I got introduced to the manhwa "July Found by Chance" through this adaptation and fell head-over-heels in love with it with my first reread. It's simply a story that has charms and overall quality.
While Extra-ordinary You was initially fun to watch, it pales in comparison to its source material. The manhwa essentially has a very different story from the drama adaptation. Against the manhwa, many changes were made in the drama. But in my opinion, it doesn't make it any better. Here's why.
• The concept of creator and "heads & tails" (in the manhwa)
In the drama, the characters did not have any physical control over their body during a "stage" and yet characters not involved in a particular scene could change the scene as they liked (like Haru). When this happened, the story would get altered both in the comic and the comic world. In reality, though, it would be nothing more than characters switching places/dialogues.
The creator was never shown in the drama. Apart from the fact that each major interference in the plot was noticed and later addressed by the creator, there was no presence of the "omnipotent writer". It was almost like a fleeting existence that assigns a fate to each character and that's it. In the manhwa, there were snippets of the "real world" showing people reacting to the comic and the writer reaching out to readers through FAQs. I think it would have added to the appeal if the drama did not just focus on the in-comic, but also the outside-of-the-comic world. In that sense, Extra-ordinary You's worldbuilding was crap.
The "stage & shadow" aspect was handled much better in the manhwa, where there were at least ground rules regarding heads (stage) and tails (shadow). During a head, no character involved could leave or act voluntarily. So even if there was active interference, the result in the heads would not change. It could be delayed due to tails but never changed.
• Characters
Eun Danoh: A character stripped of her originality and butchered over time. One reason why the drama Danoh was a bad character was how she loses her grit over time and becomes all about romance and Haru. The original Danoh was mature and thought far ahead. After realising the truth behind Squid Fairy's story, she recovered quickly and instead of pulling the "change my fate" card like a spoilt princess, she admitted it as an inevitability. She probably knew that it was more than enough for her having lived through so many surgeries despite being so ill. And in the drama? She refuses to admit the reality and vows to undo all the miracles that kept her alive so far; only to get back at the writer. Fair much?
Haru: He was turned from an incredibly understanding and sensible person to a simp who could see nothing beyond his feelings for Danoh.
Dohwa: Not only his story but his entire concept changed. I like the manhwa version better, but I'll let it slide because drama Dohwa was a sweetheart.
Squid Fairy: It's honestly such a shame his original backstory had to be changed.
• Finally, "Secrets" and "Trumpet Creeper". The drama added an element of past life in the plot, which was pretty cool. That is until problems like "where are the secrets?" and "what's the point?" arose.
The one major turnoff was in fact, how poorly the drama was executed. Being a manhwa enthusiast, I was disappointed big time. Not only were the good points taken and twisted, but even the additions to support the remaster were weak. Flat characters, "mediocre at best" acting and lost potential. Could it get any worse? The first few episodes sure had a powerful build-up. Too bad it was thoroughly destroyed due to unnecessary changes to the plot for over-dramatisation.
Now that I've watched the series, I somewhat agree with the popular opinion about this series: lost potential.
I thouroughly enjoyed the course of 12 episodes; there was drama, acting was superb, OST was good, most characters were very well fleshed and lastly, I loved how by the last episode, all of them had built a good dynamic. Knowing about the original story, the drama had noticeable differences (like, making the drama a straight story which it originally wasn't, misleading hints about Soo-hyun's possible crush on somebody, and many more). There were key incidents and characters which could have been utilised to improve the storyline; though it didn't take away from the enjoyment.
For me, this was the kind of drama I could just go in and find myself hooked despite the tropes being used multiple times. I think it was because the other aspects of scenes make it worth watching, no matter how many times. Giving basis to the fabulous chemistry between you-know-who and you-know-who would have made this drama a definite 9.0+ for me. I do agree though, given the MC Jun, “At a Distance, Spring is Green” sure was a healing drama.
This is a drama that nobody should miss, and serves its purpose well. But I guess, don't place your expectations too high.
An ambitious attempt: started off well but the bad writing did it
Season 1 (8/10)
The short series that feels like a gush of fresh air, that I finished watching in a single sitting.
The stage was made with light-hearted events and fulfilling details, and the characters too kept me entertained throughout. I'd say the acting was pretty on point as the two leads made me understand their respective characters, fleshed out and crisply. The music was minimal and alright, and its timing was just right. Many aspects of the series were quite predictable though. I liked how the context of the series tried to normalise bisexuality (or gay) greatly; almost maybe why they did not include the whole "coming out" aspect of BLs.
Season 2 (6/10)
The second half of this season contained more storyline than the entire franchise combined.
I won't consider this a great sequel to its predecessor, at least in terms of overall quality. The first half had no coherence and many scenes had bad tropes/stereotypes, while the second half of it had me taken. By episode 4, I found myself not wanting to continue at all. Yet I saw it through till the end and I didn't regret it.
The acting was superb as always, by both the main leads and the supporting characters. The core story in this season was more mature than the first, and I was pleasantly surprised by the second half. Especially so after the disaster, the first half was. As a result, it felt rushed. The direction and writing for this season could have been better; that was the real bummer. Overall, I am not sure whether I'll re-watch this season, although the story is worth a mention! Besides, the music and cinematography were on point, undoubtedly.
As long as you have some patience with dramas, I think it deserves a chance
Something I loved about the drama was the authenticity of what I watched. I loved how every character was shown as equally empowered regardless of gender, status or personality, till the very last episode. There was this quality of coherence in the script that had me amazed and gave away almost no opportunity to criticise it. The goal of the drama was clear, to offer a thrill and melodrama-filled touching story of an estranged heir, a deceived woman and a big jewellery company. The acting was pretty good, the background music was fun, the cast was cute, and the plot twists for the first time did the job they're supposed to do.
The chemistry between the main leads was so good that at times it made me go like, "I'm gonna recommend this"! Regardless of those outbursts, Fah Mee Tawan is a great example of a drama-studded soap opera
I don't think I'm exaggerating anything though. Although they could have added more songs and the direction could have been better, with the audience base of such a drama, I think it was good enough. I still feel like I should add it to my recommendations (the most recent one being Yumi's Cells), but I'll see.
I think people should give this drama the chance it deserves! Must watch ^^
The starting arc of the drama is of "no comments" importance to me, as it was just an okay pass with all the information it tried to convey, the relationships, fate-stuff, past life things (or the correlation between the godly couple and the main couple here) and the world building. So it wasn't exactly impressive but it wasn't a disaster either, just what I'll expect from an average TV rom-com drama series.
The main spotlight is what happens in the later arc of the drama, when quite literally stuff goes downhill. The story gets mashed up, the romance is abrupted into formation and all the fate related thingies also start to rot my brain cells. Maybe the there was some giffy with the direction here forth, but the abrupt change took me by utter surprise. Imagine a series which is well, good and has got you interested but then suddenly they change the cast. That's the abrupt change I'm talking about.
Not literally that, but the amount of change I felt was similar to what you'll feel in that case. This series was not really a disappointment (not that I had any expectations), but it just had me continuously saying, "Ummmm?" until it ended.
This show is so cheesy! It becomes hard to handle the more I watch. I am leaving it in my "ditched" list because this is one of those pointless shows that are hard to digest.
I wish they could have wrapped the little content that this drama has, in fewer episodes instead of dragging on for the sole purpose of making it look "natural" and "realistically paced". The main cast is boring, and with the unskillful looking acting and childlike psychological anatomies, they want to entertain adults? Gawds, ridiculous.
The so-called chemistry between the main leads is so vague on top of it. The girl as expected, is the super dumb and dense normie and the boy is also the super soft and tsundere handsome demon (oh that's an exaggeration, he's nothing like that instead he's a sweetheart) and the romance between them is also based on basic af tropes (like girl in trouble and ML comes to rescue and shit, while her crush ditches her.... etc. Honestly, could it get any worse?).
By the way, this series was recommended to me by YourWaifuGotNoJam [https://anilist.co/user/YourWaifuGotNoJam/] on Anilist.
I have left this series unrated only because perhaps all of that judgement is what you will brand as my impatience, narrow-mindedness and/or unpopular personal preference. But to let you know (assuming you disagree with me), I am a sucker for BLs-
One can see why I disliked this drama so much
This drama explores the many aspects of school life beautifully and comically, along with of course, the perils and bitter-sweetness of teenage. Yezi's imagination in all episodes has been portrayed in way which will crack everyone up, eventually if not immediately. However, the first season showed more of Ye muxi's (or Yezi, as her brother calls her) relationship with other students of her class and how they overcame many difficulties posed by the other "higher up" classes; yeah, they followed a class hierarchy too. It focuses on how all the students of her class, although initially diverse, ended up finding solace in each other and became united. Cliché way to put it, but it was undoubtedly adorable. I especially loved the bickering between Yezi and Liao Danyi, it reminds me of Tom & Jerry~
The second season was filled with these imaginations of Yezi, like the class fight regarding wearing of the school uniforms was depicted in a group of 6+ episodes. Surely, one needs more than only imagination to pull that off. Also this season ended with a heartbreaking cliffhanger to all shippers of Yezi and Liao Danyi, but again [read the highlight at the end]. The scene where, they indirectly apologize to each other and assure each other that they now understand the former's situation and problems, was heart-touching on an elite level I tell you. It showed how strong their feelings were for each other. My true Tom & Jerry :star_struck:
Although I really don't want to, I have to give it 9 stars. This would be because despite being a great story, for some people it could become boring if they don't appreciate sprouting romances, as was the case with the two leads. Still, as they already mentioned that it wouldn't be one, I would only reduce one heart. Nevertheless, The Big Boss would remain one of my C-favorites!~
In the beginning of the very first episode of this favorite drama of mine, Yezi mentions that this isn't a love story. And true it wasn't one.
