Chloe Kaydee
New Zealand
This review may contain spoilers
I wasn't expecting to rate this highly (spoilers at the end of the review)
I haven't written a review for anything in a while but since I was so surprised and touched by this drama, I felt as though I should express why.
Before I start a kdrama, I always read the spoiler-free reviews and comments to see if it's going to be something I like. I almost didn't watch Devilish Joy because of this.
Story: yes, this drama is jam-packed with cliches but they were executed well (or perfectly imo) most of the time. I also typically stay away from the 'amnesia' and 'misunderstanding' tags, which might be why I'm so shocked that they didn't put me off the story this time round. I think it's because of how these themes and plot points were handled. I read another review that mentioned how everything that happened was very "convenient" and this is completely true. However, I think it depends on your perspective while watching. 운명(unmyeong) or fate/destiny is a major theme throughout the story; their first meeting, his accident, the flowers, meeting again, and everything that follows. Despite the obstacles, they always find each other. The story is romantic, cute, frustrating at times, melancholic, funny, and wholesome. The villains had roles that were good at moving the plot forward, the side characters were all charming in their own ways, the pacing was pretty great imo, the chemistry between both couples were great, kisses were fantastic (ahh), and I loved the ending. I didn't even fast-forward any scenes which I have gotten into the habit of doing if I get bored.
Cast/Acting: I think most of the actors performed great. Obviously it wasn't perfect but there was nothing too specific to complain about. The FL was a huge standout for me, she executed all the scenes and emotions perfectly. I found the ML's crying scenes a little awkward but he did great otherwise. And they had fantastic chemistry, they had some of the best kisses I've seen.
Music: nothing incredible but the soundtrack was pretty great and memorable. I think the music was very scene-appropriate too which is important.
Final Spoiler-free Thoughts: Give this a try! I really enjoyed the roller coaster that this drama was and I don't think it deserves all the intense negativity! Honestly, as the drama went on, I loved it more and got more invested. I really think it's worth the watch. I don't give high ratings out easily! I also want to say that I felt wholy satisfied by the end and that rarely happens for me.
**SPOILERS ahead**
What I loved specifically:
- The pacing really was perfect for my tastes. We got a passionate kiss in the first episode (which was fine because of the whole losing his memory thing after) and then the follow episodes were paced so we'll which how their relationship progressed. They officially start dating in like episode 9 I think, which is over half way.
- The kisses between the leads were so intimate and natural, I loved them so much.
- The second couple were also very cute and I think they had perfect pacing as a second couple. Because their relationship progressed later than the main leads, it keeps the romance viewers still engaged even after the main couple gets together.
- How Ki Joon resolved his feelings for his first love/crush before confessing (and committing) to Ha Im. I really appreciated that they did this so it didn't feel like Ha Im was just a consolation prize.
- Gi Bbeum's family! ? They were so supportive, eccentric and wholesome.
- Secretary Yang! Ahhh I was basically in love with him by the end of the drama.
- How they interwove the flower throughout the story, and the same with their time spent in China where they met. It's incorperated well and I love how they were there in both the pilot and finale. The juxtaposition was beautiful.
- The finale as a whole! I'm very pickup when it comes to endings. I need to feel satisfied. Devilish Joy did that for me. The entire 70 minutes were spent perfectly on closing the story. Usually, I hate time skips when they're 1 year+ but they executed it so well here and it made sense too. They didn't just jump from the ML's disappearance to a year later. They showed all the goodbyes and him leaving; one week later when Gi Bbeum comes back from her trip to find out he's gone; the next few weeks of heartbreak and worry; Ma Seong in China at all the places they met, savoring his memories with Gi Bbeum before they hide; Gi Bbeum receiving the letter he sent her from China; her going to China as a last attempt to find him; another letter and her acceptance; then it finally skips a year. Not too much has changed, which is realistic, but some things have and subplots have been tied up nicely. Then it shows Ma Seong and how he's been living the last year and the progress he's made. His reunion with Ki Joon had me crying. Then finally, after all of this closure, we get his reunion with Gi Bbeum.
- I love that his brain wasn't magically healed. I was really expecting them to just have him back to normal at the end, but that's not the case at all. He still forgets everything every day and is working (positively) toward remembering more and more slowly.
- I love that they emphasised that he hasn't 'lost' his memories, he just struggles with recalling them but they're still in there
- FOURTH WEDDING because he couldn't remember the others. This was so cute and funny ?? it was refreshing too
- The curtain call at the end with all the cast was adorable!!!!
- One more thing. It's a quote that made me laugh so hard "don't mouth off at my woman ever again. I have a yellow belt in taekwondo." ?????????? please, Ki Joon was hilarious.
What I didn't like:
- How the ML spoke to the FL half the time from episode 2 until like episode 6. He came across a little unsympathetic and critical in regards to her situation. I just feel like he could have been a bit more outwardly understanding but then again, I guess it was more realistic that he didn't understand how she felt.
- The fake 'rain'. You could really tell it wasn't real and it bothered me immensely to the point where it would take me out of the scene (and the rain scenes were pretty emotional so...)
- How obvious they were about covering the ML character's tattoo after the first couple episodes just because it would have been a lot of effort to apply the fake tattoo before every single scene (which I understand but it did take me out of the story sometimes)
Before I start a kdrama, I always read the spoiler-free reviews and comments to see if it's going to be something I like. I almost didn't watch Devilish Joy because of this.
Story: yes, this drama is jam-packed with cliches but they were executed well (or perfectly imo) most of the time. I also typically stay away from the 'amnesia' and 'misunderstanding' tags, which might be why I'm so shocked that they didn't put me off the story this time round. I think it's because of how these themes and plot points were handled. I read another review that mentioned how everything that happened was very "convenient" and this is completely true. However, I think it depends on your perspective while watching. 운명(unmyeong) or fate/destiny is a major theme throughout the story; their first meeting, his accident, the flowers, meeting again, and everything that follows. Despite the obstacles, they always find each other. The story is romantic, cute, frustrating at times, melancholic, funny, and wholesome. The villains had roles that were good at moving the plot forward, the side characters were all charming in their own ways, the pacing was pretty great imo, the chemistry between both couples were great, kisses were fantastic (ahh), and I loved the ending. I didn't even fast-forward any scenes which I have gotten into the habit of doing if I get bored.
Cast/Acting: I think most of the actors performed great. Obviously it wasn't perfect but there was nothing too specific to complain about. The FL was a huge standout for me, she executed all the scenes and emotions perfectly. I found the ML's crying scenes a little awkward but he did great otherwise. And they had fantastic chemistry, they had some of the best kisses I've seen.
Music: nothing incredible but the soundtrack was pretty great and memorable. I think the music was very scene-appropriate too which is important.
Final Spoiler-free Thoughts: Give this a try! I really enjoyed the roller coaster that this drama was and I don't think it deserves all the intense negativity! Honestly, as the drama went on, I loved it more and got more invested. I really think it's worth the watch. I don't give high ratings out easily! I also want to say that I felt wholy satisfied by the end and that rarely happens for me.
**SPOILERS ahead**
What I loved specifically:
- The pacing really was perfect for my tastes. We got a passionate kiss in the first episode (which was fine because of the whole losing his memory thing after) and then the follow episodes were paced so we'll which how their relationship progressed. They officially start dating in like episode 9 I think, which is over half way.
- The kisses between the leads were so intimate and natural, I loved them so much.
- The second couple were also very cute and I think they had perfect pacing as a second couple. Because their relationship progressed later than the main leads, it keeps the romance viewers still engaged even after the main couple gets together.
- How Ki Joon resolved his feelings for his first love/crush before confessing (and committing) to Ha Im. I really appreciated that they did this so it didn't feel like Ha Im was just a consolation prize.
- Gi Bbeum's family! ? They were so supportive, eccentric and wholesome.
- Secretary Yang! Ahhh I was basically in love with him by the end of the drama.
- How they interwove the flower throughout the story, and the same with their time spent in China where they met. It's incorperated well and I love how they were there in both the pilot and finale. The juxtaposition was beautiful.
- The finale as a whole! I'm very pickup when it comes to endings. I need to feel satisfied. Devilish Joy did that for me. The entire 70 minutes were spent perfectly on closing the story. Usually, I hate time skips when they're 1 year+ but they executed it so well here and it made sense too. They didn't just jump from the ML's disappearance to a year later. They showed all the goodbyes and him leaving; one week later when Gi Bbeum comes back from her trip to find out he's gone; the next few weeks of heartbreak and worry; Ma Seong in China at all the places they met, savoring his memories with Gi Bbeum before they hide; Gi Bbeum receiving the letter he sent her from China; her going to China as a last attempt to find him; another letter and her acceptance; then it finally skips a year. Not too much has changed, which is realistic, but some things have and subplots have been tied up nicely. Then it shows Ma Seong and how he's been living the last year and the progress he's made. His reunion with Ki Joon had me crying. Then finally, after all of this closure, we get his reunion with Gi Bbeum.
- I love that his brain wasn't magically healed. I was really expecting them to just have him back to normal at the end, but that's not the case at all. He still forgets everything every day and is working (positively) toward remembering more and more slowly.
- I love that they emphasised that he hasn't 'lost' his memories, he just struggles with recalling them but they're still in there
- FOURTH WEDDING because he couldn't remember the others. This was so cute and funny ?? it was refreshing too
- The curtain call at the end with all the cast was adorable!!!!
- One more thing. It's a quote that made me laugh so hard "don't mouth off at my woman ever again. I have a yellow belt in taekwondo." ?????????? please, Ki Joon was hilarious.
What I didn't like:
- How the ML spoke to the FL half the time from episode 2 until like episode 6. He came across a little unsympathetic and critical in regards to her situation. I just feel like he could have been a bit more outwardly understanding but then again, I guess it was more realistic that he didn't understand how she felt.
- The fake 'rain'. You could really tell it wasn't real and it bothered me immensely to the point where it would take me out of the scene (and the rain scenes were pretty emotional so...)
- How obvious they were about covering the ML character's tattoo after the first couple episodes just because it would have been a lot of effort to apply the fake tattoo before every single scene (which I understand but it did take me out of the story sometimes)
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