I’ve mentioned this show a couple of times here on my blog already, but I haven’t really had the chance to write about how much I’m obsessed with it.
(I’ll try to avoid posting spoilers in the first part of my review, but you’ll find a lot towards the end.)
“You’re Beautiful” is a fairly new Korean drama which ended late 2009. My sister has been bugging me to watch it ever since it ended but I haven’t had the time until recently. She warned me that I should only start when I have about 16 hours to spare (the show has 16 episodes), because she knows I’ll definitely be hooked, and she was right! Seriously, if you’re going to watch this, be prepared to stay up all night because you won’t be able to stop.
MY QUICK SUMMARY (no spoilers):
The show is about a nun in training who is forced to take the place of her twin brother, Go Mi Nam, while he undergoes corrective surgery. Her brother has recently been accepted into Korea’s top band called A.N.Jell. She must keep her identity a secret while living in a dorm with 3 other band members, all of them guys.
MY THOUGHTS
One of the best Asian series I’ve seen in a long time. Although gender benders are quite common in Asian dramas and mangas (Hana Kimi, Coffee Prince, etc), I still love them since they always guarantee lots of comedic scenes.
The story was very well written and the I love how it was directed. I can tell that a lot of effort was made in the production of this drama. The actors did a great job in portraying their characters.
THE CAST
A.N.JELL members:
Jang Geun Suk as Hwang Tae Kyung
Park Shin Hye as Go Mi Nam (Male)/Go Mi Nyu (Female)
Lee Hong Ki as Jeremy/Kang On Yu
Jung Yong Hwa as Kang Shin Woo
Extended Cast
UEE as Yoo He Yi
Bae Geu Rin as Sa Yu Ri (Fan club president)
Kim In Kwon as Ma Hoon Yi (Mi Nam’s manager)
Choi Ran as Choi Mi Ja (Mi Nam & Mi Nyu’s aunt)
Kim Sung Ryung as Mo Hwa Ran
Jung Chan as President Ahn
Choi Soo Eun as Wang Kko Di (Coordinator Wang)
This show had me cracking up so much. There were moments when I had to literally pause it because I was laughing too much and I couldn’t read the subtitles properly. Of course, there were a couple of sad and touching scenes as well.
There are a lot of love triangles in this drama so I expected it to get messy. I’m not really a fan of multiple love triangles because they usually give me headaches, I tend to get confused about who loves who. But “You’re Beautiful” was just so well-written that I just kept on wanting more.
One thing I’ve got to tell is you is how much I loved the soundtrack. I have the entire album on repeat right now. I even downloaded some sheets online and have started learning a few songs on the piano. (You can see me play “Without Words” on the piano here.)
Soundtrack:
Still / As Ever – Lee Hong Ki
Descend from the Sky – Miss $ ft. Oh Won Bin
Without Words – 9th STREET
Lovely Day – Park Shin Hye
Promise – Lee Hong Ki ft. Jung Hwa Young
My Heart’s Calling – Kim Dong Wook
Without Words – Park Shin Hye
Still / As Ever – A.N.JELL
Promise – A.N.JELL
Without Words (Piano ver.) – Various Artists
Still / As Ever (Bossa ver.) – Various Artists
Song for a Fool – Park Sang Woo
What Should I Do – Park Da Ye
Good Bye – Jang Geun Suk
I would give this series full marks, 5/5 stars. Yes, I love it that much. It’s been over a year since I’ve been this hooked on a show (the last was the Taiwanese drama “It Started With A Kiss”). I love everything about this drama: the cast, the plot, the twists, the soundtrack … everything! I highly suggest that you go and watch it!
(There’ll be a couple spoilers and pictures in these next parts, so if you plan on watching the show, it might be best if you stop reading now.)
One reason why I love “You’re Beautiful” so much is because of the A.N.Jell members. They’re all really talented actors and singers. I think that having them actually sing the band’s songs was a huge plus. It made the show a thousand times more believable.
Jang Geun Suk as Hwang Tae Kyung was perfect. I don’t think any other actor could have played this role as well as he did. I loved his facial expressions and the special way he says “Go Mi Nam”. He reminded me a bit of Tamaki Hiroshi when he played Chiaki in the Japanese series “Nodame Cantabile” (another fave of mine). Another thing they have in common is that deep and beautiful voice that I can just listen to all day. I wasn’t really a fan of his guyliner in the show, but I guess they did that to make him look a bit older since he’s supposed to be the leader of the band.
Park Shin Hye played Go Min Nam extremely well, I loved her from the start. She’s just so cute and bubbly. Her innocence and her scared expressions won me over. She’s adorably stupid, you can’t help but love her.
I was thrilled to see Jeremy being played by Lee Hong Ki, the lead vocalist of the Korean band FT Island. He’s more of a singer than an actor but I still think he did an amazing job in this series. He reminded me a lot of Ikuta Toma playing Nakatsu in the Japanese version of “Hana Kimi”. He was the one I was most attracted to in the first few episodes. I only wish they didn’t give him that horrible hairstyle towards towards the end of the series, I mean what’s with those blunt bangs?? But overall I still think he’s great. (I’m slowly becoming an FT Island fan because I keep searching for videos of Lee Hong Ki on youtube XD)
The last A.N.Jell member, Kang Shin Woo, was played by Jung Yong Hwa. According to online polls, Shin Woo is the most popular A.N.Jell member, probably because he’s the kindest and sweetest among them (and he’s extremely good looking too XD). He’s the most mature out of the members, and probably the smartest among them. His one-sided love for Go Mi Nam made a lot of fans cry because it was just so pure. His character reminds me a lot of Hua Ze Lei in the Taiwanese series “Meteor Garden”.
I really wish A.N.Jell was a real band, I’d definitely support them. I’ve seen some videos on youtube where they actually perform together on stage to promote the show. I’m hoping they’ll form a temporary group in the future just to please the fans (just like the Taiwanese F4), haha.
There are many scenes in this drama that stuck with me after I watched it. These are just some of them:
-The phone call between Tae Kyung and Mi Nam after she was hit on the head by a trophy and had to pretend that she was in the hospital.
-Tae Kyung’s expression while he watched Mi Nam and Coordinator Noona on the webcam
-When Tae Kyung’s phone accidentally fell on top of a parked truck and he made Go Mi Nam get it. I loved the part when the truck started backing up and Tae Kyung was just standing there concerned about his cellphone.
-The scene when Mi Nam destroyed Tae Kyung’s room
-When Tae Kyung and Mi Nam gets lost after leaving the restaurant because of Tae Kyung’s allergy
-When Mi Nam had to choose a member to share a room with (adorable puppy eyes!)
-Manager Ma’s imaginary bed scenes!! I loved it even more after seeing the director’s cut on youtube.
-The scenes where Tae Kyung torments Yoo He Yi (throwing away her shoes, sending her dad a message that she was pregnant, LOL)
-Shin Woo’s and Mi Nam’s “date” in Seoul. I was so excited to see Mi Nam enter The Etude House in that episode! I even took a screenshot, haha:
-“Sorry Sorry” spoof (Super Juniors)
-All the “pig nose” scenes, especially the first one. Tae Kyung’s reaction was pure win!
-When Tae Kyung finally realized what the pig nose meant ❤
-Tae Kyung doing a completely gay dance in the middle of the field and the pig-chasing scene! (BEST SCENE EVER!!!) I crack up everytime I hear the song “Breathless” now! XDDDD
-Filming Go Mi Nam’s music video with his best friend from highschool
-Kang Shin Woo’s fighting scene under the bridge, just because he looked totally hot there ❤
-Tae Kyung’s birthday celebration with Mi Nam. I especially loved the pogs scene XD
-When Mi Nam accidentally glued her fingers together
-Tae Kyung asking Mi Nam about her favorite color
-Tae Kyung’s expression when he eats something sour (like when Mi Nam fed him some really sour oranges in the car XD)
-Grocery scene with the A.N.Jell members!!
-Tae Kyung’s confession and the scene after that, weeeeeee~ “Do you LIKE sushi?” “What about you? ANSWER!”
-Shin Woo and Mi Nam’s made up love story. It was so sweet I almost cried T__T
-The mini-test Tae Kyung gave Mi Nam when she joined his fan club, weeeeee! Tae Kyung’s smile, kyaaah!
-Cooking scene with Yoo He Yi
-Tae Kyung’s date with “Go Min Nam’s eyes”
-All the loaded stares/glares between Tae Kyung and Shin Woo. Woot! woot!
(I LOVE this photo!!)
–The fanfic scene!!! Wahahahaha~ It kinda gave me the chills but I thought it was hilarious that Jeremy was reading it XD
-The birth of the pig rabbit!! The pig rabbit has to be the cutest thing ever! I want one for myself, but it’s a bit expensive T__T (I saw some being sold at Yes!Asia).
As you can see, most of my favorite scenes included Tae Kyung and Mi Nam together. They’re just too cute, I wish they were a real couple (Jang Geun Suk and Park Shin Hye). I’ve watched a couple of “behind the scenes” videos online and I’m thrilled to see that they seem close in real life, which made me love the pairing even more.
Look at Jang Geun Suk flirting with Park Shin Hye ❤ So cute!
I went fangirl crazy when I found a commercial they did together for Etude House where they had to kiss:
Seriously, Jang Geun Suk + Park Shin Hye + Etude House + steamy kiss = WIN
Although I must admit, I didn’t start fangirling over Tae Kyung until about episode 4. When he first appeared, I didn’t find him attractive at all! I hated his hairstyle and outfits. But in episode 5 he got a haircut and started wearing suits more, which looked great on him. I love guys in suits ^___^
This review is getting a little too long. I could probably write about the show all day if you let me, but I’ll leave you guys with just this. Go get a copy of the show and start watching! For Filipino fans like me, the show will soon be airing on ABS CBN, so you can wait for it there if you’d like, but I suggest watching the original undubbed version.
You can watch the subbed version on drama crazy HERE.
What I have shown you is reality ... 
Hahaha ang haba! And it was a real review, unlike mine wahahah. Gotta tenkutenku for begging me to watch this to scream *kyaaaaaaaaaaaah* too hahaha!!!
Ewan ko nga ba why mya’t mya ko yan iniiyakan hahaha. Shin Woo is worth my tears =))
I’m so glad you finished it! 😀 Badluck ata pag ako nagbibigay sayo ng series e. Dapat pinipilit nalang kita bumili ng dvd XD
*kyaaaaaaaaaah* Hyungnim! ❤
I also finished watching this series recently. I liked how it has a balance of romance, angst, fluff and comedy. One of my favorite scenes was when Go Mi Nam was in the shower room with the other guys and she imagined then as cherubs.
Haha, yeah~ Those babies were so cute!
Hi! I’m new to your blog! Had to comment because your review here reflects so much of my own sentiments. I think you named practically all of the best scenes ^_^
-Tae Kyung doing a completely gay dance in the middle of the field and the pig-chasing scene! (BEST SCENE EVER!!!) I crack up everytime I hear the song “Breathless” now! XDDDD
^^OMG, I think I remember crying w/ laughter. It was freaking hilarious seeing the usually super cool lead singer just lose it & run around frantically like a wild goose. Gold xDDDDDD
-Kang Shin Woo’s fighting scene under the bridge, just because he looked totally hot there ❤^lulz Dead-on w/ that one ;O
I also really liked the scene (ep4??) when MiNam finds out that her mother has already passed away over the phone, Tae Kyung sees her in tear & goes over to comfort her on the balcony T_T Gah, fangirl spazz, right there!
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my review 🙂
-The dancing/pig-chasing scene will remain with me forever! XD It was one of those scenes where I had to pause a few times because I was laughing too hard!
-Another reason why I loved the fighting scene under the bridge was because it reminded me of Yamapi’s “Daite Senorita” PV, lol
-Oh yeah~ I loved that part too! Tae Kyung starting to show that he cared, awwww~
oh you like yamapi too?? no, wait, hang on, not that i consider myself to like him but somehow i’ve managed to see ALOT of his dramas. & not that i think he’s that great of an actor but somehow i just keep watching him (i wish someone could factually explain this phenomenon lol) <<< sorry for rambling!!
I love Yamapi 🙂 He was the reason I started getting hooked on Asian dramas and JE ^___^
I understand what you mean though 😀 He’s not exactly the best actor, but I feel happy just staring at him. He’s pretty emotionless most of the time, although there are moments when he shines 😀
Wow! You’ve really write everything what is on your mind… Great review!
“The phone call between Tae Kyung and Mi Nam after she was hit on the head by a trophy and had to pretend that she was in the hospital.”
I also like this scene of them.
I’m looking forward to watch this in Filipino soon as what I’ve written in my blog.
Thanks for reading my long review, hehe. I really loved the drama and I had so much to say about it 🙂
I don’t usually watch anything Tagalog-dubbed (or English-dubbed for that matter – I still prefer subs) but I’m actually looking forward to seeing this on ABS CBN. I’m curious to see how the translation will go XD (Pig Rabbit = Baboy na Kuneho? LOL)
He’s pretty emotionless most of the time, although there are moments when he shines
^^Moments when he shines? Oh you mean, like the locker room scenes in Buzzer Beat?? *oh, my eyes, Pi, my eyes… your pecs are like headlights!!!* lol ^^;; j/k
i can agree w/ what you mean though, but i do think he’s bn a bit flat lately. i think post-kurosagi (& incl,) all his series have bn a bit average. the only thing i actually remember liking was the scene in code blue s1 when he was in the convenience store in the hospital w/ his grandmother… i may have shed a tear ;O
like the locker room scenes in Buzzer Beat?? – I love that scene~ Hahaha. But I enjoyed his kissing scene with Keiko more. Hawt~
I liked him most in Proposal Daisakusen, Buzzer Beat and Nobuta Wo Produce.
landed here while i was googling bout this show=)
two words: GOOD JOB!!!
i was practically smilling to myself with endless nods in agreement with your review~~haha XD
to be honest, i wasn’t really thrill bout this show at all initially. decided to watch this online purely to spend my free time during the holidays…
Guess what, one episode and i was totally hooked!!! not only with Mr Jang, but i’m like totally crazy over Lee Hong Ki right now!!!
and yeap, i finished the show in straight 16hrs(more or less)
i didn’t even knew much bout hong ki at first,(sorry but i wasn’t into FT Island at all…)
but now, i’ve like watch various show involving FTI and hong ki, and damn, their songs totally ROCKS!!he’s got really good vocals and their songs is so filled with emotions….
anyway, hav u heard bout d news that there’ll be a remake of It Started With A Kiss, Korean version?? I’m actually hoping to see Lee hONG kI being cast as Ah Jing….just can’t get enough of him…
and oh, one of my fav scene includes the one where jeremy finally found out that Mi Nam is a girl and his oh-so-cute reaction afterwards!!haha
whoa, seems i’ve kinda written more than needed?? anyway, looking forward to more entertainting dramas involving these talented young people!!!
p/s: i’m a Yamapi fan too *high 5*
Thank you for the long comment 😀 (i love comments, hehe) I’m glad you enjoyed reading my review 🙂
Lee Hong Ki is adorable~ And he’s got an amazing voice too! I didn’t really know much about him (or FT Island) before the show either. I mean I hear their songs on the radio, but I never really paid attention to them before.
I’ve heard rumors about a Korean version of ISWAK, but I don’t really know if that’s true. I really hope it is because I love that show 😀 And yeah, Lee Hong Ki as Ah Jin would be great~
Weee, always nice to find another Yamapi fan ^___^ He was the first Asian idol I really liked 😀
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I want to ask U, what song title at the scene, where manager ma’s dance on he club, a part of celebration mi nam have done recording her song, (Without words)..???
Hmm, you mean this scene? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeoIx3R7D1A&feature=related
According to the video, the song’s called Abracadabra by the Brown Eyed Girls 🙂
Thanks for answer my Question…. I watch that video,,, and my comment… the group so awesome… they’re totally HOT…. I love Them….
thanks to all of the supporters of a.n jells
mahal ko kayo….
pigrabbit(0912)
mr. prince how may i knowif you are truly thank you for the support we have done to a.n jells?
i love the song during the pig scene..what is the title of the song?
You mean the scene Tae Kyung was chased by the wild pig? The song he was listening to before the pig started chasing him is called “Breathless” by Shayne Ward 🙂
I LOVE JANG GEUN SUK Oppa!!!
SARANGHEYO…♥
from your fans in Philippines
mwaaa….♥♥♥
Hi, I’m so glad I stumbled upon your review…because I’m also addicted and so in love with this drama! I’m currently at work and listening to my mp3s of the first ost1. The 2nd ost I was able to get at Odyssey..it’s a bit expensive, with only 8 songs in it, but they’re just so beautiful and the photos included made it so worth it! Quick question: do you know the title of the song being played when Mi Nam left Tae Kyung in Japan? Weird that I’m listening to it now but I don’t know the english title. haha.
Your review was spot on and most, if not all of the scenes you mentioned were also my favorites. I think the only parts I don’t enjoy watching in this series are those that involved Mi Nam’s crazy aunt and Tae Kyung’s mom..but of course, if Mi Nam or the other A.N.Jell members are in it, I don’t mind. Oh and can I also add the bit with the fireworks on top of Mi Nam’s head? That was funny too! I’m sure if I got to kiss Jang Geun Suk, I’d have fireworks all over too! haha!
I’m also Filipino so it’s nice to share this with a fellow fan. Do you know where we can find a director’s cut dvd here? I can’t get enough of this and I’d really love to see it properly. Of course my copy from Recto, though clear (except for the last ep) had abnormal subtitles which began on ep13. It was quite annoying. And I heard about the Pig-Rabbit being sold here. One girl who advertized it was selling it for P1500! But I must agree that it is the cutest thing ever!
I’ve only started getting into dramas just last year with Boys Over Flowers, which I really loved. My other favorite is Hana Yori Dango with Matsumoto Jun.
I think my comment is quite long already, I’m sorry. =) So, I’ll end by saying that I really enjoyed your post!
Hi! I’m glad you liked my review 🙂
I really love the OST ^___^ Hmm, the song that was playing when Mi Nam left Tae Kyung? I’m not sure, but was it this one – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoZ8kYUUhOA. According to the video description it’s called My Heart Curses. I can’t remember if this was the song in that scene, but this is the song they normally play during the sad parts, hehe. I really like it too 😀
I have so many favorite scenes in this show. I just love it so much. It’s one of those shows that I could watch over and over again, and I wouldn’t get tired of it, hehe. I agree, I wanted to fast forward all the scenes with Mi Nam’s aunt and Tae Kyung’s mom. But I made myself sit through them so I could understand the story.
I’m not sure where you can find the director’s cut DVD in the Philippines. I’d love to have a copy too. I think most of the copies being sold here in the Philippines has a faulty last episode. Almost all the people I talked to who bought a pirated DVD said that the last episode skipped a huge chunk of the story. My sister downloaded our copy from d-addicts so we didn’t have any problems like that, thank goodness.
I was able to buy my own pig rabbit last June. I got it for around P1600 at a toy convention. My boyfriend paid for half of it, hehehe. (https://strangevision.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/i-can-has-a-pig-rabbit-my-toycon-haul/) I was so happy to get my hands on one.
Hehe, I’m the opposite naman. I started watching K-dramas because of You’re Beautiful. Before this show I usually just watched Japanese dramas. After watching You’re Beautiful, I downloaded Boys Over Flowers, My Girl, Goong, and We Got Married (which isn’t really a drama, but I watched it because I got addicted to Kim Hyun Joong thanks to Boys Over Flowers, hehe). Right now I just finished watching My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. It’s really good, you should try it too. It’s written by the same people who wrote You’re Beautiful.
Thank you for the long comment. I really enjoy reading what other people thought of the show too! Its always nice to talk to fellow fans 🙂
i really love a.n jell
me too 😀
I LOVE YOU HONG TI KONG ILIK GOROP A.N.JELL SARNE CHWAYOO :p 🙂 😦 :d
I KIK YOU R SONGS CHWAYO
🙂
I LOPHE YOU FOREVER JANG GEUN SUK.
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LOVE YOUR REVIEW! It makes me wanted to read more 🙂 And about the drama, all I can say, PERFECT! I’m addicted to it after watching the first episode ^ ^
Thank you 😀 Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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would u know the name of the song that comes out durng the fan fic scene
I’m not too sure, but some people are saying that it’s from the Lovers in Paris OST. The title is something like “By Your Side” I think …
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH LOVE THE SHOW
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Hwang Tae Kyung! I love you! Jang Keun Suk, I love you so much!
Thank you for this blog! I miss AN Jell!!!
Sorry for the late response. I haven’t been on this blog as much 🙂 Thank you for reading! I really miss AN Jell too