1
dramadisciple
Texas USA
A healing romance with some epic comedy
With such glowing reviews and high ratings I was worried that I would be disappointed. But fortunately this drama lived up to its hype for me. It’s not one of those deep, heavy, meaningful dramas. It’s more of a light funny sweet romcom that is so well executed that you don’t mind the clichés. After watching hundreds of Asian dramas I’ve come to the conclusion that cliches are inevitable. And it’s not the cliché storylines that make a drama bad but how they are carried out. Great acting and likable characters can make a cliché story feel fun and interesting. On the other hand, poor acting and bland characters can make a cliché story feel dull and monotonous. This drama was chock full of likable, relatable characters that made you feel like they were a part of your family. Pair that with some top notch acting and you have a great drama like this one.The acting in this drama is above average. I was invested in every single characters storyline. The second male lead was a bit stiff in the beginning but got much better as the drama progressed. I was surprised by that because I’ve seen him in lots of other dramas and he’s a great actor. But overall the actors did a great job of getting me invested in the drama. And it didn’t hurt that the whole cast was gorgeous and very easy on the eyes.
The romance was done just right. It wasn’t insta love for the main leads but it wasn’t a slow burn either. I liked the pacing and chemistry of their romance too. The second leads had a cute romance that was a fun watch and added to the likability of the drama. Be prepared for lots of kisses, piggyback rides, hugs, and some sexy scenes. Both the main male lead and the second male lead go shirtless which is always a plus for me. And just let me say, the second male lead must live in a gym because he is one of the most muscular actors I’ve ever seen in an Asian drama. But as far as romance goes it was really very romantic with lots of sweet moments. And I liked that this was a healing romance. Both leads help heal each other’s emotional wounds. Watching their journey as they help heal one another and become better versions of themselves was a joy.
The female lead is a very likable character that’s talented, respected at work, confident, outgoing, and charming. She has a great family you’ll love, a touching sismance with her best friend and is a pretty balanced person. There’s only one area she’s lacking in and that’s in the romance department. Even though she’s very pretty, she’s had an unrequited crush on the same guy for 7 years. And it’s taken a toll on her confidence and self esteem.
The male lead is a practical no nonsense guy that is hyper focused on his job. He’s not mean or a bully at work he’s just a workaholic. Due to a trauma in his past he shuns intimate relationships with people other than his grandfather and his best friend (the second male lead). His interactions with the second male lead are so cute and endearing. I really enjoyed their bromance.
It was also quite refreshing to see the main leads have a healthy relationship where they communicate well and trust one another. I’m liking this trend lately where the main leads don’t have lots of silly misunderstandings but instead respect and have faith in one another. The lack of breakups, misunderstandings and noble idiocy made this drama so much better. And there weren’t any evil meddling second leads obsessed with the main leads either. I’m so done with that trend. So even though there are several clichés in this drama the lack of annoying second leads and unnecessary breakups more than makes up for it.
Now let’s talk about what I didn’t like. There’s not a lot to dislike about this drama. But there were a couple of things that kept it from getting a perfect rating from me. There was a lengthy separation at the end which was quite unnecessary (they didn’t breakup but were separated because one of them had to go overseas). I hate the old cliché ‘I have to go overseas for an extended period of time but I still love you’ trope. I never liked it and never will understand the overuse of this scenario in dramas. So I took off a full point for this. The other thing I didn’t like was the last episode of this drama. It wasn’t as bad as many have claimed in the comment section. The main characters are all addressed and have satisfying endings. I was happy with how everything turned out for everyone. But my main complaint (and everyone else’s) is that a lot of time is spent on some unnecessary angst that’s thrown in at the last minute for no apparent reason. It’s the last episode so you want some sweet moments, to see how everything turns out for everyone, even the minor characters. You want all of the loose ends tied up in a pretty little bow. You want to have some meaningful touching moments, not unnecessary angst just to hype things up. The angst would have been okay if there had been another episode or two. The fact that it happened in the last episode taking time away from those last sweet touching moments between your favorite characters is what I have a problem with. It wasn’t super bad just annoying , so I took a half point off for this.
In conclusion I’d say this is a very good drama that I’d highly recommend. It’s not for those who are looking for a deep drama that sends a message or teaches a lesson. But if you like super romantic romcoms that are full of gorgeous actors that make you laugh your butt off then this dramas for you. It’s short, sweet, sexy and funny. Seriously just go watch it!
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This is one you’ll go back and rewatch
At first I avoided this drama. I wasn’t crazy about the idea of a female lead that was chubby, unattractive, and going nowhere in her life. It didn’t seem like it would be a fun watch, especially when the female lead is caught in lots of embarrassing situations. And from the previews it looked like the male lead was super fit, attractive, and full of himself. I just didn’t like the dynamics of the situation. But it got so many glowing reviews that I finally broke down and watched it. And boy am I glad I did! It’s nothing like I expected.Okay yes I felt a lot of second hand embarrassment for the female lead in the beginning. But a lot of it was quite comical and I found myself laughing along. And we needed to see just how low she had gotten to understand how much she truly accomplished. Because her character explodes with growth and you can’t help but root for her. The female lead starts out clumsy and lazy then transforms into this sassy little warrior that gives you all of the feels.
The male lead is super fit and we get to see his shirtless workout routine right away setting the stage for what appears to be a narcissistic hardworking overachiever type of character. But things are not as they appear. He has had a very tough life and was shown no love and little mercy. He has a lot of growth and healing to do too. Seeing him conquer his problems and fight for the life he wants was an absolute pleasure to watch. One thing I liked about him was his concern for the female leads health and safety. He was very much a gentleman. And when he said his ideal woman was a Jiu Jitsu expert because “a woman that can defend herself is sexy,” I had mad respect for him.
The romance was one of the best kdrama romances I’ve seen. Their chemistry just leaped off of the screen. I especially appreciate that the male lead starts falling for the female lead while she’s still chubby. When she lost some weight in her face I loved how obsessed he became with her dimples. When he poked her dimples and asked “what is this?” hovering inches from her face with utter fascination in his voice, you know he’s fallen for her. Then a few days later, her muscles are sore so she decides to go for a massage and he freaks out thinking about some muscular dude massaging her. So he insists she use his massage chair. And of course their first kiss and his bold pursuit of her is while she’s still chubby. The fact that he liked her long before she lost all of her weight made the romance feel less superficial and more genuine to me. Especially when he often emphasized that her health was most important to him, not her weight. I love how they interacted as a couple. His obsession with her dimples is so bad that he calls them his dimples and he melts every time she smiles.
The side characters are all great actors and added so much to the story. I appreciate that they weren’t just used as filler but had interesting stories of their own to tell. They were super funny and tons of fun to watch. I especially loved the relationship the male lead had with his two buddies. This is rare drama that I did not fast forward through any of the side characters storylines.
As with every drama, there were a few things I didn’t like. I really dislike that there was a long period of time where the leads were apart and it’s hard to watch. The reason was understandable and warranted under the circumstances. And the speech the female lead gave giving her undying support to her man was epic. She was trying to fortify him for the difficult road ahead that he chose to traverse alone to spare her and it was so inspiring. Fortunately the separation only lasted one episode and the reunion was most definitely worth waiting for. But I still detest separations and had to deduct half a point for that. I also wasn’t crazy about the final scene in the airport. But it was only one brief little scene so it was okay I guess.
Overall I give this high marks. It has a unique storyline, amazing acting, great chemistry, lots of character growth, it’s fast paced, very funny, and quite touching. This is a true gem I would highly recommend to anyone.
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Light hearted feel good romcom
When I first started this drama it was silly and way too unrealistic. And the story had no depth either. Then both the male lead and the second male lead fall head over heels in love with the female lead very quickly for no reason when they hardly even know her. I thought I wasn’t going to like this drama very much. Boy was I wrong. It wasn’t perfect, but it ended up being awfully cute and funny.Storyline:
If you stick with it past the first few episodes the story gains some strength and gets deeper and more interesting. It ends up that there’s a reason both men like the female lead so intensely and so quickly. There are hidden pasts, amnesia, political intrigue, hidden identities, and lots of great comedy. It does get a bit confusing on the four clans and their past and present issues with one another. But overall I enjoyed the uniqueness of the storyline.
Set design, costumes & CGI:
The sets were very elaborate and realistic. And the costumes were quite elegant and attractive. It looked like they had a generous budget for this drama. There were beautiful gardens, impressive homes, lovely rivers, and quaint old villages to enjoy throughout the drama. The CGI was okay but nothing amazing. They chose an obese, unattractive, stubby legged animated cat instead of a real one and it was a bad choice. Many compare it to Garfield but I don’t agree because even though Garfield is chubby he’s super cute. This cat just wasn’t attractive at all. The way he stood up to walk or run was just weird and not catlike at all. And since the cat was a big part of the drama it did detract from the overall experience.
The romance:
The romance is what really shines in this drama. The lead couple have great chemistry. There’s lots of kisses, cuddles, hand holding, and skinship. And even though there are some misunderstandings, nothing drags out for too long. The romance is a bit cheesy sometimes but I still found it touching.
My verdict:
This isn’t for everyone. It’s a lighthearted feel good romcom that doesn’t take itself too seriously. So if you’re looking for something with some depth or something realistic then this isn’t the drama for you. Yes it does get deeper as it goes on with some angst and sadness. But it still has a very silly funny lighthearted feel to it. And the romance is a bit cheesy. But I still found myself enjoying it and looking forward to the next episode. If they had chosen a better cat, if the romance wasn’t quite so cheesy, and if there wasn’t a disappointing 10 year time jump, then it would have been perfect. But it’s still a cute drama worth watching.
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Mediocre storyline but great romance and comedy
If the storyline and plot were not so cliche and predictable this could have rated much higher. The romance was well done and very sweet with multiple couples. And the comedy was just perfect. But with the name “Holmes” the audience is going to expect a thrilling Sherlock Holmes style murder mystery drama that’s deep and unpredictable. Instead we get a predictable drama that reveals the bad guy right away. All of the mystery and suspense then disappears. Some of the cases they solve are interesting but not enough to save the plot. And then very cliche typical political power struggles we see in every drama nowadays were added. It’s too bad because this drama had so much potential. It’s not bad, I liked it and I’m glad I watched it. But with such great chemistry between the leads and super funny comedy, it could have been so much better if the crime solving part was done right.What really works for this drama is the lead couples chemistry. Their romance and the romance of the secondary couple are what really makes this drama worth watching. That and the comedy which is sprinkled throughout at just the right moment when there’s too much angst or sorrow. I also like that even though there are some sad or upsetting parts to the story, they never go on for too long making you feel like you’re watching a melodrama.
What really hurts this drama is that it tries to be a witty crime and mystery drama but most of the cases were predictable and too easy to solve. Then it tries to capture your interest with political intrigue and with the main leads having lost loved ones due to betrayal. But it’s hard to get invested in these plot lines because we see this same basic storyline over and over again in almost every historical dramas involving politics. Because of these things it starts to feel a little draggy towards the middle.
But if you hang in there the action picks up and it gets better towards the end. It may not be the best ever drama but it’s truly worth watching just for the cuteness of the romances and the well paced comedy.
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Light, cute, easy watch
If you’re looking for a lakorn that is different and is a little lighter and fluffier than most lakorns then this drama is for you. There are no slap kisses, no evil mother in laws, no domineering male lead, no over the top crazy drama that makes you want to throw your tv across the room, and no long term couple separations. It’s an unusual lakorn that is lighthearted and funny. That’s not to say there’s no angst, sadness, or melodrama. It’s just that the sad or dramatic parts of the drama don’t last too long and there’s lots of really good comedy interspersed throughout. So let’s talk about what I liked and didn’t like.What I liked:
The chemistry of the main leads was what made this drama work. Seeing the male lead try so hard to seduce his wife throughout a good deal of the drama was adorable (even though she’s sassy she’s shy about sex because she’s a virgin). He really nailed his pouting scenes (adorable) and his seductive scenes too. And I just want to thank the producers for all of the multiple gratuitous shirtless scenes. Those abs were a work of art (sigh). And the way he would flex his pecs and make his chest jump when she stared at it was so cute! I loved the sassiness of the female lead. She always stood up for herself and was able to kick some butt if needed. I also liked that she wasn’t some poor needy girl off the streets. She was well educated from a good family and she was confident in herself. It was easy to like her personality. And it was pleasant to watch a drama that didn’t take itself too seriously. The comedy was top notch. I liked that even though there were evil characters doing bad things most issues got resolved rather quickly. There was angst and sorrow and bad guys pulling all types of stuff but it was never drawn out for too long.
What I didn’t like:
Even though I liked the female leads character and her sassiness, she was a bit too rough. She was always hitting the male lead for one reason or another and it was a little too much (though he usually deserved it because he didn’t understand women and didn’t respect her feelings.) I also didn’t like the crazy girl that was obsessed with the male lead. Why is there always a crazy female that’s been obsessed with the male lead her whole life in every drama? And almost every time the male lead has never liked her or even given her the time of day yet she still obsesses over him. It’s so unrealistic and unoriginal. One other thing that I often complain about in romantic dramas is the kissing scenes. And yes, these kissing scenes were the typical lock your lips and stare at each other type of kisses. Not realistic at all.
Even though I loved the ending and how sweet it was, I wasn’t a fan of it turning into a musical for the last ten or so minutes. I’m sure most people loved it but it wasn’t my cup of tea. It was a little too cheesy for me.
Overall this was a very good drama. Lots of romance, great comedy, good plot, and just enough angst and drama to make it interesting without going over the top and stressing me out. It’s not perfect but it’s definitely worth watching.
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Very funny
If you’re looking for a lot of laughs with not much depth then this is for you. It’s definitely very funny and very low on angst and sadness. It’s perfect to watch after a really heavy melodrama that’s torn you up. That being said, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. It wasn’t bad it just wasn’t that great either. I’ll start out with what I liked.What I liked:
The comedy was excellent. The acting was pretty good too. There wasn’t a lot of angst or sadness. I also really liked the behind the scenes clips at the end of each episode, it was a nice touch. Most of the characters were pretty lovable and there weren’t a lot of evil people doing awful things to get you all upset. The main couple are pretty cute together too. And I appreciated the character growth of the assassin and the second male lead.
What I didn’t like:
It was just a little too light and sweet. The story lacked depth and dimension. It did get a little more interesting story wise later in the drama but it was very predictable. I knew who the villain was very early on and how the final scene would play out. But what really bothered me was the romance aspect of the drama. I’m so tired of the kisses where the actors press their lips together and just stare at each other for several minutes while the camera circles around them. It’s hard to get into a romance with such fake kisses. And there’s just way too much push and pull between the main couple. But when a drama has to use the old standby cliche amnesia plot just to pull the main leads apart because they’ve exhausted all other means to keep them apart, they lose major points with me. Overall the lack of depth, the predictable storyline, and the unfulfilling romance of this drama had me taking a number of stars off. But I have to say, if you’re looking for something strictly for laughs and cuteness then this is definitely for you.
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It lived up to the hype
I swore that I would never find a psychological thriller/romance/mental health drama that could come even close to being as good as “Kill Me Heal Me” but this drama proved me wrong. I still say KMHM was a little better, but the acting in this drama really impressed me. Every single actor was did a really good job. Kim Soo Hyun really knows how to choose good dramas. He starred in “You Who Came From The Stars” that was a big hit then went into the military. As soon as he came back he chose this drama and I’m certain it will be a huge success.The storyline: The male lead is the sole caretaker for his autistic older brother that suffers from PTSD because he witnessed his mother’s murder. They move every year due to his brother’s meltdowns over his fear of the murderer finding him and killing him too. So they never really have time to make friends or date or get close to anyone. The male lead is a very kind and patient person that works at mental health hospitals. The female lead is a rude obnoxious writer that seems to have no feelings. Her father is at the hospital where the male lead works and after a series of run ins their lives become entangled.
You can tell a lot of money was invested in this. It’s definitely a big budget drama. The special effects and cinematography were top notch. The music was perfect for each scene and was quite moving.
For those looking for an action packed psychological thriller, you may be disappointed by the romance or the focus on mental health which slows things down a bit in some parts. This is a third mental health, a third murder mystery psychological thriller, and a third romantic comedy. It’s a package deal so go into it expecting all three genres to be rolled into one nice cohesive package. I personally loved how balanced it was. There was never too much of one thing, so it never got boring or predictable. You have a little murder mystery which gets you all nervous and worked up then would things would calm down with the push and pull of the romance. Then there would be the sadness from different characters lives or mental health issues and then the comedy would pop up and get you laughing. I really enjoyed the diversity of the drama.
One thing I disliked was how I felt about the female lead in the beginning. She was very selfish, arrogant, and rude. It took a good while before I liked her. But that’s how we are supposed to feel about her. Once you find out about her backstory and what she’s been through, you can sympathize with her and understand her better. And her character growth was phenomenal. In fact, every character in this drama has amazing character growth which gave it so much depth and made it more interesting.
And can I just say thank you to those in charge who decided to have real kisses in this drama and not the fake ones. It’s hard to believe in a romance with fake kisses or people that go to bed together or wake up together completely dressed like they’re about to walk out the door. Well there’s none of that here. It was very true to life which I believe enhanced the drama and made it more relatable.
Overall I loved this drama and can’t really find much to dislike about it. I wish the female lead was a little more likable, and the pace could have picked up a bit more in some areas. But no drama is perfect and those are just tiny things. Just take my advice and watch it. It’s really really good!
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A romantic supernatural thriller done right
After watching hundreds of dramas I finally went back to one of my first dramas to see if it really was as good as I remembered it. It was! It’s now 2020 and this drama from 2013 is still quite fresh and surprisingly modern. The clothes are quite nice and the cinematography is really good. I can’t believe it’s an older drama.The female lead can see ghosts which terrifies her. And the male lead is the only person who has ever been able to get rid of them for her by her just touching him. I know the storyline seems a bit unbelievable and very cliche. But the acting is extremely good. And the underlying message of accepting yourself and being the best you can be under your circumstances comes through brilliantly.
I like that the second male lead is nice and never creates trouble. And the cute clumsy second female lead isn’t too bad either. The drama is driven by the different stories involving helping various ghosts, figuring out the culprit behind the male leads childhood kidnapping, and the female lead dealing with her ability to see ghosts. There’s just a tad bit of office politics and family issues but it doesn’t take center stage. There's angst but not too much, there’s sadness but not for long, there’s several cute couples, and there’s lots of cute romantic moments.
Its not a super deep melodrama, nor is it a romcom. It’s a romance driven drama with lots of supernatural stuff, a kidnapping/murder mystery and it has lots of character growth. Overall it’s an enjoyable watch with a good romance and an interesting plot. I’d definitely recommend it.
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Get ready to feel warm and fuzzy with this one!
Just a little FYI: This dramas description is incorrect. When it says “it’s her turn to be smitten at first sight” upon seeing the male lead in college, that’s not true. Both leads were “smitten” with each other since they first met in high school. They just never confessed because of some misunderstandings.It starts out pretty funny and cute. Since both main leads have never been in a relationship or confessed to anyone, they are very awkward around each other. Their fumbling bumbling attempts to get close to each other are both comical and endearing. But this drama is about much more than a college romance. It delves into some much deeper subjects.
The male lead is as loyal as they come. He never waivers in his convictions in regards to the girl he likes or his goals in life. I like that even though he’s very smart, handsome and popular, he’s not full of himself. In fact, he comes across as being a little innocent and unsure of himself. And the way he always had the female leads back and never doubted her even when some of her close friends did was so touching.
The female lead is optimistic, courageous, and very protective of those who are weak. Being an athlete she’s stronger than most and she uses her strength and courage to shield her friends from bullies. She becomes known as the “boss” by many friends who admire these endearing qualities. These admirable traits also draws a lot of people to her, including the two most popular best looking guys in her college.
Unfortunately, this makes a lot of girls very jealous so the female lead becomes the target of a different kind of bullying she’s not used to. The bullying isn’t physical but emotional. I liked how they portrayed and handled the subject of bullying. It isn’t just about beating up someone for their lunch money. Bullying can come in many forms like making up really awful rumors about someone or making fun of someone’s appearance or their preferences in life. Bullying can make a person so miserable that they want to give up on life. After a lot of suffering the female lead finally stands up to the bullies and gives an outstanding speech that touched my heart. And the way her friends had her back was so sweet.
This drama also explores the topic of which path to take in life and what happens when the path you’ve always known you’d follow suddenly disappears. I like the female leads thoughts on the matter. She said she occasionally thinks about that original path she was going to take and what scenery she might have missed, but those things are no longer important. That’s because love and dreams will always point you towards the correct path.
There’s not much I didn’t like about this drama. But if I were to complain it would be about the editing. For example, episode 12 ends with the group of friends standing in the street staring up at a meteor shower while on a trip to the beach. The next episode starts abruptly with the main leads on the rooftop of the school looking anxious. Then it does a flashback to a week earlier (also at the school). There’s no conclusion as to how the beach trip ended. I felt lost and confused. I even went back to see if I accidentally skipped an episode. Then it happens again in episode 18. That episode ends with the main leads talking to each other at the bus stop. So when episode 19 starts with the male lead blow drying the female leads hair at his apartment and her acting like she had no choice but to stay at his place (he sleeps on the couch of course) I’m confused again. Did I miss something? What lead to this happening? But no reason is given as to why her hair was wet (a shower maybe?) or why she was suddenly back at his house. Again I checked to make sure I hadn’t accidentally missed an episode. The choppy editing wasn’t bad and didn’t detract from the drama. It was just a little disconcerting.
Despite these flaws it was a great drama. This is a touching coming of age romcom that explores some deeper subjects yet still manages to remain light, refreshing and sweet. There are misunderstandings and some angst but nothing is taken too far and things are resolved fairly quickly. And the romance is full of chemistry. There’s lots of kisses, cuddles, tons of flirting, and skinship, especially in the last few episodes. For those who like the lighter sweeter dramas full of romance with lots of character growth, this ones for you.
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Cute sci-fi romcom geared towards youths
I love sci-fi’s and romcoms so the synopsis of this drama really appealed to me. It’s a cute light feel good drama aimed towards a younger audience. I think if I were younger I would have liked it better. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it. But the characters were so innocent and naive that they reminded me of high school students in the way they interacted with one another.I both loved and disliked the storyline. I loved its depth and twists and turns. Nothing pleases me more than a drama that’s unique and unpredictable. But I disliked how far fetched the stories premise was. We are expected to believe that you can just put in some contact lenses and suddenly see and interact with a handsome man wherever you go during the day. No one else can see him but you. And he’s the perfect boyfriend to hang out with. There’s also AI robots and people trapped in a virtual world. So if you can turn off your brain and not overthink things you’ll love it. But if you’re a thinker like me it may bother you.
The romance was very light and innocent in keeping with characters that have never been socialized with the outside world. There are numerous kisses but a good deal of them are kisses on the cheek. There’s not any skinship beyond handholding or hugs. So the romance was very light sweet and fluffy. It felt like the romance was a side dish but definitely not the main course. The drama is more focused on the lives of the four young men being held captive and their fight for freedom.
What really stood out in this drama was the acting. The whole cast did a great job. I loved every character and was invested in each of their stories. I also loved how much character growth there was too.
If you’re looking for a really touching romantic drama with lots of skinship then look elsewhere. If you don’t mind a romcom that has a lighter romance as long as the story has depth and is interesting then you might like this drama as long as you don’t expect it to be very believable. I’m torn on this drama. There’s a lot I liked like the acting, the characters, and the interesting twists and turns the story took. But I was disappointed in how very unrealistic the storyline was and the lack of chemistry and skinship in the romance. And since these four men being held captive hadn’t ever been outside of their home, they were very immature, naive, and innocent. So their interactions came across a a bit juvenile. I felt like I was watching a high school romcom with a touch of sci-fi. Im glad I watched it. It was cute and a fun way to pass time. But I wouldn’t watch it again.
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Much more than just a romcom
At first glance this seems to be a light fluffy romcom about the main leads working through their problems to be together. And in the beginning that’s exactly what it is. But somewhere along the way it becomes much more. It becomes a story about not giving up when life gets you down. It’s about lifting your head up and facing your problems head on instead of running away from them.The male lead is a very talented chef that gave his all to achieve his dreams but failed. Then, instead of facing his problems, he ran away from them. He became a free spirited minimalist. He has very few things, not even a cell phone and he shuns all material things. But underneath it all he’s miserable. And when the cracks begin to appear in his defenses and we get to see how truly passionate he is about his dreams, you can’t help but root for him. His character growth was a joy to watch.
The female lead is a smart and very talented person that is working hard to achieve her goals. She pushes herself to succeed and never waivers in her determination to better herself. But when her world comes crashing down around her she begins to doubt herself. Her first instinct is to run away from her problems. But her friends rally around her and help push her in the right direction. I really enjoyed watching her work through her problems.
The rest of the cast wasn’t just there to move the story along. They had lovable personalities and interesting storylines of their own. I enjoyed the second couples romance and was pleasantly surprised at another relationship that pops up towards the end of the drama. Even though this is a romantic drama, the romance isn’t the central focus. There are a few kisses and some sweet moments but that wasn’t what the drama was about. The drama mainly focuses on the lives of the people sharing the house. It’s more about working hard to achieve your dreams and not giving up. As each person in the house faces roadblocks on their path to happiness you can’t help but cheer them on. Seeing them overcome these obstacles is what makes this drama so interesting.
It was a great drama but there were some negatives for me. I took one star off because I just didn’t feel the chemistry between the main leads. Don’t get me wrong, they were cute together and I liked them. But they seemed more like good friends than lovers. There just didn’t seem to be that spark of electricity between them that I think is essential in a romantic drama. Maybe it’s because there weren’t enough romantic moments between the leads so I couldn’t feel the chemistry between them. But for whatever reason, the romance felt a bit lackluster to me. I also took a star off because the storyline was a little too predictable. I enjoyed watching each characters journey but I knew everything that was going to happen well in advance. I was disappointed at how predictable it was.
Overall I’d say this is a light, sweet fun drama to watch. If the leads had more chemistry and if the storyline threw me a few surprises it would have been perfect. But even though it’s not perfect, it comes pretty darn close. The characters journey and growth are a joy to watch and it’s quite touching. It definitely left me feeling all fuzzy and warm inside. You won’t regret watching it, I didn’t.
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Read under “spoilers” below for my theory about why they went to the alternate world
If you’ve had to live your entire life suppressing your true self and instead having to work towards other people’s goals, what is the purpose of your existence? Can you truly be happy? And how do you go about changing your situation? This drama addresses these issues in a very touching way that really draws you in.The female lead is an orphan that works for a small publishing firm and often refers to herself as a “corporate slave.” She has to bottle up everything inside and smile and say yes to her bosses ridiculous demands. She faces numerous setbacks in life every day. But when she spies on the handsome CEO nearby, he becomes like an oasis in the desert and a comfort in a hard and bitter life. His advice in an interview on how to face adversity really impacts her. Knowing that even a rich powerful CEO like him also faces lots of setbacks comforts her. And seeing how he fights so hard to stay strong inspires her.
The male lead is an illegitimate child whose mother dies while he’s quite young. He’s then surrounded by mean, jealous step siblings and a tough father. In order to have value in his fathers eyes he has to be perfect and stay at the top. He has spent his whole life working towards other peoples goals and not for himself. He constantly has to suppress his true feelings and desires.
So when the male lead is in a coma and the female lead is unconscious and hospitalized, the alternate world they enter is very enticing to them. In the real world they are both forced by their circumstances to suppress themselves and live for others. But in the alternate world they are able to break free of their subservient personas and behave as they were never allowed to before. He gets to be the childish overbearing CEO and she gets to be outrageous and do whatever she pleases regardless of the outcome. So we see two very different people in the alternate world which has confused some viewers. But if you take into consideration their circumstances, it’s completely understandable and makes for comedic gold. Their behavior in the alternate world had me laughing all of the time.
This drama opens up with an amazing shower scene so you know right away it’s going to be a really sexy drama. The romance is quite steamy with lots of real kisses, hugs, cuddling, and some racy bedroom scenes. Their chemistry is one of the best I’ve seen. And you don’t have to wait till the last couple of episodes to see it all. If you’re into really romantic dramas then you’ll love this one.
That being said, there were a few things I didn’t like. The female lead is dressed in baggy frumpy clothes and always has unkempt hair that’s pulled up into a half ponytail or mini bun that sticks out. Meanwhile her romantic rival is dressed in close fitting clothes with short skirts and beautifully styled smooth silky hair. I really dislike dramas that purposely make the beautiful female lead look frumpy while her rival is made up perfectly. Also, since the alternate worlds setting is a romantic novel the only storyline there is the romance. So they keep the main leads apart with minor issues continually popping up for far too long. It’s also frustrating that they never give a clear explanation as to what caused them to go to an alternate world. The main leads discuss it at length and the drama gives us some hints but no definitive answer is given. But I’ve always been a super analytical person and love solving mysteries. So I’ve included my theory on what I think caused that to happen. I’ve put it below under “spoilers.”
Overall I have to give this drama really high marks for an original storyline, amazing chemistry, perfect romance, great comedy, and excellent acting. There’s character growth for everyone and some important life lessons are taught along the way. The positives in this drama far outweigh the negatives. You should definitely watch this drama it’s really good.
Slight Spoilers ahead:
We know that after seeing someone attempt to murder the male lead (which puts him into a coma), the female lead is afraid to report what she saw for fear that no one would believe her and there would be retaliation. So she goes to a temple and prays to a very powerful god named Mazu. She asks Mazu to help the male lead without revealing her identity or that she was illegally spying on him. Shortly afterwards, both the female and male lead are transported to an alternate world where books come to life. They suddenly find themselves living in a world where they are the characters in the romance novel the female lead is working on. She remembers everything and knows who she is but he doesn’t remember anything about himself. And when they leave the alternate world she still remembers everything yet he, again, remembers nothing. So her prayer that the male lead is helped without her identity being revealed comes true. It is my belief that Mazu answered her prayers by sending them both to the alternate world where she would learn a lesson and realize what she needed to do to help the male lead. The female lead learns that bottling things up inside and hesitating to speak up out of fear only makes the situation worse. She realizes that you can’t procrastinate, you have to boldly speak up without hesitation. So when she comes back to the real world she has learned her lesson and does what she should have done in the first place. She boldly goes to the authorities and tells them what she witnessed. The drama kind of hints that Mazu may have sent them on their journey but it doesn’t come right out and say it. The leads discuss it and throw around a lot of other theories but there’s no real conclusion as to what really happened. But after a lot of analysis I think my theory makes the best sense. I hope it helps gives closure to a few of you guys as it did me.
Oh and another little spoiler...., you’re gonna love episode 12. It has a scene that’s like a mild version of “50 Shades Of Gray.”
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A realistic sexy mature romance
I’ve watched hundreds of dramas and I rarely comment on the music because I don’t really notice it. But I have to say the music for this drama really stood out. It was amazing! Another unusual aspect of this drama is how it starts. Most dramas start out kind of boring as they introduce the various characters and their background stories. But this drama starts out interesting right from the very first episode.In the beginning the male lead makes the mistake of assuming that the female lead is still the same weak soft hearted girl he grew up with. When she was young her tendency to cry over everything put her life at risk because of her severe allergy to tears. But now she’s much stronger and tougher. So when he treats her just like he did when they were kids, their clash of wills is epic.
The main leads issues with each other goes back to their childhood. The male lead vowed to help the female lead overcome her problem. He wasn’t overprotective of her and he didn’t baby her. Instead he constantly pushed her limits and tested her to toughen her up. But his strategy to help her made him look like a cold unfeeling bully. Therefore, when their paths cross many years later, she’s distant from him and doesn’t trust him. Now he has to find a way to help her understand that he wasn’t bullying her back then and his feelings for her now are real.
What drives this drama and really makes it stand out is the romance of the main leads. Not only do they have amazing chemistry but their romance is a very mature realistic one. I love that we finally have a female lead that’s not afraid of intimacy. I’m so tired of female leads that are terrified of a kiss or some skinship. I also liked the second and third couples stories too.
What kept this drama from getting a perfect rating was the storyline. Unfortunately, since their work is in investment banking, most of the terms they use and the things they discuss are things most of us have never heard of. So the office talk is hard to follow and a bit confusing at times. I have to use English subs and I think a lot gets lost in the translation. And even though being allergic to tears is a real condition, it still isn't very believable. What saved the storyline was the twists and turns of the plot in the latter half of the show. No one is who they seem to be and I loved the unexpected surprises.
Overall, this is a great drama that focuses heavily on the romance of the main leads and has some great side characters. I like that even though there’s some angst and misunderstandings nothing gets dragged out for too long. And the office politics aren’t too upsetting like they are in some dramas. Plus the romance is refreshingly mature and realistic. I really enjoyed this drama.
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A pleasant easy to watch romcom
When I read the reviews I expected this to be kind of silly and funny with a little bit of romance. And it did start out that way in the first few episodes. But as the drama progressed it got deeper and there were more conflicts. So I was worried that this would be one of those typical cdramas that starts out as a romcom and turns into a melodrama. But I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t do that. Even though there were conflicts they weren’t overdone and didn’t last long. And the great comedy was sprinkled throughout each episode. What a pleasant surprise to have a romcom stay true to its genre right down to the end.As for the comedy, it was perfect. It was a little silly but not overly silly. And there wasn’t too much of it either. It was scattered about here and there to relieve the stress and make you giggle which I did quite often. And that’s saying a lot because it’s not easy to make me laugh and I hate goofy silly slapstick style comedy. But this comedy was perfect.
The romance was sweet with lots of skinship and several kisses and cuddles. One minute it would be cute and fluffy romance. Then the next minute it would be all sexy romance. (In one scene he sweeps everything off of the table and kisses her on it.) The romance was very nice.
The story taught a valuable lesson about equality between the sexes. It was an original storyline that was much more believable than I expected it to be. The characters had growth and depth. And I liked how they answered all of the questions and tied up the loose ends. My only complaint would be is that it gets just a little draggy in the middle of the drama. You get tired of the conflicts with the second female lead and her antics as it focuses on her a little too much. But it does get better if you hang in there. The whole equality of the sexes theme starts to kick in then it gets much more interesting.
Overall I would highly recommend this drama to those that like light sweet romantic comedies with a decent storyline and not too much angst.
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In season 2 the male lead has realized that leaving the female lead was a mistake. He thought she would be happier without him but she’s absolutely miserable. So now he’s a lot sweeter and kinder to her after realizing his mistake. The female lead on the other hand, is very resentful and doesn’t trust the male lead. So she is stronger, more assertive, and pushes the male lead away. So we see the two main leads being very opposite of what they were in season 1.
Some may point to this and say season 1 is nothing like season 2. I beg to differ. As most dramas progress, doesn’t the arrogant male lead soften up and become nicer? And doesn’t the female lead start to stand up for herself and be more assertive after a while? It’s called character growth. Season 2 is basically just the second half of the whole drama. And we are seeing the actors changing because they’ve grown emotionally. I personally think they did a great job on this drama. I loved everyone in the drama, especially the side couple. It’s rare for me but I’ve finally had second lead syndrome.
I like that in season 2 there are more mutant humans and we get to hear about how they came to be. This drama is every bit as good as season 1. There’s lots of romance with kisses, hugs, and skinship. And the story still has the depth and intrigue that the first season had. I would definitely recommend watching this one.
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