It's nice to have Filipino musical movies like this one.

The second movie I took advantage to watch as part of MMFF50, this movie is really worth being my other choice to watch aside from the Jose Rizal 1998 film.
Filipinos boast a lot of singers and musicians, but the fact that the country doesn't produce a lot of musicals is such a travesty. That's why I love that they were able to make this musical (I'm referring to the stage show this was based on) and I love that they were even able to make a movie version of the musical through this movie. I also really enjoyed the casting. I love that they decided to put legit musical and theater actors as headliners for this film instead of the usual big names. Joanna Ampil (who I'm only familiar since I read her name as someone who played Fantine in Les Misérables London, she also performed as Fantine along with her Les Mis costars like Ramin Karimloo back in 2004 for Queen Elizabeth of the UK and France's Jacques Chirac) and Rachel Alejandro are so amazing as the main characters. The only actor who is a big name (among the main characters) is Paulo Avelino, but I think he auditioned to get this role. He's also really capable and I like him as an actor in general (praying he doesn't get stuck in a loveteam with Kim Chiu as they have two recent projects together). The other characters are also well played and well sung. There are some big names and some less well known ones but all did well. I was surprised that character actors such as Nonie Buencamino and Jaime Fabregas (would have been surprised more if I hadn't seen him in Jose Rizal just a day earlier where he sang a bit) can sing as well. So nice to see Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo again here. I only know her as the Liesl in the Sound of Music video performance from the 80s which I found on youtube where she performed with renowned names like Lea Salonga (who did Les Misérables in London like this movie's Joanna Ampil) and Senator Risa Hontiveros.
The story is about two girls who protect their childhood home and their father's legacy against all odds. I love their sisterhood and their deep care for each other. Their father, a cripple who was a renowned painter, had his last painting still in their house and many people want to buy it. Losing support from their selfish siblings and losing money to take care of their father and the house, the girls are tempted to sell the last painting of their father. We later learned that this painting was considered as a curse by both girls (despite being valued by many) as this last painting was painted by their father after the father committed suicide by jumping (which caused his crippled state) after the girls blamed him for something (I forgot the reason why). As a way to apologize to their father as well as to maintain their childhood home their father loves, one of the sisters destroyed her father's last painting despite almost being tempted by Paulo Avelino's character to sell the painting so that she'll fulfill her childhood dream of travelling the world while being with a man who loves her (Avelino's character was willing to marry her provided she sells the painting to an American buyer he talked to since the American promised a commission to him).
It's pitiful that we don't see the painting, but I guess the filmmakers feel the character's description are enough (don't know if the audience saw the painting in the musical version).
I think what we can get from the story is that we see that the two girls value their honor and their love for their father more than money. I just wish that they'll still be able to find love as their sacrifices to maintain their family home is enough.

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Must Watch Jose Rizal Movie

Even though I already have a copy of the movie, I still decided to watch this on the cinema, taking advantage of MMFF50. The experience watching this on the cinema was well worth it.
While I don't think this movie is as creative as Bayaning Third World in demonstrating the life and legacy of Rizal, I still think it's creative in its own way. I love how the movie inserts Rizal's works Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (especially their main character Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun) to compare what's happening in those books to what's happening to Rizal and society. In it's own way, it also portrayed Rizal as someone who was daring two write two novels that portrays the ill of Filipino society at the time of the Spaniards but also as someone still resistant of a grand revolution rather than just reform.
I also appreciated how they portrayed Rizal as a normal kid, having his own struggles as a child before he was able to excel as a young student (I'm not about the complete truth, but my impression of Rizal based on most things I read about him was that he seems like someone who is brilliant at all things even as a kid). Plus I like the fact that not all Spaniards are portrayed as pure evil in this movie. I like Luis Taviel de Andrade, even as a Spaniard he has compassion towards Rizal and only wished him to be judged only via his actions (it's refreshing to see Jaime Fabregas in this role, I'm so used to seeing him as either evil Spanish priests or officers who only want harm to Filipinos).
The shots in the movie are made with effort, the sets and the costumes are beautiful. The acting is also magnificent. I really wish I could praise Cesar Montano (he's good here but him starring as a lead in a Marcos Apologist movie kind of taints his reputation for me). Joel Torre, having played Ibarra in a Noli Me Tangere series a few years prior to this one. is also really excellent. I love that they got some of the actors from the aforementioned TV series to be in this movie again (though some not playing the same characters they did in the TV series). I also enjoyed Gloria Diaz as Rizal's mother as well as Micky Ferriols, Chin Chin Gutierrez, and Monique Wilson (what a beautiful singing voice as Maria Clara) too. All of these elements (acting, shots, sets, costumes) really did help enhance the movie.
I only wish Philippines can make more historical dramas/movies in the future. And I'm praying Filipinos will pay attention to these more than Star Cinema movies, which are mostly made with little effort and are very low quality movies except for a very few (I watched a few of their romcoms only because I like the actors in them) in my opinion. I hope GMA's success with Maria Clara at Ibarra and Pulang Araw will translate to film.

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Good Sentimental Historical Movie

I like seeing historical Filipino films that focus on the sentimental. Films like Moments of Love and Eternity. This film feels like on the same vibes as those movies hence I watched this one.
I like how the story of the two people from the past is seen from the eyes of people living in the present. We see how their characters and their problems related to love and even career can be similarly compared to the characters from the past. Then actors playing the present day characters, Eddie Garcia, Christopher De Leon, and Dennis Trillo all portrayed their characters well.
Eddie Garcia's character is the one connecting the present to the past. His younger version from the past is portrayed by Mark Herras. Two women admire him from the past, Azon and Cora. While it was Azon whom he loved at first, it was Cora who found him and took care of him after World War 2. He later married Cora but Cora ran away after giving birth to their son (Christopher De Leon in present times) since she didn't feel that her husband truly loved her (especially since he denied her request to dance under the blue moon with him when the conditions were perfect). Jennylyn Mercado as Cora portrayed her character's sincerity and desire to be loved by her husband very well, I thought she's really good in this. So is Pauleen Luna who portrays the livelier Azon, we see in her fun portrayal why Mark Herras's character loved her at first. I thought Mark Herras did not act as well as the two women, but he has chemistry with them both. Polo Ravales played the friend of the Mark, Pauleen, and Jennylyn's characters who had a one-sided crush on Pauleen's character Azon (who died during the war). He did good in the role though he did not make as much as an impression as the 2 female actresses.
Later in the story we found out that an older version of one of the two women that Mark Herras's character loved was still alive. Portrayed by Boots Anson-Roa, we later found out that her character was the older version of Cora/Jennylyn's character. I like Boots' acting, she has good chemistry with Eddie Garcia. Seeing them dance under the blue moon is really sweet, especially since it's the wish of Cora's character for a long time. We come to later understand that Cora was actually truly loved by her husband even though she wasn't his first love and that the graveyard visited by Eddie Garcia's character in the beginning of the movie (where he revealed that he will still look for his true love) was actually Azon.
I know that some people felt that the main male character never truly loved his wife and felt he only looked for her since he was dying already, but I thought otherwise. Since it was his wife who chose to leave after giving birth, I think he was just giving her the space that she needed. The difficulties he experienced as a single father raising his son (plus the fact that technology wasn't really developed yet) could be a reason why he didn't look for his wife after a few years. It was wrong of him never to dance with his wife under a blue moon when the conditions perfect (it led to his wife thinking he didn't love her) but it is also really possible that he never realized that he already loved his wife more than his first love until his wife had gone away.

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Real Love is Letting Your Girl Pursue Her Dreams

I watched this in 2015 but I never really appreciated this movie until now. Also, watching this in 2024 feels oddly satisfying. I feel like the real relationship of LizQuen is closest to this fictional couple among all the couples they played (second being the couple from Alone Together) as I get the impression that Liza and Enrique are both passionate in filmmaking and making shows and Enrique is selfless in how he loves Liza. They have good chemistry in all their movies, but the chemitry here is just really amazing. The way Enrique looks and speaks to Liza! Both Enrique and Liza portrayed their characters really well. I really enjoyed the love story, glad the girl Audrey chose someone (Ethan) who lets her be who she wants to be and dream what she wanted to do rather than someone who wants her to change. Wih Liza's hollywood career and both her and Enrique insisting they never broke up, I feel like Enrique's love to Liza is similar to the way Ethan loves Audrey in this movie, he encourages the girl to make her dreams come true and loves her for her true self. Plus he's willing to sacrifice his happiness just for the sake of her own. That's true love!
It may seem to some people that Audrey is cheating on Tristan (played by Gerald Anderson) with Ethan here, but I totally understand why she would fall for Ethan, Tristan was a really toxic boyfriend who wants Audrey to change for him and does not love her for who she is (unlike Ethan).

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Liza and Enrique's Performances Make Up for the Movie's Imperfections

This is very enjoyable but not as good as Alone/Together among LizQuen movies. The acting between Liza and Enrique is very convincing. The movie is also an enjoyable watch for a lazy weekend. However, the basic point of the plot, Gio's "cheating", is not very convincing since he didn't really cheat but was only taken advantage of during a night when he was drunk. I understand that girls get hurt if guys lay down with other women even when they were drunk, but Cali breaking up with him and making her a man-hater because of it makes her character less admirable. I wish they made another scenario of how Gio would cheat on Cali (ex: being taken to a bar after a tiring and disappointing day at school or work where he was really tempted to sleep with another girl for comfort because he was really disappointed with what happened at school or work). However, the fact that Cali's dad cheated on her mom did help add to the pain of Cali as well as make her man-hating personality develop more.
I wish the film was less "racist" though. How could a film be filmed in South Korea and then call a Korean character Kimmychi (joke on kimchi food)? While this mistake can be forgivable since Kimmychi maybe just a term of endearment from her boyfriend, using the term "slanted eyes" is just a little bit too much.
3.5 over 5 for Liza and Enrique's performance and for it being an enjoyable film for me to watch. A Korean person might however find this film a bit offensive.

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Love the leads' acting (especially Liza). Characters really relatable to people in their late 20s.

I enjoyed this movie. It's very relatable to someone like me in her late 20s who feels like a failure after college, except that I don't have big dreams except to have money and I don't have a boyfriend. I watched this for Liza Soberano, she's good here. Enrique Gil is good as well but I feel like this is Liza's movie and she was the one given more chances to show her acting prowess. I have the impression that some people find her acting bad because she doesn't put in "big emotions". However I found her acting on point. Her emotions shown in the movie is perfect. It doesn't need to be too loud or too mechanical. She's perfect
Unlike some people, I'm not bothered with the "cheating" here. Raf had already broken up with his girlfriend prior to going to New York and proposing to Tin while Tin can't help returning back Raf's affections as I think her boss boyfriend is too controlling.

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Main actors are wasted, the villains and victims actors shined in this show

This drama is just not good nor is it for me. Pity. I wanted to like this one since this is Lee Joon Gi and Moon Chae Won together. But the plot's execution is just not good. There are some episodes which are more interesting for me than the others (I find the cases in those episodes more compelling to watch), but this drama just fails for me to connect them with the main characters emotionally. I do appreciate some episodes that show the background and the struggles of some NCI members. Actingwise, as good as Joon Gi and Chae Won are as actors in general, the actors that were really given the chance to shine here are neither them nor the rest of the NCI team, but the actors playing the villains and their victims. At least Joon Gi and Son Hyun Joo (the other super main character NCI member) have some moments where they show their acting moments, I just wish Chae Won is given a heavy scene herself too (I hope people who only seen her in this one call her a bad actress, she has dramas and movies before this one where her acting really shine). I like Lee Sun Bin, Go Yoon and Yoo Sun in their respective roles but I think this drama didn't make them shine in their own way either (I do think Lee Sun Bin has been given more than the other two actors). Giving this drama a 6.5

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Drama with great pacing and execution plus life lessons learned

Ah! Good Doctor! I'm not really a fan of medical dramas but I decided to watch this one as I like both Moon Chae Won and Joo Won and I did not regret my decision to watch it as it's a really good heartwarming drama.
There are many things that makes this drama great. One is that the pacing and the execution of the drama is perfect, and kudos to the writers. The characters are very well developed too, you have likeable characters and most of the "villains" of this show are also given a good side in this drama (some of them even developed to become good characters). Many heart-warming life lessons as the doctor characters heal and overcome the difficulties their patients face. Among the many characters here, the main character of the autistic servant Park Si On is very important to the developments of many characters plus the life lessons provided in this drama. Let's not forget the acting, for me everyone did amazing. Joo Won as the autistic doctor Park Si On, Moon Chae Won as Park Si On's fellow doctor/future lover Cha Yun Seo, Joo Sang Wook as Kim Do Han, even young Kim Hyun Soo as In Hae did great. I have to give a shout out to Yoo Hae Jung as patient Eun-Ok, she was so amazing especially when her character seems very wild at first.
There's really nothing I can fault with this drama. The only thing though with this drama is I felt that career-wise, Moon Chae Won should not have chosen this drama especially after the successes of The Princess's Man, War of the Arrows, and Innocent Man during the two years before she did this drama. Don't get me wrong, Cha Yun Seo is a great character and I love how understanding and helpful she is of Joo Won's character. It's just that I feel the character doesn't give her the chance to show more of her acting skills unlike the previous works mentioned and I feel like she should have chosen a more female centric role. I have no choice but to respect her script decision though and despite what I said earlier about her character and the acting she had to show for this drama, the drama did show a different side to her acting (this character is more light and warm-hearted then the previous works mentioned). Plus I'm still glad she has a drama like this in her filmography.
Attesting to the greatness of this drama is how this won best drama in 2014 Baeksang and even got a US remake that now has many seasons. So what are you waiting for, watch Good Doctor now!

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Amazing cinematography, plot and acting also very good.

Movie is not perfect but the cinematography is to be praised for. For me, it's one of the best aspects of the movie. I also find the movie's concept of where an ancestor is buried on having an impact to their living descendants' life and fortune
It shouldn't have been a spoiler if you know the real history that Heungseon's son became king, but as I chose to ignore the real history, Heungseon being revealed to be a cunning man planning to take the opposite sides of Kim Jwa Geun and the royal king to fight for his own son to be king is quite a surprise.
Another great plot twist that I didnt expect was the irony of Kim Jwa Geun being buried by his son. Here is a man who would do a lot of evil deeds, like burying his dead dad above royal tombs, for his family's fortune, only to have his own son kill him since son feels a greater fortune for him i achieved if his own living father is buried (dead) in the best place as well.
I watched this since its the last Moon Chae Won historical work I haven't seen, and though her scenes are minimal, she's really good in playing her part as a gisaeng. Indeed, she also excelled in her heavy scenes, especially her death scene. But, of course, the best actors in this drama are Jo Seung Woo and Ji Sung. It's so great to see Baek Yoon Shik as a villain again here, I loved his special appearamce in Tree with Deep Roots. Kim Sung Kyun, Yoo Jae Myung and the rest of the cast are also great.
Music is not memorable but fits well in the movie.
Movie is an 8.5 for me.

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Very Unique

Story:
It is a great story about Joseon minstrels made more interesting in the historical background of this movie. I love how this movie is made to look like we're watching an actual Korean play. I love how the King is being humanized in this movie, showing some moments between him and a character the audience is supposed to care about, Gonggil. A lot of people mention that this movie has homosexual tendencies, and while I do agree, I'm not sure if I see it on Gonggil's side for either the King or his friend Jangsaeng. For sure, I feel Jangsaeng has some sort of feelings for him (we see him getting jealous as the king spends more time with Gonggil) and the king is definitely attracted by Gonggil's physical beauty. I supposed knowing about Gonggil and Jangsaeng's background (like their family, how either of them relate to each other's past), would help us understand whether Gonggil has attraction towards Jangsaeng or even the king, But I still give this story good points despite that since we don't need to know exactly what Gonggil feels, it is enough for the audience to know that he sincerely cares about Jangsaeng at least as a really great friend (and also somehow can understand the king's attraction to him). (9.5/10)
Acting Cast:
I noticed that all the actors seem to act as if they are in a Shakespearean play (maybe because of the way some lines are presented). Everyone is really great. Particular highlights for me are Jung Jin Young as King Yeon San and Lee Joon Gi as Gonggil, but Kam Woo Sung and the rest of the cast also did great (10/10)
Music:
Music is not very much memorable but it really fits well with this film. However, the song "Fate", which is not in the movie but is eventually associated with it, is really good and I really love it. (8.5/10)
Rewatch Value:
I usually don't give higher scores on rewatch value as most films/dramas require people not knowing everything for them to appreciate it, but I'm giving this film a perfect (10/10) for rewatch value because I feel like there are many scenes that can be understood and analyzed more for more interpretation upon rewatch . (10/10)
Overall: (9.5/10)

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Show is quite enjoyable but there are too many imperfections.

I decided to watch this drama because of Moon Chae Won. I had liked her for so long as an actress and my love for her regained after watching Flower of Evil. But I realized except for Princess's Man, Painter of the Wind, Innocent Man, Flower of Evil, Brilliant Legacy, and some clips of her It's Okay Daddy's Girl and My Fair Lady; I haven't seen her other filmograohy. I decided to give Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter a go since Moon Chae Won wears hanbok in this drama, and I love seeing her in hanbok.
I rate the story only a 6.5. The positives of this show is that there is a plot twist that makes this drama interesting, and from the title of the show, the plot twist is not obvious. Seeing the title and short summary of the drama, people would think it's just about a fairy and the show's goal is only for the fairy to find out which of the two guys is her husband from years ago. However, as the story goes on, we discover that the dramas is also about friendship, acceptance, loyalty, and valuing yourself as much as about romance. The character of the professor, I didn't expect at first how his background gave so much twists to the story. An additional plus in the show is that the cute and lighthearted moments between the fairy and either of her two love interests, or the love interests with each other is good and enjoyable to watch. For the negatives however, there are some plotholes. I didn't understand why the fairy has to appear as an old woman to most people. Nor do I understand what kind of relationship should you have with the fairy for someone to see her young. The female professor for example, saw her as old at first then saw her young later (was it because she was getting to know the fairy more since the fairy is becoming more involved with her male professor friend?). I'm also confused as to why the villages in Gyeryong (Kim Geum's mom for example) didn't know the fairy and her fairy friends since it is such a small town and the fairy friends live in that town most of the time. And the most annoying thing is the lack of explanation for fairy's kids. How and why are they reborn as cat and worm/dragon (plus for the dragon/worm I didn't understand how the barista fairy said that all the powers of the world is in the egg of that dragon)? Do they die and live again for the hundreds of years their fairy mom waits for her husband? And last thing I'm wondering is what will happen to the fairy and the husband she chose after they got married? Is he coming back with her to the fairy world or is the fairy and her kids transforming into real humans to stay with him there (how weird is it that the young husband has a 20 year old looking daughter)? There's no rating for visual effects here, but I'm just gonna include it for the story's rating and gosh, the visual effects and CGI are just below average. I could have rated this show lower but since the plot twist of the drama as well as the morals plus lighthearted moments are really good (plus Moon Chae Won in hanbok is just so wonderful to see), so a 6.5 should be the fairest rating I can give to the story.
Actingwise, I give this drama an 8.5. Moon Chae Won as the fairy acted just good enough for her role. Her crying scenes are my most favorite of hers actingwise since she's really good in it. Her character of the fairy does not demand much of her acting skills though, thus despite being her usual good acting self, she doesn't come off as particularly impressive. But she's good enough and she embodied the character of the good hearted beautiful fairy well. Yoon Hyun Min is really impressive. For me at least, his character is the one that requires the most acting skills. His role of professor has such a complicated background and past, it's difficult to express the emotions of a character that had to overcome such difficult past. Fans of Yoon Hyun Min could really enjoy this drama if they want to focus on his acting instead of what happens to his character. Seo Ji Hoon is Kim Geum is also good, he was charming and was able to portray the character well. Rest of the cast is great. Surprised to see Ahn Kil Kang from Queen Seon Deok in here as a funny fairy. Due to his serious character in Queen Seon Deok which has remained in me for so long, it was really hard for me to imagine him in a comic role. But after watching him here and in Iljimae (which I just saw recently), I'm starting to think comedy might be one specialty of his.
The music is good but not particularly memorable, It doesn't affect much my enjoyability of the drama so an 8 should be a good rating.
5 for rewatch value. I don't think I'm gonna rewatch the drama again, but I might watch in the future some of my favorite scenes.
Overall a 6.5 rating for this drama.

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Moon Embracing the Sun, 2012's highest rated drama in Korea. While I don't find the plot the best, the fantastic chemistry and acting in the first few episodes, actually makes one curious to discover what happens to each of the characters as the story goes on.
The costumes are very well detailed. I really love all the costume designs. My favorite however was the costumes for the child cast particularly young Heo Yeon Woo and young Yoon Bo Kyung's costumes.
The acting of the child cast is fantastic. Best actors are Yeo Jin Goo, Kim Yoo Jung, and Kim So Hyun. Though I don't really ship them or their characters, Yeo Jin Goo and Kim Yoo Jung look beautiful together so I understand why people want their characters together. Not to mention the way they were able to act out the emotions of their characters are fantastic. Kim So Hyun, is also excellent in showing the complicated feelings of an insecure girl with a selfish love suddenly turning to the other side. I also really like the acting of these young actors: Lee Tae RI, Jin Ji hee, Seo Ji Hee and Jo Min-Ah. Lee Tae Ri, in particular is the better of the two Yangmyungs for me, he was excellent in showing a smile in his face while being sad as he hopelessly shows love to Yeon Woo. The only thing that is lacking in his performances for me is showing some tears when his character is supposed to be literally crying. And of course, the senior actors like Kim Young Ae, Jung Eun Pyo, Ahn Nae Sang, Jeon Mi Seon, Yang Mi Kyung Kim Eung, Soo, and Sun Woo Jae Duk, can always be trusted for giving a good performance. As for the adult actors (those that grew up from child characters), Kim Min Seo is the best for me since she was able to express well the complications of her character Bokyung. While the rest of the actors are quite good and even some are excellent in showing tears while crying, their performances just didnt really touch me. I commend them for trying their best though.
One actress I really dislike though is the adult female lead Han Ga In. I just couldn't stand her performance, the way she delivers her speech is so bad. Her acting skills are so bad, can't help but compare it to Kim Yoo Jung, who was so excellent in the role. I'm not someone who would criticize looks, but to be frank the mole in her nose also distracted me. To be honest, I couldn't understand why she was cast. She's popular, but she's not the most popular actress of her age (if they want to get an actress her age) nor was she someone who had experience acting in sageuk. With all my criticisms of her however, she did quite impress me in one crying scene (when Yeon Woo remembered who she was), so I will give it to her, but for me it is not enough for her to deserve this role.
The music in this drama is really good. The love theme: Back in Time by Lyn perfectly fits the sad love of the characters in this drama. The instrumentals are great too.
Overall this is not the best drama, but it has a lot of elements that will make many people love. If you want a sageuk focusing mainly on romance, then here's your drama.

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Very Enjoyable

It was really enjoyable. Yeo Jin Goo was amazing in differentiating his acting for the real king vs the clown vs the clown playing the king. I love Lee Se Young's subtle performance too, she's really fit playing royal women as seen in both here and the Red Sleeve. Kim Sang Kyung and the actors for the villains are also enjoyable.
I think some people who were drawn to watching the drama because of Jin Goo's double role might be disappointed since the real king died in episode 7, but the plot of the drama plus the acting of the actors should be a good reason enough to continue.

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Love this story about women in the arts. Kim Tae Ri is phenomenal.

This drama deserves accolades! I love how in the world of kdramas (where admittedly a lot are about the oppas/males), they managed to make this female centric kdrama with no principal male actors! It will not fit this story anyway, as it is a story of the art form gukgeuk (korean theater art form where all actors are women whether their characters are male and female). One thing I enjoy about kdramas is discovering art forms from Korea through these shows. Various gisaeng dances performances (including the one where the gisaeng dances on top of a hanging rope) in the 2006 drama Hwang Jini, paintings, instruments like the gayageum, and additional gisaeng dances in the 2008 kdrama Painter of the Wind, art of cooking in Jewel in the Palace/Dae Jang Geum, and now Gukgeuk in Jeongnyeon.
Kim Tae Ri is excellent in this, not only as Jeongnyeon but she's also excellent in portraying Jeongnyeon who is portraying her characters. Such skills required to portray a character who herself is playing a character. Another thing noteworthy of her performances is her chemistry with all the other actresses in this show. This seem to be Kim Tae Ri's strength, her strong chemistry with actresses, as shown in other works from Handmaiden, Mr. Sunshine and 2521.
Kim Tae Ri's costars are also excellent. Shin Ye Eun is great portraying Kim Tae Ri's rival turned friend. She is so good in portraying a young woman wanting to overcome a rival due in order to please her mother. I love Woo Da Vi as Hong Joo Ran as well. At first she seems like the sweet friend who is there just to show support, but I love that in her own way, she tried to work on her own dreams and even managing to get her own role in their gukgeuk performances. She and Kim Tae Ri have excellent chemistry, from their sweet friendship to the obvious attraction that they have for each, especially from Joo Ran's side. And of course, Jung Eun Chae deserves a mention. In real life, she is so beautiful and feminine, but in this show she is so appealing as someone who always play the male lead in gukgeuk performances, you'd wish she was a male. She is the closest the show has for a male lead. The other actresses are also believable in their roles.
In an era where the chauvinism of some Koreans are still apparent (based on my observation from social media), it is important that Korea continue to make female centric dramas like this, showing women stories where they are able to work on achieving their dreams and life's passions.

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