Zogitt

24 episodes of fan service and 6 episodes of fillers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A sandbox movie with a deep and dark rabbit hole in the middle

This "review" is unlike any I have written before because this movie is not about just watching the movie. It is much more than that. A back-of-a-napkin review will read like this; beautifully acted, beautifully shot, artsy, slow, a bit quirky but there doesn't appear to be a lot to it.

Wait, don't tune out yet! :) This is why I called this a sandbox movie. I believe that there are 2 phases to this experience. Phase 1 is just watching the movie. Phase 2 is taking your time to digest the clues, images, metaphors, etc. You have to play in that sandbox with the pieces given to you and look beyond the obvious.

Because of this, I can understand why this movie would get a lower rating. If you stop at Phase 1 then it is an artsy, quirky movie (see short review above). Some may just dismiss it as an indulgence especially if you are not in the mood to dive back into the movie after the end credits rolled.

However, if you get into Phase 2 then it is a Pandora's box! There are multiple layers and POV's. There are clues, messages (such as the hopelessness of their youths vs the Korean Gatsby's) and more. They point to different experiences, intersecting plots and even alternative realities! I have my own theory on what happened to the protagonists but I'm not going to discuss it here because a) spoilers b) I could be utterly wrong and c) you need to go down that dark and twisted rabbit hole yourself. Have fun!

In the end, I would compare this movie to a modern art installation. I appreciated the superb acting, evocative cinematography, multi-layered script and skilful directions but I don't fully understand it. It got me to think about it (and lost sleep). It will leave an indelible mark in my mind.

So while I can't say that I loved the movie because it is not a genre I normally gravitate towards (thanks LM for the recommendation), I can definitely express a deep appreciation tinged with a sense of awe and discombobulation!

Now I need a stiff drink and a good lie down. ;)

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It is more than an e-sport drama

TL;DR version: This is an amazing drama. A must watch. One caveat; if you hate gaming or e-sport then give it a miss.
The long version: this drama combined two fully realised dramas into one. What is even more impressive is that it was an ensemble cast of well over ten leading characters. All those characters were three dimensional and acting was great and on point.
With such a complex and interwoven plot there were definitely issues but the show just took you on such a rollercoaster ride that you just hung on tight and enjoyed it.
The promise of the main plot is some kind of temporal anomaly that linked the lives of two crossfire game players, one lived in 2008 while the other in 2020. To help identify the two parallel plots, I'll refer to one as -08 while the other as -20.
First we must address the elephant in the room. If you are concerned about the butterfly effect or time paradox then be assured that the show took a bazooka to them and walked all over their ashes. The show used the time anomaly as a convenient plot device whenever they see fit. All kinds of time shenanigans happened but they all seemed to have minimal impact to the timelines or the world as a whole. Just tell your cognitive functions to go on a paid vacation.
As I mentioned earlier, with such a complex plot(s), there were issues which you can either take umbrage or just shrug your shoulders. The perfect example was the recovery of ML-08 from a prolonged illness. Totally unrealistic but they had to take that route or the show will grind to a halt. Ditto, 2ML-20 which was all nicely set up as a love triangle for OTP-20 and he just disappeared after a couple of episodes. See memo re cognitive functions.
On the whole the 2008 timeline was better written and acted. It just felt more raw and gritty. It started fast and furious and didn't let up until the halfway mark. The 2020 storyline was more like a youth drama with a hint of "The King's Avatar". It could have formed the basis of a standalone c-drama if they wanted. It was well told and well acted but paled in comparison with the 2008 storyline. The 2020 ensemble was still strong but felt a bit cookie cutter (the cosplayer was a standout).  
Around the 20's episodes mark, it did turn very dark and the various plots took a breather while the writer sort things out so that the two timeline can meld into one stream in 2021. A lot of the personal relationships were resolved and cemented around then.
Speaking of relationships, there are three key pairings, one in '08 and two in 2020. They all grew organically and didn't steal the limelight from the main plots. Unsurprisingly, I found the romance of 2OTP-20 was more engaging and funny and they were allowed more latitude with their courtship with several really funny moments while in game. However, having said that, the kiss of the OTP-08 in ep.33 was one of the best c-drama kiss, ever. The penned up longing and passion was overflowing and it was so natural. Swoon.
Speaking of funny moments, it was very clever of the show to use a mix of in-game graphics but more importantly, have the real actors dress up as their game characters and do the fight scenes. There were some tense moments but some of the funniest scenes were done in that alternative game world. Look for ML-08 teaching the FL-08 the game and the bromance scenes later on. Classic, totally classic. I won't be surprised if they recreated some championship games as they were really good matches.
The villain of the piece was also done well. I am a bit tired of the tropey hidden mastermind or Psycho killer with questionable motives. The show's villain suffered a chain of events that got him deeper and deeper into trouble. He was nasty and despicable in the end but you went on that dark ride with him and can empathise.
Kudos also goes to the writer for putting ML-20 in a wheelchair. As a gamer myself, I have been fascinated by the idea that online games are the ultimate leveller when a disabled person can live a full life in a virtual world without hindrance nor discriminations. Ditto giving real gamers cameos and showing photos of past greats in the end credit.
One small gripe is the last 7 mins of the show skipped ahead 5 years but you don't feel anything has changed and there was no obvious character developments. The show hinted is that everyone just cruised along for 5 years which is unrealistic (not even their hairstyle?). After making so much effort to make the timelines feel authentic, those last few minutes just felt out of place. If they have done a 1 year skip and gave us an update on the team/individuals then it would have been a more satisfying conclusion and gave us closures.
OST was good. A mix of battle music, love songs and incidental music. High production value all round.
In conclusion, I suppose I am a bit biased but even if you tone down the gaming side, it is still a good drama. Definitely recommended.

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More depth than the first series but still prone to overacting

I watched the two shows back to back and while I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first series, I do find the first half of this show a bit annoying. Don't get me wrong, it is a fun watch and there is more lovey-dovey stuff than LiT1 but I don't like how the story kept setting Kotoko up to fail to get some laughs. That coupled with the overacting made some scenes cringeworthy. You saw it coming and she pulls all the faces and contorts her pose to put on even more emphasis. Seriously, she is suppose to be in her twenties and training to be a professional and her performance in college and in her work place is just so poor that how can they not dismiss her. It is not like she makes one mistake but it is the total opposite. She fails constantly but comes good for 1 test and she passed?! Both their families are so nice and loving.
I did find the secondary plots along the way to be more engaging at times.

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Sweet little rom-com with a fair share of clichés

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

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Oh how close to being great

Oh how I wanted to give this show 10/10 but it just can't stick to the fun stuff that was the initial promise. For the first 20 or so episodes, it is a funny, happy gender bending rom-com but then in the middle stretch, it become a darker melodrama filled with court intrigues (2 kingdoms' worth!) and endless scheming and plotting. Not saying that it was bad writing per se but it totally sidelined the OTP and you only get the occasional scenes with them. I can understand that the writers needed to fill 60 episodes but that is so typical a problem with c-dramas, the mid show drag is real when the original story line runs out of steam and new plots are grafted on to keep things moving. The show does pick up towards the end but you can't recapture the earlier vibes. I would have much preferred the show to focus on the OTP and take them on more adventures and allow them to form a partnership that was always hinted at but never fully realised. If they did that, I can easily sit through 60 episodes, no problem. On the plus side, the acting is great all round and the fight scenes are good. The OTP is terrific. There were some issues with the OST earlier on but it was ok towards the end. I would definitely recommend it but if the exposition and cliché scheming gets too much then the fast forward button is recommended.

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Great acting, story and sharp dialogues lifted this above the rest

This show has been a sleeper for me for some time. "Not another rom-com", methinks. I then saw some very positive reviews and took my chance.

How glad I am. It is truly amazing! The acting is great, but the writing is the real star. It is both tropey and original at the same time. There are so much content in this show that some of the subplots could have powered a standard 16 episode drama. All the stories move along in their own space and intersect when required with no problem.

This is an ensemble show from start to finish. You start with 4, 5 main characters and then more are introduced over time. They are not just throw away characters either. They are fleshed out with their own back stories, goals and motivations.

Pacing is spot on. When one plot takes a breather, the next one arrives right on cue and maintains the momentum. You just don't know when it will be funny or sad but you will never be bored.

The first episode is probably hardest to watch because so much happened but also explained so much of the show's dynamic relationships. At the end of that hour, you would have been shocked, laughed, cried, or in need of a hug. You are all in or you might as well cut your loses.

As this show is about the k-drama world, it can get very meta and almost fourth wall breaking. There are so many references to other popular drama series and in-jokes. It is like doing a pop quiz to test your drama knowledge. ;)

While the standard is uniformly high for all the eps, the last one is a gem. It really took the whole idea to town. In one scene the director and writer sat down to a script review and talked about how their show should end and what should happen to the characters. They are speculating on what their viewers want to see. Are they talking about us?!

Kudos to the writer-nim for keeping the storyline real. There are no magical happy ending(s) but there are positive developments. Some might led to a happy ending but we can't be sure.

Each key characters are highlighted so we have a sense of closure. It might not be the tropey happy endings we crave, but it is more realistic.

One final thought, as a non-Korean speaker, I have to pay close attention to the dialogues. A lot are elevated verbal jostling at full speed. I am running to catch up. This is NOT a dinner time drama, by any means. You have been warned. Peace.

P.S. Don't miss the episode about farting and in-jokes about PPL.

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Decent drama but you have seen it all before

When we talk about trends we normally talk about observations over a span of time. Hence, we must be in the Year of the BFF to Lover trope. So far this year we have Love Next Door, You Are My Lover Friends and now this. That's a K/C/J-drama trifecta and we are not even halfway through the year.

So, does this show wins the race? No, I'm afraid not. LND is still #1. YAMLF is just a nose ahead but for different reasons. What this show has on its side is a shorter run and tighter focus. A simple telling of a slice-of-life drama. They pretty much launches straight into the A-plot and we watched the OTP's relationship develop over time with all its ups and downs. There are nice swoonworthy moments, decent amount of skinship and they are not overly prudish. Everything we wanted to see are there.

Obviously, it can't be all rainbows and unicorns. They must deal with cohabitation issues as well as misunderstandings and the usual work/life challenges. In terms of acting, the ML is totally in love and he radiates that in every scene. On the other hand, the FL is less readable in the beginning, so typical of this genre. Support cast is solid if uninspired.

Is it watchable? Sure. The plot is decent and the delivery is competent. There are no huge shocks nor genre bending moments. It is a solid retelling of the old chestnut. Your mileage will differ depending on your expectations. Peace.

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Please don't judge the book by its cover.

This j-drama reminded me of Kojinsa Arimasu. Both shows have a seemingly controversial plot device and a strong "what-if" element. While Kojinsa Arimasu is about instantaneous sex change and its ramifications, this drama is built upon the idea of spiritual possession.

While reincarnation/possession is standard trope for xianxia dramas, it is rare for a j-drama to use this as the A-plot.

To wit, a loving wife and mother died in a tragic accident in her 40's. One day, a 10 yo girl shows up at their family home and proclaims to be her. This is a major shock to her husband and daughter as they have been in purgatory for the past 10 years. They exist but are not really living. Every day is a trial, and they suffer in silence.

Where it gets controversial is the interaction between the 10 yo girl and the 52 yo man. Is it automatically paedophilia? Even the show calls this out as people voice their confusion about their relationship. I know it looks bad initially but if you get past the early episodes, you will see that there is much more to this and their relationship is purely platonic.

Fundamentally, the show is about love, family, healing and closure. Yes, when the family reunites, the first thought they have is "everything is back to normal". They even wrote a pledge to get marry when the FL turns 18 (the ML will be 60 then). This is reinforced by the fact that the FL now lives in a "broken" family where her single mom is struggling to stay afloat and to care for her. It is a stark contrast to the loving family she left behind in her past life.

While it was wonderful to share memories and support each other (the scenes between mother and daughter is particularly poignant), they have moved on. They just don't recognise it . . yet.

The drama took its time to show us this new reality. Of course, there is an instant connection between our protagonist, but it is complicated and grows more so every day. This is partly due to the confusion in whether to see her as a pre-teen girl or a middle-aged woman. Living two parallel lives is a challenge for all concerned. This hits the ML particularly hard.

While the theme is thought provoking and impactful, the script is not without flaws. Some side plots and characters feel tacked on. They probably leaned a little too heavily on the fantasy side towards the end. Acting by our leads is good though. The young girl actor is a standout. The rest is more of a mixed bag but serviceable. It is still a good series as far as I'm concerned.

This is the ultimate "what-if". Would we want more time with our loved ones if given a chance? Do we have regrets, words left unspoken? Our protagonist has that opportunity, and they made the most of it. It is thought provoking, poignant and bittersweet. It will fill you with warmth and appreciation if you can see past the “controversy”.

There will be laughter and tears. Please don't judge the book by its cover.

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Everyone loves Fan Xian

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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All hail Honey Lee!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Show squandered a promising start and then flat-lined

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

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

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

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

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

Rewatch? You jest. Peace out.

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This show is tasty but high GI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A light meal that is not very satisfying

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Plot hijinks, body snatcher style

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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