OVERLY HYPE

I was excited for this drama for long time because I am a fan of the Main Leads.
And the first Trailers also seem intriguing.

Cinematography is just okay imo - it's beautiful but I do not think it fits well for this kind of drama.

Plot is just so-so it started interesting but honestly speaking, I was disappointed. It was really tough for me to finish each episode without getting bored. And then it became overly convoluted! Too many things happening, too many unnecessary and additional stories.
It would've been better if they focused on the relationship between the main characters because honestly speaking it just doesn't make sense.
They fell in love and then eventually their marriage didn't work, ML started hating FL. He was even happy to hear that she is dying but then suddenly he cannot live without her anymore?
I wish the writers focused more on their relationship instead of mini backslash. Give us a proper explanation on HOW their relationship turned sour.

And honestly speaking, FL isn't likable as well. Almost every character is unlikable in this series. And just like most kdrama - the emotional negligence of parents are just brushed off in the end. They said sorry and it's forgiven and forgotten

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Underwhelming

======EDITED======
I finally get to rewatch. And my opinion stays the same. It is underwhelming and didn't live up to expectations- especially the excitement.

The build up was good during the first 3 episodes. However, after that, everything started to get boring and fell into that cliché path that most revenge drama has.

1. Everything suddenly seems easy for DH - suddenly people just keep coming to help her. So it makes me wonder, what if those people didn't come to help her? What if she didn't meet those people? She spent more than a decade to plan but later on I cannot help but think "what was her original plan?" - you know the plan she created without those "sudden helper" which suddenly pops up for her to use.
I am yet to see a revenge drama with a solid plan and kept that plan until the end without the sudden boost of helper.

2. Suddenly everyone is screaming. One character screaming would've been believable but when almost everyone is screaming and started to act hysterical? Gosh

And I do not get why these villains who used to be powerful, calm and always seems to know what to do - suddenly becomes this weak character who - for whatever reason just do not know what to do except panic and scream.
When in truth, they can just order their men to kill the avenger but none of them think that way. They didn't even think of a way to punish this avenger and stop her from ruining their life. The only thing they did was to pay her mom to humiliate her and force her to leave her job. Really? Is that all you can do?
They started hating each other and fight each other but none of them decided to fight the avenger?

3. They went crazy in the end. These people who never felt guilty for ruining someone's life and live well all these years suddenly lose it. Lee Sa Ra seems fine at first then suddenly went full blown drug addict. PYJ was fine and then in the end she also started losing it - I don't know what's the purpose when that happens because if they were to be punished, I want them to be totally sober - with their conscious, and clear mind still intact -so they can feel all the hardships and pain of my revenge.


Another scene that I hate was Lee Sara's scandal - of her playing herself. I just don't like that part, she was drugged and to shame her -- everyone has to see her playing with herself as if that's some bigger sin than her being involved in bullying and drugs. That's so wrong. She was a victim in those videos.

And what was that thing with the Shaman? That was so unnecessary!

I am not sold out with the romance either. There was no chemistry at all.

I think that it could've ended with just 5 episodes but they had to stretch it out. It felt that they do not know what to do or what to add to make up for the rest of the episodes so they resorted to flashbacks.

The ending where DE was leaving the school and looking happy would of been the perfect ending. Everything that happens after that just... seems forced, like "yeah let's add some more scenes to complete this episode."

And their world is small indeed, suddenly almost everyone has met DE before.

And the avenger team at the end ?‍♀️
The assistant could of message her daughter at least but we didn't see that. I thought she was going to follow her daughter or try to live a different life for her daughter or for herself, but nuuuuh, in the end she became part of their avenger team.

JYJ - I thought that after seeing the killer of his father who seems be a psychotic who doesn't feel anything no matter what - thought he will at least realize that dealing with him will just be a waste of time.
No matter what he do, to punish that man, it will have no effect on him. He will not feel guilty or regret, instead he will just be happy to see JYJ dirtying his hands, he will be happy that he still has control over him because he made him that way- AND that's exactly what he wanted.
But tbh he will just waste his time on that guy. People like that don't deserves attention, it would be better if JYJ showed himself really happy in front of that guy - that kind of revenge is better - after all, there are many ways to get revenge, not just by hurting them,killing them or ruining them, sometimes being happy and moving on is also a revenge - because some people just hate to see you happy, so seeing you happy is a torture for them. So I was disappointed that they decided to create an avenger team just for him.

So far my favorite scene and the scene that marked on me the most in this season is DE's scenes with her mother. She never cry when facing her bullies, she didn't cry when remembering the past. But seeing her mother trying to ruin her- she cries. She started to break. In the end, the one who truly hurt her is her mother- compared to the pain the the bullies gave her, the pain that she received over her mother's betrayal hurts her the most.
I understand when she said that she is glad that her mother didn't change bcoz it will feel like she will have to erase what she did to DE back then and heal from it and learn to forgive her mother if ever she showed any affection. Knowing that her mother doesn't care for her even a bit and will never change, she accepted that and so, her mother can no longer hurt her, she's done.

I must praise all the cast of this series, they all did a fantastic job and deserves recognition- everyone - especially the villains.

Anyway I will rate it 4
Though disappointing at some parts of the story, I love the characters and the tension during the first episodes.

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The phasing was really slow.... this is a slow burn drama. It only has 6 episodes but it felt like I was watching a 100 episode drama, I wanted to skip lots of scenes. It only got better in last 2 episodes.
The actions and CGI were okay, very animated style (or maybe my standard was just a bit higher after seeing AOS) but it was just okay for me, not bad but not enough to give that "wow!!" Effect.

The phasing is slow, the whole cinematic seems boring and dull. The story is just okay too, I just think there's something lacking with how they executed the scenes or the story.
And I think the FL... also... make it even less interesting.

The acting was just okay too.
Am a fan of Kim Nam Gil since QSD... but his character didn't really intrigued me. The constant frowning and just oozing with "emo" character with heartbreaking past.
I just don't think this character suits him.

I am not fond of the FL as well... her character is the most boring and less interesting one in this drama so far. I only know Lee Da Hee from "I hear your voice" and I love her character and her portrayal, but on this one...I just don't think this character is for her. She didn't make thr fl that interesting, her acting is just... not that good on this one. I really wonder if it will be different if they choose a different actress.
I cringe at her constant hair fixing. Some scenes should make her look like a girl boss but still bland, the comedic scenes is also tough to watch.

Eun Woo surprised me on this one. The first time I saw him as priest, he automatically reminds me of the ML from the Manhwa Black Winter (when he dressed as a priest).
The writers and the director, definitely knew what they are doing, when they made his character a handsome priest with all those *sexy* scenes.
At least this one is a bit different with all the other dramas he portrayed since I am not really fond of his previous dramas.

I do not think I will rewatch this season, although I do not think it is bad enough for me to drop. I am interested on how the story will be on season 2. Hopefully it will be better on this one.

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Intense!!

It's been so long since the last time I got hooked in SHK's drama.
The plot reminds me a lot of Seo Yeji's last drama "Eve" - with FL wanting revenge against these powerful and rich people, trying to get the villain's husband's attention, fl became a school teacher on their daughter's school, daughter have problems, villain having an affair, and fl have a guy who loves them so much to the point of being their partner in revenge - the only difference is that this one is written well and definitely much much better - with less screaming.

Each episode is exciting, intense and very unpredictable.
But of course there is still some plot hole around with - with FL having a plot armor of course, because if we are going to talk about it realistically they can just have her killed, right?

I am glad that there was no "affair" going on with SHK and the Villain's husband.
But to be honest, I still wonder if the Villain's husband is really a kind person or if he may be twisted.. hopefully he stay as a good person.

Also I appreciate that SHK didn't use filters and overly make up to hide her lines. She was criticized about that in her previous dramas so you can see her real face on this drama and I love that a lot.

Probably the only thing I am not fond of is the ost or music scores that they used but it's not to the point that it ruins my watching experience.
I cannot wait for next season!!

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Deserved more views

I wasn't interested in watching this because the way they promoted this movie didn't make it look interesting, but after seeing a clip on Tiktok, I decided to watch - and boy was I surprised!

At first, I wasn't convinced with Julia's portrayal of a low class prostitute - because she look so d*mn expensive! I thought "why is she not working on those expensive bars? Why is she not working as a high class prostitute?"
I am glad that she too, thought the same. Still... I wonder who got her first and for what amount? Because it would be such a waste of her beauty if he got her for less than a thousand (which is her price at the start of the story. )

Anyway I like the idea that they made Candy a bit more relatable and understandable. Candy became ambitious because she understood how hard it is to live in poverty. She became materialistic- and yes, like she said - what is wrong with that?
We have seen that if given a chance, she would leave that kind of life. She doesn't really want to do that work but had no other choice but to do so - because that is the only way she could make money to get what she wants.
She is the complete opposite of Toto who is content and happy with what he have.

However, I think I agree more with Candy on this one.
You cannot live with love alone, you cannot live with dreams alone, you cannot live with promises alone - which is what Toto seems to think about.

They love each other, Candy loves him too - but Toto... he was just content with what he have while Candy obviously doesn't want to stay poor -- AND let us be honest, Candy told him about her past so he should know she will not like the way things are going.

And to be honest I think what Toto have for Candy isn't really love... it's more on lust, infatuation and an "ego boost" - because she seem out of reach and that made him want her more. It seems to me that Toto doesn't really care about Candy - as a person. He didn't really tried to get to know her well - as long as he can have her that is all that matters to him.
Candy told him about her story but he didn't seem to think much about it. He was fine not seeing her for months to save up some money so he can bed her.

I also disliked how he kept whining about things and made it look like the problem was Candy just because she wanted more - even though Candy made it clear she do not want to end up like her parents. I do not really think he have that much EQ to be honest...

I think Candy did love Toto, he was the only man she thought she can depend on but obviously her ambition is more important.

It is a story of two people, completely different from each other - who fell in love - may it be out of lust or whatever reason - they did fell in love and for a short time they tried to build a dream together, tried to "adjust" their lifestyle and mindset but just like the bulb in their house which Toto said still needing adjustment to work properly- it failed to adjust - it failed to work.

Their love may be short live but it changed them. In the end, both of them realized something, both of them realized what they really wanted, both of them realized what kind of life they really want, they both realized (especially Toto) that sometimes love is really not enough.

I love that Julia was willing to try different characters. She was walking in those sexy clothes without a care.

I thought this movie will have many bed scenes - but it didn't have. The focus isn't really about s*x but just about the main characters short love story.

Probably the only thing I do not like about it, is the unnecessary cussing, which most Filipino movies has. For Candy, it may be right for her to keep cursing - but for Toto? It seem out of character. Cursing isn't going to make the scene more intese and not everyone cusses when they get angry.

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One of the best Philippine drama

I do not really watch Philippine drama that much - for they tend to have the same repetitive plot ( and not to mention) they always have too many episodes. Most of them are good during pilot week but after that, they tend to be too draggy with never ending extensions. I saw the teaser while browsing on FB and got curious on how are they gonna execute this one, and so, I decided to watch and now I'm hooked!
This review is for the 20 episodes, I will edit this review once the series ends.

Story: I have been reading manhuas with isekai genre, so this drama really piqued my interest.
The story is not perfect, there are some plots in the story that I don't agree about and find them too shallow, but since the story is still interesting I will just enjoy it.

First:
I do not agree with the professor's reason for sending Klay in the novel. His student cheated (which is obviously wrong) but hey, this is where my problem is at. Klay asked why must she focus on the subject(history on this case) when it doesn't really has anything to do with her course. So as a way of teaching her a lesson on why history is important- he sent her inside a book - so she can experience what Filipinos of the past has experienced.
Honestly speaking, Klay makes sense but the professor has to act like a tyrant. Sure she will learn something from it, she will learn history and learn a lot about life - but still his reason just looks like a tyranny.
I wish she was sent there for different reason or a different way.

Second:
KLAY - You do not have to be a history geek to know about the history of your own country. You do not need to read the whole novel because it's being taught in school, from Elementary to High School. It doesn't take a genius to know that people back then have different mindset, different rule, different law and different culture - yet, Klay doesn't even seem to have even a slight knowledge about that. Twenty episodes and she still doesn't seem to think that she is in different timeline. The way she talked (in English) with the guardia civil about human rights and woman's rights...and the way she acted in those important situations - just doesn't seem normal since most of us(if not all) have the tendency to be careful in unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people yet Klay doesn't seem to have that sense of fear.
Anyway she is funny at times so I do hope they will give her character some development.

What I love about this drama is how they gave life to the characters. I honestly didn't feel anything for the characters in the book... but in this drama...argh.. it made me understand why a lot of people hate the ending of El Fili.

Cast: They did great job in casting.
Barbie really added life in what would of been a dark story.
Dennis is really handsome and charming as Ibarra
And I must say the two have such a strong chemistry it almost feel illegal.
I still haven't seen that strong chemistry between Dennis and Julie Anne - but we cannot really blame them. It's an old fashion love, old fashion relationship, old way of courting and dating - so it may seem boring to some.
Klay also has a cute chemistry with Fidel. Although I am not really shipping them because Fidel almost hit her... if a man tried to hit you then that's already a no,no to me because for me, that would mean they have the tendency to do that again

Cinematography is great, costumes and locations are perfect - kudos to the whole crew.

I just hope this will not fall into the same old style of Filipino dramas that get draggy, boring, cliche, ridiculous and cringy because of never ending extension(due to popularity)

Edit: Changed my rating to 6
Disappointed with the latter part of the series,

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Underrated Movie

I just saw this movie on tiktok yesterday and it piqued my interest and so I decided to watch the entire movie.
My verdict?This movie deserves more attention!

I have never heard of this movie before so I was really surprised because this is such a good movie. However, upon researching, I found out that this movie came out last MMFF 2010 - a time where "Tanging Ina Mo" was reigning, therefore I do understand why it didn't get the attention it deserves - because it was aired during Christmas time and most people (I, included) wanted to feel the joy of Christmas, we wanted to watch a happy movie with our family - especially kids. So deep movies like these were always ignored during MMFF.
I think it would've been better if they released this movie on different time.

Anyway, the story was based on Rosario Perriera - Manny Pangilinan's maternal grandmother.
I did some research and found out that the movie
wasn't 100% accurate - probably just 20%

Story: At first, I was annoyed with Rosario and her actions. And I hate that some people in the comments justified her actions and thought of her as a victim and blamed the people around her, I even saw an article from a newspaper which claimed this movie as "empowering " - I mean in what way?

So I was really happy that the movie was different from the reviews. They didn't make her look like anyone's victim nor did they try to justify her actions. Rosario made a mistake which followed by another mistake and more mistakes. Her character is someone you will not have any sympathy for - at least not until she finally redeemed herself in the last part of the movie.
They didn't make the movie look like "it was her husband's fault that she cheated" - they made sure we all know it was her fault and no one else - and she paid for it with hardships until her last breath.

One thing I admired with Rosario(in this movie) was that, she never blamed anyone. She didn't blame her parents strict upbringing, she didn't blame Vicente for not letting her see her mother until her death, she didn't blame Alberto for seducing her - she didn't blame anyone. Because in the end, it was her choice, it was her actions that made her suffer. She owe up to her mistake, so it really irk me whenever I see comments that blamed her husband or Alberto for her decision to cheat - because cheating is a choice.

What I disliked about the movie is the way the storytelling reminds me so much of the way the old Rose from Titanic, told her story. I wish they changed that part.

Casting: 9/10
Jen's acting was really good although not perfect- I partially cringed with her constant eye movements during her scene with her mother.

Sid Lucero - he had few scenes but I honestly think deserves an award for his acting. His acting as meek Carding was so charming and the way he portrayed, his shock, disbelief and raged towards his uncle was just sooo good.

Dennis Trillio- His portrayal as a playboy and annoying and irresponsible j*rk was so real, it doesn't even look like he was just acting.

Most of the cast did great job except for Ara Mina, I do not know why they casted her - but her few second scene as a doctor almost made me think I was watching a different movie... her acting, her look, the way she talked and her overall vibe just doesn't fit in this movie.

But aside from that, I think Albert Martinez did a really great job for a first time director. He should've won an award or nomination at least.

Cinematography, one of the best in Filipino movies. It was ahead of its time.
Soundtrack - should've won an award. It was great and I read they recorded it in Hollywood using live orchestra! Smell expensive....actually this movie obviously smell expensive.

I love the attention to details, they showed Rosario's son (Played by Dolphy) in an old house, which shows - he didn't become a rich man unlike his step siblings.

Anyway, I think they made a mistake of releasing this movie for MMFF because most viewers prefer to watch light hearted movies with their family during Chrismas.
Movies like "Moments of Love" - which was made earlier than this, at least a lot of people know of it. I even watched it on TV when they showed it... but this movie... just didn't get that much attention... I didn't even know it exists, actually most comments I saw were also new to this movie which is a such a shame because it was really good.
Maybe if they will release it now or put it on Netflix or air it for Holy Week especial, then it will probably get the attention that it deserves.

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Lifeless

Okay. I watched this drama because of Ren Jialun and had high expectation because the director is one of the directors of "The Untamed"- probably why, I am so disappointed.

Ren Jialun, was really charming as Changyi (Blue Whisper), so even though that drama has lots of boring and cringey parts, I at least managed to finish it and re-watched my favorite parts. I even started to like Dilraba because of that, even though I always avoid her dramas.

However, this drama doesn't have that charm. Not even my love for Ren Jialun could keep me from getting bored(although he is still handsome in this drama) it's just that... there's just something that this drama really lacks... Maybe charm? it just felt lifeless.

I have no problem with slow burner dramas (I even managed to finish Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace) but this one was just one of those that really... seems hard to finish. It's extremely slow.

And it doesn't help that the main couple has ZERO chemistry.
I saw a lot of people say that Dilraba and RJ has no chemistry, but they at least look good together. But the main couple on this one just don't have that... I just don't get that giddy feeling that I should be getting from the Main couple.

I only saw LQ in three dramas (The Wolf, Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace and Princess Agent). I am not really fan of her acting but she was good in Princess Agent, so I think those roles suits her best... not the noisy or hyper girl like this one.

I am sure the reason for the lack of life of this drama is not the main cast.. because you can see they tried their best.
I mostly blame it to the writers and the producers.
The writers probably wanted to try something new but doesn't know how to execute it.
The producers who are in charge of editing is also at fault.

I'm putting it on hold at epispde 13, maybe I will try to watch it again when the drama has ended or when I no longer have anything better to watch.

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Would be better without romance

I watched this because of Ren Allen and I saw some teasers on Youtube and thought his character seems refreshing and he looks hotter.
The idea of a childish or immature young man getting interested in being a firefighter to save people and start to be passionate about it is what I was expecting to see.

It was good when the focus was only about firefighters but then it started to focus on romance... which honestly speaking isn't all that interested and just plain cringey.

There was no chemistry between the Main couple, Ren tried his best but the FL was just.... too cold... not really a good actress.
It's sad because Ren looks like he really had fun filming this drama.

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I don't really get the hype

I watched it when it started airing but dropped it eventually. After it gathered attention, I decided to watch again to see if the story gets better but it hasn't.

Park Eun-Bin did a good job acting her role but I do not see any chemistry with her and the ML and honestly speaking, I think this drama will better off without romance or at least don't focus on romance early on - but yeah, as uncomfortable as it is they had to do those mukbang(kissing scenes)
I just... am not comfortable because the guy seems to be a groomer teaching this innocent girls of things..

After 12 episodes it felt that the story is going nowhere...

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Most people like part 2 than part 1 but I honestly love part 1 better but this one is also good.
This is more intense and more serious than part 1, however it also contains a lot of cheesy part that most Wuxia seris has.

First, the petty misunderstanding. I honestly thought it made Chai Yu's Character seems so narrow minded and petty.
He knew that Jin must be lying and obviously as smart as he is, he should of know Jin was lying. His hate and reaction would of been better IF Jin actually betrayed her in a much cruel way - just to save him. Not that scene on the cliff.

He acted like an immature brat bullying the girl that he likes.
Allen is really handsome in this part though. Unlike part 1, I couldn't finish the rest of the series and I escaped a lot of scenes.

This series has so many characters and backstory that I really don't care about. I wish they had just focus on the love story instead of the usual "the mac has to sacrifice themselves and be the hero for everyone, so they can die "

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Most people seems to like part 2 more than part 1. Although it is true that part 2 is more intense, I actually like part 1 better.
I didn't like the first episode and I still think the start was so unnecessary.
But I do live the interactions between the main characters. The funny scenes of Chai Yu and Jin. I am not really a fan of Dilraba from her previous works but she really did a great job on this series and she is so pretty.
Same goes with Allen, his acting was prowess to the point that I almost forgot he is married because his acting seems to real.

I have watched this series for almost 5 times

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Changed my rating again after the last episode

***May cointain spoiler***
I changed my rating to 5/10 because I can no longer take how cheesy and ridiculous the story is.
I hate how they are pitting 2 women over a man (as if he is some great reward). More than 10 episodes with just two women plotting against each other to win a man.
La El's revenge waa supposed to be about what happened to her family, her hate was supposed to drive her mad to the point of not caring about anything else except revenge.
Yet, the story only shows them fighting over chairman's love and to justify her action- they made Sora (the wife who supposedly love her husband so much) cheat on her husband, so "it's okay, she's cheating too"

La el's revenge should be on Sora's father - the man behind it all, fearsome and cruel - yet, he was doing nothing but scold his daughter, get angry, only words but no action - he wasn't doing anything, not investigating, no schemes- nothing at all.
I really don't get why the focus was getting chairman, as if getting the chairman's love will make the villain's poor.

Now if there will be a plot twist where chairman may be the one behind it all and the real culprit that will be interesting, however it still doesn't change the fact that the story has lots of ridiculous plot holes.

The casts did a great job acting..the cinematography is great and honestly speaking, Seo Yeji is carrying this drama. Her acting is what's saving this series, her acting is like a cover up for the messy plot.
****
Edited: I changed my ratings again, from 8 to 5 and dropped it to 3 after the last episode. I cannot believe how this series turns out. It started really strong but dragged in the middle and ended up really disappointing. I really don't understand why the write pushed that love story between La El and the chairman... when it doesn't even make sense and they have zero chemistry. I don't really expect La el to end up with anyone. I am starting to wonder if things would've been different if they casted a different actor for the role of chairman.

I hated that the long planned revenge just ended up like that... it's as if the writers tried to make the story (and La El) into this smart avenger but doesn't know how. It's really such a waste...

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Surprisingly good

I made this review after Watching episode 4 and will edit when the series ends.

I watched it because it reminds me of Miss Ripley, Inventing Anna and Gone Girl (and I am always into stories like these).

The story has always had me on edges.
Anna is not a perfect person. She made a lot of mistakes, mistakes that could be avoided if she had just used her brain. I understand how she fell for her teacher, she is young and easy to manipulated by someone older. But her second love made me so frustrated.
It made me feel like she was so easy to get, this guy and her, didn't even interact and just because he asked her for a walk she agreed and also quickly agreed when he kissed her.
I feel so sorry for her parents, especially her father who had to work hard to support her - she didn't care. She only followed her love and continued with her lies until they caught her lies.
I like that she started to change after her father's death but eventually turned into this con artist Anna.

I actually like that they put on what year the events went on, because it makes sense that in those early years, it was easy to get away with your lies since the technology wasn't advanced.
Even the way people didn't know that she was wearing fakes but believed she is rich because of her elegance do makes sense.

And then when the technology started to change later on, her lies started to be difficult to conceal.

The whole drama feels like a silent movie but it wasn't boring. This is by far the best acting role of Suzy. She looks so charming in this series.

The casts, even the minor ones did great job. The cinematography is superb.

***edit***
One thing I didn't like that much is the music... especially at the end, I think it didn't fit.

But I still love this drama and I think I will rewatch this drama again someday.

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This review is from the first episode and will be edited after the drama ends

Am changing my rating from 10 to 7.5
The drama started really strong - I love Naksu and her fighting scenes. It took a while to get used to her new body but the actress Somin did a great job in portraying Naksu and Mudeok.

I am mostly interested in the past and the mysteries of the other characters.
However, lately the story started to focus on romance and I feel like they started to neglect some of the plots. Almost everyone is having a romance and love triangle...
6 more episodes to go but it seems nothing is ever changing, except of course the romance part which I am not really interested in.

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