Rooftop Prince Review

Title: Rooftop Prince

AKA:  Attic Prince / Oktabbang Wangseja

Genre:  Fantasy, Comedy, Romance

Episodes: 20

Broadcast period:  2012-Mar-21 to 2012-May-24

Cast:  Micky Yoochun, Choi Won Hong, Han Ji Min, Jun Min Seo, Lee Tae Sung, Jung Yoo mi, Kim So Hyun, Lee Min Ho, Choi Woo Shik, Jung Suk Won, Ban Hyo Jung, Ahn Suk Hwan, Park Joon Geum, Lee Moon Shik, Song Ok Sook, Na Toung Hee ..

Park Ha/Bu Young (the young Han Ji Min) is to be married with the young crown prince (young Yoochun), but she gets scarred for life by her sister by accident, so her sister young Se Na (young Jung Yoo Mi) is to be married with the crown prince instead. Several years later, Se Na is found mysteriously dead. The people believe it wasn’t a murder, but the crown prince knows it can’t be otherwise and that he must investigate the matter. The same night as the crown prince and his 3 retainers are fleeing from some strange men, they are suddenly transported into the future, and land on the rooftop apartment of Park Ha/Bu Young. Park Ha is the reincarnation of Bu Young, and she somehow ends up unwillingly taking care of the four, teaching them how to get by in the new life. Meanwhile the crown prince also sees Se Na, the reincarnation of his wife, and desperately tries to meet her and find out what really happened. He gets a great opportunity as he finds out his reincarnation had disappeared and his family (rich business family) is looking for him, his reincarnation was killed, and so he also tries to figure out that mystery.

This drama was quite not what I had expected. I was a bit disappointed, maybe because I had too many spoilers on tumblr and I expected quite a lot. But it’s not that it was bad, it really did have its funny moments and the story overall is quite good and I get it, but really not my thing. It’s kinda like I didn’t really know what the whole point really was? For him to realize that whole thing with Bu Young, or to find out who his wife really was? Or what? It had its funny moments and I get that it’s a comedy and fiction but it still had some things that didn’t make any sense, and I know it might not be comparable to Queen In hyun’s man but that one was better. Though the only thing similar is the timeslip thing, so not sure if I can compare. But it wasn’t bad at all and I don’t regret watching it or anything. It’s just not as good as I wanted it to be.

☆☆☆½ / 3½ stars out of 5

♥♥♥½ / 3½ hearts out of 5

Bunji's Verdict
Summing up in one word: likable. Lol, okay I can’t really sum it up in one word, but the drama has heart (of course depending on the character). The beginning actually captures your attention, but somehow it becomes heavy, though not worse than many others (City Hunter, Man of Honor etc.), you know the entire “rightful/righteous” part. The difference is that in this the lead couple actually fights together, not “trying-to-protect-while-pushing-each-other-away”. Yoo Chun is cute no doubt, and does a pretty good job with the acting as a king, was actually stunned by the acting - it’s been a while I guess. I didn’t really enjoy Han Ji Min’s acting, or being, call it what you want, there is just something that bothers me about her (same with Park Min Young and Park Shin Hye), even though her character was adorable and her acting okay, I found her annoying - but managed to look past her, and enjoy the drama.
Two things bothered me though: One, the fact that they came to the future, but weren’t interested in finding out what happened in the past, and two, the sudden long lost appearance of the mother in the picture… but else, it’s very reasonable..

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5  stars

♥♥♥½ / 3½ out of 5 hearts

King 2 Hearts Review

Title: The King 2 Hearts

AKA: King / The King

Genre: Romance

Episodes: 20

Broadcast period: 2012-Mar-21 to 2012-May-24

Cast: Lee Seung Ki, Kang Han Byul, Hi Ji Won, Jo Jung Suk, Yoon Je Moon, Lee Yoon Ji, Lee Sung Min, Park Gun Tae, Yoon Yeo Jung, Lee Soon Jae, Jung Man Shik, Kwon Hyun Sang, Choi Kwon ..

The relationship between North Korea and South Korea has always been tense, even today. But they both have a wish for uniting though through different principles.  At the WOC competition between different nations, the South and North want to show the rest of the world that they can win as one team. And to show just how much they want to be unified the South decides to send their prince Lee Jae Ha (Lee seung ki), though it is more because his brother, the King, wants to teach him a lesson. Lee Jae Ha protests but uselessly, and he is put in a team with 2 other south Koreans and 3 north Koreans, two male and one female. Kim Hang Ah (Ha ji Won)’s reason for joining is only as a favor so she can find a husband. She is tired of not being seen as a feminine woman and misses having a relationship. Lee Jae Ha is a lot after her and believes she isn’t qualified but she will fast prove him wrong. The two of them quickly develop feelings, but their love is like a forbidden love. Kim Hang Ah is someone the north is proud of and a representative, while Lee Jae Ha is from the royal family. During the tension the king and his wife are murdered and the blame is put on the North. Lee Jae Ha has to step in as the king to lead the people, but at the same time he also wants to be with Kim Hang Ah. Will he be able to fulfill both? Will he lead the people without acting selfishly and will the people be satisfied with him as a king, and can he have his love?

I actually surprisingly really loved this drama. I’m not sure I have anything bad to say about it. I absolutely loved the couple actually. And I was SO surprised by Seung ki and his role, his character, his acting and everything. I didn’t mind Ha Ji Won either, I’ve heard some people weren’t satisfied but I really don’t have anything negative to say. Again she has a role where she fight a lot lol but yeah it fits her I guess, even though she isn’t quite like that in real life, she does a great job. I loved his older brother the king. He is really cool as a brother. And the whole thing I kind of really understand, the tension and the reason for everybody’s actions and all. It’s a romance where it’s about fighting for love when it’s really tough and supporting one another. It’s not the kind of love that gets interrupted by other people and all the three/four-sums.. And the second lead couple was so nice as well. I really really liked them. I enjoyed the drama especially the male actors (HAHAHA!) 

☆☆☆☆½ / 4½ stars out of 5

♥♥♥♥½ / 4½ hearts out of 5

Bunji's Verdict

It took me unnecessary long to watch this one, but that was honestly because I really dislike the entire north vs. south theme, and especially when the army is involved. The reason(s) I started was the actors, even though I don’t really LOVE Ha Ji Won, but I adore Lee Seung Gi. The idea of following a married royal couple was kind of good as well, so I gave it a shot. I was fairly surprised, not because the north vs. south thing changed, but because of the amount of emotions this drama gives you. Not only the love story, but also the general family issues and problems, and the intense tension in EVERYTHING. I also felt the two leads were really cruel to one another, like they were really mean when they tried to hurt the other.

I never judge a drama by its Gominams (pretty men) but here the gominams are AWSOME, not just pretty faces, but actually good actors - so yeah a well-acted drama.

In order not to spoil more, I will end and say good drama, with good action and whatever you need in a drama like this.

☆☆☆☆ / 4 out of 5 stars

♥♥♥♥ / 4 out of hearts