Apaixonados na Cidade (2020)

The characters in this show are all flawed, but it's done in a way I find endearing.

The FL is selfish, but in a more complex way than that simply being it. She keeps everything she truly feels close to her chest, she doesn't want to burden others with her mistakes and her issues. This decision leads to her making more selfish decisions out of fear and avoidance of emotional vulnerability.

The ML is possessive, but in a way, the audience can find it endearing. This endearing feeling people have about his clingy and possessive acts leads them to demonize the FL in a way that I find unfair. He's flawed too and in a way I find uncomfortable. He can't simply live without her like for him life doesn't mean anything without her. To him, she is everything no matter how harsh or mean she is.

The side leads are equally interesting and definitely deserved more screen time. They try to explore ideas but just scratch the surface on a lot of them. Misunderstanding and Miscommunication are common themes as well as the desire to know if you are loved.

The plot itself is quite boring, all of its mundane or cliche but what makes the show interesting is the editing and the talking heads. To see how these characters lie to each other but then lie to themselves/camera, then to see how they communicate honestly about relationships to each other through the 'documentarian' is quite interesting and funny. The talking heads highlight the individual character's personalities with some answers being long intricate, others blunt, and some avoid answering entirely.

Some unignorable flaws are being unbelievable of some parts of the plot and the weird sidetracked ending. However, these flaws should make this title have THIS low of a rating. Lots of people's complaints are about the toxicity of the FL, which I don't find valid as we aren't rating how much we morally agree with a character (which I don't btw) it's about the show and story overall.

Finally, I should mention how this show could not have been pulled off by subpar actors. These actors carried this mishmash of a plot and eccentric directing style. The main leads had such range in what they needed to pull off and they did it superbly.

Leia Mais

Refreshing and realistic love stories

TL;DR
If you like a realistic love story between adults who have relatable baggage, you'll love this. Not to mention the eye candy and chemistry between the ML and FL.

I'll explain why:
It's been a few days since I've completed and I can't get the story out of my head! That's how emotionally invested I was. I wasn't sure what to expect from this drama at first, but I'm so glad I watched it. It's very relatable for people in their late twenties to mid-thirties, where you've had some experiences with love, but also understand that EVERYONE comes with baggage in a relationship. Lots of people seem to be hating on the FL—even though the ghosting is wrong, her fears are completely relatable (also given what she went through in her past). Some may say she is selfish, but her actions are based on her deep-seated fears and insecurities. I found myself crying a lot along with the FL as she worked through her insecurities and fears. Ji Chang Wook was perfect as usual in his role as the handsome and hopeless romantic (who also has his fair share of issues, even if they're less obvious). You can't help but root for him and feel his heartbreak as he pined away for the FL. I really felt his pain and confusion as he tried to figure out what the heck happened with their relationship when their connection was so magical and one-of-a-kind. Also, I thought his and Kim Ji Won's chemistry was amazing and only got better as the flashbacks progressed.

This drama is very realistic with no unnecessary love triangles, an evil person trying to break them up/harm one of the leads, overly controlling parents, an outlandishly rich CEO, etc. The interview format was interesting, although at some parts felt a little rocky as the interviewer started playing a role in the characters' stories and helping their relationships along (this wasn't a big deal for me and worked well in the end).

The side characters did a great job at adding some comic relief and I absolutely adore the friendship between the FL and her two besties. The only side plots that gave me question marks were the actress in the last episode and Minho's story. I wanted more of the FL and ML in the last episode even though their story wrapped up nicely by Ep 16.

I'll definitely be coming back to this drama at some point, especially when I need some encouragement and faith in relationships and self-love.

Leia Mais

So underrated, worths more!

This is the 2nd kdrama I've watched where Ji Chang Wook is the main character and I loved it as well. It was so full of intense feelings. He can reflect all the pain/happiness etc so good and the rest of the cast had the same energy (+their chemistry) which was ideal.

As for the plot, firstly this type of documentary/interview was so unique compared to other dramas. All this "everyone's possible to be connected" scenario is so realistic. You never know who you'll meet or if your paths will cross each others again. The uncompleted (summer) love is the second realistic case. Ppl suppress their feelings often, are feared to express or trust their heart and sometimes the timing is so wrong.

The ring situation reminds me of a very personal experience and it broke my heart. I knew exactly how she felt and why she had it saved.

As for the other two couples the first one is based on a slow burn/"waiting for you till the right moment" which is so innocent and cute (I'm so jealous over that) and the second couple broke up bc the fem character doesn't believe in a boy/girl friendship. Which is sad. There are genuine friendships out there between both genders and ppl still don't believe in them. The couple clearly didn't communicate it correctly to understand each other's side and perhaps try to solve this situation or any other possible prob rather than break up.

Overall, it was an enjoyable series. Perhaps it could've been a little more short but its still really good and more ppl should recognize its value. This isnt the rating it deserves!!!

Leia Mais

LOVE! A Must Watch!

What can I say? This drama was AMAZING! I loved the different perspectives the writer brings for each character.

The writer brought a fresh perspective to romance and got into the messiness that happens within real action ships.

I could relate to with the first ML because I have experienced being ghosted with no explanation. It does makes you a bit crazy especially when you loved that person. I had to accept it and find my own closure.

I definitely can understand how the First FL feels.

The acting was PHENOMENAL. The chemistry between the cast mates was so good! I enjoyed the highs and lows of the emotions with the characters. They are all flawed and that’s okay! Love is not perfection! It’s messy, bitter and sweet!

I would definitely rewatch this drama. The music was great! I really enjoyed it. I would recommend for the ppl reading the reviews to watch this drama for yourself!

It’s a different take and very refreshing than your typical drama!

Leia Mais

Luckily, only 30min/episode

I've watched a couple a k-dramas over the last weeks and apparently I've forgot to say something about them.
So, about this one. I've watched this drama 2 days ago. Thank (insert deity here) you get 30 min per episode. It went by in no time.
I'll start by saying it's something like a reality show, so that sucks. Even if the acting and the chemistry and the jokes were mostly fine, or even good, by making the actors look into the camera and say things, you get a low level drama.
Yes, the acting was good. The Main Lead Actor is very skillful, his range is quite good. I've seen him before (as did most of you, I'm sure) and he delivers, as usual. Maybe even more. The other actors were also good.
The cinematography and mixing are good to excellent. They did a good job. The director had some interesting ideas. Good ones. The soundtrack had a couple on decent, catchy songs. Most of them you'll enjoy.
The only downside of this drama is the story. The writer did a meh job. You need a whole season to get to some conclusion, because the Main Female Lead is made dumb just to get the story going. But as there are only 30min/episode, you get to the end in about 9 hours or so.
And that's it. You can watch it for the visuals and some nice acting. Have a lovely evening.

Leia Mais

Everything in this series works!

"Lovestruck in the City" is a rarity of a romantic comedy -- one that's actually funny. I was still laughing about the drunken palm blast even while writing this review.

PROS
1. Kim Ji Won is the reason I picked up this series and she really showcased her chops playing two very different aspects of a single character. I wanted to spend a week at the beach with one of them and hug the other. The candle lighting scene was so raw I felt all the feels. Her realistic portrayal of a woman who feels so much, yet shows a flat, cold front when overwhelmed rang true.
2. So Ju Yeon was pitch perfect and may have impressed me so much simply because I adored how she presented her character - a woman who is who she wants to be and makes no apologies, nor tolerates disrespect.
3. Ryu Kyung Soo did a marvelous job making a low key, taciturn character multi-dimensional. I was really rooting for his character and...
4. Han Ji Eun's shallow-at-first-glance, yet terrifying teacher character had the most interesting and surprising character journey of the series. Han Ji Eun took a tough, intimidating persona and made her 90% of why the comedy worked, and still delivered one of the most touching scenes of the show.
5. Kim Min Sook brought gravity to a character that could easily have been relegated to comic relief otherwise.
6. Park Jae Won wasn't my favorite character, his tenacity bordered on obsession, but Ji Chang Wook put all his emotions on the line to make it work.
7. Breaking the fourth wall - well, almost: by using a reality show interview style we got a view inside the heads of the characters and their perceptions of the story. It was fascinating to contrast what they claimed was their persona versus what they showed us through the action.
8. The scriptwriter crafted an original, nuanced, touching, and witty show that held enough turns to keep it interesting for 17 episodes. It's really, really hard to tell so many stories and be fair to all the characters; this is the most successful effort I've seen.
9. The director gave the cast room to develop their characters. The result of that is why my rating is so high. Also, that long shot of Oh Sun Young after her final meeting with Kang Gun was a heart punch.

CONS
1. Unlike some other reviewers I wasn't bothered by a pop-up romance in the 17th episode. It had been teased in the 16th, so it wasn't a total surprise, plus it showcased a previously underutilized character. What did bother me was the zero backgrounding of who these two characters were to each other and what was behind their familiarity.
2. Obviously the two leads are going to get together in the end, but it felt abrupt when it happened, a 180 from where the FL's character was previously. Maybe I just needed a little more transition on how the FL's character leapt to that point from her adamant push back until then. Perhaps even one brief shot showing her reluctance crumble.

So many things worked so well in this series that it deserves an 8+ rating overall and I'm baffled by the lower scores. I enjoyed every episode and would definitely rewatch the series.

Leia Mais

blahstruck in the city

Initially intrigued with its unique documentary-style format, promising a fresh perspective on modern love. However, the series quickly devolved into a predictable and overly sentimental romance drama. The show’s innovative approach, which could have offered a deeper, more nuanced exploration of relationships, was ultimately squandered.

The writing was a major letdown. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, and the dialogue was often cringe-worthy.

Jae Won, the central character, was a constant source of frustration. His self-destructive behavior and inability to take responsibility for his actions were tiresome to watch. While the show attempted to address his alcoholism, it often felt like a superficial solution to a deeper problem.

Eun Oh, the female lead, was a complex character, but her tendency to avoid confrontation and hurt others was frustrating. Her character arc was inconsistent, and she often seemed to regress rather than progress. Worse... he was particularly annoying, with his constant whining and indecisiveness. His performance was lackluster, failing to bring any depth or nuance to the role.

Rin Yi, the free-spirited artist, was an interesting character, but her development was limited. She was often used as a plot device to advance the stories of other characters, rather than having her own meaningful arc.

Gyung Joon, the kind and understanding friend, was one of the few likable characters in the show. However, his passive nature often hindered his ability to help his friends.

Sun Young, the cool and collected career woman, had a more complex character arc. However, her behavior towards her romantic partners was often questionable, and her actions sometimes seemed selfish and manipulative.

Overall, the characters were a mixed bag. While some were intriguing, many were underdeveloped and frustrating. The show could have benefited from a deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and backstories.

The pacing of the series was uneven, with some episodes dragging on while others felt rushed. The show’s attempt to balance the documentary-style format with traditional storytelling often resulted in a jarring and disjointed viewing experience.

Ultimately, it is just a missed opportunity. While it had the potential to be a unique drama, it failed to fully capitalize on its central concept. The show’s reliance on clichés, melodrama, and inconsistent pacing ultimately undermined its potential to offer a meaningful exploration of love and relationships.

Pros:
Unique documentary-style format
Visually appealing
Strong performances from some of the supporting cast

Cons:
Weak writing and character development
Unengaging male lead performance
Inconsistent pacing
Overreliance on clichés and melodrama
Disjointed narrative structure

Leia Mais

Uniquely entertaining and a MUST watch!

I have NEVER done a review. I usually rate a drama. So I am really sorry if my review is not helpful, lol! I took the chance to leave a review for this one because HONESTLY, do not let the rating keep you from watching this drama (currently a 7.9). It is such an interesting story, and I agree with other reviews that you have to be open-minded to enjoy the format fully. The reason I watched it was because the first review I read, stated " First and FOREMOST, the plot summary does no justice to what a beautiful, refreshing drama this is.
Lemme explain why 1. Don’t judge the rating...2. This is one of the most REFRESHING Korean dramas I’ve seen in a while."

That comment made me want to watch it, and I AM SO GLAD I DID. Refreshing is the word to describe this gem! It really is. The plot, the format, the characters, and just everything are refreshing. I honestly have not gotten butterflies from any drama recently, but the first steamy interaction between the FL and ML absolutely gave me butterflies! I loved it all!! Everyone's stories were, in a sense, realistic as in, not that it can actually happen in real life but that they, themselves, were very realistic. I think the way they acted (i.e.being frustrated with the situation regarding their partner or getting mad for their best friend) really felt like "down to earth," and I loved it. I also personally loved all the actors in the main cast (so I might be biased), Lol! BUT PLEASE PLEASE give this a chance. At least try the first three episodes to get used to the format and then enjoy it for its beauty!

Leia Mais

To be honest

To be honest, These stories individually are not much. We have heard these kind of stories countless times or even better stories altogether.
But what makes this Drama worth your time is it's storytelling. The way the characters are presented and their tales are told is very unique to say the least, nobody has done it like this ever.
Cinematography should be praised as well. All the shots edited together feels more like a book that a drama. It's like I am imagining the story while reading the book and surprisingly the shots exactly matches our imagination.
Screenplay is commendabe. Every shot is Shot to perfection. I would recommend watching the drama in higher pixel value to experience the full adventure.
To say the least, this drama is worth your time and It has the ability to stay in your mind for a long time.

Leia Mais