Encounter (2018)

Romantic Show

Encounter was ineffable. I felt like I encountered a unique, soul searching romantic sensory. Just watch the show.
The cast did a fantastic job. This type of story is tough to pull off and make it believable. I believe they have achieved it. The story flows effortlessly.
I love the Go Chang Suk and Shin Soo Yeon character.
I do have a problem with the last episode. Usually this has to be spot on otherwise it will ruin the whole show. The writer had so many ways to end the show which could added more closure. The writer/director chose the vanilla version. Ending could have put the whole show on a pedestal. But it did not. I am a bit disappointed. This show still earns 10 stars from me because there is more to this show than just the ending.
It is difficult to pull off a show without any flaws. This show had it own share of flaws that does not mean it wasn't good.

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Encounter is the perfect drama for romance drama lovers. This drama made me smile a lot and I'm so glad I watched it. Actually I was hesitant to watch it at first after reading some reviews about how the drama is slow, have too many flashbacks and how it could've been shortened to 12-14 episodes.

In the end, I gave in and decided to watch it as I was curious about what type of chemistry Park Bogum and Song Hye Kyo would bring to this drama. And anyway, those 2 names are enough to get me curious to give it a go.
And I must say I am incredibly surprised at how much I enjoyed this drama.

What I Liked:
THE CHARACTERS: yes the story is slow paced and that's because it's actually a drama that gives more focus on building the characters than the story it self and I think that's why the pace worked for me. The drama itself was about the journey of love between Jin Hyuk and Cha Soo-Hyun. The back story of Soo-Hyun was exactly that, just a back story to give it some tension (if that). In terms of the chemistry, I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two. I never once thought it was awkward or forced. I thought both actors did such an amazing job with their acting as well, especially in the emotional heavy scenes, you could really feel their pain and heartache.

OST: I'm a sucker for drama OSTs and I loved the OST in this, that fact that there were some in English made me appreciate it a bit more and I found myself singing along to them whenever they came on :D That aside, the soundtrack definitely worked well with the scenes and added extra emotional impact to them on top of the already incredible actors.

EDITING/CINEMATOGRAPHY: The flashbacks in the reviews I read about before watching this drama was what worried me the most before watching it. I don't like watching too many flash backs.. However, having completed the drama, I must say that those were actually very well done and I actually really liked them. The flashbacks were edited in during certain scenes that gives extra impact to the 'present' scene. And actually in some of them it makes the 'present' scene even stronger as it shows the reasons why Cha Soo-Hyun or Jin Hyuk are doing certain things.
I especially thought the retro-photo style and the fairytale animations were a great touch too. The photo style obviously reflecting Jin Hyuk's love for photography, whilst the fairytale animations reflect the fairytale-like story between the 2 characters.

What I Didn't Like:
-The turnout from the backstory of Cha Soo Hyun with Taegyong Group/Chairwoman Kim was underwhelming. It seemed like the climax of the story was going to be from the them but nothing major actually ever happens. I felt like Woo-Seok's character was a wasted character that was really just to give the slightest bit of tension between the 2 main leads.

-Aside from that, there's not really a lot to dislike about this drama. Would I watch it again? Probably not but I'm glad that I DID watch it cause it made me smile and made me feel happy. I love romantic dramas with happy endings the most and this just ticked the box. The only reason I wouldn't watch it again is that I don't think it will have the same effect to me if I watched it for a 2nd time. So I'd rather keep the good vibes that it left me after watching it for the first time.

Would I recommend it?
Definitely! BUT only if you like romantic dramas and don't mind a slower pace. If you like feeling giddy/flustered over the main characters romance then yes. If you like seeing character development/growth, then yes.

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i came into this drama for BoGum but im having my first girl crush for HyeKyo eonnie! she is stunning! i can't stop looking at her!

first, the cinematography technic is first class, i was mesmerized from the first episode but i was worried how can this drama continue to provide me more of this once the storyline is brought back to where MLs meet with reality but i was not dissapointed! i absolutely love how they use the camera technic for angle and focus! someone hv to credit this cameraman!

second, is the animation artwork! a shoutout to the artist that make the artwork for the intro on every eps. my habit now is to checkout every element in the artwork. it was so beautifully crafted that ive started to follow the artist on sns!

third, ost. it matched the storyline, feeling and flow perfectly and im still waiting on two more quality soundtrack that has yet to be release! the score doesnt disrupt the flow unlike most ost/bgm does in kdrama. i believe in the power of editing and score that will either give impact or destroy the flow entirely and this drama editing is almost flawless!

fourth, casting! the first choice for the role is BoGum and HyeKyo eonnie and they were right! not only they are perfect for the role but it seems impossible for any other actor can bring such vibe since both ML actors has brought a huge aura that fit the role like a glove! most supporting actors are on point! im sure if i nitpick scene by scene, i will find some flaw but the editing is so good that everybody blended so well with the storyline.

fifth, storyline. everybody have doubt, even me. but i respect BoGum's choice and i trust HyeKyo eonnie's decision. and im yet to be dissapointed. the storyline flow so elegantly i feel like im falling in love head over heel for this drama. melodrama is not my fave genre to say the least (i actually stay away from melodrama) but this drama storyline break so many normal cliche scenes that shocked me to the roof every single week. of course the storyline between SooHyun xMIL, mother and father is cliche in kdramaland but SooHyun and JinHyuk chars actually break the norm for kdramaland! Their chars is crafted so elegantly that audience has become completely invested on their growth!

this is only 6 episode in and im looking forward for next week episode on how the story develop. so far, im giving a master class review here, hoping for the following week story development with further blow my expectation for this drama. Cheers!

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I'm sure you've heard this line before when a boyfriend dumps his girlfriend..."it's not you...it's me.  This drama had a great storyline, the cinematography excellent and it fits right up my "all I want in a drama" category.  But...in spite of all the positives that I gleaned from watching the first few episodes, I could not continue.  I know, it's not the drama....it's me.  I felt Park Bo Gum was miscast.  He's too young and his face, although handsome, was a little bit effeminate for the role.  Song Hye Kyo as Cha Soo Hyun portrayed a character so controlled and stoic so I thought that what she needed was a more passionate man that would awaken her from the placidness of her life.  The encounter or love story between Cha Soo Hyun and Kim Jin Hyuk lacked the intensity I expected and without that, the rest of the drama became a meh for me.  There was a total lack of chemistry and they looked more like an elder sister and younger brother.  I'm not concerned about the age gap because it does work if the characters have the right chemistry to make it work (to this day My Name is Kim Sam Soon is still my favourite K drama).  A So Ji Sub, Jo In Sung (think What Happened in Bali where both were fighting over the same woman)  or a Lee Dong Gun (Love Now) would have been perfect for the role.  They're not only gorgeous but they have the depth and ferocity to portray a man deeply in love with SHK's character.  

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~Kim Jin Hyuk :One of the best k-drama male leads to ever exist. Gentle, non-toxic and supportive to the end
~The romance made me feel super fuzzy and happy. It was so intimate, pure and poetic even
~I wasn’t too impressed with the FL’s acting. I found her to be bland and expressionless.
~Slow paced at times and there is not much to the storyline except two people falling in love and trying to make it work among various externalities
~The mothers were really annoying and unlikeable, borderline controlling especially towards the FL. They were the biggest turnoffs in the plot line for me
~The plot drags towards the second half and you end up wishing there were more fillers to the story
~The Cuba scenes were amazing and what got me into the drama. Beautiful OST that matched with the cinematography.

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Ameiiiii ?

Admito que comecei a assistir só porque tinha os maravilhosos Park Bo Gum e Song Hye Kyo, mas acabei amando.
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Nesse drama as fotografias, e os cenários, principalmente as cenas em Cuba, são encantadoras, assim como a Ost maravilhosa que tem.?
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O bom desse dorama é q ele foge um pouco dos padrões de dramas de romance, já que nesse é a mulher que é a CEO e não o homem. Ela não é uma mocinha indefesa e sim muito madura e independente.
Assim como o personagem masculino que também não é aquele típico mocinho que interfere nas decisões dela, muito pelo contrário ele foi super companheiro.
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Foi maravilhoso ver o Park Bo Gum falando em espanhol e inglês ?.
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Acredito que esse seja o 1° drama filmado em Cuba.

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Sadly, The Fantasy Wore Off

I was genuinely enjoying this. Specifically for the romantic fanstasy. Park Bo Gum being the perfect guy who says and does eveything perfectly. Park Bo Gum and Song Hye Kyo also, had really good chemistry and it made for a great love story.

But alas, even Park Bo Gum's character, Jin Hyoek started to get on my nerves and the story of the younger man and older, divorcee just didn't do it for me anymore. Way too many filler episodes and scenes. Way too many people in the way and all the mothers are terrible. Can I please just have a romantic fantasy where there are no obstacles the leads have to face to be together and don't drag out over 16 epiosdes???

I will say that they did a good job with Woo Seok, Soo Hyeon's ex-husband. Who knew that I could ever feel sympathy for the rich, chaebol she divorced. I mean yes his actions and not protecting her were terrible when they were married but I felt like he was genuinely, trying to make up for that with his actions throughout the series. The road to hell though is paved with good intentions. He definitely should have done better when they were married.

Overall I give the show a 6/10 b/c I actually loved it up until FL ends the relationship. Plus the cast/supporting characters are joy to watch.

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i think i'm going to be the black sheep
when i read the summary i said to my self wow this is going to be brilliant new story

normal guy with rich elder women
then i watched :\

the main idea really was great but i think the director spoiled it cause it becomes really
very very very very slow motion drama and very detailed without real events starting from ep. 02 and repetitive

even the problems they faced wasn't serious or critical for me as it should be in reality

even the kissing scenes i didn't feel cause i thought it wasn't in it's place
like when he should just kiss her a forehead kiss he kissed her on lips
when he should hug her he just hold her hands ..etc
many times i found the romance in it lukewarm and cold which was really depressing

i liked bo gum acting sooooooo even i react a lot with his crying at ep. 14/15
i really loved his character
it was so cute and lovely but i saw it wasn't for facing strong powerful family as it should be
i thought he must be more strict & strong character than that
i saw him soft and cute most of the time

in the contrary i found hye kyo so strong till the limit of no face expressions many times
she should be more soft than that
cause love changes the character

i really loved the events between them in Cuba
these were the most lovely scenes in the drama

many characters affected their love a lot and that bothered me much

this story was detailed and shallow at the same time

i didn't enjoy much and this was really frustrating

but i liked the message it delivered
in-spite of your age difference, marital status and family materialistic level you've the right to love and be loved

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Magically Sublime

The premise of romance between a high-profile woman and a much younger ordinary guy sold me to watch this show. I'd like to know how I could empathize with the two characters as their relationship blossom. And it was such a beautiful experience witnessing their encounters and journey. It somehow reminded me of those classic romance Korean dramas of the early 2000s.

Although there were flaws such as the annoying trope of villainous mother and in-laws, it's the breathtakingly gorgeous moments of love and longing that left the most lasting impact to me. The dialogues and acting of Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum were all heart-fluttering, sometimes poetic. I hold my breath whenever they convey their emotions through the silence. And I can't love enough the beautiful landscapes of Korea and Cuba.

I can only describe this drama as simply magically sublime. I can rewatch this endlessly.

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Mehhhh!!!!!!

Sorry folks, thought I’d love this one because of the cast but it flopped for me. I loved the scenery from Cuba and the artwork but the story fell flat for me. The MFL could have done a better job in her role and I feel like at that age she should have a bit more confidence in herself, especially with all of her achievements. I do understand the abuse she suffered from the ex-in-laws would have left it’s mark but still I feel like she could have done the role better.
Music was, from memory, enjoyable and fit the scenes.
Rewatch value I have to say I’ll probably never rewatch this one again. Unlike “Oh My Venus” or “Rain or Shine” or even “Stong Girl Bong Soon” I have too many other favorites to rewatch than to sit down and torture myself with this one. I do apologize to those who absolutely loved this one but it’s just my opinion and taste. ?

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