MadelineMaureen

I just really like the lead actors(4 mains) and wanted to watch something they were in, but the side characters aren't it and the overall production as of episode 3 just isn't giving TvN/Netflix level production that I'm used to. When normally the first 4 episodes of a show are the best produced and written...I just don't think this one is for me. I'm just going to have to catch the edits.

Most of the shows I watch are slow burn. I understand what building chemistry that pays off later looks like. What we have are excessively long scenes with side characters that have the emotional range of a peanut and a brain roughly the same size. I can understand that in the back half of a show....but episode 3...and I'm already struggling to get past the bs side plots that have nothing to do with their families or bestie...that's just a straight up pacing issue. I was very much looking forward to the show for the four leads because I like their work and I know they can do the subtle looks necessary for a slow burn romance. If I could have solid assurance that his business partner and secretary aren't actually in any other scenes longer than 3 minutes I might be able to actually enjoy the show more.

Well, for me, I've been getting long blinks every time his business partner/worker come on screen & very much want to skip/fast forward their scenes to get to the story that actually matters/that I'm enjoying.
The two leads' families and the second couple are great....but by episode 3 there was already a LOT of filler. I'm so sorry, but you honestly can't say that this show doesn't have a lot of filler for early episodes. The elevator bgm doesn't help and well...the only scenes that have any kind of dynamic camera work/editing are with the lead couple atm(I've been actively trying NOT to skip things and have only just finished episode 3.) I'm in the comments trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel because I'm struggling to stay interested even though I love all of the main actors in the show. I'm just not sure I'm vibing with the production.

I would put this comment in a review, but I haven't finished at it wants a score...so comment that will eventually get buried it is.
I can't put my finger on exactly why, but I'm having a much harder time getting into this show than other's I've been watching at the same time. There is one that is also a friends to lovers storyline that I'm eating up. So this is me trying to work out why I'm having trouble while I watch it in the bg.

I just keep getting the long blinks whenever the leads or the second couple aren't on screen together. I've seen the actor who plays his business partner in other things and I'm just...annoyed by his character's presence as he doesn't seem to know how to do anything(the character not the actor). It feels like the ML character is parenting everyone around him including the FL.

There will be moments that I love and enjoy, but the build to get to those moments is so slow...And I'm a slow-burn girly, so something just isn't connecting for me. It took me about 3-4 weeks to finish episode 3 because I just wanted to fast forward through a lot of it and remembered that I have a dozen other shows I can watch instead. Maybe it's because some plot points got spoiled and I have a thing about introducing an illness out of the blue.

I want the cute and fun with some heartfelt family connections, but the pace is just all over the place for me. The cinematography is very surface level with nothing really dynamic to keep me engaged. And half of the soundtrack/score is elevator music the other is a sample of 'This Will Be' which reminds me of the The Parent Trap and While You Were Sleeping. (My brain literally starts to play scenes from those movies in my head when the song starts playing, which is why original OSTs are so important imo. Because music evokes memories.)

The chemistry is there, but it's about 20mins of a 80 minute episode. I feel like I might enjoy the story more once a youtuber gets ahold of it and edits one of those "their story" edits. I'm currently attempting to catch up this week as the last two episodes are about to air, but I just don't know if I'll be able to. I feel like the biggest struggle I'm having with Korean shows these days are how long the run time is. The episodes are 80 to 90 minutes a piece which over bloats what sometimes is just a simple story. I feel the runtime, when before I'm not sure I did...? I need to go back into my archive of shows and see what the runtimes for each episode were. I'm truly not trying to be a "hater" but the amount of shows I watch I just notice a lot more technical flaws in this one. Maybe because I was looking forward to it so much and thus had higher expectations...?

Also...the yelling...why is there so much yelling? I didn't realize that I was so sensitive to sound volume until I was leaping for the remote every time the yelling starts.

I just can't understand how the married couple who went from friends to lovers can't see the same dynamic happening right in their face with their cousin and friend? CH his the only one who noticed early on followed by SNN who knew them for like a blink, but she clocked it after seeing them together once or twice. All I can say is if best men and maid/matron of honor are a thing in Chinese weddings his cousin and business partner shouldn't be on that list.

It's the 3rd couple for a lot of shows that just hits different, imo.(the ones who are just starting aka not an established couple but the start of the show) And I like the connection they aren't even fully aware they have yet. Unless he knows that's her in the chatroom, which he might. I like his little weird self, and how down to Earth she is when her management lets her breath a bit. Even though they don't have a lot of screentime the acting and directing does an amazing job of conveying their personalities and characters.

Seems realistic to me. He doesn't want to impose his feelings on her when she withdrew from him. He is trying to sort out his own feelings and feels like he's messing up. He's trying to decide whether to truly confess or to "get over" his feelings for her, because at the end of the day he doesn't want to lose her completely, but that doesn't take away the hurt he feels at the perceived rejection.

I'm really enjoying it, but I also really like slow burn dramas.
After checking your page...You gave Amidst a Snowstorm of Love 10/10, but you didn't rate Love Me, Love My Voice but that's the level of slow burn this one is, but with a friends to lovers. Just based off of you lists and ratings I think you'll love this one. Depending on how fast you watch I think you could easily catch up to the current release day within a day. So, personally, I would recommend it.

guys...I was not expecting to need to run to the bathroom I was laughing so hard at 53 minutes in on episode 11 🤣🤣🤣💀 yall are not ready. I swear you are not ready when the "star wars" music comes in. 😊

I've never watch one of Miles' period shows, is it normal to dub him in them? I know some actors just don't have the right accent or sound down for period shows so they end up dubbed. I've only ever seen his modern shows where he is definitely not dubbed. Also thanks for your thoughts on the show, very helpful for me to decide whether to start or hold off until it's finished airing.

The Double was the only 5/5 star Cdrama that I watched so far this year. There were a lot that started strong and then took a turn in the mid to last quarter. The only other one that got close was 'Are You the One' because of how well done the acting was for the ML as he struggled to balance his different goals. (but for me there were parts in the storyline/writing that was leaning too far into the "girl boss" trope that seems to have become popular in period dramas, loved the actress, I just think some of the writing fell short at the end.)
'Your Are My Secret' and 'As Beautiful as You' ended up being a 4/5 for one reason or another. When the business romances lean a little too far into the business.
Also the ending of 'In Blossom' was frustrating as all heck so dropping it was probably a good call until they announce a second season.

No news that I could find yet, but it does feel like one they would get the license for tbh.

in a spoiler tag can you tell me how you're liking Echo of Her Voice?

This one is is way spicier than Love of Nirvana...gives a more idol drama feel. But the overall production seems well done. I'm watching both of these shows as well as others. As we enter into our sad/frustrating times on Love of Nirvana I think a kissy melodrama is the perfect pick me up tbh.

I knew Alen always reminded me of someone, but I couldn't put my finger on it until he has a beard in episode 3... he looks so much like Hyun Bin with the added facial hair. They have such similar face shapes.

not using her like a phone stand for a football match....🤣🤣💀

All these men trying to trap this girl in gilded cages. She just wants to be free. The only one who actually calls them out on it is the little doctor-ge. Like he side eyes the crap out of all of them. When he finds out she's stuck in the palace I'm sure he's going to have something to say about it as well.

When you tilt the camera so the framing isn't parallel to the ground(horizon) or subject. It's meant to give a sense of unease or "off-ness" to a scene. Normally used to disoriented the viewer or show that the subject is disoriented.
It shouldn't be used continuously or it loses it's impact.

I'm assuming she's saying that he isn't WuXia and she would know because she is or was married to WuXia. We'll see later today.

should be in episode 24 at least it was in the teaser