Title: Secret Garden
Genre: Romance
Episodes: 20
Network: SBS
Air date: November 2010 - January 2011
Cast:
Hyun Bin - as Kim Joo Won, the CEO of a top department store. He is arrogant and used to getting his way. He's claustrophobic but kept it a secret to everyone. He's a cousin of a top star which is why he went to a movie set where he met Gil Ra Im. It's love at first sight for him, but he don't want to acknowledge the feelings at first. He always gets this sense of wanting to protect her, that only proves that he does love her.
This drama renewed Hyun Bin's popularity once again. He played Kim Joo Won well and made it believable that you can't help but love him. I think the off cam chemistry between him and Ha Ji Won also helps because the comfortable relationship they have flowed through the drama. I still think being too thin doesn't suit him though, but still good looking nonetheless. =)
Ha Ji Won - as Gil Ra Im, a poor stuntwoman that is proud of the work she does. She lost her father, a fireman, while saving a person in a burning building. She found out later that the person her father saved is Kim Joo Won. She's also a big fan of Oska, Joo Won's cousin, that only made Joo Won become more aggressive in winning her over.
I know lots of girls watched this drama and fell head over heels over Hyun Bin. But in my case, I totally love Ha Ji Won from episode one! She's perfect as Gil Ra Im, gorgeous but not mindful of her beauty. She's a natural actress and so adorable off cam. I only have good words for her so I won't continue, I so love her and I'm a total fan! ^^
Yoon Sang Hyun - as Oska, a top star not only in Korea but in other countries as well. He had a failed relationship when he was young that left a deep scar in his heart. This caused him to become a playboy and not be able to get into a serious relationship. He was surprised to learn that the person that broke his heart is going to marry his cousin. This made him realize that he still loves her.
At first I thought Yoon Sang Hyun playing a playboy top star wouldn't work, but after watching, I think he did quite well. Because thinking of playboy, first thought that came to my mind is someone young, tough and a bad boy. But then he has to be older than Hyun Bin which made the character more difficult to mold. So I would give props to the casting director for making it believable.
Kim Sa Rang - as Yoon Seul, an ambitious woman that aims to marry the most eligible bachelor that is Joo Won. She also happens to be the first love of hallyu star, Oska, Joo Won's cousin that is more like a big brother to him. She had a bad break up with Oska due to a big misunderstanding. Getting closer to Joo Won helped her see Oska again that led to clear things up and renew their feelings for each other.
She played a villain role but I think it's a bit bland. Maybe because her character has too much going on, she's supposed to be bad but still good inside. But I'm not saying that she's bad, because I didn't really cringe whenever she appears on screen. So I think she did okay. =)
Summary:
Kim Joo Won took it upon himself to make Oska renew another contract as endorser of their department store. But because of Oska's scandals, he had to go see the actress that threatened to show their pictures to the media. But he mistakenly took Gil Ra Im instead she never left his mind since then.
One day when they were out of town, Joo Won and Ra Im walked into the forest and met lady owner of a small restaurant that gave them flower wine. They both drank the wine and with the rain came their changed personalities. Joo Won became Ra Im and Ra Im became Joo Won. I personally didn't like the switching because it made me dizzy trying to look for Joo Won's characteristics in Ra Im and vice versa. But I guess it's a nice twist to make the drama different from norm.
The big test came when Ra Im fell into coma and Joo Won went to face the storm to take her place. He wrote a long letter while crying, telling her that she won't be his little mermaid, she will not become bubbles because he loves her. Since it's a fantasy infused drama, they eventually both survived the coma and lived happily ever after. ^_^
It's a feel good drama that gave me what it offered, it made me feel good after watching it. =) I love that it's not too hard on the drama but can still touch my heart. The actors also played a big part which made the whole project a success. One of the nicest dramas I've watched lately. ^^
Rating: 9/10
Watch online >>
Secret Garden w/ English subtitles
