma fino a tifare per lei, ma che poi forza l'happy ending con la ragazza insipida (e il cui personaggio è stato poco approfondito/sviluppato, vuoi anche per il ridotto numero di scene a lei dedicate rispetto all'altra).

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I came for the romance and stayed for the ghost.

In summary: I think this was a 10 stars series until around the middle and a 6.5 stars series for its second half, so I tried to balance it out on my final score.

Now, an some focused points...

First, the good:

1 - Soon-Ae. She was an amazing character and I got involved in her story and her feelings completely. I loved seeing her journey and it was great the way that both actresses were able to create a cohesive character.

2 – Chef’s and Soon-Ae’s (meaning possessed Bong-Sun) relationship pre-falling in love. Their dynamics was just the best. The relationship was a balanced, they complemented each other and didn’t take crap from one another. They had qualities that complemented the other personality and everyone was bringing something to the table.

3 – I cared for the majority of the supporting characters. Granted, they were not the most developed people in the world but, they did have a distinct personality and they works very well for the plot. I especially liked the Seobinggo, Soon-Ae’s father and Seo Joon.

Good with a ‘but’:

1 – Pacing and the whole plot about Soon-Ae’s death. Ok, I won’t be able to say anything here without giving spoilers so, all I will say is that I was curious about what was going to happen and I thought that the drama executed this part well. Yes, there was some weird decisions some characters made and some things that were a bit farfetched, but I was all the way emotionally involved and I think this is the most important part.

2 - Soon-Ae and Bong-Sun. I really liked their dynamics and how they became friends throughout the story. However, I think their relationship was the biggest miss opportunity of the series. They could have such a more complex and interesting story if they talked about anything other than Chef... Like, even thoughboth of them were into the culinary world, they never talked about that or interacted on that manner... Bong-Sun never really talked about herself with Soon-Ae (just about her love for Chef). The two actress and characters had such an amazing chemistry and so many elements in common - the best scenes of them together were the ones that revolved around their conversations about Soon-Ae's family - that it was worth exploring more....

2 – Bong-Sun. I actually liked her character in the beginning and I also liked some changes the character went through in the story. But, I am not so sure if they were convincing (again, I think if hers and Soon-Ae’s relationship revolved around other themes, her evolution would be much more believable).

The downside:

1 – Ok, maybe is just me, but I really don’t get Korean sense of humour… This was not the first time that I absolutely detested the comic relief… I bumped a whole point out of Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon just because of that annoying and ridiculous ‘comic’ subplot. Here the problem was not nearly as bad, still every time Heo Min-Soo appeared on the screen I had to roll my eyes… He was not funny. He was just extremely inconvenient, rude and unprofessional. I couldn't really understand why anyone on that restaurant could like him in the slightest.

2- And finally, the major problem: the representation of love or Chef’s and the real Bong-Sun relationship. Honestly, the way he was suddenly ‘realises’ he has always been in love with her did not help this at all (he was an ass with her in the beginning because he secretly care for her, really? ¬¬)… And I am soooooo sick of jealousy being represented as cute that I won’t even elaborate on that (or this will become a rant). Also, why Korean series need to always say ‘hey, the girl is great but she can’t be ever as great as the guy… he needs to be better than her, so she can admire him (or whatever)’… Why did chef treat Bong-Sun as if she was a child? Why did he feel that he has to make decisions for her? Honestly, I just hated their relationship… I feel that that this last point should have bumped my ranting down a lot more (since this was the main focus of the story) but I am trying to remember how much I enjoyed the beginning of this series...

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Watched this one mainly for female lead actor still worth to see

good drama with good actors ,music, comedy elements ... but weak story.
Ghost stories aint anything new if story is weak it needs be saved by acting.. they did good job here.

plot - this story got 2 female leads... one is ghost with lively personality which can possess second female lead.
Second female lead is assistant chef. She is introverted and closed up and she can see ghosts and fears them. Story is mainly about how ghost FL possess chef FL and starts change her life to better.
+romance + trying find past of FL ghost.

genre - romance, comedy, mystery, little of cooking

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Vai alugar um triplex na sua cabeça, tô te falando

Mana, então, vamos começar do começo né? A protagonista tem uma personalidade que pode te irritar bastante as vezes, ao ponto de você querer entrar no drama e dar uma chacoalhada nela. Mas assim, depois que ela conhece a nossa icônica fantasma isso vai melhorando então tem que ter paciência viu? Falando sobre o casal, acho que eles até tiveram um certo desenvolvimento porém todo mundo sabe que isso só aconteceu por causa da fantasma, atura ou surta. Então assim, até gosto deles só que tenho um tico de desconfiança que ele não se apaixonou por ela e sim pela lenda fantasmagórica por isso dei 7.5. Gosto da atuação só não curto muito os beijos, fazer oque né? ?

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This drama is beautiful. At the beginning its really bad, there is a lot of ANNOYING characters in this drama, to be specific (bong suns coworkers) . despite that this was a great drama with a lot of suspense, crime and horror too. The romance is beautiful. This is a really dramatic drama too it will make you cry a lot. If you are like me you will ask yourself if you should drop this drama because its so stupid at the beginning but give it a try because it improves a lot after a few episodes and its worth watching, by the way it has a great villiain, it will make you scared believe me. For the finales series it was sad but it was also amazing, beautiful and so romantic. One of the best couples, if not the best in a kdrama. I love how the main was able to grow and be a more confident woman.

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Well, for me I really really loved the first half of the series... it was hilarious & cute! but then something happened that made me feel that they forced the writer to change the story.

for me, I didn't get or believe the fact that Kang Seon Woo was in love with Na Bong Soon, I felt like he was in love with her body, not the soul in the end... he actually fell in love with three characters in just a very short time!

I also didn't believe the sudden change in Na Bong Soon character as most of the time, she was unconscious... & the reality that you have to change 180 degrees like this so you can get love is not acceptable by me... you don't have to steal someone's else character to be loved!

We all loved Shin Sun Ae, not Na Bong Soon as Bong role was so minor in the story & her character wasn't highlighted enough... Shin Sun Ae felt like the heroine in all the ways, she drove the whole story around her... she was actually the sun in the series.

But the acting was amazing... Park Bo Young get my respect as an amazing actress, she actually made you feel that she is two characters even in the ending; where she became more open, she still made you feel she is Na Bong Soon not Shin Sun Ae even though she is acting like her.

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Comedy and cooking with romance

I enjoyed the friendship and interaction between all the characters in this drama. The chemistry between the ML and FL is charming, but get a bit too much when the ghost is trying to get the ML to sleep with her. Too pushy and too aggressive at times.

The FL transformation is a little bit confusing and the storyline does not really explain it. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the kitchen crews, happy and cracking jokes all the time. Loved Jun Seo character?. Officer Choi is really good too. His split second facial expression transformation is quite impressive.

I would recommend this drama if you are into light heartfelt comedy, romance and a bit of mystery thrown in. Be prepared to question the story line though. Episode 14 and 15 is definitely rewatchable!

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Rewatched :3. Watching it again after 2 years. This drama doesn't let me down. I love the ghost and romance genre, its prefect. For some sort of reason, I got jump scared in this drama from the ghosts, maybe I'm suck. Love the actresses and actors. The story is lovely and interesting. The moment when the both cute Na Bong Sun(Park Bo Young) and Shin Soon Ae(Kim Seul Gi) BAMMMMMM together, perfect cute. Love the Bong Sun quietness and the flirty Soon Ae. Story begins interesting at the back. The romance is on point. Might as well say everything is on point. I love the OST from Ben and Park Bo Young. The moment when I found out that Park Bo Young can sing, melts my heart. One of the best dramas I had ever watched and willing to rewatch. Happiii watching guys!

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Wooww..!! Worth Watching..!!

LOVED IT. 10/10

This drama topped my All Time Favorite List. Regretting for not watching this gem sooner.

PLOT- Writer wrote an amazing story. Each episode kept me hooked to the screen. A light watch with super satisfying ending.Chemistry between the leads was the best. They became my favorite on screen couple.

CAST- All the actors aced their respective character. Especially Park Bo Young as Bong Suk (timid, clumsy and gloomy) and as Soon Ae( Brave, Confident and Super cute.) I didn't like Bong Suk at first, since all she does was apologizing. I liked her more as Song Ae. But she changes in further episodes and becomes more confident and brave. Jung Suk was too good as Seon Wook. In the initial episodes he was rude and cold to Bong Suk. He had his own valid reasons. But later shows his warm side and gets naturally drawn to her (basically to Soon Ae at first but later realizes that he liked Bong Suk even before she was possessed). The team was too funny. I laughed so hard whenever they try to have serious conversations. Though they curse the Sous Chef behind his back but secretly cared for him too. Eun Hee was soo pure and kind , who loved her husband wholeheartedly. Shaman was too supportive. I loved her and Song Ae's father.

OST- All the OSTs were so pleasing to hear. "Close My Eyes" and "leave" are my favorites among them. When an episode end with these osts, it fills my heart with so many emotions.

Overall, its worth watching. Highly recommended.
Re-watch Value- I did rewatch few scenes since the interactions between the leads was soo cute. I could watch them non stop.

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Slightly disappointed to be honest after all of the love that my fellow Kdrama bingers have given this drama. I was introduced to this by my friends, and based on the many positive reviews, I decided to give it a go. I felt like the series was all over the place: with many storylines, I feel like the directors and screenwriters had to think out of the box for this drama. Don't get me wrong, the story was nothing like I've ever seen before. The problem is that I didn't feel a strong connection with the characters or even the OST. I'm a fan of some of the actors and their other well-known dramas and movies, but I felt like they didn't live up to their characters. For example, the ghost, the chef and the shy girl love triangle was a bit awkward, not gonna lie. Plus, they didn't seem to have any chemistry at all. Overall, this drama didn't keep me watching on the edge of my seat. I think I'm being generous for giving it a 7, but the main storyline was a lot different than what I've seen in Kdrama world. So if you enjoy supernatural themes, a bit of thriller and rom-com, you'll definitely love this.

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