So, I meant to post this ages ago, back when I watched the first episode of the show. Life being what it is, though.. I had to field a bunch of curve balls. Unfortunately this meant that Monstar’s existence in this blog was put off. Repeatedly. Well, I’m about to remedy that. 🙂

To start, I was surprised when they first announced this drama. Well, not so much by the announcement of the drama itself, but by Yong Junhyung in the male lead role. I’m not complaining now and I wasn’t then. I have been a loyal B2uty since B2ST (Beast) first debuted, and my favorite member is in fact our beloved Joker, Junhyung. No, I most definitely did not complain. I was simply surprised because I have not experienced his acting ability and the opportunity intrigued me. So, like many other B2uties, I waited with bated breath for the day when the first episode of Monstar would be available and subbed. Now, we’ve all experienced this before, even those of you who aren’t fans of Asian dramas and music. You have actors and singers you wait eagerly for between releases. You stand in line for hours in the freezing cold or constant drizzle just for a concert or movie ticket. You scream in infatuated frenzy at press events and loyally defend them from their anti-fans – and EVERY part of the world has antis. You can’t say they’re only in Asia. Antis exist in western culture too. Those trolls that post rotten remarks about Brad Pitt or Sandra Bullock, Kanye West or Rihanna? Yeah, welcome to the world of antis and the ever-present annoyance they add to it.

To my joy, I was able to watch the first episode in its entirety, all in one sitting. Normally it can take me a few days to finish one episode because I stay fairly busy and rarely sit in front of the computer long enough to watch an hour-long episode, let along the hour and twenty minutes that Monstar episodes have been giving me. So when I was able to snag enough time before bed that night for the whole episode? Wow, I was pleased. And that first episode did not disappoint, either. I was ecstatic to see a familiar face in Kang Ha Neul. Those of you who’ve seen To the Beautiful You with Choi Minho and Choi Sulli will recognize this guy’s face. I’ve spent the better part of the last ten episodes going back and forth between loving and hating both of our handsome male leads. It’s a constant tug-of-war that has me seriously exhausted… and extremely thrilled at the same time.

We’ve seen musicals before, both in movie and in television shows. In America, Glee reigns supreme. In Korean dramaland, musicals are scattered throughout the industry. Dream High 1 & 2, The Musical, You’re Beautiful… And now Monstar. While The Musical was a colossal disappointment for me, I admit that with such massive successes as you’re Beautiful and Dream High, Monstar had a lot to live up to.  Now, I know it’s pretty commonplace for me to say “This drama is great” and give them rave reviews. What can I say? In a lot of ways I’m an easy girl to please (most of the time).  Still, usually I can find something to complain about even with that great review that I’ll hand out.

Monstar is not one that I can complain about. I can’t find anything to dislike. There is nothing that irks me. I love each character (or.. most of them. Some of them I want to beat with a brick, but we won’t get into that.) and I love the way that each actor and actress was able to portray them. I believe this is the first time ever for me where I have actually gone back through and tried to find something to complain about. Still nothing.  So, to the creators of Monstar and those involved with the cast and crew, I tip my hat to you. In just the first few episodes, Monstar shot up to take the top spot on my list of favorites, knocking many tried and true old faves down a few pegs. Bravo.

This is also the first time I’m doing only a partial review instead of a full drama review or an episode recap/review. I believe I’ve done an episode review with the remake of Itazura na Kiss. Now, the reason I’m doing a partial review now when there are still two episodes of the show left and I have yet to see the way everything turns out for the characters in the end is because I am, for the first time ever, that confident that nothing could shake my approval of this drama. Regardless of who ends up where at the end, I have enjoyed every second of this drama so far, and I am positive I will continue to enjoy every remaining second in the two weeks to come. I have been kept on the edge of my seat in excitement between episodes for the last ten weeks already, and I’m still just as excited for next week’s episode as I was for all the others.

The story is sweet and funny while lacing sadness in with it all. It is not as emotionally wrenching as a lot of other dramas, but more subtle. Above all, it a story about the trials that youth face in the heart of their adolescence, and how friendship can help even the most hopeless person overcome an obstacle they wouldn’t have been able to face alone.

I will save the individual acting reviews for the full drama review in two weeks. Until then, all I will say is this: Go watch! You’re missing a sweet story with enchanting characters and beautiful music.