This was the first time ever I have seen so many nice and competent characters in one show.
There were no fewer than 12 people, male and female, who were kind and perfectly capable at their jobs and had a lot of screentime. I enjoyed watching their scenes a lot more than the main storyline.
Unfortunately, every single thing related to the two main leads, and the weird subplots, was badly timed and executed. Every information, every emotion, every line, seemed out of order and confusing. It resulted in me forming no connection, investment, or interest in them at all. Nothing about these two had the emotional punch that it should have, completely missing the point every time. I only enjoyed watching them when they were with other people. Their first kiss scene, and the cute last episode were the only things that redeemed them to me.
ON THE OTHER HAND, everything about the other characters was so on point and hit the spot perfectly every time! How is that possible! It was like there were two separate writers, one for the 2 main leads storyline, and one for the rest of the cast.
About the weirdly out of place and badly done subplots, (the mother, the antifans, the enemies, the housekeeper, the dead friend, the retired manager, etc), the writer had pulled a very obvious inspiration from Wild Romance in the beginning. There were too many similarities which at first kind of bugged me, and then made me wish they had learned more from their inspiration! They blew every one of them ridiculously, each just fizzling out in a whimper.
But one of the things that they did excellently was creating 3 male characters that made me fall for, wish for as a friend, and dread as an adversary. Lawyer Do, manager Kang, and director Choi were all men you would dream to have on your side, but would be terrifying as an enemy.
Han Byul’s business side was well done too. I really loved watching her be awesome at her job.
Tae Sung and Lawyer Do’s bromance, Lawyer Do’s romance, Director Choi and Manager Kang’s bromance, were all highlights of the show for me.
And I have to nominate the scene between Lawyer Do, his brother, and Reporter Choi as the funniest and loveliest scene this year!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s really an ensemble cast that shone brightly for me in this one. Contrary to you, I found the main couple lovely, too. I might have developed some soft spot for the actor KYD. But yes to the rest. I commented somewhere that the workplace atmosphere at that agency is soooo good and so supportive- something so rare in Kdramaland.
Hahaha good comparison! I half expected Yuunaa’s manager to be a nasty rival but he turned out nice to the end.. which makes me wonder why it’s so ingrained in us to expect the worst, be it in people or story.
I really like and enjoy Shooting Stars with its lovely romances and characters. Somehow it is a strange case that the parts are greater than the sum that dislodge it from becoming a great romcom – but those characters are adorable and wholesome.
I was surprised by how much I loved this drama. The sub-plots were all over the place and so unnecessary, but I somehow still loved it. I think you’re right – the characters were on point so the plot didn’t matter so much! I mean, they were all good at their jobs and were nice people… I want more dramas with these guys!
Isn’t it? It was such a bliss having so many likable characters on screen! We don’t need to see a lot of evil or grey characters on screen everyday since we can see that a lot irl already!
Midnight
January 10, 2023 at 8:58 PM
I finished Shooting Stars.
This was the first time ever I have seen so many nice and competent characters in one show.
There were no fewer than 12 people, male and female, who were kind and perfectly capable at their jobs and had a lot of screentime. I enjoyed watching their scenes a lot more than the main storyline.
Unfortunately, every single thing related to the two main leads, and the weird subplots, was badly timed and executed. Every information, every emotion, every line, seemed out of order and confusing. It resulted in me forming no connection, investment, or interest in them at all. Nothing about these two had the emotional punch that it should have, completely missing the point every time. I only enjoyed watching them when they were with other people. Their first kiss scene, and the cute last episode were the only things that redeemed them to me.
ON THE OTHER HAND, everything about the other characters was so on point and hit the spot perfectly every time! How is that possible! It was like there were two separate writers, one for the 2 main leads storyline, and one for the rest of the cast.
About the weirdly out of place and badly done subplots, (the mother, the antifans, the enemies, the housekeeper, the dead friend, the retired manager, etc), the writer had pulled a very obvious inspiration from Wild Romance in the beginning. There were too many similarities which at first kind of bugged me, and then made me wish they had learned more from their inspiration! They blew every one of them ridiculously, each just fizzling out in a whimper.
But one of the things that they did excellently was creating 3 male characters that made me fall for, wish for as a friend, and dread as an adversary. Lawyer Do, manager Kang, and director Choi were all men you would dream to have on your side, but would be terrifying as an enemy.
Han Byul’s business side was well done too. I really loved watching her be awesome at her job.
Tae Sung and Lawyer Do’s bromance, Lawyer Do’s romance, Director Choi and Manager Kang’s bromance, were all highlights of the show for me.
And I have to nominate the scene between Lawyer Do, his brother, and Reporter Choi as the funniest and loveliest scene this year!
mmmmm
January 10, 2023 at 9:38 PM
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s really an ensemble cast that shone brightly for me in this one. Contrary to you, I found the main couple lovely, too. I might have developed some soft spot for the actor KYD. But yes to the rest. I commented somewhere that the workplace atmosphere at that agency is soooo good and so supportive- something so rare in Kdramaland.
Midnight
January 10, 2023 at 9:40 PM
That workplace was exactly like a kdrama boyfriend, giving false expectations to the younger generation 😂
parkchuna ❤️🍉
January 11, 2023 at 2:53 AM
Hahaha good comparison! I half expected Yuunaa’s manager to be a nasty rival but he turned out nice to the end.. which makes me wonder why it’s so ingrained in us to expect the worst, be it in people or story.
Midnight
January 11, 2023 at 3:39 AM
Yuna’s manager was quite a nice surprise. His bickering friendship with manager Kang was very mature and heartwarming.
I don’t know about it being ingrained. They did set us up to assume the worst by introducing him in a very unflattering light in the beginning.
parkchuna ❤️🍉
January 11, 2023 at 4:00 AM
Ok maybe not ‘us’ but just me 😆
And also the intro, I don’t really remember the details .
mmmmm
January 11, 2023 at 5:47 AM
Yoooooooooooooooooona
Gosh I miss him and his way of calling her. One of my fave side characters for sure
Kurama
January 10, 2023 at 10:41 PM
The elevator scene with Tae-Sung, Lawyer Do and Reporter Choi was hilarious!
mmmmm
January 10, 2023 at 11:01 PM
Tae-sung was gobsmacked riding the same elevator together with them down in the morning!
Kurama
January 10, 2023 at 11:15 PM
And he was worried for his Latte 🤣
PYC
January 11, 2023 at 5:39 AM
I really like and enjoy Shooting Stars with its lovely romances and characters. Somehow it is a strange case that the parts are greater than the sum that dislodge it from becoming a great romcom – but those characters are adorable and wholesome.
Midnight
January 11, 2023 at 9:59 AM
This is exactly what happened with Flower of Evil for me.
Jance
January 11, 2023 at 9:34 AM
I was surprised by how much I loved this drama. The sub-plots were all over the place and so unnecessary, but I somehow still loved it. I think you’re right – the characters were on point so the plot didn’t matter so much! I mean, they were all good at their jobs and were nice people… I want more dramas with these guys!
mmmmm
January 12, 2023 at 2:09 AM
Isn’t it? It was such a bliss having so many likable characters on screen! We don’t need to see a lot of evil or grey characters on screen everyday since we can see that a lot irl already!
korfan
January 12, 2023 at 8:03 AM
I’m slowly working my way through this one!