Chen Zen

Overhate and Overhype at the same time.

This drama generated a lot of early hype. The teasers, pre-release photos, gorgeous costumes, and early plot hints created incredibly high expectations. The Republican era visuals looked stunning, and the cast seemed perfectly chosen for their roles.

After waiting for months for this drama to finally air, I ended up feeling disappointed. Putting aside the AI-generated opening sequence. Even though an opening is the first impression of any drama, especially one that so many fans were eagerly anticipating, I found the story itself to be the biggest letdown.

To be honest, I think the drama has managed to keep a lot of its viewers thanks to Zhang Linghe's popularity after The Pursuit of Jade. I was already struggling to continue after the first 10 episodes, but I kept watching because I wanted to see if it would eventually prove the haters critics wrong and become better in the second half.

But sadly the overall pacing and storytelling style felt more like a short drama than a large scale Republican era production. Important plot developments happened too quickly, while other scenes dragged on without adding much to the story.

Because of that, I think it's best to watch this drama with moderate expectations and simply enjoy the parts that work for you. If some scenes feel slow or fail to hold your attention, there's nothing wrong with skipping ahead. Fans of the main lead actors like me will probably still find plenty to enjoy, as both of them deliver solid performances and look absolutely stunning on screen.

I'm a fan of both Wang Churan and Zhang Linghe, which honestly makes this disappointment even bigger. Their acting is good, but in my opinion, a weak script prevents them from showing their full potential. I don't mind the ending where the male lead sacrifices his life for his country. In fact, I thought it was a meaningful and fitting conclusion for his character. My issue is everything that came before it.

For some reason, I never felt the chemistry between the two leads. I didn't truly believe they loved each other enough to make the sacrifices the story asked of them. Their relationship looked beautiful visually, but emotionally it never convinced me.

I also feel that Wang Churan once again chose a role that didn't showcase her strengths, similar to LHF. In many of her previous dramas, she completely captivated me with both her performance and charisma, but here I found myself appreciating her visuals more than her character. As for Zhang Linghe, he's as handsome and charismatic as ever, and I sincerely hope he gets more diverse roles in the future with stronger scripts that allow his talent to shine.

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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.

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Getting better each episode's, but flop in the end of episode.

The plot are quite good for comedy drama, but at the same time are too serious. The story are getting better each episode's, however the footballer's inner soul journey isn't treated very seriously, it only appears in the last 2 episodes. There is no visible character development, and as if by magic he suddenly becomes an expert in the blink of an eye.

The ending was very unclear and felt forced, likely due to the 12-episode limit. The time skip felt overly contrived, and the villains didn't receive a fitting comeuppance. What's even funnier is why ML's soul was swapped again, so he will continue to suffer from exchanging souls without showing his true soul, what a joke.

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Don't waste your time, don't be misled by overrated ratings driven by a handsome male lead.

The first four episodes are almost entirely unnecessary. They could have easily been condensed into a single episode without losing anything important. If you're planning to watch this drama, you can safely skip Episodes 1–4 and miss almost nothing of value.

More broadly, the first 10 episodes feel bloated with filler and repetitive conflicts that go in circles instead of moving the plot forward. The pacing is painfully slow, and much of the runtime feels like a complete waste of time. Even in the middle of the series, the drama throws in several completely unnecessary episodes that add nothing to the story. They exist solely to pad the runtime and artificially extend the drama, making the overall experience feel even more dragged out.

For a drama starring such well-known actors, the CGI is surprisingly poor and often distracting rather than immersive. It's well below the level you'd expect from a production with this kind of cast.

The biggest issue, is the overwhelming amount of filler. Many scenes contribute little to either the plot or character development, making the viewing experience feel far longer than it needs to be. I ended up watching at 2× speed and frequently skipping scenes because so much of the runtime felt unnecessary. Rather than building suspense or emotional investment, the sluggish pacing made the drama genuinely boring, I even found myself struggling to stay awake.

Another aspect that frustrated me was the romance. The female lead doesn't seem to deserve the male lead's unwavering devotion because she never truly moves on from her previous crush (It goes up to 30 episodes—that's absolutely insane.). Even when the story expects viewers to root for their relationship, she's still emotionally tied to the past. After the male lead finally confesses his feelings, she continues to hesitate and leaves him hanging instead of giving him a clear answer. She seems content to let him keep chasing her without committing to a relationship, all while still being unable to move on from her old crush. To make matters worse, whenever the male lead makes even a small mistake, the female lead immediately gets upset and gives him the cold shoulder. Yet she never seems to reflect on how hurtful her own actions are. She expects understanding from him while she herself is still emotionally attached to her former crush, even looking visibly heartbroken whenever she sees him. The double standard is hard to ignore and makes her behavior incredibly frustrating.

At the same time, the male lead's refusal to be straightforward only drags the conflict out even further. Instead of clearly telling her what happened in the past, he remains vague, allowing the misunderstanding to continue for far longer than 24 episode's.

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As someone who has read the webtoon, I think this is a solid live-action adaptation. In fact, one thing the drama does even better is the comedy. The interactions between Manager Kim and the other ahjussi's feel much more natural and entertaining here than they did in the original webtoon. Their chemistry adds a lot of charm, and many of the funniest moments landed better in live action.

My biggest disappointment is how little they showcased Manager Kim's signature weapon, the eun-sa (silver thread). It's one of the most unique aspects of his fighting style in the webtoon, so I was hoping to see it used much more often. Instead, the action focuses on other combat scenes, which are still enjoyable but don't fully highlight what makes Manager Kim so special.

The ending clearly leaves room for a second season. If they continue following the webtoon, I just hope they improve the pacing. Personally, I think the strongest part of the original story was the opening arc, where Manager Kim rescues his daughter. After that, the story became less engaging as the world expanded, introducing more organizations, more characters, and eventually connecting to other webtoon universes. It started to lose the grounded emotional focus that made the beginning so compelling.

The only later arcs that I genuinely enjoyed were the ones exploring the past of the ahjussi's. Those stories added emotional depth and made the characters much more interesting than the endless expansion of the shared universe.

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Don't waste your time

Don't waste your time watching this drama. The premise is just like any other, the ML has long harbored feelings for the female lead (he just being a coward simp) but never dared to speak up because FL was already in a relationship with her fiancé. Even after repeatedly discovering her fiancé's infidelity, she clung to the relationship because his mother had raised her since childhood. Despite maintaining the engagement, she ended up sleeping with the ML while drunk and frustrated over her fiancé's cheating. This ambiguous situation dragged on for nearly two-thirds of the drama.

It took a full two hours and fourteen minutes before this foolish FL finally decided to call off the engagement. FL doesn't deserve to end up with the ML, who is portrayed here as incredibly handsome and the heir to the wealthiest family.

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Great drama to binge watch in 2026.

I had so much fun watching this drama. It's one of those dramas that made me look forward to every new episode. The combination of comedy, mystery, action, and superheroes works surprisingly well, and the late 90s setting gives it a nostalgic charm that makes it stand out from other superhero/mutant dramas. The story stays entertaining from beginning to end.

Park Eun-bin never disappoints. Every time I watch her in a new project, she proves why she's one of the best actresses of her generation. She can play literally any character and make it feel completely natural. Whether it's comedy, emotional scenes, or action, she delivers everything perfectly. She is such a versatile actress, and once again, she completely stole the show.

The comedy is genuinely funny without feeling forced, and every member of the cast has great chemistry with one another. Even though they're people with extraordinary abilities, they still feel like ordinary people trying to deal with unexpected situations. That's what makes the characters so lovable. The mystery behind their powers also kept me invested throughout the entire drama.

One thing that deserves more appreciation is the music. The soundtrack and background score fit every scene perfectly. Whether it's a hilarious moment, an emotional conversation, or an intense action sequence, the BGM always elevates the scene instead of distracting from it. It's one of those dramas where the music quietly makes every moment even better.

I can absolutely understand why this drama reached No. 1 on Netflix South Korea shortly after its mid-May release. It's simply a fun and entertaining watch with memorable characters, great performances, and a unique concept that feels refreshing.

And then there's the post-credit scene. As soon as I saw it, my first thought was, there has to be a Season 2. It feels like the story is only getting started, and there are still so many possibilities left to explore. Hopefully Netflix gives us another season because this cast and this world deserve it.

This drama exceeded my expectations. It's funny, exciting, heartwarming, and surprisingly emotional at times. If you're looking for a drama that doesn't take itself too seriously but still delivers an engaging story with fantastic acting, this is definitely worth watching. And if you're already a fan of Park Eun-bin, this is yet another performance that reminds you why she's one of the most versatile actresses working today.

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Soft boy versus hot mess girl.

This drama has a very unique dynamic between its main characters, with a gentle and emotionally wounded male lead paired with a bold, unpredictable, and complicated female lead.

Seo Ye-ji delivers an outstanding performance as Ko Moon-young. Her character is difficult, intense, and sometimes frustrating, but Seo Ye-ji manages to make her fascinating to watch. Her expressions, voice, and unique presence make the character unforgettable.

On the other hand, Male lead extremely kind and patient person. He is almost too good for his own sake, always prioritizing others' feelings while hiding his own pain. While this makes him a lovable character, there were moments when I felt his kindness was unrealistic and his character development was overshadowed by the stronger personality of the female lead.

Surprisingly, my favorite character was actually the older brother of the male lead, Moon Sang-tae, played by Oh Jung-se. His performance was incredible and emotionally powerful. He brought so much depth, innocence, and warmth to the character, making Sang-tae one of the most memorable parts of the entire drama. His portrayal felt genuine and respectful, and he often became the emotional heart of the story.

The drama's visual style is also one of its strongest aspects. The cinematography, fashion, and fairytale-like atmosphere create a unique identity that separates it from typical Korean romances. The storytelling about trauma, healing, and emotional wounds is also meaningful.

However, the romance itself may not work for everyone. The relationship between the leads is intense and unconventional, and some viewers may find the female lead's behavior too extreme or difficult to accept. The drama sometimes focuses more on style and symbolism than natural character progression.

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One of the most anticipated Korean dramas of 2024, especially because it featured two top actors. With such a strong cast and a promising premise, I had high expectations going into this drama. Unfortunately, it did not fully meet those expectations.

Main leads deliver excellent performances, especially in emotional scenes. Their portrayal of a married couple who slowly reconnect after losing their way feels convincing, and their acting is strong enough to carry many scenes.

The first half of the drama was enjoyable, with an interesting setup about a broken marriage, family conflicts, and the hidden feelings between the main characters. The emotional moments worked well, and the audience could easily understand the pain and struggles of both leads.

However, from the middle episodes toward the ending, I started to lose interest. The story became repetitive, and some conflicts felt unnecessarily stretched. Instead of maintaining the emotional intensity from the beginning, the drama started to feel predictable and slower than expected. Several plot developments could have been resolved more naturally without extending the conflict for so long.

The supporting characters also had mixed results. Some added entertainment and humor, but others felt exaggerated and distracted from the main relationship. The drama sometimes relied too much on dramatic situations rather than allowing the characters' emotions to develop naturally.

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I honestly don't know why I enjoyed this drama so much. Maybe it was because I simply loved Shin Min-ah character, or perhaps it was because the time-travel concept felt fresh for modern Korean dramas at the time.

Unlike many time-travel stories that focus on changing history or creating complicated paradoxes, this drama centers on love, fate, and the choices people make when they know what the future holds. The mystery unfolds gradually, keeping me curious about what would happen next without becoming overly confusing.

The chemistry between main leads is one of the drama's biggest strengths. Their relationship feels mature and sincere, growing naturally as they learn to trust and support each other. Shin Min-ah once again delivers a lovable and emotionally expressive performance, making it easy to become attached to her character.

The pacing can be slow at times, especially during the middle episodes, and the time-travel rules are not always perfectly explained. However, the emotional moments and romantic development make up for those weaknesses. Rather than being a fast-paced sci-fi thriller, this drama is ultimately a heartfelt romance with a fantasy element.

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One of the things I enjoyed the most was how the drama introduced the idea of a company dormitory specifically for female employees. I honestly did not know that such a system existed during that era, so it was interesting to learn about how women in the workplace experienced life at that time. The drama successfully combines entertainment with small historical details, making the setting feel more unique.

The comedy is one of the biggest strengths of this drama. The situations are often funny and unpredictable, but they still feel natural because the humor comes from the characters and their interactions. The undercover elements also add excitement while keeping the overall tone enjoyable and easy to watch.

I also liked how the drama portrays the struggles and dreams of women during that period. Behind the comedy, there are meaningful messages about independence, friendship, and finding one's own path in a society with certain expectations.

Although the story may not be the most complex drama ever made, its charm comes from its refreshing concept and entertaining execution. It is the kind of drama that makes you smile and keeps you interested without feeling too heavy.

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Yes, this is the drama you've been looking for.

This drama is truly a masterpiece and one of the best dramas I have watched. What surprised me the most was that I never expected the story to be this deep. At first, I only judged it from the title and poster, which gave me the impression that it would be a simple drama with a nostalgic retro setting. I thought it would be just a warm and ordinary story, but it turned out to be something much more profound and emotionally powerful.

From the beginning until the end, this drama touched my heart with its beautiful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and meaningful messages. It is not just a love story, but a deeply human story about family, sacrifice, loyalty, dreams, and the journey of life itself.

The acting in this drama is absolutely superb. Every actor delivered a performance that felt genuine and full of emotion. The characters did not feel like fictional creations, they felt like real people with their own hopes, struggles, regrets, and memories. Their expressions, small gestures, and emotional scenes made every moment feel incredibly personal and believable.

What I loved the most about this drama is how beautifully it portrays family. It shows that love is not always expressed through big words or dramatic actions, but often through silent sacrifices, unconditional support, and the courage to endure hardships for the people we love. The story captures the reality of ordinary people who continue fighting for their dreams while carrying the responsibilities and struggles of life.

Every episode has its own emotional impact, and I found myself crying many times while watching. The drama explores different stages of life, love, separation, aging, dreams, disappointment, and hope. Each story carries a deep meaning and reminds us to appreciate the people around us before it is too late.

The themes of sacrifice and loyalty are especially powerful. Watching the characters support each other through difficult times was incredibly touching. The drama shows that a person's greatest achievements are not always measured by success or wealth, but by the love they give and the memories they create with others.

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A very disappointing ending.

As someone who has been reading the original webtoon for a long time, I think this adaptation did a great job bringing the story to live action. The episodic format works well, with each episode focusing on a different bullying case and delivering satisfying justice against the perpetrators. Watching bullies face consequences that match their actions is one of the drama's biggest strengths.

The series also highlights the harsh reality of school violence in South Korea. Of course, bullying exists everywhere in the world, not just in Korea. However, considering how many Korean webtoons and dramas revolve around this issue, it gives the impression that the problem has become serious enough to inspire so many stories based on it.

My biggest disappointment was the final case. The ending felt underwhelming compared to the rest of the drama. This case involved the student responsible for the death of the male lead's fiancée, making it the most personal and emotionally significant conflict in the series. Unfortunately, the student never received consequences that truly matched the severity of their actions. After all the satisfying resolutions throughout the season, the finale lacked the sense of justice that made the earlier episodes so rewarding.

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WTH with the ending.

Started with an interesting premise and had the potential to become a fun romantic comedy, but in the end, it felt less satisfying than I expected. The biggest reason is probably the short 12 episode format, which made the story feel rushed, especially toward the conclusion.

Main leads interactions are entertaining, and the contrast between the practical, straightforward female lead and the warm but mysterious male lead creates many enjoyable moments. Shin Min-ah once again proves her ability to bring charm and personality to her characters.

The workplace setting and the fake marriage concept also provide a good foundation for comedy and romance. The early episodes are especially fun because of the unique situation between the two main characters and their humorous misunderstandings.

However, as the story progresses, many conflicts feel underdeveloped. Some emotional issues that should have received more attention are resolved too quickly because of the limited episode count. Instead of allowing the characters and relationships to grow naturally, the drama seems to rush toward the ending.

The final episodes are the biggest disappointment. After building up several storylines, the conclusion feels incomplete and does not provide the satisfying emotional payoff that viewers might expect. The potential was there, but the execution could have been much better with a longer runtime.

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Simple but charming typical Thai romance.

The film's biggest weakness is its time loop concept. The scientific explanation behind the loop feels inconsistent and lacks logical coherence. Rather than trying to justify it with weak science, the story would have benefited from leaving the time loop unexplained and simply treating it as a fantasy element. Since the romance is already the heart of the film, the unnecessary explanations only create more questions than answers.

Like many great Thai romance movie's, it balances heartfelt moments with light humor, making the characters feel warm and relatable. The cast also delivers strong performances, and their natural awkward interactions make the story even more engaging. Of course Thai romance movie's greatest strength is its lovable female lead character, who is always portrayed so beautifully that genuinely feels like a memorable first love.

They share the same fate, being trapped in a time loop. They search for hidden "Perfect Moments" throughout the day, and as they spend more time together, they gradually grow closer. Their journey is not just about romance but also about learning to embrace life's small imperfections and cherish every moment they have. This message gives the film a heartfelt emotional core that resonates long after it ends.

Conflicts within the ML family are also quite touching, relationships with family are getting better after realizing that life is not only about thinking about oneself. And the story's main premise, the cause of the time loop, FL's unwillingness to accept her mother's death, are also very touching.

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