dramallamareviews

Nice Doesn’t Mean Weak!

I’m a total book nerd so a love story between a kind-hearted editor + a best-selling author totally piqued my interest when I read the synopsis. And while it was a bit more fluffy than I was expecting I still really enjoyed their story.

I found the FL to be quite relatable (though a bit too “cutesy” at times) with her bubbly personality, enthusiasm for her writers, & optimistic nature. She showed a lot of spunk for a girl who was just starting out in her career. She quickly learns it won’t all be easy since several colleagues seem intent on seeing her fail, but she’s determined to prove that she has what it takes to succeed. To do so, she sets out to sign a contract with a difficult & reluctant author.

I admired her character throughout the show. She faces a lot of challenges as she embarks on this new phase of her life, but she never lets the pressures or failures keep her down. She’s a sweet girl who others often underestimate. But we witness her inner strength when she stands up for herself, for what she believes in, & for her authors multiple times. It was refreshing to see a FL who’s friendly & kinda quirky not let anyone push her around. Like hey - we can be kind A N D strong, ya know? 🙌🏻

The ML matches her energy well as he’s also a combination of strong & dorky. He doesn’t care what others think of him or his writing, he stays true to himself despite any negative reviews. It’s only when his loved ones are threatened later in the show that he considers bending, though they refuse to let him do so. He’s a bit of an eccentric character, whom I found both entertaining & frustrating in equal parts for the first half of the show.
Let me explain: I’m not a fan of the hidden identity trope so that lessened my enjoyment of both him & the drama a bit. Him not admitting to the FL that he’s her online friend (even straight up lying to her about it) was confusing. I didn’t at all understand his reasoning for this. I know he explained it to her later amidst their fighting & reconciliation scenes, but I still don’t get it. IMO, the FL was fully justified in her anger towards him. So while, yes, I did love the ML, he wasn’t without flaws.

Back to his good points, though. He’s not at all lacking in self-confidence, but when it comes to the FL he’s a bit out of his depth. He likes her but he’s not quite sure what to do about it since she likes her online friend (the ML’s jealousy over this “love rival” is funny since he’s knowingly jealous of himself, haha.) His attempts at wooing her are clumsy & tend to have the opposite effect, but eventually his efforts pay off. And we get to experience how adorable this duo is as a couple in love. 🫶🏻

Together, they’re precious. They’re both very loyal & refuse to be swayed by others’ opinions. They don’t give outsiders any room to cause misunderstandings between them (I LOVE how they both handled the delulu girl - she didn’t stand a chance at breaking up these two). They’re fierce in their defense of one another & they make each other/their relationship a top priority. They’re a solid couple with great chemistry. They have lots of cute, swoon worthy moments & many sweet kisses. 🫠

Apart from the greatness of the Leads’ relationship, I also enjoyed the “business” side of things. If you’re a word-lover like me, I think you would as well. Taking a peek into the world of authors & their editors was a fun delight (even if it’s a fictional look in another country). There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes for the books we love to wind up in our hands. I wasn’t at all bored by this aspect of the plot line or the many scenes focusing on their careers. And I liked that the Leads were able to separate their personal relationship & their business dynamic. They handled that very maturely. Same goes for their interactions with colleagues - they never let work negatively impact their friendships. Healthy relationships all around!


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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.19 💋
- Together : ep.21 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💖

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Drama in the Fashion World

It’s been a few years since I first watched this so, unfortunately, I can’t do an in-depth review at this time. I’ll briefly summarize what I remember for you though.

The head of an e-commerce company & a fashion designer get entangled in a lawsuit. In order to protect their own interests & success, they agree to collaborate to settle things down regarding the public opinion. But it’s no easy feat as these two strong-willed people constantly clash with one another. Unexpectedly, though, they slowly being to respect & inspire one another, leading their hearts on a journey to love. The path isn’t all smooth sailing for this duo, but they weather life’s storms & emerge even more devoted to one another.

There’s a LOT of push & pull between the Leads throughout this drama which lessened my enjoyment of the story. I’m not a big fan of the main couple having so much self-induced drama. And there were some parts I didn’t really agree with - like the FL choosing to work with the ML’s rival. That didn’t at all make sense to me. If there was a guy intent on beating my boyfriend, either personally or professionally, he couldn’t pay me enough to work with him in achieving that goal, no matter what boost it would give my own career. My loyalty & priority would be my man, not some other guy so it really bugged me that she chose differently, especially since they had such a devoted relationship. That plot just seemed really out of character to me.

Another part that bothered me was the FL’s mother’s extreme control issues. The FL is an adult who is fully capable of making her own decisions, especially regarding her marriage partner! She wanted to focus on her career once her ex-fiancée’s infidelity was discovered. Give the girl some time to just breathe before pressuring her into dating agian! And when she does start dating, stay out of her relationship - don’t be so judgmental & demand she end the relationship because he’s not the guy you picked for her. Good grief, the drama! 😵‍💫

Honestly, if not for the Leads’ awesome chemistry, I may ha’ve been tempted to drop this. But they have a serious melt-your-screen & give-you-tingles connection that we get to experience a lot with all their yummy kiss scenes. 🔥🫠 They also have a really great dynamic when they’re not trying to push each other away due to some misunderstanding or other. I actually like the way they interact with one another, both in & outside of the workplace (except when they’re being dumb dumbs, of course.) They do know how to communicate with one another, they just seem to forget that at times. 🤦🏻‍♀️

A noteworthy mention is the scene of how the Leads’ paths first cross - I’d never seen a couple meet like that before! I won’t spoil it, just know it’s very memorable. 🫶🏻

I admit the business aspect of things went over my head. I’m not highly interested in the world of fashion so those scenes didn’t really hold my interest & made the drama drag a bit for me at times. If you like fashion, though, there’s a lot of focus on that so you may feel differently.

There are both good & bad points, but overall I did enjoy the story. It’s not likely I’ll rewatch it anytime soon, but if I ever do I’ll try to write a more detailed review!


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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.14 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.16 💔
- BackTogether : ep.25 ❤️‍🩹

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Fluffy Love

The cast:
The FL - a struggling cartoonist with a need for inspiration.
The ML - an arrogant professor who can’t remember anyone’s name.
The SML - an artist lending his talent to assist his bestie, the FL.
The SFL - a popular webtoon artist whose start is suspicious.

The plot:
The FL is in a creative slump, but when she randomly meets the ML, she starts feeling inspired again. When he later turns out to be her professor, she devises ways to interact with him in hopes of getting more ideas for her comic. At first the ML is very cold towards her, despite remembering her name (which is a big deal since he can’t even remember his family’s names). But her bumbling attempts to get close to him catch his interest & he finds himself falling for this odd girl who’s both innocent & straightforward. Does the FL return his affection or has it all been a ploy merely for her work?

The drama:
Pay attention, this could get confusing! The SML is in love with the FL (unbeknownst to her). But the FL fell for the ML at first sight. To complicate things more, turns out these two are brothers who’ve been estranged for years due to a misunderstanding on the SML’s part. To even further add to the complications - the ML has the FL acting as his fake girlfriend to get his grandfather off his case in exchange for spending more time with her like she wants (though he doesn’t know it’s for her comic.) Meanwhile, the SFL is the FL’s ex-friend/partner turned rival (also due to a misunderstanding) so she’s trying to entice the SML to join her as a colleague (+ more!) to hinder the FL’s career. What a tangled web - will they ever unravel all the knots so they can find their HEAs? Well of course! … and then the men’s mother enters the picture & voila! More drama ensues. 🤦🏻‍♀️ (She orders them to switch parters due to their ages - ML with SFL & SML with FL. Who does that?? As if their feelings & hearts don’t matter. Geesh, lady! When they refuse, she says she’ll only accept the couple who can prove they’re really in love. Talk about controlling! Thankfully she’s not actually an evil mother, she’s just testing them.)

The review:
This is a quick & easy watch if you’re in the mood for a fluffy story that doesn’t take lots of brain energy to watch. It’s low angst with no drama trauma. The characters all annoyed me at one point or another, but I still liked them as they fumbled their way to their happy ending. It’s an age-gap romance with a bit of an enemies-to-lovers feel. There’s a slight fight when the truth is revealed that the FL’s purpose in pursuing the ML was inititally for her comic, but it’s over quick. Overall it’s a pleasant drama with some comedic moments & some sweet scenes too.


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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.11 💋
- Together : ep.15 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Beautiful Found Family

Let me start by saying I love both the original Chinese story (Go Ahead) & the Korean adaptation. Both casts did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life. Each version has strong points & flaws. Some people struggled with just how much the two dramas are alike, but that wasn’t an issue for me. They’re the same story so I was expecting that, it didn’t bother me at all. If you think it’d be a problem for you, this is my advice - don’t watch them back to back. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The story is both heartbreaking & heartwarming at the same time. It shows how deeply members of your family can hurt you, but also how family can be the ones to heal you. It also beautifully portrays that some families are connected by blood, while others are made by choice. At the heart of the story we have our beloved sibling trio: the two boys who’ve been abandoned by their mothers & the girl being raised by her widowed father.

One boy is goofy, athletic, & out-going. He hides the pain from his mother’s abandonment with a smile. He’s constantly reminded by outsiders that he’d better behave ‘cause the father could get rid of him at any time (whyyy do people say such cruel things?!) His aunt keeps track of what they “owe” the girl’s father for raising him & promises the boy will pay him back when he’s grown (something the father neither expects nor wants). This all makes a deep impression on the SML’s psyche, affecting his life choices as an adult. The betrayal of his mother & being the only non-bio child of the trio causes him to doubt that he’s equal to the other two in the father’s hearts.

The other boy (my bias in both versions!) is more mature, studious, & a loner. His younger sister died when he was a little kid which resulted in the fracturing of his mother’s mental state. She blames him for the tragedy since he was the only one home at the time of the accident (um, hello, lady - where the heck were you?!?) She files for divorce & abandons him to his father (who never blamed him, fyi). This all causes the ML to draw into himself. He slowly bonds with his “siblings”, but he keeps a wall between him & everyone else. He hides how much he’s still affected by his mother’s cruelty. He works hard to achieve his goals while trying to keep the other two in line (which is quite the task!)

The little girl is sassy & adorable. It’s always been just her & her dad until the arrival of the two boys. One she is not at all impressed with while the other she instantly claims. Eventually she accepts the SML & finally wins over the ML so she feels her world is complete. She grows up sheltered & adored. She’s optimistic with a bubbly personality which helps soothe her brothers’ wounds. She adores them both but their popularity is a thorn in her side. Her attempts to make their admirers leave her alone provide us with some of the best scenes! She’s confident that she’ll always have these two by her side.

Which means the writers inevitably split them up…

The SML’s biological father appears to claim him & take him abroad. The ML’s toxic mother returns with her young daughter, expecting him to leave with them. The trio’s lives are thrown into chaos. The fathers try to guide the boys the best they can even while their own hearts hurt. The FL is desperate for them to stay with her. And despite their desire to remain by her side, the boys are forced to go with those who came & destroyed their peaceful lives. Cue the tears as our beloved trio is ripped apart…

10yrs passes quickly for the viewers & the three once again fill our screen together. Their reunion isn’t happy,though, as the FL treats them coldly for staying away so long. But her love for them doesn’t allow her to stay distant for long. The strength of their bond is proven as they quickly fall back into their friendship & sibling camaraderie. The trio is as they always were, best friends & beloved siblings. But the ML isn’t content for things stay this way & now we gotta cue all the happy girl squeals ‘cause OhEmGee - the chemistry!!! 🔥🫠

Look, I love the alpha male/CEO trope as much as the next girl, but there’s just something about watching a stoic & quiet guy like this one be utterly focused on his female that really gets to me. I love when there’s that connection between the Leads that could never be replicated with someone else - it has to be her for him & vice versa. And not in a toxically possessive/controlling style, but rather because they understand each other in a way that no one else ever could, deepening their bond to unmatchable depths. They need one another just as much as they want each other, if that makes sense? The way this plays out in this drama is like catnip to me!

IMHO, the ML slayed in this role. His facial expressions, gaze, & pitch of his voice - it all worked perfectly to bring life to this precious character. (The fact that the actor is gorgeous doesn’t hurt!) He’s my favorite of the three (though I love the others too!) because he’s so soothing & pleasant to watch. I love the life & color the others bring to the screen, but it’s the ML’s steadiness & calm demeanor that most attracts me.

I adore the way he eases the FL into a different dynamic between them. He’s so careful with her, knowing she’ll need time to adjust going from a sibling type relationship to lovers. And there’s nothing creepy about them developing feelings for one another so I won’t focus on that because it’s a total non-issue. This duo is absolute perfection from their first interaction as kids. I’m not really sure who falls for the other first since they’ve always been special to one another. It’s simply that the ML becomes aware of his feelings first while the FL is too naive to realize what she feels for this boy she grew up with.

Their interactions are so precious. I love all the scenes we get with them being a couple & the way their lifelong bond shines through. Their protection & genuine care of one another is so sweet. How they both handle the initial shock & opposition from their family is admirable. And when the FL defends & claims the ML in front of his mother at the hospital - that scene is perfection & you can see the adoration in their eyes. Absolutely beautiful! 💜

I like the way the shift in their relationship ultimately settles into place with the SML, too. So good! It allows a more mature side to be seen in him. Speaking of which, the scene where he confronts the ML over the sleeping pills is so emotionally impactful. Such depth of emotions in that scene!! The actors deserve recognition for their portrayal of these characters! 🩵

Since I’m talking about the SML, I must also mention the adorable SFL. He’s completely clueless that she’s always had a crush on him, not the ML, which leads to some comedic moments throughout the show. But when she accidentally blurts out her confession he’s forced to face her feelings for him, but also his feelings for her. When he realizes he likes her too & claims her after the basketball game? Swoon! They’re so cute together!! This is one thing I love more in this version - he gets a love of his own instead of thinking he likes the FL. And the SFL doesn’t spend any time crushing on the ML (meaning no fight over him with the FL, yay!)

Another thing I like better in this story is the ML’s little sister. In the CDrama she’s a total brat. She does grow & mature but the majority of the time she’s unlikable. But in the KDrama she’s sweet from the start. This was a refreshing change from the original.

One of the best things that remains true in both versions is the pure awesomeness of the father duo. They’re such a non-gay married couple, haha!! They’re total opposites who’ve formed a bond while raising their kids together. Their friendship is precious & the love they share for all three kids is fierce. They don’t treat their biological child any differently than the others - to them, all three are their kids & that’s that. All the hearts, thumbs-up, & kudos for these two. They’re a beloved father pair in the drama world for a reason!

So despite some flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama & highly recommend it if you want to experience the beauty of a family who genuinely loves one another through all the good & bad times of life. 💖

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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.11 💋
- Together : ep.12 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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A low-angst, easy watch

A lighthearted & heartwarming story of a bubbly liquor salesperson + the reclusive brewmaster she’s tasked to recruit in order to save her company branch from closing. She’s a woman who never gives up on completing any job she’s given, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. So with her natural take-charge attitude & a desire to save her fellow colleagues’ jobs, she sets out to sign the contract ASAP, not knowing how this one task will alter the course of her life forever…

This is a fresh story in the KDrama world as the usual roles are reversed. Here it’s the FL who’s the former soldier with a tough-girl persona & the physical strength to keep up with/rival all the men around her. Opposite her we have the ML who’s the softer one with his over-developed senses that make him extremely empathetic. They both have reasons for being the way they are &, as their pasts are slowly revealed, the viewers can’t help but to feel for what they’ve each gone through.

Due to the divorce of her parents, the FL was raised by her grandmother. She’s forced to grow up quick in order to not be a burden on this beloved woman. She thrives as a soldier & enjoys the work she does, but when her grandma falls ill & is in need of constant care, the FL puts aside her own dreams & resigns from her post to stay home & care for her cherished family member. She pours everything she has into her new job, making a name for herself because of her determination & grit. She gives it her all because she’s the sole provider now & she’ll do whatever it takes to make her grandma as comfortable as possible. She’s a woman who’s unfamiliar with the “girly” things of life, never having had the time (or the desire) to waste on fashion or makeup. She’s friendly, hardworking, & dependable. She seems to have it all together, but nobody knows that her smile is hiding her inner screams.

Nobody but him, that is.

Our ML has always been different due to his ability to feel other’s emotions. He doesn’t just commiserate with those around him, but rather he actually FEELS their emotions as if they’re his own, making it seem like he can read their minds. His father treated him harshly due to this, not being pleased with a “soft” son, causing him to leave home as soon as he was of age & have limited contact with his family as an adult. He sought a home where he could isolate himself as much as possible &, thankfully, landed in a town that welcomed him & allowed him his peace. And while he does interact with the locals, he wants nothing to do with those outside his close circle. Not because he’s mean or indifferent, but because their emotions overwhelm him. This is shown to us with his first interaction with the FL, which is such an intense & beautifully-done scene.

The way they showed the contrast of the FL’s outer countenance & inner thoughts as seen/felt by the ML was just wonderful (& a great way for the viewers to then know what was happening in future similar scenes.) From the chemistry the actors have from that initial meeting, we (the viewers) know this is going to be a well-done drama. And we’re proven right which each subsequent interaction the Leads have. After that intense scene, we come to comedic moments where she’s trying to win him over & he’s firmly drawing a line of rejection. But even as he’s turning her away, his caring nature shines through in the little things he does for her (iykyk). And as they interact more, her caring nature also gets displayed in the ways she notices the small things & attempts to protect him/make him comfortable (again, iykyk). They’re complete opposites in lots of ways, but the genuine goodness of their hearts is the same.

I enjoyed watching this duo fumble their way into a partnership that was born out of an unexpected friendship. When the whole town is against working with her due to some sabotage attempts from a colleague (who later turns into a great friend, thank goodness!), the ML’s choice to trust her is such a touching scene. All the little ways she proved herself worthy of that trust & all the many ways he continued to choose her over & over laid a great foundation for their relationship to build on & progress from. It’s sweet how confident the FL is in her everyday work life & interactions with others, but how unsettled she gets by the unknown feelings the ML evokes in her. She’s not a touchy feely, girly girl so a lot of what he’s making her feel is foreign to her. I sometimes got a little frustrated at her naivety, but it makes sense in light of her history & lack of any emotional connections like this before.

The ML is a total green flag for her, understanding her confusion & easing her into things. I love the way he begins flirting with her, knowing she likes him even though she herself hasn’t figured it out yet. He’s adorable in his approach with her once he’s able to differentiate his own feelings from those around him (remember, he feels everyone’s emotions as if they’re his own so it can sometimes be confusing for him to know what HE’S actually feeling). That scene where he confirms that he himself likes the FL & it’s not just him experiencing the other guy’s emotions is so cute. ☺️

I admit I couldn’t really relate to the FL in her tough-girl persona, but that’s simply because she’s the complete opposite of me. I have a chronic illness that has affected me all my life so my physical abilities are quite limited, making her achievements vastly different from my own, haha. BUT I did grow to love her character & appreciate her strength. (Note: I’m not a girly-girl either, just to clarify. Makeup, fashion, hair done everyday - I’m too lazy for all that 🤣.) I more resemble the ML in this show. Which is actually what makes the show so fun - it truly is a reversal of the typical roles between men & women! And the actors did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life.

The secondary cast members were great too in their roles. Each one brought a different element to the team, adding a necessary dynamic that helped give heart & soul to the storyline. The love story of the second couple is just as sweet & satisfying as that of our Leads. And the friendship that bloomed between the once-rivals-now-teammates was so fun to watch. Plus, I just have to mention, the whole cast is freakin’ gorgeous so it’s no hardship to watch them on the screen!

Overall, this is a really easy & heartwarming show. There’s not a lot of angst or tension. The characters all stay true to themselves, nobody turning to the dark side for personal gain. There’s no real love-rival drama &, best of all imho, there’s no breakup. That got a bit dicey for a bit, but the Leads handled the situation beautifully. I absolutely adore that, in the midst of the tense could-be fight, the FL says, “there’s no breakup for us.” PSA to all writers - do this more!!! Two adults who can take a step back when emotions are high & admit they need to cool down before continuing the conversation. It’s so mature to simply hit pause when a fight is coming so that things aren’t said & done in the heat of the moment that you later regret. So I really appreciated & admired that the Leads did this - they know they have responsibilities to their employers & colleagues, but they also know they have a responsibility to protect & guard their relationship. So they choose to table the discussion & come back once they both have clearer heads, but not without clarifying that they are NOT breaking up. Kudos!!

This made me laugh, swoon, cry, & cheer so I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a story that will move your heart from the Leads sweet love. I confess, I didn’t really care much about the work aspect of the story. If that had been all there was, I would’ve dropped this, but the Leads saved the show for me. They had enough chemistry & interactions that I could overlook my boredom of the liquor brewing stuff & the workplace plot line. I came for the story, but I stayed for the Leads. 🩵

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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.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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We All Need Friends Like These Five!

A touching coming-of-age story about five youths who grow up in the same residential compound (which is similar to an American apartment complex for anyone who’s wondering). The group consists of three boys & two girls who share an unbreakable bond. We meet them in their high school years as they’re discovering who they are & who they want to be.

With five different personalities the group is bound to clash & squabble at times, but they always have each other’s back in every situation. The boys look out for & protect the girls while the girls do the same for the boys but in different ways. They’re allowed to pick on each other, but no one else had better try or they’ll face the wrath of all five teens. Their loyalty is solid & each one knows that they’ll never have to face anything alone.

They get up to some crazy adventures due to the antics of the two main leads who often seem more like rivals than friends, which brings lots of humor to the show. And while this isn’t strictly a romance, we do get the enjoyment of witnessing these two experience the beauty of realizing they’ve fallen in love with their best friend. I would’ve loved to have seen more of them as a couple, but I also understand why we didn’t get that until the end due to their ages. It didn’t at all detract from the storyline or cause me to regret watching this.

The friendship these five share is enviable & heart warming. I enjoyed how each teen got their moment to shine, allowing us to get to know them as more than just a support character. Each one brought a necessary dynamic to the group, they weren’t complete unless all five were there. It was refreshing to see the ways they always worked through any issues rather than letting things fester. And if any of the five were at odds with each other, the rest of the group helped them resolve the issue(s) & regain the group’s harmony. It was also touching to see them rally around each other when familial stuff arose. They didn’t let their age negate their place in one another’s life or cause them to stay silent if one was being mistreated.

Being a teenager & going through high school is tough. Having a group of friends like these five who you know you can 100% trust to always be on your side is what we all wish for during those years. 🩵

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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.16💋
- Together : ep.16 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 😌

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Watch to form your own opinion!

The sweet & cheerful FL finds the ML after he’s been in an accident. After helping him to the hospital, she ends up taking responsibility for him when he seemingly doesn’t remember who he is or what happened to him. Taking pity on the helpless guy, she takes him home with her until they can figure out a solution. Unbeknownst to her, however, he remembers everything & is just biding his time to reveal that he survived the attack.

If you like the following tropes, then you may enjoy this drama:
- hidden identity
- childhood connection
- first love
- toxic love rivals
- familial drama
- workplace romance
- cohabitation
- light mystery
- unbreakable love

For me, I like some of these tropes & dislike some of them too. Maybe because of that, this drama was more of a miss for me. It’s not horrible, I just didn’t really enjoy it so I won’t say much in this review. I don’t at all want to belittle the hard work & efforts of all who were involved in the creation of the drama. My personal opinion is in no way meant to be a slur against any of them! And don’t let my low ratings stop you from watching it - you may actually love it!!

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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.5 💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Not the best, not the worst

The story of an ice-cold army officer + a kind-hearted surgeon whose lives become intertwined unexpectedly.

They first meet in a harrowing situation & neither is impressed. It’s definitely not a “meet cute” scene - bad guys shooting, soldiers trying to incapacitate them, & civilians getting caught in the crossfire. With tensions high & emotions flaring, it’s no wonder they initially don’t like each other. Lines are drawn & our Leads, though both “good guys”, are standing on opposite sides. Both still upset with the other, they go their separate ways, never planning to see one another again. But fate has other plans…

Back in their home country, they find themselves suddenly cohabitating (I admit, I’m a fan of this trope!) Due to issues for the FL, they grudgingly agree to share the space. It’s not easy sharing space with someone, no matter who they are. But when you don’t like your roommate it’s a whole lot worse! They seem to always be clashing, yet their hearts slowly begin to soften & their dislike turns to mutual affection. They form a friendship that turns to more, but some people are determined to keep them apart. Mostly the villain, whom the FL believes is her old childhood friend so she warmly welcomes his presence, not knowing he’s the bad guy the ML is hunting. The Leads clash over him, but it eventually all works out.

[[*Side note/rant - if a “friend” is constantly interfering in your relationship or if they don’t accept that you don’t return their affection & continue to pursue you despite you not being single, would you really deem them a friend? Writers, can we please start having our Leads cut toxic people out of their lives rather than continuing to indulge & placate them?*]]

Aside from that super annoying guy who got way too much screen time, imo, I enjoyed this drama. The Leads are both dedicated to their careers so they put a lot of thought into whether they can invest enough in a relationship or if they’re better staying friends. I appreciated this (though I think they overthought things & took too long) because it showed that they were both taking their relationship seriously & sincerely. It wasn’t a heat of the moment decision nor were either of them instetested in a fling. If they were going to take a step forward, it was gonna be with the intent of never taking that step back. And once they finally decide to follow their hearts, they’re all in. Devoted & protective, never letting go of one another’s hands. They face some scary stuff where they each have to fight to save the others life, deepening their bond more & more. It was nice to see it wasn’t all one-sided. Sometimes it’s the guy constantly rescuing the girl in dramas, but here we see the FL saving the ML’s life too.

So while there were aspects I didn’t like about the show, overall I enjoyed this story of a doctor & soldier falling in love.

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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.21 💋
- Together : ep.30 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Light & Easy Watch with a Shock

An easy watch about a college swimmer, a girl with unique abilities, & the sweet love that develops between them.

Aside from the mega annoying male wannabe love rival (seriously, what is up with writing toxic characters who can’t accept when their crush is just.not.into.them?!) I enjoyed this series. The Leads are super cute together, being really supportive of each other. It’s fairly drama free except for the aforementioned character.

The FL just wants to be normal, which is seemingly impossible since she emits a frequency that can cause an electric shock. She does her best to hide it, though, as she wants to be just another college student. But this trait causes more trouble when she accidentally shocks the school heartthrob, who then begins pursuing her publicly. Knowing he’s only doing it because of the shock, she repeatedly rejects him. But what if the feelings that came upon him from the shock turned real?

The ML is a swimming legend with a secret - an injury is causing issues with his abilities. Because of his naturally bold & outgoing personality, when he gets shocked into pursuing her, he does it relentlessly - undeterred by her continuous rejections. But when the effects of the shock wear off, will he want anything to do with her?

Like I said earlier, I enjoyed this. The synopsis makes it seem like it could have lots of drama between the Leads, but there’s actually very little. Once he learns her secret & asks her to use it to help with an injury, they begin spending more time together & form a friendship. When he then pursues her for real, no shock needed, he’s very sweet about it. And he becomes super protective of her - doing all he can to help her with her condition & keeping it a secret like she wants. He never looks at her as a freak or a problem, which earns him the FL’s affection. They’re a cute couple who bravely face their future together. And while, yes, the FL does at one point push him away to “protect” him cause here ability starts really acting up, I don’t deem it an actual break up because she’s just hiding from him & he’s seeking her out the whole time. There’s no actual break up scene & when he finds her & confronts her, they reconcile right then. So maybe others would say they broke up, but I’m sticking with my opinion.

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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.15 💋
- Together : ep.15 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Such an underrated gem!

OhEmGee - the Leads’ chemistry is hot! 🔥 It leaps off the screen & pulls you right in from the first episode. And it doesn’t let you go even when the show is over…

The FL, a rising theater actress, ends up held hostage by a mafia-like crew. When a high-ranking member lays claim to her, she fears the worst. But there seems to be more to this ML as, instead of hurting her, he protects her from the others. More tragedy strikes when she’s rescued & he’s presumed dead. But when he’s suddenly in front of her 5yrs later, going by a different name & claiming not to know her, she’s left confused & becomes determined to uncover the truth of his identity & what really happened on that island years ago…

There are no dull moments or slow pacing with these two. Even when truths come to light & the FL walks away because of the lies, there’s still an intense pull between them as the ML refuses to lose her again. And as they navigate their way through working out all the big issues, they nurture a love to be envious of. A love that will never let go or fade away.

Filled with swoon worthy kisses & heart warming glances, this will have you melting for the Leads! 🫠 If you’re in the mood for romance mixed with action & some mystery, give this drama a try.

And be sure to check out “Love of Replica” to get more of our Leads on the screen together! 🫶🏻


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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.5 💋
- Together : ep.5 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.7 💔
- BackTogether : ep.12 ❤️‍🩹

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An easy (slightly irritating) watch

Will a drunken night lead to a blossoming office romance…?

While I did overall enjoy this drama, the beginning was super frustrating. It starts with our FL struggling with the decision to end her current relationship due to her partner cheating on her or give it another shot. And I get that she’s been with him 10 years and invested so much time and effort into it but just…ugh. Dump him! He’s so freakin’ annoying and condescending to her - like, he doesn’t get her at all. So even without the huge deal of his infidelity, he’s already a toxic guy who doesn’t deserve her. 😡

Enter the ML and *swoon* - girl, be with him instead! 🫠 Seriously, our guy is so into her and really sees her in ways her current dude never has. He just gets her. And even though they start off with misunderstandings and false perceptions of one another, their attraction is immediate and their chemistry palpable.

So yeah, because of the tension between them due to her pushing him away to give her current dude another shot even though the one she truly wants is clearly the ML, the first half of this frustrated me. BUT, when she finally sets herself free and our Leads get together, happy sigh & happy dance because they. are. it! 🔥

Once they’re a them, it’s done. They don’t let anyone come between them. They refuse to bow to outside forces, they fight back against any attack. They’ve committed to one another and no delulu love rival, jealous ex, or cruel scheme will break them. So while the beginning brought frustration, the happy ending totally made up for it 😍

Side note: I didn’t feel much interest for any of the support cast (characters, not actors!) They were just kinda…there. I’d have preferred less of them and more of the Leads, but it wasn’t a huge annoyance or anything.

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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- F(r)K : 16 💋
- 2G : 16 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BU : Nope 💍

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Who is the Replica?

This is both a dark & light watch. The plot of the FL not having her memories & the ML being her bodyguard with secrets adds some drama & tension, while the Leads’ chemistry brings the swoons & heart flutters. I love when a couple only has eyes for each other throughout the whole show. It’s a true “you’re the only one for me” coupling & I’m a huge fan of that.

The FL is going through a lot & isn’t quite sure who to trust, but even when it seems like the ML betrayed her, she never actually loses faith in him. She’s a strong woman in a very confusing situation. She’s trying to connect all the dots & piece her memories back together, determined to uncover the truth of who she really is. All while quickly & completely falling for her mysterious bodyguard.

As for the ML - the way he’s devoted to protecting her, physically & emotionally, is so perfect. 🫠 He knows there’s more going on then he’s aware of & he’s determined to keep her safe while helping her find the truth. Yes, he’s got a hidden agenda, but he never for a moment puts that above the safety or well-being of the woman he’s completely fallen for.

They’re a truly great couple who prove that, no matter what, love is always worth it! The trust they have in one another is well deserved as neither would ever do anything to sabotage the other. As the ML proves with the way he handles the SFL’s advances & flirtations. I love when the Leads put others in their place, leaving no doubt as to who they love & where the “love rivals” fit (or don’t fit) in the equation.

If you haven’t watched “Mysterious Love” yet, I recommend seeing that too. It was the Leads’ first drama together. The storylines don’t connect, but the main cast are almost all the same so it sorta feels like a duo set. You can watch one without the other, though, & still understand everything. 👍🏻 It’s just really great to see them on screen together again!

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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.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Twists abound on this journey…

A boy with the power to sense other people’s secrets with a simple touch. A girl who will do anything to hide a traumatic secret. Both dealing with past traumas in their own ways. What happens when these complete opposites meet & their worlds collide?

I really enjoyed the relationships in this show. The ML { Jin Young } & the FL { Shin Ye Eun } have great chemistry & share a wonderful bond. It’s a unique situation due to the ML’s abilities, but they navigate it well. I mean, think about it - you’re falling in love with this great person but you have this huge secret you’re not ready to share because of how others who know the truth have treated you in the past. But this person you’re falling for will be able to know all about it with a simple touch between you. Would you have the courage to continue to fall for them?
And from the other perspective, you know the person you’ve fallen for is holding back from you due to a secret - a secret you could discover just by a mere touch. Would you be patient enough to wait for them to tell you while continuing to stay by their side? They hit a few snags along the way, but I think they handle this whole situation rather well.
Watching them grow closer as they work to solve the case is a journey I liked witnessing.

The second couple,( ML’s best friend + FL’s best friend, both since high school I believe) are a nice bonus. Him { Noh Jong Hyun } with her { Go Youn Jung } son is absolutely precious. What a total green flag!! 💚

I also liked the bromance between the ML & SML { Kim Kwon } so the ending was bittersweet, imho. I don’t want to give too much away, though, so I’ll leave it at that & let you make your own judgments 🤭

The Leads get their HEA so that helps make up for any lingering feelings of drama trauma I felt 💕


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss :ep.8💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼
- BreakUp : Almost, but no 😅

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Do you know who you can trust?

Go into this prepared to completely love the Leads, to enjoy their friends, to absolutely loathe the bullies, & to have mixed feelings about a few others.

A girl trying to figure out the truth behind her twin brother’s supposed suic!de & a boy grappling with the news that he’s terminally ill. They’re both strong individuals who haven’t had easy lives, but how much weight can they handle before they inevitably break under the pressure?

This unlikely duo is about to find out that, even when the world seems to be caving in, having just one person whom you can completely trust in can make a huge difference. And by focusing on being that person for each other, they begin to experience a lessening of the weight of their own sorrow.

This is a gritty story of the dark side of high school. There’s so much hurt & heartache beneath the surface, while the students are just trying to survive & make it to graduation. And while it will make you ache at the pain these youth face daily, it’s not all dark & twisted…

Out of the suffering they’re both facing, a deep bond is formed between the Leads. The unexpected connection helps them endure the pain of living. And in each other they find solace & strength.

Their chemistry is amazing, especially since this isn’t a romance drama. But their words & actions show a deep love for one another that leaps off the screen. 🔥🫠

Their group of friends (& all the stories those teens bring to the story) are such an integral part of the plot. This drama is both the hurt & the cure…

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Prepare yourself mentally before pushing play!

So there’s an anti-hero who’s taken justice into their own hands. But their way of doing it is crazy. They hold a vote via text messages! I mean think about that - what would your reaction be if you received these kinds of texts?!

So anyways - when the justice system doesn’t properly handle the seriously messed up people in society, this masked “vigilante” lets the people decide their fate instead - let them live or watch them die. Ironically they never seem to quite grasp that in their quest for “justice” they themselves are becoming villains….

As the interest & participation in this Killing Vote grows, the cops become more desperate to catch the culprit(s). Leading the charge are two complete opposites who’ve never gotten along. This duo starts as enemies with very different opinions on the ethics surrounding the investigation. Overtime, though, as they race to stop the killings, they come to form a bond of partnership that gives hints of brewing romantic feelings. (Are we getting a Season 2??)

Amidst all this there’s a known villain character who is completely psychotic. Honestly, the actor deserves an award for undertaking & owning this role. He was hecka creepy & I absolutely hated him which means the actor did his job phenomenally so kudos to him, seriously!

This is a dark & gritty drama that showcases the twisted side of society & how the mob mentality can have such an impact on people. It’s scary how quickly they voted to end a life, as if they weren’t willingly becoming accomplices in a murder. It should never be so easy to sentence someone to death (even if they 100% deserve it)…

The heroes are operating in the grey. The villains are depraved & fully black. The citizens are pulled into the “game” without knowing all the facts.

When given the option to either save or condemn, what would you choose?

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