One of the few dramas I enjoyed recently is Secret Garden starred by Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won. It’s far from perfect but it is endearing and romantic and awesome in so many ways. And here are the reasons why I like the Korean drama Secret Garden.
- Hyun Bin as Kim Joo Won – Hyun Bin is clearly one of my favorite Korean if I watched almost all of his dramas and movies. And Hyun Bin as Kim Joo Won? Man, I was blown away by the solid acting. I never knew that he can make me laugh like that with all the craziness and egocentrism. I admit I am not so crazy about the hairstyle and weight loss but you easily forget these things once he delivers his lines as the haughty CEO of LOEL Department Store.
- Ha Ji-won as Gil Ra Im- Ha Ji-won may not be the prettiest Korean actress out there but her acting chops easily trumps the faces of Kim Tae Hee and Song Hye Kyo combined (I know, the jealousy shows
). She can do all sorts of genre…horror, sageuk, drama, comedy, romance…name it! Her eyes are so expressive and she can easily shift from being tough to vulnerable in a heartbeat. And she’s awesome in her fight scenes. It’s all there — the finesse, the fighting form, and the sexy kick-ass costume.
- Classic k-drama plot- I know, Korean dramas tend to use the rich, hot boy meets poor, beautiful girl card because it works every time and Secret Garden is no exception. Here, Hyun Bin is a department store CEO who stalks a struggling stuntwoman (played by Ha Ji-won). How cute is that?
- Awesome supporting cast and characters- If you decide to watch Korean Garden, you’ll like Oska and how he interacts with Seul and Tae Sun. You’ll also think that Secretary Kim is funny especially when he is with Ah Young. And you’ll also love to hate Kim Joo Won’s mom. And before I forget, the guys at the action school are also worth mentioning.
- Amazing scenery- Kim Joo Won (played by Hyun Bin) likes to be surrounded by beautiful things so it’s expect him to live in a gorgeous, very modern house with a sprawling lawn. Kim Joo Won likes to take walks if he has to think things over and the way those scenes were shot, whether it’s snowing or not, just takes your breath away.
- Wonderful Official Soundtrack. There are lots of great songs in the drama, and I know they used many because they released the OST in parts (5?) and there’s even a special OST. I love, love the songs That Woman, Here I Am and You Appear. The Secret Garden OST is now available as well as a number of Secret Garden merchandise and collectible. I want to get my hands on the Secret Garden mugs and desk calendar…RAWR!
- Outrageous costumes and hairstyles- Well, some of the characters in Secret Garden do have the most outrageous clothes and hairstyles. And both men wear clothes that call attention to themselves. Kim Joo Won and Oska have hairstyles that made my eyes roll for the first few episodes. And the rich women like Seul, Oska’s mom, Kim Joo Won’s mom are always elaborately dressed you’d think they drove poor animals to extinction. And they are always so neatly coiffed I assume 2 or 3 hairdresses form part of their regular household staff.
I have listed 7 reasons why I liked the Korean Drama Secret Garden and I’m sure some of few can add a few more. As I’ve said, it’s not perfect as there were scenes and plot devices that were kinda off, but they successfully pieced everything together by the final episode.
Having said that, I hope ABS-CBN purchases Secret Garden. Because to put it bluntly, the drama is a cash cow. Perfect Match doesn’t come close Secret Garden in terms of plot, acting, casting, and production value and it was a hit. Secret Garden is a ratings giant in South Korea and it consistently remained 1st in its timeslot for the last 5 episodes. So I’d be terribly disappointed if ABS-CBN doesn’t get it.
Note: I will update this post with more screencaps.
Don’t forget the unforgettable scene, start with sit-up flirt, capucino kiss, turtle cuddle and party kiss..
Oh my…I should’ve included all four in my list. My fave scenes are the sit-up flirt and cappuccino foam kiss.
Secret Garden was great but Perfect Match was superior in every way except casting (equal) and production values (Secret Garden). I especially take exception with the acting comparisons. I watch a lot of movies and tv from different countries and there is no one under 30 who is better than Son Ye Jin (Julienne)in the acting department.
I love how you just summed this up. It was a good and enjoying drama. And hyun bin shined so brightly, I swear the grin on my face would never leave, until he made me cry that is. But def awesome, drama.
I can’t count the times I picked a random SG episode to watch it for the nth time. Hyun Bin has matured into such a fine young actor and I can’t wait for the day that he gets out of the army.
Right now, I’m waiting for the release of Late Autumn and the movie he did with Lim Soo Jung.
Btw, miss you Leish!
if I’m not mistaken SECRET GARDEN will be aired in GMA
Thank for the heads up, Neri. Now I have to blog about it.
@ BRENDEL…..i loved the cappuccino kiss too, it literally stopped my heart hahaha, the ending was quite believable too that’s why i loved it, and i cried abit at the end, they ended it too sweet, ahhhh i’m gonna watch some eps again
Yes, I think I squealed when I watched that scene.
Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won really has wonderful chemistry that’s why nothing about the drama seemed forced. And I also managed to like Seul in the end because you can see some growth in her character.
it’s on GMA right?not in ABS_CBN
@skyl- I already blogged about it here: http://www.hanmania.com/korean-dramas/secret-garden-to-be-aired-by-gma-this-april/
Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts about SeGa.
Actually, i’m a fan of GMA 7 when it comes to their Asian Dramas. This year, so far, GMA has’nt failed my expectation in airing my favorite Korean dramas – Temptation of a Wife in afternoon slot and The Baker King in the primetime sked.
I love how GMA translates Korean words/conversations to tagalog…got no problem with the voice artists too. In TBK, i would say that the one dubbing the character of KIm Takgu is the best so far.
In SeGa, i do hope that GMA got the best voice artists for Owen (Hyun Bin)and Jamie (HJW). The criticisms that SeGa fanatics have for GMA was the chosen tagalog theme song, Basta’t Kasama Kita as revived by Tween Heartthrob, Jake Vargas. Honestly, i got no problem with it. The song still translates one of those feelings that Owen have for Jamie – Owen, being always there for Jamie.
Just hope SeGa fans who loves ABS-CBN shows would still watch this drama once it aired in GMA on May 2, 2011 : )
secret garden mania will not die it will be forever in our memories everything about secret garden , there haved some been talks that they will make a season 2 of secret garden ,and a movie but depends on how will it progress
SBS has all the great dramas from 201o-2011 ,here are some daemul, secret garden , my nine tailed fox girlfriend ,and the latest is 49 days similar to secret garden you should watch it
i like this very i wish me are you partner
please!! forgive me………….
i like this secret garden because no one’s can be change your life but is that television that you see hmmmm.. it look’s beautyful thank you CONGRATS!!!
I can’t wait to watch the series on GMA. I soo love Hyun Bin. The scenery is soo captivating! Would you know where is the location taken in Hyun Bin’s Home? Thanks
Hi.
Kim Joo-won’s house in Secret Garden is located in Yeoju, Gyeonggido. It was also used as Bae Yong-jun’s vacation home in the hit drama Winter Sonata.
Hi. I am not too excited about the use of a Tagalog theme song because the songs used in Secret Garden are great. And I have always believed that if it ain’t broke, there’s no need to fix it.
As for the voice artists, well, I do hope that GMA found the best ones for Hyun Bin and Ha Ji-won’s characters. I admit they did very well with Baker King.
By the way, thanks for expressing your thoughts.
Everything about her in Personal Taste just didn’t work for me.
i love Hyun Bin your so handsome ilove you very much me and may sister love’s you very very much your movie secret garden it’s so funny and Ha ji won it’s so beautiful and you two of you are so very very good and hyun bin and ha ji won relationship ??
D oh that alright have a nice day love you hyn bin 
D <3
i really like secret garden am a big big fan of yours!i really like hyun bin and hajiwon!
I really love secret garden. i’ve watched it a few times already in korean version with english subtitles. and i really agree with the above reasons why secret garden is the best korean drama ever. i’m just a little disappointed with the tagalog dubbing. but im still gonna watch in tagalog version. i love the soundtracks, especially the version of hyun bin of “that man”.
Either who among of the networks got its franchise as long as it will be aired with tagalog dubbed I will definitely surely watch this.. man.. it was so addictive… my mom got angry with because of this, because I’m watching this again and again, since I bought a CD of this. The Portrayal of each roles was amazing. Hyun Bin… Binnie ♥
Same here. People just don’t get why we’re so obsessed with k-dramas.
already watch SECRET GARDEN for the nth time in DVD nd internet….but when I came home from office still i want to watch in GMA-7 korean drama series…for me it’s the no. 1 korean drama that i’ve seen. a total package story…nothing is a dull moment on every episodes…you will surely love the story. HYUN BIN and HA JI WON have a perfect chemistry. congratulations…hoping for more good movies and korean drama series for HYUN BIN and HA JI WON in the near future.
I can’t say I’m surprised that people are addicted to the Ha Ji Won – Hyun Bin tandem. Both actors really have perfect chemistry.
im also a kdrama fanatic but its the very first drama i get addicted to, when i saw this drama, it really took my heart! i began following the episodes, and watched it over and over and over and over… upto the point where i searched for these actors profiles, previous films, drama, etc. in youtube..
i must admit i really got addicted…after so many years of watching korean dramas.. its the first time i felt this way! hahaha..
hope there will also be secret garden collectibles around..
by the way, do we have that now in Philippines? i haven’t made a research yet..
is this the best you can do? sigurado ka na?….
i miss you Hyun Bin
I love ha ji won ^^
hehehe although,i’m 18 years old. . .
i think everyone too. .
she’s different woman. . .
i know. .
it was so beautiful,right? I love ha ji won ^^ and also hyun bin!!
it was so beautiful,right?
love it!!!!!!!sobra!!!!!
it’s like i want to watch it again and agin but when it is already playing i hate it cause the lines were already memorized…..pero…hahahaha….i end up watching it until the last episode everytime….ADIK!!!!
I love Ha Ji Won, I really want to be with her. I watched this drama twice. From now, one of the main goals in my life is to go to Korea and meet with that prettiest woman. Almost every moment I am thinking about Ha Ji Won!!!
This korean drama is sooooooo addicting… i want to watch it over and over again… by the way, do you guys know where can i buy a CD or DVD of Secret Garden?… every episode is really worth watching..nakakakilig….:D
You can find it here: Store
This drama was amazing to me. I watched it n two days and i’m watching it again already. I’m addicted to Korean dramas now. the recurring song just added to the emotions i was feeling. It was perfect for the scenes. Great acting. i would enjoy seeing these actors and actresses on an international screen. Thank you for really good entertainment.
love the way you described it..
watched it several times, bought an original copy at Singapore, its been two years and i still love it..
i love Ha Ji Won and Hyun Bin.. they look good together, just hope they will end up as a couple.. lol..
watched other Korean drama, love also some of it but for me, Secret Garden is still the best..