Fan reviews: Friends

gorgeousxoxo · 1 Aug 2011

The simplicity and mood for this movie are just wonderful. Definitely enjoyed this drama. I love the fact that this was both Japanese and Korean. I really got some insight on how the differences really are bigger than outsiders (me) think.

mrsmith10 · 10 Dec 2010

Great drama. If you like Won Bin or Fukada Kyoko this is a must see. The characters have solid development and it's a heartwarming story about love that knows no boundaries. The dialog can be a bit clanky at times but it's understandable considering the language barrier between the two main actors. Still, Kyoko and Won Bin did a great job together and had good chemistry. The theme song is beautiful to.

ester_grace · 28 Nov 2010

What a beautiful drama with good ending though, a touching one though.

Susan · 2 Apr 2009

If you're wondering what Korean dramas are like, Friends is essentially a Korean drama condensed down into 4 episodes (on average they last for 16-24). This series followed the same back and forth and back and forth romance seen in just about every kdrama I have watched, which is not something I always enjoy. In this case, it was an alright love story which thankfully only last 4 episodes (I would have stopped if it had been longer), but I did not particularly enjoy either Fukada Kyoko or Won Bin. They competed on screen for the "most annoying cute and innocent" award and that got on my nerves. Props to Fukada for some passable Korean, but she needed to learn how to act first. I don't know if she's gotten any better since this (7 years is a long time)... One can only hope.

jed_ka · 11 May 2008

It 4 episodes, but they tell so much love and passion,
A male Koreans and a female Japan who meet by chance! And even accidentally fall!

A crazy story but a wonderful story!

Wynter · 6 Feb 2007

I liked the premise of this drama, but I really think they should have made it longer. Parts of it were too chopped up and there were parts that definitely needed fleshing out. For example, the two leads learned Korean/Japanese way too quickly. This needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Chi Ten spent two years in the army, but it only felt like a few months. When Chi Ten learned that Tomoko was working in Seoul, his feelings needed to be exploredc instead of him running off to see her once again. I mean, the two hadnft seen each other in two years, but their reunion seemed so commonplacec as if it had only been a week since they had last walked/talked with each other. Their transition from lovers, to friends, to lovers again was too fast. Itfs hard to tell just how long theyfre actually apart before they meet again, and I think this distance is important to emphasize in order to make the constant departures work. They werenft emphasized at all.

Although Fukada is a very pretty girl, I have never been a fan of her acting. My opinion didnft change after watching this drama. She expressions for different emotions were all the same so it was hard to tell just what her character was feeling. It was really hard to watch her gpretendh shefs struggling with the Korean language. The male lead wasnft any better. This was my first experience with Won Bin and I was immediately attracted to his good looks. However, the more I watched, the more I realized that he, too, isnft a very good actor. Mind you, I havenft seen any of his other works, but I was not at all impressed with his acting in this drama.

In all, this drama wasnft completely terrible and I really did like the concept. I think making it a full 10-12 episode series really would have helped the development of the plot.

rendy_pranadithya · 25 Nov 2006

a good drama which is performing 2 great actor and actreess

Battle48 · 29 Oct 2006

EXELENT drama; Iy's sshort be give us hope back. If you watch in one day you will make this day one of the bests in you life. The plot is sometime a bit predictable, BUT sometimes we forecast something that would have been predictable/that could very likely have hapened and it's finally different and surprising. Very touching a beautifull long distance and foreign relationship. simply marvelous !!

Shindou · 15 Apr 2006

Aside from a bumpy start with rather weak acting by Kyoko, the main idea of this short series was definitely unique. Won Bin was well cast and the supporting cast did an OK job though there were definitely places for improvement. Kyoko redeemed herself somewhat towards the second half and should be commended for her effort in speaking Korean. Overall, it might have been better to extend the dorama and build more tension with the father instead of ending with a typically fairy-tale and probably unrealistic ending.

hawkz714 · 13 Dec 2005

really sweet nice story..both person kyoko n won bin are sooo cute...

Marika-Chan · 28 Aug 2005

i love this drama since i watch it on tv. now i have brought the vcd and i like to watch it when i have nothing to do..its a love story between a japanese girl and a korean guy. i love won bin here and i recently a fan of kyoko fukada when i watch this drama. anyway hope to see more collaboration between japanese and korean drama.

Lynn9 · 18 Jul 2005

seen this one. a good chemistry between the actor n the actress. love both of 'em.

sachi · 7 Dec 2004

I actually watched this series because of Fukada Kyoko. I think she did a good acting at Kamisama, mou sukoshi dake and I was curious about her new work. I found out she's not so good at all, she's cute, she's sweet and can act sometimes, but she's too cheesy.
The story is too predictable, there's nothing original in this show, which makes it boring sometimes.
But... it's a good show. Watchable.

johuth · 17 Nov 2004

This drama is pretty good its just realy short and I do like that it shows conflect between these two cultures. But it was Fukada Kyoko was in her common type role but it is a very good series. I Won Bin is also a good actor he did realy good with this role. Watch and make your own ideas about this korean-Japanese drama

ameba · 28 Sep 2004

i just finished this drama.

it's very interesting, just seeing the differences beetwin the two countries, and how they carried their love.

justo termine de ver esta serie, me resulto genial.
4 episodios muy intensos, muy romanticos y muy educativos.
no sabia que podia haber tantas diferencias entre ambos paises, el esfuerzo de tomoko por aprender koreano me parecio increible!
muy recomendable!

Zie75 · 24 Aug 2004

Chemistry between Fukada and Won Bin not suitable and both of them act emotionless.

Lancome · 10 Aug 2004

Hoi, the material from which they started from is awesome stuff. Episodes one and two are outstanding and if they would have held up the standard so far this (second time I think) short cooperation between Korea and Japan would have gotten a rating of 10 from me.
Especially the actrice Fukada, Kyoko is very convincing (and I am not saying that because I am a male) in her blushing and slowly closing her eyes at the right moments to catch her "prey" (actor Won Bin).

Fazit:
I must say this is the right Series to start your "J-Drama-Career" because it totals only four but very good episodes and not like all the others with 10- 11. Furthermore I support the drawing closer of those two countries which had their share of conflicts prior the World Championship in Soccer.
"Frieden" and One World !

rinarina · 8 Aug 2004

Wow this is one of the best drama that south Korea and Japan made. Just look at the main cast (Kyoko and Won Bin), they are really perfect to played their characters. Too bad the ending is too short.

Jaded butterfly · 10 Jul 2004

This is a really sweet drama ... i wasnt expecting much since i was only watching it for Won Bin but it was really good!!! i would recommend it since it isnt just a simple love story, it deals with achieving your dream and racisim ... it sounds lame and cheessy but the way it deals with these issues isnt ... and Won bin is cute in it!!!! lol!

Larc · 6 Jul 2004

Fukada Kyoko can't act! There is not much happening in this drama. No wonder there are only 4 episodes. I'm sure some girly girls may think it is a sweet and cute drama but it REALLY is cheesy. It's like a half an hour TV show where the problem is solved right away. It would be better if they both at least knew how to speak English! I think that's how it should be if it's going to be a Korean/Japanese relationship drama; that'd be more believable and viewable. In reality, those two would not work out, especially if it were to be a long term relationship. They were just attracted to each other's looks! There's no way it has to be personality, they can't even understand each other and were apart many times. And please, don't give me this love-at-first-sight-fate-destiny crap. Okay, I'll be nice and say it's not terrible (as I did watch it until the end, I only comment on dramas until I watch the whole series.) but it's DEFINITELY not great either. I think people that gave high ratings are biased, and are just rating on the cast itself, because it has this Won Bin or whatever, they give it a high rating. But I on the other hand, rate it as it is. If you haven't seen it then you're really not missing out much.