Really Good, Last 5 Eps DESTROYED it!

I didn't watch S1 and S2, but really enjoyed S3. The eps were short 25 - 30 minutes each so moved at a pretty good clip especially the first 10 eps. Episode 10 -20 really started to drag and I had to fast forward past a lot of scenes, namely everything relating to the secondary characters, I just didn't care about the Director and the jealous girlfriend, nor the other rich guy and Chen relationship. I loved the ML/FL together, they had a really strong, mature relationship. I loved that the FL didn't let herself be bullied by people around her. In the first 10 eps there was this weird conflict with some actress who arbitrarily decided she wanted to steal the FL's husband. For reasons. So she became a very cliche conniving homewrecker. For NO REASON.

She literally had no relationship with the FL husband, had no idea who the guy was until she saw a strange camper on set and wanted to know who owned it. Her assistant found out, then she looked him up on the internet and found out he was handsome and rich. Then decided "Well, that's my man!" When she found out "her man" was dating the FL she decided to try and destroy her. Even finding out they were actually married didn't stop her. It was ridiculous.

After that it was just a nice, easy going drama and they clearly ran out of plot at around Ep 20 and then it just dragged and after everything they went through (which, honestly, wasn't much) and all of their promises, they just decide to break up in Ep 33. And I was like WTF? And the reason for the break up was about as stupid and lame as you can get - because they felt they were holding each other back. That's the stupidest reason to separate. He was a 3rd generation chaebol! They had the money and family support to do whatever the hell they wanted.

This wasn't like most of these type of rich boy/poor girl stories, he wasn't pressured to take over the family business. He didn't have domineering, snobby parents that hated his wife, there was no marriage contract. No conniving, spoiled "best friend." None of that. The only slight obstacle in their life was the spoiled actress in the first few eps causing drama. They had all the support and time they needed to "find" themselves. But that wasn't good enough, they wanted to do it on their "own." Especially the FL, her self righteous, self sufficiency became annoying.

As everyone kept saying, why make it hard on yourself when you don't need to? There's nothing wrong with accepting help. I understand her work life became difficult once everyone found out who her husband was and how frustrating it could be. But as one of her friends said, why is she still trying to be an "assistant director," when she had all the training and resources to start her own production company? Eventually she takes that advice, but immediately gives up at the first sign of trouble. Her Husband tries to be his own man by starting a few businesses that he doesn't take seriously, that immediately fail as well. That's when they just blamed each other for their own entitlement and laziness.

And they are separated for YEARS in the next 2 last ep. For some reason the FL gave up ALL HER dreams, just because people only saw her as the ML's wife. So she becomes a famous Manga writer? She never showed any creativity in the the rest of the season, but suddenly she's a famous, successful, manga writer? Ok. And the ML becomes a famous "inventor" and automotive inventor? What? This idiot? The guy had no ambition for most of the season, wasn't shown to be particularly smart, but one montage of him studying later and he's Steve Jobs? Just horrible. It destroyed an otherwise great show. If I knew this was where they were heading I would have dropped this show. It was awful.

Read More

Both ML are AWFUL! Can't believe people think this Romantic.

I was hoping she would turn lesbian and just go with A Nan. I loved her character she was strong, loyal and smart. For some reason the show introduced this mean girl who hated Xia Mo in college and that hate was NEVER explained!

Then she turns up 14 eps later, still jealous, hell bent on destroying her career. She's found out by Ouchen's "Friend" who is supposed to be the comic relief but he never once tells Ouchen nor Xiamo about this evil girl's plots and plans. The only saving grace is he at least "foils" this girl's mechanations. But she's never found out or is confronted by Xiamo.

I tapped out at Ep 3. I just couldn't take the 2 MLs abusive behavior. Then I started at ep 9 and they never got better. Ouchen was still controlling her even though he lost his memory. And Lou XI ONLY came back because he was angry and wanted revenge on both of them. Even though he was a huge star.

We eventually find out Lou Xi was abandoned as a child, but so freaking what? I understand childhood trauma and all that, but that doesn't give you a free pass to be an lying, controlling, toxic Ahole to everyone around you for the rest of your life. Ouchen's vile behavior is NEVER explained. I guess we're supposed to just go, "well, gee he's rich" so it's fine.

I did watch the final 2 eps and thought killing the brother was utterly pointless and seemed done just to give all the bad guys their moment of regret for treating the FL so poorly the rest of the series. Their "redemption" weren't earned and she instantly forgave everyone who spent all the previous eps mistreating and bullying her. All the actresses who abused and bullied her, the 2 male love interests, etc. It was all instantly forgiven and everyone came together to help her overcome her grief.

I love it when bad people redeem themselves and shows end on a happy note, but I just want them to earn it. At the very least apologize and even if they apologize I think people need to face consequences, otherwise that apology rings hollow.

Read More

I just Can't. Glorifies Abusive Relationship, Stupid FL

My new thing is to start these KDramas at Ep 5 or 6, in the hopes that I get past the toxic, bullying ML that all of these Kdramas love to glorify. I HATED the ML. On a Superficial level he was not good looking at all and I didn't understand why all the girls threw themselves at him. His personality was awful. He treated everyone, and I mean everyone like utter crap. His love for his adopted sister was creepy and boarding on obsessive. Why do so many of these shows glorify, bullying, toxic, controlling, emotionally abusive behavior as "romantic." His constant need to protect could have been "romantic" if not for all his other behaviors. It's like the men in these stories never grew up passed the "Pull the girl's pigtails to get her to notice you" stage of life.

I liked the FL at times, at other times she drove me crazy. Her constant trusting of people who everyone told her not to trust. Mainly one of the main bad girls, don't know, nor care what her name is. She's so annoying, obviously fake and spoiled. Everyone around her but the FL can see it. The FL's best friend keeps saying this girl is NOT her friend.

The spoiled mean girl repeatedly embarrassed her and the FL being the dumb idiot she is, constantly ignored it. And why did the female lead hate her? Simply because the FL's brother liked her, even though it was clear the FL saw him as her brother. The mean girl barely talked to the FL's brother! Had zero relationship or friendship with him, but decided she would do everything in her power to destroy this girl. Because you know, the plot called for it.

The mean girl destroyed the FL's family by accusing them of killing her parents and kept saying "have you ever wondered why they adopted you?" Then she played 5 seconds of a 10 year old conversation. The FL never once questioned, how the mean girl got the recording, or documents or why the hell she would even have them to begin with. She had ZERO relationship with her family! But she believes everything she says and immediately cuts ties with her brother and her adoptive mom and dad who just the episode before they showed how much they loved her and how well she was treated. But all it took to sever ties was the word of a mean girl. I really hated the FL at this point because, her reaction made zero sense. At the very least hear the parents out and not just take the b### word for it.

She kept saying, I want to find out the truth, but she never actually did anything to search for the truth. And if the harpy spoiled b had "documents" as proof. It didn't dawn on the FL to take those documents with her? She barely even looked at them. The ENTIRE Scene was so contrived and completely out of left field and honestly ruined the show. Because it made absolutely no sense and made the FL look like an utter, unlikable, fool.

When the brother finds out the 5 second tape was doctored and she listened to the parents story she STILL cut ties with them. Saying "Until I know the truth..." B you know the truth! Who are you going to believe? Later she finds further documents that prove there was something fishy going on, but had nothing to do with her Adoptive family and she STILL doesn't make up with them.

Also while the Adoptive parents seemed nice, where the hell were they? From episode 5 - 9 they weren't in the picture. It seemed like they two were living on their own and the ML was making the FL cook all his meals for him and then spent all his time criticizing the FL's cooking. Was that supposed to be "cute?"

I'm on EP 15 and now the FL is about to move in with some stranger she just came across and clearly is in league with one of the mean girls? Again, how stupid is the FL? Not to mention the FL has her own apartment and wasn't looking for an apartment, but suddenly the show brings this new conniving girl into the picture without explanation? For reasons? Did I mention every single woman in this show is a conniving B that's out to get the FL? Again, for reasons. The FL did NOTHING to any of these women, yet she has 4 or 5 of them scheming against her. I HATE it when a show has ONE conniving B that targets the FL. This one has like 5!

I'm ready to bail on this. I may skip a few eps, but it's a frustrating show. I just want to get to the point where she realizes she was wrong about her parents but I'm not going to watch another 10 episodes of everyone ganging up on this poor FL, while she acts like an utter trusting, forgiving, idiot. Especially when she doesn't trust the two people she should trust the most - her PARENTS!

Read More

Painfully Slow and Dull

I discovered this show after seeing the FL in Boss and Me. I'm 10 eps in and I think I'm bailing. The ML is stiff as a board and is playing the same character he played in Boss and Me, only he was more likable because of the rest of the cast.

This started off really well, I loved the premise and in the first few eps the FL was pretty feisty, knew her self worth and didn't let anyone walk all over her. But 4 or 5 episodes in, all her feistyness disappears and she becomes a milk toast. The main bad guy, Feng her ex boyfriend drove me crazy and not in the he's a great bad guy way either. He was a whiny, gaslighting jerk. Everytime he saw her, he went out of his way to publicly humiliate her and get her fired. Then in the next breath claim he loved her (after destroying her life and marrying someone else) and then concluded each scene screaming her face saying "I can't believe you are coming after me! Are you trying to destroy me?" This happened in nearly every single episode. She wasn't even thinking about him.

Worst part is he destroyed her life, indirectly got her to cause the death of 2 people (one person had a heart attack because she falsely accused the guy), but somehow Feng (the BL) is the victim? She keeps saying she wants to clear her name and the guy she slandered and caused to have a heart attack, but she doesn't do anything towards that goal. I understand she didn't have the resources and was too busy just trying to find a job but still. This is where we get into the ML.

The ML spent the first 5 episodes bullying her every chance we got. We eventually find out that the man the FL testified against was the ML beloved Uncle and his Aunt died 2 days after her husband so now he's left with his B of a mother. So he blames the FL. However he KNOWS Feng was involved but never once expressed any kind of interest in finding out the Truth. Not once. Even when the FL repeatedly said "it's my goal to clear my and your Uncle's name." Not once did the ML say, I will help you. And he's filthy rich.

Then there's a 3rd guy who seems pretty smarmy and hates the ML so he's using the FL for reasons not explained in the first 10 eps. He hates the ML, again, reasons not explained. The character is like watching paint dry and he looks way too freaking old to play this part. Horribly miss casted. Or maybe if we ever find out this characters back story I'll care, but they already lost me. This series is 48 episodes and it feels like it's spinning its wheels and there's nothing that justifies the length. Literally nothing has happened in these first 10 eps that justify 38 more. The worst part is after redaing the comments it looks like the ending is really depressing. So I'm out. And I hate bailing on shows that I already invested so much of my time in.

Read More

Very Frustrating!

This show had me hooked on the first episode. It's beautifully shot, I love the ML and FL. They both have their own lives and things going. ML is a genuinely nice guy, which is refreshing after watching so many dramas where the ML is an abusive ahole, this was really refreshing. I loved that the FL was successful in her career and didn't let anyone walk all over her. My issue was, this is about an internet romance and it was cute at first but 10 episodes in I feel like they are just spinning their wheels and just shooting variations of the same scenes over and over again, it's maddening.

Every episodes shows them in the game world (which seems really convoluted) and worse when they cut to them looking at the computer monitor it's the SAME shot of the game lobby. They couldn't have invested in actually creating some sort of game for them to be shown playing? It was just jarring and weird. Then there's a scene of the ML in the dorm with his obnoxious roommates. But worse, every freaking episode there are at least 2 encounters where they are right next to each other and one of them is looking in the other direction or their view gets blocked by a billboard or something as the other walks by.

I'm going to skip to ep 15 and if they still aren't together than I'm just bailing. But I already know what's going to happen based on Ep 10. He heard the 2 ML call her assistant's name, so we'll probably go through 5 or 10 eps of "mistaken" identity where he will meet the assistant, thinking it's her. I have zero interest in slogging through that stupid plot line. I really HOPE they don't do it, there's nothing else going on in this show, so of course it's going to happen. Based on the first 10 eps, there is zero reason this show needs to be 32 episodes. NONE.

It's too bad because it has the potential to be a straight forward, sweet romance without too much drama and could have been if it was only 12 or 16 eps. As I said, I love the look of this production it looks like they really spent some money on it. The cinematography is beautiful, the FL outfits are really nice and befitting of someone that's supposed to be a super star attending the types of events she does and the ML and FL look good together. I also love the music in the first 10 eps it's easy to believe the FL is a music star. But they actually need to DO something other than just stand there looking pretty.

Update

So, I skipped to Ep 14 and they were still dancing around each other and pretending like they didn't know each other's "secret identity" so I bailed halfway through that episode. At least they didn't do the "mistaken identity" thing. I skipped to Ep 20 and that's when they finally made their love confessions and the series finally started to move forward again. I ended up watching all of the last 11 eps, even though I skipped all the side stories - the roommates, Taro/Ms Ma story, etc. All of that was just pointless. I saw in the comments that he finally meets her, F2F in Ep 11, but I didn't bother to watch that ep.

I liked that once they got together, they didn't split up and everyone was very supportive of their relationship once various people found out. Even the FL stalker older friend eventually bowed out once she rejected him. Refreshingly mature. Although the fact that he never told her how he felts was dumb, the guy looked like he was 10 or 15 years older than her and he was still scared to confess his feelings to a girl he likes? I really loved the FL/ML's parents and grand parents they were really cute together.

The music was fire and I loved all of the FL concert clips in the last 10 eps. As I said earlier, most shows that use Musicians as Idols skip over the concerts/music stuff. While the lipsyncing was terrible, you can believe the FL was a "Super Star." One thing I didn't get was she signed up for a music contest, I guess to artificially add some "drama" to the show (will her fans like her new song, will she win).

Several times they kept making it seem like her entire career was on the line if she picked the wrong song for some stupid "talent contest." She's not a newbie singer and already has an established career. Not to mention the series starts off with her being the first ever artist to win Best Artist and Best Album or something at some award show. She even got into a fight with her manager over it and was told her career would be over if she lost and I'm like, why? In the end she lost anyway and got 2nd place and everyone congratulated her, so all the drama a few eps prior to the end made even less sense.

This series did not need to be 31 eps. You can watch the first 5 Eps, skip to Ep 20, skip to Ep 25 until the end and you won't miss much. I saw in the comments that he finally meets her, F2F, in Ep 11, but I didn't bother to watch that ep.

Read More