Kathryn_51

"What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" and yes, the analogy is definitely appropriate except that that drama was in 2018 and rather silly in 2026. And the leads in WWWSK were major stars at the time, not model/idols turned actors.

Seoul has mountains, but much of the city is built along the Han river and relatively "flat" land for several miles on either side. This drama has significantly changed the skyline by omitting the numerous apartment towers. I'm rather disappointed that there is no background explanation for difference. And now that I think about it, I guess we won't see statues of King Sejong or Admiral Yi? I guess in a fantasy country w/no North/South, then history is rather irrelevant but . . . . I'm disappointed thus far.

Huh? he hardly knew her in school. But he clearly felt sorry for her and the rules that favored "royalty" over commoners. But then, I have never liked child love connections, so I'm biased.

Why in the world would the grandfather try to off the child? His source of power (whatever it is) is through the child. If child goes, Queen Mother goes. But then, why do I have this sneaking suspicion that the King's father is. . . . I dunno, but someone else.

If Jin Mu is the villain, then we are watching the laziest "casting" decision of the year. But then, I'm sorry to say (well, actually I'm not), the casting for this drama is heavy on the visual and lacking in substance. Gong Seung Yeon (Queen Mother) and Lee Yeon (Ms. Do) are acting circles around the leads.

I have started - and paused on hold - and never returned to about 15 kdramas in the past year. I finished, I would guess, 4-5 of them??? Climax was one of the ones I finished. It's not for everyone. It is not perfect. But I looked forward to every new episode each week. This is definitely a case of "to each, his own." It's not for the rom-com brigade or the melo-drama fans. It's gritty but dang. the two main characters are smart/get up and fight another day types. So, I enjoyed it.

Wow, @Tia - that was a lot! And I agree with 90% (my bias has always been with BTS rather than sang-ah) and since we both gave it 9⭐ (altho for slightly - but not significant- reasons) I can only say. . . . We Watched The Same Drama, lol. It's been fun. 😊

Second season??? I dunno - I would only watch if they would mix-up the dynamics. Team BTS/Sang-ah against the world? maybe?? One reason I enjoyed Ep. 10 is because the main couple was using their brains, their gut, facts/truth. However, "intellectual" thriller doesn't seem to be in this writer/director's wheelhouse.

Ratings for final episode? Pretty good. 3.920% (natio ) 4.000% (Seoul)

"this was a “love story” more real and substantial than most romcoms."

Yes! Love comes in many forms. For me - the fact that Sang-ah finally acknowledged the importance of BTS in her life redeemed her in my eyes. I honestly don't want a Season 2 because writer/director would likely believe they need to wash/rinse/repeat the same plot. NO! They are a team. Bend it, twist it, but keep it.

Hey, @Tia and @JoyceTyler! I loved the final dénouement/resolution. I enjoyed the roller coaster. But there were definitely parts that I hated (humiliation on steroids). I still need to gather my thoughts on the entire package but the partnership/comradeship at the end helped absolve much (but not ALL) of the prior garbage. I think my bias towards BTS (rather than Sang-ah) was a big part of it.

Noone was buried. The Shaman Moon told him he had to drive the stakes into the heart and ?? of a dead person to cut off some sort of dirty ancestry bloodline or something equally trashy. Maybe Koreans would understand, but I did not.

I speculated weeks ago that Sang-ah was a drug addict – not just the pills, but there were subtle signs all along – the lacquer box on her dressing room table, walking in bare feet outside the home (implying being in a haze, not sure where she was).

The twin brother finally appears – so there WAS a reason for creating a twin brother, but it was for a possible 2nd season?? The only plus would be to see Oh Jung Se in a complete role reversal.

The Chairman miraculously lives? That’s stupid and a throw-away plot just to tease a 2nd season.

Yang-mi out of prison for a “special pardon” is a bummer. One season of her (and I like Cha Joo-young) was enough.

I LOVED the ending - probably because my prediction(s) came true, but in the best way possible. ❤️❤️❤️. Bang Tae-seop is still my favorite.

Ju Ji-hoon and Ha Ji-won said that the "climax" to the drama was the very last scene and they were right.

Wish I could give the drama 10⭐but the multiple scenes of shocking humiliation detracted from the overall plot/story of the main couple. Some spoilers below that seem to suggest a possible Season 2, but I don't want one. It's perfect as is.

Thanks for sharing. I gave "Perfect Crown" a try and it's a rather bland "contract" romance. This one look much more fun and Im Ji Jeon acts circles around her peers.

Dialogue is auto translated, so may be different in the Viki version.

BTS: You’ve done a good job. It was a good movie. Congratulations on going to a film festival.
SA: Thanks to you.
[mumble-jumble about “the next one” – might refer to the project that Sang-ah was proposing in the preview?]
BTS: I’m going into the secretary’s office at the camp of Koo In-won. The presidential election is just around the corner, so you’ll be busier.
SA: Okay. I got your back.
[SA’s manager] Noona, we have to go now.
SA: Thank you for coming today. Take care.
BTS [stops her]: I have something to discuss with you. [END]

Sneak Peek for the Last Episode - Tae-seop and Sang-ah "in an awkward conversation". It appears to be a few months in the future after release of her film. It's rather spoilerish, so the auto-translated dialogue is below.

https://x.com/Channel_ENA/status/2043841666180616492

Thus far, I'm not getting much "comedy" out of this one. I finally gave up on Joseon "rom-coms" because although the rom was there with occasional funny moments, the violence/blood overtook the narrative. I fear the same here, but I'll watch until if/when that happens.

Yeah, but some of us are called misogynist for noticing these things - actual rape/sex w/out consent vs. attempt to kiss and backing off when consent is not given.

My list of bad continuity in this drama is very, very long but today - in what was supposed to be a touching scene with Jeong-won in her apartment, all I could think of was. . . . . what happened to the fish??

Just another example of the writer/director's "I don't give an ef about the story or the plot or the viewers; this is my little sandbox and I can erase the past whenever I wish."

I'm enjoying the roller coaster in the overall plot, but writer/director is overly fond of creating shock for the sake of shock than finding more creative ways of demonstrating manipulation and humiliation and for that reason, I'll be down-grading my rating.

The acting is incredible, but I think it's all a product of the actors themselves - I don't think the writer/director had anything to do with it.

So, desperation for power, money, status - we get that. We Get That It Is the overall theme but constantly hitting the viewer with a sledgehammer of shock while leaving ZERO humanity in the characters is not entertaining.