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This review may contain spoilers
A 50 Episode Weekend Drama in Disguise: I Never Had Any Expectations
I knew not to expect much when the AWARD WINNING movie by the ML that had everyone gagged was entirely AI. I could not stop laughing at this absurd premise in the beginning and it went downhill from there. This is the strongest support for why I dislike ensemble casts for 12/16 episode dramas. Reminded me a lot of Record of Youth (but somehow worse with weaker acting). Never focusing clearly on the leads and way too much screen time for supporting characters. A lot of people say they liked the beginning while others like the 2nd half. But I honestly never had much hope for this drama. From the start, the story was operating on a flimsy foundation:
- The Weak “Love Story”
The writer relies on these ~aesthetic~ flashback montages to establish how the leads like each other instead of SHOWING us how they fell in love. I felt no connection to their love story, and had no reason to root for them when all it took in their past was her pointing a camera at him + him saying “your dream is nice” for them to like each other. Then the present day too, I really don’t get why the FL even liked ML again after all that trauma she faced in the past because of her choices involving him + the way he barges in after 15 years. The ML at least had a very messed up physiological reason to like the FL, she being the only kind person in his life when he was being abused + his crazy family situation. I understand him forming an attachment to her (even tho it’s super toxic for him), but the FL honestly had no STRONG reason to want to get back together with him imo. The way he barged into her life like he didn’t go no contact for 15 YEARS when he knew where she worked, and immediately placed himself in a position of power over her (so she had to downed on him for her career) is so weird from the ML too. The writers failed to make me want them back together cause I thought the whole relationship was toxic for them both, and not important enough for the FL. If the ex-boyfriend actor guy came back earlier and wanted to get back together, I don’t see any reason the FL would’ve refused cause the main couple’s relationship don’t seem grand and special enough.
-Got Back Together Too Easily/No Tension
I don’t understand why the writer moved so fast past the “will she forgive him and will they be back together” storyline in the beginning. It was personally the most interesting part of the story, I mean this is a second chance romance and we wanna see how they make their way back to each other. But it felt like only a few eps was spent on it, she just forgave him all of a sudden and they were all lovey dovey. There was really no internal tension in their relationship after that and they were just making movies happily?? All of the other problems after this were external like toxic parents, and whatever drama was happening with birth secrets and the other couples. Their love story seemed like a side character at that point.
- Interesting ML Character
I did like what they wanted to do with the ML’s character but couldn’t because of the 2 other couples + dozens of side characters I didn’t really care about. The ML worked and achieved his dream, all he needs is love but the FL never had that chance, they fundamentally have different ambitions in life, she don't see love as the first priority.
His inexplicable attachment to her was always unhealthy imo, and he treated her quite rudely because of it, disregarding her opinions. He only really likes her because she was the only kind person in his life when his family was crazy and he was being abused. He literally thinks she's the only reason for his happiness + the only way he'll be happy is with her, which is not healthy imo. But this did make for a really interesting ML who has to learn that being so attached and doing everything for the FL (like typical drama MLs), suffocating her, is not good. Unfortunately, focusing on a bunch of characters + 12 episode format didn’t allow for much development, and I was sad to see wasted potential
- Side Characters Should be Side Characters/This is Not a 50 Episode Weekend Drama
Another unpopular opinion is I didn’t really care for the 2nd couple even though they were cute. The 3rd couple too is so unnecessary. I miss older romance dramas that didn’t have insane ensemble casts and we had to sit through everyone’s pains and sob stories tbh, just the leads. The story felt like a weekend 50 episode drama that confused on all the characters, but we only have 12 episodes so they should trim it a little. I get having a cute 2nd couple but they took way too much of the story when they’re just as cliche (tortured famous star and humble supportive love interest), then the plot about the 2nd ML’s dad just felt extra, we could’ve developed the leads’ relationship more. The random ex boyfriend cameo when the FL is obviously not gonna leave the ML, creating fake conflict, also unnecessary.
- Chemistry/Acting
No one here stood out for me with acting. The leads especially, I think are just not very strong actors. I felt like I was watching the exact same character Hyeri played in Reply 1988 with the accent and being a bit of a goofy tomboy (I kept thinking I wanna watch that drama instead lol). Hwang Inyeop is himself as usual, having to look perfect in every shot. I didn’t feel like they embodied their characters or had SIZZLING chemistry. I’m no saint and do root for super toxic drama couples IF they have great chemistry, which didn’t happen here. I do think they could’ve had better chemistry if the characters didn’t get together so fast, we could’ve seen more of their past, and there was more tension tho. The only one I liked for acting was 2nd FL and her mother. The 2nd ML was just pretty with the same wide eyed look in every scene, which is good for him.
Spoilers
Unpopular Opinion: Her Going Abroad Made Sense (But the 12 Episode Format Messed It Up)
Even as someone who thinks this drama is incredibly boring and some storylines stupid, I think the FL going abroad was planned from the start and the writers didn't pull it out of their ass as a plot device. The ML was gone for 10 years and got to grow as his own person + learn filmmaking skills. Now it's the FL's turn to do the same. She chooses to stay on the bus this time VERSUS how she got off the bus, missed her film school exam because of him (yes she made the choice, I'm not blaming him, just that this is a contrast to her choosing him vs her dream) This makes perfect sense to me and naturally where the story was heading.
BUT the way they handled the tension and reunion after 2 years was very dumb, rushed, and I think the 12 episode restriction didn’t help. I see this breaking up and going abroad thing working so much better in the 12th episode of a 16 episode drama so they can develop their relationship properly in the remaining 4 episodes with the ML having a healthier mindset + the FL having accomplished what she wanted.
TLDR:
Overall, this wasn’t really THAT horrible for me cause I never had any expectations. I had some moments I was mildly entertained like the movie filming. But I watched this with an emotional detachment from beginning to finish, and don’t think I’ll ever think about it much after.
- The Weak “Love Story”
The writer relies on these ~aesthetic~ flashback montages to establish how the leads like each other instead of SHOWING us how they fell in love. I felt no connection to their love story, and had no reason to root for them when all it took in their past was her pointing a camera at him + him saying “your dream is nice” for them to like each other. Then the present day too, I really don’t get why the FL even liked ML again after all that trauma she faced in the past because of her choices involving him + the way he barges in after 15 years. The ML at least had a very messed up physiological reason to like the FL, she being the only kind person in his life when he was being abused + his crazy family situation. I understand him forming an attachment to her (even tho it’s super toxic for him), but the FL honestly had no STRONG reason to want to get back together with him imo. The way he barged into her life like he didn’t go no contact for 15 YEARS when he knew where she worked, and immediately placed himself in a position of power over her (so she had to downed on him for her career) is so weird from the ML too. The writers failed to make me want them back together cause I thought the whole relationship was toxic for them both, and not important enough for the FL. If the ex-boyfriend actor guy came back earlier and wanted to get back together, I don’t see any reason the FL would’ve refused cause the main couple’s relationship don’t seem grand and special enough.
-Got Back Together Too Easily/No Tension
I don’t understand why the writer moved so fast past the “will she forgive him and will they be back together” storyline in the beginning. It was personally the most interesting part of the story, I mean this is a second chance romance and we wanna see how they make their way back to each other. But it felt like only a few eps was spent on it, she just forgave him all of a sudden and they were all lovey dovey. There was really no internal tension in their relationship after that and they were just making movies happily?? All of the other problems after this were external like toxic parents, and whatever drama was happening with birth secrets and the other couples. Their love story seemed like a side character at that point.
- Interesting ML Character
I did like what they wanted to do with the ML’s character but couldn’t because of the 2 other couples + dozens of side characters I didn’t really care about. The ML worked and achieved his dream, all he needs is love but the FL never had that chance, they fundamentally have different ambitions in life, she don't see love as the first priority.
His inexplicable attachment to her was always unhealthy imo, and he treated her quite rudely because of it, disregarding her opinions. He only really likes her because she was the only kind person in his life when his family was crazy and he was being abused. He literally thinks she's the only reason for his happiness + the only way he'll be happy is with her, which is not healthy imo. But this did make for a really interesting ML who has to learn that being so attached and doing everything for the FL (like typical drama MLs), suffocating her, is not good. Unfortunately, focusing on a bunch of characters + 12 episode format didn’t allow for much development, and I was sad to see wasted potential
- Side Characters Should be Side Characters/This is Not a 50 Episode Weekend Drama
Another unpopular opinion is I didn’t really care for the 2nd couple even though they were cute. The 3rd couple too is so unnecessary. I miss older romance dramas that didn’t have insane ensemble casts and we had to sit through everyone’s pains and sob stories tbh, just the leads. The story felt like a weekend 50 episode drama that confused on all the characters, but we only have 12 episodes so they should trim it a little. I get having a cute 2nd couple but they took way too much of the story when they’re just as cliche (tortured famous star and humble supportive love interest), then the plot about the 2nd ML’s dad just felt extra, we could’ve developed the leads’ relationship more. The random ex boyfriend cameo when the FL is obviously not gonna leave the ML, creating fake conflict, also unnecessary.
- Chemistry/Acting
No one here stood out for me with acting. The leads especially, I think are just not very strong actors. I felt like I was watching the exact same character Hyeri played in Reply 1988 with the accent and being a bit of a goofy tomboy (I kept thinking I wanna watch that drama instead lol). Hwang Inyeop is himself as usual, having to look perfect in every shot. I didn’t feel like they embodied their characters or had SIZZLING chemistry. I’m no saint and do root for super toxic drama couples IF they have great chemistry, which didn’t happen here. I do think they could’ve had better chemistry if the characters didn’t get together so fast, we could’ve seen more of their past, and there was more tension tho. The only one I liked for acting was 2nd FL and her mother. The 2nd ML was just pretty with the same wide eyed look in every scene, which is good for him.
Spoilers
Unpopular Opinion: Her Going Abroad Made Sense (But the 12 Episode Format Messed It Up)
Even as someone who thinks this drama is incredibly boring and some storylines stupid, I think the FL going abroad was planned from the start and the writers didn't pull it out of their ass as a plot device. The ML was gone for 10 years and got to grow as his own person + learn filmmaking skills. Now it's the FL's turn to do the same. She chooses to stay on the bus this time VERSUS how she got off the bus, missed her film school exam because of him (yes she made the choice, I'm not blaming him, just that this is a contrast to her choosing him vs her dream) This makes perfect sense to me and naturally where the story was heading.
BUT the way they handled the tension and reunion after 2 years was very dumb, rushed, and I think the 12 episode restriction didn’t help. I see this breaking up and going abroad thing working so much better in the 12th episode of a 16 episode drama so they can develop their relationship properly in the remaining 4 episodes with the ML having a healthier mindset + the FL having accomplished what she wanted.
TLDR:
Overall, this wasn’t really THAT horrible for me cause I never had any expectations. I had some moments I was mildly entertained like the movie filming. But I watched this with an emotional detachment from beginning to finish, and don’t think I’ll ever think about it much after.
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