Just as perfect as I knew it would be. Sold me on K-dramas.
I've wanted to watch 'Crash Landing on You' for seven years because I KNEW it was going to be absolutely incredible, and it was just as amazing as I knew it would be. It was so good that it sold me on K-dramas — THE BEST gateway series, which got me absolutely hooked for more. I watched CLOY and thought: 'That was so good I'm now going to consume every show that's ever existed in this genre.'Everything about CLOY was perfect.
It was so well cast and so well acted. I was rooting for every single character except the ones you are supposed to hate. My favourite characters were the four leads — they had this incredibly complex writing and were so engaging to watch. And the ensemble cast was really impeccable too. The first moment of the show that really truly broke me was this super heartfelt scene with all the village women visiting their friend's house — I think that goes to show how much you come to care for each and every character, no matter how minor their role.
The writing had a perfect genre balance of romance, drama, politics, humour, friendship/family dynamics and more. They had a lot of plot lines simultaneously unfolding, which they expertly managed through the show's run and wrapped up in a logical and satisfying conclusion. The romances were precious and swoon-worthy. I love the fact that they had two main couples. Both relationships were done so well and had me absolutely wrapped around their fingers the whole time. The many friendships were honoured beautifully. The politics, high stakes, North/South tensions, intrigue, mystery, action, violence, and thrilling intensity had me on the edge of my seat — which, paired with a gorgeous love story, was a high I chased in all my shows after.
The music was so perfectly chosen; every single time they played a song, I thought 'Wow, this evoking the exact emotion within me that they were trying to evoke for this moment and scene, AND it's such beautiful music too.' I listened to the OST even after I finished the show.
I bawled my eyes out at the end of the phenomenal story. I immediately wanted to rewatch it and share it with all my friends.
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Fantastic promise quickly spiralled into abysmal writing
This started out so amazing — super intense exactly like I was looking for, insane politics, and high-stakes drama (I mean, come on: human experimentation, North-South tensions, hidden identities, soulmates torn apart searching for each other… hugely promising set-ups). HOWEVER, so quickly, the show lost its spark.The first two episodes were really fantastic. Honestly, I would rewatch just the first episodes, they were great. Episodes 3-5 were quite good, and had just enough engaging drama with the young girl begging for her dad to have surgery. After that, the writing became convoluted and contrived, and just downright abysmal.
You know the writing is bad when, as someone unobservant to writing flaws while consuming media, even *I* noticed the unmistakably poor plot. It became a STUPID and boring med procedural. It was laughable how many times the lead was at the hospital, got kicked out, was begged to come back, returned, and then quit/was fired again. I think my count was six, and I dropped it mid-ep 10. Whyyyyyy did the FL do all that continual denying that she was his lost lover, just to turn around and say 'jokes, it is me' and there be no consequence?????????? Lost any type of engagement in their relationship right then and there.
I realised at some point that there was only one character I was actually rooting for, which was the ML. He was great, and the only thing maintaining my last string of sanity. Loved his devotion and his grappling with the unethical things he was forced to continually do. He was also the first character I noticed who does my favourite mini-trope of the K-drama genre, which is 'don't answer inconvenient questions' — which was fricking hilarious to watch. The entire rest of the cast was unlikeable, irritating and/or boring.
At about episode 8, I was counting down the time until it would be over. I thought there were 12-16 episodes total, so I made it to episode 10. When I realised there were actually 20, I went 'ABSOLUTELY NOT' and dipped.
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