Surprisingly memorable

I am writing this review now around 6 months after I actually watched the series.
Originally I rated this an 8 on Viki, but it has really stuck with me, so I am "upgrading" it to 9.

Exactly why it has stuck with me I am not sure of, but the ML did make an impression on me.
He was an interesting character, and Lin Yu Shen portrayed him well. I think one of the reasons his role is memorable for me is that he stands out a bit from a lot of the other more visually "polished" male actors I had seen in C-dramas. Lin Yu Shen is a mature man, not trying to look like he is a 25 year old idol, lol.
Zhao Lu Si as the FL is also convincing, and her persona has some more natural traits than in a lot of other dramas. (I actually didn't know it was ZLS until I looked this drama up again now.)

The story kind of grabbed my interest straight away, and if you are a foodie or have a liking for food, that might be enough reason for you to check this series out.

As for the story, there are some very familiar plots, but overall it is still interesting.

I can see myself rewatching this at some point, mainly because of the warm feelings the ML and FL left me with.

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Good for a "budget-production"

I kind of review these lower-budget productions on their own "scale", because it just doesn't feel fair to compare them against huge-scale productions.
So, on that premise, I would say this is quite good.
I liked the music, the story was interesting (not super original though), the main cast was good. The script could have been a bit better, and the effects were so-so.

As for the cast, the ML sometimes gave off a bit similar vibe to Song Joong Ki in Vincenzo.
FL was decent as well.
I liked the sensual undertones/attractions shown, without it being overly relied on. Compared to "Embrace in the dark night" that plays heavily on one thing, this is a lot more subtle.

When it comes to what gives it away as a lower-budget production, I would say it is the effects, and the sometimes inconcistencies in the script, especially for time and wardrobe. It was just several scenes where it kind of didn't make sense that they suddenly had different clothes on, or it seemed like they skipped several hours while moving from one scene and location to another, without there being a logical reason for it.

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Fast & brutal action scenes

I have read and seen little about season 2, I only recently caught on that it is happening in modern times.
Hence, I was quite curious to what kind of character Park Seo Joon (ML) would play this season: would he still be Jang Tae Sang? Or someone who looked like him? I guess I can say I was wondering how they had included his character in modern time. I won't reveal it here to not spoil, though, but it was solved in an OK way.

I know Han So Hee (FL) has been a bit controversial, which I don't want to get into, but as an actress I must say I think she impresses. I dare say I might even find her a bit stronger than PSJ in this season.

The season is fast-paced, with lots of action and fight scenes that are bloody and goory, and sometimes so packed and intense it is almost difficult to follow (at least when watching on smaller screens).

There was a few things I questioned a bit - could be because I don't quite remember from season 1, or because the script didn't go into it.

I won't say this is highly memorable, but it is a quality production.

Tips: Do watch a little bit into the end credits.

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Good, but felt it was lacking “something”

I liked this drama, but at the same time I feel that I could have liked it even more. It’s lacking a little bit of that extra “something”. A deeper connection to the characters, maybe? Or could it have been the way too obvious product placements that put a dampener on the feel of the series?

The ML has an interesting story arch and development, and I kind of wish that was explored even deeper.
We got some “peeks” into the FL’s backstory, but a little bit more might have given us a better connection to her character.

You have the typical chaebol and power hungry controlling parents and sibling rivalry, but then you also have his mum that stands out a little bit.

I’m glad I watched it, but not something I am likely to watch again.

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Coming-of-age C-drama

The main premise for this is quite standard for "coming-of-age/young love" C-dramas:
Geeky girl falls in love with handsome school ace, mix in some friends and enemies, love triangles, a pinch of adults' interference, and a dash of going away/abroad, and there you have it.
So, after reading this, why should you bother watching this, you probably wonder?

It is a rather soothing drama, with good character developments, especially the FL (Miao Miao). I read some reviews not being too happy about her initial appearance and the physical changes, and although I do see the points about her skin tan and the glasses especially, it is a cultural thing.

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A bit uneven script, but quite enjoyable

I found it getting better towards the end.
In the beginning, I felt that it was too many parallel stories going on, and that the script was balancing on the edge to being too cliché in some aspects.
Then the characters matured, and the main couple got more focus.
I enjoyed Eleanor Lee’s acting (Nuan Nuan), and Leon Leong (Han Che) grew on me. Xiong Yu Ting (Han Xue) was very sweet.

A few details bugged me a little, but it was quickly forgotten.

The ending felt a bit rushed, but all in all an enjoyable watch if you want a love story and story about finding your way in life.

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Good acting and interesting story

An interesting and quite realistically depiction from the aviation industry, with a strong female character which I really liked.

The script kept my interest throughout. Of course there are some intrigues to create tension, but the scenarios are kept quite realistic. Well done to manage to weave in focus on safety in an industry where a lot of people don't really think about everything that goes on "behind the scenes".

The FL has really grown on me since I first saw her in "Road Home". Although the character is kind of similar when it comes to personality, I will say she does a very good job here as well. She brings a very good energy to the screen.
ML was also strong, although his character was a bit less memorable than hers

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Mediocre, with some entertainment value

I watched this after seeing some clips in social media that peaked interest. It didn't quite live up to my expectations though.

It is OK, but quite unrealistic/extreme actions.
Some of the things that pulls it down for me:
How FL is quite immature, none of them communicate well leading to repeated conflicts, and if his coworker really liked him, why would she go to such extremes as to ruin his dream and life?
And how quickly did FL move in to a new apartement? It was like she went straight from deciding to break up to eating dinner in a new apartement. I even skipped back to see if I had missed a text that said "1 week later" or something.

I found ML to act quite well, whereas I am more unsure about FL - might be because of the character.

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Love can be healing and painful

Please note: This review is for both seasons.

The casting was great. Kim Ji Soo as Yoon Tae Oh has great energy and charisma, and Jung Jin Young makes you sympathise with his character Seo Do Hyun. The female leads were also strong.

The story is a bit slice-of-life, although parts were too unrealistic. It had some lighthearted moments, some very emotional moments, and some frustrating moments.
The pace was quite good, and even if I could kind of see where it was going, I didn't want to stop or skip, but follow along as the story unfolded.

My expectation from the synopsis was probably that it was going to be a bit more romcom than what it was, so if you also think it can be a lighthearted funny watch, you might want to adjust your expectations more towards romance.

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Entertaining with some touching moments

First of all: This review is for both seasons.

The casting was great. Kim Ji Soo as Yoon Tae Oh has great energy and charisma, and Jung Jin Young makes you sympathise with his character Seo Do Hyun. The female leads were also strong.

The story is a bit slice-of-life, although parts were too unrealistic. It had some lighthearted moments, some very emotional moments, and some frustrating moments.
The pace was quite good, and even if I could kind of see where it was going, I didn't want to stop or skip, but follow along as the story unfolded.

My expectation from the synopsis was probably that it was going to be a bit more romcom than what it was, so if you also think it can be a lighthearted funny watch, you might want to adjust your expectations more towards romance.

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Strong acting,

The drama takes us on a story that spans over quite some time, so be prepared for some timejumps.
It is a story of friendship, differing beliefs, romance, politics and war.
It will most likely play on your whole emotional spectre – be prepared to shed a tear or two.

There are some quite beautiful scenery, and the acting as I remember it from the main leads is strong; both in fight/action scenes, and in other scenes.

If you are "on the fence" when it comes to historical dramas, this might be a bit on the heavy side for you, but give it a go anyway.

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Ticking off all the right boxes for historical drama

Romance and political. Good acting, filmography and costumes.
Looking back at this now a while after watching it, I would say Joo Sang Wook as the older Prince Lee Kang left the strongest impression on me.

As a historical drama it isn’t super original, but it pretty much ticks off all the boxes, and does it quite well:

Some tense scenes, some emotional and tear-inducing scenes, and some scenes making you smile and laugh.

A few things, like close-ups of horse riding, could have been better, but it might also be due to the fact that the show is 6 years old at time of writing, so I’m expecting better per today’s standard.

As usual I don't really remember the music, so giving that an "average" score.

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Quite lovely although not very original

A story of falling in love, and I would say: Staying in love (her parents).
It is a rather un-complicated storyline, a bit predictive, but at the same time quite lovely.

They could probably have made it an episode shorter if reduced all the flashbacks throughout, and some lengthy scenes.

Acting was OK; I do feel FL and ML could've had a bit better chemistry throughout; it was just a few moments that felt more convincing, the rest was OK, but not "sparks flying" good.

I got very emotional watching the last episodes - without giving too much of a spoiler I will only say it reminded me of my own past.

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