Vin Vin – Google

A film to the standards of cult classic Ek duje ke liye, i am surprised why this movie didn’t create a buzz back then. I just remembered one song- tu kheech meri photo, which had become quite a rage but had no clue which film to connect the song to. I came to see this film for Harshavardhan Rane after getting immensely impressed by his latest work Tara vs Bilal and boy this guy has a towering screen presence in whatever he does. His intensity speaks through his whole body. Sanam Teri Kasam is a little too sad for my liking and I wished the movie had a more softer feel, still I cannot take away the fact that its one of those rare films which make you so interwoven with the characters that you cry uncontrollably…..be sure you will.

This is a mini series which can be binge watched in a day. 11 short episodes of 30-40 min each with light theme and simple storyline which does not let’s it fall in a must watch category. You can most times predict the storyline and nothing surprises. The characters aren’t established and every 2-3 episodes throw in a new plot which is easily solved. Spoiler***** You even don’t get to know the person behind the revenge note app and how he has been able to solve all problems is never answered so it becomes a half baked pie which you keep watching in anticipation of a twist. The character are not fleshed out and it was unfathomable to watch Cha Eun Woo play the character what he played. His character had nothing to offer except his good looks. Sometimes it felt he has feelings for the female lead but nothing was ever explored. The other male lead Park Solomon who has been the latest crush of everyone post All of us are dead’s success was just average here. He looked lost most of the time. His good looks sure were pleasing to the eye but his role had no mettle. The central love story was also kidding and would not involve you. The female lead along with her best friend were the ones carrying the whole show on their shoulders and both were very cute. I especially liked the actor playing the female lead with a baby like face and innocence. If the story was better she would have been very impressive. This show is only at the surface which makes it the first k-drama I have seen which doesn’t entangle you in their lives. This show reminded me of Playful Kiss where the central female character Oh-Hani was also irresistibly cute but you would simply adore her innocence in the series and her love story was something you will remember for a long time. Not to forget it had the ultimate flower boy Jihoo as the male lead. If you haven’t watched it, then it’s better to save your time on this one and watch Playful kiss instead.

Its in a nutshell a show which is above average but not the best of best in Korean dramas. It has its share of highs and lows and there have been scenes where i could not help crying and there were scenes which i simply fast forwarded. This has been my complaint with K-Dramas that they stretch the romance which is the case with this show as well but its not that the romance lacs soul. The romance between the second leads was as endearing as between the first leads minus the stretching so I enjoyed both the love stories. Having said that i still have to admit that Koreans do their action better than love stories or atleast I have been lately feeling that after watching Squid Game and All of us are dead where both shows compelled me to binge watch which was not the case with Crash landing. I liked the character of Yoon Se-Ri, Gu seung Jo, the village ladies group, Captain Ri’s unit members, Dan’s mother, her Uncle. The show had a huge cast but most very appropriately fleshed out roles so it was easy to like the character artists as well. I would rate this show a 6.5 to 7 on 10.

While midway through the series, my one word opinion about the series is that its “entertaining” with all its adjectives and superlatives. The basic plot is loosely inspired by 2009 hit series Boys Over Flowers but in execution there is no resemblance between the two. While various love triangles adorn the kdrama world extensively, it was a first quadruple romance i ever watched with all the stories well balanced and appropriately fleshed out. I enjoyed the character of playboy cheabol the most and felt the central character and love interest of female lead a little lacklustre. He was the weakest link of the show in my opinion and of late i have been forming one universal opinion about Korean shows is that the female lead will always pick up the wrong guy. Either my definition is different or the Korean standards of romance are. I am not aware of the ending though but i am seeing the show heading in the wrong direction.

A signature masterpiece of the 70ies where the beauty of the movies lied in portrayal of emotions rather than complex plot twists. This is the story of feudal India where marriages took place between children and the bride had to continue to stay with her parents till she comes of age. Such is the marriage between a 14 year old Rajni to a class 9th student Amal. The beauty of their relation lies in its innocence. The doe eyed Rajni becomes the centre of Amal’s universe right from the day of their marriage, but she must return to her parents which every time she does, devastates Amal but he still waits for her to return on every promised date when she would live for a couple of days and go back. In their brief encounters blossoms a tender bond of trust, friendship and love and its beautiful depiction captures viewers hearts. The movie does not focus on secondary stories much, but it amazed me on how sexuality in coming of age children of yesteryear’s was explored while giving it a U certificate. The poem recitation of Asrani to his wife which her father overhears, or the development of the kiss between Amal and Rajni on their wedding night. Although the kiss was to be interpreted but the build up to their kiss wasn’t subtle at all. The biggest shock to me was Rajni’s portrayal of acceptance of her sexuality through the statues of male female forms in the temples of Konark. I found the content not suitable for children and definitely made me wonder how taboo treatment given to love made old era much more explicit than the open culture of today.

Firstly its not a love story as I misjudged it. After watching i came to know that the love triangle was only a part of it. Its a story of switched twins, bullies and the trauma of outcasts much more than a love story. Its a story of undue pressure created by some parents over their studious children and about helping teachers. For me it had its highs and lows. The story was filled with plot twists that kept me going through the boring slag scenes which this show had in abundance too. Frankly i did not get a second lead syndrome which this show is so famous for until the second half. I did not dislike the main lead and he was kinda cute but he had a uni dimensional role. I preferred her with the male lead in the beginning but the character arc which the second lead took post mid series was unbelievable and I started enjoying him as a character and as the one true pair with the female lead. Unlike the second lead who had his own storyline, the main lead pretty much was just the romantic interest of the female lead. The second lead had major relations with other important characters apart from female lead and his own character was very strongly developed which was not the case with the male lead. What i did not expect from this show( being a veteran in Kdramas) was the romantic interest which the female lead started developing towards the second lead too. This was something which took me by surprise. If the male lead had not confessed a little longer, the second lead here stood an equal chance to win her affections. Their relation was deeper, their scenes together were more meaningful and plenty. The story of the main leads was pretty uneventful and too many repetitive flashbacks ruined it further. So overall its a good show to watch and the main antagonist will keep you entertained.

Cannot understand its high ratings. Its a teenage drama however the lead actress behaves like a 5 year old. The younger version of the female lead acted more mature. I was cringing the whole time watching her especially when crying. I have seen so many Kdramas but this level of poor acting was unimaginable. After initial few episodes I completely lost interest in the main love story simply because it was too slow and boring. The lead actor looked good and acted well but something was not clicking when it came to their love story. It after a while became a snooze fest that had to leave it mid way. The only thing worth watching is the second lead and some very beautiful scenes with the female lead. He may not have the quintessential good looks to give you second lead syndrome but his performance makes your heart pain for him. I am yet to get second lead syndrome to the likes of Jihoo of Boys over Flowers but i have to admit i liked the second lead here a little higher than the main lead.

K dramas are my staple since many years now and having watched more than 40 dramas, its the only drama which i rewatched. I usually get bored of Kdrama’s by the mid where they have unfolded the story and its only stretching, and there have been only select few which are interesting enough to complete but Playful kiss was beyond. After finishing the series, i had to watch the YouTube season 2 and Baek Seung Jo’s diaries and still desired more. The story is simple yet the entertaining situations make it endearing. The persistent love of Oh Hani sometimes makes you angry on her. Why her life has to revolve around one person, but thats her. When she puts her heart on anything she does achieve that....and here Baek Seung Jo is what she puts her heart and soul to. Its her, everyone need not have the same ambitions of success and career. Despite her sole ambition of getting the boy she likes, you will still love Oh Hani for her innocence, the very same way Baek Seung Jo keeps getting drawn to her without wanting. Its a unique love story of a cold prince who is Mr Perfect and an very stupid girl who is as far from being perfect as possible. The show made me get mad at BSJ at times for being too cold until i read the diaries which are so deep and give his perspective of incidents which made me feel so much more attracted to him. Those diaries explain what’s behind that coldness and he is lovable. After reading those diaries you will know how he always loved Oh Hani deeply but could not express. How his life also revolved around her. KHJ as always have played a layered character and he is brilliant. His hairstyle during the middle episodes however annoyed me but he is so beautiful nonetheless, once in a while when we see him smile, its so heartwarming. Do not miss the diaries to get the real essence of this drama. The character artist also need a special mention. The roles of BSJ’s mother, his brother Baek En Jo, Bong Gun Joo as the third wheel, Oh Hani’s friends were all impressive.