MOVIE REVIEW: PLAYFUL KISS

Playful Kiss is one of the Korean romantic dramas that make you laugh, cry, get frustrated, and eagerly watching till the end. The series is based on the Japanese manga, and is about a very happy and kind girl named Oh Ha-Ni, and a smart boy named Baek Seung-Jo. Though they are very dissimilar, they are always together.

The narrative starts with Oh Ha-Ni's growing infatuation with the smartest students in school, Baek Seung-Jo. Then she finds the courage to write him a love letter, but he rebuffs her in an awkward, chilling manner. It's even more interesting when Ha-Ni's house gets wrecked, and she is taken in by Seung-Jo's family. After that, their lives intertwine and the results are plenty of funny, emotional and romantic moments.

I really liked the casual and fun vibe of Playful Kiss. The drama is not intended to be too serious. Instead, it is about love, friendship, family and self-development. Many scenes were funny, because no matter how many times Ha-Ni was rejected, she was determined and pushed forward.

Probably the best part of the show is the character of Oh Ha-Ni. She's an energy-rich, hard-working and kind girl, although not the smartest. I couldn't help but feel proud of her as she constantly strives to get better. She demonstrates that it takes more than just intelligence to succeed; it takes persistence and courage as well.

Baek Seung-Jo, however, is a very intelligent, cold person. Sometimes I found him irritating as he appeared to be very cold and insensitive. As the plot unfolds, however, viewers start to perceive another side of him. Little by little, he begins to pay attention to others around him, namely Ha-Ni. It was interesting to see his character evolve, which was part of the drama.

One of the best aspects of the show is the chemistry between the two leads. But their relationship isn't flawless; there are times when viewers wonder what Ha-Ni is doing with his life. Nonetheless, their bond brings about numerous delightful moments which engage the audience's emotions.

The other characters in the story are also quite appealing. Ha-Ni's friends are loyal and fun to watch, and the family members offer numerous humorous scenes. In particular, the mother of Seung-Jo often brings him laughter with her playful personality, and her wish for the two young people to meet each other.

I believe that character balance would have been more effective in one aspect of the drama – specifically in the character of the dog. The plot is sometimes a bit repetitive as it's about Ha-Ni chasing Seung-Jo. I at times wished that Ha-Ni had had more chances to pursue her own dreams and independence. For some viewers, it might also be hard to accept Seung-Jo's coldness at some parts of the story.

Playful Kiss is still a charming romantic drama, though with its drawbacks, it continues to be a favorite among fans years after its release. It's a film of comedy, love and feelings making it easy to watch. The series is a reminder to the viewers that people can change and grow with love, patience and understanding.

Overall, I found Playful Kiss to be a sweet and entertaining drama. It's not flawless, but it has many moments and scenes to remember. The drama is worth watching if you like romantic stories with lots of humor, school life and personal growth.

My Rating: 8/10 ⭐

Playful Kiss is a fun romantic drama with adorable characters, witty moments and a touching story that continues to resonate with people across the globe.