Short but fun and well tied together

TLDR: Lighthearted Romcom + Sunshine x Tsundere/Grumpy + “It was supposed to be just another job” x “I don’t have time for love and don’t even know what that is” + a sliver of plot that shows up in the last episodes and lots of cuteness with mature and unique characters with their own little quirks and very nice chemistry.

Each episode is about 20 minutes long, so you can watch everything in 4 hours or save these to watch during lunch break since they’re bite-sized and perfect for that.

I’m always very picky in regards to pacing and editing in everything I watch, but even if these episodes are short, they are still very well-paced, introducing more plot points as it goes without tripping over itself. And the editing is not overwhelming or nonexistent. In comedic times it adds up to the moment, and in serious or emotional moments it doesn’t get in the way of it all. So if that can also be a turn-off for you I think you’ll enjoy it!

The lead actors did a great job and gave these characters great chemistry and funny moments, and when it was time for a more serious tone they also did not disappoint. But even the side characters are very charming, charismatic, and funny. And the antagonists are not exaggerated caricatures as I thought they would be. I adore the lawyer with my whole heart, his inside thoughts are always hilarious, and watching the leads' relationship develop was so fun and adorable. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud, just a full-chested laugh. I really needed something light like this lately.

The soundtrack is not its strong point. Except for the awesome opening and ending tracks, everything else is just generic stock music, stock sounds and basic piano notes to fit the tone of some scenes. As a soundtrack lover, I was saddened to not hear a recurring leitmotif throughout the episodes, but it’s understandable, and it didn’t ruin the drama at all. They did very well with what they had and no sound cue or music seemed out of place.

All in all, I think this was a lovely watch and I will definitely be rewatching this soon. Give it a try! You might fall in love with it like I did.

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Ah, yes. My favorite tropes: Mistrustful Acquaintances to Lovers and Chosen Families.

The Drama portrays the struggle of our lead who wants to stay independent without the need of a husband after the disaster her past life was with the same man. And now, with the knowledge of the future in the book given to her before her death, she tries to change the course of the future for the better — for her life, and the life of those she met before her death.

There is familial scheming, political intrigue, chosen families, destined lovers, pressures of the society at the time, and a constant tension and worry about what will happen next. It's gripping and there is never a dull moment!

Our Female Lead is strong, manipulative, emotionally mature, and knows how to protect herself in the political and familiar scheming that surrounds her. Being disillusioned by love after a big betrayal and heartbreak, she does everything in her power to establish herself as financially independent as possible this time around — and promises to live this new chance at life for herself and her own happiness instead of others. And even if some of her attempts to change the course of the future do not go according to plan, she does not give up, and instead adapts and tries again. The actress does a wonderful job in all of her scenes and in all of the character's phases.

Our Male Lead is strong-headed, moved by justice and honor, and even if some of his decisions are violent and cruel, he is still honorable and very gentle with the right people. Seeing the difference between what he could become and who he started as is heartbreaking, and his scenes with his family and friends are lovely and sweet — and just as strong as the heartbreak that comes after. The actor also does a wonderful job here portraying his character's rageful moments and his soft and fond moments too.

The slowburn of their relationship building itself up from mistrust to allies and then something else is lovely to watch, and seeing their views of the other change with time is too. But our FL has no interest and doesn't believe in love anymore, and our ML is hesitant to consider his feelings, because he is searching for someone special that saved his life once.

This drama does not shy away from serious topics and common occurrences that happened during the period it portrays. But even if they do not show them directly, you feel the weight of every scene the characters are talking about it, and you feel for the characters and what they went through to keep true to themselves and what they stand for. Seeing the support the FL's grandmother — who does not want her life to be ruined by marriage as hers was — gives her was enough to make me cry. All of their moments together are very touching and made me emotional multiple times, so if you also adore the trope of Chosen Families and (some) supportive friends and family you will probably enjoy this! The music and the recognizable melody also help build up the emotions in every episode and make everything so good to watch.

There has not been a single boring episode so far and that is hard to do! All actors — even secondary characters — have given their all in their portrayals and the whole OST has been just as lovely. Costume design and fight choreographies also do not disappoint. Emotional moments hit hard and deep, and light and fond moments feel special and sweet. I really can't recommend this drama enough!

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