Just like my headline shows, the acting of the both lead actors......the whole cast is flawless in this drama. Song Hye Kyo showed everyone again that even a simple storyline like this which is one dimensional, can be beautiful to watch. She found a good comrade in Park Bo Gum. They killed almost their every scene together(which is mostly the whole drama btw).
The emotional scenes towards the end is the highlight of this drama. Every time Hye Kyo had tears in her eyes, she made me cry(and i never cry watching dramas btw). She is the most beautiful crier I have ever seen in dramas.
Park Bo Gum played the role of a handsome man in his late twenties who is more mature than his peers of the same age. In the beginning one of his friends said that he had never seen him get angry or fight anyone. So I was waiting patiently, episode by episode just to see him get angry at anyone once. But it really never happened.
The story doesn't have many shades. It flows in only one direction. But the dialogues.............. man they are amazing. This drama has some great poetic lines.
So the summary of this nonsensical review is that Flawless acting and Poetic Dialogues can turn an ordinary story into an extraordinary drama.
64 Reviews
Full of smiles and Full of tears!
ryanmarkdante25 January 2019
I'm a big fan of Korean drama and whilst some are good and some I drop after a few episodes. I really love this Drama. A really good start at the beginning and you will love the 1st episode. It drags a little in the middle. But overall, a great wrap up in the end. Jin Hyuk (main male character) show's really great emotion and Soo Hyun (female lead) is so beautiful. My new fav Korean actress.
Anyway, I was smiling alot throughout the series and was always excited when it would be out. Cried a few buckets on the last 2 episodes. But also smiled alot. Go ahead and enjoy the series :)
Upbeat Stress buster & mood booster
rookiewookie2 August 2021
Overall Rating deserves to be > 8.3.
I was really hung up & stuck with sad ending from "the rise of Pheonixes" but then stumbled onto this show.
Even though it had a rating of 7.2 boy I am glad took the chance and watched the show.
It's a feel good show. This is added to the my list of shows that are worth rewatching.
I was really hung up & stuck with sad ending from "the rise of Pheonixes" but then stumbled onto this show.
Even though it had a rating of 7.2 boy I am glad took the chance and watched the show.
It's a feel good show. This is added to the my list of shows that are worth rewatching.
Why I loved this drama
Hwangkidong4 May 2020
While I have been a longtime fan of Korean movies, especially the thriller genre, it has been less than 6 months since I started watching kdrama. With the help of the confinement I have watched a good number since then, including a few romcom or love stories which I liked. Believe it or not, this is the first time I saw either leads and it's only by reading other reviews here that I learnt they are both big stars despite their age difference. Hence my review is not influenced by their reputation nor am I in a position to compare their performance with their other roles. I am rating this show simply based on my enjoyment and my expectation from a love story.
Many reviewers considered the plot too simplistic and boring. That's one of the main reasons I loved this show. I did not want a thriller or political intrique. I wanted to see two people falling in love and eventually falling out of love. I wanted to see their relationship grow as they talk to each other. I am not looking for plot twists unless they come from the couple themselves - fear, lack of trust, over possessiveness, pride, self-interest... so I was happy that a large part of the show is focused on the couple. Apart from the mandatory breakup, I am relieved there aren't many plot twists. Everyone knows there are always at least one or two evil or well-meaning characters who will get in the way and they are here but, as far as I am concerned, they don't distract from the core love story.
Is the love story realistic? Of course not, in terms of a beautiful and tragic CEO's chance meeting in a foreign land with a handsome but much younger man who turns out to be a future entry-level employee in her company. But in the context of a love story and a modern day fairy tale, this is not a problem.
In real life, for better or for worse, the office romance between a (female) CEO and a much younger (male) employee, if that actually were to happen, would obviously be problematic and considered socially unacceptable by most. In a fairy tale drama, that makes for a good story.
As a guy I at first found Park Bo-gum's physical feature too feminine and his smile too cheesy and borderline creepy. However, after getting used to it, I admit his youthful, idealistic and always sunny outlook is exactly what his character is supposed to be in order for the CEO to fall in love with him. More than anything else in this drama, I find his forever optimistic and never-angry personality the most unrealistic element. Yet, because I view this as a fairy tale and the actor played this role so naturally, this does not distract from my enjoyment of this show at all.
As mentioned, my enjoyment of this show comes from watching our couple's relationship evolve. Truth be told, their relationship is rather simple. He fell heads over heels for her (for her beauty?) and she for his optimistic and free spirit life view, romantic character and ultimately his ability to rescue her from her self-imposed habit of sacrificing her own desire and happiness for that of others. Literally, he is her knight in shining armor and, viewed from this angle, her attraction and love for him is totally believable in my book. The actress Song Hye-kyo is classy and her portrayal of a stoic figure with tragic history is touching.
This is my first 10 rating for a kdrama. Not because it is perfect, but because the actors are fabulous and they brought to life this simple love story and feel-good drama which happened to be what I am looking for at this time, without too many tedious subplots and turn twists which are common in most Kdramas.
Many reviewers considered the plot too simplistic and boring. That's one of the main reasons I loved this show. I did not want a thriller or political intrique. I wanted to see two people falling in love and eventually falling out of love. I wanted to see their relationship grow as they talk to each other. I am not looking for plot twists unless they come from the couple themselves - fear, lack of trust, over possessiveness, pride, self-interest... so I was happy that a large part of the show is focused on the couple. Apart from the mandatory breakup, I am relieved there aren't many plot twists. Everyone knows there are always at least one or two evil or well-meaning characters who will get in the way and they are here but, as far as I am concerned, they don't distract from the core love story.
Is the love story realistic? Of course not, in terms of a beautiful and tragic CEO's chance meeting in a foreign land with a handsome but much younger man who turns out to be a future entry-level employee in her company. But in the context of a love story and a modern day fairy tale, this is not a problem.
In real life, for better or for worse, the office romance between a (female) CEO and a much younger (male) employee, if that actually were to happen, would obviously be problematic and considered socially unacceptable by most. In a fairy tale drama, that makes for a good story.
As a guy I at first found Park Bo-gum's physical feature too feminine and his smile too cheesy and borderline creepy. However, after getting used to it, I admit his youthful, idealistic and always sunny outlook is exactly what his character is supposed to be in order for the CEO to fall in love with him. More than anything else in this drama, I find his forever optimistic and never-angry personality the most unrealistic element. Yet, because I view this as a fairy tale and the actor played this role so naturally, this does not distract from my enjoyment of this show at all.
As mentioned, my enjoyment of this show comes from watching our couple's relationship evolve. Truth be told, their relationship is rather simple. He fell heads over heels for her (for her beauty?) and she for his optimistic and free spirit life view, romantic character and ultimately his ability to rescue her from her self-imposed habit of sacrificing her own desire and happiness for that of others. Literally, he is her knight in shining armor and, viewed from this angle, her attraction and love for him is totally believable in my book. The actress Song Hye-kyo is classy and her portrayal of a stoic figure with tragic history is touching.
This is my first 10 rating for a kdrama. Not because it is perfect, but because the actors are fabulous and they brought to life this simple love story and feel-good drama which happened to be what I am looking for at this time, without too many tedious subplots and turn twists which are common in most Kdramas.
Like base true story
elrano17 January 2019
This is first time i see korean drama...
Story, plot, detail, soundtrack, its so amazing!!
&Maybe, just this my korean drama...
Best romance film in my life...
Uh, I dont know... This film, make me feel falling in love again...
Uh, I dont know... This film, make me feel falling in love again...
Bo-gum
sara_kavari8 December 2018
Bo-gum is honestly the best actor I've ever seen.... his facial expressions and all the emotions he shows.. I've never seen them in anyone else's face <3
He also shines in "Lovein the moonlight" so make sure you go watch it!
Simple Drama but Magnificent Cinematography
11ovz112 September 2021
The drama has a very simple plot. It is very obviously predictable with hardly any plot twists. It is very slow paced and sometimes dragged with unnecessary dialogues as well. And the drama is heavily focused on the main couple with less time for the supporting cast, which is a bad decision because the supporting cast were the lively characters that added more colour to the drama.
Talking about the main leads, both the actors are my favourites. I adore and love Song Hyekyo for more than a decade and simply cannot control my face muscles and smile like an idiot whenever Park Bogum is on my screen smiling.
However, I did not like their acting in this drama. While I felt the chemistry (good job director), I did not feel they each liked their characters or embodied them comfortably. Especially Song Hyekyo (I love her but I have to say it) was expressionless most of the time and I felt this was the worse acting job she has done. It was sad to see and put me off. Park Bogum tried his best with his goody-two-shoes perfect specimen of character, but he still came of a bit bland. I enjoyed his role in Hello Monster much better!
The supporting cast was much better in comparison. And were actually fun to watch.
HOWEVER, you will forget everything when you watch the drama because of its photographically beautiful cinematography. It's a photographer's heaving! The sceneries were eye soothing, delightful and magnificent!
I took about a month to watch all the episodes where as usually I finish a 16 episode kdrama in four days. So, it was a boring watch for me. But, I will still recommend it to you. Your view might be different to mine. (Plus those charming views must be seen!)
Talking about the main leads, both the actors are my favourites. I adore and love Song Hyekyo for more than a decade and simply cannot control my face muscles and smile like an idiot whenever Park Bogum is on my screen smiling.
However, I did not like their acting in this drama. While I felt the chemistry (good job director), I did not feel they each liked their characters or embodied them comfortably. Especially Song Hyekyo (I love her but I have to say it) was expressionless most of the time and I felt this was the worse acting job she has done. It was sad to see and put me off. Park Bogum tried his best with his goody-two-shoes perfect specimen of character, but he still came of a bit bland. I enjoyed his role in Hello Monster much better!
The supporting cast was much better in comparison. And were actually fun to watch.
HOWEVER, you will forget everything when you watch the drama because of its photographically beautiful cinematography. It's a photographer's heaving! The sceneries were eye soothing, delightful and magnificent!
I took about a month to watch all the episodes where as usually I finish a 16 episode kdrama in four days. So, it was a boring watch for me. But, I will still recommend it to you. Your view might be different to mine. (Plus those charming views must be seen!)
Subtle & Simple, Loved it.
priyagoswami-944727 June 2021
I am giving it 10 stars because this drama is different from other K Dramas. It is so simple and subtle that you fall in love with both characters.
Park Bo Gum always do amazing work with his charm. Simplicity at its best.
Also there are many negative reviews regarding this drama. But if you want to see something different then supernatural KDrama then this is it.
Park Bo Gum always do amazing work with his charm. Simplicity at its best.
Also there are many negative reviews regarding this drama. But if you want to see something different then supernatural KDrama then this is it.
Bo Gum is life.
taneaMr22 April 2019
I was waiting for this drama for so long, that I had such high expectations for it. I loved it. But it lacked that "oomph" aspect from my perspective. The storyline at the beginning of the drama was beautiful, but then it was sort of repetitive and I kind of watched the last few episodes with a bit of lack of interest although I'm very biased towards Bo Gum that I didn't have enough looking at him. It was okay for me, magical at first but then cool down but the reality of things.
Every episode is like a masterpiece
zanetich28 June 2020
This show is extremely well written and acted. When I watch the scenes between the 2 leads, it makes me smile ear to ear because it's so heartwarming. The way the 2 leads flirt and joke with each other is very cute and endearing. The supporting actors have their own interesting sub-plots and are great also. When I saw Park Bo Gum in "Itaewon Class", I thought he was just a pretty face but boy was I wrong, he is an excellent actor. He is very natural, and does a great job expressing the emotions of his character. I love all his facial expressions. It's just so fun to watch. I love his carefree character in the drama, so charming, witty, kind, sensitive and selfless. It's a kind of character that you don't see much in dramas.
Beautiful scenery
evelynguillen12 February 2022
Just finished series. The scenes in Cuba were beautiful. Both lead actors are very talented just felt it was a mismatch. As a mom, it was a little cringy to see a 20 something year old with a 40 year old. I know I would be upset. And her hairstyle made her look even older. This was a series since I started it had to finish it.
Park Go Bum's smile will draw you in
droche-499669 December 2018
Like many of the recent Korean dramas, the story really starts off in a foreign location, Cuba. The series has wonderfully captured the charm of Havana with its beautiful cinematography and music. Park Go Bum, expert traveler and amateur photographer comes to the aide of a hotel CEO who has lived a life dictated by others up to this point. Despite her reserve, his warmth draws her in and she allows herself one evening to really live. Fade away and they are next in Seoul where she is the CEO and he is a newbie employee. The friendship continues to grow despite her desire to keep him at length. No wonder. Who can resist his smile? You can't help but hope that there is a happy ending despite their differences in social class or wealth or age.
A bit boring
madbird-6124325 December 2018
With a super casting of Park and Song, the story itself is disappointingly dull.
The business ability of Song is not amplely reflected in the drama. And i also hope that Park be more able and has exceptional wit to help Song on her hotel business. So he will be more musculine.
All the episodes develops just on their romance. The whole drama is one dimemsional and is not rich in content. The Cuba setting can just bring excitement for the first two episodes.
A foreign setting and a supersar casting is not enough to make a good drama. Especially for this drama Song is older than Park, there will not be many kisses and romantic scenes like typical love drama. I expect the writer would add something special to compensate for the age gap. Like Mr Sunshine the age gap are compensated with beautiful shooting, great war scene, amazing costume. In Boyfriend we do not see anything special worth praising.
Anyway the acting of the lead couple is above standard. They are both so famous and must have some attractiveness by their own character. Thus still worth a score of 7.
The business ability of Song is not amplely reflected in the drama. And i also hope that Park be more able and has exceptional wit to help Song on her hotel business. So he will be more musculine.
All the episodes develops just on their romance. The whole drama is one dimemsional and is not rich in content. The Cuba setting can just bring excitement for the first two episodes.
A foreign setting and a supersar casting is not enough to make a good drama. Especially for this drama Song is older than Park, there will not be many kisses and romantic scenes like typical love drama. I expect the writer would add something special to compensate for the age gap. Like Mr Sunshine the age gap are compensated with beautiful shooting, great war scene, amazing costume. In Boyfriend we do not see anything special worth praising.
Anyway the acting of the lead couple is above standard. They are both so famous and must have some attractiveness by their own character. Thus still worth a score of 7.
Not Good Enough
PennyReviews25 January 2019
The premisses of the story were good, as the story of the leading lady was tragic and it was obvious that when he met the young man, her life changed as well as her as a person. However, the romance and the love story all together lacked intensity. After the strong start, the events tended to repeat each other and the twists were boring. At least the performances were good, however, the two leads lacked chemistry and looked more like good friends than lovers.
Beautiful love story
shareen_shany30 November 2021
This k-drama is not an american movie where there overly intimacy, telling I love you after meeting 3 days & obscenity.
This drama has the obstacles of culture difference, tradition, custom, subtlety of love & interpretation of romance.
Awesome leading actress & actor! Both beautiful people have such beautiful chemistry together despite their age & social standing.
This drama is no different from some other dramas where the rich abuse their power! The challenges they have to face its even higher than Mount everest! The vindictive mother-in-law, even her own mother can be repulsive, an ex-husband who doesn't know how to treasure what he got until someone else has it, the company employees sabotage her, she is fighting against all odds & unbelievable obstacles!
This drama maybe slow, draggy or not romantic enough for some but it has all the romance. The understanding of 2 people being love is never to give up on love, show them what has been there, reliability & whatever difference they have, they can overcome together! So this drama is worth watching as it is one beautiful love story!
This drama has the obstacles of culture difference, tradition, custom, subtlety of love & interpretation of romance.
Awesome leading actress & actor! Both beautiful people have such beautiful chemistry together despite their age & social standing.
This drama is no different from some other dramas where the rich abuse their power! The challenges they have to face its even higher than Mount everest! The vindictive mother-in-law, even her own mother can be repulsive, an ex-husband who doesn't know how to treasure what he got until someone else has it, the company employees sabotage her, she is fighting against all odds & unbelievable obstacles!
This drama maybe slow, draggy or not romantic enough for some but it has all the romance. The understanding of 2 people being love is never to give up on love, show them what has been there, reliability & whatever difference they have, they can overcome together! So this drama is worth watching as it is one beautiful love story!
No Regrets
wgqtnbv30 August 2020
A very predictable and uncompelling plot
leahcubed22 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
7.5/10 is my rating. This is a 2018/2019 South Korean television romance drama with 16, 60 minute episodes.
Cha Soo-hyun (Song Hye-kyo), has lived life in the spot light serving as a poster child for her politician father. Her mother, who sees her daughter as a pawn to further her husband's political career, marries her off to a chaebol whose family has wealth and power sufficient to support her families' political ambitions. The loveless marriage soon falls apart when Soo-hyun's husband declares he wants to marry one of the women he had been having an affair with. There are conditions to the divorce on both sides, Soo-hyun's mother-in-law insists she continue to attend family gatherings until her son remarries. Soo-Hyun requests to be CEO of a hotel owned by the family which is on the verge of failing financially. Soo-Hyun makes the hotel so successful that she goes to Cuba to strike a deal to expand her hotel brand. It is while there that she has several chance encounters with Kim Jin-hyuk (Park Bo-gum), who saved doing part time jobs for a fun filled trip too Cuba before returning to South Korea and settling int his career. Soo-Hyun takes an impulsive trip out without her staff to see a highly recommended beach sunset and winds up being pick pocketed and stranded. She asks Jin-Hyuk to help her and they wind up spending a spontaneous and eventful evening together. They planned a good bye meeting the next morning but Soo-Hyun gets delayed and they return to South Korea separately thinking they are unlikely to see each other again. Fate has a say though and Jin-Hyuk's new job is with Soo-hyun's company. Differences in age, social class, and her ex in laws and parents desire for her to remarry her former spouse all stand in the way of the developing romance. Can the two overcome all the obstacles?
Spoilers** Overall I would characterize this as boring. It wasn't bad but it wasn't particularly good either. The entire story line was very very predictable. When they were in Cuba it was slightly interesting as it was intriguing knowing neither one of them really knew who the other one was so there was anticipation in that. Also, in Cuba, they were doing some interesting things in that cultural space. When they were back in South Korea there was a moment of uncertainty when it turned out he worked for her and her company and when he had to go to an office farther away. The female lead character had a very "flat" personality. It was supposed to be due to her upbringing but, other than a few more smiles, the character did not change or grow significantly. It made it hard to understand why the magnanimous male character would be so madly in love with her. I thought that her conflict with her ex's family would turn out to be a way bigger deal than it actually wound up being. The fact that her father took care of it made the entire struggle leading up to that kind of a mute point. Even their small break up was very predictable and the fact that they got back together even more predictable. If it seems like I'm using the word predictable a lot it's very intentional there were no major surprises or twists which for me made the story very ho-hum. His mom and her actions is something you would expect within the context of a Korean drama yet I still found it very mean and irritating. I know it's the American in me that finds the way parents in Korean dramas interfere in the lives of their children annoying. When it is just them disapproving and working on their own child it is one thing but when they harm someone else emotionally it is just abusive. I was disappointed he was not angry with his mom about it. The father was and I liked that. I was glad she finally came around but it was almost too late. Not one I would rewatch or recommend unless someone is a serious fan of one of the leads or just likes very predictable romantic dramas.
Cha Soo-hyun (Song Hye-kyo), has lived life in the spot light serving as a poster child for her politician father. Her mother, who sees her daughter as a pawn to further her husband's political career, marries her off to a chaebol whose family has wealth and power sufficient to support her families' political ambitions. The loveless marriage soon falls apart when Soo-hyun's husband declares he wants to marry one of the women he had been having an affair with. There are conditions to the divorce on both sides, Soo-hyun's mother-in-law insists she continue to attend family gatherings until her son remarries. Soo-Hyun requests to be CEO of a hotel owned by the family which is on the verge of failing financially. Soo-Hyun makes the hotel so successful that she goes to Cuba to strike a deal to expand her hotel brand. It is while there that she has several chance encounters with Kim Jin-hyuk (Park Bo-gum), who saved doing part time jobs for a fun filled trip too Cuba before returning to South Korea and settling int his career. Soo-Hyun takes an impulsive trip out without her staff to see a highly recommended beach sunset and winds up being pick pocketed and stranded. She asks Jin-Hyuk to help her and they wind up spending a spontaneous and eventful evening together. They planned a good bye meeting the next morning but Soo-Hyun gets delayed and they return to South Korea separately thinking they are unlikely to see each other again. Fate has a say though and Jin-Hyuk's new job is with Soo-hyun's company. Differences in age, social class, and her ex in laws and parents desire for her to remarry her former spouse all stand in the way of the developing romance. Can the two overcome all the obstacles?
Spoilers** Overall I would characterize this as boring. It wasn't bad but it wasn't particularly good either. The entire story line was very very predictable. When they were in Cuba it was slightly interesting as it was intriguing knowing neither one of them really knew who the other one was so there was anticipation in that. Also, in Cuba, they were doing some interesting things in that cultural space. When they were back in South Korea there was a moment of uncertainty when it turned out he worked for her and her company and when he had to go to an office farther away. The female lead character had a very "flat" personality. It was supposed to be due to her upbringing but, other than a few more smiles, the character did not change or grow significantly. It made it hard to understand why the magnanimous male character would be so madly in love with her. I thought that her conflict with her ex's family would turn out to be a way bigger deal than it actually wound up being. The fact that her father took care of it made the entire struggle leading up to that kind of a mute point. Even their small break up was very predictable and the fact that they got back together even more predictable. If it seems like I'm using the word predictable a lot it's very intentional there were no major surprises or twists which for me made the story very ho-hum. His mom and her actions is something you would expect within the context of a Korean drama yet I still found it very mean and irritating. I know it's the American in me that finds the way parents in Korean dramas interfere in the lives of their children annoying. When it is just them disapproving and working on their own child it is one thing but when they harm someone else emotionally it is just abusive. I was disappointed he was not angry with his mom about it. The father was and I liked that. I was glad she finally came around but it was almost too late. Not one I would rewatch or recommend unless someone is a serious fan of one of the leads or just likes very predictable romantic dramas.
Exceptional and heart touching
nevenapetkova28 July 2020
One of the best Kdramas I have seen so far. Loved Song Hye Kyo in Descendants of the Sun, and here she also shined with her talent to bring to the screen the best not only of herself but also of her partners . She is really a great actress.
This drama is a masterpiece. It is modern and still succeeds to bring to life traditional Korean values which seem in their rightful place. It is so rare in dramas to see so matured and complex characters, portrayed so finely that you can feel them even through the screen. It is also rare in dramas characters to go beyond simple, first-signal reactions and fast-processed, cliche-ed insights - nothing of the sort here. In a world, where love and kindness are considered weak and simple, they show us how to turn the defeat into victory with the power of love.
All kinds of love thrive here - not only romantic, which the drama more satisfying for me. Love that strengthens the ties between people and does not destroy them, love that is worth fighting for, love that can bring you back to life - I wish everyone of us could be so wise and strong to build such a love in their life. Because all characters here did just that - made the effort and built their lives on love. Here love was the power of life and this film sets an exemplary model to follow in our lives too. Even the worst betrayals, when seen through loving eyes, are worth forgiving - and what a great prize comes at the end!
Highly recommended!
New to Kdrama? An entertaining introduction
rogerstoryteller2 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This was my second Kdrama - but the first I watched right through I(at 16x70 minute episodes its not too long!) I found the two leads likeable and believable and their growing relationship handled with a convincing blend of awkwardness and comedy. All the characters seemed very grounded (apart from the wicked mother-in-law) and there were no irritating over-acting stereotypes padding out the plot.
The script makes repeated and extensive use of flashbacks as the two lovers reflect on what has happened / what people have said, often referencing scenes from much earlier in the story, reflecting a very strong sense of structure. The premise is good - that's what hooked me to start watching - but the writer doesn't fully get to grips with it (eg the fact she would have turned 40 late in the story - he's 30 by then - is ignored even though their age difference is a big deal for everyone else). Supporting cast storylines - the spiky personal secretary/friend and the ex-husband especially - start of well (and have good actors inhabiting them) but then stall by about episode 8 - possibly because the ex-husband is becoming a surprisingly sympathetic character and the writer didn't want to genuinely challenge Park Bo Gum role as the love interest.
It's a fascinating insight into Korean culture. As noted by others, the romance, while beautifully shot, is passionless to the western viewer - they probably kiss 5 or 6 times but never with urgency or sexual desire. As its winter most of the time, the lovers are usually in sweaters, jackets and coats; given the photogenic nature of the two leads its striking that we never see any flesh other than neck, wrists and ankles. The power wielded by mothers (and the archetypal villainess mother-in-law) is disturbing, and the codified respect given to those 'above you' in business or society is dramatically displayed.
Song Hye Kyo is gorgeous - the age difference between her and Park's character is not very obvious - but as she is now 40 in real life, it will be interesting to see how her career continues and what Korean tv can offer her. I suspect she is capable of a lot more challenging work than what she will be scripted to do.
The script makes repeated and extensive use of flashbacks as the two lovers reflect on what has happened / what people have said, often referencing scenes from much earlier in the story, reflecting a very strong sense of structure. The premise is good - that's what hooked me to start watching - but the writer doesn't fully get to grips with it (eg the fact she would have turned 40 late in the story - he's 30 by then - is ignored even though their age difference is a big deal for everyone else). Supporting cast storylines - the spiky personal secretary/friend and the ex-husband especially - start of well (and have good actors inhabiting them) but then stall by about episode 8 - possibly because the ex-husband is becoming a surprisingly sympathetic character and the writer didn't want to genuinely challenge Park Bo Gum role as the love interest.
It's a fascinating insight into Korean culture. As noted by others, the romance, while beautifully shot, is passionless to the western viewer - they probably kiss 5 or 6 times but never with urgency or sexual desire. As its winter most of the time, the lovers are usually in sweaters, jackets and coats; given the photogenic nature of the two leads its striking that we never see any flesh other than neck, wrists and ankles. The power wielded by mothers (and the archetypal villainess mother-in-law) is disturbing, and the codified respect given to those 'above you' in business or society is dramatically displayed.
Song Hye Kyo is gorgeous - the age difference between her and Park's character is not very obvious - but as she is now 40 in real life, it will be interesting to see how her career continues and what Korean tv can offer her. I suspect she is capable of a lot more challenging work than what she will be scripted to do.
Tingly romance
janem-2972222 February 2022
These K-dramas really know how to do romance. The cinematography is excellent...perfect advert for Korea and Cuba. Each episode gives me a tingly feeling at the top of my head. There are no coincidences just pleasant believable serendipity.
This Series Had Great Potential...
Geeta3526 November 2020
That was never fully realized in this drama. I love KDrama and usually appreciate the genre 's storytelling ability, but for some reason this series didn't live up to its promise. The lead actors are both outstanding performers, especially Park Bo Gum. In my opinion, he carried the show and his performance and that of his fictional family was the reason why I watched it to its finish. Song Hye Kyo performance was okay, but definitely could have been better. I give this drama seven stars.
It's a Magic
Vshivaa3 September 2021
A tad too slow and lacking punch but still watchable
witra_as23 November 2021
K-drama that running just a tad too slow and lacking punch despite promising first episode in beautiful Cuba. This time Park Shin-woo brought gender reversal of atypical lead characters with different social class to fall for each other and overcome the obstacles.
Most exciting aspect was the pairing of Song Hye-kyo & Park Bo-gum. They didn't disappoint fans and audience with solid sweet chemistry consider their age gap in challenging relationship. Supporting cast only gave serviceable performances to extend the show with hardly any twists.
Most exciting aspect was the pairing of Song Hye-kyo & Park Bo-gum. They didn't disappoint fans and audience with solid sweet chemistry consider their age gap in challenging relationship. Supporting cast only gave serviceable performances to extend the show with hardly any twists.
Draggy but soothing - rather weak romance
phd_travel14 October 2020
There is something soothing about the tone of this romantic drama about a rich older divorced Hotel CEO lady and a young man who works at her hotel. The Cuba parts are quite enchanting. But things slow down back in Seoul.
The smiles are a big feature here. Park Bo Gum smiles a lot from big out of place grins to half smiles. Song Hye Kyo seems too laid back and gives weak smiles too often. The romance has kissing but they behave more like friends than passionate lovers. In law interference from both sides rich and poor. The impact on the poor side is quite interesting for a change it is usually the other way round. Also the ex husband wanting to get her back is weak and just a plot device. The downfall of the powerful seems a contrived. She actually looked better with her ex husband.
It's a decent drama for hopeless romantics, but not for realists
bakshirajveer16 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Encounter was the last drama Song Hye Kyo did before her hiatus for over two years. Since she is coming back with a new drama project, I decided to rewatch Encounter to mark her comeback.
Its story revolves around Cha Soo-Hyun (Song Hye Kyo), a daughter of a politician father and an ex-daughter-in-law of a powerful family. She met Kim Jin-Hyeok (Park Bo-Gum) in an unexpected encounter during her trip to Cuba. They met again as CEO and employee in South Korea.
This drama is one of those fairytales dramas most people grow up watching - the princess and the pauper. The good thing about it is that the production team embraces its concept. It is evident in the animated fairytale short intro of every episode. There are plenty of aesthetic shots in the drama that gives viewers a more romantic and fairytale feel. To tweak a cliche romance drama, Yoo Young-A, the writer, decided to make the female lead the CEO and have the opposite main character do the cute antics. In the past, it was always the other way around. Song Hye Kyo has her little share of acting cute, though. Of course, the never-ending battle-for-the-CEO-sit is still there, but at least it didn't involve any villain-plotting-to-murder-the main lead plot. The drama has an overall sad tone, but the supporting characters lighten up the mood.
Cha Soo-Hyun is the typical CEO character. Confident, poise, with a sad backstory. We always get to see her cry, worry, and occasionally smile. She only got upset once or twice, and it lasted for a minute. It would have been better if we saw more emotions from her. Also, it would have been a good buildup if we saw her character struggle in fighting her feelings a bit more. The impact when she would finally let go and give in to her feelings would have been immense. The drama undermined her character when she turned to male characters twice for advice about what she should do regarding hotel concerns. We don't see male characters doing that. They contemplate and make decisions on their own. Cha Soo-Hyun is supposed to be confident, and she has been running the hotel for years. Heck, she even upgraded the hotel's status from a three-star to a five-star hotel. For sure, she would know how to deal with those concerns. Song Hye Kyo's performance as Cha Soo-Hyun is satisfactory but not consistent. It was cringy watching her act worried in some of the scenes, but she's good other than that.
The male lead Kim Jin-Hyeok is the perfect boyfriend. Good looking, overly kind, family-oriented, thoughtful, and sweet. He's flawless, which is disappointing. It wouldn't hurt to give him one weakness for a little realistic characterization. On the other hand, Park Bo-Gum did an exceptional job as Kim Jin-Hyeok. He gave life to his role and owned it. His cute antics and sweet smiles would reach you, but the cheesy lines would get you too.
If fairytale-like romance is your cup of tea, for sure, you'll enjoy Encounter. Overall, it's a decent drama for hopeless romantics, but not for realists.
Its story revolves around Cha Soo-Hyun (Song Hye Kyo), a daughter of a politician father and an ex-daughter-in-law of a powerful family. She met Kim Jin-Hyeok (Park Bo-Gum) in an unexpected encounter during her trip to Cuba. They met again as CEO and employee in South Korea.
This drama is one of those fairytales dramas most people grow up watching - the princess and the pauper. The good thing about it is that the production team embraces its concept. It is evident in the animated fairytale short intro of every episode. There are plenty of aesthetic shots in the drama that gives viewers a more romantic and fairytale feel. To tweak a cliche romance drama, Yoo Young-A, the writer, decided to make the female lead the CEO and have the opposite main character do the cute antics. In the past, it was always the other way around. Song Hye Kyo has her little share of acting cute, though. Of course, the never-ending battle-for-the-CEO-sit is still there, but at least it didn't involve any villain-plotting-to-murder-the main lead plot. The drama has an overall sad tone, but the supporting characters lighten up the mood.
Cha Soo-Hyun is the typical CEO character. Confident, poise, with a sad backstory. We always get to see her cry, worry, and occasionally smile. She only got upset once or twice, and it lasted for a minute. It would have been better if we saw more emotions from her. Also, it would have been a good buildup if we saw her character struggle in fighting her feelings a bit more. The impact when she would finally let go and give in to her feelings would have been immense. The drama undermined her character when she turned to male characters twice for advice about what she should do regarding hotel concerns. We don't see male characters doing that. They contemplate and make decisions on their own. Cha Soo-Hyun is supposed to be confident, and she has been running the hotel for years. Heck, she even upgraded the hotel's status from a three-star to a five-star hotel. For sure, she would know how to deal with those concerns. Song Hye Kyo's performance as Cha Soo-Hyun is satisfactory but not consistent. It was cringy watching her act worried in some of the scenes, but she's good other than that.
The male lead Kim Jin-Hyeok is the perfect boyfriend. Good looking, overly kind, family-oriented, thoughtful, and sweet. He's flawless, which is disappointing. It wouldn't hurt to give him one weakness for a little realistic characterization. On the other hand, Park Bo-Gum did an exceptional job as Kim Jin-Hyeok. He gave life to his role and owned it. His cute antics and sweet smiles would reach you, but the cheesy lines would get you too.
If fairytale-like romance is your cup of tea, for sure, you'll enjoy Encounter. Overall, it's a decent drama for hopeless romantics, but not for realists.
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