FIREFIGHTERS DO MORE THAN FIGHT FIRES!

This year, I watched three firefighter-themed dramas: Each took a different angle on firefighting. Among them, I particularly appreciated this drama for its focus on the professional side of firefighters—how they save lives, undergo rigorous training, teach others, and handle challenges. Even after the credits, it educates viewers on dealing with fires, earthquakes, and more. What stood out was the minimal emphasis on romantic narratives; while many viewers anticipated this, I found the focus on the firefighters' growth and challenges commendable.

Initially, I hesitated due to circulating spoilers regarding a contentious ending involving the main characters. Contrary to the popular reaction, I found the conclusion satisfying. The unity and selflessness displayed by the firefighters, risking their lives for their country, left a lasting impression. The final scene, with the female lead dancing and the firefighters in the audience, warmed my heart.

The dedication of firefighters to saving lives and properties knows no bounds, persisting until their last breath. Their role extends beyond extinguishing fires, encompassing rescues from imminent dangers, collapsed buildings, forest fires, landslides, floods, and even everyday emergencies like overheated car engines or lost items. This portrayal reflects the multifaceted life of a firefighter—their pivotal role in life-and-death situations deserves our utmost appreciation.

This drama taught me a lot. I enjoyed its humor, budding relationships, and the strong bonds among the firefighters. Their station was more than a workplace—it was a home where colleagues were family. I empathized with their losses, struggles with mistreatment, and team conflicts. However, their unity amidst challenges was inspiring. While every drama has antagonists, here they mainly affected the female lead rather than the male lead. What resonated most was the enduring love between the main characters despite their demanding careers.

This drama shines in portraying firefighters. The cast's performances, including real family members in certain episodes, added depth. The struggles depicted were compelling, leaving impactful messages for viewers.

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HOW I SEE IT, BE WARN!

The storyline of this drama is quite interesting, and all the cast members did an excellent job portraying their roles. Their emotions were palpable, and the chemistry between the characters was evident. However, there were several aspects of the drama that left much to be desired:

One, the story, while promising, suffered from slow execution and drawn-out flashbacks. It felt like the plot could have been condensed into just a few episodes, rather than being stretched out over half the series.

Two, the villains in the drama lacked convincing motivations. For instance, the sister of the male lead's mother held a grudge against the male lead and her sister, but her revenge plot seemed somewhat irrational and took an unnecessarily long time to materialize.

Three, the delayed confession of feelings between the secondary female and the secondary male-villain was unsatisfying. Their conflict seemed to revolve solely around unrequited love, and their sudden demise felt anticlimactic.

Fourth, the character of the reporter took too many episodes to achieve her goals, and her ability to capture pictures unnoticed by the fox people seemed implausible, considering their supposed ability to sense humans.

Fifth, the love triangle involving the female lead's best friend and the male lead's assistants had potential, but it was underdeveloped and lacked a sense of conflict. It took far too long for the characters to address their feelings, and the resolution felt lacking.

Sixth, several characters felt unnecessary or irrelevant to the story, such as the father of the female lead's best friend, who didn't contribute to the overall narrative.

Seventh, the leads had limited screen time than the others, which was disappointing, but what was even more frustrating were the unnecessary scenes involving them.

Eighth, the ending left much to be desired, especially in how it handled the fates of the supporting cast. It seemed rushed and unsatisfying, particularly in the transformation of the male lead's assistants into foxes.

While the drama had a promising start, it suffered from flaws and inconsistencies in its later episodes. The pacing, character motivations, and resolutions left much to be desired. Personally, I found myself skipping parts, and the only reason I stuck with the drama was because of the characters played by Johnny and the intriguing love triangles.

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