Zogitt

How many dodgy lawsuit does it take to break a lawyer’s back?

I came for the promised romance of our OTP plus Lee Jong-suk’s return to the small screen since 2022. While my expectation is tapered, LJS seldom disappoints so I was a little surprised that this show didn't grab me at all. At least not from the start.

Some of the problem lies with the legal cases which form the backbone of this show. Sure, all our associate lawyers are hard working and dedicated, but they seem to spend more time sharing meals and trading banters. While cozy, it is hardly fertile grounds for a 12 episode run. The first few eps are really like watching “Law and the Lunch”.

Rather than dramatic courtroom scenes, the show seems to be hellbent on normalising the drama until they are just little ripples in your consciousness. I’m sure everything is close to RL, but watching someone's daily grind is not exactly riveting drama.

Thankfully, the OTP romance does provide some much-needed distraction. Our leads reconnected and give their aborted relationship a second chance. There is a blossom of skinship but then it settled down to a background hum. Their romance is sweet but hardly melting. This is a problem that hung around. The show went out of its way to divide the screen time between the ensemble cast. Who is the top star here? By the time you add the sundry cases and shared meals, there is precious little time for PDA.

I also grew concerned as the show seesaw between mundane lawsuits and office politics. Even when one of the cases hit too close to home, the process is measured and prosaic. Our Gang of Five delivered as expected. They lawyered away, day and night. There is no doubt they are smart and diligent. Most of it is still just grunt work. I'm sure this mirrors RL, but it is just not very entertaining.

We finally got some clarity in the last few eps. In essence, the show is about how the law is being manipulated by some, and the corresponding uneven access to legal representation. It is hardly new grounds for a k-drama. It is true that each situation is very grounded, but they feel (hate to say this) dull and transient.

Our leads are given more freedom with their roles at this point. Allowing them to flex their acting muscles. Better late than never as most earlier performance would be considered constrained. This is particularly true for LJS. He just looks tired and worn out. There are odd moments when he sparkles, but it is rare. As a low key fan of his, I am disappointed.

In the end, it is less about the cases, but the evolution of the main characters. They finally realised while they have the right calling, they are doing the wrong jobs. After much soul searching, they realigned their goals and reset their career paths. In that sense, the last few episodes are the real payoff. Most of what went before are just spadework. It is nice to watch our protagonists break out of their shells. They can finally breath. Just wish it happened in the beginning rather than the end of the run.

One thing I noticed while writing this review is how many times the word "entertaining" crossed my mind. This show is oddly lacking if you look from that angle. That is a shame. It just needed some Special Sauce™.

Any fans of our leads would enjoy this series. Sample a couple of eps if you are fence sitting. If it doesn't grab you, just move on. It does get better, but your patience might be sorely tested. Inner peace . . Inner peace. 😉

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Don't ruin a good story with facts

Love stories are eternal. You can set it in prehistory. You can set it in a warzone. The problem is how do you make the setting work for you and not against you.

Before I dive into my thesis, let's start with the fundamentals. The OTP's romance is very sweet and swoonworthy. While there is a bit of push-pull and misunderstanding, the ML is totally in love and unwavering. While the FL's initial motive was self-serving and showed little interest in the ML, she soon fell deeply in love as well. Nothing can stand between them, not even a major natural disaster.

While the main love line is cute and fairly straightforward, the romance between the ML's sister (2FL) and a talented neurosurgeon (2ML) is a lot more complicated. There are lots of trials and neither of them are sure of their feelings. It was nice to watch the 2ML walk back on his errors and worked hard to win over the 2FL. It was bittersweet when they finally confirm their love for each other. Their romance definitely feels rawer and has teeth. They earnt their happiness in the end. Oh, did I mention the 2ML is very handsome? ;)

But wait, there’s more! If two CP's are not enough, we have a third. The FL's brother (3ML) and his GF (3FL) rounded out the collective. Not an easy pairing, by any means, and it is not particularly swoonworthy either. A lot comes down to the 3ML being a square block trying to fit into an CCP approved round hole. It was a bit painful to watch at times.

You know the production has my seal of approval when you see the calibre of the ensemble cast. Some of the younger members are a bit rough around the edges, but our leads did well. The senior members are all familiar faces and they deserve our respect. The ensemble’s acting abilities are tested by an emotionally charged script. Bring tissues, there won’t be a dry eye in the house by the end of the series.

If we just look at the love lines, they are worthy of our undivided attentions. However, I was wondering why set this drama during the Cultural Revolution? Even a few years later would make life a lot easier. It finally dawn on me in the second half.

I alluded to the historical setting in my introduction. In this regard, this drama made the most of it, but at the same time, it left me feeling uneasy.

You must understand 1975 is towards the end of the Cultural Revolution. It is a tumultuous and destructive period in recent Chinese history. Much scholarly research has been done on this by others. What we saw is a benign and abridged representation.

We get a hint of the revolution and its impact. We see some fallouts like the exiling of the ML's well educated parents to Yunnan (aka Chinese Siberia in the 70's), and the destruction of their family unit. Yet it was all done with a light touch.

There is scant evidence of the pain and suffering endured by the masses. There was a passing reference to the arrest of the Gang of Four. There is no mention of the death of Chairman Mao(!). His presence was largely MIA (not counting faded slogans) until very late in the show.

So why did the show pick this particular moment in time? The Cultural Revolution definitely turned the established system upside down and spun it sideways. It does help to explain the motivation of our characters. They are unique to that period where scores are settled by manipulating the political system. Self-preservation is paramount. Normal support networks are demolished. Reality is skewed and not in a good way.

The massive earthquake in July 1976 impacted many (est. 300,000 deaths). The drama made the most of it by farming the high dramas during the last third of the show. Those scenes are impactful and well made. On top of that, the end of the Cultural Revolution a few months later signalled a new era of restoration, regeneration and hope. This allows the show to close with a sense of optimism that is bordering on giddiness.

In the end, I truly enjoyed this series and it deserves high praise. The historical whitewashing leaves me a little cold though. I can imagine a casual western viewer sat through the whole show only seeing some overbearing sloganeering and horrible dress sense! Maybe it is better to let the sleeping dog lie.

I shall close with the immortal words from Queen; 🎶Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?🎶 Peace.

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A relationship black hole that sucks the joy out of everything it touches

This show is a melodrama build upon notions of love. Note that I didn't say a romantic melodrama because in a way, this show is the antithesis of romance.

I watched 11 episodes before deciding to shelve it until it finishes its run. After reading final comments and reviews, I’ve decided to drop the show as it is actually worse than expected.

The setting of the drama is rather claustrophobic. It is a suburban bank branch with about 10 workers. The work environment is not particularly harmonious. There is a degree of workplace harassment and obvious office politicking. The employees have a propensity to gossip. Dating rumours springs up all the time. In this melting pot we find our leads.

The FL is smart and capable but only has a high school diploma. She came from a poor family and has a tragic backstory. Possibly suffering from PTSD after her brother's untimely death. The ML is a bit bumbling and was trained by the FL and yet he was promoted ahead of her by deem of his college degree. They worked together for several years before the ML finally decided to confess to the FL but she rejected him because of her inferiority complex and it is her way to avoid being rejected later.

Into this already sad state of affair is airdropped the rich and entitled SFL who was a classmate of the ML. If this is not enough, they added a SML who is working part-time at the bank as a security guard while he tries to pass the police entrance exam. He is struggling financially and surviving hand to mouth while support his parents. You can imagine his outlook on life. It definitely does not involve rainbows and unicorns. This square shaped cauldron is fast boiling over.

The writer-nim gave this witches' brew a good stir and we ended up with two tenuous and unfulfilling entanglements and a two-timing third (up to end of ep.10). The relationship between the ML and the SFL is a cat and mouse game of desire, greed and loathing. The SFL showers the ML with expensive gifts and the promise of a fast track up the corporate ladder. The ML is on a rebound and the honeytrap is hard to ignore. Nevertheless, his pride is hurt and he knows that he is hitting above his weight.

On the other hand, the FL reluctantly accepted the SML because she needs someone to distract her from the ML. On top of that, she sees the SML being in a worse position than her and for once, she can help him and claim the moral high ground. In both relationships, love or its facsimile, is overshadowed by a plethora of mixed feelings and twisted rationales. Needless to say there is constant foreboding as we watch on with tenterhooks.

By now, the show has created a pressure cooker where all those flawed characters are forced to live and work. Is this realistic? I'm not convinced. It is overbearing and distorted. There are tendrils of reality but the weightiness is too much for such a small space so it collapsed into a black hole. It sucks all the joy from the characters and much of the viewing pleasures.
We are confronted with situations where lies, disdain, trepidation and regrets sour and poison relationships at every turn. This is angsty, frustrating as well as unrewarding for the viewers. The writer-nim baits us into shipping the CP's only to offer up heartbreaks instead. Cobbe could have used this show as case study for schadenfreude.

It is a real struggle to keep watching by the end of ep.11. The dread is palpable. I'd return to the show in a heartbeat if there is even a hint of a happy ending or a satisfying but sad conclusion to the OTP's love line. Alas, from what I learn from feedbacks, the writer-nim double downed on the tortuous plot and littered the rest of the narrative with sad, broken and disillusioned people. I gather the show is unsatisfying and ambiguous to the bitter end. I suppose when you are in a graveyard spiral, you can't expect a soft landing.

The sad fact is that both the production and acting from most of the cast are good, especially the ML. He got put through the spin cycle and have to slog through a range of heighten emotions. The FL is not wooden, but she has distilled the essence of self preservation into her pose. Not much chance of second lead syndrome, no sir.

In the end, the script is the main culprit. Too much is never enough for our writer-nim so we ended up with this tsunami of relationship woes that spreads and consuming all before it. Love, desire, longing and fulfilment are cornerstones of a romance drama and this show is largely an antithesis of that.

To those who has finished this show, Salut! Thank you for taking one for the team. Peace out.

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Life is a bitch and then you become a plankton

This show is not your typical mainstream drama. It is a wild ride and has an indie feel. Some might say Tarantino-esque and I'd agree.

At its core, it is still a k-drama but it is quite subversive at times. It can be irrelevant and touches on subjects that will resonate more with its local audience. This is a double-edged sword though. If you stumbled onto this on Netflix and expect a quirky road movie then you might come away feeling a bit confused.

To wit, the concept of lineage runs deep in Asian cultures. Your family and your clan anchors you and grants you identity. This began to wane in the 20th/21st century as the concept of nuclear family takes root. However, if you look, you will find its influence and reverence still evident today. Similarly, we are made aware that being a single parent is tough. Being an orphan is even tougher.

This drama brings all this into sharp focus via our 3 leads. The ML had a wonderful early childhood but was casted adrift due to an IVF mistake. The FL was abandoned at birth. The 2ML is the sole heir to a 500 year old clan. He is their only hope of continuing this bloodline. So much pressure.

On the surface, the three of them are getting on with their lives but the pain and scars run deep. Especially for the ML. He was floored when he finds out he has inherited a terminal condition. He embarks on a mad race to find his biological father. It was a crazy idea from the start but it is amplified 10 folds when he impulsively kidnapped the FL on her wedding day. Not that the FL was in a good place herself because she is hiding a dark secret. It was like an indie black comedy has a baby with a tragic grand opera!

The pacing was manic for the first half and the mood and tone swings like a weathervane in a storm. It is a blast to watch but there are times when you have to turn a blind eye to the plot holes and the odd pacing issues. Ask no questions . . .

The chaotic ride comes to an end at the end of the surreal castaway island episode. It became much more introspective and tropey. I suppose the drama can’t sustain the breakneck pace and wacky storylines forever. It is time to take stock. The show almost seems “normal” going forward. The sadness and despondency can be overwhelming at times.

The last episode was bittersweet. The last road trip was like a quasi-honeymoon. We laughed and swooned at their antics, but we know the end is nigh.

The show has many impactful scenes and subtle messages scattered throughout but at the moment of finality, it was more like a sigh. It was a blessed release. There are no miracle cure in this dramaverse, chingu. This show really knows how to hit us in the feels, again and again.

However, the story doesn't end there. The FL's journey continues. They made a pact that they will drift on if he found a 4 leaf clover. So much is unspoken. We can only wish her safe travels and hope that she will find solace somewhere, some day. Maybe her wish will come true and experience motherhood. I envy her children. Her love will know no bounds.

Coming back to here and now, we have fantastic acting all around. The 2ML was perfectly casted and the veteran actor put in his all. I was disappointed with the FL when she starred in Strong Girl Nam-soon. She has redeemed herself with this role. The ML is just so watchable and charismatic. A strong support cast and a wonderful OST rounded out the roster.

The show is a little rough around the edges and difficult to watch at times but then again, Queen of Tears was polished to an inch of its life. Give me a diamond in the rough any day. Peace.

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What starts with a murder and ends with a singalong?

Taken as a whole, it is a decent rom-com. However, if we look closer, we soon find cracks.

The show starts quite angsty with a hint of an exposé on the idol industry and (toxic) fandom. An unexpected murder hints at darker motives and conspiracies. Any sign of cuteness evaporated.

As it stands, the law and order subplot is laughable. There is little suspense. The revelation of whodunit towards the end has little impact. The inept police investigation and the "corrupt" prosecution process are groan worthy. They seems to have never heard of forensics. No finger printing, no DNA tests, blood splatters? It is borderline criminal negligence. Are Koreans numb to plots making a mockery of their police and judicial system?

Just to rib salt into the wound, most of the real detective work are done by the protagonist. Good on them, but that's cold comforts.

It is obvious that most of the subplots are there to push our leads together. The breadcrumbs all leads to their eventual HEA ending.

I'm not surprised that the last ep is largely fan service, but I was taken aback by how little substance there is. Did the writer-nim took an early vacay and left it to the intern to wrap things up?

In terms of acting, most actors are in their element. The support cast is largely from central casting. Our leads do look good together. They have chemistry and some nice skinship. Pretty much par for the course.

As a run-of-the-mill rom-com, it is fine. I enjoyed it. Fans of our leads will rejoice. Their romance is nice and cute. Just don't expect a serious crime thriller or any heavy hitting social commentaries.

It feels like an odd choice to start so heavy handedly and then reduce it to a fluffy romp by systematically paving over the darker elements with unicorn pastures. In the end, the rom-com bits are tropey and predictable. The rest feels half baked and tacked on. It is not a bad show, just a little underdone. I like the FL so the show gets an extra 0.5. ;)

One and done. Enough said. Peace.

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This drama pulls no punches

What a gem of a show! It is totally non-PC and full of triggers. I would stay away from this show if you are sensitive to just about anything to do with bullying, swearing or unbridled antisocial behaviours. We haven’t even mentioned blood soaked fighting and torture scenes. You have been warned!

Yes, this show is all about winning arguments with your fists. While the members of the study group are good kids, they are bullied and pushed around mercilessly by the school toughs. Of course, this means they have to push back at some point. This is when the fun begins.

To make this more palatable, most of the main characters are quite engaging. Yes, some are tropey like the studious boy who can't fight or the gifted fighter who can't study. It is the classic ying-yang team building which allows team members to complement each other.

They are an easy bunch to cheer on and you'll need to. The show is a challenging watch as you push through difficult scenes one after another. Life is not meant to be easy is an understatement here. There is so much ugliness. It would be so simple to take the easy way out and some did. To be honest, it is a school from hell.

In the face of all these adversities, the series still managed to inject a decent amount of humour and heart. We have to thank the ML for a good portion of it via his earnest deadpan delivery. It is a class act for a young actor. It is a pleasure to watch our study group grow closer and mature together.

While the show is totally in your face, I am fully engaged and happily hang on with white knuckles for the wild rides. Even a normal day can descend into utter chaos for our protagonist. It is a blast to watch the staged fights. They are gory but a little cartoon-y which lessen its impact. Some scenes are actually quite funny. It reminds me of the quirky Hong Kong style Kung Fu movies of yesteryears. Secret mantras and forbidden techniques rulez!!

The OST is loud, pumping and catchy. The production value is par for the course and suitably low rent when you consider the school is more like a slum than a centre of learning. Rewatch is subjective as this style of show is most impactful on first viewing. Your mileage will differ.

It is troubling that organised crime is endemic in this universe. Corruption is accepted as norm. Gangs control large corporations and play merry hell with people's lives. While our protagonist are changing their small corner of the world, the bigger picture remains largely unchallenged. Could there be a hint of a sequel? Bring it!l

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This drama is stuck in purgatory

This show is not bad. The real problem is that it doesn’t know when to stop. The initial premise is interesting enough. Multi-generational curse is nothing new but it is functional. The show pushed it for all its worth though. There are plot holes here and there but the show has enough momentum to push through most of them, at least initially.

Once it gets started, it gives off a similar vibe to several other wish fulfilling style fantasy shows such as May I Help You. While other shows are more focused on the “clients” and their backstory, this show used them as fillers when the main plot needs to take a breather. The overarching plot is focused on the ML and the curse he inherited. In that sense, it is a nice change from other series where the leads tend to fade into the background and only pops up at key moments. Our OTP is definitely in the fore.

However, this is a double-edged sword. With the focus firmly on the ML, this series struggles. As the saying goes, the tank is running dry. It seems to slice and diced the same plot into different combinations and pad things out. What was novel at the beginning become rather passe by the half way mark. Several times the show seems to have reached its logical conclusion only to be dragged back into the fray just to stretch it out a bit more.

On the positive side, not only are our leads more in focus, his two ghost helpers also have their moments in the sun which is rare in such shows. I appreciate that because they are both interesting characters and they deserve some growth and attention. Deputy Go does fairs better than Mr. Baek and I'm keen to see Yoo In See in other roles.

Acting wise, the ensemble cast did a decent job with what they are given. The ghostly makeup is rather low rent though and more Halloween than scary.

The last episode is probably the most problematic. It really ties itself in knots with its own DIY mystic mumble-jumble. A case of narrative purgatory, I suppose. It all ends well which came as no surprise. The series is watchable but could have been better and tighter. If only it ended 2 or 3 eps earlier while the going was good. One time watch for me.

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In the race of chicken or the egg, the mother hen wins!

Let’s just get the easy bits out of the way first. This series is watchable and entertaining at times. The OTP are well matched and they have good chemistry. However, this is where things get complicated.

As one of my friends commented after finishing the show, who is the FL of this drama? Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but she does have a point. While there is no doubt Yang Zi is the FL, her mother’s role is more titular. In fact, so many of the subplot radiate from the matriarch that her screen time and presence more than rival the FL’s. Furthermore, a lot of the time, most characters are placed in a reactive roles due to her machinations and has little agency.

I can understand that this will resonate with a lot of Asian viewers because they are probably living in a similar situation or knows someone who is. It is a reasonable premise to kick-start the show and give the FL reasons to grow. In that sense, the first half of the show is the best. This is helped by the sage like grandmother who sees all and pulls the strings to get our OTP pass the frenemy stage. Her presence counterbalances the mum’s and provides a safe harbour for our leads.

It all changes after she passed. The FL’s mum’s presence looms larger than ever before. Her interference reaches new heights once we factor in the grandma's legacy. I understand that it is an effective way to introduce some angst as the official antagonist was a bit light weight. However, it also means that the show becomes unbalanced and lacks focus. Everyone is tiptoeing around the mum and keeping secrets from her which set up more confrontations later. It is a vicious cycle.

In the meantime, the mum continues to meddle in people’s affairs and guilt trip her family regularly. It is tiresome to watch and might trigger some viewers. It distracts us from our CP’s romance. When love is in the air, it is sweet and swoonworthy, but they are like deer in the headlight. After more confrontations and some heart-to-heart talks, the mum finally tones down her actions, but it is an uneasy truce.

The problem from my perspective is that we can't really hate the mum because she is not evil in the literal sense, but her constant meddling is annoying and very harmful to her closest and dearest. Yet she always falls back to the old chestnut of “I’m doing this for the good of ….”. Hence all the characters are in a no-win situation.

This shunted several characters into the margins. Chief among them is the ML. He should have a much stronger presence but between helping the FL in her business and being the peacemaker to her family, he became just the nice guy putting out spot fires. In fact, the mum casted such a big shadow that no characters are spared. This is even more dramatic in the last 3 eps when it is all about the mum.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for a mother centric show and there have been some excellent ones. However, in this case, it felt like the mum was initially used as a catalyst for change but ends up taking over the show. The series is still watchable, but it can be very trying at times.

Ultimately, if you are looking for an escapist rom com then this might hit too close to home to be fun. If you want a family melodrama then this is inferior because it is just a hotchpotch of tired tropes. Throw in the PITA matriarch and we have an inverse trifecta. One time watch for me.

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Welcome to Ji Chang-wook!

Fans of small-town dramas will feel right at home here.

To be fair, the village based plot doesn't start in earnest until a few episodes in but once in place, all the typical elements are on full display. Bucolic setting, tight knit community and "colourful" locals all slot in seamlessly.

It doesn't mean this drama is all sunshine and sea breezes, quite the contrary. The first few episodes can be titled, "How low can the FL go?". The simple answer is very low. Not only did her professional and personal life collapsed in Seoul but her troubles follow her back to her hometown on Jeju.

To be honest, the first few episodes are hard to watch. Not because of bad acting but it was an endless series of setbacks, angst and tears. There is little concrete reasoning behind her fall from grace other than the A-plot demands it. The problem is that the shouting and crying only got worse when she arrived home because now it involves the whole family unit and sundry other characters. It was surprisingly relentless when you consider this is supposed to be a rom-com.

Fear not, Ji Chang-wook is here! Our ML is the soothing influence, the voice of reason and the mirror for the FL to see the truth behind all the ill feelings and maltreatment she has suffered for years. Members of the 5 Eagles Brotherhood helped as well. They might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but their total dedication to Cho Sam-dal is a sight to behold and woe to anyone who stood in their way.

Thankfully, the feel of the series changes completely once the OTP acknowledge their feelings for each other. There is nothing a united village can't handle and while they still face challenges, we know they are just speed bumps on their road to success.

Speaking of romance, the OTP is always going to be front and centre, but it is relatively uneventful once they clear the air. The shaky romance between the eldest sister and her ex-husband is more engaging. Props to the actor playing the ex-husband. He could have been a typical spoiled heir, but he is so earnest and sweet that you just have to love him, warts and all. The scene with the cockroach is unmissable.

As I mentioned before, the show is angst heavy, but it is not well balanced. This is largely because the antagonist is light weight. There is no dastardly master plan. She got desperate and the fourth estate took care of the rest. She rode the tiger but have no idea how to get off. This also means the resolution, when it came, felt underdone. It closed the chapter but there is not a lot of satisfaction to be had.

The last EP is total fan service. There is a lot of lovely scenes that wrap up the various threads but the best one is probably the photo exhibition. It is a lot more about the ensemble cast of locals than the weather and it was very touching and uplifting.

All in all, it is an uplifting story that ticked a lot of boxes. Fans of JCW will rejoice. He is such a versatile actor nowadays. Honourable mention must go to Kim Mi-kyung. The veteran actor really gave us her all. Bravo!

Is it the best example of this genre, not quite. There are shows which nailed the formula better and/or the ensemble cast turned in better performances but it is good enough to earn my recommendation, for now. Enjoy!

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I have a wish too . . please shorten this series by half

The premise of the show is interesting. A demon who can grant a wish to anyone in exchange for eternal damnation. We were shown a few tantalising examples to whet our appetite. It also serves to demonstrate the ML’s demonic powers. It was entertaining while it lasted.

The wheel starts to fall off once the Demon gets his powers back. We are attacked by a herd of drunken unicorns. We have a whole episode of them being lovey-dovey. So sweet, my teeth are aching. Other than a couple of key scenes, it is utter meaningless fluff. This happened again and again. Sugar overload or deepest melancholia, choose your poison.

But wait! There's more. Why stop at unicorns? Let’s throw in a psycho killer, a deranged young man and a power-hungry evil mastermind. That's what I call a party! Some show can pull this off, but this drama wasn't even trying. Most of the characters are one dimensional. Many side characters are just canon fodders. There was minimal creativity. It is a smorgasbord of ideas mashed together and spread super thin.

This is not helped by plot holes, bad pacing and whiplash change of tones. We literally have filler episodes inserted into the middle of the show just to pad out the runtime. Throw in lengthy recaps and repetitive flashbacks to the 18th century and we have a lot of dead space in between the key plot developments. I can only credit this to a need to keep our leads in play for as long as possible so that the production company can capitalise on their star powers. The amount of PPL is quite egregious.

Unsurprisingly, the 2OTP is a lazy caricature. Their "romance" was a 5 sec joke that went on for 5 hours. Those seasoned actors have my deepest respect. They took one for the team.

I also feel sorry for the fans of the two leads. The potential is there. Their pairing could have been magical but there is very little spark here. The script is so heavy handed that you stop believing after awhile. They still look good together, but it feels like they are models sashaying through the glamourous sets.

Sadly, the paper-thin plot and lazy writing makes the rest of the show barely watchable. As soon as the Demon regained his powers, the tension is gone. If that is not enough, they throw in a god who can override everything. Who needs narrative logic when you have god's will. I do have to give the show props for their version of God. It is certainly an interesting take and a brave choice from a Korean perspective.

O Daemon, I beseech thou! Grant me mine wish. Pretty please?

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A perfectly engineered drama for mass consumption

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed this show very much and I binge watched it from start to finish even though I have every intention to take it slow. That got me thinking, why did I do that?

It might be serendipity when I just saw a YouTube video about fast food and how they are created by science to give us dopamine and endorphin hits as quickly as possible. The amount of salt, sugar, fat, etc are precisely controlled. It even goes as far as using highly processed ingredients that requires minimum effort to digest so you don’t feel sluggish after a meal. You just feel good and want more . . with fries.

So, if we were to engineer a drama equivalent for the massive Chinese audience what would we need?

• A lead that is long suffering, but s/he has a strong, righteous personality, and a backbone of steel so that s/he can rise above.
• A romantic counterpart who is the rock for the main protagonist to shelter against the worst. S/he will do enough to make his/her intention clear, but it will be a slow burn.
• An antagonist who is despicable but not totally evil. Just bad enough that we look forward to his/her fall from grace.
• A bunch of one-note side characters who will do the dirty work of the antagonist or trigger events and move the plot along.
• The main theme shall be growth and redemption. Angst will be under a tight rein. Hope and despair will be in fine balance. The big payoff will be at the end.
• It should not be an all consuming revenge drama as that will corrupt the leads. However, wrongs will be righted, and the wrongdoers will get their comeuppance.
• Solid actors who can breathe life into their roles.
• Above average production.

To put it simply, this is Alliance in a nutshell.

There are minor deviations. For instance, the 2FL is a little surprise package as she flipped from the classic SFL to become the BFF of the FL. I liked that and it was good to watch her grow and mature. However, some of her subplots are contrived. More suffering for the sake of suffering.

The despicable antagonist is front and centre. The array of side characters are armed and ready. There are some social commentaries, but none are particularly hard hitting nor unique.

Add solid actors, a quality production and we have all the ingredients for a binge worthy drama and that is exactly what we got.

The story of Alliance is ageless and boils down to watching the FL struggle up a greasy slope. She will slip back down and skin her knees repeatedly. We all know that the reward is at the top of that hill so we wait in anticipation.

This is where a good script helps. There is despair but it is not soul destroying. Emotional scenes are well acted but mostly at 7/8th level with rare boil-overs. There are occasional sparks of joy to keep our hopes up and swoon worthy moments to let us know romance is not dead.

It ebbs and flows but the outcome is largely preordained. Plots are designed to hit us with the feels, and they get the job done.

Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not. As consumers of dramas, we crave those type of shows. Maybe they are formulaic, and leaves only a fleeting impression but we shall be hungry for more . . . with fries.

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Lies, damned lies and couple therapy

Superpower shows can be a challenge to make if there are budget constraints. Hence some k-dramas focus on simple ability like seeing smell or reading minds. A bit of fancy camera work and simple practical effects can work magic. This show has the FL hearing a bell chime if she hears a lie. No CGI required, easy peasy. Obviously, this makes her daily life challenging. The bell would go off constantly as she moves amongst people. She becomes cynical and untrusting. All that changed when the ML literally crashes into her life.

I wondered how the writer-nim is going to work the lie detection power into the show so I started to watch. I’m glad that they did a good job in the early episodes, but it does create its own narrative issues later on. The writer-nim had to resort to misdirection to avoid giving the game away. This serves to drag out the show with little gain. Would it be better if it was 12-14 episodes long?

Putting other issues aside, the love line does work quite well. Our leads makes a lovely couple and have good chemistry. Both are vulnerable and have damaged psyches. How they learn to trust each other and heal each other is nicely told and portrayed. There are heart fluttering moments and a decent amount of skinship. I’m also glad that they didn’t drag out their romance until the dying moment of the show. Once they are official, their bond is unshakable.

This brings us to the main message of the show. Both leads must learn to trust again. The FL finally understood that not all lies are bad. Some are necessary to mitigate harm to others. Some might even be beneficial. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut and have faith. Once that message is delivered, the show began to lose momentum. A historical crime is pushed to the fore to take up the slack.

I’m not saying the crime is irrelevant. It is the key to the ML’s social phobia and is the source of much tension and angst during early episodes, but it has done its job. A quick resolution would have sufficed but the writer-nim spun it out for all it’s worth. It is not really the high water mark they have hoped for. It feels like the show is on autopilot during this segment. It runs through some tropey subplots, and voila! Crime solved, justice served and we are on the predictable home straight.

The last two episodes are total fan service with redemptions and resolutions handed out left, right and centre. Some of them ties up loose ends while others are a bit farcical. I’m running out of ways to say “nice” and “sweet”. It is not quite to the point of sugar overload, but it gets close, real close.

In terms of acting, the ML is very handsome but he feels a little flat to me. He has flashes of high emotions but most of the time he just seems to float through the scenes. The FL put in a solid performance, but this type of role is bread and butter for her by now. The rest of the ensemble is a mix bag. It is not their fault per se, but the show did not really develop their characters beyond their original traits. Most are a bit quirky, but you soon realise that what you see is what you get. The FL’s mother is particularly one-note. She barely changes until the last moment when she was gifted a happy but very contrived ending.

In the end, this is an enjoyable show and quite watchable. The romance is sweet, and the growth of our leads is rewarding to watch but I also feel that the show is trying too hard to please and to play it safe.

Production value is decent and par for the course. There is a sudden jump in PPL towards the end. Most likely due to the growing popularity of the show. OST is nice, especially the jazz numbers. Some of the k-pop songs are catchy. Rewatching a highlight reel will not be a chore.

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Solid female centric drama that fell short of being great

This Show certainly started with a bang. It is dramatic and engaging right from the start. It was the classic “how the mighty falls” trope writ large. Liu Tao has the titular role and I love her acting and visuals. She was ably supported by Qin Hai Lu and Chai Bi Yun. Together they formed the triumvirate that seems to be de rigueur for the current crop of similar shows.

Our hapless FL is tested time and again. Her despair and suffering are palpable. She is pushed to her limits, but this only fan the flames from which the phoenix can rise again. The Show did a good job keeping us engaged. The problem lies elsewhere.

Most of the subplots are tropey and they come in waves. When one FL gets a handle on things, the next one will hit the wall and the cycle repeats. This is not helped by the fact that all three FL’s works in the same regional TV station doing different roles. It is interesting to see how the newsroom and the business side works, but it is a small pond. It becomes more claustrophobic as the episode count ticks up. The Show tries to stay relevant by having the leads branch out into the “new” streaming platforms. It helps, but it doesn’t feel “real”. These are not backyard operations but well staffed business ventures. Many struggling streamers must be rolling their eyes.

Weaving through all these challenges are love lines for each FL. Some are more interesting than others. Obviously, the Liu/Liu pairing is the focus, and I can totally ship them. In fact, it is this burgeoning romance that keeps me watching. The ML is so earnest and devoted, he can make any woman swoon. I love his unique visual with the hint of a rebel.

Speaking of romance, it is a key selling point of this Show but also its Achilles heel. There is nothing wrong with the 3 pairings but other than talking the talk, they don’t really walk the walk. After all the push-pulls and trials, we end up with a ripple rather than a wave when they are finally together. Yes, they are loved up but there is next to no skinship. A couple of hugs and a peck on the cheek is it. The other two CP’s don’t even get that far. Maybe it is the age of the actors, but it is not very rewarding after shipping them for so long.

While most c-dramas work hard to hook us within the first few episodes, this show does better than that. The middle section where the FL’s start to turn things around are some of the better episodes. However, the tail didn’t quite fire. Part of the problem is the return of the FL’s husband and the resolution of his mysterious disappearance.

I know crimes must be punished in c-dramas. However, his return feels too scripted. I would prefer for him to keep his distance rather than showing up all guns blazing. He behaved just as you’d expect and utters all the cliché lines. It is formulaic and feels lacking. A better option might be for him to send her all the damning information and an apology letter. Then set her free with a divorce by proxy. He doesn’t deserve redemption per se but that would be a more nuanced approach than just painting him as an one-dimensional crook.

In the end, the Show is a good example within this popular genre. I appreciate the solid acting, chemistry of the Liu/Liu pairing and good production values. However, the plots lack originality and that certain je ne sais quoi to lift it above the rest. It is an enjoyable watch but not high on my rewatch list. It gets a credit rather than a distinction. Peace out.

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Growth is good, growth nurtured by love is even better!

Let's be honest, this show is not going to win any drama awards and there are some story telling issues but I gave this show a high score because it is true to its own narrative. I consider that a nice touch as a lot of c/t-drama starts off with one narrative and ends up with a different genre unless they pull it all back in the dying moment of the show. That can be disconcerting, to say the least.
Being a youth focused show, the plot is centred around life at school and university with a "... 3 years later" time skip in the end to tie things up and give everyone closure. The OTP were cute together and have good chemistry. The FL can be a bit annoying as she talks too fast and too much and was tomboyish but that's her character. The most important thing is that both of them are flawed (unlike some other youth drama where one half is amazing and the other is hopeless). In their case, the sum of the whole is literally far greater than their individual merits, they knew it and talked about it regularly.
As I mentioned before, the writers held firm to that narrative. There were minor misunderstandings or challenges to their pairing but they exist only for each other and their faith and trust in each other was unshakable (well, 90% of the time ;)). From that bond came a great deal of growth, both personal as well as in their careers. Even when the ML (handsome and smart) grew out of his shell, he only had eyes for the FL. He never waver for one moment. The FL is also totally into the ML but her character flaws make her tough on the outside but fragile on the inside so there were some initial doubts. However, his presence anchored her being and smoothed her rough edges. In turn, her love and support allow him to overcome his social phobia and lead a successful life. Both achieved a great deal more than if they'd never met.
As you would expect in such a drama, there was little angst. They resolved their issues quickly and what enemies they had, did limited damage and most saw the evil of their ways and made amends. Some even became fast friends! Teachers were all positive influences and only want to see them succeed. Lots of feels in those formative years.
What was a bit annoying was the 2OTP. Their failed attempts at having a romantic relationship was painful to watch, especially when it dragged on for 25 episodes. Why was the 2ML so thick and blinded to the feelings of the 2FL is beyond me. When he did "discover" his feelings, it just seemed to be a bit too convenient. It was like nothing was there one minute and then after seeing the 2FL with another dude (whom he more or less pushed into 2FL's lap), he just said he thinks he likes her after all, did a 180 degrees and chased her aggressively. Really? What miracle water did he drink (PPL in-joke)? Anyway, that paved the way for some cute 2OTP moments for the last few episodes. Even with all the pairings, there is limited skinship. A few kisses towards the end of the show but there were lots more failed attempts and pull backs.
One last observation, in this type of drama, the elderly actors tends to be the screen stealers (either for good or evil) but in this case, the FL's younger (half) brother (~10 years old?) was a gem. He was wise beyond his age and his acting was sooo good and on point.
In the end, it was happy endings all round. Every loose ends tied up with pink bows. It was a drama that you won't recall many highs or lows but will remember with a feeling of fondness and a bit of wistfulness. Life is not meant to be easy but for a little while, the world was a better place where two imperfect characters became a perfect whole.

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That'll do, cells. That'll do.

I know this is technically a self-contained drama, but it will make more sense if we include Yumi's Cells 1 and 2 in our discussions.

Let's get the easy bits out of the way. The production quality is solid. Everything has a glow up. The FL is now a successful writer. She works in a swanky studio of her own and has a Padawan . . I mean assistant writer. However, she has been surviving in an emotional desert for years. No distractions = max productivity. That is a double edged sword though. Her romantic stories are more polished, but they are becoming tropey as they are no longer fuelled by raw emotions from her heart.

In terms of acting, Kim Go Eun IS Yumi. She owns the titular role by now. Her cells exist in a familiar space, mostly leading a sedate existence or placed in suspended animation as she locks away emotions that are deemed unproductive.

The ML is a young, up and coming actor. He already appeared in several high-profile dramas in various capacities. He is tall and handsome. His role swings from a cold, detached professional to a hot-blooded lovesick puppy. He has good chemistry with the FL and there are some nice skinship. Occasionally, he will drift into this bemused expression as if he couldn't believe he is the ML. He has room to grow and I'll be keeping an eye on his progress.

As expected, the cells shared almost equal billing. This time, we are introduced to the ML's cells as well. While there are some commonalities, there are also unique variants. The General who oversees the ML's principles is a gem. Thankfully, the cells are less of a filler gimmick this time round.

We now need to look at the series as a whole. While the first series planted the FL firmly in the role of a supportive girlfriend with limited agency. The second show took a different path as Yumi discovered self-love and developed a backbone. She is the tragic example of win some and lose some in the game of love.

This third installment starts off feeling same-y, yet . . different. For starters, this series is only 8 eps long instead of the usual 14/16. This means the story is much more focused. Once it hit its stride, the show really motors along. This is a good thing. While the first series feels about right in its pacing, the second one can feel a little draggy at times. Maybe it is due to the heavier tonal shift in YC2.

If I'm honest, I came onto this show with some trepidation as well. I'm happy to report that this series has found its mojo again. :)

To wit, instead of more awkward push-pulls as Yumi navigate a new romance. We are given a much more straightforward preposition. The ML is totally smitten by Yumi and he is not wasting time. Woof! It was cute to see all the cells that have been sidelined or even placed in suspended animation came back to life. The naughty cell is a hoot!

So, if we look at Yumi's journey as a three act play then this shortened drama makes a lot more sense. She is finally in the position to recognise when True Love™ comes knocking. In stead of the uncertainties and self-doubts earlier, she was able to push through and make the right decision for the right reasons. There are no fireworks or epic battle of Wills. Just a quiet confidence that speaks volumes.

The final scenes are beautifully done and firmly cemented the cells’ place in our hearts. It was a fitting finale to a years long journey.

The writer-nim hit paydirt when they created the animated cells, but all good things must come to an end. Fare thee well, cells! Peace.

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