Love, Now Review

Title: Love Now

Genre: Romance

Episodes: 72

Broadcast period: 2012-Oct to 2013-Mar

Cast: George Hu, Annie Chen and Dou Zhi Kong.

Lan Shi De (George Hu) is a ruthless CEO with an eye for perfection, yet his mother and grandmother have a hard time getting him married, even with the huge amount of blind dates, he leaves after a very short time. The reason is mainly because he is looking for a specific person with big eyes and a slender nose, whom he had met before and has been looking for ever since.

Yi Ru (Annie Chen) is a workaholic that doesn’t know how to slow down, right until she is told she has terminal liver cancer and only six months to live. Little does she know that her family made up the story about her being ill in order to make her go on a vacation, and take off from work for two weeks. She leaves for the Philippines and by a push of destiny so does Shi De, and notices her, which makes him more than happy. After saving her life, Shi De loses his wallet and baggage, so Yi Ru decides to help him out. The two spend time together and become close, and Yi Ru cries her heart out. This makes Shi De ask her to marry him. At first Yi Ru takes it as a joke, but for some reason she keeps imagining marrying him… will she?

Okay first of all, my review sucks, because the drama is much more than what I have written. Secondly this drama is really good. The couple is a match made in heaven, and the storyline is great as well. Oh and there are 3 amazing love stories in this one, which made me all hyper all the way through. And the general story is pretty amazing. BUT there is this: it is a stretched out family drama. When I say that I mean like for 72 episodes drama, you first think “oh it’s just a long drama” but it really is like those sitcoms… Not as taky and badly acted as them, but just LONG, and just too many clichés like decease, revenge etc.

Besides that it is a fun and loving drama, which makes you happy most way through.

☆☆☆ / 3 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Secret Review

Title: Secret
AKA: Secret Love
Genre: melodrama / romance / suspense / mystery
Episodes: 16
Broadcast period: 2013-Sep-25 to 2013-Nov-14
Cast: Ji Sung, Hwang Jung Eum, Bae Soo Bin, Lee Da Hee, Lee Duk Hwa, Jo Mi Ryung, Song Min Kyang, Yang Jin Sung, Kang Nam Gil, Ahn Ji Hyun, Joo Soo Young, Moon Ji In, Hwang Suk Jung, Yang Hee Kyung, Kang Shin Il, Kim Hyun Kyoon . . .

Kang Yoo Jung (Hwang Jung Eum) is the kind of girl who dedicates her everything to her boyfriend, Ahn Do Hoon (Bae Soo Bin). They have been together for several years and Yoo Jung is supporting him in becoming a prosecuter, something which isn't easy considering their circumstances, all while waiting for him to propose to her. Then one evening it happens. Do Hoon takes her out to the café they usually go when celebrating occasions. He finally proposes to her and Yoo Jung's world is all bliss. They head back home with the car, Yoo Jung is all smiles and is living the fairytale of her life. However there is an uneasy feeling over the night. A heavy rain starts to fall and they can barely see anything. Suddenly an accident happens. The car starts slipping and Do Hoon loses control and hits something. He goes out to check and Yoo Jung shortly follows, however he says there is nothing and they get back in the car. A few days later, cops arrive at Yoo Jung's place. She gets arrested for a hit and run. What even worse, the victim is dead and it was the girlfriend of a man she had accountered before, a young heir chaebol, Jo Min Hyuk (Ji Sung). This is the start of a story of revenge, where love is a test.

This drama is one of those you don't watch while it's airing. Because it drives you absolutely crazy. The first couple of episodes it isn't that bad and you just go with the flow. However then all the tragedy starts. If you aren't into heartpaining dramas then this really isn't for you. You just keep wondering, how many bad things can happen to one person. Of course we've had the story of a chaebol and a poor girl before, and yes typical korean, they do this a lot, but I liked this one. Not to mention Ji Sung. His acting is so crazy, all you see are his eyes and all the feeeels. When he is sad you are sad, when he hurts you hurt. He just conveys alll the feelings to you. Hwang Jung Eum as well did a great job again. Not much to say. I recommend this drama. Even though we've seen it before again it's in a new way, new actors bring new kinds of feelings. Definitely a great drama to watch if you feel for being all emotional :P I almost thing 16 episodes is abit short. They should have made it 20 episodes. But still alright ending and all, not gonna spoil anything :D

☆☆☆☆☆ / 5 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥♥ / 5 out of 5 stars

Bunji's verdict
Holy… Wow, this is one heck of a ride. I think I yelled most of the time while watching this since I was so shocked. I mean the twists and the turns makes you stare confused, and made me seriously think too much. I could not imagine the ending unless they all die, which usually happens in these dramas. The main leads were wow, no more said. I couldn’t take my eyes off so that says it all. And besides the two annoying clichés at the ending I have to admit it mostly is a great drama. In order not to spoil I am going to stop here and say watch it. No matter what kind of drama you like, watch it.

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Master's Sun Review

Title: Master's sun
AKA: The Sun of My Master / The Sun of the Lord
Genre: horror, fantasy, romance, comedy
Episodes: 17
Broadcast period: 2013-Aug-07 to 2013-Oct-03
Cast: So Ji Sub, L, Gong Hyo Jin, Seo In Guk, Kim Yoo Ri, Choi Jung Woo, Kim Mi Kyung, Lee Jong Won, Park Hee Bon, Hong Eun Taek, Lee Do Hyun, Lee Jae Won, Jung Ga Eun, Kim Yong Gun, Han Bo Reum, Hwang Sun Hee . . .

Joo Joong Won (So Ji Sub) is a cold CEO who only thinks about his "Kingdom", his hotel and mall. As a young teenager (L) he had somewhat a traumatic experience, being kidnapped and watching his first love die. However things aren't exactly what they looked like, but only Joong Won knows. There is a rumour that he is under a curse, as he turns down proposals, and never has a succesful relationship. Unexpectedly, on a rainy night, fate brings him to a place out of town, where he ends up meeting a strange woman, Tae Gong Shil (Gong Hyo Jin). Tae Gong Shil had an accident, and ended up in a coma for 3 years, after she woke up she could see spirits/ghosts. Because of this somewhat unfurtunate ability, Gong Shil was forced to stay in here small rooftop apartment, disclosed from the rest of the world. Only ghosts come to visit her, because to them, she shines brightly like a sun.  Tae Gong Shil notices that ghosts do not get close to Joong Won, so she starts following him. He on the other hand does not like her nor believes in ghost, but when she tells him she can see ::::, his first love, he suddenly sees the oppertunities that lie in her ability.

I had so much fun watching So Ji Sub's character, his hand movements, which he did so much were fun to watch. Again he lives his character, very typical his acting, he becomes his character. I didn't see anything wrong with the acting of the others either. You kind of have to get used to Tae Gong Shil, not sure if it's the actress, I dont think I have watched here in a drama before. Also we had that thing again where this guy, Seo In Guk's character, thinks that he needs to protect Tae Gong Shil, and Tae Gong Shil ends up being this voulnerable girl who needs protection. That annoys me, but it's a part of her character maybe. Overall it is nice and it's not hard to watch. It had plenty of funny moments. Though it does feel like your average drama, didn't have a WOW effect, you still enjoy it since it's relaxing and not stressful.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥/ 4 out of 5 heart

Bunji's Verdict

After reading Jenji’s review I really didn’t want to watch this, I mean if it IS So Ji Sub, it better be WOW, but she said it wasn’t so I was afraid I’d dislike it. BUT I’m honest by saying this, I really enjoyed it. The back stories were seriously heartbreaking, and the two were just great together. I haven’t really seen Ji Sub in this kind of comedy role, but it suits him, and wow, I really had a blast. I mean sometimes it was so funny, I couldn’t stop laughing. And Gong Hyo Jin is my favorite actress, now I said it! Beside the three last episodes, which somehow felt like fillers, I have to say one of the best dramas of the year (I don’t care what Jenji says - I liked it a lot).. Also I’m crossing my fingers that these two actors get married! Hmph!

So, should you watch it? YES! I recommend it, very much so!

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts

Rich Man, Poor Woman Review

Title: Rich Man, Poor Woman

Genre: Romance, comedy

Episodes: 11

Broadcast period: 2012-Jul-09 to 2012-Sep-17

Cast: Oguri Shun, Ishihara Satomi, Aibu Saki, Asari Yosuke, Nakahara Takeo, Nakamura Yasuhi, Furukawa Yuki, Nomura Masumi, Yagi Nozomi, Maikawa Aiku, Ueki Kiyohiko, Maruyama Tomomi, Sano Shiro, Iura Arata ...

Hyuga Toru is a dropout from school and the C.E.O of his own established company, a billionaire. His company is a place where it’s all about being creative, creating new things, new ideas. It’s a company where things are the opposite of the traditional way or working. Everybody is relaxed, working together in joy. On the other hand there is Natsui Makoto (Ishihara Satomi) or as she calls herself Sawaki Chihiro. The typical hardworking student of Tokyo University who keeps failing at getting a job despite her good grades. She somehow ends up trying to get a job at Hyuga’s company. He believes he doesn’t need a person like her. The typical average student of the best university who does what she is told to do by the society, but he changes his mind when he hears the name Sawaki Chihiro. A familiar name to Hyuga, a name which makes him decide to hire her for a job. 

Yes this drama has the typical rich man poor woman story but I liked it! Yes I know it’s Oguri and I’m a fangirl, but I really liked it. I liked Ishihara too, she was so cute hahah, it’s a really nice comedy with those funny inputs and all. And it was cute too. Hmm,, really don’t think I have anything negative to say, but! But.. we again had the “oh I love you but I wont be with you because you haven’t told me to be with you, you haven’t told me you love me” part. Yup. But it doesn’t ruin the drama. The drama is cute and simple and not draggy or anything. It did have the bit confusing part about Makoto and her job, like she keeps going back and forth with the job. Even the second lead actress was really good. It wasn’t the annoying bunch of crap shit we so often see. So really, the drama is really enjoyable. 

☆☆☆☆ / 4 stars out of 5

♥♥♥♥ / 4 hearts out of 5


Bunji's Verdict

I remember when I first heard if this drama - that was right after Kagi no Kakatta Heya finished - and so wanted to watch it, mainly because of Oguri Shun (like any sane girl with eyes), but also because Ishihara is one of the few Japanese actresses that I like, and they two make an amazing couple (combo).  Like Jenji said there are too many clichés in this story that it simply becomes just toooooo typical. Like the mean CEO, happy poor girl, successful close to CEO girl and the best friend of the CEO who is the only one that understands the CEO.  Of course the CEO has to have some traumatic childhood memories, and of course some illness - which only the happy poor girl can cure. And like Jenji said, the push-and-pull with the “can’t be together etc.”..

That said, I have to admit, I really liked it. Like the Oguri’s character was this socially awkward person and Ishihara was this Tokyo University genius that is so naïve and slow, you wonder how on earth she survives.

Acting against each other was probably the best thing any director could do honestly (*whispers* I think that this duo has beaten -many- couples out there..).

All in all, a very good drama, and partially light, basically meaning not so much love scenes, which is typical for a Japanese drama. And since it’s about the work they do, you suddenly become smart on business stuff.. (happens just too many times)

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of 5 hearts