Is it possible for a show to choke?

This Show starts well and showed a lot of potential. It was fast paced, funny and really hooks you within the first couple of episodes. The leads have great visuals and are charismatic. The OTP also has good chemistry and their love line is quite swoon worthy. Throw in some unusual litigations and messy family dynamics and we have a nice smorgasbord of stories. What more can you ask?

Everything was humming along and plots are developing nicely. The love story of the leads are progressing well. We even have a psycho antagonist which really spiced up the proceedings. That is why it is so baffling when the story telling seemed to goes off the rails at the last 1/3 of the show.

The cracks starts to appear when Team Law Cafe took on a sexual harassment case.

It is set up nicely, all the background stuff was dip fed to us. Very troubling but impactful. The veiled threats and actual dangers are there to heighten the tension. Everything is set for a multi-episodic arc with a David vs goliath style battle both in and out of the courtroom. What I didn't expect was a seemingly rushed conclusion to that storyline just when it got interesting and the tension is rising. It just feels underdone.

Yes, it does set up the big showdown with the main antagonist but the handling of this key plot felts arbitrary. It sounds like the back of a napkin type of writing rather than a finely tuned one.

Next, the hostage scene at the church is laughable. It was really illogical. We are talking about a dozen or more armed police with guns drawn standing by while the antagonist stood in plain sight waving a knife and threatening the hostage. He stood like that for minutes while ranting at the assembled police. The sorry saga only ends when the injured ML tackled the antagonist single-handedly. Yes, we get the heroic act but it really defies logic and looks farcical. Not sure how that passed script review. That was the moment the Show jumped the shark.

The acting on the whole was good. The antagonist did a very good job of portraying an unhinged person. The FL was bold and sassy and she really had fun with that. The ML was low key and conflicted. He feels out of sorts around the FL and is over protective. It worked well in the early stage of the Show but it does get a bit tiring towards the end.

I enjoyed most of the show and loved the spunky FL and the OTP's cute interactions but the weird misstep in the story telling did give me pause and took me out of immersion. The last episode is pretty much fan service. I can't rewatch the whole show but a highlight reel will not be a chore. Peace out.

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The screenwriters want to teach us what love is but the Show came across as half baked and tedious

The fake marriage trope is now firmly established as a recognised genre and j-drama has done its best to invent a sub-genre whereby the marriage is between two total strangers with little or no preamble.

It can be very interesting and rewarding to see two strangers navigate living as a married couple with all the obligations and expectations from families and society. Finding love is a must and that journey of discovery is usually what sustain us and defines whether the Show succeeds. This show started on the right track but then lost its way in a maze of its own making before eventually finding the exit. The viewer is taken on a protracted run through the maze and it is frustrating when we can see the correct path before us but the protagonists always seemed to take the wrong turns.

The show is billed as a rom-com. There is the usual overacting and it has lots of romance in its plots but most of them seem to circumvent our OTP. It is as if the writers are giving us a tutorial on what true love is with lots of book examples. Unfortunately, the ML must have slept through most of it.

Time and time again, the ML was confronted with "feelings". He would get confused or misunderstood simple signals. At one stage, the FL shouted that she loves him and he replied "that's nice. What's for dinner?" (that is not what he actually said but you get my drift). The problem is that this doesn't happen once but repeatedly. The ML was berated by his friends, family and even his love rival as being dumb, idiotic and clueless. This is a person who works in advertising, well educated and pushing 30. He is not a shut-in. I can accept social awkwardness and inexperience but his behaviour is next level. Yet, at the same time, he has a long time crush on someone so he is not without feelings. While the FL was better represented, she was portraited initially as scatty, impulsive and naïve but at least she knows what love is when it hits her between the eyes. Of course the FL spent much of the show annoyed, disappointed and/or confused.

So with all the tutoring, expositions and observations of other people falling in and out of love over many episodes, you'd think our CP got the gist, right? Nope, not for 90% of the run. Even after multiple "confessions" and the donning of couple's pyjamas they still broke up on the weakest pretence. Forsooth, ye ol' curse of Failure to Communicate! The writers loved to use this device. They would have the actors interrupt other each repeatedly at key moments or an action is totally misunderstood but there is never any clarification. That is painful to watch as it was so obvious and served only to prolong their suffering and ours.

Speaking of love, there seems to be a queue of people who would fall in love with our protagonists pretty much at first sight. Random characters would be introduced for an episode or two, hit on one of the leads and sow confusion and then disappear. Why is this the only way for our protagonists to get any clarity about their feelings?

In terms of chemistry between the leads, there is a bit but there should be a lot more. The pairing just never felt 100% right. The Show tells us again and again that they are perfect for each other but I don't feel it. Friends, yes but soulmates? Kisses are rare and felt wooden. You just don't sense the passion. The herd of unicorns are MIA for this show.

Of course the ending is HEA with hints of multiple pairings. I would have prefer a show that spend a lot more time and energy showing us how the OTP falls in love and work together to sort out problems rather than standing around observing other people's love affairs and then completely botch their own. This is not a DIY car repair video after all.

There are much better examples of this genre such as "Because This Is My First Life" and "Shanai Marriage Honey".

The Show is watchable and there are funny and cute moments but it doesn't balance out the tedious bits. There is next to no re-watch value for me. Peace out.

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Tropey melodrama that was buoyed by the acting but hamstrung by the script

The promise of this show is old school tropey. Rich, controlling patriarch ruining his kids’ lives. Misunderstandings, forced separation, single motherhood, the works. Classic melodrama from go to whoa. Hence, I would focus on what worked and what didn’t.

What worked:
The acting: All the key actors were superb. This is a perfect vehicle to test their mettle. Many scenes were done without OST or even dialogue. It is all about projecting the longing, penned-up emotions, hatred and confusions to the viewers. It could be a challenge for some but not this ensemble. My heartstring was bow tight by the end of many episodes. Have tissues handy.

The production: It complimented the story very well. It is realistic and believable. Gritty when it should be. It does not dress everything up in glitz. In fact, a lot of the mood is set by the lighting, especially in the hospital. Shadows and lights all played a role. It was a complete package.

Direction: Good actors need a good director. When the team is firing, the scenes were off the chart. The bathroom tryst, the drunken “apology” in the FL’s hallway, the return to their hometown during his regression, and more. Each of those scenes are worthy of rewatch and classroom discussions.

The young actors: Thank goodness for them. I can’t imagine the older leads dressed up in school uniforms. The young actors pulled their weight. Well done!

The son: Finally, a child is allowed to behave naturally. There are meaningful dialogues but no wisecracking one-liners. When you pair that up with an adult voice actor trying to sound like a kid, it is cringe worthy.

No dubbing: Hallelujah! The emotional impact of this show needs that connection and expert dialogue delivery. A floating voice will ruin it.

The Script: A win and a miss. At times, it is a wonderful script and allowed the plot to play out slowly, but steadily. The story is grounded. It is not over the top. At least for a good 2/3 of the show.

What didn’t worked:
The Script: Ahh, I see, all the old tropes have taken up residency here. There is enough directorial and acting firepower to make it work but the script really developed cracks in the later half of the show. It is almost as if the weight of the tropes has overwhelmed the writer.

Case in point, the mental illness trope. It allows for some light and breezy scenes which was great fun to watch and showcased the acting of the leads. But the tone abruptly changed. Why bait us? Ditto the business shenanigans towards the end. It changed the feel and dynamics of the show. It was a plot looking for a story. There were hints of something more but it just ended up toeing the line. (see below)

The Ending: It really pains me to write this. Almost everything to do with this show was on point and then the ending happened. After 29 episodes, the show basically says, we can’t deviate from the clichés/tropes. Every loose end tied with a regulation approved knot. Yes, job done but it felt rushed, awkward and unsatisfying.

To elaborate further; Sheng Fang Ting’s story could have ended much better. Considering Sheng was portraited as driven and angst filled but not evil. He could be kind and caring. He has a hidden agenda and an axe to grind but what if the writer takes the high road, let the brothers have the private chat but instead Sheng said, “I was going to take everything away from you but you are not like father. I respect you as a man. Now we shall fight side-by-side and save OUR company.” The ML was so touched that he signed the company over to Sheng because he has the business mind and is the worthy successor. Shu Qin overheard it all as per the script but now she is even more in love with Sheng. All the elements are there. The show could have pivoted at that point. After the relentless groom, this is one little sugar pill I shall gladly accept.

Similarly, there was a lot of communication between Sheng and Shu before the wedding. All that stopped. No scenes of them talking or arguing. Sheng could have told her his past and how he suffered. She can decide if she’d forgive him. That is logical. But the trope (or censors) demanded a morality tale. Revenge might be sweet, but the price you pay is much, much worse in the end. We get that but do we want it?

The last straw was the resolution of the puzzle of the FL’s father death. It was farcical. It is the key reason for the barrier between the leads and caused multiple deaths. The whole plot was wrapped up in moments with only a deadpan voiceover about crimes and punishment. Is that it?

Elephant in the room:
The timeline: The leads broke up 7 years ago and the actors looked to be in the 30’s (they are actually in their 40's!). But the leads should be in their late 20’s (school/college/pregnancy). We seemed to have lost 10 years. It is not a deal breaker but it can pull you out of immersion.

Negative comments abound about Wallace's accent but diversity is a fact of life. Dubbing and homogeneity has a lot to answer for.

To be honest, this show was tracking a perfect 10 for the longest time but some script issues and then the ending gave me pause and it lost its shine. I would rewatch parts of it for the superb acting but not to the end, especially the ending.

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Don’t judge, just enjoy. :D

I remember clearly after watching the first episode I told my friend that I might have to drop it because it is a train wreck. But like witnessing an accident, there is a certain morbid fascination. I was undecided, but the show was whispering, “watch me . . . watch me . . .” So I watched the next episode and before I knew it, I binged all 4 available episodes in one sitting and I was hooked. Yes, I have the number for Drama Addicts Anonymous on speed dial. ;)

There is not much point in reviewing the show in detail because there are just so many things going on. It would be like running through a scrapbook of memes. The following comments will be general in nature with one exception.

First of all, the Show is beyond zany, it can be next level crazy at times with a mix of slapstick, sitcom and rom-com all mixed in. It is totally non-PC with more than its fair share of people behaving badly towards each other but mostly towards the ML. It was a challenge to watch the first episode because it is rude and crude but once you get to know the ensemble cast, you will start to see their better side or at least their more “normal” side. They are still offbeat and quirky but they are very human.

This bring us to the next point, the show races along at a thousand km an hour so there is a lot of gags, plots and office shenanigans that flash past each episode. Not all of them hits their mark and some are opaque due to cultural differences but when they do, they are a blast. You just have to take the hits with the misses. Once in a while, we’ll get a more contemplative scene to fill in backstories or the character's motivations. It keeps you on your toes as you never know what will happen next.

While there is a strong comedy streak running down the middle, romance is a close second. There are three pairings. The OTP who are quite cute and swoony once they fall in love. A 2OTP with the highest confession/rejection ratio known to me but hope is eternal. Finally, a surprise 3OTP that actually made my jaw drop. In a sea of same-same rom-com's, different is good. ;)

One aspect that I was both surprised and pleased about is the inclusion of a foreign actor. Like a lot of Asian countries, Korea is quite homogenous. Foreigner stands out and stands apart. If they are used in dramas, they are usually there as the token diversity with few scenes and little impact. When Aziz was introduced to us, I was thinking that he would be just another waeguk-saram who will be the butt of a few jokes and then be forgotten. I was pleasantly surprised when he was treated fairly. The show actually put up some stereotypes and then proceeded to tear them down. As the Show progressed, he was seen as insightful, knowledgeable and is given some of the better scenes. Hats off to the writer-nim and director-nim. Bravo!

Acting wise, when you first watch the Show, you would think that there is a lot of overacting. With time, you will see the nuances in their acting and the comedic timing involved in pulling off the gags. It was particularly nice to see Kwak Dong Shik getting the lead role he deserved. He definitely shows another side to his acting abilities. There is no doubt it is an ensemble show and the roster is filled with whimsical characters which allowed the actors more freedom to play their roles.

Of course, this Show is not for everyone. There are moments when I'd cringe. Their unapologetic use of crude humour can be off-putting. If you get offended easily, dislike lowbrow humour or hate slapstick comedy, then skip this show. Otherwise, give it a go. Once you get past the first couple of episodes, it might grow on you.

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Tropey rom-com totally saved by the CP's chemistry and their sweet moments

Yes, it is another contract marriage story between a low EQ CEO and a feisty, cheerful girl. I don't blame you if you switch off after that intro but it does get better. After a decent meet-cute, the story just meanders around for a good half of the show. Of course, the process of the OTP falling in love was front and centre but it was a bit cliché. Even though the ML was not a cold hearted person, his low EQ made his romantic overtures a hit and miss affair. Similarly, the FL was definitely falling for the ML but she kept sending mixed messages to both the ML and SML. This is frustrating for the viewer because just when you thought all the stars were aligned and they are getting together, they backtracked and all the sweet moments from the day before were all forgotten and we are back to the "will they, won't they" phase again.

As the show progressed, the poor SML just hangs around the FL and ticked off the ML. Turning him into a green eyed monster even after the OTP became official. I do feel sorry for him because he was a decent guy but you don't get a strong Second Lead Syndrome vibe with him.

On the other hand, the SFL was a nasty piece of work. She will not take no for an answer. Even after the ML very clearly and repeatedly rejected her advances, she kept escalating her evil deeds against the FL to the point of total annihilation. I'm also annoyed that after doing all that damage, she just packed her bag and went away scot free in the final episode. Very typical c-drama trope but not a good one.

For me, the show only really kicked into high romantic gear after the half way mark. Once the OTP finally become official in ep.17 and was signed, sealed and consummated, we can all rejoice. Their chemistry hit the roof as well. From that point on, we have lots of skinship. I mean A LOT by c-drama standard and there were even several tame bed scenes. The running gag is the grandma wants a grandchild ASAP (yes please!), much to the chagrin of the FL. To be fair, they do look great together and there are lots of swoon worthy moments. Love is definitely in the air and that's what saved the Show.

The 2OTP was quite cute. An odd pairing but I can see how it could work. They got together fairly early on and they were hot and sexy from a running start. They did hit a bad patch later on but once that was sorted, they just kind of plateaued which was a bit of a shame.

The older cast members were all nice. The grandma is a gem. The "evil" mother-in-law turned out to be the good MiL. Some of the FL's mother's scenes were LOL funny.

Acting was great from the leads but monotonal from the SM/FL's. I really liked the ML when he starred in the Imperial Coroner and he didn't disappoint here. The FL is not the classic beauty but she has a very expressive face so there were not many Botox moments. The support casts did their job. The CP's swoon worthy moments gave us the dopamine rushes and I'm thankful for that.

OST was serviceable. I would happily rewatch from ep.17 onwards for the sweet CP moments but the rest I can skip.

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A witches' brew that turned into banana milk

EDIT: My original review was a little rant after watching the first 12 episodes. I have since completed the series. The following is an edited version of my original review plus my final thoughts on the last 4 eps and the Show as a whole.

I start watching this show because of Park Min-young (PMY). I loved her in Secretary Kim and Her Private Life is one of my favourites. Her more recent projects have been a mixed bag.

The first few episodes got me excited. PMY was front and centre showcasing her many talents. The zany plot looks like fun! This could be the PMY starrer I've been waiting for.

However, after the promising start, the plot became quite makjang by mid way and got more so as the show progressed.
Part of the problem is that the FL is a martyr to everyone's cause except her own. She sometimes sends the wrong message to the wrong people unintentionally. She can be very straight talking or very obtuse depending on the script. No wonder we are perplexed by the hole she is digging for herself.

Madam Yoo is an opaque and unsettling character at this point. Her concept of identity and affection is totally warped. She ruined PMY’s life 13 years ago and she seems to be doing it again. It beggars one's mind when you consider the FL is 30 years old.

The 2ML is a man-child. An entitled, low EQ, ill adjusted top star. His idea of love is a crush which turned into an obsession. His earlier actions and behaviours made him unlikeable.

Parachuting the ML’s ex-wife into this witches' brew was the last thing we need. Even after ruining their marriage, she still thinks he has feelings for her, and they deserve a second chance.

I cringed when the Show drops moments of comedy in the midst of piled on angst and horrible machinations. There is an unpleasant and dissonant note to the script.

This is my impressions up to ep.12 and I was considering dropping the show.
Then ep.13 happened.

It is like the writer-nim had an epiphany and realised that the show is heading to story hell and hit the brakes. Within the span of several scenes, the Show has flipped on its axis and gone full rom-com again.

All the funny, sweet and swoon-y bits are back in the show. Almost all the characters are realigned. I don’t mean the usual redemption arc but a full rehabilitation. Madam Yoo became a caring but eccentric lady who was just misunderstood. The 2ML became an obedient son and a top business executive without a trace of his top star baggage. The ML’s ex is now his biggest supporter with no hard feelings. The list goes on. Even the main antagonist is bundled out of the way without making a fuss. It was as if nothing nasty ever happened and no serious repercussions to all concerned.

I’m happy that the OTP’s love line remained sweet and engaging. The ML is no longer deadpan and their growing love filled us with joy. Their skinship is heartfelt and swoon worthy. It won’t be a k-drama if we didn’t have a mini breakup but it didn’t last long and both characters grew from the experience.

The FL’s gay flatmate is sensible and sensitive. Unfortunately, he usually ended up being the punching bag. What really annoyed me though is that he is not allowed to be gay openly, he is in limbo. His sisters still harangue him and his parents considered him their failure. That is until they found out that he might become an idol singer. What kind of message is that? He is still living a lie. There is potential for greater harm to befall him once he is famous.

In the end, this Show is better than Forecast Love but the Show as a whole doesn't sit comfortably with me. The tonal shift and character rehabilitation later in the show was jarring. I’m glad that I didn’t drop the show, but it did leave me with a sour taste that is only partially remedied by the last few episodes and the sweet HEA ending.

As a fan of KMY, I loved her performance but as a jaded drama viewer I am disappointed. Her recent script choices is also concerning.

While the makjang plots took half the show to develop, they literally disappeared with the snap of a finger. Those plots were troubling and uncomfortable to watch but they were there for a reason . . . I hope. Am I short changed? It is good to end on a high note, but the path there feels inelegant and forced.

The production quality is high, but the number of PPL is also high which can be irritating. OST is good. I can’t sit through the whole show again but a swoon-y highlight reel would be nice.

I have increased the show's final score. :)

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Who said found footage doesn’t work?

I tend to watch coming-of-age dramas in bursts then I'd swear I'll never watch another one! I must be in my manic phase when I watched 3 such dramas recently . . . in a row.

Let’s focus on this show for now. Our leads are 16 years old high school students when we meet them. Typically, such shows would cover the period leading up to the all prevailing college entrance exams and some would go beyond that. This show walks the same well-trodden path. What sets this apart is a well written script that contains all the usual tropes, but it uses them rather than being subsumed by them.

On top of that, the leads played their roles well and they infused a certain warmth and je ne sais quoi to their story. The FL is in her elements. Her spunky personality and infectious smile make her so lovable. She takes no prisoners when it comes to dealing with love rivals, but she'd let her suitors down gently.

The pacing of the show is nice and steady. This is helped by a shortish 24 episodes run. There is little need for mindless filler subplots. However, I would venture to say that they probably spend too much time in their early years. Two third of the show is taken up with the first 2 years of their senior high school. The critical Gao Kao year is greatly compressed. Ditto their college years. The first year did get some attention but then it largely skips ahead to their college graduation. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this because their school related plots are quite constrained as some topics are simply too taboo for the censors. They can finally explore their relationship to the full after they left school.

Acting overall is solid from the ensemble cast. The 2CP is well matched but they are a bit awkward around each other until they finally confessed their feelings and change status from friends to lovers. Overall, the show is very cute and sweet. The FL's parents are gems. The ML's more problematic but they do change for the better later on.

As I mentioned before, most of the plots are well written with one exception. When the FL worked as an intern, she was taken to a banquet for a big client. The setup is the classic honey trap with the pretty young thing sitting next to the middle-aged client. Of course, he starts to get handsy. This is nothing new to c-dramas and many nasty subplots start from there. Luckily, she managed to excuse herself but her manager later sent her a text saying that she is in the wrong and should self-reflect on her mistake.

Ok, I’m not a prude but in a show full of positive messages about youths and new horizons, this stood out like a sore thumb. How can a young intern be at fault when she is a victim of harassment? Should she have seduced the client instead?! This just served to propagate the horrid cliché. I understand that it allows the ML to play hero and comes to her rescue but the payoff is not worth it, IMHO.

Nevertheless, I still consider this to be a superior show. The positives far outweigh the negatives. I can recommend this show wholeheartedly. OST is nice and catchy. Rewatch will not be a chore.

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Cute, easy to watch rom-com that took the path of least resistance

The start of this show is actually the best part. The premise of an overbearing highflyer who flew too close to the sun, crash and burn to become a lowly live-in caretaker of a share house is interesting.

The fish out of water trope generated a few laughs. The injection of a FL who held a grudge against the ML sounds spicy but that's about as angsty as it got. Yes, there was a bit of payback fun and resultant character growth and healing but it is a tropey rom-com to its core so it is no surprise that the rest of the plotlines follow the well thumbed playbook.

I'm not saying that it is bad, to the contrary, it is quite light and an easy watch. The "problem" is that it doesn't push hard in any direction. The revenge plot is half hearted because the FL is too nice. The SML/SFL are too understanding and they just take the hint and move on. A bit of distraction and that's about it. The romance of the OTP is nice but not particularly passionate. Even the skinship is more coincidental than full on passionate affairs. I normally hate "angst for angst sake" type of writing but this show swings a little too far in the opposite direction.

Naturally, the ML is a changed man by the end of the show and we get the mandatory HEA ending. Totally fine and a bit of fan service but this puts it squarely in the middle of a very crowded space with little to separate it from the rest.
Worth the one time watch but hard to come back for seconds.

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Ordinary show about ordinary people suffering extraordinarily

Sea change and tree change are popular themes of recent dramas. Lying flat is now popular amongst the young as a way of escaping the rat race. I assume the writer-nim wanted to explore these themes and Summer Strike was born.

The combination of those two themes can lead to some interesting scenarios but the writer/director tried too hard to break from the clichés by making the Show gritty and true to life. It meant that we are presented with a parade of difficult, belligerent characters who lives in a dull and rundown seaside village. Add physical/domestic violence, bullying, murders and all manners of societal ills and we have a place that tourists will choose to avoid. Yes, as the show progresses, some of the locals will show their true colours and they are not a bad bunch but most of them are still taciturn.

So rather than the show hooking us with fun in the sun, we ended up with a morbid fascination on how low can the FL go. Of course, it will not hit rock bottom, this is not Eve after all, but the first few episodes are not recommended viewing for anyone suffering from depressions. Even after the FL’s life start to turn around and she made new friends in the village, the focus simply moved to the complicated lives of the villagers. There are not a lot of unicorns frolicking around that village, that's for sure. There are certainly progress amongst the melodramas, but it is a mixed bag of pros and cons.

Typical of this type of shows, there is a turning point where the writer-nim realised that they have gone far enough with the pain and suffering and needs a way out. While she did a decent job turning the ship around, the resolution seems contrived and expeditious. The FL is once again the key to unravelling a years old mystery.

The last episode is pure fan service with the writer-nim regaling us with the theme of the show. The unicorns are finally let out and they milled around uncertainly for quite awhile. This is because the way the Show handles relationship is very ambiguous. The OTP is obviously attracted to each other, but we get the BFF vibe most of the time. It was literally in the dying minute of the Show when we get the confirmation that they have finally move up a pay grade. Even then, there is next to no skinship. The relationship between the librarian and the shopkeeper with the cute son is even more muddled. The SFL pointedly asked him several times whether she should move to Seoul, and he kept deflecting it or resorted to the “Go! Go! See if I care” cliché replies. Why? It was painful to watch the poor man suffer. Surprisingly, it is the senior high schooler couple who is much more forthright with their relationship. It isn’t smooth sailing for them neither (nothing in this show is ever easy) but at least we know where they stand.

There are some high impact and emotional scenes which the actors did well enough. It is the more mundane scenes that I find lack energy. Both the leads are trying to keep a low profile in the community which didn’t help the energy level whatsoever. The ML is very handsome, and he can certainly act cute but I find him a bit stiff when it comes to really emotional scenes.
The OST is unobtrusive to the point that I can’t recall any of the tunes. It is a one-time watch for me.

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Court ladies united will never be defeated!

Let’s get 2 fundamental points clear first. The FL is the heart and soul of this Show. When she smiles, the sun shines brighter and the birds sing sweeter. She is the focal point of many subplots. Interestingly, instead of all the wives and concubines scheming and at each other’s throat, the FL gathers a circle of friends from various royal households which grows to becomes a band of sisters who supported each other through thick or thin. It is definitely refreshing and entertaining to watch them work through and around daily challenges. The second point is the push for gender equality. Even though there are regions in this ancient mythical world where women are considered superior, most of the divided realms are patriarchal. A lot of male characters are portrayed as entitled, patronising or outright despicable. The one exception is the ML who is as sweet, gentle and loyal as they come.

With this in mind, the Show can be boiled down to a series of vignettes that challenge the leads, their friends and the steady rise of the ML in the imperial court. Some tasks are trivial and domestic while others are more serious and involve palace intrigues and affairs of the state. In all cases, it leads to the growth of our leads, their relationship as well as those who are near and dear to them.

Of course, 40 episodes of this is a stretch and this is where the FL’s presence really anchor the show. She is such a lovely and grounded character that you just can’t help but liking her and cheering her on. More importantly, makes you invested in the show and want to keep watching. Nevertheless, not every subplot involves our OTP and some do drag on for too long.
Draggy plots aside, there are other issues. Part of the problem is that most of the trials and tribulations are contrived. It is quite obvious what the writer wants as the outcome and it follows a well-trodden path.

On top of that, the Show is first and foremost a rom-com so its tone is fundamentally light. There are some serious issues presented mostly regarding mental health, the treatment of women and their place in society. While shows like A Dream of Splendor hit it harder and deeper. This Show vacillate between light and dark and settled on a shade of off white which avoided the really tough questions. We are constantly reminded of the inequality, but the solution arrived at are mostly simplistic, jingoistic and misaligned with its historical context. It is more about sending the message than its content and a contemporary message at that.

Acting is generally good, with the OTP outshining the rest of the cast. Of course, with such a big ensemble, there are some inconsistencies but it is not a big issue. Production is generally good but more care can be taken to give lighting a more natural look. Also, the styling and makeup of FL changed significantly towards the end to try to signify her important status and growing maturity but it doesn't work for me. She lost her characteristic sparkle. It felt like she has put on a mask.

The last few episodes are pure fan service with bonus skinship (about time!). The bulk of the plots have run their courses and the Show took its time to wrap things up and ties off each thread with a huge pink bow.

Overall, the Show is sweet without too much artificial sweeteners. The progress of the OTP’s love line is slow, but quite organic and swoon worthy. The writers stuck to their guns and the storyline is very consistent and enjoyable. It is fluffy and light but in a charming way. I can recommend this show if that is what you are looking for.

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Inoffensive Chinese Mills and Boon

With 16, 25mins episodes there is not a lot of air-time to play with. The issue here is not the length of the show but the number of tropes and clichés the writer tries to stuff into the script. It is a cookie cutter show with the lot.

Being a rom-com to its core, we are served a smorgasbord of romances. The OTP is preordained from the first minutes. The main plot then focuses on the inability of the ML to confess to the FL. It is frustrating to watch as EVERYONE knows he loves her and tries to help. Nobody is working against them, other than the ML’s inner demons. After drunken kisses, aborted confessions and many other tropey tell-tales, we only get the true confession at the end of ep.12. I rate this 1 "sigh of relief" out of 10.

The 2OTP is the typical noona romance with the obligatory drunken tryst and birthing a super clingy 2ML. The 3OTP is only there to park the SFL somewhere out of the OTP’s way. They all have their CP moments. Sometimes they are cute and occasionally swoon-y. Their progress is on rails and their chemistry is questionable. I’m too jaded to ship them unreservedly.
The token antagonist is one-note and transparent. He appears when the Show needed a bit of angst, advanced the plot and promptly exits stage right. The trials of the ML's shop are unrealistic. If they are the #1 dessert shop in the city, I’ll return my mail-order MBA. ;)

On the positive side, I do like how the ML creates desserts that mirrors his feelings. The young kid is cute and not in your face which I’m eternally grateful. He has some of the better scenes.

Another “positive” is how inoffensive the Show is, but this is a double-edged sword. For instance, there is a SML who might have spiced things up, but he is rejected offhand by the FL. He took it on his chin and is SO understanding. No fuss, no try-harder. This means the whole subplot is a non-event and the SML is instantly forgettable. Ditto the FL’s parents. OMG, they are so sweet and understanding! Yes, they get excited once in a while and can be a little shouty but when the crunch comes, they are saints. Not a whiff of drama from that quarter. I’m getting a tooth decay just typing this paragraph. ;)

As you can imagine, the budget for the Show is limited and it shows. The production value is ok but feels a bit bland. There are only a handful of sets, and they get a workout. OST is ok but they pump up the volume on the love songs as soon as a hint of romance is on screen.

Acting ranges from amateurish to workmanlike. Nothing offensive but no breakouts either.

I was once in a walking tour of Paris. We walked for hours and visited many landmarks. However, we were not allowed to go inside any of them. We got the iconic photos of the Notre Dame and more. It was all about the facades and ticking boxes. Would I do it again? Non, merci. This is how I feel after watching this show. Peace out.

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Sweet, refreshing rom-com

What a lovely, refreshing rom-com. It is almost a 9 but for the unnecessary break-up and a messy tail (see later). It is refreshing to see the cool, clever ML doing all the chasing while the FL is clever and bold but a bit clueless when it comes to dating. Not that she is ditzy, just a little innocent and happy-go-lucky. The chemistry of the OTP is very good. Not raw lust, just pure first love from two nice sweet characters. There were genuine LoL moments as well. The scientific approach to dating from the ML is sooo cute, not done for laughs like other dramas but totally in character. There are just so many cute moments during the first 2/3 of the show, it really brings on the feels. That makes the obligatory break up so much harder to take. Especially, when the reason behind the break up was so thin and weak. I'd call it poor writing, to be honest. We don't need that just to have the bitter sweet reunion later on (can't recapture the light tone for several episodes). I can do without the manufactured pain and suffering for our OTP, thank you very much. All the support casts were great. Strong characters and lively banters. One last thing, there are 27 episodes on Viki. The ending at the end of ep. 27 is not the true ending, a bit meh and half baked. The reason is that there is an episode 28 (26 mins long) on Youtube with eng sub which you must watch to conclude the series properly.

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Watch a nude portrait drying is more engaging and sexier

As you would expect, the first couple of episodes were quite cute and set up the contract marriage scenario. To say the two leads are introverts is an understatement. They have low emotional intelligence and barely adequate social skills.

Contract marriage is a staple of j/k/c-dramas so it is a well worn path. There are certain expectations when we watch such a show. The journey of the OTP is never going to be easy, but it is their growing love for each other and their eventual coming together that give us the raison d’etre to watch. It is in this regard that the show left us wanting.

In terms of production and acting, they are both fine. It is up to the usual j-drama standard. The actors played their roles well enough and mostly by the book. The problem lies mostly with the script.

In essence, the writer-san want to show us a different style of marriage/relationship where the couple continue to lead independent lives and only meet up when the mood suits them. This is happening more and more with mature aged couples who have established home and a comfortable work/life routine. They don’t want to upend their lives completely just for the sake of a relationship. However, in this case, it goes beyond that, our leads just don’t know how to live with other people.

They are constantly confused about their feelings and in denial. They internalise everything and hide behind excuses even when their hearts are shouting for attention.

Misunderstanding is a given. The noble idiot card is being playing repeatedly. Almost every subplot is about failed relationship or difficult romances which undermine their house of cards. It was cute for a while, but it soon become draining and unproductive. They do get jealous when the SF/ML shows up but the effect is never consistent. Sometimes it is productive but other times they are self-destructive. Most cliché plot device that normally would bring the OTP closer together are foiled.

In the end, the lack of chemistry between the leads is the killer blow. They have the odd sweet moment but most of the time they are just awkward around each other and pushing each other away. Their relationship is just flat. The ML is a wet mop. You can’t get a rise out of him if you fill him with helium. Just about every romantic trope used is muted.

Every thread are closed with a pink bow in the last episode. Happy ending is a given. Sadly, the main love line remains anticlimactic unto the bitter end. The proposal is a damp squib and there wasn’t even a kiss to seal the deal. Of course, they live apart after they got married (sans wedding ceremony). Even when they meet up on their days off, they behave like acquaintances, polite acquaintances to be sure. There is no PDA and definitely no skinship. All the while the voiceover (FL) is telling us how much they are in love. Indeed! I’m not even going to ask if they have ever slept together. From the viewer’s point of view, there is scant reward after sitting through 10 episodes.

The Show is dull, tropey but watchable. The travelogue is nice and there are cute moments. Regrettably, the show is just not very rewarding from a viewer's perspective.

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Oh Mighty Drama gods, give me strength

This Show starts with a bang. We have murders, chases, fights and the ubiquitous death-defying escape. It is certainly a rollercoaster ride. If the first couple of episodes didn’t hook you then you are watching the wrong show.

We are introduced to intrigues both at the imperial court as well as on a personal level. The interplay between the leads is certainly a highlight. There is obvious attraction between them, and they spend the bulk of the Show exploring their feelings and dancing around each other, searching for clarity.

The problem here is that they really stick to the Joseon rules. Most pairing of the upper class is just a power game between dynastic families. Courting is a minefield and love has little to do with it, unless you count forbidden love which is theme du jour of so many historical dramas. This means the ML can only long for the FL but he is not allowed to express his true feelings. On the other hand, even if the FL confessed her love for him, she would need a miracle to see it to fruition. This is an impasse that dragged on for too long in this show. It might be historically “accurate” (heck, that didn’t stop other dramas from turning up the skinship dial) but as viewers, we are left dangling and more than a little frustrated. We waited and waited but there is little reward for our patience. Consider we didn’t get any fan service until the literal dying minute of the Show. It is very poor return for our dedication.

To be honest, the Show is too slow. I can accept the need to build up the mystery and allow time for all the clues to be found and the puzzle pieces to fall into place. The issue is that we are also watching from the sideline, and we can see the bigger picture. So, while our protagonists are expounding their nascent theories and being spoon fed more clues, we are way ahead of them. Maybe we don’t have the smallest details but the overall plotline is fairly obvious to us well before the final confrontation.

This is not helped by the fact that the show is 20 episodes long instead of the usual 16. Honestly, the Show would have been better off being only 16 eps long. There are easily 4 episodes worth of filler material that can be cut with minimal impact to the narrative.

In terms of acting, the ML carries the Show on his broad shoulders. His character has more depth and he certainly has a more challenging role. The FL is good but she spent too long cross-dressed as an eunuch. While she is reasonably convincing, it does makes it hard for us to adjust when she resumes her life as a lady. Your mind yo-yo between the image of the eunnch and her normal female form.

Unfortunately, most of the antagonists are straight out of central casting. Evil officials on one side while the good ‘uns are on the other. Their roles are about as predictable as you'd expect. We do get some twist regarding a couple of key characters, but the longer runtime dilutes the impact of the revelations as we already guess their hidden identities before the official reveal.

So far so sageuk, you might say but the sting is literally in the tail. The ending of this Show is definitely the weaker link. Good guys are rewarded, and the bad ones get their just deserts. All the loose threads are tied up, so, job done, right? The complication lies in the actual delivery. It feels awkward and uneven. We got there at the end but it doesn’t feel right. I get the impression that the writer-nim struggled to make the ending work within the allotted time and resources. The ideas are there but something is lost in translation.

Other than the less than stellar ending, there is one other thing that has been bugging me for some time. Byeokcheon is the key to the main storyline. An army was dispatch from the capitol to suppress a rebellion there which kickstarts the overarching plot. However, it seems to change from a district to a town to (in the end) nothing more than a village. The show even has the people of Byeokcheon gather for a “town” meeting at one stage and they all fit inside one simple room. The scale feels wrong and inconsistent. Maybe I fail at ancient Joseon geography, but the Show’s own interpretation also seems to be somewhat rubbery.

In the end, it is watchable and reasonably entertaining. It could and should have been better with a tighter script and a shorter run. If you are a fan of the leads then it is a must watch and you would be well satisfied. However, there is not a lot there to warrant a rewatch for anyone else. Peace out.

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A video essay or voyeurism?

This show position itself as a romance drama with a strong “what-if” element. It is build upon the fantasy that a person can change gender spontaneously. Not via a sex change operation but an instantaneous and complete body reconfiguration including a different face.

This allows the show to post all kinds of hypothetical questions about discrimination, friendship, love and marriage of the same sex due to this sudden gender realignment. This is a double-edged sword as the fantastical and abrupt nature lessen some of its impact.

The Show then proceeded to put a number of protagonists through the spin cycle and force them to confront their changed circumstances. The most obvious is what will you do if your wife becomes a man, or your best mate is now an attractive woman. The bulk of the show is basically an exploration of these questions and its ramifications.

In many cases, this is what the LGBTQ+ community is confronted with on a daily basis so while the Show is set up to address a hypothetical gender change, it is really more about the LGBTQ+ community’s interaction within itself and with the larger society as a whole.

Even though the Show is not overly preachy, it can feel like the questions are asked just so that we can hear the answers from the coalface. While the informative aspect is laudable, there are many conversations and it can be a bit repetitive with the views seesawing back and fore.

It is no surprise that our protagonists all found love or at least contentment in the end. I sensed that the Show does not want to push any views too hard so for each success, we are presented with failures. This means this is largely a thought experiment. In the end, it comes down to the timeless notion of True Love Will Conquer All . . . most of the time . . . maybe.

This brings us to the voyeuristic aspect of the show. Yes, there are bed scenes involving same sex as well as straight couples. It does provide some titillation especially when it involved pairings that might be considered taboo in some societies. It is not exploitative nor egregious. You have to form your own opinion whether this is integral to the storytelling.

The Show is generally subdued in tone and the acting is solid. The fish out of water aspect does bring about some lighter moments. OST is fine.

The show is watchable but a slow burn. The ending is satisfying if predictable. Whether you find this show worth watching will depend on your expectations and reason for watching in the first place. It is a one time watch for me.
Peace out.

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