I'm likely in the minority but I actually prefer Son Ye-jin over Yoon Eun-hye in this role. Son does such a good job playing the clutzy innocent girl that I don't think Yoon could live up to it.

Just my 2 cents so please don't burn me at the stake Yoon's fans and netizens.

I agree with 44 but in the reverse way. shj is actually good at acting better than the main lead but if we look at the general feel of comparing lmh partnership with shj and that of lmh and yeh, the latter is more believable (not that may- december affair is not believable). It's just that dramas/ movies are our way of actualizing our dreams (that include pairing people who we can see ourselves into thus we feel they are more compatible as far as our taste is concerned).

Hope this makes sense. Bottomline is hope we can see a true partnership wheter movie or drama between lmh & yeh so we can fulfill our dreams vicariously.

By the way, sorry ms. 51, your entry caught my attention. Comparing the acting of shj & yeh in the same role in personal taste is like comparing apples and oranges for the reason that only one is acting the role (shj) while the other one (yeh) is not. You can only say one is better than the other if and when you see both acting the same role.

just my two cents worth.

im still not impressed that son ye jin did this drama
she's too hot and beautiful to do a drama where she looks like an ahjumma
and yoo eun hye
have u seen those curves on her in the w korea magazine
shes smoking hot
cant wait for her cameo
hope its longer than the snsd in oh my lady

At first, I think PT's main actress would be YEH, so I'm glad that she's a cameo in this lovely drama. Anyway, I love so much the couple JJH & PGI. Lee Min Ho ang Son Ye Jin are awesome(talk about their acting). I really am execited this drama.

erm.. no offence, but these stills somehow give me a sense of stiff acting from YEH. haha. weird. Anyhow, i'm glad it was SYJ in the end (as the lead).

Unfortunately, I can't feel the chemistry between the two. Yes, they are good as individual actors but nothing sizzles.

Love seeing YEH again in the screen and with Min Ho at that. I would love to see them together in a drama series but not with a storyline as PT but I guess chemistry-wise they might have clicked better.

Personally I LOVE YEH more and I love, love, love to see her acting in PT no matter what kind of acting it might turn out BUT

@52: It kind of funny with comparison of orange and apple thingy. When we say about someone acting we see the past/previous skills, their skills and accomplishments.

I have to say irony enough Yoon is my fav despite whatever drama she starred but SYJ is critically acclaimed actress. A+++ list actress who is no doubt has more talent and skills on her sleeve.

But YEH is on the way. Not there yet but extremely talented too yet no way can be on par with A+++ list/sunbae actress.

Having said that, I didn't like PT for whatever reason it is. I always hate/dislike a plot where a woman and man accidently have to live under one roof and then eventually develop into a relationship. i.e Attic Cat, Full House, etc (except WUAS). The excuction of the plot might differ but U really draws me aback.

TWO OF THE HOTTEST KOREAN ACTORS EVERRRRR

and i have to say the lighting is amazing because they look so beautiful. @_@

Having said that, I didn't like PT for whatever reason it is. I always hate/dislike a plot where a woman and man accidently have to live under one roof and then eventually develop into a relationship. i.e Attic Cat, Full House, etc (except WUAS). The excuction of the plot might differ but it does really draws me aback.

Way to go PT but I'm sorry I'm with Prosecutor Princess right now.

since the anouncement of YEH's cameo, my excitement has been up and up. I'm already a fan of that drama and now YEH?
I will not discuss SYJ beauty and acting talent, and hot LMH and and and adorable YEH, it'll be a feast for me!
yummy, yummy ^_____^

@56: no offence... but i am amazed... how easily you can 'suggest' YEH "stiff acting" just by looking at simple STILLS... really weird!!!
In any case I am really looking forward to the 22th of april ;-)

but I realize that I’m just her big fans, ganbatte go eun chan ( I love go eun chan more than yoon eun hye ~~ LOL )

Well, if SYJ is doing such a great job, why did they bother to bring YEH on board? Just to please us, viewers? Ratings is every thing for a drama and PT's keep falling with make-over or not. If NOT because of LMH, ratings would have slipped to single digit by now. LMH and SYJ are not even in the same league to begin with.

Not only SYJ look like Demi Moore next to Ashton Kutcher, viewers are not pleased with the way she had portrayed Kae-In. SYI did not play Kae-In's clumsiness in a charming, intelligent, acceptable ways so viewers can enjoy and understand her. How did a furniture designer and also a a daughter of a prominent architect use her hand picking up the fish in the restaurant in front of a guy?

In the interview with both of them on the set of episode 5 or 6 (posted in Viikii's Spoilers), LMH personally said that he hated Kae-In and can not stand her sometime. Even though LMH hated Kae-In, he has already done such a phenomenal job to play his role so far.

SYI said that she had the opportunity to use her own clothes on the set to play Kae-In, including one outfit her mom bought it at the flea market. She has been using her own imagination and interpretation to put in Kae-In and that's why the show tanked. The producer should fire the director on the spot for letting her do it. He probably trusted SYI's ability and judgment because of her resume and as the result, YEH came in as a rescue.

I am no longer watching the show but we will see,

They really need to do a project (hopefully a drama) together in the future. With both as the main leads.

syr I didn’t see the chemistry between lmh & syj
if yhe the main actress that would be awesome
yeh <<33

at # 65, how sickening reading a thought from YEH fans, are all YEH fans like this?...bringing in YEH is not for rating, do you think YEH can give 35% rating..DO YOU REMEMBER YEH ALSO HAS BEEN CRITIZED FOR HER SO SO PERFOMANCE IN FAIR LADY-SHE EVEN CRIED AT THAT TIME READING ALL THE COMMENTS.

Sometimes, not actors/acttresses fault if their intepretation of characters are not well accepted, there are other factors-bad script.

Yey! I'm super excited ofr this episode! :) I wish LMH and YEH could pair up for another romcom drama! I mean, that's their forte.

Well, for those you guys comparing SYJ and YEH, all I could say is that SYJ's acting is more outstanding than YEH. I have seen her movies, though not all bus atleast most of them, and she never fails to surprise me. She's really good at melodrama and has also proven herself in romcom, like THE ART OF SEDUCTION. She's definitely a brilliant actress. As for YEH, she's great and all, but she really has to step it up, if she wants to be credited for her acting. She's good at romcom, alright---she is at her BEST when it comes to romantic comedy, but as a fan of hers, I want her to do something more different. I want her to grow more as an actress. So maybe for her future projects, she should do or atleast try the melodrama stuff. ^^

And for LMH and SYJ, so far their doing good. True enough the chemistry isn't that intense unlike couples from the Full House (not that I'm comparing), but hey atleast they give justice to their individual roles. With Cinderella Sister, which by the way I also love, the chemistry of the main couple isn't really that intense as well but the plot itself is really intriguing, so-not-the-typical-story-line, that's why probably it's number one as far as the ratings are concerned. (Also Koreans prefer MELODRAMA that ROMCOM, that's a fact. PROVEN.)

And Lastly, HANDS DOWN TO LEE MIN HO! Watching him in Personal Taste, he really outgrew the Gu Jun Pyo image. BRAVO! Amazing actor! I SUPEEER LOVE HIM! :)

So far, watching PT, think LMH & SYJ both have very good acting skills and it's really good how their relationship is building through the episodes. Chemistry will come, I believe, even as the story builds up.

& I think LMH looks more mature than his real age. He projects late-20s easily and when paired up with YSJ in the show, one cannot easily tell that he's much younger than her in real life.

@ 65 : i agree with you!!! 100%
YEH comes to rescue rating !!!

I think YEH would have been fantastic for the female lead in PT.

The reason why I don't like SYJ playing the lead is that her actions of being "clumsy" and "absent-minded" are almost contrived and forced. The flaw is in her acting, where you can almost see how hard she's trying on her face. Maybe it's just me, but that's what I think is putting off the show and any developing chemistry between the leads. I'm sure SYJ is a great actress however I am not quite sure if she's done a role like this before, and if she hasn't well then I would suggest her sticking to stuff she's used too...

YEH on the other hand, I have a feeling I would have been able to embrace her character a little more. Like Goo Eun Chan in Coffee Prince - the mega tomboy, noodle competition winner, angsty younger "woman" posing as a man - YEH has the ability to really take on those quirky characters. I think what went wrong in MFL was she was playing too "normal" of a character and that's her flaw. Quirky, weird and funny is her thing, so I think for PT, she would have been excellent.

wow!!!i love this series 'Personal Taste'. its gonna be more interesting when Yoon eun hye enters...^^..wooahh...

but its gonna be sad for SYJ....

"for whoever thinks SYJ and LMH is such a good pair… why oh why more people choose cinderella sister over personal taste ?? "

Personal Taste's ratings are pretty good given MBC's struggles with their Wed/Thursday lineup. It's easily their best performing show so far.

Personal Taste's main issue for me is the direction. It has a similar pacing, tone, and editing style to When At Night and My Fair Lady . . . which means it has the dry and pensive tone of a light melodrama, when it ought to be directed as Hong drama. I appreciate some of the K-movie tropes, especially its slightly raunchier humor and graphics, but the show needs to be shot tighter.

Son Yeh Jin is absolutely wonderful in this role. She interprets her character's sweet disposition into a genuine, curious nerdiness that belies her character's lack of insight into the guys around her. Moreover, her comic timing with the cast is all there; the friendship with her best friend seems real; the betrayal with her roommate also seems real. Above all, her chemistry with her ex-BF plays true to the burnt out candle variation of the "college sweetheart" coupling.

The comic chemistry with Lee Min Ho isn't all there though, because LMH is struggling with how to play the straight man. He isn't putting SYJ's aggressive enthusiasm over as he should be, and he's sometimes late in his timing with her. In a way, they're not on the same page and at times it's as if she is bullying him in their scenes.

The melodrama chemistry with them is great though. Lee Min Ho has that terrific presence and trust in his reactions so that he can convey compassion and depth of feeling simply by stuttering, blinking quickly, or tilting his head. And he's a good listener. At his age, he's as good a listener in scenes as anyone. In the drunk scenes, her character dials down the chutzpah and LMH is able to better match their energy. And because they're simply talking and reacting, his warmth and almost selfless stillness grows into the scene, enveloping the two. There wasn't that much of that in BBF, which tended to whip the characters along from vacation spot to vacation spot.

@jusash,

"Quite different from {The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry} – where they keep shoving that 10 yr age gap in our faces … and yet the sparks were apparent between a 20-something Kim Bum and a 30-something Park Jin-hee."

I felt the other two couples absolutely overshown the principle couple in Woman Who Still Wants to Marry. I didn't think Kim Bum was really connecting with Park Jin-hee. Kim Bum was kinda observing Jin-hee in his scenes, and Jin-hee was kinda waiting for Kim Bum to take the lead. It was polite, friendly, and warm . . . and for a 10-year gap relationship, it was bland.

PT is inviting in that, by the nature of their setup, both characters have actively invaded each other's personal and emotional safe space at a disarming rate much faster than most K-drama.

I call for a YEH LMH drama sometime this year. They've both got skills and that still just looks so pretty!

[Spoiler]

I'm not understanding the harsh criticisms directed at SYJ but she IS playing a 29 year old character (who is her real age). If anyone was miscast in PT, it would be LMH. He's portraying a person older than his real age, but it seems being a 'hot' actor in a society where appearance is valued above all else, he's easily forgiven and his mistakes...what mistakes?

It seems people always need to blame somebody for the low ratings so SYJ, with her character's sloppy appearance, is the easy target. Throw stones at her and why not burn her at the stake too? Geez, women attacking other women, is this even new? When will it end?

Regarding Kae In's appearance, it's understandable since she lost her mom at an early age. There is a reason behind it. For those who want to see her pretty-up, I don't get it.

I'm really enjoying SYJ in this role. I can see why others have commented on her acting, but SYJ balance it so nicely that her character is endearing, believable and human. Not to mention, SYJ did say she wanted the character to be slightly anime-ish.

Looking forward ^^

@65 lanlan:

Sigh!

Come on, you speak as if the entire drama falls on SYJ to make the ratings? If LMH is really that good as you say, he should rake in the ratings instead. Why still hovering at 10-13%? Ratings depend on everything to make it work, from the PD to the viewers.

Actors should be adventurous and given leeway to interpret the characters anyway they please. SYJ and LMH are not any different. If every actor only acts the way we like him to, then where is the personal growth to talk of? We might as well look into the mirror and the actor is right there in the mirror.

@76 news:

I agree with you. Most of the viewers just have this impression that LMH is shortchanged because of SYJ but it's not. It's partly the cliches and editing that made a good drama look like a mess.

I would like to add SYJ's character is essentially a homebody and usually homebodies are just more sloppy in terms of behaviour and dressing. Actually, I can see images of her in most people I know but not so exaggeratedly (since this is a drama). I am sure if YEH takes the role, she will also have to contend with a lousy wardrobe too, for those who think SYJ's clothes are plain and slack.

I don't know how people can say LMH looks better with YEH. These are just stills.

Gotta put the rating expectations in perspective. Son Yeh Jin's a huge movie draw, but I don't think she's ever had a big TV hit. Lee Min Ho is popular, but his fanbase doesn't control the remote control. (Moon Geun Young's appeal transcends age, and this IS Chung Jung Myung's comeback show.) And, again, the MBC Wed/Th slot has not performed well in almost 2 years. Given the circumstances and competition, the ratings are about right.

I absolutely love SYJ's performance -- it's close to perfect for this character. I'm kinda shaking my head why there's so much criticism over it.

I'm really excited to see YEH back in something. From what I understand SYJ is doing a great job in this drama and I don't doubt it. She's a really good actress. I'm a HUGE YEH fan so I was disappointed that she wasn't in this but whatever. I'm glad we can see her with LMH for a little bit. =)

@belleza
I'm all 100% agree with your comments! It's sooooo true! Your observations about PT's plot, pairing, and progress. And also the one you said for being compared with SMM. I totally agree.
Never a fan of LMH, but a fan of SYJ. So many negative critics coming towards her, but some of them are mainly blinded with BOF's pairing and all other dramas, both in the previous and the ones which are currently airing.
Seriously if they don't like the show why bother to watch it huh? Geez... sometimes I just can't understand those people's mind. :|

Well, to whomever say YEH is a great actress, i think 'great' is very subjective here because even though i think she is super cute and i wanna kiss her if only i were a boy, all I've seen in her acting is stiffness, and forced. it just doesn't look so natural, be it in goong, or coffee prince (even worse in that vineyard Man). I hope YEH proves me wrong this time, even with a brief appearance in PT coz i really want to like her for her acting skills, and not just her cuteness and charming personality. I think something about the way she says the dialogues is what bothering me. Also, it's like, when she's playing a cute, happy-go-lucky character, she tries too hard to be bubbly and well, cute (a worse example would be Seo weo(?) in Tamra and C.Unni urgh!). and when she's acting in melo mood, again, it doesn't look natural. It is still a mystery to me how she won acting awards.
But i still think she's sooo cute. I love the first pix. ^_^

as much as i love SYJ, i think that YEH is more suited for the role ;)
but i still love PT nonetheless! :)

after reading all the comments. . .just smiled on it and kinda of shaking my head,coz i know its everyone opinion!!!and i understand that!
For me,it depends on the writer and behind of the drama who produced it. . .as well as the actor and actress if they can portray the character or they can act well too. . .
maybe posting those comments can may help the actor/actress what is lucking or to improve their acting skills but sometimes it may hurt them,thats the part of their life as an actor,some may like you and some people hate you. . .gggrrrrr,but i hate it
whatever . . .still i like YEH!!!!

I am neither a fan of YEH or SYJ, but I don't understand why SOME people are criticizing Sohn Ye Jin. If you have seen her dramas/movies, she has outstanding track records and an A list actress. SHe won many prestigious awards and she always challenges herself. I've seen YEH's dramas and I have to give my non-bias opinion that she is not in the same league as SYJ, in terms of acting.

I don't know if YEH would be able to give the depth to Kae In's character the way SYJ did so wonderfully. I love YEH in Qoong but she is not as versatile as SYJ. That's a fact.

I actually find LMH's acting to be subpar and does not match SYJ's superior acting. I wish they cast someone else beside Lee Min Ho. He is a great actor but still needs more of growing up to hone his acting skills. SYJ needs an actor that is in the same level as her. Having said this, we all need to accept that SYJ and LMH were chosen to act in Personal Taste. So, let's just focus on them and stop doing "what if" comparisons. It's not fair to both LMH and SYJ.

@ #68

"how sickening reading a thought from YEH fans, are all YEH fans like this?…bringing in YEH is not for rating, do you think YEH can give 35% rating..DO YOU REMEMBER YEH ALSO HAS BEEN CRITIZED FOR HER SO SO PERFOMANCE IN FAIR LADY-SHE EVEN CRIED AT THAT TIME READING ALL THE COMMENTS."

Not suggesting that ratings will be in the 30s with YEH but taking a few pips away from Cinderella's Sister will make the PD happy. I am not a YEH fan, only watched her 1st movie but she is quite popular.

@ #78

"Come on, you speak as if the entire drama falls on SYJ to make the ratings? If LMH is really that good as you say, he should rake in the ratings instead. Why still hovering at 10-13%? Ratings depend on everything to make it work, from the PD to the viewers.

Actors should be adventurous and given leeway to interpret the characters anyway they please. SYJ and LMH are not any different. If every actor only acts the way we like him to, then where is the personal growth to talk of? We might as well look into the mirror and the actor is right there in the mirror."

After SYJ's make-over and even a kiss with LMH in the last episode I heard, ratings still hovering at 10-13%. What does it tell us? No matter what SYJ does,,LMH's faithful fans still lingering with him. LMH needs another hand to clap for ratings.

What would you suggest the director's job be? Getting paid and let actors do whatever they please? That's why they whisked YEH in and I suggest firing him on the spot.

Ohhh, look at the hardship on JinHo's face being with his ex. Gees, I can't bear to put myself in her position to make the man (you claimed to have love) look so miserable. Aw, heartaching to watch. Will be good!

I like both CS and PT; each offer me different emotional attachments however CS is more close to a cruel real life mimic than PT so I lean a stronger will towards CS. That's all. I do enjoy both shows.

I have stopped watching PT after episode 4 but might watch this weeks episode to see if YEH could bring something to this drama. I still think LMH and SYJ were mismatch and lacking in chemistry and excitement. Song Seung Hyun, Go Soo,Kang Dong Won or LBY could be a better match for SYJ and YEH, Han Hyo Joo, Eugene, Song hye Ko or Jang Na Ra would perfectly match LMH. An ajumma role does not fit SYJ. Hope LMH and SYJ pick the right projects next time.

Not to compare PT to CS or PP...but it seems CS clearly defined itself as serious melodrama, PP clearly defines itself as fluffy and entertaining drama but PT is still shaping up. I warmed up to CS and PP by 3rd episode....but for PT:I wan't to warm up but can't..It lacks something i.e. it just doesn't connect to me....
But being LMH fan, I'll keep on supporting this drama

How bizarre. People's opinions of this drama range so....

I'll say it again. YEH is an adorable and obviously very popular actress. She has some talent, and I think given the right material (as in Coffee Prince) she can do something with it.

However, SYJ's acting is on a different level in YEH. In terms of experience, body of work, and raw talent, she seems to have the upper hand on YEH. And there is no doubt that regardless of whatever "age difference", she has chemistry with LMH in PT, and her acting in PT elevates the character from one that could very easily become annoying into a likable, realistic character. She was cast in PT because YEH left, and she's doing the fine job. So there doesn't need to a be "what if?" scenario.

And I say whatever to the ratings. PT may not suit everyone's taste (and I blame a large part of that to the criminal editing and pacing, and something unoriginal from the writing - which just proves that the most overlooked aspects of a drama, writing and directing, can mean even more than the characters and actors) but it's endearing, with good characters, acting, and HILARIOUS situations (oh the GAAAYYY). xD

LMH may not be extreme as he was in BOF, but he's doing a good job himself. He has nice chemistry with SYJ, and I believe that when there comes a time for his dramatic acting chops to show, it will (remember that seen with SYJ when she comes back from seeing Chang Ryul?). And honestly, his softly emotive deadpan face and exasperated expressions gets me rolling on the floor every time. A lot of actors take "cool" for looking like a block of wood, but LMH doesn't. His cold expressions still say something.

Just some observations: Those who are commenting on how the 10-13% ratings are SYJ's fault and the fact that the ratings are even 10-13% is mostly LMH -- is that even true? How do we know? Sure, SYJ is a bigger movie star than she is a drama star, but I highly doubt that the only people watching this in Korea are LMH's fans. Maybe it is?

And the comment on Kae-In's makeover & Jinho's kiss not increasing the ratings - how does that prove that it's all SYJ's fault.

I'm still hoping that the post production part will improve.

am not sayin YEH should ve been in this series instead of SYJ but trust me YEH is capable of doing any role...and better than any actress out der. I am loving SYJ in PT but that doesnt mean YEH cudn ve done justice if she was the lead...she can do any kind of acting...after she did goong noone thot she cud manage coffee prince...but we all know ^_^ coffee prince is no doubt the best mature kdrama till date.

Why is it always the female that get blamed? And to blame the character's appearance as a critical turned off point is all sort of strange to me.

that is your opinion . i like coffee but in my opinion it's not the best mature kdrama

hi anastassia,

comparing an A+++ actress Agaisnt an A actress is really comparing apples and ornages (see no Plus)

Kidding aside, a more objective comparison would be an analysis of past performances in the same genre (which does not exists between shj and yeh).

Surprised to see so many comments. Shades of MFL? Anyhow, lets wait for EP8 and see what happens after. . . . yeyyeyeyeyeyeyeye

I closed my entries too soon so am back again.

Is it about ratings? Of course! why not? For as long as it is an integral part of the story ( is there a story to begin with?) otherwise, it might just turn into a parade of cameo roles one after the other just to bring in ratings. if it happens, just convert it into a sitcom.

Watching movies and dramas is like art appreciation- its based on personal experience. Be it a drama, comedy, rom-com one judge what they watch based on the feelings it evokes from them (excitement, happiness, fun, nostalgia, thrill, etc) if no strong personal feeling is evoked, then its not good- not fun, not interesting, blah , blah, blah.

Further, these reactions are based on personal life experiences- some watchers are having difficulties in real life hence, they identify themselves with CINDERELLA SISTERS hence they become regulars- whereas, those who are in dull situations and are seeking something new or different to happen might be enticed to watch PT becuase they imagine themselves into that situation. . .am sure you all know these.. just rambling. .

Until episode 8 CIAO