So this is going to be a fairly short review as I agree with so many of the criticisms already displayed by frustrated watchers about how this had potential to be amazing but ended up as a bit of an incoherent mess... (honestly it started off as a 9 for me then became a 6 after the messy ending).

THE STORY
So one thing I absolutely adore in fantasy stories is excellent world building. Or if there is a messy world, that there is enough information and good writing to make a suspension of disbelief bearable. I was unfortunately disappointed. From the beginning, it was called Abyss, so I wished that they'd explain more. Unlike what other people may have said, I actually really liked how the beginning started off running- with a death about a minute within. I liked how there was a thriller/mystery aspect that could keep me engaged, but it, unfortunately, turned into a bit of a W + Goblin plothole mess combined for me. I really wanted to love this, honestly. I love both the main actors but I just didn't feel this as much as I wished. The mystery started off strong but it felt like the writer ran out of ideas to make the villains smart so just dumbed down the characters. I also wish I saw more of the black coat people (were they a sort of grim reaper?) Like I said, so much potential but the writer focused on the wrong parts.

I think one of the biggest mistakes the writer made was focusing on the characters "doing this and this" for the plot to go on and just using the characters as a device to push the plot forward, without clear thoughts on the characters themselves and their growth.

One more thing: WHAT IS THE MISMATCH OF SCENES. Like there was so much seriousness going on in the latter half and the mains would go off alone on romantic dates like- okay unrealistic and it was jarring to have the scene shift from thriller to fluff right away.

THE CAST
So many people had a myriad of different things to say about the cast, so these are just my few pointers.

Ahn Hyo Seop is one of my newer favourite actors ( I loved him in Dr. Romantic) and I thought he did a pretty good job with what he was given. I was actually appreciating how he acted despite the weakly written character. I have not seen a protagonist this conflicting in character and kind of dumb in a while. Cha Min confused me a lot. He was smart that one time he had to talk to the board of directors in Lan Cosmetics, but then somehow jumped into trouble immediately looking for his ex fiancee. Where did his sanity go? Lots of people would say Hyo Seop was a little green- honestly, he did a good job for what he was given. If I was given the same character I would be so lost because there is zero consistency nor character development for me to build a coherent character off of. Perhaps with more experience he could have saved some scenes but I thought he did well for what he was given. It was a waste of potential.

Park Bo Young did pretty good in her portrayal of her character. Compared to Cha Min, Se Yun was actually more fleshed out in the script and her personality was more clear. I think Bo Young was a good choice (though I would not agree that she is a "plain jane" sort. I think she's really pretty and cute). I don't have much to say because her character was written with less problematic inconsistencies than Cha Min so it was a good portrayal.

The rest of the cast did well in their portrayals as well, and for once, I felt like a lot of the supporting characters actually were written better than the mains. The chemistry of the mains was really cute though and honestly their relationship moments saved some parts.

MUSIC
The music was good, the ost for their kisses was unique and had a wistful feel but honestly the script didn't set the mood. I loved the "Into the Abyss" OST though.

REWATCH VALUE
It's a 7 for me because of the ease of the plot and would be something I'd play in the background if I have time. It's easy access on Netflix and fairly chill so it's fine to kill time with.

CONCLUSION
Like I said, I think the major flaw here was the world building and script. There's another drama that Bo Young was in that I had similar views of (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon) but the cast was so loveable and the characters were not as conflicting so I ended up liking it a lot despite the plot holes. I think Abyss was a little over hyped by the production companies which lead to a lot of disappointment. The couple portions I think saved it but overall it's just a drama that I will just let pass by me with an "eh it was okay" moment.

Read More

I originally got into this after seeing a sort of isekai genre story where the leads interact like the leads in Weightlifting Fairy and the series didn't let me down. I don't usually watch series that are parody like but it was beautiful, funny, frustrating at times and made me smile. A lighthearted drama that leaves you scrambling for more.

THE STORY
The story is basically a parody on the isekai genre and it was a fun take. They took all the cliches and used them in a fresh way and in a way that shows you plot holes but uses the plot holes themselves as reason for humor. The story acknowledged the stupidity of the characters and the premise and it actually worked so well. I don't really have many complaints except for Xiaoqian making a few completely stupid actions that make zero sense and made me tear my hair out or how the make up for nonsensical reasons but that's totally fine. It was a romcom on crack and the editing made me cackle. There were no episodes that left me not laughing and everyone was super in sync- even the side characters. Misunderstandings were solved quickly and logically and it followed a timeline that made a lot of sense, which was surprising in a good way.

One thing that was obvious was how the writer thought ahead, and while they acknowledge the stupidity in the story, does not let it define the story and use it as an excuse to make a half-assed plot. The central conflict was simple, but don't mistake simple for bad. The writer took into account the premise and actually built a feasible plot that progressed very well. While there was definitely an episode around the middle that felt draggy, there was a good balance in the plot itself, which made the series enjoyable, funny but not going off into nowhere like plots like this are prone to. I think it helps that there were only 24 episodes- but now it makes me want more!!

THE CAST
The cast was fairly young and what I understand are newer actors but they performed quite well. I don't have much to say as they all were in sync- and had great chemistry together. From Han Shuo and Bai Ji to even Chuchu and Qianqian, the relationships felt believable and real despite the crack of the plot and the wild card of Qianqian. Zhao Lu Si portrayed the very essence of Qianqian and Ryan Ding was a completely charming Han Shuo- he went from an "okay" character to one with a fleshed out personality- a tiger that turned into a little kitten in front of his love.

I appreciated how they fell in love- it wasn't instalove nor was it full of bad misunderstandings- okay they did try and kill each other so many times but they grew into a cute and loving relationship. Their pacing was surprisingly very good and I enjoyed seeing the changes in Han Shuo and how the craziness of Qianqian brought out the sides of himself that he thought he lost as he grew up. Truly, their romance was better and actually felt real as opposed to the original script by Xiaoqian- and it showed how she herself realized it and how "real" character relationships should be.

MUSIC
The music was cute and suited all the scenes. While the songs weren't completely my style, it was perfect for setting the moods and often put a smile to my face. Their integrations were pretty flawless.

CONCEPTS
The whole editing that would remind me of memes was used well- not overused and had the perfect comedic timing. I also love the comparison of tiger and rose- the title was integrated pretty well with the symbolism.

REWATCH VALUE
I would rewatch anytime! This was super cute and had great energy and there's no way I'd get tired of it at all. I loved how their bickering reminded me of the main couple in Weightlifting Fairy and I have been looking for more couples like them- I'm glad I found these two (PS if anyone knows about a couple with similar dynamics please tell me the drama name!!).

CONCLUSION
It was hilarious, fuzzy, heartbreaking, heart-capturing and beautiful! I surprisingly loved this series so much and I'd recommend it to anyone that would like to take a break from long dramas and tragic angsty romances. This was a fun watch and I'm so glad I came across it :)

Read More

A comfort show where the first half is everything.

THE STORY
I adored the first half of the show so much that I let the last 1/3 go a little bit though I will admit I barely skipped ahead in the first 2/3 but the last 1/3 I skipped a lot of the scenes. I adored how there was a significant lack of huge tropes in the main leads' romance, with a lot of logical reasoning coming into their interactions.

For Eps 1-18: No talk of "it was love at first sight and fate" and the female lead had a reason to help the male lead- he threw a 'poisoned' needle at her for goodness sake and that part to be honest had me. Their story was lovely up until their arrival in the Eastern Capital and the pacing was amazing. The chemistry and the writing was very believable and it felt like natural people in this time naturally falling in love. The focus on their romance but also the plot was very well balanced here. I could sympathize with the leads and the way their dialogue was written was pretty smooth as well. The fights were fun to watch!

For Eps 19-27: There was a bit of a dip here. I'll be honest that I usually watch historicals for the fights, and I wanted to see more of Gu Qianfan fighting! His defense of Minister Xiao really upped the stakes and the build of the family drama was good, but the pacing started to come in bursts and I think the writers started having a bit of trouble marrying the first plot to the growing plot in the capital. Basically my interest waned after the Hat Demon case.

For Eps 28-35: I'll try to make this short but what?? For a big focus on the main relationship they decided to separate the leads and introduce angst, which isn't always bad but here it was excessive and for way too long. While I am all for strong independant women, the "girl power" plot was very spoonfed and lacked the subtlety of the other 'lessons' previously that it was a little jarring. Also, I could tell the writers didn't know what to do with Gu Qianfan anymore so they just put him in a coma?? I swear this man has been in a coma three times in the show and I feel like this time was completely just for plot convenience so they don't have to deal with him for a bit.

Eps 36-40: The leads' reunion really helped here and the plot picked up a bit more towards the end. I think the ending was a little rushed and a tad unbelievable and the pacing was a little odd, but overall most things were wrapped up welll so not too many complaints.

THE CAST
The main cast honestly in general were really good! I do not have any huge talks about any specific actors but the general main cast I thought brought their characters to life very well! Chen Xiao and Liu Yifei however, had remarkable chemistry. Their eyes at each other were captivating and their kisses were damn well-done! No awkwardness in intimacy and chemistry between them and I applaud that! Dai Xu was gold and I was in love with his portrayal of Chi Pan! He has honestly so much versatility and while this is my second show seeing him in, he has yet to let me down! Very strong character choices.

MUSIC
The music in general was good, and I think I enjoyed both the opening and ending OSTs a lot! The other music choices were good too in general.

REWATCH VALUE
I'd say an 8 for the first half of the show because I loved it so much!

CONCLUSION
I'm gonna note how I watched AvenueX's review of this show and I agree so much with so many of the points. Overall, the show had such a strong first half that had the audience swooning but a dip in the second half, especially Ep 28-35 that proved a bit disappointing. The acting was generally well-done across the board and I watch for the pure chemistry of the leads and the magic they bring to the show together! Overall a really satisfying show :)

Read More

I don't usually watch rom-coms, but I decided to try this one out to get away from my heavy/melodramatic drama binge-watching and I was pleasantly surprised. I pretty much binge watched this in a day and a half and was left wishing for more of this beautiful college story. Watch it when college got you stressed- will result in a lot of smiles.

THE STORY
Quite honestly, there was a lot of skipping for me in the first two episodes. The start was realistic but didn't have too much magic to me, but I'm glad I stuck around until around the third and fourth episodes, which is where it started to pick up a lot. The story seems like nothing new, just a college life, but in a way that was its magic. It managed to have a not-so-regular college (sports college) but show how the students are living everyday life like everyone else. I really liked the character development and how the story was very character driven based on their choices. There were not overly dramatic plot twists that were unrealistic, but portrayed the everyday dreams and how burn-out can affect college students. I particularly enjoyed the character growth of Shi Ho, how she went from living life for others and causing mutual destruction of those around her to someone who can be proud of herself. I'm really glad they developed her further than "the bitchy ex-girlfriend who only exists to create drama for the main couple and doesn't change." The directors paid a lot of attention to individual character growth and the realistic highs and lows- not all first loves work out (as seen with Bok Joo and Jae Yi), but others do (like Joon Hyung). It was lighthearted but also showcased real problems, and I liked how they addressed mental health issues. I really enjoyed the spunky heroine here and how Joon Hyung was a little wimpy- but didn't see any problems in his girlfriend being physically strong. I really liked how it wasn't "guy save girl" but the two helping each other, healing each other, and operating as equals. The part where Tae Kwon was telling Joon Hyung he must have gone crazy for liking that strong "unladylike" woman, but Joon Hyung replied with her strength being sexy- that part got me smiling hyper wide and laughing. Also the uncle falling for the strong women was hilarious and cute! There were a few things that I wished had been expanded on more, like the disappearance of the Tinnitus for Joon Hyung but overall everything was wrapped up nicely. Also the cameos and the references were perfect!

THE CAST
Oh god I loved the cast. Everyone had amazing chemistry with each other- come the close friends, to the romantic relationships- everyone seemed to understand their characters and "be" their characters, instead of "acting" the part. I really appreciated how real the relationships and bonds seemed. Honestly, Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk were perfect and SO cute together. Words cannot express how good of a job they did together and on their own. They clearly had a very close bond as friends, then a couple, and even as individuals. I was so glad to see LSK as the lead here, as she often portrays glamorous and manipulative second female leads and it was a nice change that she portrayed so well! I wish she'd get more lead roles like that. THE CRYING SCENES. The time when Joon Hyung's momma came back and caused a whole ruckus- everyone's crying was so on point and really pulled at my heartstrings. Man, my little angst-loving heart. Also, special shout out to Lee Joo Young- one of my favourite actresses out there. She was amazing and besides being so hot, she always does her roles so well, and she really shined! I wish she'd be more appreciated because she deserves so much!!

MUSIC
The music was cute and fit every situation well, it's just that for me it wasn't the main "oomph" factor that could have let the drama soar. It was appropriate and the songs were pretty but that was it for me pretty much. It was good, but not out of this world amazing. Oh, but the sound effects that were added were great! There weren't too many and were put in at the perfect times.

REWATCH VALUE
Hahahah I'd rewatch any day I'd want to watch something wholesome and cute. It's a drama I'd likely not get tired of anytime soon and would watch it again to feel happy, to take a break, or be with friends.

CONCLUSION
A surprisingly enjoyable and lighthearted (mostly) watch. I feel like it should be more recognized, honestly, and was a fairly realistic rom-com. There were parts of the comedy that resembled Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, but I think the plot was more coherent and how they fell for each other made a lot more sense here. I appreciated the acting, story and character development a lot, and it is definitely one of my top five kdrama romcoms.

Read More

So this has got to be one of my favourite dramas of all time because of so many reasons, and what made me discover my love for Jung Hae-In!

THE STORY
The story doesn't follow the typical romance tropes I see in Kdramas- there's no chaebols, deadly family secrets, nor is it a cinderella story. While there are typical family dynamics here, it all felt so real. The story pits Jin Ah and Joon Hee in not a "forbidden romance" but rather a romance that places them in an incredibly awkward situation. They're sort-of-friends (through their siblings) and live fairly average lives. There's the crazy mother obsessed with the family image that also pushes the plotline through. There are many mixed thoughts on the story, but I will acknowledge that a lot of times the story was very suffocating. I just wished for these two to catch a break- from work lives and home lives. Jin Ah reminds me of a lot of Asian girls I know and her family even mirrors a lot of my family dynamics. Many people will dislike much of her actions, but in the grand scheme, it's understandable how she's ended up in a lukewarm state because of how she was brought up. I also like the other plot happening at work- the director really knows how to make two large situations together to create one suffocating problem, but one that makes sense and doesn't take away from the other problem. The story leads you to sympathize and hate different decisions, but it's life. Neither Joon Hee nor Jin Ah were perfect, and that's what made it real and believable. You really need tissues and to make sure you're in the right state of mind for this one, but the skillful writing was very well-done.

THE CAST
Son Ye Jin and Jung Hae In are two of my favourite actors. They both executed their roles perfectly and the tender nuances in their gazes- wow. I melted, cried and laughed with them. While I love both of them, I was very pleasantly surprised by Hae-In's skill in acting and how he completely charmed me and swept me off my feet. I could feel the emotion from the other side of the screen. Hae-In has the nuances of Joon Hee so down and you can see that he's been interested in his noona for a while but never really acted or even realized it himself hahaha. I also admire the improv skills they have, and their amazing chemistry. I watched a lot of behind the scenes and I saw how much improv they've done and I was shocked silly. Honestly, Hae-In is a very skilled improv actor and he really knows how to place himself in the shoes of his character. Ye Jin also is an actor that you can sense the experience of right off the bat and she really brought her Noona role to life here. Also, I appreciated how the director kept a lot of the improv and encouraged it all! Honestly, the same director as One Spring Night and they're both so well directed!

MUSIC
God, do not get me started. The music here was amazing and really set the scene. The arrangements were perfect and set the whole kind of "flashback/vintage" vibe immediately. Whoever arranged the set and the music did a phenomenal job. They complimented each other beautifully and I actually had all the songs from the soundtrack on repeat for a month. I literally play this music whenever I sit in the rain and the scenes with just music and their crazy antics were executed beautifully.

REWATCH VALUE
Honestly, I'd watch this 100 more times. I've watched it about five times now (though not completely). I wouldn't watch every single episode again if I didn't want to feel the suffocation from the angst (don't get me wrong I loved the angst) but you know my heart can't take breaking that much all the time hahah. Honestly, flag your favourite episodes and rewatch those or rewatch it all with a couple of friends- this drama is bound to bring a lot of discussions.

CONCLUSION
A beautiful and well-told story. Honestly, the director and videographers did an amazing job and the shots were timed perfectly and chosen perfectly for each scene. Honestly, I'm keeping an eye on this director because all his works are similar vibe and are skillful pieces of art. Ahn Pan-seok is a rare talent and also so funny during filming! All the production crew did a great job as well. I loved this and the story will always live in me and I don't have enough words of praise to fully express my appreciation and love.

Read More

Addicting and Well-crafted Underrated Battle of Wits

I just finished watching Dr. Romantic and was looking through a bunch of medical dramas, and chose this one at random, and boy am I glad that I came across it. I was instantly addicted to the storyline and the characters were amazing and constantly walking on the grey line. There's one line that mentioned that whatever someone thinks is right is justice for them- but it's different depending in your perspective- and it really permeated throughout this entire drama!

STORY
I had no idea what to expect coming in, and was shrugging to myself thinking it's your typical revenge drama- well it was a revenge drama but also so much more. Firstly, Na Yi Je is insanely smart. Like someone mentioned "Na Einstein" and you're not wrong. This man is smart, takes challenges as they come and outsmarts everyone while going with the flow. At the beginning, he was clearly a talented doctor with a compassionate heart, but a single incident spiralled and broke him- turning him into something else entirely three years later. I like how he is always on the grey line, and even exhibits the tendencies of a supervillain really. I also really like how no one was really "right" or "wrong" all the time- it was just their ideas of "justice" and what lines they'd cross for survival. It was truly centered around Na Yi Je, and it's very clear on that aspect. People mention things like characters seem to kind of lose their senses of who they are and it seems like there is no high stakes that keep you guessing because of how smart NYJ is that he can always get past what's in front of him, as well as comedic moments that seemed out of place. For me, I think that the plot wants to highlight how the flow of events can really change a person. In terms of the stakes- the stakes are always high and it still keeps me guessing. Even though I knew he'd solve it all, I was still scared on how it would turn out. For me, yes he's smart, but it kept me on my toes because I always wondered when and if he'd cross his bottom line and if he'd sacrifice more values for his goal. I binge watched this in two days because of that. I do agree with the fact that the female characters had a lot of wasted potential though. There's a lot of character development that could have happened, and the writers could have utilized the females to have more of an active part- for example, LJI was insanely smart, but she could have had a more active role, along with HSG- she did do some work and flipped a few minor people over, but not much. Then again, we can always argue that the plot was focused on NYJ, so it makes sense that it was very focused on his fight with SMS and LJJ. I also really appreciated the character development of LJH- I hated him sm at first but I acc almost cried when we found out he was safe at the end- he wormed his way into my heart.

CAST
For me, it was mostly Namgoong Min, Kim Byung Chul and Choi Won Young that really stood out to me in this aspect. All the actors were fairly consistent and well-acted, but I just loved how Namgoong Min completely embodied NYJ and I thought it was a very strong performance. Kim Byung Chul was just as good as SMS, and I really liked his chemistry with NYJ. Their banter at the second half and the fact that they cared for each other just a little to joke around and be concerned was quite cute. However, no matter how much I loved Namgoong Min's acting, I really gotta give it to Choi Won Young here. This was the second drama of his I've seen and I've gotta give it to him. He really plays psychopathic roles very well. He had psychopathic tendencies here and in Hello Monster he was the psychopathic murderer- and I noticed that he played crazy killers yet managed to make them distinguished within their own personalities. None of the performances lose out and he was perfect for LJJ.

MUSIC
I didn't pay much attention to the music but generally it was pretty good. No huge lasting impressions except maybe the OST "Fearless" but the music was utilized pretty well in the plot. This isn't music but the monitor that would come up during conflicts really elevated the mood and raised the stakes and I loved the addition!

THEMES
I love the theme of the large grey between good and evil, and how justice is seen as objective but actually becomes subjective in each person's eyes. No one was truly evil, but rather a product of circumstances and how they learned how to deal with their situations- things could have gone so differently if someone just made a different choice. I also love how NYJ, SMS and LJJ were constantly put in situations where they were foils of each other, and it showed how different people deal with similar situations in different ways. Everyone was constantly being paralleled in their own circumstances and it really added to the beauty of the drama.

REWATCH VALUE
I loved it! But it's an 8 for me because I really need to breathe and be in the right state of mind to watch this again haha. I'd totally binge it, but of course I would put time between the times I've watched it. As much as I loved it, I know that the stakes aren't as high as the first watch because I know how it will end.

CONCLUSION
The premise of being a doctor in prison was a very unique premise, and opened my eyes to at least some of how it's like and the politics that seem to permeate even prison. I was worried at first because of all the deaths, and I'm glad it didn't become a killing spree of characters needlessly. I completely loved this drama and for once I was really glad there was no romance- usually I like just a lil sprinkled in but for sure romance would have ruined it for me. Honestly, the great plot made me forget all about romance which is pretty cool. This series was very plot focused and really focused on the power struggle of the three main males, and it really left me in complete awe at their intelligence. While I do wish they portrayed more medical prowess, it wasn't the main focus and had enough sprinkled here and there- though I do have one complaint- I get potassium is a common way to kill but legit it was used every few episodes and I wanted to know more interesting ways that they'd try and kill each other haha. I wish this was more known! I wouldn't have heard of it if I didn't go looking for it honestly, and it deserves so much more attention.

Read More

True to the premise- a heartwarming slice of life with supernatural twist!

I heard a lot of good reviews about this drama despite the actors all being relatively new and also very young, and how mature they tackled certain themes that I felt like I had to watch it! It took a really long while for the English subs to all be posted on YouTube but it was worth the wait! I think there could have been so much done better but the themes they tackled made up for it!

STORY
The story was pretty true to its premise, Wu Jinghao travels to the past to save Han Fei, and realizes a lot more along the way. Despite mentally being "ten years older" than the rest of the students, he realized that there was still a lot more to learn and complexities in character relationships that he had missed without his future maturity and experiences. The story tackled mature themes such as suicide and depression and I think it went about it very well. They didn't romanticize and rather made it seem very real for the characters. Wu Jinghao's bullying had affected how he acted to others and he even regrets it so much ten years later- and when he goes back, realizes everything he missed. If we think about it, the characters seemed really upbeat but HF and WJH hid their own insecurities and even their thoughts of suicide. The story is one of healing, and there are people that didn't like how it got stuck in "slice of life" before suddenly picking up at the end, but for me, that part was very important to really show how important everyday conversations became, and made their time more meaningful. They could have drama everywhere, but what they really needed was healing, and the story showcased that very well. That being said, I also think the pacing could have improved- for example- the whole Nannan thing holding us in suspense- I almost forgot about WJH's dreams of what happened in the first timeline. If they tightened up the pacing more, it would have made the story more engaging.

Now in terms of the time-traveling aspect- we didn't really get to see so much about the rules- but it was definitely used as a handy plot device- and not overused. While it could have been explained a little more- we do know that all four of the major players had a hand in it- Bai Zhenyu's song playing (which could even be him reminiscing), and Nannan, WJH and HF traveling to the past. It was a clever little thing to add there- that Nannan also came from the future. I also wish they could have made the "WJH getting run over" more...plot essential? Like he literally kind of just stood there as if asking to be run over. However, in general, the time-traveling was dealt with very well and it wasn't "too convenient", nor did it become too irrelevant. Just a personal thing, but I wish they were able to tie up loose ends with Zhenyu and Nannan, but it sets up enough for there to be a potential season.

CAST
For me, the cast was a little green and the acting was what threw me off at times. I think Li Yi Nan definitely stood out the most, but there was still a lot that could be improved. No characters were reduced to caricatures- except maybe Nannan's mother- and Sabrina Zhuang did alright, but definitely has a lot to work on. It was a little off-putting to see all of them play 28 year olds- especially HF. In terms of Asians- we all look younger than our age already- so I had to work a little harder on my suspension of disbelief here hahaha. That being said, they all brought smiles to my faces and I think these rookie actors will have a bright future!

MUSIC
I put the music at 8 because while I wasn't completely moved by most of the songs, they really utilized the music VERY well here. All songs were meaningful and the Zhenyu songs just made them all the more important in the plot.

THEMES
I liked the themes they tackled here, and like I said, it was more mature themes than I usually see in high school dramas. The theme of healing, and how each person can be someone's healing while healing themselves- and how much those moments meant to both HF and WJH, and how it affected them in the future. It was a pretty neat touch to see them both become doctors- because it fit them so well. As well, they tackle the different sides of a story and taking responsibility for faults. Is one person truly at fault, or is it just something that happened as a result of each character living out their life choices- and if so- does that make them at fault for something that happens? I love the importance they stressed on bonds here. As well, the whole thing with regrets- how regrets can be so powerful, and if we got the chance to, would we be able to fix our mistakes and live without regrets? WJH really grew throughout the series- he healed himself and other people, and he strengthened bonds and brought to light things that should be looked at. He also was able to live a life he could be proud of an not regret, even when making a choice to take HF's place in the accident. It was a selfless act, and it completely absolved him of regret. One thing I wanted to mention though- is it truly absolving a regret when your choice causes someone else to have regrets? Would the cycle just repeat itself?

REWATCH VALUE
This has a pretty high rewatch value for me, because it would probably be encouraging on a rainy day. There wasn't a lot of toxicity between the leads and it's just a feel-good drama in general.

CONCLUSION
All in all, it was a relatively feel good that had just the right amount of stakes. A lot could be improved in terms of acting and some of the story could be hammered out, but I think it was one of my favourite cdramas to watch because of the bonds that were developed between the characters!

Read More

So I have multiple emotions about this series, but it's quite fair to say that I am in love with this show. I think the premise and the start had a big enough impression on me to keep watching, though it's true I did end up skipping parts just to get to the end. I think the music in general was the biggest thing that brought the story up more than it was going.

THE STORY
So the story had a slight gothic vibe and I loved the concept. For me it started off pretty strong with the characters' personalities and their story arcs, though it slowly ran out of steam as it kept going. My biggest problems were the weak antagonist writing and the inconsistencies of some characters. I think besides Yeon Seo, the character writing was a little weak, especially the lack of motive from antagonists. I get the obsessive sisterly love of Ru Na but I'd have liked to see her do more- and actually pose a higher threat. Though it did make some sense to show a series where the characters weren't solely focused on finding the culprit but rather surviving. I actually liked the general story a lot though I felt that the world building and theology section was a little weak and got wishy-washy at the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked the happy ending but it was kind of abrupt and I wish there was more explicable things.

Another weak part was the childhood friend secret. I get that God was likely giving them a second chance, but it didn't seem all that well integrated to me. It was definitely a very ambitious concept and I applaud the writers for it. After all, I was able to suspend my disbelief while watching it and grew to love the series even with its imperfections. I definitely will rewatch again without skipping though since I know where the plot is going I can focus on the actors' delivery.

I really liked the meta aspect of Giselle being portrayed through the ballet and also a theme for the story- and thank goodness it was a different metastory than we usually see (Romeo and Juliet for example). As a former ballerina, I definitely enjoyed that they got to use ballet but agree with others that the ballet part began to take a backseat in the second half of the drama and the choreography got a little more abstract dancing than traditional ballet- don't get me wrong I like abstract portrayals but it didn't fit with the type of ballet they wanted to portray as much as it could have. Still, it added to the sort of "gothic" and the dark underlying mood of the piece.

THE CAST
As I mentioned, I ended up skipping through scenes to get to the plot points because I was kind of impatient that way, but it also showed that there wasn't anything all that special that I found about the acting. In general, the cast did a good job, and the delivery of emotional scenes was beautiful. One thing I found though was that the actors' deliveries weren't that consistent. I love L as Dan because he had a lot of the playful characteristics down but I do agree with others that he wasn't consistent 100% of the time. It could be a bit because of how his character was written. However, he was very fun to watch and I can't really imagine him as anyone else right now. Shin Hye Sun was the most consistent I think and it is true that she often carried the acting. While they look absolutely stunning together, I felt a bit of a mismatch of energies and their chemistry wasn't there 100% of the time. Some people mentioned how it their relationship moved by so fast, but it made a lot of sense to me, though around episode 25 ish their chemistry together wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. However, overall all the actors did pretty well.

MUSIC
I loved the soundtrack. It gave a bit of a gothic and the underlying darker themed auras into the narrative and I enjoyed it a lot. I think the music really helped elevate a lot of the mood of scenes (though sometimes it did rely too much on the music to deliver the emotions but I'm a music junkie so it did it for me). I particularly loved Oh My Angel and Pray. I've been playing Pray on loop because I just love it so much.

CONCEPTS
I liked how they played with the colors of outfits- how Dan's outfits started off bright then as he went through his darkest moments, his clothes started taking a darker turn- then ending with the brighter pink and white again as he found his place. The videography was pretty well-done and I liked the angles and lighting themes. I think the different locations set the mood well and delivered their own themes. I really enjoyed visual aspects of the scenes and I think the set was coordinated very well.

REWATCH VALUE
I'd definitely rewatch this. While this series had its flaws, it wouldn't stop me from rewatching it right away. It's up in my favourites along with Something in the Rain and Encounter. Unlike these two, however, I think ALM:L has a sort of magic for me that I can go back to immediately.

CONCLUSION
I want a devoted angel like Dan :'). But yes, it was a good series overall, and has its own magic that will stay with me a long time. I'd rewatch for the themes, mood, and to get me inspired to write. While the antagonists and the storytelling got a little weak at times, this series is up in my list of favourites. I want more series like this one!!

Read More

Ends 2020 with a bang, hooked from start to finish!

This rounded my 2020 dramas off with a bang, and I will have it no other way. Flower of Evil is forever in my top drama list because of how complex everything is and for me it was more of a look at character exploration and growth (and questions of humanity) over the thriller element (which was also amazing, by the way.) There's way too much for me to gush about, so I'll try to keep it as succinct as I can with minimal spoilers!!

THE STORY
So I think it's a bit difficult to talk about Flower of Evil without mentioning the other drama from 2020 that had one of the lead characters struggling with mental health conditions: It's Okay to Not Be Okay. While the main characters can share some similarities in their struggles, it's important to also understand that IOTNBO is a romcom that centers more around the healing element while FOE is more about the thriller/mystery element. I think that FOE is a very well-crafted thriller and psychological drama that takes a nuanced and layered look on mental health like ptsd and trauma over a backdrop of a murder mystery. I commend the writer for really taking the time and effort to get into everyone's heads and while it was a plot-centered drama, the writer didn't throw away the need to write character growth and exploration, which I find very commendable. FOE delivers dynamic characters under a suspenseful storyline that you literally have to binge because of how engaging it is, along with a satisfying and emotionally pulling love story. Ji Won and Hyun Soo were very good foils to explore and the answer of the question: is a monster born or made? was a perfect theme to have in the background. I adore characters that are foils of the villains because it makes them very complex, and FOE delivered it all very well.

The only reason I'm not giving it a 10/10 was the lil amnesia plot added at the end. While I agree it was necessary for him to realize that he can fall in love whilst forgetting it all and for him to actually affirm for himself that he is capable of the very emotions he thought he lacked was important for character growth, but I also personally have a small pet peeve with amnesia plots.

THE CAST
Honestly, I had no problems with the acting and thought everyone did extremely well, particularly the leads (of course). I'm going to focus on three actors in this review.

Lee Joon Gi surprises me every time. Honestly by now, he's a very established actor and has been my OG actor for so long, and I feel like he always grows in everything he's in. He understood Do Hyun Soo's character so well and accomplished such a difficult feat of portraying a character with sociopathic tendencies and other mental health concerns. I feel like he was able to portray HS very believably and maturely and I cannot imagine any other actor taking the role. Side note: I found it so interesting how LJG and Seo Ye Ji starred in Lawless Lawyer together then subsequently starred in dramas with characters that struggle a lot with mental health issues and portrayed it so well. I have a ton of respect for them honestly and best casting choices.

Moon Chae Won was a very good choice for Cha Ji Won (honestly the casting director knows their shit). Her chemistry with LJG and understanding of her character was very prevalent and nuanced, and I enjoyed every moment with her onscreen just as much as I enjoyed LJG's. Her character was smart, charismatic and was quite an anchor in the show. I usually enjoy one or the other of the leads more onscreen, but she really made it level for me! I haven't really watched her dramas before, but she's really making me want to now!

Jung Seo Yeon as Baek Eun Ha was amazing. She's all the stars in my night sky and the light of the show! She's a very talented child actor and that love that Eunha had for her father was perfectly portrayed in her acting! I adore her so much and she left quite the impression on me.

MUSIC
Beautiful. The perfect songs at the perfect moments, and they really fit the schemes of the parts they were played in. I adore Psycho a lot, and I found myself also just playing the full OST album in the background when I do things. Very well done with the music and I have absolutely no complaints!

PRODUCTION/CINEMATOGRAPHY
Perfect. Honestly, the framing of the characters and the lighting in this drama was perfect from start to finish. There were insane moments of the angles being able to tell more about the story than what was told- looking below the surface (a major theme here too) was very prevalent. One thing that really stuck with me was the use of frames, mirrors, shadows, even in the first episode when HS says "She only sees what she wishes to see" and the camera pans to his reflection in an empty picture frame. Beautiful and thoughtful from start to finish.

REWATCH VALUE
The only reason why the rewatch value here is not 10 is because of how heavy the drama is and how much it makes you think. I adore it so much and I truly need to sit down and watch it all at once. I need to have that sort of mood to watch it because once I start I can't stop haha.

CONCLUSION
This is probably one of the best kdramas I've watched, and probably the best LJG drama I've seen so far. FOE will forever remain imprinted in my brain and it left such a great impression on me that only left me hungering for more. I think for me, it was the best 2020 drama with how complex it is, and I sincerely hope that it would be more well known! I have no idea how it continues to remain slightly under the radar for a lot of things even though I've heard it has quite the high ratings when it was airing. I'm currently rewatching it :) Also, not for the faint hearted most definitely and will really attract people who love thrillers, looking at the human mind, or just amazing character growth and acting! Such a thought provoking drama :)

Read More

So Much it Could Have Been

This is probably going to be one of my shorter reviews honestly. I really wanted to like this one- I really did. I feel like there was a lot of wasted potential here and I cannot stand the female lead 80% of the time.

STORY
Objectively, the story wasn't bad- I just feel like it was dragged out unnecessarily long and started to embody a lot of cliches that it could have skipped over. There was also the unneeded "I love you but we can't be together" in the second half and the spiraling of choices that made me kind of hate the thought of ChunYu and JiaYao together. A lot of people complained about the two arcs and everyone dying in the first half- but I think it was technically two seasons? So it was chill. I think the girl was a really unique case in terms of traveling to the past- she wasn't exactly weak nor was she strong- she dealt with the time travel actually really realistically. For me, besides how the female character was written, the other characters were actually pretty complex. Everyone had very good growth- everyone except the female lead. She did get a little less annoying and naive towards the end where she fooled even the audience in this really well thought out ruse. I commended her for that, but it took way too long, and she was written fairly inconsistently. The male lead I liked- not just because he was hot (I admit that made him VERY easy on the eyes) but his struggles were real and he dealt with them the best that he could. He wasn't the "perfect" man but he also owned up to everything he did. The central romance really pissed me off though. I think he could have done well without her, however, the pining for each other and the growth he goes through because of her was really good to watch. Still, I cannot get over how annoyed I am at the female lead, and I admit I just kept watching because of ChunYu. Chong Ye really made me cry- especially at his son's death. He's not an innocent character, nor is he evil, and he really got to my heartstrings.

ACTING
I really liked the acting of the bandits, and the leads. Bie embodied ChunYu very well and filled in all the empty spaces in his character. I don't think I would have been able to see a more perfect actor for the role of ChuYu. Zhong Dan Yi played a really good JiaYao, and as much as her character made me want to hit my head against a wall, she embodied her to every little annoying expression, and for that I gotta give it to her. All the bandits really hit the mark, especially Zhao Jian as Bai Chong Ye and I really felt that absence for the whole second half. Chun Yu and Chong Ye bromance is one thing I'll wholeheartedly miss.

MUSIC
The music was okay, but nothing really stood out to me.

OTHER
THE COSTUMING OF THE FEMALE LEAD. It came out of complete left field and I know that she likes to "change up" the fashion but how was she not murdered by the people for the "scandalousness" of her clothing. Like I get it's her fashion but the peoples' reaction to her clothing should have been much different- and those ridiculous heeled boots- like where in the world did they come from??

REWATCH VALUE
Yeah, it's a five for me. I wouldn't mind rewatching select episodes in the first half in the background as I do things, and some select episodes from the second half. Besides that, there's not much value to it to me.

CONCLUSION
A series with so much wasted potential. I wanted to love it but my suspension of disbelief can only go far, and there's only so much I can like with a very annoying female lead who sounds like a broken record towards the end. The side characters made up for the confusing female lead writing.

Read More

I absolutely loved this drama. A hidden gem that deserves much more recognition than it does. I expected to love it but not this much and I appreciated the strength of all the women in this drama. It was a very women-driven drama and I barely skipped anything while watching.

THE STORY
Unexpected, breathtaking and badass. It told the story of three women kicking butt and overcoming their own problems and societal expectations. Talking about the corporate warfare that was happening between Barro and Unicorn, it was very well-paced and had just the amount of spice it needed. There were almost no plot holes and I appreciated the very different setting than I'm used to. It was interesting to get a bit of a look at the background of search engines and I found out quite a lot about them. The story took a quite mature-thinking theme and it really made me reflect on my values and their importance in relationships, career, future and success.

Now for the three women, TaMi, Hyeon and Ga Kyung. I liked the flashbacks and their backstories- and how they became friends in the past. The broken bonds between them were heartbreaking and it's fair to say that Hyeon and TaMi would not be where they are today in their friendship if not for Ga Kyung. Ga Kyung was villainous so much in this drama but you could also sympathize with her background. I like how the plot was primarily led by the development in their three characters and how friendship, the past and work all come together.

For the romances:
1. TaMi and Morgan were hard to watch, honestly. In a good and bad way. Their story was painfully realistic and I actually had to ask myself if I was really watching a Kdrama the entire time I saw their dynamics. Many people will say they were a boring couple but I'd have to disagree. It's true that some of TaMi's most frustrating moments were with Morgan but I liked how he made her think about her values and what letting another person into your life really meant. My heart broke every time they broke up and they had a very different dynamic from the typical kdrama couples I've seen. They were passionate but often stuck in a middle ground because of their differing values. To say their ending made me completely happy would be a lie- I don't like how they're still stuck in a loop- but it's realistic and it's them. Not all romances have that typical "happy ending" and many will be complicated like theirs. I'm appreciative that their story was able to be told. Their relationship kept making me think about my values and if I could compromise as much as Morgan does for love. Note: Morgan's lines are so smooth like I swooned so much.

2. Hyeon and Ji Hwan. Honestly. This couple gave me life in this drama and was a breath of fresh air. Their meeting was so appropriate and I found myself smiling like an idiot each time they were together. Still, my heart broke each time they had to come to the end of each of their meetings and questioned their feelings- if it was just Hyeon being "a fan" or more. It was nice seeing Hyeon falling for Ji Hwan without realizing and having a different side than what we usually saw and it was so cute watching Ji Hwan be hyper-aware of his feelings and unsure if Hyeon felt the same. If Morgan and TaMi were the mature couple, these two were like a whole "first love wholesome" couple that was a good contrast to the main couple. Honestly, their chemistry was amazing! Note: Ji Hwan's lines when he was "acting" with Hyeon and his confession were so smooth too (why are the men such smooth talkers).

3. I'll take the time to also mention Ga Kyung and Jin Woo. They had a sad romance, for Jin Woo to be one-sidedly in love and already preparing for their divorce before Ga Kyung even brought it up. He loved her wholeheartedly but was guilty about his family caging her. He loved her enough to let her go and respect her wishes to not even contact her when she wanted to disappear. And how Ga Kyung realized all this and came to care for him, but realized she had to find herself first. They have a bit of an open ending- and it was fitting for their characters.

THE CAST
I think everyone was perfectly cast in this drama. Honestly, I first came to watch it because I found Da Hee was going to be in it, and then saw videos of her chemistry with a current new favourite actor of mine, Jae Wook. Knowing two of my faves were going to be in a drama together and as love interests really pushed me to watch and I was not disappointed. Honestly, I think they had the most chemistry as a couple in the whole series. I personally hope Jae Wook gets more dramas! Also Da Hee always plays badass women and this time her portrayal was perfect and I could never imagine anyone different. Soo Jung and Ki Young did very well as the main couple, and the scenes were executed almost perfectly. My only criticism is that there were times when Ki Young seemed like he was "acting" rather than "being" Morgan and there were a few blank faces.

MUSIC
I cannot stress enough how much I loved the music. From the background music to the OSTs- they set the mood perfectly. I loved the main OST so much with the breathy tones. And the game song- it's what brought the main couple together at first and it played when they found each other again at the end. Beautiful and satisfying, this drama has to have one of the best soundtracks I've heard.

REWATCH VALUE
As much as I'd want to watch it again, I'd have to wait a little to let my feelings settle. It left me thinking, and is a drama I'd rewatch for thought-provoking conversations. It's a bit on the heavy and mature side but has a general good balance to give a bit of a dramatic "slice of life" feel. I'd for sure watch again though because the story was amazing.

CONCLUSION
Overall, the story was very character-driven, mature, faced societal issues and thought-provoking, which I really appreciated. The character growth was a journey that I'd definitely watch again. I love how the plot and ending wasn't rushed at all- all couples ended in a place fitting for them and the corporate warfare set a good and satisfying end. I appreciate the writer for taking their time with the plots and connecting everything together so well. Also, the camera work and lighting PLEASE. It was beautiful. Whomever designed the storyboard- I need to learn from them. The scenes were perfect and the lighting and the camera angles really set the scene. They used a lot of unique angles that helped elevate a lot of the emotions of each of the characters and I loved it all. THE ENDING. I lived for the ending and thought it was a perfect way to end with a hearing (which also started the drama) and the three girls riding off to the sunset with the OST. It was a women-driven show and ended with strong women. I cannot speak enough how much I loved the whole show. I think the realism really set everything for me and twists up to the very end had me shook. That last twist I'm still getting over!! Also, loving how the title ties in all at the end! I NEED MORE!!

PS. Ji Hwan and Hyeon need their own series pls and thank you

Read More

I really liked this series, as for me it was a big step out of what I usually go for- not a melodrama nor lots of twists and turns. In all, it had really great pacing and honestly three reasons made me go for this: Lee Jong Suk, the background of books and how it ties into everything, and the single camera work. I was very interested to see how a series using single camera filming would look and I think the director made really good use of everything they had.

THE STORY
I really enjoyed how it was a simple office comedy, with some established mysteries and nuanced characters. Most of the characters went through a lot of growth, and it was nice seeing leads and their seconds leads that weren't "too" perfect or messed up. I enjoyed the relationship dynamics between the two leads, and the change in how they realized the extent of their feelings. They had such a healthy relationship and were there for each other in thick and thin. I also appreciated that there wasn't a breakup from misunderstandings that led them apart- they knew each other for a long time and their relationship transition reflected that. They respected each other to not try and solve each others' problems, but rather lend small helping hands and a shoulder to lean on. They kept their intimacy while keeping their individuality. I found it pleasantly surprising that they managed to keep their relationship and living situation a secret from almost all of the office until the last episode- though I wish the reveal was a little better hehe. I don't have much to say about the story from how I really appreciated the pacing and the storytelling seeming so simple yet so important. The transition in relationship between Seo Joon and Hae Rin was believable and pretty and I enjoyed how their chemistry was shown together and the difference between how they treated each other to realizing they valued each other as more than friends- it was very natural. A few things that could have been done better though was Dan Yi's daughter- she kind of disappeared from the plot and I wished she would have been more integrated. Secondly, the story between Byung Jun and Eun Ho was good for the plot, but I wished that they showed a bit of their memories together earlier, because I couldn't feel much for the dying writer when he was lying there.

Just a personal note: Eun Ho's love for Dan Yi was so pure and you could tell these two were soulmates from their interactions of them being each others' home. I also found it so cute and smooth that he would always be confessing his love for her even when she didn't realize it. I loved the conversations that they had that urged them to think- especially when Dan Yi is sorting out her feelings and Eun Ho basically told her she was professing her love there and then.

THE CAST
I think the cast was well-casted and they really reflected their characters very well. I don't have much to say because I thoroughly enjoyed their portrayals. As usual, I'm a LJS fan and I felt that his EunHo was so alive and real, and him and Na Young had great chemistry! I appreciated how Ha Joon was able to portray Seo Joon as well- how he can show his attraction for Dan Yi but also show that there wasn't much chemistry between them compared to how he seemed friendly towards Hae Rin but had such great chemistry!This is the first main role I've seen Ha Joon do and I'm really glad he got this role because his Seo Joon was perfect and loveable.

MUSIC
I don't have much to say about the music- because it was really relaxing and brings a smile to my face. It's the type of music that I first hear and I'm like "it's good" (with a shrug) but as I hear it more I like it more and more. I think what made me give a higher rating for music was how well it was integrated and helped reflect the mood perfectly. The music in general was well-made and to my personal taste- I really enjoyed the piano background songs. My favourite OSTs would definitely be Take My Hand by Jannabi and SOMEDAY by The Black Shirts.

REWATCH VALUE
A nine for me! Not much else to say, I loved this story and the themes and motifs a lot :) Good for easygoing days and when I don't want to think too much about an overcomplicated plot.

CONCEPTS
The mini monologues at the end of Eun Ho and Dan Yi's thoughts at the end of episodes really helped the nostalgic and thoughtful feelings of the plot and the motif of books was well integrated to the point of it enhancing the plot a lot and not being overused. I really enjoyed the aspect of how books were integrated, especially the "moon is beautiful" words and the scene in the theatre when they were practically writing a letter to each other. I think the story in general had a lot of meaningful messages that will stay with me for a while.

CONCLUSION
I'm starting to enjoy these more "indie" projects that I'm finding that seem to be the trend nowadays with popular actors. I'm really glad I started this series and it left me with a lot of satisfaction. It's not perfect, but it had a wonderful message and the storytelling paced very well and thoughtfully that all the messages came out. I appreciated the fact that nothing seemed overly rushed or glossed over and the videographer also did a very good job in the scenes that they captured.

Read More

A beautiful mix of everything!

I stumbled upon this because I was looking for more Lee Sung Kyung and this popped up! I remember kind of passing by it and thinking the title was odd but boy am I glad that I watched this! I feel like I'm kind of opposite from people- I didn't watch the first season before this one so I think I can have a more subjective view of this story. It's full of mixed reviews but has a generally high rate and I wholeheartedly agree!

STORY
You really don't need to watch the first season to understand- I just read up on the wiki page about Kim Sabu and I was fine! A lot of people mentioned that the story can be hard to follow because the storytelling is non-linear. It's definitely a little confusing- especially if it's your first time seeing non-linear storytelling, but I think it was very effective. There were some portions that could be improved- such as when Park Min Gook becomes the president- boy that part got a little confusing- but otherwise, I think the non-linear way of telling the story was able to put different scenes together that needed to be seen together. It also creates the feeling of never really knowing what time it is- and I think that's very important. In a hospital, you can lose track of time because of the business of the whole place, and it really portrayed that pretty well and I appreciated it a lot. Some people also mentioned that scenes would cut from emotional to happy scenes, not allowing us time to really digest it- for me I generally had a good view of it. It gives off the feeling of one person's happy moment can be sad for another, and shows the duality of time and emotions. It also helped me not brood for too long. However, there were some times where it would have been more appropriate to leave us with certain emotions. I really liked how people were often left out of the loop though, as it was very realistic- not everyone can know about every single conflict in the hospital at once. I love how they showed us patients' stories and really helped us feel for them. It was a good balance of medical stuff and story- not too much showing off (was pretty realistic) and it humanized everyone- from doctors to patients.

One thing that could have been done better, however, was the climax and the villain. I've heard that the villain was the same from the previous season, but of course for me it didn't make much of a difference- just that I wish that there were higher stakes and more struggle against Chairman Do. However, in general, you can tell that the main conflicts had to do with the personal situations about each doctor and patient. I liked that aspect- though the middle admittedly got a little draggy. I know a lot of people also complained about the pacing and how some conflicts seemed anticlimactic. I appreciated that they didn't drag it out too much though, and conflicts were resolved pretty well. However, it's true that EunJae's could have been explored much better than it was.

In terms of the romance, I can see why people didn't appreciate EunJae and WooJin that much- I personally like that their romance was left to the side so we can see them sort out their own issues at first. Plus, you can tell from those gazes of WooJin's that he's loved her for a while and you can see how EunJae slowly comes to realize that she's falling for him. For me the pacing seemed realistic- yes they weren't a super swoony couple but they needed to put aside their issues first and become mentally strong. That last kiss was a long time coming though. Okay, but of course I loved EunTak and Areum. As well as Kim Sabu- let's face it. We're all here for Kim Sabu.

CAST
Hi everyone was amazing- there's not much else to say here. I really appreciated how AHS has grown as an actor though and can finally handle a male lead role well and has a good script that helps showcase his abilities. Him and LSK are such a pretty couple (I'm still a NamLee shipper though). However, the hands down best acting came from HSK. He completely embodied Kim Sabu and I cannot imagine anyone else as him.

MUSIC
The music was superbly done. It always matched the scenes perfectly, and the main OST Go Away Go Away has been playing on repeat for a while. I love the mood and musicality of it so much!

REWATCH VALUE
The only reason why this isn't a 10 on rewatch is that I'd probably watch it 10 times before only watching certain scenes? It's not timeless but I love it so much to watch it again and again!

THEMES
I love how "romantic" Kim Sabu makes the whole hospital experience. He brings together the patients and doctors, the doctors with each other- even couples! He has the best quotes and really embodies what he teaches. The whole family atmosphere that he has a large hand in creating makes Doldam what it is, and there really is something romantic about his skills.

CONCLUSION
Immediately had withdrawal symptoms. I watched it with my fam, only doing two episodes a day, so for me the general pacing was fairly natural. It really depends on how you watch it. I like how they left the MS though and the trauma center to be built because it sets things up for another season pretty well, though they should think of another main villain if they bring back all the Oddballs (I hope they do esp because I'm watching the first season now) because most of their individual problems have been solved. I loved this series, and it's officially on my favourites!

Read More