Sikeurit Gadeun

I really didn't think I would like this drama. I watched Boys Over Flowers and ended up really disliking the whole series because I couldn't get over how unlikeable some of the characters were. When I started Secret Garden, I thought "Oh great another story about a bratty rich guy who traumatizes his girlfriend into liking him... I bet the female lead looks like she's strong and then becomes a blubbering wimp or insensitive ice queen." I could have not been MORE WRONG. OK some may watch episode one and say...well sure looks like it to me! ...but it's not. This is how BoF should have tackled the rich boy/poor girl love story.

OK to be fair I was not a big Joo Won fan for most of the series (His character alone made me question the series as a whole). Surprisingly the one who enchanted me was Gil Ra Im, and the adorable Oska! <3 I stuck with the series because it was refreshing to see the leading lady bite back when Joo Won was being a jerk. When he hurt her she would tell him, and she never gave in to his sharp remarks, and eventually Joo Won realized the power of his own words and slowly opened himself to loving her. When you fall in love and root for a character you once disliked, that's the power of great story telling. What is more amazing about this drama, even though it followed some typical Kdrama conventions it did so in a way that you were surprised and shocked that they worked in some big revelations. It brought out the true meaning of 'destiny' and it made the series as a whole more heartfelt and touching.

The switching bodies theme...I thought "eeeeeeh this will be needless and over the top" but it was really well done! At first it took some getting used to, but it actually made for some of the more touching moments in the story, and the funniest. Joo Won swooning over Oska made me laugh to tears. Lastly, I find one of the biggest faults with many dramas is the story always feels like it tapered off without thought at the very end. I loved that Secret Garden tied up all the loose ends in the most touching of ways. It felt complete to me, and it made me feel like the love experienced in the stories was true and sincere.

Overall, those of you who watch the first couple of episodes and are not impressed, I say stick with it! You'll be glad you did. All the characters are wonderful to watch and develop into three-dimensional people that you'll root for and cheer on! It's a fantastic love story that makes you want to find your soulmate. :D

Hyun Bin is a spoiled executive who is terse and indifferent to his staff until he falls for ordinary poor stunt woman Ji-Won Ha. She is amazing in this roll and very believable as a stunt woman. It comes with all the usual problems of a romance between people of different classes. There are a number of amusing side stories and a criss cross of the two main characters which adds to the humour. Well paced and written to amuse and hold your attention to see if the star crossed lovers will be happy in the end.

I'm from the UK so didn't get to see this on Netflix until last year but having enjoyed watching I've just watched again. Love the action and humour between the characters and also the opportunity of viewing Korean culture and scenery. The only criticism I have now watching it the second time around is for me, a bit of chemistry lacking between male and female leads, otherwise, very well acted

Secret Garden is delightful with two of Korea's best actors and two of the best writers and directors. It hits all major points in KDrama romance and fantasy but also carries a strong theme about the power of unconditional love. My only quibble is the evil mother figure that becomes a staple in Korean drama. Really tired of it. But everything else I love and have watched the series over through the years-which I never do with American series. Nine years later, I still don't think Hyun Bin has matched that performance. Strongly recommended. [Correction: in 2020, he matches it in "Crash Landing"]

I thought that show was really good. It made me feel happy, sad and mad in a good way. I liked the fact that the women and the dude switched bodies throughout this story. It was a fun twist to add to other wise pretty normal romance story. It made the show a little bit differnce then most stories. Everything that happened made sense and didn't seem out of place. It really shows the the director cares about this story. The actors and actresses did a good job on acting. The hair, clothes and makeup was done very well. The script was written well. I would recommend the show to anyone.