3
Zogitt
Australia
One for the fans or a new c-drama watchers
Let me start by saying that there is nothing wrong with this drama. The cast is good, and the production value is decent. However, there is nothing original nor unique about it. This is a little surprising because it is supposed to be an adaption from a novel. To be honest, it feels like just another tropey c-drama. Awkward.
As such, it is entertaining in a "paint by numbers" kind of way. It is like watching an amalgam of similar shows. The ML's role will be familiar to his fans and viewers of his recent dramas. The FL basically reprised her role of a sassy professional. They all look the part and everything slots into place. Easy peasy.
BTW, there are 3 side couples by the 1/3 mark (the final total will be 5). This means while the OTP are dancing around each other and sorting out their feelings, the other CP's are racing ahead and showing up the OTP. It is distracting and makes the romantic journey of our leads seems more fraught than necessary.
The business plot is all smokes and mirrors plus some mandatory flag waving. The FL struggles to start her own business which is not helped by her inept business partner. Hey, who needs enemies when he pretty much scores all his own goals.
The role of the ML is very cliché. He is the classic knight in shiny armour. He is always there to help the FL in every way imaginable. I'm getting flashbacks of Best Choice Ever. She tries to push back but we know how this will go down.
The relationship between the FL and her long-suffering ex-BF feels cumbersome. He is the nicest guy but he has to make way for the ML. His story arc feels muted and contrived.
In a sense, that's how I feel about this show in general. Yes, there are angsty moments, and the odd act of violence but it is never convincing. They are there because the playbook demands it.
Furthermore, there is insufficient original material to sustain 40 eps so there is a fair bit of padding with cliché business maneuverings and meandering side couples shenanigans.
Of course, once our OTP is official, the herd of unicorns is let loose. The last few eps are total fan service and super sweet. Not complaining because they are a nice CP and I enjoyed their swoon worthy moments, but it also feels like the show is overcompensating because it wasted so much time earlier on. It was not helped by the ubiquitous late show break-up which dragged on for too long. So many pensive looks and thousand-mile stares from our leads. I don't know if it was painful to watch or I'm sharing their pain.
As it stands, it is a solid production. It goes out of its way to tick all the boxes and stay true to the genre. Fans of our leads will rejoice. It is also a safe intro for any new c-drama watchers. Trust me, you can do worse. I don't regret watching it, but I kept seeing ghosts of shows past. I just wish it would do something original, anything.
BTW, there is a short bonus "epilogue". It is sweet but inconsequential. There is a bittersweet scene with the Sorry Card. It is mostly harmless, like the rest of the series.
As such, it is entertaining in a "paint by numbers" kind of way. It is like watching an amalgam of similar shows. The ML's role will be familiar to his fans and viewers of his recent dramas. The FL basically reprised her role of a sassy professional. They all look the part and everything slots into place. Easy peasy.
BTW, there are 3 side couples by the 1/3 mark (the final total will be 5). This means while the OTP are dancing around each other and sorting out their feelings, the other CP's are racing ahead and showing up the OTP. It is distracting and makes the romantic journey of our leads seems more fraught than necessary.
The business plot is all smokes and mirrors plus some mandatory flag waving. The FL struggles to start her own business which is not helped by her inept business partner. Hey, who needs enemies when he pretty much scores all his own goals.
The role of the ML is very cliché. He is the classic knight in shiny armour. He is always there to help the FL in every way imaginable. I'm getting flashbacks of Best Choice Ever. She tries to push back but we know how this will go down.
The relationship between the FL and her long-suffering ex-BF feels cumbersome. He is the nicest guy but he has to make way for the ML. His story arc feels muted and contrived.
In a sense, that's how I feel about this show in general. Yes, there are angsty moments, and the odd act of violence but it is never convincing. They are there because the playbook demands it.
Furthermore, there is insufficient original material to sustain 40 eps so there is a fair bit of padding with cliché business maneuverings and meandering side couples shenanigans.
Of course, once our OTP is official, the herd of unicorns is let loose. The last few eps are total fan service and super sweet. Not complaining because they are a nice CP and I enjoyed their swoon worthy moments, but it also feels like the show is overcompensating because it wasted so much time earlier on. It was not helped by the ubiquitous late show break-up which dragged on for too long. So many pensive looks and thousand-mile stares from our leads. I don't know if it was painful to watch or I'm sharing their pain.
As it stands, it is a solid production. It goes out of its way to tick all the boxes and stay true to the genre. Fans of our leads will rejoice. It is also a safe intro for any new c-drama watchers. Trust me, you can do worse. I don't regret watching it, but I kept seeing ghosts of shows past. I just wish it would do something original, anything.
BTW, there is a short bonus "epilogue". It is sweet but inconsequential. There is a bittersweet scene with the Sorry Card. It is mostly harmless, like the rest of the series.
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