What a waste of my time!!!

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Just finished watching this drama, although it's dated it's still worth a watch if you are watching Korean TV drama. I saw past reviews and it compared this show to current US drama. This is much different this show is warm, chilling and frightening at the same time. I can't believe that there are people in the world like this.This is s family drama unlike current shows on mainstream TV where "coitus" is in every sentence. This is different a family show that's is very emotional. Well acted, well written (a bit long). The first episode is a bit confusing as the characters are not clearly explained but stick with it, gets better with each episode.Even if you think you are not an emotional person, it's hard not to be with this show, even the music is touching and I don't even know the words. If you watch this show and don't feel sad along the way then If you are into Korean TV drama I would say that this rates very high among those I have watched, but I have a long list to get through. Although I would rate "That Fool" at the top of my list.As well the main actress is enough of a reason to watch the show, if you ever wanted to picture an "angel" she is it. I first saw her in a movie 'Cold Eyes' and I thought she was beautiful. But in this drama she is beyond that. A picture of an Angel with a smile that's warm and sincere.SPOILER ALERT: The show is a bit long seems as though that the writers wanted everyone (main cast) to have some hardship before the end, which is predictable happens. Although the end is a bit different than the other shows that I have watched (in other shows:everyone goes off on their own in the end). This show is different as it brings/intertwines all the cast into situations that are semi-realistic. But I thought that the "witch" and the "witchette" got of way too easy. Watch this drama you won't be disappointed, I am not a binge watcher but these dramas have changed that concept for me.

Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) was a long movie - over 15 hours long. The Thornbirds, Roots and other early TV mini-series were long movies broken into consecutive episodes. I love a mini-series as a melodrama that tells a story in the long movie format, as opposed to those that tell different stories in the same setting (like Grey's Anatomy, Mad Men and to a lesser extent Damages, Breaking Bad, and Revenge that change the story at times while keeping to a general story). In this regard, I have discovered some gems in the South Korean TV mini-series of recent years.The basic melodrama is the oft repeated formula: Boy meets Girl, Boy loses Girl, Boy gets Girl Back. This me recur in the same story. Human relations can be complex even if only the boy and girl are involved, but this complexity increases as more people are involved. If personality dynamics are properly depicted in a valid manner, and if the production is skillful, powerful emotions can be evoked in the viewer. In this way we can live many lifetimes through movies, in our one lifetime - greatly enriching our incarnate experience.These South Korean productions (seen on Netflix streaming) are first class with excellent production and direction, some terrific casting and acting (particularly from some of the females who give some matchless world class performances), brilliant musical accompaniment, and staging. What makes these so good is the way they skillfully evoke deep emotion in the viewer. South Korean movie making is superb - world class.However, the following caveats must be considered by the USA viewer. They are subtitled and some people hate this. The South Korean cultural norms, values and sanctions may sometimes seems silly or old fashioned to the USA viewer. The families are close knit and decisions by an individual may be subject to family approval. Social distance is maintained where formal speech is used, and personal speech forms are reserved for close friends or family. There is a strong work ethic and community cooperation/unity - sometimes reminiscence of a old Frank Capra film.Most importantly, in order for the sometimes complicated sub-plots to work, people fail to communicate with each other as might be expected, keeping many in the dark as to what others are doing, and this leads to misunderstandings and error judgments of some people, that sometimes seem to be unlikely by USA cultural standards. The viewer may wonder at times why good but trusting people are so easily manipulated and deceived by bad and selfish people, but con artists do often succeed (just look at politicians for example). However this poetic license of improbability is needed to develop the story - just accept it as occurring even though unlikely at times. Taking these factors into account Will help you become involved and emotionally engrossed. It was hard t for me to quit watching at times so I binged watched.I would rank these as follows but tastes differ and your rankings might not agree: 1 - 4 (hard to say which is best)Shining InheritanceWhen a Man LovesThat Winter, The Wind BlowsSecret Garden5. Five Fingers6. The Scent of a Woman7. The Great Queen Seondeok8. A Hundred Years Inheritance9. Lie To me10. Roof Top Prince11. Dr. Jin12. The Great DoctorShining inheritance is about family, love, greed, deceit, manipulation, altruism, and other dynamics important in the pursuit of happiness. It is nicely paced over 28 episodes, in fully developing the story, but the viewer must stick with it at least halfway to get the full emotional impact of the story. Perhaps more coherent than other of the above mini-series, it could be your favorite.

Shining Inheritance was a riches to rags to find-yourself drama that was well written and acted. Our heroine is plucky, the stepmother / stepdaughter are quite the evil pair and our male leads, the rich heir (starts spoiled and evolves) and selfless friend, are both worthy of love. The Grandmother, who has the inheritance, shakes up her sheltered spoiled family when she strips them of money to teach them about life. What I liked about the show a) writer So Hyun-kyung crafted 28 episodes of interwoven characters with surprises along the way. His evil characters had nuances. He also wrote the top-notch intriguing 49 Days (2011 kdrama) that I rate as better than Shining Inheritance. b) male lead Lee Seung-gi as heir Hwan, in his first male lead role, whose evolution from spoiled heir to caring person was a joy to watch. I also loved him as the male lead in 2010's My Girlfriend is Gumiho. c) Yeon Joon-seok as autistic brother Go Eun-woo was perfect and you rooted for him to be reunited with big sister. d) loved store Manager Lee who was terse but fair and put up with Hwan's initially hostile reluctance to do his job with patient dignity.What I did not like about the show a) this drama was extended by 4 episodes and you can feel the storyline stretch. I bet is difficult for a writer to revamp during production when a drama is extended because it is garnering great ratings. b) the evil stepmother, while nuanced, grated on me and I tended to skip her scenes to alleviate the irritation. c) multiple hairstyle-challenged characters; female lead Go Eun-sung mushroom cap pageboy hair bugged me. She looked so much better with the bangs off the face. The Grandmother character had a terrible helmet-head gray wig and don't get me started on the factory worker with the gray pageboy wig.

I enjoyed Brilliant Legacy aka Shining Inheritance very much. It's from 2009 and features a great cast and interesting story. It is available to watch with English subtitles on Instant Netflix.The actor who plays the autistic teen brother was the highlight for me in this series. He was brilliant at showing the inner world of autism. If you have a family member with autism you will definitely be touched by his storyline.The music soundtrack is perfect for this series. I wish American television could produce something as inspiring and compelling as Shining Inheritance or other top-notch K-dramas I have watched, like I'm Sorry, I Love You, 49 Days, Autumn Sonata, etc. All we ever get are boring reality shows.