Excellent actors who did the best they could with the terrible plot.
I had high hopes for this drama. Despite the censorship and very little skinship there was potential for great chemistry between the leads. Unfortunately this potential chemistry never really took off, and aside from a couple of excellent historical scenes the rest of the drama gets more and more ridiculous and goes totally off the rails.Pros: Good musical score, the historical costumes are really nice, and great acting from the cast despite a very poorly written, illogical, repetitive script with huge flaws in logic.
Cons: Everything else. Smart, confident and skilled characters suddenly become uselessly stunned and make stupid decisions just to push the story along. Themes that matter a lot in one episode are suddenly forgotten for another 6 episodes before resurfacing for convenience and then being dropped again. The same scenes repeat so often that we are extremely bored because we have seen them something like 6 times before! Very tropey to the point that horror scenes are actually comedic towards the end. For example: Running away? Keep stopping to make soulful dialogue and let danger catch up to you before running again for a few steps. !!??
Ultimately I watched it till the end for closure and due to the hilarious comments from other viewers on Viki. Would love to see the leads together again in another historical drama even though I don't usually watch that genre - I would watch it to see them acting together.
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I am disappointed with the ending.
I am little confused or to say little disappointed from the ending. When they meet again in the tourist place will YOUNG HWA taking photos, if I take it as the next life or reincarnation, then JUN OH coming back to life from death in the current life made me no sense if they were not destined to be together as per fate even after the cursed is removed.After JUN OH came back to life and if he had remembered about YOUNG HWA, about their love etc. in his dreams in the current life and they got back together that should been a happy ending. Instead of that so-called happy ending, if they had ended the episode after the airplane scene, that would also have been a good ending.
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Beautiful and Romantic
The opening graphics were beautiful, (reminded me of Tale of The Nine Tailed. Gosh, where can I buy the prints ). It sets the mood for the story and I took my time to see it on every episode. Kim Young Dae is so versatile, he can play silly and super arrogant, all while being handsome, like in “Sh**ting Stars”. The chemistry of the leads grew on me over time, but did take some effort to believe it by halfway through the series.Not all fantasy stories have happy ever after, most keep consistent with the underlying premise. I thought this one satisfying but not unique. My all time favorite fantasy is “Goblin”, this series doesn’t reach Goblin’s standards but I still enjoyed it.
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Not Impressed
When Moon in the Day started, it had potential to be really interesting. The whole past life connected to the present life could have been done well but the let down was the story itself.The major problems I had with the plot was that they really kept dragging what actually happened in the past. Everything was mysterious but not in a good way. Rather in a very slow and boring way. The reveal will only come in the last 3 episodes and you feel like, "is that it?". Also one thing I noticed is the FL in the past had struck the ML on the neck. But in the present, his scar is on his upper chest/shoulder. A very bizarre mistake when you keep repeating that scene and highlighting where the sword struck him. It simply does not match. They just wanted to be able to hide the scar without making the actor wear a turtle neck.
Another thing I disliked is the FL was a strong character. Both physically and mentally. She was capable of taking care of herself but shortly afterwards, she ends up being made to portray a helpless character. I wish they would have kept her character as a firefighter. She shouldn't have had to give up her job. Rather if the writers allowed us opportunity to see how much the ML actually cares for her even when he thinks he doesn't when he sees her endangering her life to save others. For the first half of the show, ML was trying to kill her and that suddenly changes without explaining how or why his anger subsided or why he thought he could move on if he was the one to kill her to begin with when he didn't do that in any of the previous lives. It also begs the question that if he was with her for 1500 years, how was he unable to protect her other times she dies but this time/life it was possible like saving her from drowning to the point that she believed she had a guardian angel.
There really isn't much happening in the first half. The historical scenes were good. They should have shown more moments in the present. This also needed more romance. The ML and FL were serious for the most part. Wish we could have seen their chemistry throughout even if was funny moments.
The brother's character was decent. The bad guy was okay. The other characters were mostly just there without much effect. The monk also spoke in unnecessary riddles so it was mostly a waste.
The ending is okay but I didn't really feel super delighted. Wish they had shown more. I guess you can call it a realistic ending. It's not a terrible show but nothing fantastic.
I thought the theme song and the design of it was beautiful. One of the few things that really stood out.
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Pleasantly Surprised
I liked this drama much more than I expected to. The acting was very good and I appreciated the efforts of the actors and writers in bringing a good production to television.A pretty firefighter gets tangled with a famous celebrity when she saves him during a car accident. Unfortunately, he isn't all that he seems. Our FL is suffering from dreams of having lived a past life which have been troubling her, only to intensify when she meets the young celebrity.
The writers set this drama in the present but it also has backstories dating back to hundreds of years. Those costume scenes are some of the most sizzling and intense portions of the drama and it almost overtakes the storyline in the present. In the past, the young handsome nobleman must show a dangerous and unyielding personality to his household. But underneath, he is gentle and passionate, particularly when a young woman catches his eye. He exudes an intensity that took my breath away. Kudos to our ML for the great work in bringing his character to life. The young woman has a tragic secret and has sworn to take revenge on those who have destroyed her happiness. She becomes both a blessing and a bane to our young nobleman.
Fast forward to the present and the unfinished business of the past comes to light between the two present day leads. Revenge is at the top of their list, but will it give way to the other intense feelings carried with them over the centuries? Will anger threaten to destroy them, or will it give way to love?
I was very impressed with this drama and will look out for more dramas by the same writers. It has a nice soundtrack, too.
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It’s really not THAT bad
This drama is a hard one to rate. For sure there are flaws, but I don’t believe it truly deserves all the negative reviews it is receiving. Maybe because it was not well advertised and then started off much more stronger but then fell apart, that missed potential and disappointment is showing up in the reviews.Unfortunately this drama suffered from what I see happen way too frequently in Chinese and Korean dramas: awesome actors and ideas ruined, by no fault of their own, from terrible script writers and plot points. What a sad waste.
All the actors did a good job really. Our ML is not usually my cup of tea, but in this drama he was fantastic and believable. He carried some really hard nuanced and emotional scenes. I hadn’t really noticed the FL before, but I found her natural beauty and acting much more charming than many of the overly stiff and perfect looking female leads today. Yes, like many others I was much more invested in their past lives plot. Together they had great chemistry, nuance, and really sold me on the angst. Now why did they have terrible fish kisses circa old Chinese dramas? Again, blame it on the director.
Which brings me to my last point. This drama really reminds me of older dramas made in the early to mid 2000’s. It felt a bit dated in some good and bad ways. The bad? The music style, questionable angst, some stiff kisses, and not able to entirely carry off then tie up all the senseless, terrible things that happen to our characters.
It is not easy to pull of this genre and some older Kdramas did it much better than others. Those dramas that did it well were the full package and have stood the test of time, but others crashed and burned hard. I think if this drama was released 10 years ago it would’ve done better than now, issues and all.
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Two love stories. One is great
The modern plot lacks everything, intensity, pace, and chemistry between leads. The character of 21 century girl is inconsistent. She is supposed to be a brave hero, she is a fireman after all, but she is easily manipulated and walks around grumpy, and her decisions often don't make sense.It would be a simple and average story about a ghost, revenge and a girl, but fortunately, we have a true love story in ancient Silla. I wish it would be a main plot!
It has a deep meaning of love and death, beautiful scenes and visuals.
It is hard to rationally justify the sins of the previous life and the endless punishment, and that's why the scenario can't be good, but it's enough for an uncomplicated drama.
The ending? Not bad.
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Even the trash didn't know it had competition
100% hater and slander review. You've been warned.I've seen Pyo Yejin in Taxi Driver. She was fine there, she was excellent and Kim Young Dae was good in Penthouse, but I don't know what the hell they were doing in this drama. They were acting as if they came fresh from acting school. It was BAD. I have never watched a drama and felt so off put by the bad acting.
The female actress here can't support herself. She is making this show go from bad to worse. While the actor is clearly forcing his voice to sound so deep that I bet you his throat is SORE after this to the point of hospitalizations.
I'm sorry but the actors were a wrong cast here. Actually, I'm NOT sorry. I'm saying this with my whole chest. Hell, I don't think they are even compatible. They are so dull and everything about them was OFF. NEVER CAST THEM AGAIN TOGETHER! They have the chemistry of a dead fish.
The story? Booooring. There is BARELY a plot. How do you make an interesting concept but then write it the worst way possible? The modern day plot so directionless. APPARENTLY, a guy wanting to kill the main leads should be enough to get you through 10 HOURS of watchtime. This ain't the best thing since sliced bread. In fact, there isn't even butter on the bread, no cheese on this pizza, no sauce in this pasta, it's just crusty and dry. Eating no plot. The romance could have sustained it but they were like magnetic polarity, repelling in the name of Jesus Christ from each other. A North and South Pole.
The only decent part is the historical aspect of the story. That's the only one that seemed to have some sort of purpose but when the modern part is lacking severely, the history is as well because I don't give a damn. This is not the only drama with past lives integrated nor will it be the last. How am I supposed to like this lukewarm storyline when I have seen better?
The female lead? Annoying. Throw her whole character away. The only trait she have is her savior complex. How about she buys herself a personality??? How about instead of saving lives, she saves that personality that she doesn't have? Because she let it die tragically.
The male Lead? A walking contradiction. Acting like he doesn't know why he was killed and being vengeful about it. Shut up, you know why she killed your ass. I do have media literacy and I'm aware that it is because he thinks the love between them is genuine which makes her betrayal hard for him to stomach. But like CHECK YOURSELF. Check your history. Even if she wasn't being genuine, he should have accepted that as a punishment for what he have done.
Despite what I said, I don't mind him lmao I understand his pov. I just want to hate on the show more because it's written so bad, it's making the enjoyment of the complex themes fall off.
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the multi life concept is for me
🚨 bad English 🚨for me I don't believe in next life ( believe as in a concept of a story not real life ) as my brain logic ( sorry 😓) l think crying about your 18th life killing someone "they" loved is a stupid concept .
again for me, most dramas with multi life are bad/sad ending .
how to explain more in English 😅
for me even if I want to take the idea of multi life for the sake of the plot, I can't accept the ideas of remembering something from past life equal immediately= regrets/ love/ guilt/ anger....
is not the "same person" IT'S ANOTHER LIFE... get me ?
the same actor on another movie...
a1 : why did you kill ****?
a2 : who ?
a1 : my brother **** you killed him ?
a2 : isn't that another movie ? he is still alive in this movie and he is your enemy here!?
a1: I don't care what movie you killed my brother and you need to pay ...
☝️ my felling of multi life concept
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Intricate Tale of Love, Loss and Obsession
This is a fascinating and intricate tale of love, loss and obsession that spans 1500 years. The script very cleverly and effortlessly weaves its way from the past to the present and I found myself riveted by both worlds.The man was once Do Ha (Kim Young Dae) an elite noble of the Silla Dynasty. His stepfather Lord Seo (Lee Kyung Young) hated him to his core. He had only one use for his son...in service fighting for the King. And because Do Ha served the King well, he brought Lord Seo glory and wealth. So Do Ha did as he was ordered without caring for his own life. Until he fell for her...the one woman he shouldn't have. Eventually their fated relationship was over as she chose to take revenge for the destruction of her family. So he wandered...neither resting nor forgetting..not even through eons of time. As a vengeful ghost ..he searched 19 lifetimes for her in the hope that he might return the favor. His only problem? He lacked a physical form. So when a top rated Korean celebrity named Han Jun Oh dies.... Do Ha...seizing his opportunity, takes over Han Jun Oh's form.
This is the chance that he has long been waiting for.
The focus of his obsession is Kang Young Hwa (Pyo Ye Jin) but she has no memory of him. She was once Han Ri Ta, a girl from a noble family in the Silla Dynasty. When her family was killed, she became the only survivor and she ends up as a maid in Do Ha's household. A maid that Lord Seo (his stepfather) takes an interest in and that connection between his father and Han Ri Ta the maid...resurfaces in the story of the modern day Kang Young Hwa. KYH is a heroic firefighter whose goal is to become the best firefighter in all of Korea and she is well on her way. Respected by her department and firefighter friends... she mostly dreams about traveling to the Antarctic. But ever so often, she has other dreams ...which are so real they blur the lines between her world and another and those dreams are getting harder and harder to ignore.
Thus these two are set on a collision course and I cannot wait to see where we go from here.
Although it is early in this series...we are sensing this one may be special. And if any of us ever thought that Kim Young Dae was just a pretty face..we have seriously undersold him. He is a very effective and mesmerizing actor. His eyes ...even when his face is solemn speak to a latent mix of powerful emotions, which we can sense and feel. Very difficult to do and amazing when it is done well. He portrays a man who on the one hand, knows he cannot ever atone for what he has done...but on the other...he cannot completely let her go. He pretends that only he is allowed to take her life...however, when the opportunity presents itself, he touches her hair gently instead.
So KYD is playing a very complex dual role and in my view, he is knocking it out of the park.
Likewise..... Pyo Ye Jin is exceptionally gifted ....I would watch her in any series she is in. She is persuasively believable. She is also rather unexpectedly beautiful. But her beauty does not overpower her presence. She is very fun to watch and I find myself smiling when she smiles. She is portrayed as someone who is preoccupied with doing her job well. She also has a strong sense of empathy, and a take charge, kick butt kind of mentality that drives her to take action to help others. That is why when Han Min Oh (On Joo Wan) Jun Ho's brother ...tells her that Jun Ho doesn't have long to live...and that someone is trying to kill him, her protective instincts kick in and she willingly decides to live with him.
So this is the setting for the story and since it promises to be anything but predictable, I encourage you to take a chance on it.
I think you will find it fascinating. I will be back to update as new eps are released...
@Final: Three reminders:
One: If you worry about the ending..don't. It was very satisfying.
Second: If you are afraid of the sadness, don't be. It was tempered by hope, and all of it together the sweet and the sad was very impactful.
Third: Don't stop short, this is a solid ten, perfect to the last second. So don't lose your nerve. Finish it and you will be so glad you did.
In conclusion:
The romance was unique and memorable. A lot of series..we watch and soon forget. This is one ....I won't forget. Not sure how it had so much depth with only 14 episodes, but somehow... they did it. Congrats to everyone involved with this project!
The cast did not disappoint, Kim Young Dae is more adept and versatile with every project. He will be a powerhouse someday..and Pyo Ye Jin is amazing in everything...and together...they rocked it! I felt a bit wishful at the end...wanting to see the young couple grow up together, but wow, what a lovely way to end it with hope.
And I loved the little nod to the title......Moon in the Day.. Enjoy my darlings....this is one to binge.
Happy Watching!
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The problems are the script and direction
The actors did their best, I'm convinced the ML actor would have chemistry with a turnip, and the premise for the story is pretty good (and had the potential to be great if given to the right team) but the script and direction were just plain bad.The pacing was off and the script didn't make any sense. Maybe writer was trying to maintain an air of mystery by being purposefully confusing, but it just came across as a jumbled mess, nothing made sense. People had reactions that were unrealistic, too much or too little given what was happening on screen (I blame the director for this disconnect, he/she are responsible for translating the emotions in the script for the audience, the actors only do what they're told by the director in terms of reaction.)
Perhaps this drama could have been saved if either the direction or the script had been halfway decent. Unfortunately, two wrongs don't make a right. It's such a shame! I really like the actors and was looking forward to this one.
:-(
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Not completely horrible but not great either
Even good actors and an interesting plot idea couldn't save the drama. It had all the right tools but no oomph.Han Ri Ta and Do Ha were the most boring two characters. I get that Do Ha was supposed to be a sad person who just wanted to die, but in the very least the writers could've given him a personality and more facial expressions. Han Ri Ta wasn't any better. They were one depressed person falling in love with another depressed person resulting in slow and longwinded conversations about what sad lives they had, which got old very fast.
The most mindbogglingly stupid thing in the whole story was Han Ri Ta's reasons for killing Do Ha. She created a bad situation by killing his father forcing both of them to become fugitives. But, instead of having faith in him to deal with it and moving forward together, she just decided to kill him to end it all because she didn't want to deal with it anymore. Were we supposed to believe this was love? They were portrayed as star crossed lovers, but her motivations were shallow and self-serving .
The villain was one of the most terribly written villains I've seen in a long time. Firstly, the evil dad wanted to kill Do Ha for "disobeying" him, why? Because he brought a girl home and fell in love with her. That's it. Furthermore, the evil dad's ghost spend 1500 years chasing after Han Ri Ta's reincarnations just to kill them as revenge for killing him because he was a terrible father. This was basically a giant recurring temper tantrum, being evil for evil's sake, not for anything substantial or meaningful.
Some plotlines randomly disappeared. Firstly, making FL a firefighter and ML a celebrity was never going to work. There was no situation where they could consistently be together to move the story forward. As a result, nobody ever worked because they needed to spend time together for the story's sake. She was a firefighter for a total of two episodes and he quit being a celebrity altogether except occasional fangirls chasing him when it was convenient, although he was supposed to shoot a super special historical drama at the beginning of the show, which went nowhere.
The finale wasn't well thought out either. There was no point bringing Jun Oh back, unless he and Young Hwa were going to end up together. The giant plot hole why Jun Oh and Do Ha looked identical was never explained. The writers left it as pure coincidence, which was some very lazy writing, especially because Do Ha and Young Hwa future reincarnated selves looked the same. This was a waste of a great story idea, because Jun Oh looking like Do Ha could've been a plot device to give Young Hwa a happy-ish ending too. But Young Hwa did not get her happy ending, neither did Do Ha. Yes, their souls were reincarnated at the end, but they were reincarnated as different people who probably did not remember their past lives. Young Hwa was unique because she was the closest version of Han Ri Ta and because there was still Do Ha's unfinished business. After the curse was lifted, there was no more unfinished business. Do Ha's soul left and Young Hwa continued on with her life without her true love. I thought this ending was rather tragic.
Overall, the drama started out with an epic bang and fell completely flat with shallow characters and villains acting like cartoon bad guys. There were moments where it tugged at my heart strings, but the badly written plot and characters' stupid decisions made the drama a chore to watch. This was definitely not Kim Young Dae's best work.
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