Zogitt

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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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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I loved it. I loved it a little less. I liked it a lot.

I know this is one of the biggest hit of 2026 and there are already hundreds of reviews here so I shall not waste my time with another regulation review. This is more a collection of my thoughts after completion.

1) the production value is S class. They created a whole wintery village, which is admirable. They made good use of it too. However, this is a double-edged sword. Fully half of the show was set in this village. This means so much of the early plots are small town shenanigans. This is fine early on, it helps to set the scene and introduce characters, but as the clock ticked on, we know the bigger picture stuff needs to kick in. It does test our patience a bit.

2) This drama is quite graphic. There are so much death and destructions, including the wholesale massacre of innocent people and it is on full display. Once the war is joined, we have even more bloodshed. There are also random tortures and beatings. You have been warned.

3) the narrative in the last third of the show is messy. Yes, there is the overarching revenge plot spanning 17 years. I get that. It is the telling of it which seems to flag towards the end. It is functional but felt loose. Many threads must come together at one crucial point. It could have been a grand conflagration, yet it felt ho hum.

4) as an addendum to (3), the ending is contrived. Yes, everything worked out and we got the happy ending we wanted. It just doesn't feel right in its historical context. Ask no questions, Ancient Chinese scholars.

5) the romance of our leads was very slow going for the longest time. It is swoon-y as both characters are secretly falling in love, they just can't admit it. There is a lot of "will they, won't they" moments. It didn't pick up the pace until the last few eps and then it was full on. ;)

6) there has been some chatter about our leads not being martial enough. I get that. The FL spent much of her career playing cute, feisty girl. Ditto, the ML is much more the scholar type. He even plays that role in the first half of this drama, and he totally nailed it. In their defence, the production did try to make them look good via clever editing, stunt doubles and CGI. It is a costume idol drama. Enough said. ;)

7) related to (6), some of the battle scenes are very well done. They do look epic. Interestingly, a lot of the scene are focused on the FL to establish her credential. I won't say the ML is MIA, his involvement does not always translate into combat though. More the slow-mo ride to battle in full armour type. Much of the large scale battle scenes are replaced by smaller brawls as the plot moves back towards political intrigues.

8) I enjoyed this show. When it works, it is great. It is not my favourite costume idol drama though. It wants to be different, but ends up being fairly tropey.

9) peace.

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To protect is to . . .

Sageuk dramas can be very formulaic. This one seemed to be poured from the same mould at first glance. Palace intrigue, evil minister and a tragic love story. Check, check and check!

If this drama has a theme then it is the protection of . . things. From the whole kingdom down to individuals. You will hear the word "protect" used more and more as the show progresses. It is the overarching motivation of so many characters. There are painful choices and sacrifices. This resulted in lots of unhappy and vengeful people. Heavy plots abound.

It lightened up a bit when we meet the FL. She is casted as a resourceful traveling merchant. She is all singing and all dancing. It can be a little uncanny when she is up to her trademark mischief, my mind kept overlaying this role with her modern ones. It does settles down after awhile.

On the other hand, the ML, as the Crown Prince, is the polar opposite. He is pretending to be a frivolous dandy while dying slowly inside. He is a patient man, he has been plotting his revenge for 5 years. He thought he has lost the love of his life and then found her again. It gets complicated . . very complicated. 

So far so sageuk. If I'm honest, the first half of the show is largely on rails. A grab bag of tropey subplots. It is fun to watch our leads' fall in love all over again. The plot bounces around the usual push-pull and dating shenanigans. Then it got magical, literally.

If the typical palace intrigue is not complicated enough, the writer-nim inserted the OG God of Love into the plot. This is a double edged sword. It allows the drama to deploy fantastical devices like soul swapping. It also provides the show with the ultimate get-out-of-jail card. This can makes it hard to take the serious storyline seriously. The tone can shift with little warning, for better or for worse.

As expected, the storyline is very busy by mid show. Most drama will be happy to run with this all the way to the finale. Our writer-nim said nix to that. He gave us the ultimate twist that started decades ago and technically tied the whole shebang together. I'm not going to spoil it for you. Whether you rejoice or facepalm after the revelation is up to you. I won't judge. ;)

Regardless, the chemistry of our leads is good. They have some very emotional scenes. As usual, the romantic plots have to fight with the angsty ones for attention. When the ML soul swapped with the FL, he has to overlay her mannerisms onto his. He got good at this towards the end. It can be quite uncanny. On the other hand, the FL is less successful. I suppose acting like a macho Crown Prince largely comes down to the swagger. ;)

OBTW, there is a 2CP and they are quite nice, but their romance is very fraught. The 2FL has an exquisite visual. Dare I call it elvish?

The show has issues though. There is a lot of expositions when all the key characters are trying to get on the same page. It can get a bit draggy when the viewer is already up to date. The show rewind everything to the beginning so that we are in no doubt what happened. Of course, this led to another round of expositions between characters. In that sense, the world seems to shrink rather than expands.

While this series is hardly a comedy, they did try to inject some humour. It is a bit of hit and miss . . at least they tried. Most support characters are from central casting. None of these are hanging offences, but not helpful either.

Another thing that k-dramas don't do well is epic scenes. For instance, the antagonist stormed the palace with his private army and it was about 20 men all told. He was supposed to be building this "army" for years. It wasn't badly done but it is hardly epic when compared to similar c-dramas.

Overall, it is not a bad series. The cast made it watchable. The fantasy element gave it a fresh coat of paint. Your mileage will differ depending on your expectations. I do find the OST excellent though, especially the theme song which is in the Pansori style. It is an instant earworm. 

This series is decent, the romance is sweet. It just needed something extra to elevates it to classic status. I won't be rewatching it any time soon. The last EP is an easily digestible chunk of fan service so that is an option. Peace.

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A flame that burns twice as bright makes everything else seems dull

Doona is my definition of a Traffic Show. Bae Suzy has the titular role and all the marketing is focused on her. It is to be expected if you need to generate as much traffic as possible. This it succeeded, but it also sabotage itself.

Doona is a difficult person to deal with because she has little life experience. She has questionable interpersonal skills and has no filters. Knowing the idol industry, the bulk of her young life would be consumed by training and “being” an idol. This exerts a heavy toll on her health, both mental and physical. It is no surprise that she feels like she is drowning just before her breakdown.

Instead of giving her help and guidance, her manager dumped her in a share house full of college students. This is particularly heartless because he knew she has a crush on him. Is this tough love or punishment, you be the judge.

The start of the show sees our ML moving into the same share house. The ML is stoic and studious. Dull to be honest but he is just the rock Doona needs to anchor herself at this point in time. The start of their relationship is certainly tremulous. Doona holds all the cards. Teased and played him mercilessly. However, over time, she accepts his presence and let her guards down bit by bit. It took a while, but they sort out their confused feelings eventually.

All is well until the manager re-enters the scene. This is not a total surprise because the show hinted strongly that Doona needs to perform to feel alive. She has been channelling her energy into her love life but it is obvious that she can't be a housewife nor hold down a desk job.

I must admit I was worried about the manager’s role as she still has a crush on him and his influence on her is overwhelming. This was confirmed by the scene at the grandmother’s house. I understand why the writer-nim wrote it that way but I do wonder if it can be done better. I'm glad that Doona soon realised that the manager was only using her and ended her crush. However, more storm clouds are gathering.

For a nine episodes run, you would think that there is no shortage of plot materials but the A-plot is so focused on Doona that everything else seems to pale by comparison.

For instance, the ML has 3 separate romantic entanglements in three different stages of his life. The show managed to get all 3 girls to live in the same share house at the same time. You would think that there will be fireworks, but it is quite the contrary.

Both SFL’s have their backstories but they have very little impact on the A-plot. His high school crush should play a key role but by the time we find out about her troubled upbringing and her eventual confession to the ML, it was all too late. She just can’t compete with Doona. Ditto, the other housemates did little more than move the plot along when needed.

That is a shame because Doona is not as captivating as the show would've liked. Yes, Bae Suzy owns the role but her performance can be a bit stilted at times. She has her moments and some scenes are artsy and beautiful, but I won't call it a breakout role.

The same goes for the ML. He is laser focused on his studies and entering the coveted public service. He loves on cue and cries on cue. He plays the noble idiot card and made both of them suffer for years. He even acknowledged that. It is not a strong role. His delivery can feel flat at times. More than once I was willing him to do more, anything.

Now we arrive at the tricky part, the ending. There has been some chatter about whether the OTP reconciled or are they estranged? The show did not give us a definitive answer. However, the following is my take and I’ll die on that hill. ;)

Before I watch the last few minutes of the finale, I would've said that they are done. Both are in pain, but they are getting on with their lives. HOWEVER, after watching the emotionally charged scene in his room my view changed. He apologized without hesitation. He said everything she wanted to hear and more. They both knew that their love each other hasn’t changed. They hugged it out like desperate people clinging to a life preserver. You can't tell me that they walked away as strangers after that.

Yes, of course, anything is possible, but I would prefer to believe that they have learnt their lesson and reconciled. I'm not sure if it is all hush-hush but they can pursue their own goals and live parallel lives like some celebrities and their SO's. They love each other dearly and they will make it work.

BTW, the last scene is ambiguous but it is literally a chance meeting. She looked back because she knew he will be in Japan (as couples do). It wasn't a wistful look. The nonchalance could signal a deliberate separation of their public and private life. It is a "I see you" moment and that’s enough.

I have no doubt it will be the trending show for a while, the hype around Bae Suzy will guarantee that. It is watchable but not amazing. The swoon worthy moments are worth the price of admission. Peace out.

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This urban fairytale needs to come with a health warning

This show may not be a great drama, but it is a good textbook rom-com. It is totally divorced from reality and its characters are distillations of the classic Cinderella trope. It ticked all the boxes with workman like efficiency. Whether you love or hate this show will largely dependent on how much sugar you can handle before going into diabetic coma. DO NOT watch this show if any of the previous words is a trigger for you. You have been warned.

From start to finish, the show is an escapist fare. You have to accept this to enjoy it to the fullest. Hence the following checklist;
• Industrial strength rose tinted glasses ✓
• Left brain - disengaged ✓
• Comfortable loungewear ✓
• A tub of ice cream and 1 spoon ✓✓

To review this show as a serious drama is pointless. The performances are decent but most characters are one dimensional. There are many swoon worthy moments and a decent amount of skinship. Most of them centred around expensive and beautiful set pieces. Everything has been polished to a high gloss. Nothing is left to chance. It is the equivalent of a glamorous coffee table magazine.

Speaking of a glossy mag, this show also has product advertisements. So much PPL! Obviously expensive brands are prominently featured but wait, we can do a tin of paint as well. Oh, you want something bigger? Let's write a whole episode selling Bangkok and then continue to sell other Thai products in the next episode as well. It got to the point that I counted 11 PPL's in the last episode and that is not including a few implied ones.

However, all this PPL pales into insignificance when you consider the shiniest product on display, Mr Lee Jun-Ho. He is always impeccably dressed and groomed . A three-piece suit is his weapon of choice. It is cut so sharply that he should be declared a lethal weapon. The ML doesn’t carry the show, he IS the show. There are so many close up of him looking handsome, dashing, smouldering, sexy . . This is how you market a celeb, baby.

On the other hand, the FL only have a few glam moments. Most of the time she lives in his shadow, and she is almost always in uniform or loungewear. She plays the supporting role well. However, he is the Prince to our Cinderella. He literally comes to her rescue more than once.

While the ML is flying high in the business world, her goals are much more modest. It is a little unfair when you consider how capable she is suppose to be. It is further exacerbated by the ML pulling off win after win with ease and what appears to be minimal efforts.

The rest of the support cast is straight out of central casting. The ubiquitous BFFx2, sidekick secretary, executive yes-men, etc. The one antagonist is low impact and achieved little. Side plots are inconsequential and only serve to take up the slack. There is growth in some characters, but they are totally predictable and all paths lead to . . . the Happy Ever After Ending or HEAE™.

In fact, there are so many feel good moments in the last episode that it should come with a health warning. It is serious sugar overload. Every side plot is tied off with a huge pink bow and the thundering herd of unicorns are on drugs. Redemptions are handed out like free samples at the supermarket. There is no point in being judgey because this show exists in its own fairytale universe. All is well in this corner of dramaland.

You can certainly rewatch a few episodes on a rainy weekend and it will make you happy. Don’t expect to be touch in the heart but your dopamine level will rise. I did groan a few times early on before I gave up the fight and attack the ice cream instead and got comfy in my loungewear. If you can't beat them, join them with gusto is my motto!

P.S. I got to get my hands on that portable BBQ set. It is spiffing!

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Watchable noona romance saddled with a lazy, transparent script

On the positive side, this drama has a decent cast, and you can't fault the visuals of the OTP. On top of that, the CP has good chemistry, some sweet swoon worthy moments and a decent amount of skinship. It is also relatively low angst and has no silly breakups. The two secondary couples are fine and did their duties occupying some of the screen time.

To distinguish itself from similar shows, the OTP are step siblings, but not blood related. I don't have any issue with that but some might.

Now we need to look at the other side of the ledger. What stood out for me is the lazy and transparent writing. This is evident right from the start. For instance, the ML recognised the FL immediately at the start of the show but pretended not to. The FL was clueless which was odd because she has been living with his mum for years. It is true that he has been studying and working overseas for some time but why doesn’t his mum have any recent photos of him at home or on her phone? No video calls, ever? Sure, it sets up the meet-cute but if you pause for 2 seconds you can see how problematic that is.

The show is also prone to parachute in characters and plots just because it can. The 3FL(Xia Xiaomian) is a young adult just arrived in a major city with no relatives nor friends, but she magically knew where the ML lives and latched onto him. I do find it a bit farfetched for c-drama.

The script writer likes to telegraph plot development way in advance as well. The FL has a boyfriend but he has to become the EX-boyfriend for the show to progress. To pave the way, we were presented with a laundry list of hints why they are incompatible. We have the co-worker who became a trophy wife but is treated more like a servant and her husband is a womaniser. Ouch! The BF shows up time and again with flowers even though the FL is allergic to them, and she told him so. Consider they have been together for 4 years; you’d think he should know. Similarly, she is portrayed as an ambitious career woman and all he talked about are his goals and how she can quit work and be a good housewife and so on. Was it a big surprise that she ditched him?

All the secondary CP’s are preordained. Yes, there are the usual push-pulls and misunderstandings, but their love lines are on rails. It is all nicely done but it is hardly original.

The pacing of this show is languid. Most plot developments are clearly sign posted in advance. The dreaded mid show drag is real and its length can do with a decent pruning.

The ending with the actors talking about love and how it relates to their characters is nice but is that a sign that they have run out of material and needed fillers?

Acting is mostly fine. Some roles like the FL’s father is very stereotypical. The younger actors is a bit rough around the edges but they earned their keeps. The FL did a lot of the heavy lifting, but it is hardly a breakout role. The ML is nice and handsome, but his delivery seemed a little stilted.

All in all, it is a decent rom-com. Its straightforward plots and low angst makes for easy viewing. There are better noona romances out there, such as My Fated Boy, so it is not high on my rewatch list.
OST is serviceable, nice but generic.

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It might be unrealistic but the story will buoy you up

I do find some Japanese dramas tend to be quirky and larger than life. This show is definitely quirky and not very realistic but it was just so sweet, fun and swoon worthy. It is also short so that there is no drag and the pacing is spot on.
The premise of the show is simple. A young girl was smitten by a doctor after a chance meeting. She decided that she will become a nurse just so that she can pursuit him romantically. After a few years of hard work, she graduated and managed to get posted to the same hospital as a junior nurse. At first the cold and aloof doctor only see a silly young nurse who confessed to him on her first day at a new job. Over time, he saw her better side and fell in love. Oh boy, when he fell in love, he was a smouldering hot mess!
Yes, the story is tropey and there were more than a decent serving of clichés but the story was so uplifting, warm-hearted and the emotions were so pure and strong that you just have to hang on for the ride. The acting was good from everyone and you can't help but fell in love with the feisty FL. Speaking of the FL, instead of just being a bumbling damsel, she actually grew and became an excellent nurse and admired by everyone. The ML, on the other hand, changed from a cold and prefectist doctor to be a sweet and hot blooded lover. His confession scene when the FL was injured was so touching and heartfelt. Swoon!
Some will find it too sweet but give it a go before judging it. Highly recommended for anyone who likes a good rom-com.

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Draggy drama with ambiguous characters and an obtuse A-plot

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate this show. It is acceptable both in terms of acting and production value. However, the longer I watch this show, the more frustrated and dejected I feel. This is rare for me and I can only put it down to the script.

The start of the show is engaging. A struggling FL who seems to get the raw end of the stick no matter how hard she tries. She ran into a super handsome ML by accident. He is totally out of her league and yet they are oddly attracted to each other. The chemistry of our leads is undeniable. Throw in a centuries old curse and a mysterious spell book and we should have an intriguing and engaging story. Unfortunately, the show drags out the plot to the point of exhaustion. To add to our woes, the A-plot is obtuse. Most characters are ambiguous and lack depth.

The show spends so much time on the ML and whether he is under a love spell or not in the early episodes. I don’t blame them because they obviously want to capitalise on his visuals and he acts so cute, but it does wear thin after a while. BTW, is the FL also cursed because by all accounts she is smart, diligent and sweet, yet she just can’t win a trick. It doesn’t make sense. They are trapped in narrative purgatory by mid show.

On the other hand, some behaviours are too predictable. The two-timing girlfriend of the ML (SFL) steadfast refuses to breakup with the ML for the most selfish reasons. The longer it drags on, the more toxic it becomes. Then we have the SML who rejected the FL even though he knew she has a crush on him. He then flips 180 degrees and chase after the FL even though he knew that the FL is in love with the ML by then. Forget couple therapy, the show needs therapy. It got to the point that the FL said on multiple occasions that she is so confused. So are we, sister, so are we.

Storylines from other shows might shuffle back and fore, but this show elevates it to an art form. The various plots just circles each other like a swarm of bees. A case in point, the ML finally confessed in the middle of ep.9 but the ML’s behaviour at work totally confused the FL but he never explains himself. Then the SML confessed in ep.10 which clears the air, NOT! We finally see the OTP’s first kiss at the end of ep.10 but the romantic spell is immediately broken by the reappearance of the ancient curse. It is unrelenting. We don’t even get to enjoy one tiny sugar hit.

Throw in an evil antagonist who appears to lust after the FL for no apparent reason and then teams up with the SFL to sabotage the OTP with glee. At first, I was baffled by his ability to put a curse on the OTP but then I have a lightbulb moment which took the wind out of this sail.

What I realised is that all the main characters are retracing events from their past lives. It is not just the OTP but every key characters. The SML was probably an acquaintance of the ML who has a crush on the FL but missed his chance. The SFL was likely to be a daughter of a rich family who got betrothed to the ML and then play merry hell with the OTP once she was rejected. If we play by the rules then the antagonist would be an evil shaman or a local magistrate who lust after the FL, etc. Mayhap he cursed the OTP like he did in the present and brought about their ultimate demise.

If this comes to pass, then the remaining episodes should see all the key players fulfil their destiny. This will necessitate even more troubles and angst for our OTP until we arrive at the final confrontation with the antagonist. A HEA ending will require the curse to be lifted and the evil doers getting their just desserts. It will give me no joy if my prognostication comes true.

This show is not without merits but for each nice moment, there are two negative ones. It really tested my patience. Hence without further ado, I shall bid our handsome ML and long-suffering FL adieu for now. I might revisit this show after it finishes its run.

Oh, if you are still reading. Production quality is fine, OST is decent. Rewatch? You jest.

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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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It does get better . . trust me

This series doesn’t have a very convincing start. There is a lot to digest in the opening minutes. It does have the hallmarks of a rom-com, just a bit lopsided. A lot of that comes down to the interaction between the leads. The FL is awkward and a bit high strung when we first meet her. The ML is handsome as ever, but there is a certain weariness about him. The rom-com setup is there. The FL is sending out signals; the ML is not receiving. It all fades away like a dream.

When our leads meet again, the FL is now an accidental superstar. She was the lead in a low budget zombie slasher flick. The fact that she was in a coma for 6 months while the world go crazy about her character is macabre and delicious. Their meeting on the set of an international dating/travel show is awkward to say the least.

To say the FL is totally unprepared for her newfound fame is an understatement. She defaults to a nice grey persona. Everyone identifies her with her zombie character, Do Ra-mi and not as the actor herself.

The ML is not in a good place either. His crush is about to become his sister-in-law. The appearance of the FL only reminded him of the past.

Let's just say the drama gods have their last laughs when his crush arrives at the filming location as the new PD for the dating show. He also finds out she broke up with his brother. What does this all mean?

Into this witches' brew enters the SML. A self-centred Japanese movie star. At first, he thinks the FL is nothing more than a C grade starlet who got lucky. While the actor is handsome, he is set up to fail. There is little doubt the romantic scenes are staged. The SML eventually falls for the FL and create a love triangle . . of sorts.

The reason for the rickety love triangle is largely due to the extreme push-pull between our OTP. Their relationship is nebulous. The FL is too weak to do anything other than watch the ML wistfully. The ML kept the FL at arm's length as he has too many emotional baggage to move forward.

I suppose this is where the whole translating love motif kicks into high gear. There are so many miscommunications. It is not so much failure to launch, but failure to communicate. You can only go so far with yes/no/thank you.

All that changed when the FL's Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) came to the fore as she takes on the persona of Do Ra-mi whenever she is under stress. This allows the meek FL to let it all hang out. Minimum self-control, maximum impact. The ML is the usual target of this human tsunami. Initially, he was overwhelmed, yet he could not help but be drawn to her.

The swoon worthy moments and skinship blossoms in the last few eps once all the misunderstandings are cleared away. It is a good thing, but I think the hands of the writer is doing all the heavy lifting. It is obvious that this is the One True Way if we are to get the HEA ending. It just feels a bit too "convenient" at times.

In terms of acting, the FL did good. The meek FL role is standard issue. She shines when she morphs into Do Ra-mi. She is obviously much livelier and more emotional charged. Those are precious moments that truly lifts the show.

On the other hand, the ML feels stiff and tired for the first half of the drama. His trademark sparkle only appears after he tangles with Do Ra-mi. In that sense, she is his muse. He can finally counter her zaniness with his charm.

Now, the use of a mock dating show that doubles up as a travelogue is a double-edged sword in my book. The sceneries are beautiful and iconic. There is a feeling of chicken or the egg.

Obviously, a dating show must build up the romance. Much of it feels staged as we know the FL’s heart is not in it. It even got a little painful towards the end when the SML makes a real confession to the FL only to be brushed aside as great acting. Ouch!

While the OTP's romance is almost operatic. The 2CP is cute and much more grounded. I ship them equally. They just feel right. No endless push-pulls and dramas. What little misunderstanding was quickly resolved. Nice.

In the end, I enjoyed this show. I don’t know if the international filming locations are necessary. I’m not complaining. They are beautiful sights, but they are competing for our attention and often winning. I don’t know if we need the mock dating show to push our leads together. The role of the SML is largely wasted. They used a lot of efforts on something that has minimal impact. There is also some controversy about the actor's background.

I'm also not a big fan of the cartoon-y scenes of her traumatic past. I understand that it is viewed from a little girl's perspective and it serves a purpose. The mental illness angle feels tropey and adds little to the conversation. This series did get better, but I don't think it quite reached its full potential. 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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Why? Just why?

Dear readers, this is not a proper review. More a mini rant. I do apologise.

After 9 eps, I'm done. I have given this series a fair go. I am satisfied that this show is pointless and has few redeeming features. I'll elaborate further.

It appears the writer-san wants to explore the notion that Japanese people don't take vacations and if they do, they don't know what to do with themselves.

Hence, our ensemble cast is so inept at such activities. They are making things up as they go and creating mayhem. Getting drunk and acting silly was a primary goal.

You can imagine this is rather threadbare for 4.5 hours runtime. Hence the introduction of the supernatural angle. If you think this is a quick fix then you will be disappointed. If anything, it opens up a Pandora's Box of confusion.

To wit, their version of the Grim Reaper acts like a spaced out goth country bumpkin(?!). He spends most of his time being a full-time caretaker of the villa. While every member of the ensemble is in the hyperactive, overacting mode, he is a metaphysical sloth. How can be this the Angel of Death? Why is Chae Jong Hyeop involved? Did he read the script?

If that is not enough, they also added a Sea God in EP.6. He spend all day fishing. Do all the demi-gods come here for a vacay?

Is this someone's vanity project? So much of the plots are like a potpourri of ideas. Random subplots just pops up and then disappears.

It would help if there is a throughline, but I saw none. I know they mentioned an extinction level event at the end of EP.1, but the A-plot pretty much ignored it. I'm getting a headache just from trying to decipher if subplots are nonsense or relevant.

This series could work if it is a total farce, but it is not. It is more like a collection of unrelated sketches. Moment to moment, can be mildly entertaining. Most of the time it is just cringey or awkward.

Don't get me wrong. Japanese are masters at exploring mundane and quirky situations. They are usually well crafted world populated by engaging characters. Just think of Studio Ghibli productions. This show is the opposite.

Here lies the conundrum. A show must hold your attention, otherwise any promise of wonderful things to come will ring hollow. It is not working here.

Life's too short. Peace.

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Jack of all trades, master of none

If you watched the show because of the official Netflix trailer, then you’d be in shock when you watched the first episode. It has some lighter moments but the bulk of that episode is dark, very dark. It is not until the FL leaves the island when the mood starts to lift but even then, there is a dark undertone that rears its ugly head from time to time and really hits some serious lows towards the end of the run. I’m not talking about drunkenness or bullying but multiple suicides, domestic violence and attempted murders. It is no joke.

Here lies the main problem of this show. The premise of a teenage girl surviving by herself on a deserted island for 15 years is fantastic and if they play it purely as an escapist fair it could work. You will have to suspend your disbelief but with the right cast and a good script, it has a lot of potential. However, like so many k-dramas of late, the writer-nim have to inject darkness into what could have been a light and breezy show.

On top of that, this show put the FL front and centre at the start of the show but then shift the focus onto to the older FL and that changes the tone and pacing of the show. I appreciate the importance of the old FL’s role in shaping the FL but her story as a faded star is much less engaging than the FL's. It is functional but it dips very close to a melodrama when it should have been uplifting and fun. It can hardly be called inspirational.

I understand some dramas are makjang by design while others are psycho thrillers but why do shows need to incorporate elements from several genres. Simplicity and a clear focus might deliver a better outcome. There is a throughline here but sometimes it fades or branches until you are not sure what is the A-plot anymore.

So if we pared back the plot to just the main theme regarding the rescue of the FL and her eventual rise to stardom, it is actually good and wholesome fun. Park Eun-bin played the role with heart. She can be naive one moment and glamorous the next but you can relate to her. Even the simple love story of Mok Ha and Bo Geol is sweet and heartfelt. That makes the padding out of the story feels all the more unnecessary. There is more than enough fuel for a decent 12 episodes run. Rather than watching the growth of the FL into a diva, we ended up with multiple threads pulling in different directions and by the time the spotlight is back on the FL, it is a done deal. We see very little of her “struggles”.

Is it an enjoyable watch? Yes, mostly but it could have been better. As a social commentary, it is stilted and heavy handed. As a fantasy, it feels hemmed in. The constant juxtaposition between the horror of domestic violence and light, uplifting moments can be jarring. Neither theme is helped by the other. It is like watch an unicorn frolicking in the meadows except it also breaths fire and has glowing red eyes!

OBTW, there are moments when I see glimpses of Attorney Woo when the FL looks a certain way. Uncanny. OST is FAB. I believe PEB sang some of the songs. That’s impressive.

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Sweet quasi-fantasy healing drama improves over time

This Show works because of three things. Firstly, a well crafted script that is tropey but self aware enough to know not to pile on the clichés but works with the tropes instead. Secondly, the casting of the leads is perfect. The FL has done her fair share of dramas but her forte is a sassy girl with a heart of gold but a novice in love. She definitely has the titular role here. The ML is handsome with a bit of the bad boy vibe yet possessed enough vulnerability to make him likeable and relatable. Thirdly, the OTP has great chemistry. It is not just about the feels but they look comfortable and happy around each other so that you can believe that they are best friends as well as madly in love.

I would have given this show an even higher score but for a few missteps. The start of the show is a bit weak and tropey. They steamrolled through a few plot holes to set up the main plot. It is just as well that the show improves as the story progresses or it would have been just another same-same quasi-fantasy rom-com. The fact that the show evolved into a poignant healing drama was unexpected and most welcomed. The production value is decent rather than high. Some of the set do look a bit low rent. 

There is a lot of growth in the OTP but surprisingly, the 2OTP was the CP dragging their heels. Their development was definitely arrested and to be honest, a bit boring.

I think the FL really shines in this show. She displayed good emotional range and much of it feels genuine. Her interactions with the ML becomes more and more natural over time. The ML complimented her very well. Their swoon worthy moments are believable and even touching at times.

Of course, the fantasy element can complicate the plot but rather than just simply telling us to ask no questions because it is a fairy tale, the Show tries to give us a plausible explanation and a path forward. I appreciate that.

The last episode is total fan service and I really enjoyed it. The special speech in that episode was wonderful. I don't know if it was all scripted or some of it was ad-libbed but it feels natural, heartfelt and funny. Can't really ask for more.

The Show is sweet but not loaded with artificial sweeteners. It has a decent amount of skinship and it will lift your mood. . There are angsty bits but they are necessary to propel the story forward. Thankfully, there are no silly breakups, nasty parents or psycho ex's.

OST works well. Rewatch is not a chore. I would recommend this Show.

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