A fun drama about ill destined fate, this creepy supernatural show departs from typical romances and gives us a fresh new take on a destiny intertwined with death.
Yoo Philip (Park Shi-Hoo) is a top star actor, blessed with looks and luck wherever he goes but strange occurrences begin to take place when he meets drama script writer, Ji Eul-Soon (Song ji-Hyo) a misfortunate woman with the worst luck. Eul-Soon’s script for a ‘Ghost’s Love Story’ that stars Philip becomes reality, murders and supernatural incidents plaguing Philip and Eul-Soon as a result of her script.
The two discover that their fates are connected, one’s happiness and luck becoming the other’s misfortune and downfall, their polarizing energies in conflict with each other. Death constantly looms over them with ghosts and mysteries forming more unfortunate events. In order for one of them to exist, the other must die and it becomes a tangled mess of a story about two people who are impossibly meant to be.
I have to say, this drama took me by surprise with all of it’s twists and supernatural material that creates a complex eerie tale. There was much talk about the series before it began, the Writer of Lovely Horribly having won a KBS prize from a competition before it was set to be made into a drama. It combines various genres to give us a darker rom-com that ties together with mystery, horror, and supernatural.
It has big ambitions but it’s clear that the story is going to take us on a fun ride as the drama is off to a solid start. The show’s substance is definitely fresh and becomes complex the more you watch, romance taking a backseat during the first couple of episodes as the drama tries to establish various mysterious supernatural elements and stories.
Philip and Eul-Soon share a destined fate that began when they were children, a talisman meant to purify the bad energy a defining factor as to who’s fortunate or not while Philip has his own demons and mysterious story with a woman dressed in white. The sub-story focusing on the talisman was intriguing and an absorbing moment during the episode revealing it so I look forward to the clues surrounding the woman in white to emerge and create another layer of complexity that coincides and contributes to the main storyline.
I’m not sure if the Writer is paying homage to The Woman In White but I like how I can form such correlations since it brings together two works of mystery-horror and gives me an idea of the overall ‘feeling’ the drama is going for. I’m also intrigued by Lee Gi-Kwang’s character Lee Sung-Joon, a young Producer who can see ghosts since his ability intensifies the horror and supernatural as he learns about Philip’s and Eul-Soon’s ill destined fate; he’s not just some sympathetic second male lead.
While I’m discussing characters, another thing that was a pleasant surprise was how well Park Shi-Hoo can do comedy. I love this new leap from the typical K-drama lead that’s cool and collective to this top star who’s clumsy and a complete wimp, practically being the definition of it. Park Shi-Hoo’s a scene stealer when it comes to comedic moments and I’m genuinely impressed and enjoy each and every one of them.
I’m not sure where to place Song Ji-Hyo since her acting has never really resonated with me personally (I’m a massive Running Man fan so I adore her outside of the drama world) but I think this is a great fit for her since it’s somewhat close to her natural persona. Eul-Soon is independent, strong, and fearless when it comes to helping others and Ji-Hyo definitely portrays that with a sense of ease and I’m not mad at the results I’ve seen in two weeks worth of episodes.
The pacing is steady with the pilot episode being slightly more faster. The drama has a standard form of production as far as cinematography goes and is even reminiscent to Master’s Sun, resembling its effects of the supernatural. What’s truly compelling about this show is its unique story, setting it apart from anything else currently airing or from dramas with similar genres. It shouldn’t be left under your radar and is definitely worth the time to check out even if it might not be your cup of tea.
I hope the merging of strong genres brings this show great results with its quirky characters and distinct script!
Release Date: August 13, 2018 (Eng Sub available on Viki)
Anonymous
I don't want to watch a rapist. No thanks
kiwilove
I am planning on watching it after Ashes of Love cuz Kiki and Eunjung is in it!!
Sunny
Same!
Lady Jaye
Me three. I would really like to watch it, but since I can't support Park Shi-hoo, it's a no from me. Shame.
Debra.J
Note: I'm going to leave this (https://www.soompi.com/article/480358wpp/overview-park-shi-hoo-scandal-summary) here for anyone interested in the scandal and would like a summary of it.
I agree with the writer of the article that it's difficult to conclude who's at fault and who isn't although we could debate and argue about it endlessly. Presently, I did consider refusing to write this First Impressions but I don't want to discredit the Production team and Co-Stars of Lovely Horribly who probably thought about casting long and hard before making a decision. I also don't want to discredit Viki or Soompi who license and promote Lovely Horribly as they would never tolerate such heinous behaviour.
As viewers however, we're all free to choose for ourselves what we think is right and who we wish to support. As the writer who published this First Impressions, I only ask people remain respectful to each other and skip it entirely if it's too much for you to read. Thank you!
Anonymous
That is defamation. If he is a rapist why he is not in jail? You should do your research well and know the truth before you say he is a rapist, shame on you for slandering him without knowing the truth! You are no different with that women who wants to black him just for money.
Anonymous
May 9, charges against Park were dropped when the alleged victim withdrew her complaint against him when she was revealed to have been conspiring with her friend to blackmail the actor for money. The actresses friend admitted to police that the two of them had discussed using the situation to threaten him into paying.
he didn't rape her, he was in fact the victim. It was the final court's decision.
Anonymous
Idk about that male lead scandal before. I just want to enjoy this drama. So stop spoiling it for others people here.If you hate that male lead so much even though he doesn't know who you are then you may leave quietly without being koreaboo here.
−
This is why I hate people's reaction when it comes to rape. When someone was accused, people will believe immediately and people start criticizing whether the man is innocent or not without caring about the evidences especially if it is a celebrity. Of course, it is really horrible for the real victims and all rapists around the world should be kept locked up because they are really disgusting. For the celebrities, once they are proven that they are really innocent, like not because he got away from lack of evidence but he was proven that he is not really guilty, people won't believe it and will not be able to move on because this kind of thing will stick to your name until you die. I despised rapists but I can't believe that there are women who can accuse a man so she can get a money out of him (I don't know if this is true about the main lead of him being accused for money, I'm just saying that there are some liars out there who do this) .
Nastassia
Honestly I was a fan of the main actor before the rape scandal and now I feel uncomfortable watching his dramas since I’m still not convinced of his innocence . It’s unfortunate but most persons will still have a tainted view of him due to the scandal .