I can't wait for the next episode. I loved the ending of episode 4. It caught me off-guard slightly when Jo Sung was a fake. I only realized it when he talked to him haha.
Also, the Korean OST is quite matching with the scenes.
The only thing that puts me off slightly is how the good vs evil is so evident haha. It's so black and white.
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The Bridal Mask Episode 11
8 people found this review helpful
* I did not see Rie dressing up as a nun for ulterior motives coming. Smart move.
* Kang To tries to hint to everyone that he is Bridal Mask.
* At least someone is smart enough to question that perhaps Kang To is Bridal Mask and vice versa.
* At least they gave a realistic reason as to why it is impossible that Kang To is the Bridal Mask.
* As annoying as Goiso is, at least he told Shunji what he saw right away. Most dramas would make him be quiet. He's a consistently annoying character. Good.
* It is only realistic that Shunji still has some humanity left in him.
* Many scenes with our four leading characters.
* Mok Dan setting it straight on the table for Shunji that he has always been a friend ONLY. Very straightforward. I like that!
* The ending was just pure awesomeness... what a cliffhanger.
* Overall, I love how everyone catches onto details quite quickly.
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Ok, so back to episode 6.
We thought that Kang To had it bad when his mother died from that wretched Kenji, but no, the writer(s) want to add more tension. So what do they do? They make Kang To protect the man who killed his mother by killing his own brother who was only trying to protect Kang To. Is that twisted enough? No, let's make it worst! Kang To finds out immediately that his mother is also dead. There must be questions after questions spiraling his mind. Sadly, he didn't even have time to sort out his business. He realizes right away who killed his mother thanks to that guy. He then gets knocked out in a blur. Low and behold, he awakes, and instead of being calmed down, he sees fire set to his house. W.T.H? He didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to his mother and brother properly. Now, don't tell me that's not bad enough. It's worst than bad. I used to think the quote, "And yet to every bad, there is a worse" applies to my scenarios, but hell no to Kang To. He has been knocked down to the far pit of hell within a span of a couple of hours. I wanted to hug my screen when I saw his face all like that...
All I can think about is Joo Won's poor face.... his face contortions when he found out about his brother and mother's deaths... GAHH. Heck, when he wore the mask, and did all the bad** moves on Kenji at the station, I was punching the air myself! Shunji also looked so awesome when he pulled out the sword! Shunji vs Kangto made me have goosebumps. That's how much I'm feeling the characters, phewww. I seriously didn't want it to end. This episode flew by too quickly. I didn't even want to blink.
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The Bridal Mask Episode 10
8 people found this review helpful
I admit that the last 2 or 3 episodes had a slower vibe to them. Don't get me wrong, it is understandable how they using those episodes to build-up the later conflicts of the drama. However, many dramas have used this tactic before and bored the audience instead. Luckily, Bridal Mask knows just when to hit it's audience by surprise (in a good way I mean).
The pieces are slowly starting to come together, and it's just such a pleasure to be a part of this awesome (vengeance) experience.
Kang To only wanted to wear the Bridal Mask to avenge his family, but now he questions his judgement after hearing the pleading of his beloved Boon Yi. Arrg... decisions after decisions.
We also see how how Shunji is reprising his brother's role, just like how Kang To is reprising Kang San's role. The tension b/w the two friends is killing me!
Moreover, I extremely love the emphasis of how a good person can turn evil in a blink of an eye, whereas, it takes much will power to turn an evil person to a good person. For example, Shunji almost immediately becomes menacing as soon as his brother died, whereas Kang To is slowly finding his light at the end of the tunnel after missing individuality. And sadly, that's how the world rolls. It is easier to turn a hero into a villain because that will bring devastation to those that are looking up to the hero. On the other hand, it takes much for a villain to convert to the other side because he has seen too much cruelty already.
This drama does a magnificent job of showing how everyone has darkness within them. In the world of survival and need to protect our loved ones, it doesn't matter who's the nicer man because we all have a dark side. What matters is, how much will power do we have to escape/suppress from our inner monsters?
Does this remind you of something? Think of The Dark Knight. Harvey Dent (Shunji) vs Batman (Kang To). Need I say more?
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Originally, I watched episode 5 in raw, and have no clue what the heck they were saying, but Joo Won and Shin Hyun Joon's reactions made me nearly bawl my eyes out. Oh wow... Joo Won's expressions speak a 1000 words. They say that pure acting doesn't account language barrier, let alone require words to emphasize the characters' true intents, and it is during these times that I believe in that saying.
If anyone says Joo Won can't act, then I don't know what acting is then. Man, is he even acting? I can't even tell if this is real or not, since he's so natural in his role .
The way Kang To looks at Mok Dan is deeply touching, especially when he walked in and saw that she was ok. Oh, how he emits tender/loving/caring sentiments at one moment, then lash out in anger at another makes it even more emotional and compelling. I can really feel his pain.
The story is also very unpredictable in many ways. I love how in every episode there's a cliffhanger. Got to hate/love the scriptwriter for that. The twists are also logically laid out.
This drama has it all... it carries heart and soul as well as fulfilling it's action-packed premise.
By far, the most promising drama of 2012 thus far.
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My Love from the Star Episode 10
6 people found this review helpful
Jun Ji Hyun nails it everytime. She is such a wonderful actress, and I'm grateful to be able to watch her in this drama. She is hilarious and emotional. I can really see all her senses in this episode. She is a genuine true beauty. Her acting makes this drama so much better than it would have been. I kid you not, this drama would not be the same without her. Aside from that, let's get onto what I thought about this week's 2 episodes.
I thought these two were one of the best episodes so far. Everything is moving along faster than I expected. I was so excited and happy that she confessed! I didn't expect it to be then and there. I literally smiled and giggled a bit at heart. Gee, she totally made my heart flutter.
Haha, I guess this review is more of my love for this drama. The storyline is definitely getting better. There were some parts that bothered me because they were too convenient like how the evil dude always has everything planned out so well. Seriously, how did his subordinate even get in there? Anyway, Jun Ji Hyun is the star of the show.
Did I also say that they are so darn cute together! She makes me fangirl haha! I can't wait for next week. It's too far away....
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I can't emphasize this drama's organization any further. Bridal Mask is such a well-rounded drama thus far. I know that I had a different perception with the first episode, but at the rate/pace this drama is moving along, my original opinion can be dismissed.
The casts is expansive. The storytelling and characters have a lot of depth and room for development. Heck, I've never seen a more violent/menacing protagonist in any Korean dramas up-to-date. In fact, I actually admire the scriptwriter for making him so flawed. Joo Won and Kang To go hand-in-hand. I can't differentiate b/w the two because I'm already so absorbed into the turmoil he has to face.
I love how some of the flashbacks are interconnected; meaning they follow a sequence of past events. The fact that they successfully connect one flashback to another shows how organized this drama truly is. Moreover, the flashbacks are so well put together because they have a meaning behind them! I know a lot of Korean dramas just put flashbacks for the sake of filling in time, but not this drama.
All in all, so far, great performances, intense script, rich cinematography/background/designs, nail-biting/emotional events, and highly intriguing characters. What more can I ask for when only 4 episodes have aired?
I don't know if I can last much longer before the next episode comes!
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This episode was hilarious! I knew Gong Yoo and Lee Min Jung are naturals when it comes to these kind of roles. Rom-coms for them look so effortless because they seem to know what sways the audience. They're one of the top Korean rom-com actors, if not the top Korean rom-com King and Queen.
There are always subtle funny moments throughout episode 2. This is largely due to the actors.
The storyline is moving along nicely, but it's nothing too new. Though, I'm enjoying their take on it. I hope Yoon Jae's soul will participate in the drama as well. That will definitely be interesting.
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Anyhow, Joo Won is such a wonderful actor. I've only seen him in Baker King, Kim Tak Gu. In here, he has so many range of emotions... from the facial expressions all the way to the body movements. Joo Won really works as an action star too. I'm already loving his character. He seems quite like the anti-hero at the moment, which I like (or rather prefer). Love how he doesn't immediately swoon over the girl like love at first sight.
The storyline seems very intriguing. I was skeptical at the first episode due to some weird slow motion captures that distracted me from the actual plot. So I'm glad they toned it down. Maybe, because there was less of Bridal Mask himself? Anyway, I hope they stop doing the slow motion stuff whenever the mask dude comes on because it looks so corny - haha.
I can't wait till next week! Can't wait to see Kang To's development most of all. I love me some unconventional character. Come to think of it, the drama's tone is quite dark.
On a random note, Joo Won's bingo reminds me of Dokko Jin - haha.
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The Bridal Mask Episode 18
8 people found this review helpful
It didn't look like she was shocked to find Kang To behind the mask for me. It looked too easy the way she reacted.
I also realized that she kept saying, "Bridal Mask must live." to Kang To. Call me nit-picky, but when will she see Kang To for himself? She seems to care more about her supposedly long lost master, and Gaksital. It's just a bingo that they're all the same person - haha. I feel like it's a good excuse for her to like Kang To starting from now.
Argg... I've been looking so much for their moment of realization that I'm disappointed because I was expecting something more.
If someone saved me all this time because they loved me, it doesn't mean I will return their love for me. The boy I once know isn't the man today. The fact that Mok Dan didn't even show confusion makes me wonder what was going through her mind. I just didn't see the point of Mok Dan accepting Kang To this quickly. She never loved the current Kang To, let alone fall for him. Now, it's going to feel like she's falling for Kang To largely because he was the man behind the mask.
The main point isn't the kissing scene, but rather her reaction to Gaksital's identity as a whole. I just didn't feel the UUMMPHH factor.
This is the real question, would Mok Dan be in love (or fall in love) with Kang To if he wasn't Gaksital to begin with? She needs to understand that they're two different people. To this point, I still don't know who she's really in love with. It seems like she's still chasing after her fantasy. Luckily for her, the young master is the same person as Gaksital. I wished there was more struggle / shock in her realization of Kang To being Gaksital.
Keep in mind that I'm addicted to Bridal Mask. Hence, I'm being harsher on it than most dramas - haha.
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Loved the elevator scene and the Crown Prince's naivety. I also love how he explores our modern world. Not to mention how he came across the fashion show and his interaction with his "cousin". Too funny!
YooChun has definitely improved since SKKS!
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I'm probably going to get bashed for this.
Though, I will say that I like the set-up and the environment (like that of Capital Scandal). They look very pleasing to the eyes. The characters also seem interesting, but I don't know if they'll be able to hold my attention. I know that sounds like quite a contradiction, but what I'm trying to say is that the characters could be a total bomb leading up or they could be interesting. So far... I don't know which way they'll go.
Let's just say that it was a weird first episode.
edit: I re-watched the first episode and paid more attention to it. I must say I was most likely drunk on air or something because this episode was great. I don't know why I originally gave it a 5. I think I was too distracted by the cheese fest originally.
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I believe it's largely due to Lee Min Jung's performance. I've always loved her as an actress (she's beautiful as well!) because she's so natural. Very few actresses/actors pull off a comedy with ease... and I think Lee Min Jung pulls it off with a tinge of coolness.
To be honest, this OTP made me excited even before the drama came out. They're always so natural in their other projects that I was sure I'd be getting loads of fireworks b/w the two. I haven't seen Gong Yoo in a while too. He was hilarious in Coffee Prince.
The story is quite refreshing. Perhaps, I was just in a mood for another huge age gap type of drama.
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I don't have much problem with the male lead, but I find he abuses his role quite a few times. He exaggerates a lot of his comedic reactions, and it can become silly. He doesn't seem very comfortable in his character. I like how he acts like a scammer which fits his role, but his expressions can do a little more work. They seem rather forced and unnatural.
Kim Sun Ah is great as usual. I love her, but her character isn't very interesting. She always seems grumpy. Instead of those futile supporting casts, maybe, develop her a little more? I know there has only been 3 episodes, but keep in mind that there are 16 episodes in total.
The storyline and character development seem all over the chart.
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A kissing scene SHOULDN'T mean an upgrade in terms of rating.
The plot is really dragging. They stretch predictable things that we can already see coming ahead. If we see it coming then I have no clue what's the purpose in "keeping us teased/entertained". The bickering b/w our protagonists is like a non-ending cycle. Hopefully, the gameplay will be upgraded in the next episode, since their feelings are out of the bag (FINALLY).
The subplots are really unnecessary. Even the supporting characters are unnecessary. I feel like there are no character developments for anyone. They're still the same as they were originally.
Honestly, I was so bored of the whole half-brother storyline part that I just fast-forwarded those bits.
Ma Ri's dream sequence was very cliche. I hate it when scriptwriters lack ideas, hence, they just add in those kinds of scenes. It feels like a movie where the main character went through a whole ordeal, only to wake up and realize that it was all a dream. LAZY WRITING.
The constant dismissal of the angel painting/picture because of interruptions is annoying now.
The Hong Sisters are really running out of ideas. It feels like they're adding in fillers.
To be quite frank, this entire series can be shortened into a movie. Why? Nothing happens in the middle. The childish fight and make-up session has been long over-exhausted.
The reason I'm still sticking around now is because I'm a fan of Gong Yoo and Lee Min Jung.
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