The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)

Interesting story, only too long... Legend of the blue sea is about a mermaid who fells in love with a con man, after meeting him in Spain, and decides to find him in Seoul. However, she had erased his memory beforehand and so he can't remember her. Meanwhile, the drama shows the love story between the two main characters in a different era and how they have now reincarnated into the present lovers. I divide this drama into three parts, the first one which is the interesting one, the second one which is the romantic one and the last one that was kind of boring and more family drama like. The plus points for this drama are the performances, especially from the leading lady. She was really good and funny pretending to be a creature from the sea learning the human behaviour and way of living. The chemistry, however, between the two leads was weak...The family drama was interesting and the step mother\villain was really the ideal villain type that you want to see behind bars. Of course, when the family drama started progressing, the romance and the mermaid affairs got the second lead. And though it was entertaining, the last few episodes could have been combined into one and that would have made this drama perfect. However, they just prolonged the story by adding constant flash backs again and again which was tiring. So, 4 out of 10.

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Legend of the Blue Sea was a great 2016 drama that helped cement that year as a classic maker in the kdrama community. I really enjoyed how fun and cute it was. Why then did I give it a relatively low score? For the simple reason that I did not like our main couple.

I was wholly unconvinced of the romance between Joon Jae and Shim Chung. Shim Chung was the main reason for my feeling this way. She was very naive, inexperienced, and a little dumb. Her childlike wonder with the world fit well for a literal fish out of water but was a bad match for the cynicism of Joon Jae. Joon Jae probably needed to be paired with someone less jaded than himself but the gap between his understanding of the world, his experiences, and his past and Chung's respectively were too great a distance to overcome through love. They had nothing in common. Even as she learned more about the human world she stayed very innocent and naive and their energy or way of thinking never seemed to match. I would have liked to see them each with someone more able to understand them and what they see in others and the world around them.

I will say I loved the version of this couple from the past. Dam Ryung and Seo Hwa had everything I felt Joon Jae and Shim Chung were lacking. They had a better understanding of each other and were both more alike than not. Because Dam Ryung lacked Joon Jae's cynicism and Seo Hwa lacked Shim Chung's naivety they were able to meet in the middle. They made a great couple and I wish their modern counterparts were more like them.

I also adored Tae Oh and Cha Shi Ah as a secondary couple. They outshone the main couple for me and I loved every minute they were on screen together.

Overall this was a fun lighthearted drama and was hilarious at the best of times, but the main couple simply did not do it for me. Had they been a better match I would have undoubtedly scored this drama higher.

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So in love with the characters <3

(only mild spoilers though...)

First disclaimer: I am a huge fan of Jun Ji Hyun so my review is a bit biased to this show and any other that she is in. That being said, I was ready to give up on Lee Min Ho (I don't know, his shows and my taste do seem the clash) and this show made me completely change my mind about him (but then I watched The King: Eternal Monarch.... oh my... but that´s a story for another time).

Second disclaimer: Is been a while since I watched this show from beginning to end… So to keep in mind that this review is more about what stuck with me from this series. I believe that when I first finished the series I rated it 8.0 (?)... However, as the weeks and months passed, I found myself remembering scenes of the series and just laughing and feeling good. I grew fond of it, I fell more in love with the characters as I distanced myself from them.

So, let´s start!

The story itself is very weird and I need to say that if you prefer a more down to Earth storyline stay clear of this one (and I don't mean it just because it is a story about a mermaid). I think the screenwriter thought that 'mermaid and human man' was a too simple concept and went beyond in ways no one could have imagined... Try explaining the plot of this show to a friend and you will know what I mean... Feels overstuff and all over the place... but, in my opinion, it did work and it made the series more interesting and dynamic. It was not perfect and some stuff seemed forced and unnecessary to the growth of the main characters, but it was not something that made me stressed as well.

I think that even though nothing seemed cohesive at first - the story set in the past that did not seem to resonate with the present, the lost mother, the rich aloof father, the evil stepmother, the consequences of being a mermaid living on land, the scammer group, the killer guy that just was there, the whole Shin Hye Sun subplot… - I found that one subplot tended to feed the other and when it didn't it made the series escape from being too focused one the romantic problems of the main couple (which is something that tends to get old after a few episodes, in my opinion).

Now, my favourite part, the characters!

Jun Ji Hyun was just hilarious and amazing throughout. The relationships of her character with the people she meets on the streets of Seoul are just one of the high points for me. All those supporting characters were fun and caring and made us understand and care for Shim Chung much more. It enriched the storyline of her character and made her even more likable and affable and fun.

Heo Joon Jae was also made better and more rich by his relationships, precisely the one with Shim Chung and with Jo Nam Doo. His storyline was the most convoluted one and where all the 'overstuffiness' was but I really liked Lee Min Ho portrait for this character, I think he was able to strike the right balance between slightly arrogant and mysterious and being funny and adorable in rude yet endearing sort of way.

The chemistry of the main couple and their interacting were just the best and it felt like a balanced and well-constructed relationship. It didn’t feel forced or rushed and it did not become a fluffy fest either… I liked their romantic moments, their banter, the way their differences and misunderstandings were built.

When we embark on a romantic comedy such as this one we already know what is going to happen in the broad terms – they will meet, probably don’t see eye to eye at first, fall in love, have some sort of fight/disagreement/miscommunication, break the relationship and get back together and be happy… Some series deviate from the formula a bit but, to be honest, I don’t think that us fans of romantic comedies really care if they do or don’t, what we want is to be surprised and taken away and to fall in love with the main characters and root for them. If the series is able to accomplish this, then most of us are happy. Legend of the Blue Sea was an ace in this point to me. I think Shim Chung and Heo Joon Jae are definitely one of my favourite couples of all times.

Bonus point:

The amazing and unexpected subplot about Cha Shi Ah and Tae Oh. I won’t say much not to ruin it. But I loved it every minute of it and, yeah, was one of the highlights of the show for me.

In summary:
Legend of the Blue Sea is a series that connected to my heart and soul. I loved watching it and I think about the characters and story even now, half a year after I last watched.

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Legend of the Blue Sea is a good drama and I do recommend the watch but it had the potential to be great. The first few episodes of this series were great but somewhere in the middle the plot became convoluted and muddled. But it did have a strong ending to finish it.
The best part of this series is the cast and it was great to see Lee Min Ho playing a kind of different role from Heirs and Boys Over Flowers. I just wish they spent more time focusing on him being a con artist rather than some of the reincarnation plot.
The first couple episodes are hilarious and I adore them.

Overall, I do recommend the watch and it is good series. It is just disappointing that it isn't great.

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A Stale One For Me

I feel I'm in the minority here, but I could not get into this drama. It took me way too long to complete and I had to really hype myself up to do so.

The story was, as my title says, stale. They sped through things, tried to develop characters that had no real relevancy, and becausw they spent so much time with the fluff of it all rushed through what could've been an amazing story as a whole vs the last few episodes.

The acting was ok. I could not get into the relationship of the two leads. While both good actors, their chemistry felt forced, fake and not convincing at all.

The music wasn't very memorable to me. I didn't really pay much attention to it.

Re-watch value is a no for me. It took so long for the story to really get good for me, I would watch the last three episodes at the most and call it a day.

Overall, the story had a lot of potential but it felt short with a lack of main lead chemistry and all the fluff they tried to throw in to make it last 20 episodes.

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its tha most sweet rom com i have ever seen ..FL ML just fit for this i dont know how many timw i watch this drama . but i want to suggest to watch this drama who loves rom-com . or fantasy romance .
the past life of both of then and suspense for last that its ML step brother is real villan in past life .
all character of past life come back .
all character do their work very well spcly FL ND ML .
their sweet romance and ML after knowing that FL is a mermaid .
i suggest you to watch if u searching not clingy sweet romance then u r goona love it..
spcly lee min ho ..he is so handsome and his dressing sense ..and FL is so sweet and pure

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Mermaids, con-men, reincarnation plot, lots of humour, angst and more.

The Legend of the Blue Sea was a surprising watch. It too me a while to get to it because the blurb didn’t interest me initially, but after getting onto the Lee Min Ho wagon, I finally got around to watching it. This is definitely the best of his works. One of the things I loved the most was his character — LMH as a con-man with a empathetic heart does really well. His con buddies are a highlight as well. Each of the scenes where they pull elaborate scams with the music in the background where such a delight to watch.

I started watching for LMH, but JJH became a favourite as well. Her portrayal of a mermaid visiting the land for the first time, her shock and innocence at the world, her questions were so adorable. I know that there have been reviews which didn’t find any chemistry between the leads, and I was expecting that, but was so happy because i felt it wasn’t true. Both the leads were perfect together, their acting and romance felt very natural!

As to the rest of the plot, there’s just enough suspense and drama to keep you going. If you are a fan of fantasy, you will love the reincarnation plot and the flashbacks between the past and the present while you try to figure things out along with the ML keep you on the hook. The plot does get a little bit dragged on in the middle, but the cute interactions between the leads and the supporting characters doesn’t make it boring. Overall, it’s a great series to watch between intense realistic dramas.

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The Legend of Blue Sea - reads the title which would like to hint at a probable place or hidden destination. It garners the attention of viewers for mainly 2 reasons the major one being the Lead Casting and the next being a view into the forbidden. Myself being absolutely a first time watcher of Lee Mi Ho, I chose this drama above his much acclaimed BOF for the sole reason that this entices a certain other world forbidden charm.

Taking it right from Episode 1 which started off with a gripping start wherein the viewers are swept off into the storm in the initial minutes, the screenplay easily keeps one praying for the mermaid and hoping nothing goes wrong. As the show progresses on we are introduced to a very suave but shamelessly shrewd Heo Joon Jae. The present introduction of the Mermaid though cute soon turns into a very embarrassing affair as soon as she's meets the lead. Yes it's completely understandable that she's never been on land but even then a few scenarios don't fail to deliver first hand embarrassment to the viewers so much so that one is compelled to close their eyes and let the drama flow by.

The plot does indicate that there's no reason why mermaids can't be better than humans infact they've specified that mermaids tend to do things better than humans, which naturally gives the viewer an assumption that the mermaid society down below is also developed to an extent. It's sort of too gullible and naive to believe there's absolutely no rivalries in the ocean. Wherever there are living beings there exists sort of rules and guidelines and given these are mermaids they must've had some form of common behavioral patterns similar to humans. When mermaids can speak and erase minds it is assumed that this is an era post EVOLUTION of humans and the like which again asks us question why exactly is the poor mermaid shown as an idiot on land. They don't lie, they are simple and straight people yes we agree but it's a little too much of an overshot to make them look uncivilized.

Well that apart it's a delightful ride to see her facing new challenges and learn new things. The journey she imparts on is one that's filled with laughter and love. Lee Min Ho albeit being a little obnoxious comes across as an amazing guy who helps her although he has no idea who she was. The supporting cast are only too entertaining, especially the dorky hacker Tae Oh and the mean/not mean conman Jo Nam Doon. Their roles add in the much needed fun and frolick aspect in the show making one want for more of them with Sim Cheong and sometimes all four of them together.

Finally the Last Episode which left me a little confused and disappointed. Why? There was honestly no need to erase memories of the people around her. How could she do it? and by what authority? Yes being seperated is painful but what is more painful is the choice of remembering someone being snatched away from you. Lee Min Ho bless him is quite clever when he records his memories but the rest? they don't know anything. Tae Oh was snatched away from his secret crush while Nam doon his brotherly love. So not justified.

The series had a potential of being a blockbuster but midway along it's run falls short. The reason? what could've ended in a 16 episode span is purposefully dragged on for another 4 episodes, the stretch becomes only too noticeable to a viewer wishing for them to either drop it or endure the misery. A few shows and dramas feel like there too much time and too less content this is one of them. Maybe a limited run would've done the trick.

Well watch this if your ready for a mediocre drama with lots of fun. Ironic? I know!

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I'll never regret binge-watching it for two days.

This is not only my favorite kdrama, it took the spot of my favorite show ever.
The story got me whipped instantly, i loved seeing rhe story progress episode by episode for both timelines.
It was so effortlessly good i couldn't stop watching it, i put aside all my errands to enjoy it and it was the best choice of the week i guess.
I loved the cast, both female lead and male lead were amazing in their own way, i love how we see them evolving through the story along with the side characters.
My props go to the villains of the story too, which i hated so much, a great performance.
Each episode left me either tearing up or breathless.
There's a lil of everything, fantasy, mystery for a bit, funny moments, romantic moments, drama all perfectly woven together. I loved the pace it had and it felt just divine like that, i wish we had one more episode just to see how they ended their life together but i guess that's on me being a lil greedy and wishing it never finished.

I loved the music hands down, i ended up saving it on spotify which is not something i usually do unless i just fall for it, and this was the case.

I'll probably rewatch it countless of times cause kt was so good i dont think I'll be able to stay too long without it.

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After i watch " My Love from the Star", i really fall in love with Jun Ji Hyun. I found out she is really beautiful, i meant natural beauty and super talented actress. So i got search which drama she acting and found this drama "Lagend of the Blue Sea". I'm super excited for a few first episode. Yes, she did really well. but after that i felt like the story is so lame and dull. Even though this is fantasy movie, the concept is similar with other romance korean drama.

I'm not a fan of Lee Min Ho and this is my first drama, hmmm. .. i dunno know but i think his emotion and acting just not in the point. And yet couldn't find his chemistry with the lead actress. I cannot help to jump to the ending (i skipped a few last episode because i felt it is tooo boring). This drama could be better. The ending also could be more sharp and memorable.

If you are fan of fantasy movie, please go watch "Goblin" and "My love from the Star". Both drama is better than this even though the story plot almost similar.

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There are some things about Legend of the Blue Sea that are AMAZING .... and then there are some that aren't.

This drama is beautiful and the acting is excellent! Jun Ji Hyun does an amazing job as Shim Cheong, she's adorable, funny, and so so lovable! She's easy to adore and the absolute best thing about this drama. Lee Min Ho does a great job as Heo Joon Jae as well, even when he's being a jerk you still have to love him. The relationships between all of the characters were interesting and fun. There is a wonderful 'found family' feel to Shim Cheong's friends.

The character I wasn't expecting was Tae Oh. Shin Won Ho manages to create the most relatable character with few word and many amazing facial expressions.

I thoroughly enjoyed most of the present day story line but honestly skipped through most of the Joseon scenes, as I found them very dull. The other thing that lessened my enjoyment of this drama was the ending, as I found it left me wanting, particularly as it had to do with the character relationships that I so enjoyed throughout the majority of the drama.

Overall, I liked it a lot while I was watching it, slightly less once I'd finished it, and I don't think this is a drama I'd choose to rewatch any time soon.

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