This review may contain spoilers
Perhaps the meaning of life is remembering every scene that has passed -Ko Eun Sae
This drama received a surprising amount of backlash even before it premiered. Much of the criticism was directed at the casting of JHI and the premise, which made it seem like the male lead was nothing more than a creepy stalker pretending to be the boyfriend of a woman suffering from amnesia. What I found strange was the obvious double standard. There have been plenty of dramas and movies where the female lead pretends to be the girlfriend of an amnesiac male lead, yet those stories are usually treated as harmless romantic comedies rather than something controversial.
After watching it myself, I honestly think this drama deserves a chance. It is nowhere near as bad as the early comments made it out to be. One of its biggest strengths is its pacing. The story avoids dragging out unnecessary misunderstandings, and most of the smaller conflicts are resolved quickly instead of stretching across multiple episodes. There is also a nice little plot twist near the ending, and thankfully the drama delivers a satisfying happy ending for both main leads.
If you enjoy romantic comedies with a touch of crime, violence, and legal elements, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Beyond the romance, the drama also offers heartwarming themes of family and friendship that make the characters and their relationships feel even more rewarding.
Another thing I appreciated was how every major character received a proper backstory. Even the villains were given understandable motivations, making them feel like real people instead of one dimensional antagonists. It doesn't excuse their actions, but it does help you understand why they became who they are.
The entire cast did a fantastic job. The chemistry between the two leads developed naturally, evolving from awkward strangers with trust issues into a couple that genuinely loved and trusted each other. Their romance never felt forced. The interactions with the residents of Candy Village were equally enjoyable. Watching the villagers go from constantly clashing with one another to becoming a close knit family was one of the most heartwarming parts of the drama. I also appreciated that the second couple wasn't forgotten, they had their own storyline with a satisfying conclusion instead of simply existing to support the main romance.
The biggest reason I fell in love with this drama, however, was Ha Young. I had previously seen her in The Trauma Code and several other dramas where she mostly played supporting roles. I was especially curious about her after watching Teach You a Lesson, where she looked absolutely gorgeous. But this is the drama that truly made me realize how talented she is. Her acting feels incredibly natural, and she brings every emotion to life effortlessly. Whether she's portraying serious moments, adorable comedic scenes, or romantic emotions, she delivers them with convincing expressions and perfect timing. I completely fell for her performance, and yes, she's drop dead gorgeous. It honestly wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she carries the drama with her charm and screen presence alone.
My main criticism is the way the villains were handled in the final episodes. After giving us so many beautiful and romantic moments, the drama failed to provide satisfying consequences for its antagonists. The main villain, despite having a surprisingly emotional backstory, received a punishment that felt far too lenient considering everything that had happened. Likewise, the female lead's ex-bf, who acted as a spy, essentially walked away without facing any real consequences. That left the ending feeling slightly incomplete.
Overall, this turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. Ignore the pre-release controversy and judge it after actually watching it. If you're looking for a romantic comedy with lovable characters, natural chemistry, emotional friendships, that family does not have to be blood related, and a satisfying happy ending, this drama is definitely worth your time.
After watching it myself, I honestly think this drama deserves a chance. It is nowhere near as bad as the early comments made it out to be. One of its biggest strengths is its pacing. The story avoids dragging out unnecessary misunderstandings, and most of the smaller conflicts are resolved quickly instead of stretching across multiple episodes. There is also a nice little plot twist near the ending, and thankfully the drama delivers a satisfying happy ending for both main leads.
If you enjoy romantic comedies with a touch of crime, violence, and legal elements, I highly recommend giving this one a try. Beyond the romance, the drama also offers heartwarming themes of family and friendship that make the characters and their relationships feel even more rewarding.
Another thing I appreciated was how every major character received a proper backstory. Even the villains were given understandable motivations, making them feel like real people instead of one dimensional antagonists. It doesn't excuse their actions, but it does help you understand why they became who they are.
The entire cast did a fantastic job. The chemistry between the two leads developed naturally, evolving from awkward strangers with trust issues into a couple that genuinely loved and trusted each other. Their romance never felt forced. The interactions with the residents of Candy Village were equally enjoyable. Watching the villagers go from constantly clashing with one another to becoming a close knit family was one of the most heartwarming parts of the drama. I also appreciated that the second couple wasn't forgotten, they had their own storyline with a satisfying conclusion instead of simply existing to support the main romance.
The biggest reason I fell in love with this drama, however, was Ha Young. I had previously seen her in The Trauma Code and several other dramas where she mostly played supporting roles. I was especially curious about her after watching Teach You a Lesson, where she looked absolutely gorgeous. But this is the drama that truly made me realize how talented she is. Her acting feels incredibly natural, and she brings every emotion to life effortlessly. Whether she's portraying serious moments, adorable comedic scenes, or romantic emotions, she delivers them with convincing expressions and perfect timing. I completely fell for her performance, and yes, she's drop dead gorgeous. It honestly wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she carries the drama with her charm and screen presence alone.
My main criticism is the way the villains were handled in the final episodes. After giving us so many beautiful and romantic moments, the drama failed to provide satisfying consequences for its antagonists. The main villain, despite having a surprisingly emotional backstory, received a punishment that felt far too lenient considering everything that had happened. Likewise, the female lead's ex-bf, who acted as a spy, essentially walked away without facing any real consequences. That left the ending feeling slightly incomplete.
Overall, this turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. Ignore the pre-release controversy and judge it after actually watching it. If you're looking for a romantic comedy with lovable characters, natural chemistry, emotional friendships, that family does not have to be blood related, and a satisfying happy ending, this drama is definitely worth your time.
Was this review helpful to you?
