gingerkiss

Completed the series. The ending felt a tad quiet and made me ask, is there more? Didn't like some of the ending plots but overall, love this drama for its excellent portrayal of each character. There is so much depth in this drama that I feel a rewatch is necessary.

Aside from the leads, my favorite characters include the emperor, HBY's 2 sidekicks, NN's brothers and sis-in-law. We never got to see NN's eldest brother did we? Made me wonder what's the point of his character if he never made an appearance.

This is the 1st time I'm seeing her but her character seems interesting.

Started to binge-watch part 2 now and am on till ep 49. It's been very gripping and really enjoying the delicate acting of the leads. Not reading comments, spoilers nor watching preview trailers this time. Just want to enjoy the unknown. Haha.

I was surprised to see her listed as main cast too but for some mystic reasons, I'm quite looking forward to her appearance and her interactions with Gyeo Rye.

It was hilarious to watch the 2 leads criticize each other's bad acting.

YGR's discomfort with meals reminds me of SJH in Healer but JCW portrayed both so differently. But I really like how Yeom Soon Ja is so perceptive and sees through the reason for his discomfort. Despite his stubbornness, she is still persistent and won't give up. I guess that's also an important characteristic of being a volunteer in such an environment.

Love the writer for giving us a glimpse of her backstory too. In fact, I like how the writer and director has been weaving in all the side stories so far through little moments. The reconciliation between the teen boy and his mom actually seemed a little simplistic but IRL, sometimes it's in those little moments that grace and compassion speak into your heart. Some of those little moments happened so fast that I find myself rewinding often just to get the revelation.

Take comfort that this show is at least loved by the Chinese. Over at Douban, which is well known for being harsh and critical, this show is currently rated 8.4 and anything above 8 is a winner there. The comments include: a drama with depth and warmth, great acting, professional directing, and good lines amongst others.

I don't think people are hating this show. People who don't enjoy this genre will just move on without rating. More like some people here are hating the leads and deliberately downgrading the rating. As it is, we had a truckload of toxic comments even before the show started. The show started with 8.7, held steady at 8.6 for a few days then in 2 days, just dropped to 8. Looks extremely fishy IMO.

I also like how they explored the issue of money, character, and fulfilment. FL asked ML a question. It was something like, how is it you're so rich but so shallow. And the Team Genie gang also made a remark about him being a pavenu kid.

ML has lots of money on hand and obviously is using the money to build himself up via clothes, cars, and thoughtless generosity. But he still struggles with himself and have thoughts of dying. Sure his reasons might be specific to him but isn't the context so today where a lot of youngsters especially are chasing money but deep down, feel empty, disillusioned and unfulfilled? It's so bad that in some economies, some have given up and just want to lie flat and do nothing or just die.

GUILTY. Hahaha. LOLOL.

Many popular shows that are well received were rated poorly there. If you can read Chinese, go through some of their comments. They're not always haters. Some of their comments make sense. Eg, cliche plot, dull acting, etc. JCW's last drama on Netflix that was well received had a low rating there. But I would say they are more objective when it comes to foreign shows...less objective when it comes to their own. That's my feel.

I don't think you read well. I didn't creep on your profile. I only needed to scroll down this comment section and your comment was right there in my face.

I can't do anything if you have an issue with my suggestion. I don't have issues that Wookie's sasaengs giving his drama a high score because he obviously has a lot of antis.

Actually, when I scrolled down a bit, I read your comment " I was moved from the first episode in Move to Heaven, but this has been a bit 'meh' so far. Still I'm sure the 'Wookie' Sasaengs will ensure it gets a high score." So now I see why you have an issue with my suggestion. LOL.

Creepy? I don't think so. If you don't like it, just don't do it. No one is forcing you. People can process and decide for themselves. But yeah, you're right. I can't prove that antis exist. Just like I can't prove you're an anti or you can't prove antis don't exist.

If there are antis rating down the show, then obviously the ratings are already faked. So what's the issue with us raising our ratings? It is to bring up the rating to where it should be. Why should we let antis have their day with something we like? I don't think real fans have issues with this. If you have a problem, just ignore and move on. I never instructed. I suggested.

Just ignore. The comments are clearly intended to annoy and stir hate. Also shows how some people have very limited taste.

Look under episode guide.

Wed & Thur

I watched JCW in Healer first, then Empress Ki. It was in Empress Ki that he impressed most upon me. TBH, I only watched that drama because of him cos I personally don't watch Korean period dramas. What I like about him is how he owns each character he portrays and is able to bring out the depth in each. It makes the story more interesting to watch and gives me utmost respect for him as an artiste.

And yeah, totally agree with you about watching for the journey. :)

I'm not surprised. Actor's charisma does make a whole lot of difference. Sometimes a story is bland but because of the cast or an actor/actress, the story becomes compelling. The same could be said otherwise...interesting plot but dead acting and it all falls apart.

So far for this drama, it's both for me. The plot is predictable in a sense but the backstories are not. So I want to find out more. And of course the stellar acting helps to draw me in.

One more day to ep 3!

Appreciate your analysis. But best to put this under spoiler.