Informative and refreshing.

I logged in to just to write a review as I am now very picky with the KDs that I watch these days, I scored big time on this one,

While I’m sure this series falls short in the accuracy of Autism Spectrum Disorder it certainly shed so many useful information for me. The talent in scriptwriting and cinematography is astounding! The background stories flowed, for the most part, seamlessly. Yes, I’m very forgiving about the sloppy back story of FL’s crazy friend and the pub owner and how the ML seemingly appeared to be an all-round assistant/chauffeur instead of acting, and dressing, like an attorney himself. These are but two examples among the few but it has NO , I repeat, NO big impact to the story line at all. It will, however, bother some who likes the finer details, I would liken them to FL’s obsession of lining up every single gimbap in every single mealtime. The director’s command of the story showcased his skills in ushering the viewer into the thoughts and emotions of every character while managing to keep the FL’s in center stage. The cases presented in court fearlessly tackled relevant and current social issues that means a lot in 2022. For the law-loving court fighters out there this drama will fall short of your expectations so please be warned, The light comedic touch was such a delightful topping on the cake that I have looked forward to in each episode. But what I really really liked was how the director stayed true to the story, he did not over exposed the leads to gain viewer “feels” which is quite typical, almost expected I would add, of KD romcoms. All the romantic interactions of the main couple were subtle, not forced.. the kissing scenes felt genuine…and just right.

The acting department, needless to say, is phenomenal! Words escape me how to describe how exceptionally good both leads are and how endearing all the Hanbada staff are!! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, a good actor don’t need to use too many words as half the job is in their facial/body expression.s The subtle nod, the lifting of the eyebrows, the twitch of the eyes are among the few. I am in love with all them!

I think it will be very unwise not to watch this series inasmuch as it also unwise to watch it expecting to have all components of law or autism facts because it will not. Treat yourself instead by watching the series through the eyes a person who is trying to see what may be going inside a human being with autism and loving the human being in the process. Watch it will be my advice!

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Simple and feel good kind of drama

It’s been a while since I wrote a review and I thought this drama deserves one if only for those who are in the in-between the should watch or should not watch fence.

The story is so-so. It is your typical rich and average family conflict, very common in Korean rom-com so right off the bat if you hate this trope you may as well don’t even try. However, if you are like me and just want a light and feel good story to watch without being too picky of the plot then I highly recommend this one. Yes, it’s trope-y but not in a blood curdling kind of way. The comedy part more than made up for the trope, especially the parallel drama that the nation was watching, that was a hoot!

I love Se Jeong so I might be biased here, but her natural acting is why I love her! So sweet, not forced and just right. Watching her here makes me want to be BFF with her and I am at least 10 years older than her character, haha! The family and work crew were all adorable. The second couple were not bad, again very trope-y, but they added some depth and “hot” moments that were quite unexpected, for me anyway. The extra special bonuses in the laugh area are tied in first place, don’t know which one made me laugh more, grandpa and cousin!!!

All in all I would likely re-watch a few episodes now and then if I feel like I need a little laugh. So I’m going to end this review with a resounding yes I recommend it! Best watched with another friend under a warm blanket with lots of snacks around :)

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Innocent, light and refreshing

This series is a breath of fresh air, literally! The country setting and the vibe of the small rural community brings back memories of summers in my grandparents village. The story revolves around ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. In a time where people are cooped up in tiny spaces and in isolation because of Covid, the camaraderie and warmth of local folks caring for each other, even going out of their way to lend a hand, was heartwarming, refreshing, and hopeful to be honest.

The sport itself is not the most technical so if you want to watch it for the sports side be prepared to be disappointed, however, it would be unfair to judge it only for that. What you will witness instead is the development of friendship that was brought together by the sport and one can tell that this relationship is for keeps! From the awkward first introduction to the proud and trusting faces in the final games, these boys are bonded for life!

The only thing I thought awkward was the dad/coach, I couldn’t quite understand what his role was exactly. It would seem that he’s vested in the team and in the next episode it doesn’t seem like it. This made it hard for me to relate to his character. It seemed like the writer needed a coach but can’t seem to decide if he is to be strict or be the easygoing type and yet the boys needed to get to the final game. That is just my own opinion and in no way reflect his acting ability. Speaking of which, the young cast was just perfect and the acting chops are impressive. The FL, though, I thought was a little on the flat side but maybe this was just her character no? The adults were all good too!

My final say is go and watch this without delay if you like something light, innocent and funny :) Don’t forget to thank me later, lol ;)

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All around pleasant to watch

While I have no background knowledge of the game Go (except from Reply 1988) nor of manga, the drama effectively showed the journey of one’s unfounded passion. Accidentally discovered, reluctantly learned followed by relentless pursuit which ended with success beyond the conventional definition. It was interspersed with endearing characters and events that shaped the lead’s character. This was the ride that engaged me throughout, it was emotional at times but quite satisfying.

I truly enjoyed how Yu Liang and Shi Guang’s odd relationship exposed the worst and yet brought out the best in both of them. While the close interaction didn’t happen till the last episode you can feel their connection from their very first meeting. Yu Liang acted tough and aloof on the outside but you can feel his loneliness and longing for someone who can understand him. I also love Hong He, who wouldn’t want a friend like him? Loyal, thoughtful, considerate, loving, altruistic. I just want to hug him tight. His acting in particular was phenomenal! In fact all the actors including the club teachers were so good.

What I did not like was how slow it was in the first 20 episodes but I understand why it has to be done that way, it was needed in the story. The drama picked up after that but really climaxed for me in the last 6 episodes. There is so much to be said but in the end I would recommend this drama if you are looking for a slow burn, feel good, no romance slice of life genre. Go enthusiasts would likely find action here as I heard they actually hired professional Go players to make realistic plays.

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Cute couple but a draggy plot

I have to say the acting chops did not disappoint.! The FL was very good at what her role called for- cute, childish, innocent and immature. It is special talent when an actor plays with the viewers emotions using only a few words and the ML totally nailed this one! In fact his character development is my most favourite part, Lin Yu Shen captivated me throughout the entire series and will now look up his other projects.

I was disappointed with the story itself, there was nothing new and quite frankly I find it draggy especially in the later episodes. The plot for the love triangle was out of the blue, didn’t really do anything for the story except make me feel so sorry for the second lead, he was such a nice guy! This is a typical rich guy, mean mom, poor female cliche so if you hate this trope then you won’t like this one either. What I did like was how the main leads developed their feelings towards each other. I thought that dating in their house was unique and these two sure made it swoon-worthy,

I was really hoping to like this drama given the high ratings and the rave about the chemistry between the leads. I sort of do but not one that I would watch it again. Great OST though and fantastic cinematography especially of the food.

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Real

It is hard to keep this review short so know that you’ve been warned.

If I were to describe this series in relationship terms I would say we started out as casual friends then we sort of liked each other but not so sure about the other one yet and then ever so slowly, one episode at a time, fell head over heels in love with each other, for keeps! A one of a kind slice of life genre that started with a small spark which slowly burned and became a massive bonfire that kept me warm and fuzzy all over.

This is definitely not a love at first sight drama, in fact its similarity with DOTS, which I love, was quite a turnoff . I have to admit that the first episode was a bit over the top and unrealistic for me. It took a while to get over the dumb smiles and cutesy scenes in the beginning but the very same smiles melted my heart in the end. I can’t get over how natural and fresh the entire cast were in their performances! Such a talented group of artists!

I can’t pick a favourite among the main three couples to be honest. All of them brought something different to the table, different perspectives on relationships each unique in their own right. Some scenes are cliched and some scenes will never happen in real life but there’s something somewhere someone can relate here because there’s so many everyday real issues. Subtle things like the brother-sister banter, the teacher-student learning relationship and yes even the gossip chain were thoughtfully and realistically woven into the picture. The one thing that felt forced was the part of the two sisters who appeared out of nowhere but they didn’t stay for long so I forgave the screenwriter, lol! If you came here for the action then you will get some which I thought was impressive but it would not satisfy a hard core action fan. Same for the medical geeks out there, some but not a whole lot for you. What this drama has lots of is CUTENESS OVERLOAD, there no shame in saying it out loud, lol! One other thing I liked was how they highlighted the importance of other professions out there, not just the police and doctors. But what resonated to me the most was how the main couple honestly admitted how imperfect their love was because they may have to serve others first before each other. Both understood the nature of their careers and respected it and were at peace with that, isn’t that beautiful?

There’s plenty to take away from small talks from everyone which happens in almost every episode so if you’re not one for these talks then you will definitely find this drama boring. For me, I really like these casual talks between the FL and her friend, full of mature understanding which most folks look for in friendships so it’s obvious that I enjoyed this drama a lot :) The OSTs were quite catchy and lovable. If you want a feel-good series in a slow way then this one is for you.

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A pleasant surprise

I was looking for something light and easy to watch and I happen to come across the reviews for this drama so I decided to give it a halfhearted shot. What a nice surprise! The plot is nothing out of the ordinary by any means but the main leads performed the most natural acting I have ever seen for their age and for this kind of genre. They both carried the series with such ease that I found myself cheering for them each time they encounter a conflict or a problematic person. There weren’t too many push and pull with regards to their relationship which is probably why I consider this drama fresh, I particularly like how they respected and handled each other’s personality with the utmost understanding but without the patronizing. The series showed how they gently and patiently earned each others’ trust, emphasis on the gently and patiently, which I don’t see a lot in real life or in other dramas so to speak. It also helped that the character development progressed just at the right pace. While the leads aren’t the most good looking by the industry’s current standards they are the most lovable and endearing faces I’ve watched. I fell in love with their love, if you know what I mean.

If you are looking for a feel good feeling at the end of a drama this one will be it.

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Lots of life lessons

Whew! I just finished E52 and it was quite the ride. I can’t say I love every minute of it because I find the last few episodes were a bit too dramatic for me but I am pleased with the overall story and production. I fell in love with big sister’s romance so much that I would likely rewatch those scenes whenever I need a good laugh. Lee Yoo Ri is the overall winner of this drama, she was such a natural at the funny scenes without even trying but it was her melo/crying scenes that truly showcased her talent. I’d be surprised if she didn’t get any award from this drama. Ryu Soo Young was the perfect actor as her partner, their on-screen chemistry was off the charts! Somehow watching both of them always leave a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. Every time. The other siblings’ story were so-so while the in-laws provided some comedic touch which I welcomed.

Such a kind father and loving mother with a realistic portrayal of their love to the kids, I think, is what drew most of the viewers here. There’s some screaming but not the loud kind. The drama covered many sub-topics, one of which was bullying and I thought the closure for that was tastefully done. I have not seen so many weddings in one drama but if truth be told I would have liked to see one more added to it, lol!

I would recommend watching this drama but I advise that you do it slowly, don’t rush like I did and you would be guaranteed a satisfying entertainment that you will go back to time and time again.

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This was one roller coaster of a ride, the exhausting kind where you have to really hold on tight or else you’ll fall off your seat or maybe, just maybe, you’ll let go yourself because you... just can’t take any more nonsense.

DISLIKES: The first 15 episodes is painfully slow and, for me, kind of directionless. While the carefree nature of the FL is important to portray, the director failed to develop her character even after 7 long episodes into the drama. This is the make or break point of keen viewers who may scratch their heads thinking there must be something wrong with them or all the highly praised reviews must be paid, lol. The other frustrating part are the ++ side stories that took up so much unnecessary screen time and quite frankly didn’t really add much to the main plot, if they did it was so drawn out that the intended impact sputtered into mere bubbles in the air. The never ending schemes of the scorned women undoubtedly challenged my will to finish this drama, it made the ride almost unbearable! These women are literally obsessed and, if truth be told, possessed, lol!

LIKES: Hands down the acting of the ML. Such a powerful portrayal of the master’s quiet kindness that you can feel it through the screen. The same goes for his raw and passionate love for the FL, it was so real you can feel the heat in your own body. I re-watched the above mentioned scenes after I finished the drama as an ode to the actor’s brilliant talent because I know I will not watch this drama ever again.

So much more could be said but in the effort to prevent a long winded read I am just going to conclude that while the plot is decent and most of the actors did their part well, the screenwriting failed to make this an enjoyable ride. This drama highlighted how essential and important screenwriters’ roles are in a successful production but I digress. I wish that I’ve read the book to solidify my conclusion but based on the reviews of those who did I think I am not far off. The lack of coherence and harmony between events and the imbalance of screen time between characters produced whirlwind of emotions on both ends of the spectrum- suffocation (cue Su Jin and Xuan Nu for starters) on one and emptiness on the other (lack of actual Ye Hua and Bai Qian scenes) hence the sickening roller coaster ride.

My advice is similar to the advice I got while watching, hang tight till the leads meet in the mortal world and then decide if you want to invest in at least 40 more hours or so but I won’t blame you either if you decide to pack up your bags and leave way before that happens. Have fun elsewhere, i totally get it :)

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Stayed for the story of the second lead

While the story is not realistic (or maybe makeup can really make a person’s face beyond recognition?) it was likeable enough. It was interesting at the beginning, started to fall apart somewhere in the middle and by the end it was a mess.

This may be the first kdrama I’ve watched thus far that the secondary characters outshone the main leads. I don’t know what it was that made me cringe at Moon Ga Young’s crying scenes, they were awkward and annoying to be honest. I adore Cha Eun Woo but he really needs to stay away from the cute but angry at the world characters or he will be typecasted. Thank goodness Hwang In Yeop saved this series for me, now he has a bright future in the acting world. Honorable mention in the acting department were the sister and her funny relationship with teacher. The dongsaengs’ in this series were also cute.

Watch if you’ve got nothing else to watch but I promise you there’s so many that’s well worth your 16 hours or so.

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Worth 59 hours (and some) of your time.

My first Xianxia and I slept happy with my choice. I watched without any background on this genre, just read the synopsis and thought it was interesting enough and 59 hours later here i am languishing in whatever post production clips I could find on the net.

While this is a love story in general, it isn’t just a love story of the main leads. It’s also a love story between families, friends and clans. It’s also about loyalty and the ever present fight between right and wrong/ good and evil. It highlights humanity’s obsession with the “me first” mentality so much so that reason and sense disappear in a snap, all done under the guise of righteousness. I have to admit that some tricks have been overused (I.e. blood spitting and multiple near death scenes) and got old towards the end but it didn’t affect the overarching theme of the story.

I love the main leads but the supporting characters brought soul to the story, yes even the master evil schemer who does not want to die and just won’t die Yuan Lang and the spiteful Wu Tong. LingLong and Minyan’s relationship is the most complex I think and the actors did such a beautiful job expressing their characters. I wasn’t a huge fan of the OST in the beginning but at the end they were perfect for every scene. The director’s hard work and love of his craft could be seen and felt in this masterpiece. I highly recommend this drama.

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Not bad

I am quite surprised how this movie made me feel. The cinematography is not the best but it’s definitely one of the better Filipino ones. While the plot isn’t that unique and the presence of typical Filipino cliches (overbearing mom in the beginning and then apologetic in the end) is somewhat annoying, the actors made up for it. I’m no fan of Filipino dramas/movies, they are longggg and all seemingly have the same theme (rich vs poor) over and over again, plus the unnatural and cringey acting of some makes them so hard to watch. The ML and FL here are surprisingly different. Julia Barretto’s acting skills have improved, more natural, and since this is my first time watching Gerald Anderson act I say that he is actually good. These two were not overacting (well Julia in some scenes but I chose to ignore) and they actually have chemistry that is fun to watch. My hubby actually watched with me and romantic movies are typically a no-no for him, ha!

Good job director, hope to see more of your work!

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I found myself analyzing what is it that made me want to stop watching this drama 1/3 into it? I mean Jun Ji Hyun was funny enough but there was something...it took a while to figure out but in the end I concluded that (don’t hate me please ) the main leads didn’t have chemistry. That and Kim Soo-hyun’s acting, I know his character is supposed be cold and aloof but he ain’t in this one, just a flat affect seemingly in pain majority of the time.

In fairness to KSH I don’t think the failure of this drama (for me ) was all on his skills. Even with the overwhelming cliches the plot was not bad per se (it is an older drama after all) but I think that the overall character development of this drama was poor. The one bright spot of this series was Jun Ji Hyun. I have never seen any of her works but I could confidently say, based on her performance, that she was the perfect actress for this role. She made the character real, while bitchy on the outside JJH was able to show Cheon Song Yi’s “normalness” and vulnerability. Her younger brother was supper funny with his E.T. obsession, haha!

If you are new to kdramaland, go ahead and watch and be entertained. However if you have been around for a while skip this one unless you are a KSH OR JJH fan.

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anticlimactic ending

No doubt that this is one gripping and edge of the seat thriller of a drama. I loved how I kept pressing the next episode button after promising the last one was “the” last for the day, it’s been a while that a drama has done that to me. I kept thinking what drama have I watched that has a climax on episode 6 of 16? But it kept getting better and better until episode 14. I thought how much trust does one give back to the relationship after a traumatic reveal of the truth? Let alone how soon do you regain that trust back? Not in a matter of days for sure. Episode 16 to me was a convoluted and a drawn out closure of the characters and ending to the story. This is where less is more would have worked wonderfully.

Lee Joon Gi have always talked with his eyes and FOE is no different. He’s brilliantly good as always but I do feel that he had too many crying scenes here that his artistic rendition lost its steam , it felt forced in the later episodes. Moon Chae Won had her moments, I believed her when she cried but thought she tried too hard when she showed affection to LJG especially during their pre-marriage years. Their daughter was sooo good though. I adored the light moments with Reporter Kim and the even more subtle funny moments with Police Chief and the station gang.

The ending did a good job of making me forget why I got hooked watching this drama in the first place. Usually after the ending episode I would go back to earlier episodes and get my “ahhhh”, “ohhh I see” and “how could I miss that?” moments but this one is the opposite, I would give it a lower rate but because it is LJG and it is honestly a good drama overall I decided to give it a 10. Have at it folks and enjoy the ride.

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