Reviews

SPOILERS - It's quite sad that this had such an unsatisfying ending, as I enjoyed the uncertainty and issues the two main characters each had to deal with and work around to be together in this love story. Plus Jojo & Sun Oh had great chemistry and I worried that they would somehow take a sharp left turn right in the last two eps to put her with his best friend. However, what they do is leave you hanging not knowing, with both guys triggering her love alarm to confirm their feelings for her, but you don't know if she loves either of them or both? Ambiguous is one thing, but this was a pure slap to the face of the viewer. Maybe they plan to "continue" the story in a second season, but this particular story was stretched to the limit just to make eight episodes, so not interesting enough for another season, but hey, just tell us if either of the two guys alarms went off, or neither....that's all!....leave what the three of them do with that info up in the air if you want, that's fine, but give us something..... ...oh well...

*update* - after finishing season 2, your worse fears were realized. Sorry, but nothing about the pairing of Jojo with Hye Yeong made sense. The original premise and 1st season were good up until the cliff-hanger ending that lasted two years. Then we get a shorter 2nd season (6 eps), and very unsatisfying ending. Ultimately, Jojo is "damaged" & has some serious issues, considering the decisions she made and why...Sun Oh is actually better off without her and her emotional baggage. He just doesn't realize it yet, but he will.

This is bit different than most K-dramas you'll see, as there is very little humor, and the awkwardness feels realistic. A young man & woman meet by chance, and share an immediate connection, yet try to ignore it. Both have complicated circumstances, (including a boyfriend for her) yet fate keeps bringing them into contact with each other, til they agree to be friends.

It's not exactly smooth sailing, and many obstacles along the way, but it's an interesting look at two people who have their reasons to have given up on true love & idea of a soulmate, yet that desire is find these things is awakened. That's all I can say without spoiling anything, but worth your time!

One interesting note, is that the director and half of the cast in this series are directly from "Something in the Rain", if you happened to have seen that one on Netflix. I did and enjoyed that one as well, and to be honest, it took me a little while to get used to all of these actors I knew so well as different characters from that drama in this new story. But, once I did, it felt strangely comfortable and I got used to seeing them as someone else.

Anyway, If you are used to American mini-series, it takes some getting used to most k-dramas that take their time building their story, but once you've gotten deep into the story by episode 5 or 6, you'll appreciate the slower pace.

I really can't say anything bad about this film, but it doesn't quite live up to it's potential either. The plot is very simple, and pretty much described in the synopsis or plot summary. The son of a U.S. coffee importer is sent to Columbia to meet with their supplier, and when he is forced to deal with a number of delays, ends up spending a few days with the supplier's daughter who shows him around the surrounding countryside.

The scenery, including charming towns and countryside is beautiful, as these two offspring of the business owners share memories of their childhood, while enjoying their adventures, and slowly warming to each other. There are no big plot twists, or shocking moments, it's really a simple story about two people who wouldn't normally meet, thrown together because of circumstances and start to develop feeling for each other. There is some chemistry, and the dialogue between the two mostly feels genuine and realistic. Worth mentioning that the musical score feels authentic for the location, and adds to the overall lighthearted mood of the film.

A couple of final notes; this was a low-budget independent film, so as such, there are certain limitations here. The two actors are fine, but I would have liked to seen a little more flirtatiousness between them, more awkward sensual moments, where something almost happens, etc. I understand understated or subtlety, but it could have had a tad more sensuality. One very petty note too, the guys hair was a mess and somewhat distracting for a while. I've seen pics of the actor for other projects where it was neater, so this had to be intentional. It looked like his hair had never seen a comb or a brush, sorry...lol.

Still, I would recommend this if the synopsis appeals to you, it may very well be your kind of movie. For what it is, it's not a bad way to spend just over 90 minutes with these two likable characters.

I remember this film very well and always had mixed feelings about it. Since my earlier viewings of it years ago, I have learned a little more about what changes were made, and re-shot, having to do largely with protecting, and also projecting a certain image of Ann-Margaret at the time, who was considered a rising star with the studio. First, this film should have made Michael Parks a star, as his work here is outstanding. He was criticized by some as being a James Dean wannabe, in mannerisms and his method acting style, but I honestly feel whatever similarities there may have been were coincidental and unintentional on his part. He was naturally charismatic, and could show great intensity when called for, and also had a gifted sense of humor, and could also be genuinely charming. The film starts out well enough, with his returning home after his hitch in the Navy, he is greeted warmly by his hero-worshiping little sister, played to perfection by Kim Darby. He is then told by his concerned mother that his old girlfriend is now married, and to an older, wealthy and important man in town. Other than an uncomfortable and inevitable confrontation at some point that should have been it regarding the old girlfriend, but, due to her desire and need to still be adored by him, and his inability to let her go and move on, this theme dominates the rest of the film, even though subsequent scenes between them are somewhat erratic and awkward feeling. The better film could have seen him slowly pursue a new relationship with the beautiful, vulnerable, yet troubled Janet Margolin character, who is his sister's best friend and whom you feel some initial chemistry when they first meet. As he struggles to find himself and adjust back to civilian life, this would have made a sweeter, more compelling, and less confusing and more fulfilling story. But then again, they would not have had someone like A-M in a minor role of the old girlfriend, who they were pushing to be the next big thing. Ann Margaret herself said the original film as shot was much different and less confusing, as her character was first portrayed as mean-spirited and almost evil, and certainly less sympathetic than the re-shot scenes would leave one to believe. Although still different that the ideal version I had imagined, at least it would have made more sense than the way they decided to go with this final released version. Even still, through the confusing story lines and other plot inconsistencies, it is a still a very worthwhile watch. Michael Parks does a great job with what he's given, and creates a very likable and interesting character in Bus Riley, and Ann-Margaret for her part, looks beautiful and shows a lot of emotion, though most of her scenes have her come across as very childish, self-absorbed and unstable, which also make their continued relationship seem even more strange and awkward. Janet Margolin also gives a very nice, yet subtle performance here, but sadly was somewhat wasted, as she was capable of so much more. Kim Darby also shines as Bus's happy go lucky little sister, who helps brighten the overall optimistic feel of the film. What you end up with here is a group of impressive young performances, but in a flawed yet still interesting story, and even though it is ultimately entertaining, you can't help but feel like most will come away with their own ideas of how this little film could have been so much more.