24 episodes of fan service and 6 episodes of fillers

There are basically two ways to watch this show. Either as a fan of One and Only or a casual viewer. If you are in the first category then this is the best show ever and it will bring you joy and make you swoon again and again. If you are in the later group then you will not understand what all the fuss is about. You might enjoyed it as a romantic melodrama but you will more likely to find it slow, stilted and some scenes do not make much sense. A bit meh, to be honest.

But credit where credit is due, the show is good. It is beautifully shot and definitely a high quality production. The sets, costumes, lighting designs are all top notch. Acting was great from the ensemble cast. However, to truly appreciate the plots, sentiments and nuisances of this show, you will need to have watched One and Only or at a minimum a decent knowledge of the backstory.

The reason is that the story is full of direct but more often, obscure references to the prequel. There are literally dozens of them. From names, locations, scenes, music, paintings, poems, food, everything. Yes, you can still enjoy the show without any of that knowledge but it will be like visiting a house full of people who are constantly telling in-jokes and laughing among themselves. You can still enjoy the drama as is but your enjoyment will increase ten folds if you are in on the jokes.

This reference spotting also extends to character spotting. Almost every named characters in the prequel have their counterpart in the present. Some have similar roles while others have their alignment flipped. The show even go as far as stating that the ML seemed to be surrounded by people who owed him a debt from their past lives (an old Chinese saying and quite true in this case).

This brings up an interesting point, the reason why the original book was split into two separate dramas is because it is a no-no to use reincarnation as a plot device in c-drama and this is how the Show got around this "problem". Dreams and references to One and Only is now fine because the FL worked on its dubbing (clever and done well) and the modern ML's is a descendant of the historical ML's clan. So everything is squared away and fated.

Honestly, fate is almost too weak a term to describe their romantic journey. We are talking divine intervention level stuff. From their meet-cute to their growing love for each other, it is all preordained. There is no doubt that our leads are in love. They only have eyes for each other and cannot live without each other once their paths are crossed. This made the rest of the plot seemed superficial. Ditto the 2OTP, they are a nice CP but barely made a splash compared to our leads.

In that sense, the FL is the star of the show. She actually provided the glue between all the subplots in both shows. Even in her modern incarnation, she still subconsciously kept a lot of her qualities from her past life. Her likes and dislikes are all reflecting her past life. Her poise is always graceful, a little ethereal and nothing faze her. She is decisive and forthright when it comes to their relationship. She is sweet and playful with the ML and the ML only. She basically lived two lives without realising it. Ditto for the ML but more subtly.

I suppose it is unavoidable that there would be at least one antagonist and I'm afraid he was not up to the task. He was really a sad and tortured soul who made mistakes and did stupid things which ended up hurting his loved ones more than the OTP. You can't really hate him but a weak, pitiful villain is only marginally better than not having one at all.

If a lot of dramas use the last episode as a reward for their loyal viewers and load it up with fan service, this Show went the whole nine yards and it is filled to the brim with fan service (and Easter eggs) from start to finish. It gave the fans everything the prequel could not. PDA, skinship, loved-up banters and everything swoon worthy. The last episode is particularly egregious but a fan wouldn't care less and is thankful. 

OST was good but I think it was a bit overused as there were so many sweet moments that the love ballads were on constant rotation.

I would rewatch some of the sweet CP moments but skip the family dramas.

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A tale of love and healing told in a masterful way

When I write a review, I usually have some key points and highlight in mind so that it was a fairly straightforward list of likes and dislikes or particular problem with the plot/acting. I find it a lot harder to write about this show, the odd thing is that nothing super dramatic actually happened (other than the accident). Now, don't get me wrong. This is not a meaningless fluff. If anything, it was the exact opposite, it was a masterclass in storytelling. There is just so much to talk about.
The core of this drama were healing, growth and regrets. Healing of wounds made by guilt, shame, envy, lost love and others. Growth in maturity, growth in acceptance, understanding and more. This was all done with consummate skill and dexterity. There were no dramatic set pieces, no shock revelations, no cliché breakups nor even a true villain! Yes, mistakes were made by a number of people but they were not evil.  Regrets was a constant undertow and it was a powerful, yet invisible force that shaped so many character's behaviours and their lives.
In terms of acting, the M/FL were superb. Shin Hae Sun was great in Mr Queen and she was every bit as good here but in a more nuanced way. ML was a tortured soul whom you want to soothe and cheer for. The 2ML was so sweet, earnest and innocent. You'd cry and laugh at his antics. Your heart ached for him when you see how much he wanted to grow up but this would only bring heartaches. The support cast was a true ensemble. Jennifer(Lee Yoo Jung) was a standout both with her unique character, her heartbreaking backstory and ultimately her strength. 2ML's band of rowing bros were so much more than comic reliefs as they were the bedrock that he could anchor on when he was feeling adrift. The younger version of the 2 leads were fantastic and pulled their own weight.
The script and direction were superb. It will make you happy and sad in equal parts. There are so much love between the "family members" that you can feel the warmth through the screen. The show had many themes and motifs which was used time and time again in clever ways but always consistently. Symbolisms were the backbone to the narrative which allowed the show to remain grounded and not become overly sentimental and tropey. Even flashbacks that felt overused and tired in other shows were welcomed here.
The show was a journey. Akin to a designated path through an art gallery. We need to take our time to appreciate the curator's skill and be moved by the art. When we (and the show's characters) are ready then the show will let you move on in measured steps. The pacing was spot on.
It also had one of the best ending have seen in any drama. Time was taken to give every significant subplots and threads their dues. It was heart-warming and uplifting at the same time but countered by a tinch of sadness. I have re-watched the last hour twice already just to savour the feels.
Ultimately, the show made us think and appreciate how we have a choice. We can choose to be shaped by our memories and negative emotions or we can see beyond that and do what is right for us today and tomorrow. To grow and seek happiness bravely.
Don't Think! Fil!
Oh yes, the OST was very good and used well. Rewatch value is very high.
Please watch it and enjoy this beautiful journey.

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Rainbows and unicorns!

This is a rom-com that was big on romance. We are talking about the sweetest, purest type, not puppy love or confused feelings (that took 40 episodes to sort out) but undying love between mature, intelligent adults. Yes, it was tropey and had lots of cliché moments but love stories are the oldest stories ever told (well, shortly after "how I single-handedly killed the mammoth" one). The problem for modern audiences is that we are fed too many romantic shows that are trying too hard to be relevant. OTP going strong? We'll add the psycho ex-BF. Life too sweet? We'll add the evil Mother-in-Law. Drama for drama sake is a curse nowadays.
This is why this show worked for me. It stayed focused on the main plot and added spices to make it interesting and developed the plot but never to the point where you facepalmed. It is dramaland after all so there were unrequited love and love triangles but they were dealt with sensibly and maturely. Peoples' feelings were hurt but they took it in their strides and moved on. Misunderstanding and jealousy were just islands in a sea of sweet love rather than the other way around.
It helped that the main actors were so good and they were playing roles appropriate to their age and style. Initially, I thought the ML was going to be the tropey cool, aloof male god type but I was so wrong. Before the end of the first episode he transformed into the most adorable love sick puppy and he stayed in character for the whole show!
I'm particularly happy with Fei Xing, I watched her in "Put your head on my shoulder" and she was a naïve college student back then and did well (not as good as this show). She was a trainee lawyer in this show and she had definitely matured and grew. This I'm so happy to see as I have seen other actors being type casted in the high school/college student roles and can't ever grow up. She looked beautiful in most scenes and both the chemistry and skinship with the ML were great and believable. Swoon!
The 2OTP were interesting too. Definitely had a more complicated relationship compared to the leads but it was good to see that they weren't standard pairing of the best friends just to park them somewhere while the OTP was put through hell and back. They had their significant moments and you could ship them easily. It was a bit of a shame that their storyline seemed to ran out of steam once they got together. Not that they didn't have more cute moments but I felt they had peaked.
All the support casts were good. They helped to move the plot along and give us the feels when it was warranted. Some of their banters were great and helped to bring us into their world.
OST was very good. Nice happy tunes and love songs to match the tone of the show. Rewatch is mandatory if you liked this show in the first place.
This was a sweet, warm and uplifting show. It never pretended to be a slice of real life. This was 100% fluff but what glorious fluff! There are positive messages but not preachy or straight out propaganda. Anyone who wanted angsts, break-ups, forced separations, evil plots should watch something else. Just leave me to binge this while eating a tub of chocolate ice cream. Bliss!

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Awesome drama but for one narrative misstep

There has already been dozens of review written on this popular k-drama so I'm not going to go into great details about the bulk of the show other than to say that it was amazing, funny, sad, heartfelt, thought provoking, exciting, etc. Definitely worth the watch.
Superb acting by the FL and the ML was great as well. Oodles of OTP chemistry. Support cast was top notch. We'll just say no more about the palace intrigue plot, it was integral to the story but nothing new.
Now, some of the reviews focused on THE ending. I understood their sentiments but I don't agree with the more extreme views that the show was ruined by the ending. Yes, it was a bit of fancy foot work on the writer-nims' part in last 30 minutes but to do it otherwise would be to create and ignore longer term problems. You can't really have a 21st century person living the rest of their natural life in the Joseon era without turning history into swiss cheese. Even the few month he was there was already throwing up narrative issues that will make you cross eyed if you think about it. The problem is that most of the negative review all centred around the point that the 21st century person should be allowed to stay on and live happily ever after in the past because he earned it. Is it possible? Viable? Butterfly effect? What happens if he dies in the present?
The writer-nims did their best to push the two threads back together and it was done in a fairly light hearted and conclusive way. Let us not forget that the main relationship between the OTP was getting messy and confusing and it was sustained by the "true love conquers all" motif.
Other reviews also assumed the FL's soul was completely banished and it was obviously not true. By the half way mark, you can see glimpse of her old self popping to the fore. My reading of this is that the FL's soul was always there and can see, hear and feel everything but it was in a passive voice. So the original FL was a "silent" partner and fell in love with the ML along the way, possibly more so. She might even had taken the lead (subconsciously) at some key moments (you will know what I mean if you have watched the show). So it was not that much of a stretch for her to carry on once the 21C person departed. Her later comments and actions all pointed to her being aware of everything that had happened. Her eventual persona also changed a bit so it was a two way street. On the other hand, if they let the 21C person stay on then another segment of the audience will rail against that ending because of all the timey wimey and interpersonal issues.
It was brave of the writer-nims to go down the time travel/body swap theme and it was a deep rabbit hole they went down. At least with this ending, we can have the unicorns and a workable conclusion that I can live with and still smile at the happy thoughts.

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Sweet little rom-com with a fair share of clichés

This is a very easy to watch show with low angst and simple plot. However, this puts a lot of weight on the actors and interaction/chemistry to lift this beyond average. Unfortunately, I don't think they quite pulled it off. It is not bad and there were definitely cute moments and skinship (a bit wooden until the end stretch) but a lot of it feels very scripted. Honestly, the dorky ML genius has been used a few times and The Love Equations did it better. The acting from the ML here seems to be stuck in aloof or quietly happy mode but not much in between. All the tropes are present and quite obvious. The trope of the genius being bad at something then put all his efforts into research and then practice it (in private) until he get good at it is over used. The worse part of this approach is that it telegraphs the sub-plots all the time, including a VERY important plot development towards the end of the show which I won't spoil but it was definitely a facepalm moment (just how naïve and inexperienced can they be?!). In fact there are a number of facepalm moments which serious took points off in my view. The whole confession business was dragged out for too long and it became frustrating. I really wanted to slap him a few times and tell him to just say "I LIKE YOU!". Secondary characters were introduced and integrated over several episodes. Just when you think that they were there to spice up the story line, they disappeared or did nothing consequential, whatever. So there you have it, a nice, sweet, simple college romance drama with angst lite and minimal plot twists.

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Everyone loves Fan Xian

I’m late to the party and I apologise for this. JoY slipped past me when it was released in 2019. With season 2 coming, I though, it is time to take the plunge.

Seeing that there are dozens of reviews, I don’t see much point in breaking down the series in the usual way. I’ll just shares some thoughts and my expectations for the new season.

I know this will be heresy to some, but the show didn’t hook me at first. I did binge watched it and really enjoyed the series in the end. However, it was more due to perseverance than the classic “unmissable from the first scene!” vibe. In hindsight, I think there are several reasons but chiefly, the show was always meant to have more than 1 season so the first 46 eps are just a long way to set up the overarching main plot. I can see a parallel with The Fellowship of the Ring. That movie was a little unfocused and stilted compared to the rest of the LoTR series too and for a good reason.

Another aspect is that the ML is a bit annoying at first. Those were the days when you are literally asking for a beating just by looking at an official the wrong way and yet the ML is so cocksure that he is thumbing his nose at all and sundry and he gets away with it. It all make sense later on but it didn’t leave a great first impression.

This leads us to the next point; the ML really leads a charmed life. He can pull off crazy stints and “lucky” escapes. It might be fun to watch but when you consider the seriousness of the various plots, it does feel a bit flippant. This also runs contrary to the notion that the ML is smart, resourceful and strong but then he’d get “rescued” repeatedly.

I am happy to see the love line between Xian and Wan’er being so sweet and straightforward. It could have been so messy like in many other costume dramas. Small blessing, I suppose. However, in a nod to the classic martial arts novels of the last century, almost every eligible bachelorette is falling in love with Fan Xian. I can certainly see the attraction and he will need a big stick to fend them off in S2.

The OST is nice, especially the main themes. However, the show does have this habit of using some zany, jazzy music to signal a funny scene. It is a valid technique but it is more suited to a modern sitcom than an historical drama. It can be quite jarring at times.

In the end, there are plots within plots and secrets hiding more secrets so I’m not surprised that it will take over 100 eps to see it to conclusion. It is looking promising for the next season and if the production value and acting is maintained (more likely to be surpassed) then it should be an even bigger hit. The heightened expectations will ensure that.

All in all, it was worth the hype. Not quite the best costume drama I have ever watched but it certainly sets up the next season nicely. The unveiling story left me with more questions than answers. Bring on season 2!

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A serious drama turns light and fluffy in a blink

To be honest, this show does tick a lot of boxes if you are looking for a sweet rom com/healing drama. It also have a nice looking OTP that can work magic when the condition is right. However, this is also where things can get a little awkward.

Let's backtrack a bit. Both leads have suffer major setbacks in their career and their lives are spiralling ever downwards. It is into this maelstrom that they rediscovered each other and supported each other through thick and thin. Once a bit of historical misunderstanding is cleared up, they realised that they are each other's first love in high school. Yes, very tropey.

Nevertheless, these are solid foundations so let's roll with it. I do appreciate that the show put some mental conditions front and centre. Bullying, overwork and PTSD are just some of the challenges our leads have to face. They are serious conditions but the show doesn't do a deep dive into them. It is a little light on diagnosis and treatment. Cough, the self assessment questionnaire is ... interesting. I suppose we should be thankful that at least those conditions are acknowledged rather than just sweep under the carpet.

This light touch extends to the main plot as well. While the initial set up and execution was very impactful, once the major hurdle has been cleared, the plot took the easy way out. The main plot literally died. What is left is your standard rom com trope.

There is nothing wrong with a good rom com. The problem here is the interaction between the leads. On paper, they are well matched and look lovely together. While the FL has a mature/straight-laced demeanor, the ML is prone to exaggeration once he is in love. He goes full aegyo to get her attention. It is cute and sweet but it can feel like a noona romance at times. This is awkward because they are the same age and both are doctors.

How much you'll enjoy this show will depend on how well you can handle sugar hits. It gets sweeter and sweeter as the show progress until it is pretty much sugar overload by the end of the show.

Acting is fine from the ensemble. There is a fair amount of overacting from the support cast. There are heartfelt and emotional scenes which showcase our leads' talent.

The series ran through a number of serious societal issues but none of them are given in-depth treatments. It is better than nothing but you can sense that nothing is going to get in the way of a HEA ending. Once you get past the confronting plot, it is angst lite and sweet but it can also give you a toothache.

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All hail Honey Lee!

There is no doubt that this show is a Honey Lee starrer. She carried the show from start to finish. It is described as a historical comedy, and it would have worked better if they leave out the political intrigue. Please allow me to explain.

Lee Hanee is all singing and all dancing in this series. Her comedic timing is spot on. She is very animated and dominate most scenes. She is a refreshing take to the typical Joseon female roles. Mr Queen is another show which has a similarly lively FL. I’m totally onboard with her adventures.

The introduction of the ML added some spice to the preceding. At first it was a love-hate relationship, but it soon swings towards love-love. It was lovely to watch them dance around each other initially and then dance in sync in the later episodes. However, there is next to no skinship. Very proper, indeed.

Unfortunately, revelation of a political plot started many years ago did the show no favours. I understand the event was pivotal, but its revelation is very convoluted. While the viewers soon work out the basic plot, our leads are led down the garden path multiple times. We must sit back and wait for the show to catch up. The original fun adventures of the FL grind to a halt and the romance plot also suffers. I won’t mind if the political intrigue was novel and impactful, but it boils down to the cover-up of a heinous crime.

As I watched the story unfold, I can't help but ask why it took so long for the final act to begin? 15 years is a long time. Seriously, the FL suffers daily under the thumb of a domineering mother-in-law but she never falters. I get that she lives in hope that her brother is still alive but it feels laboured.

Another thing that boggled my mind is the boldness of Left State Minister. I get that he is the classic courtly antagonist but they usually have strong backing from other officials and possibly aligned with some dynastic family. Yet, other than some faceless lackeys, he seemed to be just a self-righteous lone wolf. He confronted the King again and again and thumbs his nose with impunity. Where is his power base? There are several expositions in the final chapter, but it feels like the cart is pushing the horse. Yes, it closed out the narrative, but it feels ham-fisted and self-serving. I'm also surprised that none of the evil-doers are sentenced to death. This is very lenient for Joseon justice.

As if to reinforce my view, the introduction of the FL’s husband is a breath of fresh air. It really added some much-needed levity to the increasingly depressing proceedings. I have strong second lead syndrome.

As I mentioned before, the FL is the star of the show and her acting abilities are on full display. The ML is handsome and a good match. All the performances are solid. Some of the support characters are a bit cartoon-y which feels a bit jarring when the going gets tough for all concerned.

I really wish they focus more on the romance and comedy side and give the political subplot a lighter touch. The writer-nim seems to have a two way bet but still lost by a nose.

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Promises, promises

J-dramas are often built on a foundation of quirky characters and outlandish premises. They don't all work but when it does, it can turn up some memorable and unique dramas.

Unfortunately, this show seems to have missed the memo and what we got is a nice romance drama but there is nothing fresh or unique about it.

The biggest selling point of this show is the life goal of the FL. She has set her mind on when she will be married and when she will have kids. Everything should be done and dusted by the time she turn 30. However, life has other ideas and she turned 29 and has little prospect of marriage let alone 1.3 kids.

In stepped a "stranger" who promised to marry her on the day of her 30th birthday. That is a chivalrous move but it would have worked better if it was a written short story. In this case, it is stretched to 8x20ish mins episodes. It is still watchable as a run of the mill office romance but little else. 

There are swoon-y moments and a reasonable amount of skinship. It is nice to watch the ML trying to woo the FL and deliver a promise made on a whim. It helps that he has a crush on the FL but there is a lot of pushbacks from the FL initially. She is confused about the ML's motivation and whether it was all a joke.

As a relatively short dramas, it is sweet/nice/decent enough and an easy binge. It is perfectly suitable for that but it would not be my first choice and it has minimal rewatch value. Peace out.

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Umm, a nice youth romance drama . .

I usually try to be clever with my title but honestly, I can’t think of anything witty to say about this drama.

This show is firmly placed in the middle of the BFF to Lover genre. Nothing wrong with that and it is a staple of youth dramas. However, for that reason, it is hard to stand out from the crowd. Yes, the romance is sweet and the chemistry goes up a notch once they amp up the skinship. However, it is also very tropey. All the standard issue cliches are there. Most of the side characters are from central casting and I’m thankful that there is no truly evil antagonist.

Their time in high school is filled with the usual teenager issues and they are just background noise most of the time. Thing does get more interesting as they approach the college entrance exam and enter college. However, I’m in two minds about the FL’s role. Yes, she is cute and fun loving, but she also feels ditsy. She does calm down towards the end, but it took a long time. On the other hand, the ML is just so serious from go to whoa. He is fun to watch when he gets jealous but otherwise, he is a bit beige. He does get more animated once the romance starts in earnest though. This is an issue with the ensemble cast. The performances are solid but they are fairly predictable and onenote. You don't sense any deeper emotions.

I would say the last few episodes are the best. Having said that, I do find the breakup of the BFF’s relationship to be over the top and unnecessary. Especially when you consider it lasted for 20 months and the whole misunderstanding was resolved so quickly. It just feels like they needed a time skip and a source of angst so they drew the short straw. Better them than the OTP, I suppose.

I could have scored this show slightly higher but after just finishing Hidden Love, this show does pale in comparison. It does everything competently and all the boxes are ticked. It is an easy watch and harmless, fluffy fun but that’s about it. There are better examples of this genre out there.

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The Show squandered a promising start and then flat-lined

The Show has a promising start. The pairing of a chubby fallen top star with a CEO with prosopagnosia is mixing the tropes but the FL made up as a chubby girl is quite convincing and promise an interesting twist. The ML is handsome and seems to have good chemistry with the FL. The first few episodes was engaging. She plays the hapless character with a deft hand, and it is quite entertaining to watch. The ML’s face blindness seems a bit tagged on, and not very convincing. I’m not happy about it but I'll let that through for now.

Unfortunately, around the halfway mark, the show gave up on the original premise and becomes a tropey rom-com and not a good one at that.

The FL is thin and beautiful again which sends all the wrong messages. The ML is still a brute who hit first, think later. He has minimal growth throughout the show and if his fist doesn’t solve the problem then money will. It was the timeless rich man’s solution. If he can’t decide what jewellery to buy for the FL then he would just buy the whole shop. Time and again, the FL told him she wants to make her own way in the entertainment industry and yet he kept manipulating her career. He was called out by the FL several times, but he went on doing it, much to her (and mine) frustration.

The plot is not helped by one dimensional antagonists whose scheming are rudimentary to say the least but quite annoying. Once again, the antagonist are called out or caught red-handed but they just keep coming back for more. The chemistry between the leads also seems to wax and wane as the Show progresses. It is odd but by now the script is so full of lazy writing that I'm just drumming my fingers waiting for the next cliche to land. Am I surprised that ML’s prosopagnosia disappeared mid show as if it never happened, not really. Consistency be damned!

The Show has/had its moments and it is not the worse show ever. I just can’t help but feel that the Show squandered a good opportunity to do something different. I would have preferred it to take on a challenge and give a good hard go and come out second best than win the race to be second last. It is sad to see the Show taking the easy way out and turn to banality to fill the void.

Rewatch? You jest. Peace out.

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This show is tasty but high GI

In a recent review I mentioned how sometimes you miss the simple yet organic romance storyline. Maybe I jinxed myself.
The premise of this show is quite straightforward. Supposed chance meeting leads a pair of initial enemies to become lovers. This is spiced up by a parallel storyline about a romance that is sparked inside a wuxia computer game. Being a fairly tropey show, I won't waste much time recounting its various plots but I'll table a few observations.

First of all, this show has a laser focus on our OTP. This is a double-edged sword. Obviously, the love line between our leads takes precedence and there is a decent amount of swoon worthy moments. Skinship is adequate but lacks real passion. On the flipside, this hyper focus on main CP means that some secondary CP's storylines feel adrift and underdone. This is especially noticable towards the end when those subplots seem to fade away and then leap forward.

Secondly, the use of the computer game is well integrated. The crossover between the two worlds actually works quite well. The wuxia setting allowed the show to entertain us with some fantastical sets and cosplays. The fight scenes add some flashy effects and ubiqious stints. The Show explores the current trend of adding romantic functions in-game so that players can form “romantic” relationships and even hold virtual weddings. While the concept is not new, some games have created a whole sub-genre around this. The obvious problem here is that if the viewer is not into gaming, then this is all unwelcome distractions and probably quite confusing and tedious.

Thirdly, the Show leans into the urban fairy-tale genre and is low angst. There are occasional troubles and the SFL/ML does stir things up a bit, but nothing is more than a storm in a teacup. It makes it easy to ship the OTP, but it also makes the show too fluffy for my taste. Even though it is set in the ofttimes stilted world of show business, our leads always pushes through and goes from strength to strength. Every box is ticked, and we get the happiest of HEA ending but their growth doesn't feel organic and thus not really memorable. The writer also double down on the fate card. It is unnecessary and amped up the contrivance.

Finally, I love some of the platonic relationships between the characters. The bromances and the sibling relationship are so nice. There is the ubiquitous gender mix-ups with player's in-game characters which generated some mirth. On the negative side are the player griefings and the cattiness of some showbiz characters. These are par for the course but they are somewhat diluted and are not as impactful as they should be. More like rumblings than real thunders.

If you consider this show to be an idol drama then the acting on the whole is not bad. The FL did better than the ML, but they are a good looking and cute couple, job done. Most of the support cast earned their keeps. The production value is quite high with elaborate sets (a little over the top at times), and a wardrobe budget to match which resulted in some beautiful visuals.
This is where I find myself with a conundrum. Normally, I’d highly recommend such a show when compared to the usual roster of angst filled c-dramas. However, with the recent releases like Meet Yourself and Hi Venus, I have no choice but to set the bar higher. So if you are after a light weight, fluffy urban fairy-tale then this will suit you to a T.

As for me, I quite enjoyed the Show while I watched it but in hindsight, it feels like a meal of tasty but high GI food. It is easy to digest, gives you a quick sugar high, but you will feel hungry an hours later. Peace out.

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A light meal that is not very satisfying

6 short episodes makes this a nice and easy watch. It does sacrifices a nuanced narrative for a fast pace.

The show is set in a suburban udon chain restaurant which is famous for their fast, no-frills but tasty noodle dishes. As you'd expect from this setting, there is a food porn angle. However, it can only be considered to be B-grade as the menu is limited. To be fair, there are mouth-watering moments and you have to appreciate the training and commitment from the staff. Thank you for your good work today!

Speaking of the staff, they are hardworking and more than a little stressed. They seem to exist in a world just one hiccup away from a total meltdown. Into that volatile mix is airdropped a new manager who has no prior restaurant experience. He is handsome and charming to a fault. Let the mayhem begin!

With such a short run, we are basically given a set of cliché characters, the inexperienced but idealistic new boss, the impulsive young punk, the hardworking powerhouse who is taken for granted, etc. The result is a mix of workplace dramedy, found family and the fish out of water trope. There is no romance involved so don't bother looking for it.

Each episode usually focuses on one of the team members and explore their backstory a little bit more and pushes the plot along. Don’t get too excited though, those exposés are skin deep. We just see a little bit more of their life after work. More like an extra line in their bio's. They have their share of relationship and familial issues, but they are presented in very broad strokes. Sometimes those challenges will spill into their workplace and the team will come together to tackle them. As expected, each resolution brings them a little closer as a team. Sometimes the end result is heart-warming and rewarding, while other times it is irrelevant and farmed for laughs. Unfortunately, most of those subplots are simple and fairly tropey. Serviceable but hardly original. This is a common observation of the script, it doesn’t stray too far from the tropes. It can feel predictable and a bit flat at times.

The acting is fine and engaging most of the time. Characterisation is larger than life and lacks subtlety. The support cast is actually quite good. Even though most of them only have bit parts, they do splash more colours onto the canvas.
The ending is as happy as you'd expect and it is a bit trite and oddly kitsch.

I want to score it higher, but the show doesn't push any boundaries nor reach any real heights. Relying too much on a parade of tropey or cringey moments is a cheap trick in my book.

It is charming at times, certainly entertaining and easy to watch but lacks any real substance. A large bowl of Kitsune udon is more satisfying.

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Plot hijinks, body snatcher style

I like short form c-dramas but not all such dramas are created equal. Some writers and directors have cracked the code to produce a rollicking fun ride while others just come across as cheap and nasty. This show is somewhere in the middle. There is a workable central story, but the delivery is problematic.

We start with the FL being magically transported into a costume drama and she has to play a role until she return to the present. We are not told how or why this happens. Each time she dies, the loop resets and she start all over again. This device can work a treat and the show certainly milk it for some laughs early on. However, it doesn't last. Once the story enters the rom-com phase, we start to see cracks in the narrative, and it becomes a lot less inventive.

Part of the appeal of a short drama is that the script is tighter, and the narrative is more focused. The flip side to that is a show can also wander down the garden path for too long, thinking it has plenty of time only to have to wrap everything up in a rush and leave zombie threads behind. Unfortunately, this show is heading in that direction. It feels like the original displacement idea kick started the project, but the bulk of the show ends up being the typical palace intrigue/enemy-to-lover trope. There is barely a hint of the FL being from the 21st century. There are the odd throwaway lines but that's about it. The FL certainly doesn't use her modern knowledge to gain an advantage. The FL is also surprisingly accepting of her fate and settles right into court life without efforts. There is little outward signs of initial shock nor confusion which is baffling.

I waited for the plot to twist to give some raison d’etre for the FL’s role but I must have missed it when I blinked. Yes, she is supposed to be the daughter of an influential general but why is she marked for death, repeatedly? There are mumblings about inner court power struggles, but it feels like the usual catch-all explanation. How does that fit into the original displacement plot or is it the other way around? It is like watching one plot being subsumed by another, body snatcher style.

Motivation is key to explain actions and we are given plenty but they don't gel together, it is more like motivation du scène.
To further complicate things, the usual inner court shenanigans are on full display and often push the main plot aside. All that manoeuvring make the proceedings very busy but yielded little. The show finally cuts to the chase and the OTP falls in love as mandated by the drama gods. The process is contrived and quite predictable. This is not helped by the weak chemistry of the leads. The show tried to tick all the boxes to convince us that they are fated but the show also put in subplots that will definitely push them apart. The script is a bit bipolar in that regard. That is a pitfall of a short drama, you still have to get the job done but you have to do it more creatively or it will be just like flipping through a playbook of tropes.

The leads did a passable job on the acting front. The support cast is a mix bag as you would expect with limited time and budget. Speaking of limited budget, this is reflected in the production value as well. It ranges from decent to questionable. Which bring us to the final point. It is a dubious decision to make this a court drama. The palace intrigue angle is old school and the tropey subplots are easy pickings but of questionable merits. The palace setting also necessitate more elaborate sets and fancier costumes. Monies which could have been spend more wisely.

The ending feels rushed and doesn’t gel with me. It is no surprised that she went back to the real world but is this a zero-sum game? What does it achieves? Who is the man at the final scene? Is he the King or the actor and why would he remember her? It is the tropey HEA ending we had to have but doesn’t deserve.

In the end, the show is short and watchable. There are fun and swoon-y moments. The bigger issues of inconsistent behaviours, muddled motivations and a somewhat wasted fish out of water setup kept it from reaching any real heights. The sleight-of-hand escape in the end is a cop out in my book. I needed some strong rose tinted glasses to enjoy this show. Peace out.

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Cinderella raises again, Mod Joseon© style.

This show started well. Feels like a bit of fast paced romp and the FL is a dynamo. A couple of tropey meet-cutes later and we are well on our way to a love triangle. The fact that the competing ML's are handsome is a definite bonus.

The first few episodes certainly lives up to the premise and it was loud and whacky with a good dose of irrelevancy. There is a mysterious dark plot involving the usual palace intrigue (is there any other type?).

I realised we have a bit of a problem around the half way mark though. We seemed to have run out of story. There has been confessions, kisses, murders and rejections. The antagonists are already known, and their motivation made obvious. Umm, that is supposed to happen later, right?

What we ended up with is a draggy middle. The love line got complicated but not in a good way. The antagonists play merry hell with our leads, but it is the same plot going around and around. It is watchable because the writer-nim planted swoon worthy moments here and there so that we are given little sugar hits. Even so, it doesn't totally distract us from some awkward narrative. The inconsistent tone and pacing makes the Show feel out of sort. It is now leaning much more towards a melodrama than before. Rose tinted glasses are firmly in place.

The energy level does pick up somewhat towards the end. The queen selection process is interesting if a bit stilted. Finally, the main plot reach its conclusion. There was not a lot of surprises, but the resolution is satisfying.

Soon enough, the HEA ending slots into place, and we give thanks. Speaking of the ending, the final episode is total fan service. It was high-jinks all the way. No holds barred. It was so kooky that at one point, the show include scenes shot tiktok style and employed various modern motifs. That is most unexpected and immersion breaking. Some might think that the show has "lost the plot". It is entertaining if you roll with it but it is also a little jarring and breaks stride from much that went before. The ending is certainly filled with feel good moments. It is hard not to spark joy after watching that. :)

In terms of acting, the FL carried the Show. She is the focal point and she gave us her all. The ML's are mostly in her support. They do have the occasional dramatic or heartfelt scenes which are appreciated.

Consider the show is only 12 episodes long, I was hoping for a more intricate and novel plot. There are odd flashes of originality but the bulk of it is based on yet another retelling of the Cinderella trope. It is entertaining and watchable but it fails to reached its full potential.

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