Watch List - 2023

Watched in Jan. Very predictable story. No interest in part 2.

Watched in Jan. Really enjoyed the quiet atmosphere and culturally-rich setting. I just wish we spent a little longer with the characters and that some of the storylines were resolved. The show was way too short for the story and the last episode felt rushed and lackluster as a result.

Watched in Jan. I knew that the ending was divisive and prepared myself for not feeling satisfied with it but it was worse than I thought. The only thing that worked out was the theme that was shoehorned in at the end. Everything else was rendered pointless and meaningless. Like, if that was your message then you could have achieved it in less than half the number of episodes. A lot of the political/financial conflicts felt extremely forced in the last 4-5 episodes so it wasn't even that 1-15 were great and 16 was trash. A lot of characters acted in stupid ways to suit the plot and I was honestly rolling my eyes at every reveal or "twist". What a waste of the actors' wonderful performances.

Watched at end of June/early July. Started interesting and then it floundered at the end. Everything was easily tied up even though I wasn't getting the sense that the story was wrapping up until perhaps the last episode. I don't understand the timing of the plot...as in, why did it take so long for the main plot (dealing with the MC's nephew) to be resolved?? What made all these characters come together? It felt like the main plot would fall apart if you poked at it. Way too many absurd things coming together to form the conflict. I did like the friendship between the characters but even that felt underdeveloped since we don't understand how they've come together and what holds them together still. Didn't the MC go abroad at around 16 to pursue a career in music? Did they just reconnect 4-5 years ago? Also, the whole thing about the real estate friend owing him rent and stuff was played for gags but it weirded me out.