Lifeweaver
Australia
This is a Chinese remake/adaptation of 'Splash Splash Love', available on Viki (the other adapation isn't).
It follows the original closely in several ways - heroine goes back in time due to rain, where kingdom is experiencing a bad drought, she arrives in exactly the same way, is mistaken in the same sort of way, becomes a 'eunuch' who serves the king/emperor, and helps him through her modern school-girl knowledge, there's the taciturn and loyal guard, and so on.
It gives its own spin to several things as well, with the heroine's character being similar but also uniquely this actress's (she's great, especially as the 'eunuch'), the hero being similar but also unique, with his own character/personality, individual characters you come to like, a band that forms that you feel/want to be a part of, doing good in the kingdom, it's a fictional place, not a real past, there are different side stories and villains, etc.
It works these similarities and differences in well, retaining some of the best parts of the original and making it its own at the same time, in a way that keeps it interesting. Still very Chinese (lots of makeup, repetition, extreme cheesiness in places...), but a decent one at that.
It follows the original closely in several ways - heroine goes back in time due to rain, where kingdom is experiencing a bad drought, she arrives in exactly the same way, is mistaken in the same sort of way, becomes a 'eunuch' who serves the king/emperor, and helps him through her modern school-girl knowledge, there's the taciturn and loyal guard, and so on.
It gives its own spin to several things as well, with the heroine's character being similar but also uniquely this actress's (she's great, especially as the 'eunuch'), the hero being similar but also unique, with his own character/personality, individual characters you come to like, a band that forms that you feel/want to be a part of, doing good in the kingdom, it's a fictional place, not a real past, there are different side stories and villains, etc.
It works these similarities and differences in well, retaining some of the best parts of the original and making it its own at the same time, in a way that keeps it interesting. Still very Chinese (lots of makeup, repetition, extreme cheesiness in places...), but a decent one at that.
If you loved Sun Jae's loveable dorky awesomeness, you might also love Ji Hwan's loveable dorky awesomeness! This similarity in vibe was an early factor that endeared 'My Sweet Mobster' to me. Quite different characters, but it has that link. The perfect heroic combination that makes us love a character so easily.
They also both have some very funny, silly or crazy humour.
What makes these similarities work is that they're not similar shows; they just have these somewhat intangible elements in common. No repetition of themes or a re-interpretation, no time-travel similarity or anything like that. Just something about the heroes that is wonderfully similar.
They also both have some very funny, silly or crazy humour.
What makes these similarities work is that they're not similar shows; they just have these somewhat intangible elements in common. No repetition of themes or a re-interpretation, no time-travel similarity or anything like that. Just something about the heroes that is wonderfully similar.
Ancient Love Song - travels back in time and interacts with/falls in love with woman who becomes integral to history of the kingdom/becomes Empress. Also affects how things happen.
Splash, Splash, Love - travels back in time and interacts with/falls in love with famous king in Korean history. Also affects how things happen.
Both are short (Splash, Splash Love is shorter), both travel back through a medium - rain puddle/precious stone medallion, both are sweet and poignant.
Splash, Splash, Love - travels back in time and interacts with/falls in love with famous king in Korean history. Also affects how things happen.
Both are short (Splash, Splash Love is shorter), both travel back through a medium - rain puddle/precious stone medallion, both are sweet and poignant.
