Emotional and character relationship driven.

You WILL cry. Lovely story, great acting, touching character relationships, and some great dance.

You get to see complex relationships between family and found family play out with great acting. I loved how all the characters were handled realistically and respectfully.

The two main leads really carry the emotional weight of the story and their relationship is one of the best I've ever encountered. But the other characters are just as great. Two of my faves especially were the grandmother and the angry blond.

This story will stay with me for awhile.

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Watch to the end. There is an end credit scene.

That doesn't count as a spoiler because I wont tell you what it is. I just dont want you to miss it.

Overall I REALLY liked this. It is whimsical and magical while still dealing with real life teen and adult issues. It dares you to take a leap of faith. It is for the people who grew up beliving in Peter Pan and Never Never Land.

The cast is phenomenal both in acting and in singing. The main character of the magician does a particularly wonderful job with great nuance.

I will be listening to the ost!

Only complaints are that the ending feels rushed, not enough pay off for 2nd male lead's plotline, and ep 5 didnt have any songs ( :( ).

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I have been going through the works of Lee Jong Suk and I had previously thought that nothing could top W for me but this might just have done it. I will attempt to remain as spoiler free as possible in my review.

The plot is really interesting and keeps you on the tips of your toes. While the focus on the Pinocchio syndrome and the importance of truth is a large part of the plot, the title of this show does not do justice to the true driving point of this plot. Brilliantly mentioned offhand at the start of the show, the six degrees of Kevin Bacon and the idea that you may not be so far removed from a stranger as you thought is what provides a beautiful tension in this show and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The acting is fantastic and really lets you get to know what these characters are thinking and feeling. Lee Jong Suk is once again playing the role of man whose family died under unexplained circumstances who is searching for answers (such a specific type cast) but this doesn't mean that he doesn't bring anything new to the character. On the contrary, I found myself most drawn to his character in this show over his others, partially because he felt the most human to me. The main female lead is as equally well done and shows that it is possible to be a strong and brave character while still having vulnerabilities. All the supporting cast was fantastic and were never treated as fodder. Each character was well developed. The main villains of the show were astounding. Kudos for providing villains that still maintained human traits and flaws.

My one complaint is that I didn't particularly find any of the OST that exciting. Compared to W or I Hear Your Voice which I had just watched (I told you, I'm going through all his shows) none of the songs got stuck in my head the same way. So, that is a little disappointing. But, its not enough to majorly detract from the show. And, I plan on rewatching it many times. :)

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An emotional mystery full of suspense

Of course, my opinion could change based on the ending but this is one of the most interesting pieces of media I've watched in a while. Constantly keeps you on your toes and the main leads carry the emotional weight of the relationship so well.

I can't remember the last time I got so invested in characters so quickly and said invested. I am constantly rooting for things to just BE OKAY for them and the drama and suspense keep me coming back each week dying to know what happens next.

It does a great job of sprinkling little hints throughout the plot so that when things come together they don't blindside you but they do make you go "OH", which is the best kind of plot.

Also, the daughter is the cutest kid in the world.

EDIT: (post ending update: not my fave ending. a little trope-y. but the acting really pulls it through and i cried a lot sooooo pretty good!)

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Slow And Lots of Character Driven Moments

The cast is the highlight of this show. The three main leads are really good in their roles and really bring the characters to life. And the side characters each have their own charms. The relationship between the 2nd male lead and the grandmother is particularly great. The acting is a real highlight.

The story is mostly driven by the emotional connection to the character's goals rather than outside action. This means that the emotional moments are really really great. But unfortunately, it means that the outside actions sometimes feel contrived or forced. It left me annoyed whenever a new plot thing happened just to get a rise out of the characters.

ALSO this show is SO SLOW. Each scene takes twice as long as is needed. I put my netflix on times 1.25 speed and couldn't even notice it. They even (for the most part) talk slowly and move slowly. They should have had the episodes be and hour instead of an hour and half and just cut the scene of characters staring longingly at things or walking or writing or standing around looking sad.

That being said, despite being so slow, the scenes themselves all look nice. The composition is good and the soundtrack is nice too. I was invested in the characters enough to sit through the slow pace. Over all I am enjoying this show and will continue to watch through to the end.

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Lots of highs and lows for only 6 eps

I went through different levels of interest while watching this. There are parts of the show thay move really fast amd others that drag. The drastic change after ep 3 really throws you for a loop and it takes a bit to get back into it.
Over all I think its still worth it plotwise. It really picks up at the end and I suggest powering through the rough spot.
The ending plottwists are super interesting and I hope they make a 2nd season.
That being said. I think it was to the show's detriment to kill off Yoo Ah In's character so early. 1. He was the top billed/advertisied cast member so it feels a bit like a bait and switch ... which sucks as a fan of his. 2. His character was super interesting. 3. It felt like we deserved to see more of his story.
(But i suppose, after that last scene there is a chance he could come back anyway lol)
The cgi is ok. Seen better, seen worse. The way the creaters absolutely thrash people borders on torture porn and im actually thankful that they didn't make it more realistic. Like, at first I was like "if that happened he would already be dead/pulp before they zap him" but then as the show went on, I was glad they didnt go that far since it happened so often.
The cult stuff was a great reflection on how humans work in times of crisis and herd mentality.
Overall. A solid "enjoyable".

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A love letter to the scifi genre

Whoever worked on this knew what they loved about the scifi genre and they knew what story they wanted to tell and they did it.
Its a lovely and poignant action filled romp from start to finish.

Acting is great. Characters are touching. Costume and set design is memorable. Action scenes are smooth and stylized. Villian is just the right amount of over the top.

Also, the robot is trans.

And! It felt really international in a way that more media should. I heard at LEAST 6 languages with maim chars and long scenes being in french and english and chinese and korean.

If you like starwars, cowboy bepop, firefly, wall-e, or like any of that kinda of genre of scifi then you will love this.

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Good Monster Movie Fun

This story is more about what it means to be human and to want to live than it is about the monsters exactly. In fact they act more like a metaphor.
Some of the special effects are amazing, some are a little campy. Most monsters are well designed but a little over-the-top cartoony which I think actually works in its favor since it keeps the show from being TOO scary to the point you can't watch it without staying up all night long. The monsters are just good fun!
Main leads are all great. The two male main leads especially do a lot of heavy lifting but the WHOLE cast is great. Lots of amazing characters to root for (and root against).
Be prepared for emotions !!

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Not sure how I feel about the ending but over all really enjoyed it.

The main leads do a great job. Especially Xiao Zhan who made u love and root for his character even as you knew he wouldn't get the girl in the end. what a good dude. seriously watch the show just for his character. but also the main leads are great too and have good chemistry.

The side characters are great too! I fell in love with SO many of them. Zi Shen! Ma Jing! The 'night fiends'! all so great!

Plotwise I LOVE that you are (at first) never fully certain who you are supposed to be rooting for. everyone is morally complex and politically entangled. it makes for a great watch. I loved trying to guess what will happen next!

My only complaint was that the ending felt rushed and I'm not sure how I feel about the forced 2nd lead romance though I'm glad they are friends and Ji Chong got a happy(ish) ending. Still... nothing about the ending really ruined what came before it which sometimes is all you can ask for from a show like this. haha.

OH and the COSTUMES are amazing. Especially literally every single outfit Ji Chong wears. I want his wardrobe. And also Bo Wang's black feather cloak/cape.

I still recommend it. (Especially if you're a Xiao Zhan fan).

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Very little change, plotwise, from the Korean version of this show. I feel like it lacks some of the genuine heart in comparison. BUT the lead actress for the ghost does a really really great job with the emotionally driven scenes. She really steals the show and makes it worth checking out. Some good special effects on the ghosts as well.

Music is unremarkable. The cast does alright. They vary between flat and over the top with some stunning moments of great acting here and there, but it looks like they had a lot of fun filming it which is always a nice vibe. The main leader actress is adorable and makes you want to root for her.

Also, the costumes are nice. And the locations and sets look great.

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The 2nd lead syndrome got to stupid levels. The main lead stinks and the 2nd lead is an angel and I have NO idea how anyone wouldn't dump main guy like a hot potato and fall in love with 2nd lead immediately. I had to stop watching because it physically pained me. I've never had to STOP watching a show like that before.

Spoilers for why 2nd lead is better below:

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you've been warned...
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spoilers..
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okay...
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Main lead originally bullies her, basically straight up "tells" her they are dating cus he falls for her, then runs off to another country without telling her why, then gets engaged to someone else, all while stringing her along cus he still likes her. FOR MONTHS (close to a year i think). while all this is happening... 2nd lead is looking after her, driving her places, spoiling her, and even trying to help her get the main lead back (even tho he loves her... he loves her so much he is willing to do that). also she is loved by 2nd lead's family and helps them to reunite and his family helps her find a new passion after she looses her other one. also he knows shed rather have beef than a trip without asking cus he just KNOWS her.

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