Secret Garden

I have to admit that it took me a few episodes to like this series. But now that I look back on it, it was obviously amazing from the start. The second time I watch it, I'll enjoy it even more. The stunt setting is a new one for me and I'm blown away by it. Ji-won Ha was beautiful in the action scenes. The individual characters were perfectly created down to the smallest detail. My greatest admiration, however, goes to Bin Hyun. He incredibly portrayed the exchange. His movements and looks were as precise as Ra Im. And he was so good as the arrogant man who will do anything for love. I guess I'll be dreaming about him for a few more nights. The second half of the series (especially episodes 13 and 17) was a big strain on my eyes. Even though the beginning was a bit weak (90%) the rest of the series made up for everything (110%). It's unbelievable what Korean series do to me. 5 stars. (27.08.2011)

Maybe I’m giving it 3 stars because I just want to do something different, maybe it's because I remember very well how I absolutely did not enjoy the first 6 or so episodes, maybe it's because I felt sort of disillusioned and unsatisfied after the last scene. Plus, Bin Hyun suddenly just doesn’t look that attractive to me. But it doesn't matter; there's a nice spark between the central duo. The series has it all – kpop, archetypes, clichés, the supernatural, the past, love from beyond the grave, memory loss, wit, sparkle, obnoxiousness... and I could go on and on. I was entertained, but not all the time, and occasionally had to move the story along. It didn't seem to have the right spark for me – I was interested in how it would turn out, but I wasn't invested; I couldn’t ever really empathize with the characters. If you watch Asian TV series, or better yet have only just discovered them, definitely check it out because you'll enjoy it. Feeling oversaturated with these series as I do, they don't give me as much as they did when I first started discovering them. It's harder to find something that really appeals to me anymore, at least that’s how it is for me. It’s not bad, give it a shot. Bin Hyun truly shines. A better 3 stars. (06.06.2011)