Venus de Altădată (2015)

I loved it, when I can watch a drama and feel giddy and happy despite evil backstabbers I'd say success. This is not your serious, plot twist, EVIL SIDE heffers that don't give up, change mankind or heal the world drama. The music was beautiful even though I had 0 clue what the translation was to English.
Why I loved it so much - It's light, romantic, sweat, cute, make you a believer kinda drama and even though I did shed a few years they were gentle tears not ugly bawling tears. Plus, it shows that you don't ALWAYS have to end up with your first love as most of the other dramas would have you believe. The cast is great and I could watch them all day which is what I literally did w/o me even knowing it. The leads have great chemistry and I believed in there romance one dimple and sexy muscle at a time. There were some serious issues mentioned here, weight, self hate, over coming obstacles, abandonment, acceptance, being lonely etc. etc. despite that it was fun to watch. The leads looked like they were enjoying themselves & got a long well so you felt at ease watching them. Even the "bad guy" & "bad girl" you kinda hoped that they'd figure things out and become happy also. Yes lets hold hands and forgive. I'm happy I watched and thought it was surely worth it. Were there flaws, probably but I was in love with the cast and their story so I didn't care less. Loved So Ji Sub (hum a na hum a na, YUM whatever he's selling I'm buying) I'd loose weight for him too. lol. Also Loved Shin Min Ah, ever since I saw "My Girlfriend is a Gumiho" I think there is something special about her and watching her brings a smile to your face. Loved the other cuties Lau Henry & Sung Hoon, would not kick them outta bed for eating crackers.
On a closing note, the drama wrapped up nicely; great ending and tied each of the stories up with a nice big bow on it.
I probably would have given a 10; if I saw more muscles for a longer period of time. LOL

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Ok, to start off, I finished this drama in 2 days. I'm home from school and I got really bored and I remembered my friend talking about this drama a while ago, so I gave it a try. And boy, am I happy I watched it.

Before I talk about what I liked/disliked about this drama, I'd like to say I love So Ji Sub. I've loved him since I saw him in Always and then in The Master's Sun. He's such a versatile actor and is able to portray any role and he lives up to his expectation in this drama. Also he just looks sexier and sexier the older he gets, HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE???!??!

The plot of the drama was a bit slow at times, I skipped a lot of the parts of the second-lead couple talking because I just wanted to see more actions of SJS and SMA. However, don't let that stop you from watching the drama!! It was a really refreshing drama because it promotes health and exercising which is rarely seen or portrayed in kdramas. I really liked the transformation that SMA went through and how real she was. The chemistry she had w/ SJS was just unreal. I really wish they dated in real life (after she and Kim Woo Bin end ofc) and had kids in real life too lol.

Even though there might not be a definite story line or even a strong villain, the main cast will blow you away with their cuteness. I loved the 3 guys trio and I love John Kim. You won't be disappointed if you watch this drama, it really has some cute moments!!!

I'll miss you! Daegu Venus!!

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This drama definitely rates my rewatch list. The characters were well made, especially so ji sub's character. The storyline was the norm, but sweet with a funny all around tone. The villains of this piece didn't go overboard, and I liked the conclusions. Truthfully this does have the earmarkings of a transformation drama, but it isn't quite there. I like how the writers and directors obviously tried to tackle the ,'Its not all about beauty' thing, but it doesn't quite get pulled off.
The thing that really draws me to this drama is the band of characters, and the interaction between lawyer kang and her soon adopted gang of guy friends. They are sweet, sexy, and manly with a major case of comedy timing on the side and just as emotional.
The real treat though was the relationship between lawyer kang and kim youngho :) It's rare to see a real version relationship in kdramas with all the dramatic entrances, accidents, and disapproving parents, but this drama had it in spades. Touching, kissing, talking (dear god).... you get it here. The fact that the characters talked, and didn't just fall in love was what got me. And a female character that really knows her man always wins for me. All in all I really liked this drama, and the ost song.. I gotta admit I got caught dancing so many times it wasn't funny :)

This is a frivilous, fun, and laugh out loud drama. You hands and toes will curl, but you won't be able to look away. In the end you'll find yourself wanting your own so ji sub.

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If you are looking for something light, romantic with a CUTE factor.... This is it!
So Ji Sub and Shin Min Ah chemistry bonded this drama from first to last episode! I believe if the chemistry between the actors was not there, the drama would be just OK. The plot is ordinary, without major ups and downs, but what made it all work for me was the Chemistry in this drama. So Ji Sub - no matter what role he plays, he not only fits it perfect, but totally grows on you! As an actor he is great and his personality fits the script perfectly. He is like a magnet that you can't demagnetize :) I loved him in Master's Sun and this is another drama that he has a great job performing in!
So Ji Sub and Ji Sung are my top actors right now that I would watch Kdramas as soon as they air!
Watch and and you won't regret it on a gloomy day, because it will give you a "giggle" effect :)

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I am interested to watch this drama because of the cast. Seo Jisub + Shin Minah are my reason to make this as a must watch series.

Before I start to watch, I read the synopsis and expect a usual-ordinary-normal romantic comedy. At the beginning, the story was going as my guess. And then, the story value going intense for each episode. The plot was funny yet quite possible to happen. The jokes were 'cheesy' enough to lough and to make your fingers curled while the romance was sweet enough to get you smile. It was hilarious and lovely at the right proportion. It isn't only a ro-com, it's about family, greed, faith, patience. The whole story gone beyond my expectation, it even deliver a good massage to have healthy lifestyle. I praised how the production team ended the story and pleased on how it is going. It's turn out from 'Ok' to 'Great'.

The main cast were great and play great as usual. Seo Jisub drive his role's character well to be able deliver the story. So does Shin Minah. The supporting roles also take big part and I thought they were casted well to complete the production.

Musics, soundtracks, sound-effect are good. I didn't find the soundtrack are impactful, but they're suitable for the story.

In my personal opinion, ro-com dramas were usually more interesting to be rewatch. So does this one. I already has some favourite scenes that will make me watch this drama again.

Of course there're some lack points about some technical aspects that make me didn't give out perfect score. They're such as :
1. Make up.
It was going okay for the women, but not for the men. I think with Korea developed make up technic, they can make it more flawless. Almost all the men in this drama have face and neck in different tone. It bothers to watch.
2. Color editing.
There are so many scene that have different tone for each angle. e.g: Front angle the lips was pink, side angle it turn out orange. It was also bother me so much while watching.

Overall, it is a great production that brings out positive energy for the viewers. A nice one to watch and-re-watch.

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It took me about five episodes to finally begin to like the characters. Also, there are some interesting issues that are brought to this drama, some now familiar to me and some new, as I think I have about 7 (yes, 7 as I write this!) K-dramas under my belt. The commoner-chaebol heir pairing has been a common one (Heirs, What Is Wrong With Secretary Kim?), and one that is always fun as it’s an issue of overcoming socio-economic class boundaries. In the case of Oh My Venus, Kim Young-Ho seems to have missed out on camping and umbrellas to shield food for the next meal. In the case of What Is Wrong With Secretary Kim?, he’s never had ramen noodles, street food or gone clamming evidently! Anyway, I digress. Another issue is the work/life balance in Oh My Venus that seems to be mostly the case of Oh Soo Jin, rather than Kang Joo Eun.

I actually liked the series overall but was annoyed by some aspects. So, here’s what I found annoying, from most annoying to least annoying, in order. 1) The Kim Ji Woong character keeps saying weird things, tries to get everyone pumped up with stupid slogans, calls Kang Joo Eun “Ma’am” and claimed that he graduated from Harvard. What??? Why is he someone’s manager after attending Harvard? That is not the path of a Harvard graduate! 2) Why did Kim Young-Ho not contact Kang Joo Eun for an entire year after the “incident” even though she contacted him! Who does that??? I know that he felt he’d want to reconnect with her and lose focus if they were in touch but they were getting close to getting married before the year-long hiatus! Ugh! 3) At the end of the series when Kim Young-Ho, Kang Joo Eun and Kim Ji Woong are gone for three months and they meet Kang Joo Eun at the airport where she is obviously overweight AGAIN, that hardly seems realistic. She worked out for an entire year during Kim Young-Ho’s absence! Come on! And, Kim Young-Ho seems to only want to see her in thin form, which, of course, is understandable, but I can see that this issue is going to be problematic in their future marriage, haha!

There were many aspects of the series to like. There was the chemistry between the main characters (after episode 5), the fact that Kang Joo Eun’s character is warm, forgiving, and motivated and the fact that Kim Young-Ho’s character is persistent, determined, and caring. Overcoming obstacles in life is something that ties these two together. There was the constant physical exercise starting around Episode 5. It makes you feel inspired to get on the treadmill! Who doesn't love to see someone successfully lose weight, especially to an ex!?!

Overall, I enjoyed it, with the minor annoyances notwithstanding!

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You'll have to watch this drama to the end to realise what a good drama this is.

There's a lot of cliches, typical with romcoms, but how the story was put together and presented made it an excellent drama that's one of the best romcoms I've watched in a long time. Romcoms tend to always be the same story with different cast members, but this has a quality that makes it shine amongst the sea of romcoms.

Case in point (without too much spoiler): The antagonists aren't just all-out evil characters who turned on the protagonist and wants to make the protagonists suffer just because they can. They have a surprising depth and complexity to them which makes them very relatable -- and makes me think that if the focus were on them, they could be the MC we would be sympathizing with too. However, it does take awhile to get there via the flashbacks and what the characters do.

They didn't end it with an everyone-has-a-happy-ending vibe that's quite forced out in typical Kdramas, too. We see the characters still struggling to improve themselves and chasing happiness, much like people would in real life.

Another point I'd like to add is that this drama, thankfully, doesn't focus too much on Young Ho's (So Ji Sub) chaebol company take-over issue, which I find can be an awful drag in dramas. I personally dislike these type of melodramas, so I'm glad that they wrapped it up without focusing on it too much.

The flaws of this drama are mostly due to the beginning portion, where our MC Kang Joo Eun (Shin Min Ah) faces discrimination and shaming due to her large size, although arguably, she isn't really all that fat but everyone makes it out to be awful.

There have been similar dramas, the most similar being Birth of a Beauty which features the male lead, who is a chaebol, giving the female lead a beauty transformation. I'm glad that they decided not to go with plastic surgery in Oh My Venus! and skimped on the political stuff that's common in these chaebol matters. Even after many heartfelt moments, the drama still manages to add humour.

Sometimes, these romance dramas make characters fall in love in such a short time that it feels unnatural, but this drama's felt natural and realistic. The chemistry between the leads Shin Min Ah and So Ji Sub was incredible.

The script writers used cliches but avoided it from being an overly typical romcom. I believe that they would've done a better job if the drama was set out to be longer from the beginning so that they could incorporate the other sub-characters in better. If you like Henry, be prepared to be slightly disappointed as he has no backstory and is in it mostly for comic relief, and fleshing out Young Ho's character.

The backstories and relationship of the characters could have been explained better, but swapped out in favour of showing more lovey-dovey couple scenes between Joo Eun and Young Ho, not that I'm complaining. However, it's just a point you should note before watching the drama.

Two thumbs up for this!

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I absolutely loved this drama!

The story follows the fall of a natural beauty, Joo-eun, to an overweight woman, and her encounter with a mysterious man, Young-ho, who is trying to escape scandal and his family, in hopes to just live a simple life.

Actors Ji-sub So and Min-a Shin have a great chemistry with one another. Her head strong attitude and his serious delivery of comedic lines makes them more than cute together. I liked the story was written with a mature but innocent relationship.

They are surrounded by a great supporting cast. Secretary Min, Yi-jin, Hyun-woo, and her son Min-jun are an added bonus to this drama. Henry as Ji-woong and Sung Hoon as Joon-sung are the perfect 'sons' for Young-ho and Joo-eun. And let's be honest, watching Joon-sung and Young-ho work out is an added bonus. Both men are like seriously HOT. (Young-ho's hoodie look...is everything and then some). I did find myself still reading the subtitles even when Henry was speaking English. I mean really, I've spoken English for 44 years, and here I am reading a subtitle.

The rivalry in this drama isn't as hate filled as series, but when looking at the past relationship between Joo-eun and Soo-jin you understand where it comes from. For all her faults, when looking at Soo-jin's past, you see she is still damaged from her problems during her youth. In reality, it is something many viewers can relate to. I found myself wanting Soo-jin to get better and be happy.

Many people would say, Joo-eun should not have had to change herself to find love or happiness, but I believe the story focused more on her and Young-ho falling in love, with the weight loss as part of their journey together. There is tragedy in this story. What drama would be without it, but it is this strength the pair have gained from each other that overcomes all.

Yes, it may be a bit on the fluff side, so if you are looking for something to watch that is funny and romantic without all the backstabbing you'll enjoy this series.

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(SHORT BLURB)
Light-hearted, and yet incredibly moving at the same time. A story about friendship, the importance of changes, overcoming obstacles, and about how everyone needs a little help now and again. Also, obviously, romance. Would recommend to everyone ever, but especially if you're in the mood for mostly-down-to-earth characters who are also complicated, yet relatable people and an uplifting romantic story!

(RANDOM THOUGHTS)
For one, it was GREAT to find a show that made me want to exercise, instead of eat which is what most K-drama inspires in me (looking at you, Oh My Ghostess). For all of the two days that the inspiration lasted, I'm still grateful. Now, I LOVED this show. I didn't expect to love it, I was even dubious on whether I should try it at all, but I was determined to watch something on the lighter side and this seemed like the most promising one at the time. I built up such a connection to the characters, even the supporting cast, that I just couldn't help being moved - I've only cried twice to a drama, and I really didn't expect it to happen here, but it did. The story was mostly predictable, but guess what, so is life. What it had going for it was just that - the humanness and likability of most involved, getting to uncover their motivations and their history, going along for the ride and having some laughs and some "aw" moments. It surpassed my expectations in every way.

Starting it, I was also interested whether So Ji Sub could pull off a not-cold-as-stone or introverted character. Boy, could he. I fell in love with that man here. His acting was so visceral, you could really feel the character's pain and helplessness, but he was also pure gold in the comedy parts. He acts with his whole body, or should I say presence - and this is something I didn't appreciate before, but began to after this drama. I was seriously blown away. To boot, the character was an actually decent guy, it reminded me of the revelation I had when watching Queen In-Hyun's Man - that the lead doesn't have to be an A*hole to inspire interest in the story and a lot of swoon. A lot of swoons were had here.

Another thing I really liked about this was that the character of "Venus" was relatable and real. I could see some of myself in her, and I rarely can in K-drama heroines because they're just so darn cute. She was cute, but she was also a grown woman, and I was pleasantly surprised with how they handled the sexual innuendos. I mean, that the intention was at least there in the subtext, and that she had a normal, active approach to it rather than staring blankly in half-terror while being kissed. Her chemistry with So Ji Sub punched you from behind the screen, and what's more - they didn't need intense and unbelievably dramatic twists to show it, their relationship was actually "healthy" (in the psychological sense, as well as the exercising one).

The story lines of the supporting cast, each of them, added to the experience rather than bogging it down or slowing the pace. I sincerely enjoyed all of the comic relief and the trio-bro-mance, as well as the story between the 2nd leads. It was a different way to go, for sure, but it was one I appreciated. Actually, for all its straight-forwardness, this drama was hella-progressive in subverting the tropes it included. Kudos for that, kudos all around!

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The best unique proposal in history,both did a very good job that we forgot they were acting. The chemistry of the two main character is amazing. You will fall in love with their love. The sexy body of so ji sub makes all the women drool and so with shi min nah she is perfect for him. Hope these two will have more and more drama to come. The story will teach the viewers how to watch our health appropriately with happiness in our hearts. And to feel how many patients in the world suffers pain from an illness. But the most lesson I have learn from watching this drama, is never judge the look of a person. And be helpful at all times. Enjoy watching it and feel the love of the two amazing so ji sub and shi min nah.

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