Reviews

Revenge is Best Served ... at the Witch's Diner

(Originally published on my blog)

If we're alive, we can't live without getting hurt.

In the world of endless streaming choices, it's easy to overlook gems hidden in plain sight. 'The Witch's Diner' is one such treasure, previously passed because it looked far too dark and scary. Plus, I'm not a fan of fantasy. But a TikTok clip bursting with praises piqued my curiosity, and here I am.

As I suspected, the show is dark. Literally. My beloved commenters on the streaming network, Viki, are unrelenting in expressing their dismay over how dimly lit the scenes are. I almost felt claustrophobic watching this distinctive visual style. However, I understood that lighting and filters created the desired atmosphere and emotional impact and decided to sally forth bravely.

Sigh. As usual, I've gotten way ahead of myself. The Witch's Diner, initially aired in 2021, serves up a delectably dark fantasy that's as tempting as it is thought-provoking. The series, set in a mysterious restaurant, offers dishes that fulfill wishes at a grave cost, serving a narrative rich in mysticism and moral dilemmas. Helmed by director So Jae-hyun, The Witch's Diner melds the mystical with the morally righteous in an intriguing drama.

Actress Song Ji-Hyo as the character Jo Hee-ra in 'The Witch's Diner.' She is wearing a striking red turtleneck blouse, with long sleeves, and elegant gold earrings. Her expression is solemn and commanding. She is holding a checkered kitchen towel, suggesting a setting within the restaurant. The background is softly focused, with hints of a sophisticated interior.
Song Ji-Hyo as the enigmatic Jo Hee-ra in 'The Witch's Diner,' embodying a blend of stoic elegance and the subtle power of a wish-granting witch.

In the 8-episode series, set against a seemingly ordinary city backdrop, the drama unfolds as we meet the enigmatic witch, Jo Hee-ra, portrayed with captivating intensity by Song Ji-Hyo. Her performance blends stoic mystique and nuanced emotion, drawing viewers into the witch's complex world. Again, Hee-Ra's restaurant offers a unique proposition: dishes that grant wishes but at a steep, often soul-crushing cost.

The narrative also ushers us into the lives of Hee-Ra's unwittingly recruited part-timer, Jung Jin, and the curious high school student Lee Gil-Yong. Each persona is etched with depth, allowing the actors, including Nam Ji-Hyun and Chae Jong-Hyeop, to explore a range of emotions as their stories intertwine with the fates of the restaurant's patrons.

What sets "Witch's Diner" apart is its bold approach to storytelling. It's less about the conventional tropes of romance or melodrama and more a study of human desires and the moral quandaries that accompany them.

It centers on the idea that every wish and desire comes with a price and sometimes unforeseen repercussions. We watch characters, often seeking revenge, make choices based on the devastation of being scammed, the sting of infidelity, the desperation from too many tough breaks, and, in one vignette, a mother's desire to launch her 50-year-old son into independence and marriage. We see the moral dilemmas, physical pain, and mental anguish that accompany their wishes.

The script sometimes veers too far toward the melodramatic, and with a heavy hand, the writers remind us to be careful about what we wish for, as it might come true. However, the writing is bolstered by thoughtful (and quotable) one-liners, tight direction, and a keen sense of pacing.

Visually, the series is a feast. It uses a lot of dark and moody aesthetics, which fits perfectly with its mystical and slightly eerie theme. As I mentioned earlier, using lighting and color creates an atmosphere that's otherworldly and intimately connected to the characters' inner turmoil.

The show's major triumph, however, lies in its ability to balance the fantastical elements of its premise and the genuine, often painful human emotions at its core. It invites viewers to ponder the cost of their deepest wishes, making it a resonant watch.

Overall, the series stands out for its unique concept and thought-provoking narrative. If you enjoy shows that combine fantasy with profound moral questions, "Witch's Diner" is worth a watch. Plus, the culinary aspect and nods to Harry Potter add an extra layer of charm, especially if you appreciate a bit of food magic in your dramas!

Have you watched this series? If so, let me know your thoughts. Will you rewatch it? I'm also curious about your favorite genres and ones you don't normally enjoy but have found occasional gems. What are the shows that have surprised you by defying your initial impressions? Let me know in the comments.


Epilogue

Bonus points for the following in the Witch's Diner:

Opening Title Sequence: The 30-second sequence promises that something wicked yet satisfying awaits. The graphics are incredible, and the musical score featuring clarinets is fun.


Kang Gi Doong: Widely known for his comedic roles, Gi-Doong left no crumbs, as the young kids say in his role as deeply troubled but achingly kind Bae Yoon Ki.


Ahn Eun Jin: This talented actress has a knack for selecting the right script and role. She brought Jin Sun Mi to life and me to my knees with her performance within a performance.

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Mother's Love Will Never Abandon You ♡ A Sad Show With A Bobbled Ending

This is a good drama, but it made me sad - and not a cathartic "sad," like a Chinese or Shakespearean tragedy that is somehow fulfilling. This show brings on an empty sadness.

In the +, the characters are all complex and thus, they remain interesting. I loved the cameo of Seobinggo and Shin Soon-ae from Oh My Ghost, which I consider to be one of the best romcoms ever made. OMG & HBM share a director, Yoo Je-Won. He has 10 works credited to him, all of which are rated 7 or higher. That's outstanding. So far I've seen Tomorrow With You(7-VG but major logical problems and a couple of crashes with consistency) The King: Eternal Monarch(7.9 it's different, and it's not perfect, but it's mostly excellent) and Abyss(4.7 Poor - it's awful, which hurts my feelings because I love Park Bo-young), and Oh My Ghost(10 - it's superb). His most popular shows are Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha & Crash Course in Romance, which are ones I haven't gotten to, yet.

This drama addresses weighty topics (death, loss, regret, guilt) and does it well. Yu-ri shows thoughtfulness and grace… and MOXIE. The best moments are when the ladies get together, especially when they don their sunglasses-of-doom.

There are shortcomings - too many for it to be considered a top-tier production. Some things that happen are unexpected, but the final outcome comes speeding down the road and arrives just as foreshadowed. There is poor resolution. We are treated to some final moments peeking a few years down the line, but it’s too brief and way too ill-defined, and we don't witness much of any healing. Not all the drinks that are poured are imbibed, meaning that many of the characters seem like they would get more of a story arc, but they just evaporated instead. The rules of the "game" are not laid out. Even when the reason Yu-ri came back is confirmed, it doesn't change any of the problems. It is actually a weak plot point: If that method works, we shouldn't need funeral directors or cemeteries as no one would ever stay dead. As lovely as that would be, it doesn't play well in this show.

Their effort to analyze the mother/daughter cycle is respectable. It seems the show's diffuse focus redirects the audience from an exploratory surgery that would provide a deeper analysis of the truth, to: "Take an aspirin and get some rest. It will all blow by "

In summary, this is not a feel-good drama. Don't look for that. It did not help me process my own recent loss: Don't look for that either.

IMHO...
Suggested Age 12& up.


Directing 6.7
Acting 8
Romance 3
Thought provocation 6

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Do monsters have more compassion than humans do?

I have mixed emotions about this season and I'm not sure how to feel about it. I was completely immersed in the first two episodes because they were amazing and emotionally wrecked me. I think the reason for this was the emotional attachment I felt towards the characters from the first season, which was very strong even though I watched it three years ago. The characters and their stories made the first season fabulous, and that's what I missed in this season. I was disappointed by the lack of emotional connection.

I loved how the monster's perspective was presented in the show, which ironically made them more relatable than the humans. It kept me guessing about who was on the right side and who deserved to live and thrive. Instead of answering questions, this season left me with more confusion and questions. I disliked almost every new character introduced and they annoyed me. The story's pace was off in the middle of the drama, and almost nothing notable happened in between. Then, too many things were thrown into the mix all at once.This season had less blood than the first season. I remember my dad dropping the show after the first episode because of the amount of blood lol.

I missed some characters terribly, and that was a downside of the season.

The acting, music, and CGI were great, as expected from Netflix.

Though it didn't live up to first season, but it was enjoyable... if I just see it as an individual drama than the drama having a great first season. Some twists were really great and left me wanting to know more. Deifnitely waiting for next season as now I have wayyy many questions that needs be answered right now.

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One of the best second seasons I've ever watched

Where should I start, I'm just amazed by how good this was and I never felt bored and was at the edge of my seat the whole time! There was a lot of interesting new stuff and scenes and I like how the director listens to the fans (something at the end) that's something very rare to see! But.. BUT.. I wish we could have got a longer fight with Ui-myeong and Hyun-su, their rivalry was so exciting and it was great seeing Hyun-su finally mastering his powers but I understand: Ui-myeong is Ui-myeong, no wonder the fight was unequal. And there was a lot of interesting new characters introduced: particularly Yi-kyung's daughter, I really like how she's a big menace to everyone. Not to forget that some of the new monsters designs are very cool, was amazed with that too. Maybe the only thing which is a BIT irritating is that I expected some characters to live longer (we know who) but yeah overall I really liked this season and I'm excited for season 3 (summer 2024)!!! The release of the OST would be a little plus..

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Dimestore Harlequin Novel On Your TV ~ VG Lite-Snack Romcom

This is not an instant classic. Nor will it be studied in a film class. It is a classic, somewhat cheesy, romance without any major flaws. Classic, here, means it's akin to those cheap paperback novels that were written by the dozens a few decades ago, the biggest publisher being Harlequin. My sister would by the bagfuls.

Yumi is a girl who is trying to live a better life than her narcissistic ex-adult film star mother. She was teased relentlessly in school over her parentage, so she doesn't want to be equated with her mother anymore. Enough already. She needs distance. She wants to be a *whole world* away from her & her mother's pasts. To draw a solid line between her and Oma, Yumi keeps herself buttoned up and tries to stumble her way through life in the background.

She embarks on a weekend trip for mom's second (Wait. It was the 3rd, maybe?) marriage. For Yumi, the weekend is one fiasco followed by another, culminating in a one night stand. In a convertible. On the beach. With a dude so good looking, he's almost too pretty. None of this makes Yumi feel better about it. She's disgusted with herself. She doesn't even know his name! (But HER mother wouldn't be so ashamed). She wakes first in the morning, slinking off with some of dude's clothing, leaving him exposed to the elements... and gawkers- quite a crowd, actually. All ages. They loved the show. He received loads of fanfare, too.

Yumi, next, slinks back home to focus on putting her life in order. She graduates with a dietary sciences/nutrition degree and is thrilled to land a job at a large corporation that offers great benefits. She's thrilled /until/ she runs into HIM. She has to figure out how to best slice and dice this situation pronto.

That sets the table. You'll have to watch it to see what's on the menu.

MSR is not devoid of quality elements. "No matter how many bad things happen in a day, if one lucky thing happens, it's a lucky day," says Yum-i, while buddy-chugging wine from the bottle, in a convertible, surfside, under the magically lit sky… 15 min later they have a 1 night stand.

{Timeout: That's never a good idea. It's unacceptable risk to one's physical and emotional health, and one will win the lottery before it leads to committed love. That's one reason it's a fun thing to watch and wonder, and then walk away. }

This is a show to which lovers of romance, who need a mental vacation, can relax and enjoy some healthy snacks. Their little chess game, misunderstandings, series of non-communications, and many memorable meals, will make loveaholics smile. Cha Jin-hook (Played by the otherworldly gorgeous Sung Hoon) tells his father, who is pushing for his marriage: "My wife is right here," metaphorically meaning the business. However, his wife is literally #there, in the building. Nice morsel. I suspect that Yumi's name is a play on the English word "Yummy" - also a clever detail.

There are scattered problems: Some minor, some moderate, but they don't bring on indigestion. MSR is what it was designed to be, as a whole - simple escapism. However, it could be improved on. Starting in Ep11, there were too toooooo 2*2*2 many sappy flashback scenes, with sappy background music. They could have made it an episode shorter, or, better yet, make optimal use of that screen time with more content. Do yourself a favor, and FF thru them. When Yumi is singing Karaoke, be warned: They do the #whole song with flashbacks. Then Mr. Cha goes down memory lane. It gets ridiculous, but some quick remote control work takes care of it. Trust me on this one.

The actors are likable, and they did a great job. The secondary romances are brief pleasures. It's easy to root for them. The CEO's aid wears over-the-top-flowered-polka dot-paisley-anything-suits. He's amazing, and wears them proudly. He's one for the highlight reels.

This is a good enough aperitif between heavier shows. If you are at a loss as to what to watch next, but in the mood for a heroine-exits-cocoon style romance, this will do as nicely as an afternoon tea.

IMHO...

Age 16+ My reasoning: Her mom is an ex-porn star, which has been a lifetime vexation for Yumi. Also, they have a one-night-stand when they hardly know each other. There's so many other great Kdramas to watch, so there's no rush for teens to see this one.

Directing 7
Acting 7.4
Romance 8
Flutters 7
Warmth 7.7
Art 7.6
Laughs 6.6
Thought provocation 6
Ending 8

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A importância do amanhã

Sou muito fã do Ro Woon então resolvi assistir por ele ser um dos protagonistas e acabei me surpreendendo com o drama .

Ele aborda temas pesados e vidas tristes que deixam você com aquele sentimento apertado porém depois que a equipe de prevenção resolve tudo vem uma alegria e a vontade de assistir o próximo episódio pra ver mais do universo de jummadung .

Achei muito legal a história de cada um dos membros da equipe e adorei que colocaram os personagens na dinastia joseon que tem uma temática super diferente do que a série propõe e não te deixa enjoar fácil do seriado .

Só achei as músicas fracas , podia ter alguma do SF9 né rsrs . Também achei o episódio do cãozinho meio sem sentido e devem ter feito para dar 16 episódios , é o mais chatinho .

Recomendo muito pra quem curte ação e dramas com plot twist !!

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Wow double wow… make it triple!

I just finished watching my first K-drama, and I must say that it exceeded my expectations. Although I was initially hesitant to listen to Korean as I'm more used to Chinese, the fantastic acting, superb scriptwriting, and perfect casting quickly won me over. The chemistry between the actors was palpable, and the engaging music, especially the beautiful violin pieces, added a special touch to the whole experience. I was particularly impressed by the lack of major inconsistencies, which is usually a pet peeve of mine.

Compared to the Chinese version of this story, which I found immature and unpolished, this Korean version was tenfold better. It accurately portrayed class inequality, and the geisha-eng character was way more believable and well-cast than in the Chinese version, where she looked like a kid in disguise. Although the king walking around as a commoner was a bit unbelievable, I still enjoyed the quartet in both dramas.

However, I must point out some flaws that detracted from the show's perfection. The directors and scriptwriters could have done better with certain details, such as the handkerchief on top of the hair, the clothes bandage on a deep cut without sewing or medicine, and the hand on the hair instead of the forehead. Also, it was unrealistic that a person could disguise themselves as a gesheang in just a few minutes, and a single red bruise after getting kicked by ten guys was not convincing.

Despite these minor faults, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama, and it has made me a fan of K-dramas. I appreciate that K-dramas are more open-minded regarding sex and LGBT+ and do not ridicule man love man like some Chinese dramas. The conversation about loving and being attracted to a man was intriguing and handled sensitively. The only downside was the epilogue, which could have been better even if the ending was happy.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this drama to everyone. It's a must-watch that deserves to be rewatched. Kudos to the quartet, who stole my heart with their performances.

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its like a warm hug

Why is this drama not mentioned more often in ‘to watch’ lists?? I’m going to start a petition and spread the word, more people need to watch this!

This show made me smile, laugh, cry, go ‘ooh’ and ‘aaaw’ so many times. It was funny, romantic and so, so full of love.
Not love just romantically, but family wise. It is almost a commercial for having a big family at home. I felt a little bit of ‘empty nest syndrome’
towards the end!

Also, the chemistry between all main characters was, to me, amazing. The scenes with Gyu-Jin and Jae-Sook were hilarious, the casting was so good!!

I just love love loveeeed this show so much! Will definitely rewatch it!!

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Like a perfect manga!

This BL has been quite viral and for good reason. The couple is adorable together and the height difference further adds to this. There's something about them being childhood friends that makes the viewer naturally curious about the relationship of the two. I am very satisfied with this BL and the length of it. 8 x 20 minute episodes is great for a Japanese BL and each episode added depth. I did feel like my expectations were made a bit too high from what I saw on social media, as the BL feels very fictional and manga-like with some of the acting and mannerisms. This is highly enjoyable but it does decrease the relatability factor for me personally. The side characters were enjoyable enough, maybe not quite as much as some of the side characters in other J-BLs. I was particularly annoyed by the guy who keeps trying to get Kakeru a girlfriend, but it is realistic for a Japanese high school setting. Overall, I highly recommend this BL, the visuals and vibes of the drama are great and I am looking forward to see more from the two. We didn't get much skinship other than a cute handholding scene and two kissing scenes that didn't quite feel passionate, but I don't think this is the BL that needed that. Enjoy this drama!

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Story good. Characters to be desired

I watched the entire drama because it was funny, the story itself i thought was interesting and i liked that they added modern references to what is supposedly a historical fantasy drama. But throughout the entire thing, i just found the characters to be lacking and infuriating. There was no development of the villan’s character or the king’s brother’s character. Even by episode 23 you still dont know what is motivating the hate and/or desire. You can assume that its power, but nothing in the show indicates that or why they want that.

The one thing that is the cause for this low rating is the character of the princess. The actress did a wonderful job in portraying the character, I believe, but the character was just a contradiction. She’s supposed to be lovable, charming, and a free thinker, but all I got was narcissistic, selfish, and superficial. She never even tried to give the king a chance and was always just chasing after her own agenda. This character may not affect everyone, but for me, it was just infuriating to watch. I did not like her at all.

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This K-drama is... Different

I'm seeing a lot of mixed reviews for this K-drama which inspired men to write my own.
It's not a bad K-drama, it's just as if it's kind of stuck between being 2-3 different things, ending up by being none of them. It's not very light hearted, but not horribly dark either. It's not really a Whodunnit, nor a typical procedural show. The love triangle/-s is/are interesting, but definitely in the background. The conflicts are there, but not very prominent.
I don't regret watching it through to the end, many of the actors are really good and enjoyable to watch, but this is very unlikely to be something I'll ever watch again, and I'm really glad it's only 14 episodes.

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W♡nder-Girl Meets Bad☆Boy☆Band! °8.3° °Excellent°

Wondering if this is worth your time?

If you love Kromcoms, this show is mandatory. If you think romcoms are Daebek, SK or otherwise, you will want to add this one to your list. Here's the test: If you aren't starstruck by ep2's conclusion, just move on; BOF is not for you.

Jun-Pyo may love viewing the skies through his telescope, but BOF isn't intended to be viewed through a high powered one. Lie back, look at the stars and dream a spell. Yes, there's consistency issues, and 2-2-Too much back and forth. Yet, I couldn't stop watching. 25 episodes is a LOT, and yes, it should have been trimmed back. The last vignette is best forgotten; it's that 5th season that never should have been made. Ask Jun-Pyo to hand over a towel in order to wipe that one away.

Additionally, it stretches credulity a tad far when we see these ruthless and cruel overlords of the school all (rather quickly) turn from black holes into North Stars. Actually, the 3 aren't necessarily cruel, but they are indifferent, which is just as bad. Since they were in playpens together, it seems that his 3 quasi underlings just let Jun-Pyo be Jun-Pyo. He is the sole instigator, the solar flare. Jan-di's parents are over the top of Namsam tower extra, but within the sphere of comedies at large. Jan-di has some strange moments in the first 3 or so episodes. She almost looks (clinically) spastic. Obviously, the director was going for laughs, but ultimately gets a "Huh?" None of that is important, though, because this is very Pride and Prejudice (especially if Darcy had an evil queen for a mother) with some Beauty and the Beast stardust thrown in.

Geum Jan-di is a beautiful soul, and Gu Jun-pyo loves her so completely, that I fell for them. Their relationship is lovable... when it's not WWIII, that is. The way they tit-for-tat fight, make up, and merely converse (always addressing each other using full names only, for example) is adorable. The leads did a bang-up job: The attachment feels authentic, and the sparks are visceral. While I haven't seen the lauded Japanese version, Koo Hye-sun is perfect - she's artsy, smart, and still forward-strong: She's a singer-songwriter, actress, director and artist now. I love her Jan-di, except for the loose handful of Red Cards. Lee Min-Ho - Don't dismiss him. He's not a heartthrob merely because he dropped from the sky that way. He built his image one work at a time, and BOF was his big launch to international stardom.

It does make sense that he falls for her, btw. "No" is something he'd never heard. Ever. He's no longer a lone star in upper space looking down on everything. Here comes a moon at his level, orbiting him. He loves the challenge. While engaging in the contest and in partial shock a girl exists that isn't interested in him, Gu Jun-Pyo concludes that Jan-di is the #only light in his sky. He's been denied love and family time, which is what his heart wants most. She blew his mind by standing up to him. He fixates on Jan-di as his panacea, his home. He boorishly pursues her, knowing nothing but bossing people around. He'll grab her arm to drag her somewhere, and she #lets him. She, likely, has no idea why(?!) she lets him. She certainly doesn't want to like him - given how much she °loathes° him. The human heart is a mystery, indeed. If you find his behavior offensive, you're right, but only for a twinkle. Gu Jun-Pyo is a quasar, Jan-di, the red giant. Once their paths collide, the quasar changes course, shooting down to earth. All those episodes find Jan-di schooling Gu Jun-Pyo. He accepts her tutoring and becomes a better, happier, more peaceful man. The opening of the show finds him a veritable toddler - le infantile terrible - throwing tantrums and money at everything that vexes him. Don't think for a moment that he's domineering, abusive, or controlling in the relationship; that ain't what's going down. Jan-di would kick him in the head if she didn't want his attentions. Anyone thinking Gu Jun-Pyo is in the lead is projecting. He enters HER world, and it's endearing. They travel light-years to bond, only to have that bond tested to the extreme. The gravitational pull between them only strengthens as they share any orbit to work through obstacles together.

BOF is an excellent choice for teens. Jan-di is a shining role model. Her beautiful smile elevates all who are in her proximity (except The Witch). She stands for what's right. She is courageous. She's a veritable Joan Of Arc in the battle for Shinwa High- Without the burned-at-the-stake thing. Yet, she can be as comforting as a plate of warm pancakes. The way Gu Jun-Pyo adores her, emitting rays of warmth in which she can bask, should resonate with teenage girls, and prod them to reflect on their standards when it comes to boyfriend material. If you can swim with it and overlook some of the goofy stuff, you will escape to the great beyond with this entire group of friends. You will also be treated to an epic kiss, mid thruway at rush hour, in the background is the sun dropping from the sky, igniting the space between them. Eat your hearts out Sunny, Ginger & Miranda.

The notoriety of the show, which includes its effect on popular culture, plus the fact that BOF boosted Kdramas' popularity globally, as well as the numerous nominations and awards bestowed all supply evidence that this series is WONDER-FUL.

IMHO~》》

Directing 7
Acting 8
Romance 9
Flutters 8
Warmth 7
Art 7
Action 5
Thought provocation 6
Ending 8

For Age 13+ with cautions: Jan-di gets duped into taking fetish photos. She's shown in a childlike skirt and wearing bunny ears. She holds up a revealing costume and refuses to put it on. There are two setups to look like two singles shared a bedroom (to get an enemy in trouble), and there was a lie about a pregnancy scare. These would all be good for generating worthy discussions regarding safety of person and reputation. Decide accordingly.

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Give me more of the original cast

So I was sort of middle-of-the-fence about season 1, and I feel similarly about season 2.

To start with the good things — the vibe of the show is on point. The cinematography and set design give, and the effects do a nice job of tying it all together. I particularly love the look of Hyun-su's monster form.

The characters that had survived S1 were all my favorites — Ji-su, Eun-yu, Hyun-su, Yi-kyung — so I was really excited to see how they stories would continue and who they would meet along the way, but I tuned out to have a bit of mixed emotions on this.

I liked Hyun-su's story but I felt like we barely saw it. There were a few episodes where he was completely sidelined and just in general the subplot of him being experimented on ended really fast, which was disappointing because it would've been a much different plot than the "humans running from monsters in the wild" situation we'd seen before.

I was the most satisfied with Eun-yu's story and her screentime. It was amazing seeing her develop into such a badass, and she had really good chemistry with Chan-young, who is probably the only new character that really grew on me this season.

With that being said, I felt like there were one too many new characters that were introduced and I don't think I was that invested in a lot of them. There were a lot of soldiers and some new people who were also just living at the base, and overall I didn't think focusing on all of these characters were necessary. There were several antagonists, some of which I didn't care too much about, and overall with so many subplots I feel like they took screentime away from the original cast. To be honest, I also just found the soldiers difficult to tell apart.

My biggest gripe, however, is with Yi-kyung and how sidelined she felt when she was supposed to be a main character. I've never been a fan of the "special child" trope, and this really reminded me why — a new character comes in and suddenly all our original cast acts like they're the most important and their existing plotlines fizzle out. Yi-kyung was pretty much shown only in relation to her daughter this entire season, and even the other characters like Hyun-su got a bit of this treatment near the end.

It's one thing if we had gotten more time to gradually see the development, but the time jump + flashback method didn't help.

Other than this, this season still ends on a strong note, and I'll be tuning into S3, for Hyun-sun, for Eun-yu, and for Chan-young.

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Worth the Watch in My Opinion

I’ve watched this BL a few times now and I still love it. I’ve looked at other reviews and understand a little bit from where they come from but feel like many miss a lot of the important marks. So I’m going to lay it out with Pros, Cons, and Issues with other reviews.i hope it helps people look at the series in a new light but also maybe give more appreciation to the show. I know that I’ll most likely watch the series again sometime in the next few months because I think it’s a cute story that’s different from a lot of BL shows out there. I still want a second season where they flesh out more of the concepts.

Cons:
So the first con is that that the episodes are way too short and definitely could’ve been longer. Next, we have to look at the issues portrayed in the series in which some are too complex to fully flesh out in the short time frame they did. Lastly, since the series as of right now is not doing a second season they can’t really go back and flesh those complex issues out more which is really sad. Especially, when Aiaoon confronts Nawee’s father I would’ve loved to see how he was going to make him regret his actions from not just the past but also what he’s done to his own son.

Pros:
I love the chemistry between the actors and how each has their own unique quirks. Aiaoon is a nice, sweet, and caring character. However, you learn that he clearly has trust issues which are fully warranted because of how Nawee’s father previously screwed over Aiaoon’s father. It’s obviously clear that Nawee does not know about this incident as neither his father or Aiaoon tell him. Oab only learns about it because he’s curious about his brother’s reluctance to make a suit for Nawee. Regardless of how his father was treated he puts those feelings aside to make the suit which shows one of the few growths he has in overcoming his own trauma from the past. In Nawees case the actor clearly gives the audience a visceral reaction for wanting to dislike him which is what is intended. As he opens up more about his trauma and you learn about his family dynamics you can see the range of emotions he goes through. Regardless of that you see him slowly begin to change and grow when he’s apologizing, and even willing to begin stepping foot outside again. The series ends happily on a cute note.

Issues with other reviews:
There are many issues I have with other reviews that seem to miss important marks and concepts. First, let’s start with Aiaoon’s “girlfriend” who randomly appears. It makes sense she randomly appears because when she does its talk about him going to London making it clear she probably lives there and not close by. It’s also clear that not just her but also her father have pressured Aiaoon into the relationship to begin with. Many people feel he’s wishy washy with communication about their relationship, but that actually not true. If you actually pay attention to their conversation she clearly states are you ever going to be ready for marriage I know you keep saying you’re not ready. If someone doesn’t want to be in a relationship and they’ve made it clear but it’s still being forced upon them ofcourse they will seem to have awkward or poor communication in regard's to the relationship. Imagine how exhausting it would be to constantly saying you don’t want to be in a relationship with someone and not just them but their family is pressuring you to be together. At some point you won’t have the energy to keep arguing the matter and even if you do it’s clearly been a waste of time more often than not. The fact that she says my dad set up an appointment for us to look at engagement rings and his response is do I have a choice the appointment has already been made shows that the is nots the first time this kind of incident has occurred in which he’s being forced into the situation. Many people fail to look at or attempt to understand how that makes him feel and blame the writing and he being an unnecessary character. Her character serves a purpose without her Aiaoon might have taken longer to really know he wants to be with Nawee and without her offer of going to London Nawee wouldn’t have to courage to begin to really fully overcome his trauma. When Sichol forcibly takes Nawee out of the house he doesn’t really understand how bad Nawees trauma affects him and does so not out of malice but rather he thinks he’s just being difficult as his character appears to be. Sure it’s not a good idea to not believe someone’s trauma, but sometimes people need a small does forcible immersion therapy because they need help getting out of their own way. Think of it like this is someone is severely afraid of the dark and the lights have to be on at all times that not only is costly for electricity but also that limits how long someone can work or even be outside. If they refuse to learn and a friend forces them to face their fear it’s the first step in helping them be willing to do it themselves. Not everyone has the ability to do it on their own. Even bird push their young out of the nest to teach them to fly. Also by him doing that he gets his first taste of being outside the house and finds someone who ends up wanting to be there for him and help him when he’s ready to go outside. Nawee states that’s he’s seen specialists and none of them could cure him and that makes sense because they are looking at it from a clinical standpoint and can only help with a minor part of the problem. The larger problem being his father, step mother, and step brother. You learn from his flashbacks that he used to go outside no problems it’s only when children (being the monsters they can be sometimes) start bullying my him calling him a b**tard child. Children don’t grasp certain concepts like adults so young Nawee doesn’t understand why they are essentially saying he’s an illegitimate child. The immense amount of bullying sends him into essentially a severe panic attack causing him to develop the symptoms that turn into more permanent symptoms every time he goes out alone. It’s clear his trauma can be treated and over come when he discusses how his mom wouldn’t let him go out by himself that way if it happened she would be right there as a safety net. Which is really what he needed had she not died he would’ve most likely overcome his trauma more. However, because she passed and how his family treated him he regressed instead which is not uncommon. He takes steps to over come his trauma first by going to Aiaoon’s birthday, and then a second time when he goes to the cafe (even if it had a disastrous moment). It isn’t until he finds out Aiaoon is going to move to London that he realizes if he doesn’t want to lose someone important to him he has to be willing to do the thing he fears the most and leave the house. Not only does he leave the house confronting his stepbrother along the way when he does get to Aiaoon’s shop he refuses to have help when he’s staggering while walking over to him. He also doesn’t pass out or get a nosebleed this time showing that he’s found a reason to become stronger and better in the form of a person who cares about him and wants him to succeed which is vastly different than how his family treats him. A lot of review take issue with the way he portrays the mental health issues and feel like that these mental health issues are being mocked. There is no one size fits all for mental health issues. How one person expresses a phobia is going to be different than someone else. For example I have two friends with arachnophobia (fear of spiders) one freaks out every time they see a spider regardless of where it is, while the other only freaks out when they are in a building or car and see a spider because they have gotten to the point of realizing when outside spiders exist and they might see one and logically understand. Do I think Nawees portrayal was perfect textbook agoraphobia no, but I do think that it was a good portrayal of how that character expresses it.

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Tae-yo's Bunkhouse For Stowaways ¤ How They Rock The Boat Until They Float. °Excellent°

This breezy series is like riding a skiff, whisking along the ebb & flo. We all know it wouldn't be a Kdrama without some stormy moments, as well as a sad sense of loss for a 'sailor', or two. For all that, MFFL, like a summer shandy&soju, is lite and full of good cheer.

Tae-yo is from a (pause) comfortable family. As such, he gets to live alone at one of the family docks (a spare house) while bobbling through college.

In the span of a dozen bells or so, several of his mates suffer a boarding crisis and show up at Tae-yo's 'gangway.' This mishmash of stowaways all know Tae-yo, but none of them know each other. Aigoo, why did he answer the door? His one friend, Cho-hun, (Hun) played by the charming Kang Tae-oh, boards wearing a dress(⁉). The captain, his $father$, you see, had ordered him to jumpship and leave anything Hun hadn't bought with his own money. Iin other words, leave with nothing. Pushed out to sea on an iceberg, he has no lifeboat... or pants. Dangerously exposed to arrest, said dress, swiped from a clothesline, is what bare-ly spares him from the MP's and the brig.

All aboard! Tae-yo fails to take any prisoners or to make anyone walk the plank. He accepts that they'll be bunking with him for weeks out to sea. He must keep their enlistment at the quarters hidden from his father, The Logistic CDR, or lose his own cabin. Bon Voyage! Wave❕ MFFL pulls up anchor and begins merrily drifting with the tide.

In our spy glasses, we view Tae-yo's Crew adjusting to close quarters, while unavoidably forming a band-of-brothers and making allies with the broader circle of Tae-yo's friends, while at the same time keeping each other's secrets (mostly). These shipmates are like warm currents. It's cozy and cheery sailing with them. There's Song-i, Tae-yo's best friend, who's mom went awol, there's Gar-in, who ran away from her suffocating mother, (Gar-in's cuter than a Pekingese Dog Fish) and you've already met Hun. Hun's an out of work/never worked actor & singer (but not much of a dancer). He and Gar-in are the live entertainment. Hun also astutely marks the 5 stages of Tae-yo's breakup, in real time live feed. He's wrong about it all, and yet he's so right. Wrong or right, he's adorable.

In MFFL there's another of those ubiquitous Bermuda-love-triangles, but with its own twist. Predictable? Given that they meticulously forecast the weather, it's clear to see where things are headed. (Predictable is generally a tedious criticism of romances & feel-good jaunts. For a thriller or mystery - or an M. Night Shyamalan film - predictability is a shipwreck; but for works like MFFL, it's an empty net). The love triangle is integral to the plot in MFFL, so we shouldn't blame them that so many other productions forcibly wedge it into their scripts. Nevertheless, Kdramas are flooded over with unnecessary formulaic love triangles. While we're swabbing the deck, we can address one more overused device - MoMPs: Missing-or-Misplaced-Parent(s) show up too often as well. In MFFL this is not well used and is a plot weakness.

But MFFL doesn't take on water just because, in a house of 20 year olds, romantic pairs form and reform. Close quarters, particularly on this "Love Boat" lead to such. They're all looking for the perfect oar to go with their rigging, afterall. It's the journey, the swelling attraction, imbibing truth about one's feelings, and the GoPro filming keeping things afloat, along with the smiles and the warmth.

MFFL also dives into growing pains, especially adjusting from kiddie pool friendships to the wide open seas of adulthood. Tae-yo and Song-i have been inseparable since age 3. We watch them each drop anchor into a relationship. There's a big adjustment for all parties, given how close those two are.

When Song-i is first dating, she keeps the identity of her boyfriend classified, because he's Tae-yo's friend, and they aren't ready to go public. Tae-yo is thoroughly agitated over everything happening with this phantom bf of Song-i's. He says: 'This jerk let you walk home in the rain' (he had to work). Then Tae-yo comes out with: 'A decent guy would never let the woman he loves doubt herself'. Of course, right then he's causing her, his best friend, to doubt herself. 'She's got to break it off with that dude', He complains to his friend. Said friend and Song-i are each getting dating advice from Tae-yo, who doesn't connect that they are the two dating, even when he comments that their stories are similar. He loves to complain about the jerk Song-i is dating to that "jerk," who can only listen and take it. Cute.

Director Oh Jin-suk is 2-for-2 with me, as I love "My Sassy Girl," (2017). That show is also weatherproofed with straight feelgood joy, despite the usual impossible outlook in ep1.

Cruisin on this 'houseboat,' and with this blended crew, following them on their excursions to school, work, dates (why is that jerk keeping Song-i out so late! Grrr) and back home again, is what makes it skip like stones on a brook. MFFL is not trying to be a tempest. It gently flows, so these friends can coast near the shoreline and stargaze from the top deck. It's a swimmy recess, a winsome escape, and plain old smooth sailing.

In short, slipping away briefly with MFFL is just happy hangout time whilst catching the high tide with buoyant allies. If you hate smiling, just take the next charter.

Now pass that Soju shot!

IMHO...

Age 12+.

Directing 8
Writing 7
Acting 8
Romance 7
Flutters 6
Warmth 9
Art 7
Sound & music 8
Laughs 6
Ending 8

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