dramallamareviews

Hit or Miss, You Decide

I think I’m in the minority when I say this but I really didn’t care much for this drama (don’t hate me!) And this review is in NO WAY meant to throw shade on any of the cast or others involved in the making - I’m not denying their talents. After reading a review by a viewer who’s fluent in Chinese & familiar with the culture, I think it chalks up to an unfortunate case of there being so much lost in translation for those of us who rely on the subtitles to provide the correct context for the scenes. (And I know translating is hard work so I’m by no means shaming those involved with that!) That reviewer mentioned how the ML was actually really humorous (which definitely didn’t translate through for me) & there being this whole thing around when he would & wouldn’t wear his glasses (which wasn’t at all explained). Anyways - I’m just trying to say that me not enjoying this drama doesn’t mean it’s bad, I think it’s simply that I wasn’t given enough context of the little things to help me understand the story better.

That being said, I will still give some of my thoughts for anyone who’s interested in reading them. 😉

I was excited for this drama as I like both of the Lead actors ( Bai Lu & Dylan Wang). I really tried to stick it out, but I finally gave up at ep.18. Then I completely skipped eps.19-30 & jumped back in at the last few. I really hate doing that but I was just so annoyed with the storyline. I think it had so much unmet potential by adding all the unnecessary drama of the additional love interests, the multiple POV’s, & the workplace drama for both Leads. It all added up to more drama than I like to watch. I also really didn’t like that the FL started pursuing the ML out of a selfish desire for revenge on her ex. That doesn’t say very nice things about her, that she would use him like that. Yes, I know she was acting out of high emotions after catching her boyfriend cheating on her. Yes, I understand that this happens in the real world too. BUT I would’ve preferred she stopped being ruled by her emotions & selfishness much sooner rather than prolonging her game with the ML’s emotions. And I get that he was aware she had a hidden motive behind her sudden interest in him, but it still sucked that while he was developing feelings for her, he also knew he couldn’t 100% trust her because of her schemes/lies. And because of that, he would fluctuate between hot & cold with her. Then, when she knew her feelings for him had turned real & that she genuinely liked him, she chose not to confess ‘cause she knew he’d be mad (& rightfully so!). So she just kept lying, which doesn’t at all scream “I love you” to me. I understand not wanting to lose him, but girl - fess up so y’all can either build something REAL or you can let each other go to find something healthier. Nothing built upon lies can stand the test of time…

Also, side note - he deserved a heartfelt apology. Like, a true & sincere apology from her but, to the best of my knowledge, she never said she was sorry for how she approached him with bad intentions. I think she only ever apologized for work-related things, but never for how she intended to use him for revenge. Just because he forgave her without her having to say the words doesn’t mean she didn’t need to say them or that he didn’t deserve to hear them.

So with all of that there was a lot of push & pull drama which I’m not a fan of. I thought both Leads acted really childishly for adults who were presented as mature & excellent in their respective careers. Their professional & personal personas didn’t mesh for me. Their actions didn’t match their ages (but, again, maybe it’s ‘cause too much stuff got lost in translation.)

Now, having said all that, I DID enjoy it once they finally got together. They stopped being so annoying & became a solid couple with really great, melt-your-screen chemistry. 🫠 (WHYYY couldn’t we have more of that & less of the icky drama?!?) I liked how they cared for each other, the scenes where they protected/defended the other, & the ways they unashamedly loved one another. If they just could’ve been like that for more of the show, I would’ve rated this so much higher!! I even go back & rewatch the eps. after they’re a couple because of how cute they are together.

So I really don’t know whether to recommend this drama to you or not. I’ll simply leave it up to you & advise you go in knowing there’s missing context if you rely on subtitles like me. 🙃

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.14 💋
- Together : ep.? 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.? 💔
- BackTogether : ep33? ❤️‍🩹

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Whoa. Just…Whoa!

A ruthless general forces the daughter of the grand tutor into a marriage with an imperial decree in order to suppress a rebellion, despite her desire to marry her childhood sweetheart. Will he be able to win her love amidst all the turmoil or is her heart forever out of his reach?

Whoa. Just… I did NOT expect all that! 😳

This was a 7/7.5 rating at first but then I saw episode 24 & it shot to a solid 9 for me. That was a phenomenal “turnaround” that I didn’t see coming at all!

While the pacing was great & so much was happening that kept my attention at first (+ the ML🔥) I wasn’t really sold on it due to the whole love triangle plot (which I despise) being such an integral part of the storyline. It kept the FL from recognizing the ML’s greatness. Even though she’s a fun, quirky person she kept frustrating me with all her misconceptions of him. So despite the solid acting, I wasn’t sure I’d continue watching.

Ultimately,I stayed for him 🫠 This ML was cunning & wise; selfless & brave; sickly & so misunderstood. His willingness to be the villain was both admirable & heartbreaking. But it’s the way he loved the FL that really sucked me in. His willingness to let her go at first to be with the SML was honorable. And when others prevent that from happening, he kept protecting & safeguarding her while he continued on the path he set for the greater good. And it’s this very persistence of his, to both her & the country, that ultimately won him her love.

They had some beautifully intense moments, both before & after their love was mutual. There were many scenes that will stay with me for a long time. The Leads’ chemistry was great, proven by the fact they’re able to portray such a deep love w/out any kis$ scenes. Do we love those scenes? Heck yes. But this drama was proof that we don’t NEED them to grasp the depth of the Leads’ bond 🫶🏻

If you like the following things, then I def recommend watching this:
- strong, intelligent Leads
- opposites attract
- well-executed fight scenes
- plot twists galore
- palace politics & infighting
- layers of betrayals & schemes
- inability to trust anyone but Leads
- found family bonds
- great character growth
- beautiful visuals (scenery & people)
- memorable OST
- truly talented cast
- a love that beats all the odds
- happy endings
+ more!

I was truly surprised in the end by how high of a rating I gave this. 🙃

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : None 🙅🏻‍♀️
- Together : ep.4(fake), ep.19(real) 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍

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Both heavy & light

Facing setbacks in her career, the FL returns home seeking peace. She meets the younger ML, quickly falling for his quiet demeanor & soulful eyes. But their relationship gets turbulent when she learns his family is linked to her mother’s de@th. Can they overcome the trauma or are they destined to part ways?

While it didn’t quite meet my expectations, I still enjoyed watching this drama. The storyline is a very good portrayal of the healing love can bring - the love you receive from others but also the love you extend to yourself.

This has a twist with the older FL chasing the ML first, when generally it’s the other way around. I liked that she was bold in her pursuit & uncaring about others’ opinions (though she did annoy me a few times). They have an intriguing dynamic as they navigate their way through getting to know each other & forming a deep bond. They’re very opposite in personality - she’s outgoing & lives loud while he’s an introvert who likes silence & solitude. I enjoyed seeing how their characters developed & grew through their interactions with one another. They have really good chemistry & share some seriously fiery ki$ses a few times 🔥🫠

I was worried about her family’s need to control her but they ended up being aces who fully support the duo. There’s conflict that lasts longer than I’d like but that’s what turns the tables & has the ML now doing the pursuing of his wifey. This also opens the door for the annoyingly delulu SML who I honestly wish didn’t exist. Bleh.

Bonus: a great sismance storyline w/ an adorable kid as well. Also, this has one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I’ve seen in a drama yet (like, I want to get married to my hubby again just so I can wear something similar, haha!) 💕

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.8💋
- Together : ep.8 (married ep.12) 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.15 (not official) 💔
- BackTogether : ep.18 ❤️‍🩹

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Came for the story. Stayed for them!

A woman who doesn’t fully trust anyone & is cynical about love.
A demon who’s looked down on humans for 200+ years.

She mistook him for her blind date. He later tries to coerce her into a deal to sell her soul. While trying to flee from him, they’re attacked & his powers transfer to her. They’ll have to either remain enemies or work together to solve their problems - him protecting her from an unknown threat & her staying close so he can use her to access his powers until he can reclaim them.

Their bickering is hilarious, their flirting is adorable, & their chemistry is hottt ❤️‍🔥🔥. I absolutely adore them. Watching them fall was a fantastic ride. Their interactions will make you swoon from all the feels 🫠.

The plot was believable. The way their history was revealed piece by piece kept the intrigue high. Knowing they’d have to pay a price for their love kept the angst turned up. And their continuous displays of affection & protection made all the heavy feel just a bit lighter (like love does!)

The villains are truly evil. How humans can be so utterly horrible is sickening (& sadly our reality). And the wanna-be love rivals are completely delulu. Like - that girl needs checked into a mental institution because of how delusional she is 🤯…

Watch it for the full plot or just watch it for the Leads. Either way, watch it ‘cause they’re a couple you want to see 🖤🤍🩶.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.8💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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Fantasy + Romance = A Good Time

The ML is a fox-like Gumiho posing as a professor. He’s been collecting human energy in a precious bead for 999 years. The FL is a student who accidentally swallows the bead… Now they must figure out how to get it back safely or he’ll never be human & she’ll die! Will this duo cohabitate well enough to find the solution… & love?

The FL can seem a bit immature & naive at times, but she’s ultimately a very strong young lady. She’s loyal, caring, protective, & responsible. She understandably struggles with ML’s identity at first. They start as foes, but that doesn’t last too long. And when they become more, she loves him with everything she’s got, nothing held back. So sweet! 🫶🏻

The ML is so swoon worthy. Not only in looks, but in character. The more he comes to care for the FL, the more protective he grows. While I wished he made different choices a few times, I get where his heart was at. He only wanted what was best for her, even if it broke his heart. When he finally decides to go all in, there’s nothing that will stand in his way of claiming the woman he loves. 💚

I was rooting for them from moment one. I’m generally not a fan of back-&-forth drama between the Leads, but these two have such great chemistry that I just wanted more of them. 🫠🔥 I love how they refused to give into fate & accept the “red string” love (iykyk). They were each others choice & they proved they would fight for their love. And seeing their HEA was worth all the angst & drama. 💜💙

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.9💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.13 💔
- BackTogether : ep.14 ❤️‍🩹

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Full of Laughter-Inducing Moments!

A chaebol who leads a second life as a detective + a woman with super vision. Will their joint investigation help them find the truths they’re both searching for?

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the crazy antics of this duo {which had me laughing soooo much!} as they work together to uncover the mystery surrounding the ML’s mother’s death. The bond they formed lead to a beautiful and deep love. The ML’s protection of the FL makes me swoon and the FL’s desire to help him no matter the cost to herself is total girl crush worthy. 🫠

If you’re wanting to laugh, fall for the characters, and root for their victory over the bad guy then, imho, you can’t go wrong by picking this to be your next watch 😌

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10 💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💝

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Fighting for Justice with Humor & Heart

Once they were the best of friends. Now, their landlord and tenant. When the tension breaks will they be left as enemies or something else altogether?

Would you sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of the one you love? This ML did. And, as he later worked through the consequences of his choice with the FL, they were finally able to embrace a love so deep that nothing could keep them apart. He’d loved her in secret for over a decade. Now, he’s free to love her in the open and receive her love in return.

Throw in some really great cases that have them fighting for justice in some humor-inducing ways with a hilarious cast of coworkers turned friends and this is definitely a show I recommend you don’t miss out on! All.the.feels, swoon worthy kisses, and happy dance victories 💃🏻

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.4 💋
- Together : ep.11 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍

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Don’t think, just enjoy…

When a young woman returns from abroad after her sister’s suspicious de@th, she teams up with her brother-in-law & undergoes training in his secret resistance group to uncover the truth behind a powerful underground organization. As the danger mounts & family secrets are revealed, will their bond be able to withstand the truths being unveiled?

What you can expect from this drama:
a) lots of action/fight scenes
b) secrets & betrayals
c) sibling rivalry, drama, & love
d) sizzling chemistry & steamy kisses
e) white knights & evil villains
f) bitter losses & hard-won victories
g) engaging story & good pacing
h) short episodes [15-20mins]
i) both sad & happy endings
+ more!

I really enjoyed the Leads & the sweet complexity/tension between them throughout. Their genuine care of & trust in one another was like catnip to my romance lovin’ self. 🫠 And the fact that, with all the many characters involved, we didn’t have any love triangles or rival drama, nor dumb misunderstandings between the Leads was something I really appreciated. This duo acted their ages so kudos to the writers for that!

And I throughly enjoyed the bond between the ML & his 4th brother. They’re a true highlight of the show. And when their brother/cousin turns from rival to ally, I truly enjoyed that shift in their dynamic as well. Very well done, imho. 🤗

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10/19💋
- Together : ep.23 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💝

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Mature Love in the Office

A successful female CEO + a newly-hired male secretary. The paths that lead them to these positions haven’t been easy. Now that they’re working together, will they find any relief?

The FL’s independent & confident in her ability to tackle any issues that arise at work. Past betrayals have left her leery of trusting others so she takes any problems onto her own shoulders, leaving her worn out & overworked.

Being her complete opposite, the ML is very outgoing & considerate of his coworkers making it easy for him to make friends wherever he goes. He’s very responsible & mature, both in the workplace & at home with his young daughter. He places his child’s well-being above all, making him miss out on certain career advancements. He doesn’t regret it, though, as he loves his little girl with his whole heart (such a good dad!)

These three come to form a beautiful little family unit, helping each other heal from hurts & giving one another strength to face the obstacles of life. And yes, they have some pretty tough stuff to overcome.

The Leads have such a healthy & mature relationship, appropriate for their age. [I love when the adults actually behave like adults!] They each have such a precious & heartwarming bond with his daughter, too. I really enjoyed watching their story unfold, both as a couple & as a family of 3.

Bonus: the “love rivals” are both good people. They don’t try to break them up - they each accept the rejection & continue being their good friends (& they fall for each other, score!) 🙌🏻

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.7💋
- Together : ep.7 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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A Sweet “Noona” Romance

A dashing rookie employee boldly pursues his senior co-worker to turn an unrequited crush into a heart-racing office romance 💜

“But if you come to me, I’ll show you the most beautiful love ever.” How can you not fall for a ML who’s says such sweet things to you?! I’m not generally a fan of younger man/older woman romances but this one is really good. For one, the ML doesn’t act younger than the FL - he’s competent, responsible, mature, & independent. While his experience in the workplace is less since he’s just starting out, he isn’t a naive fool who’s constantly making mistakes, which I appreciated. He’s not there just to flirt - he takes his job seriously…and woos his leading lady while he’s at it 😉

This drama is filled with wonderful chemistry & a beautiful love story. There are so many memorable scenes as the ML’s steady devotion to the FL helps her heal from the SML’s betrayal. His constant care for & protection of her slowly win the ML his FL’s heart. 💕

The support characters stories are interesting too, so it doesn’t feel like a lot of wasted, filler scenes.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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There’s a reason why it’s so many viewers’ favorite comfort drama…

When a big-city dentist opens a practice in a seaside village, she clashes with a charming jack-of-all-trades who’s her polar opposite in every way. Will this chaotic duo ever learn to peacefully coexist in this close-knit community? Watch & find out! 😉

This is an often-talked about drama for a reason. The Leads have great chemistry & give life to the story. From their initial misunderstandings about each other that turn to grudges to their deep bond of love that everyone envies, they bring humor & heart to every scene.

Watching them slowly let down their walls & reveal their true selves to one another is a joy to witness. They have so many hilarious squabbles & emotional moments throughout. And when tragedy strikes & the ML retreats from everyone to protect himself, it’s the FL’s unconditional love for him that pierces though the darkness to let light into his world once again.

As a bonus, the other members of the community bring their own flavorful stories to the screen. They add a lot of chaos but also a lot of heart. And the SML isn’t toxic or overbearingly annoying so yay for that!

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10 💋
- Together : ep.11 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍

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Like Law Shows? Watch This

After joining a top law firm, our FL, a rookie lawyer, navigates the complex legal world under a demanding mentor, our ML. Will her tenacity, unique perspectives, & sense of justice ultimately win him over or will he forever judge her by her less-than-stellar first impression at her interview?

If you’re a fan of law shows, then I definitely recommend this drama. The cast played their parts very well, keeping the viewers entertained with each case they tackled. I enjoyed the character growth throughout, as well as the bond of friendship that grew among the whole team of the senior lawyers & their newbie juniors.

This is also a slice of life drama as our Leads have some heavy family issues they’re navigating. These dynamics bring a message of forgiveness & the many ways that can come about. Their personal journeys have influenced & molded them into the lawyers they’ve become/are becoming.

The only downside for me was that they didn’t deliver on the romance arc that was brewing between the Leads. I heard a lot of viewers complained about the age gap so the writers changed the story, which stinks for those of us who were wanting to see the spark ignite to a flame! It is hinted at in the end, but still disappointing. (I heard there’s possibly a second season so fingers crossed!) Aside from that, though, it’s a very well done & solid drama. 👏🏻

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Enemies-to-Lovers w/ Heated Kisses!

**Note: I have NOT read the novel that this drama is based on (I didn’t even know there was one) so my opinions have nothing to do with whether either drama stayed true to the book nor which one did it better!**

This is a short adaptation of the hit drama, “The Prisoner of Beauty” (which is one of my all time fav dramas now!!) So the storyline is the same, though this did make some changes in plot execution & pacing. The whole show takes about 2.5hrs to watch. Luckily, I found it on a streaming app with fairly good subtitles (though there were some serious mistakes - instead of FL being called ManMan, it kept translating it to Barbara/Barbarian… whaaaa?!? 🤯😂). For the parts where the subs got it wrong, I was able to fill in the real meaning due to having watched the original multiple times now. 😁

The actors who played the Leads both did very well. I’ve seen the ML in multiple dramas (the most recent being his role in, “Your Sunshine” ), but the FL was a new face for me. They had very good onscreen chemistry & I felt, for a short drama, they did the original justice. One major difference, though, is that this drama has quite a bit more skinship 🫣🫠 (so it could very well be labeled as a guilty pleasure type show 😉). Another big change is there’s no secondary love story, nor the core group of friends surrounding the Leads. This helped make “Yield to You” a drama in its own right, since not every single thing is the same (which you shouldn’t expect anyways since it’s so much shorter than the full length drama.)

All in all, if you’re a fan of TPoB or simply a fan of the actors’ work, I recommend watching this vertical, short drama 🙃

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Lovers of Music & Each Other

A passionate aspiring musician joins the leading Chinese entertainment industry as an assistant to a popular & unruly idol. They have a rough start due to some misunderstandings, leading to an unpleasant work environment. Will these opposites ever find a way to coexist in peace?

I wasn’t a big fan of the FL at first due to her huge crush on the SML, as well as her unfair judgments of the ML. Once she began to change, though, I came to really like her. She became the ML’s biggest supporter & fiercest protector. She always did what was best for him, even at the risk to her own career. She was a loyal friend & an honest colleague.

I loved the ML, despite his faults. He was arrogant & entitled due to his upbringing, so add his fame to the mix & he was convinced he’s all that. Seeing him grow as a human being under the FL’s influence was very satisfying. Under all the bluster, he’s just a guy who’s passionate about music & chasing his dream. And her. He becomes very focused on her. Protecting her, pursuing her, & loving her fully. 🫠

There’s a lot of character growth. They don’t stay the same people they were at the beginning. They mature, both as individuals & in their professions. It’s full of life’s moments: funny, sad, sweet, & inspiring. There’s drama - with friends, with families, with love rivals, & with competitive colleagues.

And amidst it all is a boy & a girl slowly falling in love. 💕

*Note: I watched this before knowing that the ML was a then-member of the kpop group, EXO. His musical talent is really shown in this 👏🏻

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.30 💋
- Together : ep.42 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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Revenge + Love Done Right

He is a wealthy tycoon.
She is a naive painter.
They appear fine, but they both carry deep wounds inflicted by family.

When she’s sent back in time after a tragic accident, will them teaming up help her exact her revenge? By helping her, will he find relief from his burdens as well?

So revenge dramas aren’t usually my genre but this was so good! I absolutely loved it & highly recommend it. The plot & pacing kept me engaged the whole time.

The Leads chemistry is chemistrying from the first moment she approaches him for help. Watching their story unfold & their bond deepen is so satisfying. And their love blooming made me smile so much!

The ML is a whole green forest. His every action is for the FL’s good. He’s always there to support, encourage, & protect her. He’s the swoon worthy lead us watchers adore. His love is so pure & the ways it helps heal her is perfect.

The FL’s growth is beautiful. Her transformation from timid & naive to bold & confident is girl-crush worthy. Her learning to trust the ML & falling in love with him is such a delight.

Seeing the villains, who are truly wretched, get what they deserve is such a sweet victory. It’s the perfect ending that this beautiful couple deserves after all they endured to get there.


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.6 💋
- Together : ep.7 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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