Zogitt

This drama pulls no punches

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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This drama is stuck in purgatory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Stop reading reviews. Just go and watch it!

A cursory check indicates that there are 50 pages of review on this drama to date so I shall not waste bandwidth in a detailed review but just provide a few succinct observations.

To put it bluntly, this is an amazing healing drama. The setting, the story (and I mean story, not plot) and the acting from the ensemble cast are all superb. Our leads will make you swoon, laugh and cry.

However, this show is not for everyone. The presentation of mental health issues and persons with disabilities are subject matters fraught with challenges. Productions will never get it just "right". It is your own interpretation and your call. I respect that.

Ditto, the storytelling will be polarising as well. The setting is not strongly rooted in reality so there are times when you feel like you are watching a story within a story. Your mileage will differ.

There are some wrinkles in the plot. They are minor and might induce an occasional "eh?". The more you immerse into their world, the less you'd care.

Somehow I missed this show when it first aired. Better late than never! I can recommend this show unreservedly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lies, damned lies and couple therapy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Solid female centric drama that fell short of being great

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Speaker for the Dead meets Rain Man

TL;DR: Move to Heaven is special, go watch it. We need season two. Now.

The longer version: Let's try to keep it short before it turns into a postgrad thesis.

MtH doesn't hit dramatic highs but it works slowly and steadily to breakdown your emotional defence until you can't help but be touched by the many emotional moments presented by the show. On the other hand, it is not a non-stop tear jerker either. How the narratives affects you will depend on your background and your EQ. Have tissues handy, you have been warned.

It tells simple stories of people who have passed away and became clients of this specialist cleaning company. Each short story was handled touchingly and delicately. Their lives seemed mundane on the surface but that was the whole point of the show. These cleaners do more than just clean and pack up the belongings of the deceased. The father and son team have the knack of seeing beyond the flotsam and jetsam of a person's life and see some of their essences and what was their last unfinished task. Their goal is to try to complete that task on their behalf and bring closure to people closest to them, in a sense, they are the speakers for the dead. Along the way, the show touched on many societal ills such as domestic violence, bullying, elderly neglect, etc. They are not unique to Korea but they are certainly prevalent.

The show is almost perfect but not quite. The writer can be too clever and withheld information from the viewers and then did the big reveal and tell you what the clue was after the fact. Most of the heavy lifting was done by the young ML who has Asperger's but also a savant . While he is surrounded by a very supportive found family, they don't seem to do a lot other than bicker among themselves or provide the contrary views to move the plot along and for which the ML debunks as par for the course. It is not quite an ensemble cast in that sense. The uncle's cage fighting and back story added a nice action component and complexity to his character. However, some misunderstanding that lasted for years was too easily resolved in the end.

Speaking of back stories. The show was arranged sort of back to front so the show started with the forced cohabitation of basically strangers and the second half of the show revealed their complicated back stories via lots of flash backs (have tissues handy) and explained how their lives were changed. It worked quite well but the problem we have here is that the show felt like it came a full circle and then it ended. If it was the standard 16 episodes, it could have ended properly. In the 10 episodes we got, we got revelations, character growth, some closures and everything was in place for the show to go forward but it just stopped. There were hints of budding romances, the cleaning company was finally on solid footings, an antagonist that was set for revenge, even a curious new job offered in the dying minutes of the show. If that does not hint at a second season I don't know what does. Please, please give us another season. We besiege you, Old Mighty Netflix!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Weaponised cluelessness

Final Edit: I got up to ep.22 and gave up. I skip-watched to the end and the 1OTP's confession happened 5 mins before the end credit rolls. We did not get one kiss, nay, not even a hug out of them. Enough said.

~~~~~~~My original Review~~~~~~~
I was going to write a review after I finish this series, but after watching 20 eps, I'm sorely tested. Hence a half way review just in case . . ;)

First of all, your enjoyment of this drama will be very subjective. If you are in the right demographic and/or fans of the stars, your journey will be much more enjoyable. Otherwise, caveat emptor, my friend.

This show is a youth/idol romance drama set in a college. The characters are supposed to be in their early 20s, yet the actors are closer to 30 in RL. They did ok most of the time but don't look too closely.

The A-plot is straightforward enough. We have 3 CP's. They are pre-ordained yet most are blissfully unaware. Some are outright frenemies. Others are crushes that need to be cultivated and ascend to the next level. The FL's are more aware of their feelings and what they want.

This is where the weaponised cluelessness comes in. Most ML's are looking for the light switch in a dark room when it comes to their feelings. Let alone the FL's. This is after 20 eps. (Sigh)

This is even more egregious for our 1OTP. I know the 1ML is tall and handsome but he is charmless. He has zero EQ and -100 points in social skills. Is he on the spectrum? He would literally tell you he is watching you because you are ugly and he wants to add an ugly character to his manhua.

BTW, he has been pigeonholed into drawing shàonǚ manhua, ha ha! Most of the comedy comes from his ham-fisted attempt to do research among his college cohorts.

Don't get me wrong, there are cute and funny moments but there are plenty of cringey and awkward ones as well. Same old gags are on repeat. These are low hanging fruits.

This extends to the multiple love lines. There is a lot of misunderstandings, confusion and outright ignorance. All the usual tropes get an airing.

Our FL is constantly yo-yoing between despair and hopefulness. I share her pain. I seriously question why she has such a huge crush on the ML. He is not so much a blank canvas but Teflon coated. Every overture from her is deflected. Sure, he cares for her but he would do the same for a stray cat.

Similar situations confront our other two CP's. They are clueless or in denial after 20 eps. Is that cute or painful to watch? You decide.

I know most of the reviews are positive and I can see why. It is angst lite and easy to watch. I enjoyed seeing a manhua being created.

The show is watchable, but 33 eps is a stretch. Every trick are used to stretch the thin plot. IMHO, it'd work better if it is tighter and shorter.

Now let's talk about the bread and butter stuff;
1) there are a lot of overacting. They are playing for laughs after all.
2) it is less acting than roleplaying archetypes. Bumbling, domineering, shy, take your pick. Most characters are one dimensional.
3) costume is casual college chic. Except the FL who is always well presented but I can't shake the Lolita vibe.
4) the OST is serviceable.

I'm trying to finish the show but the crystal ball is murky. I'll update as I progress or . . not. Peace.

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The Noble Idiot trope needs to die!

If I'm honest, this show is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde for me. I think this is due to a mix of script and production issues. Let's break this down.

First of all, the Thailand location, fight club and street racing are largely set dressing. The show does include some nefarious plots that might not go down well with censors. Being set in Bangkok allows them to play the NIMBY game. The real A-plot is the OTP's romance.

Before we start, I have a confession. I'm not a big fan of Esther Yu. As far as I'm concerned, this show is tailor-made for her. She did good. Having said that, some of her antics can be annoying. The good outweighs the bad.

The ML is handsome with a strong bad boy vibe. He is a street fighter/boy racer hybrid. You won't see many young idols being able to pull this off convincingly. Kudos to him.

The FL calls the ML her brother, but they are not blood related. They did grow up in the same household. Their dynamics changed fairly quickly after they reconnect.

They got separated when the FL's parents divorced and the boy went to Thailand with the dad. The man remarried and had another daughter. His current wife is a kind hearted woman and the little girl is cute. Their story is perfunctory though.

In a similar vein, the fight club stuff and some of the street racing are there to add colour and grit to the ML's backstory. The races are fast and furious. However, most of them are computer generated and repetitive. It does the job. The plot moves along and the ML gets in harm's way constantly.

BTW, I'm sure most of the show is shot in China. Some B-rolls and key scenes were shot on location.

As if on cue, the dreaded mid show break-up with bonus Noble Idiocy hit us, hard. I know he loves her deeply and he always has her wellbeing at the forefront of his mind, but to break up at that juncture when she was so vulnerable is just cruel. It is the textbook definition of a Noble Idiot.

He even told the FL after they reconciled that he just wants her to be happy. The FL has the perfect comeback. She told him that she can never be happy without him. Zing!

What is worse is they were separated for SIX years. I can accept 6 months. I get that he was making long term plans and recovering from his injuries, but that will be for naught if the FL falls in love with someone else. What happens if she is seriously ill and he is not by her side?

The writer tries to explain it all away by having everything falls into place magically. She also drops us into one of the sweetest and most romantic storyline in recent memory. Yes, I have watched enough dramas to know that we need angst and dramatic tension, but I think it could have been done better. All his mates chastised him. Calling him out for pushing her away and making unilateral decisions. It is angst for angst sake.

The writer knows full well how people should behave. For instance, the partner of the FL's mother promptly married her even though she told him they should break up because of her heart condition. Good on ya, Chris. The wife of the FL's alcoholic father is a saint. She stood by him through thick and thin. So why can't the FL be trusted? To just blame the ML's stubbornness is fairly self serving. I am annoyed that the writer displays such double standards.

The only reason I can think of is so that they can stretch the show to 29 eps. Am I too cynical?

I know this review sounds negative. In fact, I actually quite enjoyed this series. My Romance Tragic half loved it. The Rational Critic side wants a quiet word with the writer in a dark alley. ;) I am frustrated that a very good show got dragged down by some questionable narratives.

I know it will sound crazy, but I would seriously suggest you watch the first few eps to get your bearings and work out who's who. Then skip to EP.22 and watch to the end. You won't miss much.

These last few eps are really the heart and soul of this drama. All the swoon worthy moments. Skinship that feels natural. Everything you need in a romance drama are lovingly curated in a neat package. The rest are fillers.

To say I'm conflicted is an understatement. When it is good, it is AMAZING. Some production issues and rehashing of old tropes did drag the show down a bit. It could have been the best drama of 2025. It was THAT close. Peace.

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Beer and chicken, anyone?

My ears perks up whenever Seo In Guk is mentioned in relation to a new drama. I still remember his lead role in Shopaholic Louis. I can't say some of his recent dramas are to my taste. This office rom-com seems to tick all the boxes.

The show starts with our FL working her mandatory hours and not one minute more. Her nickname is clock-out fairy. She is smart and competent but she is sick and tired of her abusive and useless supervisor. Her goal is to be as grey as possible during business hours. Her career has effectively stalled and she doesn't care. She is happy to enjoy some beer and chicken at home after work.

Her work life was turned upside down when a handsome manager returns from overseas. His style is controversial. He is hated by his peers because he won't play politics nor lord over his staff.

She really took a leap into the unknown when she decides to join his new task force to integrate AI into home appliances. She thinks she has nothing to lose. How wrong is she!

I won't bore you with the office politics and business shenanigans. Let's just say most of the angst came from that quarter, both within and without the company.

While the business ideas are interesting, it is more a distraction. We are here for our OTP's romance, not smart ovens.

In that regard, the writer-nim doesn't make it easy for us. There are lots of push-pulls and stone walling from the FL. As it is customary with this type of office romance, the ML has a cold demeanour, but he is secretly carrying the torch. The ML is a perfect gentleman and gave the FL plenty of space.

The FL spends a long time vacillating though. Those eps are probably the weakest. We can see where the show needs to go, but the FL is not playing ball. This can be frustrating as forward moment stalls.

She overcomes her hesitation and indecision eventually. The show literally turns a new leaf. There are some nice skinship and swoon-y moments. They do make a good looking couple. Their chemistry is more cosy than red hot.

Our leads face many challenges after they went public. I'm glad the writer-nim heard my prayers. Our leads are allowed to confront them while standing shoulder-to-shoulder. This is the One True Way. Throw the kitchen sink at them by all means. Just let them fight as one. Don't use it as a lame excuse for a sneaky mid show break-up. Amen. 🙏

As I mentioned before, the pacing is slow and steady. I realise the series doesn't need to rush because it only need to go from A -> B instead of being sidetracked by all the filler subplots. This might be a deal breaker for you. I won't judge.

Once I accept our leads are not going to rush things, it becomes a more relaxed watch. This actually contrasted with the 2CP which is a noona romance. The second couple's romance is sweet and heartfelt, but definitely more volatile. I ship them wholeheartedly as well.

Technically, the parents of the FL is the 3CP. They bicker like any old couples. The wife kept asking for a divorce. Their last scene together is chef's kiss. Age did not weary them.

Now the nitty gritty stuff. Production value is good. OST is easy listening. Re-watch of the whole show is unlikely, but a highlight reel would not be a chore.

Overall, I like this show. There were shaky moments. It did win me over in the end. It is a satisfying few hours. Just like beer and chicken after a long day at the office. Cheers!

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There is experience and then there is EXPERIENCE!

I'm late to the party, but somehow this movie popped up on my suggestion list unprompted. I'm glad that it happened. I'm years late, but who's counting. ;)

If you just take the subject matter on face value, you might think the movie will be sentimental, maudlin and full of self-pity. There are elements of each yet the sum is far greater.

The start of the movie is almost like a mirror on the reality of many disabled person. They felt like they are invisible, protected by their friends/family, struggling to establish an identity. In this case, the plights of our FL is even more intense as her mother is super protective and her manga drawing talent has been subsumed by her collaborator.

While trying to break free of her one dimensional existence, she tries her hands on drawing hentai. Her initial submission was rejected because (cough) she has no relevant experience. While her concept and drawings are good, her intimate scenes are obviously illusionary. The editor kindly suggest that she should seek some (cough) experience before submitting again.

We watch as she took the advice to heart. She tries to discover her sexuality, and to a larger extent, her place in the world. What she wanted the most is to reconnect with her estranged father.

I'm not going to spoil the movie. You really need to experience it first hand. It is not an action packed story, but the plots move along at a steady pace.

There are lots of new experiences for her to take in. She encountered some shady people, but they are all decent folks. They live in the margins, but they won't take advantage of her. Is that realistic?

As if to test her determination, the FL and her impromptu helper traveled overseas. It is not easy and she went to locales with questionable infrastructures. Let's call it movie magic. Ask no questions, chingu.

In terms of acting, it is solid efforts from all involved. The star of the show is obviously the FL. If the main protagonist faces challenges, our RL actor have to climb mountains. Kudos to her and the production for making it happen.

I can ramble on, but seeing this came out in 2019, it is diminishing return.

In the end, this is a good, heartfelt movie. The sensitive subjects are handled well. There is no grandstanding nor shaming. It was a normal human story except the lead is extraordinary. Enjoy!

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Cringey one joke wonder

I was excited about this show because it is the same director who helmed Gaus Electronics. Gaus is zany and quirky but has hearts. One of my fav, yes please!

Spoilers! While it starts with a hint of that quirkiness, it ended up being cringey, claustrophobic and forgettable.

Ok, let's start with the good points. It is good to see the "love yourself" message in a k-drama where beauty can be skin deep. The show tries to highlight some societal issues as well. The romance of the leads is cute but more on that later. There are some comedic moments that land but . . .

And it is a big BUT because this show has issues. While setting the whole series in a rundown gym has a lot of potential, what we got is less than the sum of its parts.

On the one hand we have the worthy health and body image stories, but the delivery is inconsistent and confusing. While the show offers different perspectives, it is a zero-sum game for most involved. For instance, the regular members treat the gym like a social club. They make a mockery of any healthy living messages.

Taking a step back, the A-plot centres around the ML being a famous bodybuilder who operates a rundown basement gym. The FL wants to lost weight to make herself attractive again hence the meet cute. It is tropey but it has potentials.

Fundamentally, the ML's persona is purely based on his past achievements and that he was a preterm baby. He alternates between roleplaying He-man and a dorky gym junkie with a cheesy grin. He is earnest and honest, but he has zero EQ and he can't hold a conversation without referencing his muscles/training. It is kind of cute in the beginning but by the halfway mark, it was wearing thin . . very thin.

He does "grow" as the drama progresses, but it is contrived. Like when he realises mums of young children need more help than just having a personal trainer. We see his lightbulb moment, and he tried to help but it is largely forgotten by the next ep. That is a recurring problem. Most subplots are very transient.

While most subplots have the memory of a goldfish, the central romantic storyline is draggy. The FL fell in love with the ML fairly quickly but the ML was totally ignorant of all the signals from the FL. Honestly, if the FL doesn't have Stockholm Syndrome, she would have run away in despair. They didn't get any clarity until EP.11 and the show has to rush to dial up the fan service.

Oddly enough, the 2CP is firing from EP.1. They alternate between sex crazed and pining for each other after nonsensical breakups. I don't know their backstory and they are just there to chew up screen time. It is telling that the more I watch their antics, the less I cared.

That is a fundamental problem with this series. While it is an ensemble drama, most support roles are one dimensional.

The end of this review is nigh and it is usually where I would comment on the HEA ending but I am numb after watching it. I guess the rooftop, fully exposed, outdoor gym is their last attempt at humour. Enough said.

In the end, our talented actors are wasted in this production. It is watchable in a mindless way. It is such a departure from the cleverness of Gaus Electronics, I am beyond disappointed.

Rather than using the gym as a source of engaging human dramas, we ended up worrying about plumbing and broken equipment. Peace.

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Promising start, lame finish

To say that I have low expectations with xianxia dramas nowadays is an understatement. Sure, there are the odd superior shows. Unfortunately, most are formulaic and relied too much on CGI. I was pleasantly surprised by this series . . . up to a point.

Let's be honest, the basic concept is OG. Demons and humans are coexisting in this dramaverse but not happily. Not exactly mortal enemies but they are definitely eyeing each other with deep suspicion and taking potshots at each other. Hence the need of demon hunters. Some are righteous and just while others want to exterminate all demons with extreme prejudice.

The A-plot mostly focuses on the adventure of one particular demon hunter. It is a mixed bag. Most subplots are decent, the "Groundhog Day" one was derivative but entertaining. While the puppet one ends up being a bit draggy. Then we have the romance of the OTP. This is what sustains the show for me.

The fact that our leads are experienced actors helped. These roles are bread and butter for them nowadays. It does allow them to add some depth to their characters. Their romance is sweet and there is not a lot of push-pulls. Their love is rock solid once confirmed.

The build-up to the final confrontation was nicely done and it was fast and furious. What comes next left me dumbfounded.

>>> Spoiler Alert <<<
The show undid everything that happened in the preceding 34 eps with the swing of a magic sword. The result is so clunky it boggled my mind. Rather than ride the momentum to a sweet and rewarding ending, we have a really disjointed open ending that is deeply unrewarding.

In this alternative timeline, most wrongs were righted. The OTP reunites after 12 years apart. They are gifted a few days of bliss. Their "old" friends gathered for a meal so that the ML can catch-up and say farewell. They have no idea who he is but they rolled with it. It was nice because we knew what happened before but it doesn't feel earned. Then the OTP just parted ways while looking miserable. How is this an improvement?

I believe the writer actually wrote a happy ending originally but iQIYI management insisted on this version. What kind of stupid logic did they use to justify this?!

Just give us some straightforward fan service. We are easy to please. If we want torture porn, we would have watched a different show. There are no silver lining to a rug pull.

Baffling. Peace.

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