Monstar (2013)

*CONTIENE spoilers *

He de reconocer que comencé esta serie con muchas ganas. El primer capítulo me atrapó por completo, desde los personajes (una niña-muñeca con una personalidad muy única, un ídolo prepotente que en realidad es mucho más sensible de lo que aparenta, un delegado que jsocvijvoifdjvodv, etc…) hasta la trama. Creí que al fin encontraría una serie que me encantase. Y la verdad es que durante muchos capítulos, lo consiguió y después… bueno, hubo una cosa que me mantuvo viéndola, luego os digo el qué.

Por un lado, tenemos a la protagonista. Al principio me gustaba mucho. Alguien inocente, pero directa y sin miedo. Es el tipo de personaje que me encanta, ¡sin pizca de malicia y sincera! Pero a medida que la serie iba avanzando, había un algo de ella que no me convencía. Pasó de gustarme mucho, a poco a poco ir “cayéndome” peor. Creí que era porque era muy despistada, demasiado centrada en sí misma y sus problemas como para percatarse de si otros a su alrededor lo pasaban mal (sin embargo eso no era del todo así, solo creí que sucedía con las otras dos chicas del grupo, y en realidad todos parecían ir demasiado a la suya sin ver más allá de sus narices. Vamos, personajes bastante egocéntricos diría)… Y al fin, a un capítulo o dos del final, lo vi claro.

¡Era demasiado perfecta! Una Mary Sue (en la literatura, un personaje demasiado idealizado) en toda regla. Ella no se equivoca. Ella todo lo hace bien. Y si no lo hace bien, no pasa nada, porque al fin y al cabo es adorable. Supongo que no me podía sentir identificada con un personaje así, y al final al verla me debatía entre el rechazo y lo monísima que me parecía.

Y claro, llegó un momento en que la historia romántica principal, me aburrió (oh, eso es algo que me sucede bastante). A pesar de la ternura del amor inocente en el cual desemboca la relación de ambos protagonistas, se me volvió soporífero. Me interesaba más el hacer y relaciones entre otros personajes, la evolución de éstos. Sentía que los capítulos avanzaban, no pasaba nada (al menos que fuera relacionado con los protagonistas) y se dejaban personajes muy interesantes y con fuerza de lado. Les dedicaban un pequeño apartado en algún capítulo para solucionar sus problemas, y ya. Y no hablo solo de los que hemos mencionado. Encuentro que también se podría haber sacado más jugo a, por ejemplo, Ma Joon Hee (Moon Yong Suk), el “malo”, malcriado, creído y que se cree el rey del universo pero que oye, al menos es “legal” (me entenderéis si habéis visto el último capítulo)

Las historias de los personajes se dejaban ver como muy duras, dramáticas. Pues lo siento, pero no me lo parecieron demasiado. Y cuando quisieron indagar en muchas de ellas, era tan al final y parecía tan hecho corriendo y deprisa porque o cabía que no acababan de llenarme lo suficiente. Sobre todo, la principal, la de la muerte del padre de Se Yi (genial su interpretación cuando recuerda todo, por cierto). Tanto dar la vara para, al final, eso. Quizá es que a mí se me pasó algo porque no soy demasiado avispada y creo que hubo partes de la serie que me salté (alguna escena que me comentaron y por cosas del destino, no recordaba haber visto…), peeeeeeero en serio, ¿ya está, solo eso? Me esperaba una aclaración de todo. Algo que alguien como yo pudiera entender y tal… Pero vamos, lo dicho, quizá es que no tengo la inteligencia emocional suficiente para entenderlo.
Y el final… una cosa es un final abierto pero… ¿pero eso qué es?

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This has a huge group of talented young people. If they are all truly playing the instruments and singing, then they deserve props for that. I'm not a big fan of high school dramas, but I have watched a few. This puts most of them to shame in the music department. The story is pretty typical for a high school drama...bullies, childhood traumas, first love,etc. However, it was directed like a musical and I enjoyed that. I can't post about the parts I liked, because we aren't supposed to post spoilers. Bummer!!! ;-)

Ha Yeon Soo as Se Yi and Da Hee as NaNa were my favorites. However, I liked all the actors and I thought they all did an excellent job.

The music is outstanding!!! You should watch this drama for that alone.

I will probably rewatch this at some point.

I recommend this drama for all ages.

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I love musicals, and music based dramas, thus my main reason for watching. If you want to hear great music, THIS is the drama of 2013 for it! The greatest thing about Monstar is the OST (though I hope they give us more songs for purchase).

Summary: The acting was good, and surprisingly so with many "newbies" to drama acting. It was nice to see scenes of musicians playing instruments and actually know how to play them... very refreshing. The music, as mentioned before, is top notch. There is a piano duet of J. Pachelbel's Canon that is amazing, as well as a haunting version of Nocturne with just guitar and cello that sticks with you. The story is the weakest link of the drama, which is likely why it was only 12 episodes. It wasn't a bad story, but light and lacking true depth as a drama. This could be best labeled as a light romantic musical drama, but does have entertainment value.

Details: There isn't much to put in the details without spoilers, but I can say that you will likely purchase the OST if you love music. Watching "new" actors was also nice, it gives me a few more people to put on my list of "ones to watch". I have to give a special mention to GLAM's DaHee because her role was awesome and she played it well. I fell in love with her character the most and she just tended to steal scenes when she was in them.

Rewatch value is listed as high as it is because the music will make me watch this again since the OST doesn't include all of it. Should they make all the music spots available for purchase, it would go down I think.

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dissapointed. they put soo much information in the last episode. i felt like there was soo much information and not enough foreshadowing and not enough time to take it in. the episode was just confusing, soo many cliff hangers, there wasnt enough information to interpret meanings. i liked the actors that was good. I didn’t really enjoy the songs in the last episode either, they were just ok. The plot was weak and had a bad closure. all in all i’d give this drama a 6/10. The beginning episodes were good that i had anticipated so much but the end was just didn’t cut it in my opinion. i like high school dramas, but i would definitely not rewatch this again

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I honestly want to get some things of my chest from this drama. First of all i started watching this with the idea it would be an awfull drama, so i didn't expect much, but i was pleasantly surprised at how much i enjoyed this drama. Alot of people had super high expectations and hopes for this drama, i think that's the reason why many don't like it, but it is NOT that bad, yes they could have done so much more with this and there were things left unfinished, there were too many side storys, and some scenes had poor acting, the plot lacked alot, but none the less it is enjoyable. Not to forget this drama was filled with rookies, all in all i think, it's an okay watch, just don't expect to much of a plot.

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as most reviews stated: don't expect much from the story, it's not a disappointment either!

before watching this, know that what your about to watch is something closer to "America's got talent" with a cute high school story, some adorable idols, any many many great songs!

The Actors did a decent job in my opinion, considering that most of them are rookies, but they portrayed good characters I think.


if you're into Kpop and music, then I can grantee that you're gonna enjoy this show. but if you're looking for a rom-com with a great plot, then this isn't your cup of tea.

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*NO SPOILERS*

I started watching Monstar only cause I was curious on Junhyung's acting skills,but after watching the first episode I found my self wanting to watch more.The story is a simple one but the characters are intresting.
Junhyung did a great job with his sassy acting and Dahee really captures the moody feeling.No need to mention Kang Ha Neul's charisma (he alone,can be the reason to watch the show :P).I wasn't very satisfied with the main lead,not Ha Se Yoon's acting ,but Min Se Yi as a character.
The other three members of the drama's "team" are kind of cliche,but the actors did a good work as supporting roles.
This drama isn't a master piece but its definetly GOOD.I was watching it while it was on going and I found myself anticipating to watch the next episodes,that means someone did a good job ;P
If you're looking for an easy going drama to keep you compnay in your free time and leave you with a good feeling this is the one.

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This is a drama to kill some time, but actually it is nothing special.

The story could have been better. But it didn't work out. I thought they should spend more time on each and everyone. Not one or two episodes about one character and their happenings at home.
Also the drama was at sometimes really slow, boring and not entertaining at all.
Also it somehow needed more episodes, well they could have cut the boring parts and put some interesting parts in it.

Also the acting was average, it wasn't outstanding but also not to poor.
The music on the otherhand was very nice! I really liked it and it sounded really good. To bad that was the only great thing about this drama.

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What a disappointment. The drama had great potential in its beginning but sadly lost itself and its direction.
The story isn't that special, and even though they could have turn it into something really great, they chose to slow things down, added useless subplots and instead of being a refreshing teen drama, it just became plain boring.
The drama's 12 episodes format was such a great occasion to focus on just one story and make it excellent (the group's bond, the music they would have made together etc...) but they managed to turn this advantage into a burden. It's like the writers wanted not to leave anyone behind and decided "heck let's have a storyline for every character yayyy". Sadly, as a 12-episode drama, yes you can tell many stories but what's the point if you can't even finish them? The ending felt rushed, and to be honest, it didn't even feel like an ending because of the many questions left unanswered.
The characters weren't likeable, (it's not like we had the time to actually like them) and most of them even became annoying towards the end. If they chose the path of strictly focusing on the group bonding, it would have been way easier and just way better period.
The acting was somewhat believable but failed at being convincing. I won't be harsh on this since they're young and have no experience.
The music, the supposed saving grace of the drama had a point of being there in the beginning but as the drama changed its direction, it felt out of place and I even skipped through some performances. Only a few of them had me hooked with, such as the Trouble Maker one, and the one Seol Chan performed on the piano during the evaluations.

Monstar started off as a drama with great potential but somehow lost its way even with a 12 episodes format. The many substories, even though well-told for some, were quite rightly way too many and just pointless. A disappointment. I wouldn't recommend it.

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I really loved this drama and the unexpected yet delightful turns the characters took. The music throughout and how it pertains to each scene is really well selected and pivotal to whats taking places. You pretty much fall in love with all the students in each episode. The only downside to this drama is that it shoulda been at least 16 episodes long. There were so many interesting lines in the water storyline wise that it seemed to me a thrown together mess in the final episode 12. I was shocked to find it was only 12 episodes and I was like how are they gonna wrap this up and honestly it was too much thrown in the last hour.

There was just not enough time to resolve any if all of the storyline issues. I was HUGELY disappointed in Sun Woo / Kim NaNa relationship never getting a chance to start after such a build up. I found once started Yoon Sul Chan / Min Se Yi were kinda the secondary characters for me I really wanted Sun Woo and NaNa to get together they had huge chemisty and their story of the girl from the wrong side of the tracks falling for the class Pres should have been developed more. Heck I woulda watched a complete drama of just those two's romance.

And what was the point of bringing back Se Yi's mother and starting her storyline of the past with Han Ji Woong so late in the game? All it did was raise too many last minute questions about Se Yi and if he was her real father. And the Aunt who was always battling with the Gym teacher I thought more would come of them and their past together.
There was so much greatness in this drama between the casting the music and the writing so as a fan / follower of the series you felt you got huge unresolved whiplash in how episode 12 was thrown at you and none of the storyline gave you any answers at all. This had such potential to be so more greater then what you ended up with and I find that truly sad.

I feel this drama and cast demand for a second season and I doubt in drama style we were ever get one. I was hopeful with MNet and this being their first drama series that they would maybe surprise me and bring this cast back for a second season.

I'd probably rewatch certain scenes for the music but over all I find it father sad and I'll mourn the loss of what might have been in the story.
I so wanted the kid "Radio" to face off with his bully.
I so wanted Sun Woo and Kim NaNa to get together.
I would have liked to see what the whole real attraction was for every guy in that school to chase Se Yi cause that sheep girl only had outbursts in bullying situations but never really said ANYTHING other then "Huh" and "What" every time Sun Woo or Sul Chan spoke to her. Honestly what was her appeal??? lol.
And No Min Woo ~ STEALS the show in the last 10 minutes you so wanted to see more of him in any way shape or form. I was watching this and was like "Ahhhhh!!! That's No Min Woo!!!"

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When I first heard the name, "Monstar", I wasn't really sure to applaud the pun or to bang my head against the wall because it was one of the worst plays on the English language I had ever heard. That being said, I would have watched "Monstar" simply so I could make fun of the name. But then I heard about the premise and got a lot more interested.
Story: I'll admit, I don't have any specific love towards high school dramas. Maybe because I haven't seen that many, but I feel like high school dramas walk a thin line between coming off as whiny with too much angst or being well done and capturing the feelings of that age. The surprising thing about "Monstar", though, is that it does enough of the latter to merit it a *good* drama, but not enough so that it'll be a *great* drama. If you're a casual viewer, like me, then you really wouldn't care much for "Monstar". On the surface level it's full of fabulous cinematography and interesting characters, but it's plot seems slow. Now if you were the type of viewer who prefers deep and nuanced dramas- the type of drama where every single action means something- then you'll probably adore "Monstar". The quieter moments in this drama made it shine, making it seem very real and natural. But the thing is most people don't watch dramas because they want to see something realistic. The first half of this drama was everything you wanted from a high school drama, but the latter half dragged a bit.
Acting: I'm blown away by all the actors here. Ha Yeon Soo was perfect to play Se Yi, because she conveyed Se Yi's internal struggles and emotions with enough grounded-ness to make the character come to life. I adored Da Hee and Kang Ui Sik, and wish them all the best as their careers go on, because their characters were so nuanced and layered and they managed to make them real. All the other actors were good too, but the real star of the show was this drama's "Monstar", Jun Hyung. He's an idol who has a promising career ahead of him, whether it be singing, producing music or even acting if he chooses. Seol Chan's "I'm a star!" line takes the cake as best comeback of 2013. Plus Seol Chan was the main character. Even though he and co-star Ha Yeon Soo had the same amount of screen time, Seol Chan always felt like the main character. He was the character we got to see change the most, and he was the one I was rooting for the whole time.
Music: Music in dramas are hit-or-miss for me, and even though I adore music dramas, "Monstar" was more of a miss. The songs were good enough, but I just couldn't bring myself to love it. It just wasn't my type of music. It was, however, well used and great for conveying the emotions of the show.
Rewatch Value: Looking back, "Monstar" really did hit the highs and lows of being young. The thing is, the *big* moments like that were few and far between and the smaller moments like that were easy to glance over. Maybe if I feel like thoroughly analyzing a drama? Probably not.
Overall: "Monstar" started out with great potential. It wasn't that "Monstar" lost it's potential, but rather changed its direction. What could have been a great, loud and energetic high school drama petered off into a soft, understated story that just didn't appeal to me like the former would have.

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