Purple Wisteria

Promising premise but struggles to deliver on its potential.

Marry My Husband tried to juggle three major themes—revenge, romance, and extramarital affairs.

It had a solid premise, with a compelling reason for revenge and an intriguing time-travel setup. Unfortunately, it was anchored by a protagonist who never truly embodied the weight of her second chance. After being cheated on, betrayed, and murdered, you'd expect her return to be driven by burning conviction, but that fire never really came through. There was very little conviction in her act. Her confrontations with the main antagonist lacked impact and often felt juvenile, stripping the narrative of the emotional tension needed for a good revenge arc. As a result, it was hard to empathise with her or feel genuinely invested in her journey. Her eventual "victory" felt more like a technicality than a satisfying payoff.

What's more telling is how Park Min Young’s character, despite enduring nearly every misfortune imaginable, seemed to lack the urgency and passion you would expect. Meanwhile, BoA’s character, who enters much later, reacted with extreme intensity over relatively smaller grievances, creating a jarring emotional imbalance. That contrast alone kind of sums up the show’s problem: strong concept, weak execution.

The romance… was dead. Dry. Lifeless. Bro, get this, our female lead had three love interests, and yet I felt zero chemistry. None. Nada. Missing in action. Both Park Min Young and Na In Woo came across like people who weren’t even interested in being in love for most of the show; which was fine at first, until the plot suddenly decided it wanted to focus on romance again.

The male lead just wasn’t it. His character was one-dimensional, sluggish, and painfully predictable every time he appeared. Watching him was a chore. His stoic demeanor, paired with the FL’s reserved personality, created no spark. Not even with time. If she had been laser-focused on revenge, I could’ve excused the lack of romance, but even that fire was missing.

When the drama suddenly pivoted to their “romance” in the second half, it felt like they were doing speed dating. Forced and sparkless. The one guy who looked like he could have been something, the charming chef, was friend-zoned almost immediately so she could go running back to her boring boss. Disappointing.

The affairs were probably the only aspect handled decently well, but even that, sadistically speaking, lacked the usual thrill the genre is known for. Most of the cheating happened out in the open or with full knowledge due to the plot structure, which seriously dulled the tension. But that’s exactly what makes an affair drama addictive. The secrecy, the sneaking around, the close calls, the mounting suspicions, and that delicious build-up to the inevitable “caught in the act” moment. Without that edge, it just felt tame and uninspired. Where was the scandalous thrill?

So what was Marry My Husband even trying to deliver? It felt frustratingly average across all three of its main themes: revenge, romance, and affairs. With so many lacklustre elements, I found it genuinely hard to stay engaged or emotionally invested. And then came episode 12… where everything truly unravelled. I’m serious... the truck didn’t just crash into Na In-woo. I was in that car too. The secondhand embarrassment I felt from watching that scene was unreal. From that point on, the drama went full cliche mode. Every single K-drama trope you can think of? It's there. Count them. Better yet, turn it into a bingo game, it might actually make those episodes bearable.

The show’s attempt to spice things up with a last-minute, cliche ridden final arc, led by a new but shallow antagonist, felt like a desperate move to create artificial stakes. All just to push the ML and FL through some "great adversity" and earn their fairytale ending. But it wasn’t earned. It was lazy, and it cheapened the entire show. Poor, poor writing there. Bleh.

I see a lot of viewers giving high scores for the music (ost)…what music bro..? Come on...

There’s been a lot of praise online for Park Min Young’s dedication to physically look the part in this drama, and sure, that effort is commendable. But for me, Marry My Husband only reinforced the fact that she’s still stuck in her typecast. This was supposed to be a revenge story about a woman given a second chance to rewrite her fate after being betrayed and murdered. But instead of embodying a revenger on a mission, PMY defaulted to the character she’s always played best: being that soft, delicate girlfriend that every guy wants to be overprotective of. Don’t get me wrong, she does that well, but this role demanded more. This could’ve been her "The Glory" moment, just like Song Hye Kyo, who shattered expectations and redefined her image with her performance. Sadly, PMY didn’t break out. She stayed safe, and the role suffered for it.

If we're talking true MVPs of Marry My Husband, look no further than Song Ha Yoon (the crazy BFF) and Lee Yi Kyung (the useless bum). Especially the former, she carried the show on her back. She was the only one who actually felt alive and kept the narrative moving. Her transformation throughout the drama was brilliantly executed, and she brought the intensity, suspense, and raw emotion that the lead sorely lacked. Song Ha Yoon absolutely ate that familiar toxic, gaslighting queen role; she delivered it with such conviction and chaos that I couldn’t look away. A truly 미친년 performance in the best way possible. She’s the main reason I stuck it out till the end.

Special shoutouts to Choi Gyu Ri (the sunshine sister), Gong Min Jung (quiet lady manager), and Ha Do Gwon (CEO's PA). Each of them brought something memorable and grounded to their roles—minor characters done right.

All in all, Marry My Husband started with a promising premise but quickly fell into predictability. As the episodes went on, I found myself losing interest. It lacked the intensity, suspense, and emotional grip you'd expect from a revenge plot. While there were some solid individual performances, the overall lack of chemistry and emotional depth fell short, especially considering the heavy themes of grief, love, betrayal, and revenge. Nothing truly stood out or took command of the story. In the end, MMH felt average across the board. It became one of those dramas I continued watching simply to finish what I started, not because I was genuinely invested in where it was going.

Kudos to the final two episodes; they did have a tiny redemption arc by tying up loose ends neatly and giving what the viewers the closure they probably wanted. It was a somewhat decent finish, although it was predictable and felt cheap due to how the final arc played out.

(Writers, directors: for the love of God can we please stop it with the big truck/lorry crash into coma-will you wake up please I actually love you scenes anymore…..it’s 2024 there is more than 1 way to kill someone and send their other half into agony T.T)

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The rookies delivered the best k-drama of 2024 so far

A very interesting premise. Rookies galore. Full female cast. I had lots of fun watching this short drama. The main thing that I like about this show is that while it has so many characters involved, most of the characters are meticulously crafted, with their own motivations, flaws, and moral compass. The main protagonist and antagonist being equal monsters made the battle of wits so entertaining. At no point did I feel that one side was too overpowered and it was a chess game played by two masters who took turns to deliver punches. Every one of those beautiful ladies was capable of being an ugly monster if they had to for survival and nobody was truly on one side till the end. A thrilling war of nerves that kept me rooted. Will you conform or challenge?

Being somebody that is not very good at pairing names with faces, it took me a while to remember all of the character’s names. There were so many characters being introduced from the get-go and all of them being female names made it quite a challenge for me. However, despite the lack of “A-listers”, it was this show with a bunch of newbies that slayed.

Some people are just born to act and Jang Da A is one of them. You know how some people make hard look easy? How they seem like they are not doing much but actually delivers? Baek Ha Rin (game master) took a stroll for 10 episodes and yet she is the main impression that was left on me. She barely moved yet I felt a whole spectrum of emotions from her performance. Mad mad performance for a debutant. I enjoyed watching her descent into madness as she slowly losses her initial gracefulness and composure. Not all madness needs to be represented by loud screaming and excessive arm waving. You have to remember this is a chaebol kid who has to maintain her image in public at all times and show absolute control with class. Her facial expression for a first-timer was unbelievably good. Imo this will be an iconic character- The twitch bitch.

A weird theory struck me during the scene of BHR cutting her hair short. Unless I am missing something, that scene did not mean anything to the plot and there was really no reason to do that. What I took from that was it could be an attempt by the director and Jang Da A to break the fourth wall and send a message that actress Jang Da A is here to deliver and is stepping out of the shadow of her famous sister because of how strikingly similar they look. That would be so cool if true.

Seriously, there are just too many great performances from the rest of the girls (Im Ye Rim is my fav hehe) that I could go on and on but I shall not- this show had such a high level of acting I can only say all of them were amazing. They are one of the most talented groups I have seen in recent times and many of them here are gonna give their sunbaes a run for their money.

I have to talk about THAT paintball episode. My god that was one of the best writing and acting I have seen in recent times. The build-up to that final moment was so perfect, coupled with a great soundtrack. I am unable to think of a better way to showcase that scene of unified camaraderie amongst the underdog to break the enemy’s morale and win the psychological warfare in the most composed and collective effort. Top top tier. They won that round with such class despite being the “peasants” of the system and turning the “nobles” into absolute jokes. Winning the devil at their game, what a beautiful uprising of the underdogs. The Prisoner Dilemma. S tier writing there, I applaud.

Ngl, I fell asleep once in the middle of finishing the last 2 episodes. Thought it was just me because of how perfect the show had been up till that point but read many similar sentiments about the rather stale ending and a sudden change in the strange pacing. I was expecting a "finale" in the sense that BHR would deliver a final desperate blow but she became overwhelmed and subdued instead. I thought a lot of the key characters were being sidelined and had no proper conclusions. Do Ah (class president) felt like a much more complex character than what the show portrayed and I wish she along with the likes of Da Yun (girl abused by daddy) were given more storytime. The ending was being wrapped rather lethargically imo and did cause it to drop 0.5 level down in my book.

Overall a great concept with the Pyramid game that when you zoom out it reflects a tiny version of today’s society but when you zoom into it deeper, it is reminding you to eat Subway. Baek Ha Rin lost cause she did not had that bread.

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As a standalone I guess it's decent but as an adaptation I'm afraid it suffers greatly in comparison

The beginning of the drama filled me with so much hope for what was to come. I thought the director did a great job of carrying over the pivotal “key events” of the original story while adding his own subtle touch. Everything felt familiar, yet refreshingly different, and I genuinely enjoyed reliving such a beautiful story told in a new way. I caught myself smiling constantly—especially whenever the three kiddos appeared on screen. It was also really fun to spot the elements that were adapted with a uniquely Korean flavour, like the walk-up apartment and its staircase, the long uphill road from the noodle shop to their home, the rooftop scenes, and even the layout of the house– it all had a charming, aesthetically pleasing feel. I also appreciated the clever little easter eggs sprinkled throughout, like how Hae Jun ends up being the “acting” boyfriend this time instead of the female lead later on. Those small changes made the viewing experience all the more enjoyable.

I’m really glad they cast Choi Won Young (the cooking father) and Choi Moo Sung (the police father) in these key roles—because to me, these two characters are the emotional backbone of the story. Choi Won Young naturally exudes the same warmth and quiet strength as Hai Chao from the original, while Choi Moo Sung perfectly captures the nonchalant yet caring presence that He Ping had. I’ve always enjoyed seeing both of them in father roles; they just fit so well, and their chemistry here was top-notch. In fact, I found myself looking forward to their scenes the most. Special shoutout to little Ju Won too! She absolutely deserves applause. It’s such a pity we only got to see her for a short while. How can someone so young act with that much emotion and nuance?

While the cast overall carried a similar vibe to the original and are undoubtedly solid actors, my issue wasn’t with the casting; it was the change in characterization. That, paired with a somewhat uninspired script adaptation, caused the show to lose its footing rather quickly. Despite my strong bias and genuine hope for this version to succeed, it sadly fell off the cliff way too soon.

While the drama does preserve much of the original’s core, you can subtly see changes emerging throughout. Some of these adjustments were understandably made to better fit the Korean context, but others felt like they were done simply for the sake of being “different.” I get that every director wants to bring their own artistic interpretation to a story, and I don’t think anyone would be satisfied with a scene-by-scene copy, and I can respect that. After all, this is an adaptation, not a replica. I also understand that the Korean version is significantly shorter, with only 16 episodes compared to the original’s 40. Naturally, that meant certain characters had to be removed and some plot points streamlined to keep the pace moving. However, because of this, several character dynamics were significantly altered, especially when it came to the three siblings, and that’s something I wasn’t particularly a fan of. Many changes were made, yes, but whether those changes actually improved the story or served it well... that’s another matter entirely.

What I really didn’t like was how, from the very beginning, San Ha behaves more like a lover than a brother. So many of his actions seem driven by romantic feelings rather than brotherly love, and it immediately changes the tone of their dynamic. That calm, composed, natural genius who served as the emotional anchor for the siblings in the original has been reduced to a typical K-drama love-chasing oppa. They dumbed him down into this loverboy constantly vying for Ju Won’s attention, and it’s hard to ignore how little attention he gives to his younger brother or either of the fathers. It almost feels like he’s only here for Ju Won from day one. In the original, the romantic angle between them didn’t even cross my mind until much later, after the time skip. But in this version, the chemistry is written to feel romantic right from the start, and that just felt off. The complexity behind his collected nature as someone who carried the burden of being perfect because of the trauma of his past feels so insignificant now because of this loverboy character. All of that has been sacrificed for a shallow, love-smitten version of him that doesn’t resonate with the depth he originally had.

As for Hae Jun, it was jarring to see him as outspoken and independent as San Ha, even challenging him constantly. The reliable-older-brother and troublesome-younger-sibling dynamic is completely missing. They argue like friends, not brothers, and the emotional tension that should come from those fights just isn’t there. Because Hae Jun now comes across as self-sufficient: talented, popular, and successful enough to model abroad. His entire growth arc feels skipped. His temporary departure and later fear of returning lack emotional weight because they no longer align with a character who feels lost or abandoned. In the original, his uncertainty and deep need to prove his place in the family were such a big part of who he was. That sense of hopelessness is gone, and with it, the emotional core of his journey. He skipped an entire growth journey imo.

And then there's Ju Won. I really didn’t like how insecure she is about not sharing the same surname as her siblings. In the original, that would’ve been the least of her concerns, and she would’ve beaten up anyone who questioned their bond. But here, the sibling relationship doesn’t feel as strong. Ju Won seems to be the only one truly believing in their family bond, while the others look like they're just coexisting. The way they refer to their non-biological fathers as just “uncles” also stood out in the worst way. In the original, it was never spelt out, but it was deeply felt; one father provided the money and the other, the warmth and care. That invisible, quiet dual-parenting dynamic made the household feel whole. Here, it just doesn’t hit the same. Something’s missing.

What disappointed me the most is how the core family-centric theme, something that was the heartbeat of the original C-Drama is noticeably weaker here. The introduction of romance far too early on stripped away much of the innocence and emotional purity that made the original so impactful. Many of the emotional scenes just don’t land the same. I understand the director wanted this to stand as its own version, with its own style, but I don’t think the blending of new ideas with the original plot was handled well. In fact, it often felt like the essence of the original was completely missed.

The way the characters were reimagined and the choice to cut out key side characters almost makes it feel like the director never fully grasped what made the original so beloved. At times, the story feels like it’s just ticking off boxes from a list of "must-have" plot points from the source material rather than truly reinterpreting them with meaning. The drama focuses far too heavily on the budding romance between San Ha and Ju Won, and as a result, the development of the rest of the cast suffers. When you add that to the already limited runtime compared to the original, it all just ends up feeling underdeveloped, incohesive, and rushed.

For a story that was supposed to be rooted in found family, healing, and emotional bonds, this version fails to make me feel those connections. That absence is especially jarring because, to me, those bonds are the very soul of the story. Unfortunately, the drama quickly spiralled into a typical K-drama rom-com and lost the heart that made the original so special.

The ending, blessed by the happy-ever-after fairy, felt incredibly rushed and random. It’s like they decided to tie up all the major issues in one and a half episodes simply by sitting down and having a conversation. Years of grief and pain were magically resolved by suddenly deciding to be nice to each other and letting go of all the past baggages. It wasn’t just the resolution that felt off; the romance between Ju Won and San Ha, especially after his 10-year absence, was equally jarring. One minute, Ju Won is still uncertain about forgiving him and trying to ease things back to how they were, and the next minute, they’re already kissing. He hadn’t even truly started to pursue her yet! The entire romance felt rushed and underdeveloped, and I could go on, but I’ll leave it there.

If you look at my watchlist, you’ll see that I’m quite stingy when it comes to giving 10/10 ratings because I want that score to truly mean something. Only the dramas I deeply love get that mark, and Go Ahead is one of them. The show had a chokehold on me back then because of the many personal parallels I saw between the story and my own life. That’s why I was so excited when I heard it was being adapted into a K-drama, especially since it was being directed by the same person behind Twenty-Five Twenty-One, another one of my 10/10 dramas.

Don’t get me wrong, Family by Choice is still a decent watch. But as someone who has experienced the beauty of Go Ahead, I can’t help but feel that this adaptation hasn’t quite lived up to the potential the story holds. If you're a new viewer, you might still enjoy it (or not), but if you’re curious for a deeper, more emotionally resonant experience, I highly recommend checking out the C-Drama version. Trust me, it’s worth it, though I’ll admit, I’m a bit jealous of anyone experiencing it for the first time!

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Lucifier? Batman? Whatever, Ahn Bo Hyun is a star of his own.

Not every show needs to be a masterpiece. Every now and then, there are dramas like this that don’t try to be groundbreaking. They just focus on doing what they’re meant to do–entertain. Do you remember those cartoons you used to enjoy as a kid? The kind where each episode had its own little adventure, wrapped up neatly by the end? Flex X Cop feels exactly like that– simple, straightforward, but oddly satisfying. It’s the kind of show that keeps you coming back, episode after episode, just because it’s fun to watch. It was a genuinely enjoyable journey following this chaebol-turned-cop as he searched for his purpose in life, and from episode one, it had my full attention.

I’ve got to start with the dynamic between the two leads, because that’s really what carries the show for me. The relationship between Jin Yi Soo (Flex Cop) and Lee Kang Hyun (Lady Cop) was surprisingly well-written and genuinely well-crafted. It just felt... natural. Nothing about their interactions came off as forced or overly scripted, which is impressive considering how cliche the overall drama can be at times. Watching them slowly get to know each other, episode by episode, felt like watching two real people grow closer, organically and without any unnecessary drama. I’m a huge fan of that slow, subtle development that blossoms over time. There’s something undeniably addictive about their back-and-forth dynamic; it’s got a kind of Tom and Jerry charm that keeps me coming back. Huge kudos to the writers for not shoving a romance subplot down our throats. Honestly, I think they work better as frenemies than lovers. Camaraderie over romance, any day.

I know this is a detective-mystery-crime-themed show, but I’d urge you not to go into it with that as your main focus. It plays out more like a series of mini-cases that gradually build toward the overarching mysteries surrounding both leads' parents. As for the crime-solving and case-related mysteries, they’re pretty basic, nothing groundbreaking, but still engaging enough to keep you watching. I wouldn’t call the cases boring, but they definitely don’t feel like the main course. The villains aren’t genius masterminds, the cases lack depth or complexity, and the twists aren’t particularly hard to predict. Honestly, it felt more like an extended version of the Mafia Game—nothing too intricate, but fun in a “just play along” kind of way. The murderer is usually right there in plain sight, so don’t overthink it and just enjoy the ride. Most of the cases will seem tailored to make JYS shine, thanks to his inherent advantages as a rich, influential online celebrity and chaebol heir as his unfair advantage. While that does feel a bit like cheating, I actually didn’t mind it. It was genuinely entertaining watching him pull it off, and more than anything, I found myself rooting for him.

I also appreciate how the show doesn’t waste time with unnecessary fluff or try too hard to be overly emotional or complex. Instead, it trusts the story to unfold naturally, revealing answers at just the right moments. The pacing and development here are honestly some of the better ones I’ve seen. It’s consistent, steady, and never drags. It’s the simple, fundamental things like this that the show really gets right. Flex X Cop maintains its momentum in a straightforward, unpretentious way, and to its credit, it actually gets better as it goes.

That said, like I mentioned from the start, this is far from a masterpiece and the flaws are pretty glaring. Even though I didn’t go into it expecting much, there were still moments so absurd they felt like outright lazy writing, making them hard to overlook. I mean, I was supposed to believe JYS could hypnotise a doctor who specialises in hypnosis? Or that he could crash a helicopter into the back of a car without injuring a single person? And then there’s the invisible drone. Seriously? Some of the events that helped solve cases left a bitter aftertaste because of how ridiculous they were. He also somehow becomes the only person capable of magically pulling clues out of thin air, despite being the rookie play-cop on the team. On top of that, any scene without the two leads together took a noticeable dip in quality for me; those parts just felt flat and uneventful. By the later episodes, even the chemistry that initially hooked me started to lose its spark, and I found myself less invested. The hype definitely fizzles out toward the end, probably because there’s just not enough substance at the core of the drama. I’m no longer rushing to watch new episodes as soon as they drop—but it’s also not bad enough for me to completely drop it either.

Amidst the influx of shows with amazing casts in recent weeks, Flex x Cop was a really pleasant surprise. It was something light that I do not feel compelled to follow tightly weekly but good enough for me to pick it back up sometime in the week for a decent time. It does have a little bit of everything you want in a drama. Would I recommend it? Not really. Will you enjoy it if you still decide to watch it? I think very likely so.

**My favourite scene in the show that lives rent-free in my head till today: Jin Yi Soo whipping out a gold crafted handcuffs because he was not allowed to carry a gun…and Kyunjin playing along with him by getting arrested…also that slap might be one of the most satisfying slaps in I have seen in K-drama...I replayed that whiplash of a slap many many times...

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The beautiful, dreamlike story brought me to tears

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a beautifully crafted, deeply emotional story that takes viewers through love, loss, and the quiet yet profound moments that define a life. This is a rather poetic drama, unfolding like a slow-burning novel. There is no fairytale romance, exaggerations or grand twists; instead, the narrative finds beauty in the mundane: the laughter between people, the quiet ache of unspoken love and the weight of responsibilities that come with adulthood, especially when one takes on parenthood. It portrays the struggles of ordinary people with heartbreaking accuracy.

What I found remarkable about this show is how it embraces the passage of time. We don’t just see Ae Sun and Gwan Sik as young dreamers; we follow them across decades, through different phases of life, witnessing their evolving relationship shaped by circumstances beyond their control. It’s a bittersweet meditation on destiny: what we choose and what is chosen for us. Without being heavy-handed, it gives us glimpses into a time when survival often took precedence over personal desires, making Ae Sun and Gwan Sik’s love story all the more poignant.

The level of acting in this drama is phenomenal. Every member of the cast pulled their weight in gold, from the child actors to the seasoned veterans. When IU finally made her entrance with that familiar bratty yet effortlessly sassy charm, I yelped. It’s been so long since I last saw her in a drama, and she lit up the screen the moment she appeared.

Gwan Sik feels like Choi Taek in an alternate timeline, and I love it. I won’t spend too much time talking about IU and Park Bo Gum because, frankly, it’s predictable. They always deliver. Everyone knows that. There’s nothing new to say except that they continue to breathe life into every character they play, and somehow, each new role becomes their best one yet. No amount of praise can ever fully capture what they bring. I'm just thankful that they’re healthy, kind humans who are still doing this for us to experience and I hope that never changes.

The two kiddos, how do child actors manage to understand the emotional weight behind such roles at that age? They amazed me. And Yeom Hye Ran, even with her limited screen time, left a lasting impression. Her portrayal of the haenyeo mother was so grounded and powerful that it’s impossible to think of this drama without her. She embodied a generation of women with quiet strength and left a deep emotional mark. I’ve seen her in many dramas, but this is her best performance yet.

Park Hae Joon’s portrayal of Yang Gwan Sik resonated with me the most. I lost my father, and he was a man just like him. I choked up when Gwan Sik came home carrying peas for the family because my dad used to do the same. Back then, it seemed like nothing, but now… a fictional father does it, and I’m in tears. That’s the beauty of this drama. There’s something here for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. It truly reflects the everyday life struggles of most folks out there, and it hits where it matters most.

The cinematography is stunning. Jeju Island doesn't just serve as a backdrop; it feels like a character in its own right. Every frame is like a painting, rich with nostalgia, warmth, and emotion. This level of visual storytelling has quietly become a hallmark in recent K-dramas, and it’s something I’ve come to really appreciate. It shows how much care and craft goes into the genre beyond just the writing and acting. I was especially impressed by the way the show transitions between timelines. That kind of narrative structure is tricky to get right, and more often than not, shows don't do this part too well. But here, it’s done so creatively and seamlessly that it elevates the storytelling. It adds depth without ever feeling confusing or forced. And the soundtrack was perfect, too. The folk-inspired melodies blend so well with the setting and story. Even as someone who isn't Korean, I felt deeply connected to the emotion they carried. It’s one of those rare combinations where the visuals and music work in complete harmony, making every moment feel lived in and real.

Gwan Sik is what some might call a "fool", a man living in a time when men were overwhelmingly favoured and entitled, yet he never once leaned into that privilege. He didn’t care for the roles that society handed to him. All he wanted was for his girl to have everything she dreamed of, simply so she could be happy. He could’ve followed the crowd, conformed to the norm of transactional love, of marriages built on obligations rather than feelings. Instead, he chose the harder path. He chose to suffer for love. And maybe, just maybe, we all need a fool like Gwan Sik in our lives, a man who wants to be a husband and a father and not just have a wife and a child. There were so many moments I caught myself smiling and even laughing amidst their tragedy, not because I took joy in their pain, but because of how raw, relatable, and innocent their love was. It’s the story of a woman too smart and too ahead of her time and a man who is so beautifully stupid in love with her. And that first kiss? Probably the most awkward I’ve ever seen in a drama, and yet, somehow, the best one.

I strongly believe that both children and parents should at least give this show a watch even if it's not your usual genre. It tells a powerful story about how each new generation tries to be better, to become everything the previous one was not. But more often than not, they end up falling short, whether by choice, by circumstance, or simply by the weight of life. Parents carry the guilt of what they couldn’t give, while children carry the grief of what they never received. We live inside our own struggles, rarely seeing the other side until we try to live theirs eventually. That’s the never-ending conundrum: one that continues to echo through time, always imperfect, always incomplete, but sometimes made a little better through understanding and the wisdom that only time can offer.

Some dramas entertain, but some dramas linger in your heart long after the credits roll. When Life Gives You Tangerines is a drama that will stay with you for a long time. It is going to leave you feeling both fulfilled and slightly heartbroken, a rare balance that only the most beautifully told stories achieve. It makes you pause and reflect and be grateful for the little things you normally take for granted. Great purpose, great delivery, and this is what art should be like. Not everyone will resonate with it, but for those willing to immerse themselves in its world, this drama offers an unforgettable experience– one that lingers like the taste of a perfectly ripe tangerine, sweet yet tinged with the slightest hint of bitterness.

“THIS IS A SILENT OUTCRY. A HANDKERCHIEF OF ETERNAL NOSTALGIA…WAVING TOWARDS THE BLUE SEAS!!!”

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All flash, no fire. Meh.

Revenge thriller drama is one of those genres that is hard to screw up but also, at the same time, hard to make good. It has been there since the start, and if you’ve been watching K-dramas long enough, you have probably seen all there is to it. There are only so many tropes to it that you would have pretty much always seen happen. Thus, to make it different from the rest, the characters unique to the plot set it apart from the average. Buried Hearts had all the ingredients to be a standout K-drama but somewhere along the way, it forgot to pack the emotional punch and compelling storytelling that makes dramas truly memorable. From the first episode, the setup hinted at deep secrets and emotional revelations. Unfortunately, what followed was a plot that never quite found its footing. The storylines meandered, and the pacing felt uneven and random at times. By the midpoint, it was hard to stay invested in the characters' journeys. There's a quiet beauty in slow-burn narratives, but here, the burn never really ignites.

Park Hyung Sik as Dong Ju might be the only positive thing I have to say about this show. I haven’t seen much of him, to be honest, but the man can act. Those large and arresting eyes alone can hold an entire monologue in a single glance. Everything from his hairstyle, makeup and attire elevates his character as Dong Ju. He certainly commands the attention of the male lead. If PHS had not been the main lead, this show would have collapsed under its own weight. He is not just carrying the drama; he IS the drama. However, after saying all that, I am still not invested enough in Dong Ju, the revenger, but it’s more down to the accompanying characters and story that didn’t keep up with him.

Yeo Eun Nam. The emotional baggage that led her to cruelly abandon the love of her life in pursuit of her goals was a bold, fitting statement for a female lead. That version of Eun Nam was charming and ambitious, driven not by cold ambition but by fierce love. She felt like the kind of woman who could outplay you with a smile and make you thank her for it. The talent, the looks, the chemistry with Dong Ju; it was all present from the start. I was hooked. How did she end up feeling like a B-side? Two episodes later, she’s full of regret, stripping away everything that once defined her. Her motives collapse into weak, muddled reasoning, and from that point on, her choices become downright baffling. She’s reduced to an eye candy role, dull as a Monday morning. The affair subplot? Unnecessary and insufferable. It cheapened both leads and wrecked all the character work the show had so carefully built up to that point. He barely began to hate her, and she barely clung to her marriage vows. Fitting, I guess. Almost comical how she became an open, walking adulteress right in the house and somehow, no one batted an eye. Nothing against Hong Hwa Yeon; she was flawless. But the writing did her no favours.

So often, people criticise actors for having one-dimensional expressions, and Lee Hae Young as Huh Ildo was exactly that. He carried the same sickly, stoned, vaguely psychotic look the entire show. Even my dog could tell he was up to no good. From day one, the guy was plotting to swallow the whole company, stealing left and right and ready to murder to get his way. And yet, for some reason, the show keeps hinting at some hidden “good side” when literally nothing he did supports that idea. I don’t get it. It didn’t add depth; it just made him look weak and underwhelming as an antagonist. I know a lot of people were impressed by his performance, but for me, it just didn’t click. It felt like one of those roles that seems compelling simply because of the character’s intensity, but lacks real depth on closer inspection. Personally, I found the character lacking in nuance. The whole concept of making him overtly evil, only to later justify it with a ‘he didn’t know any better’ and expect some sort of forgiving reaction from the audiences, came off as unconvincing writing. Another confused character in a story that couldn’t seem to decide what it wanted him to be.

There are honestly so many other characters worth discussing, like Taeyun, Seonu, and Yeom Jang Seo, but I’ll skip over them because, in the end, they all suffered from the same issues: underdeveloped arcs, confusing motivations, and erratic, inconsistent behaviour. It felt like the writer had no real idea what to do with most of them beyond their initial concept or purpose.

The quest felt strangely uneventful, almost too easy for him. Everything that could go his way did go his way, eventually. How many times can one guy cheat death before it starts to feel like a running joke? I get it, it’s makjang, so I shouldn’t expect tight realism. But when it keeps happening, it stops being thrilling and starts feeling like lazy writing disguised as high-stakes drama. Smart characters suddenly turn clueless and guardless- I’m looking at you Yeom Jang Seon. Major events get swept under the rug, all under the weak excuse that “nothing could be done about him.” It started off strong, but the middle turned into a chaotic mess full of missed opportunities and hollow tension. The ending? Everything wrapped up so abruptly, it left me with more 'whys' and 'whats' than satisfaction and closure. After such a great start, nothing else really landed for me.

The biggest letdown? The lack of big emotions. Revenge thrillers in the K-drama world are all about stirring emotions, explosive confrontations and high-stakes showdowns that hit you right in the gut and keep you on the edge of your seat. Buried Hearts had all the ingredients for that: forbidden love, betrayal, and sacrifice. But yet… everything was delivered in a messy fashion that made the emotional core feel hollow. It wasn't subtle; it was just flat. It’s not a bad drama, but it never quite becomes a good one either. Despite its sleek aesthetic and occasional flashes of brilliance, Buried Hearts ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. The story could’ve hit harder and made me feel more, but instead, it left me oddly detached. The writer had some good ideas here and there but failed to piece them together and expand on them meaningfully. There were barely any endearing characters, and the romance, despite the lead's early chemistry, fizzled into something tepid and forgettable. And I blame the writing of the characters for many of the issues. It's one of those dramas that I stuck with, not because I love it, but because I just want to see how it ends.

A revenge tale dressed in beautiful, dark aesthetics but lacking any real consequence or emotional punch. Park Hyun Sik and co deserved better.

Popping some Kopiko while I bury this experience deep down with the rest of my wasted watchlist.

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An honest first look from someone who avoids medical dramas (and didn’t watch Hospital Playlist)

Yep, as the title says, this is unfamiliar territory for me. This is my reluctant dip into a genre I usually steer clear of, no matter how hyped they are. Medical dramas tend to get too technical with all the jargon and revolve around the same predictable plot devices that can feel formulaic fast. Dramatic surgeries, moral dilemmas, a tragic backstory or two. It all ends up feeling cold and repetitive to me; mostly unrelatable too, because I have zero clue how hospital systems work. I’m more of an emotionally driven viewer, and this genre usually doesn’t hit those deeper human notes I tend to look for.

So… why did I hit play?

Honestly? One reason, and one reason only: Go Youn Jung. Hehe. I’d watch anything she’s in, even if she’s playing a nun chanting for hours… on a loop.

Just 10 minutes in and I already found myself smiling from ear to ear. O Yi Yeong (Go Youn Jung) is one of those characters who feels instantly familiar, especially if you’re a young adult in your 20s or 30s trying to survive life. The half-dead expression while waking up for work, the quiet resignation of needing to pay bills and the absolute disinterest with bothersome colleagues; she embodies all that so effortlessly in the opening. Just like her sister suggested, “She has a very transparent face”

The humour doesn’t come from loud gags or slapstick. It’s that “I get it, I’ve been there” kind of humour. And immediately, I get why they cast Go Youn Jung. She has one of those faces that gets the moment: subtle, expressive and somehow says everything without needing to try too hard. Just the right kind of relatable.

“Why do we come to work on time but never leave on time?” -O Yi Yeong

The way she carries herself: tired eyes, dry humor, that “I’m just here so I don’t go broke” energy; hints at someone who’s already been burned once. There’s a quiet conflict behind her every action suggesting that she’s disillusioned by reality. Surely she didn’t survive medical school just to be this reluctant about being a doctor. That disconnect feels like the core of her character, and I’m curious to see how the show unpacks it.

This is the story of four colleagues (not friends, yet), first-year residents in a hospital (Team OB-GYN):
* O Yi Yeong– Working for the paycheck, not passion. The most grounded and ironically, the most human.
* Kim Sa Bi– Nerdy bookworm, top student, but zero social EQ. Kind of robotic and struggles with empathy.
* Pyo Nam Gyeong– Kinda obnoxious, trendy gen-z vibe and got that workplace frenemy energy.
* Um "Jay" Il– Overzealous, kind of clueless, pretty-boy energy. Lacks awareness, but is trying.

And then we have the seniors:
* Koo Do Won– The warm sunbae at work.
* Professor Seo Jeong Min– The classic “witch” boss. Cold on the outside, secretly soft underneath. You know the type.

I won’t say the setup is anything groundbreaking. But what does stand out is how relatable they all feel. Even if you don’t work in a hospital (and I absolutely do not), the character types and office politics are familiar. If you’ve ever worked a job, you’ll find something that hits close to home. And honestly? That’s what made even the technical scenes enjoyable for me. That relatability is what makes it accessible, even if you have no clue what a "central line" or "emergency code" is.

The scene that sold it for me was when O Yi Yeong delivered her first baby unexpectedly. I was just watching, minding my business, and then, bam! It hit me. I suddenly understood what makes this job meaningful, even if it’s just for a second. The way the music swelled, the way her face captured every ounce of fear, awe, and adrenaline. It was beautiful. That moment, more than anything, made me think: Okay, I get why people watch medical dramas now.

And again, this is coming from someone who understood none of the medical lingo. It didn’t even matter. The emotion came through anyway. I’m impressed. Like O Yi Yeong said: “This is really a first for me too T.T”

Final thoughts (so far…) 
(skip to this if you think I yap too much lol):
As expected, it’s still pretty much a standard medical drama at its core: plenty of jargon, lots of time spent in operating rooms and around patient beds. If you're like me and all that technical stuff flies over your head, you might find those parts easy to zone out on. I’m just here for the drama (and Go Youn Jung), not the anatomy lessons.

That said, if you adore GYJ, then yes, she’s already reason enough to hit play. And if you’re looking for something light, character-driven, and easy to digest, this is worth checking out. It’s warm, familiar, and before you know it, you’re a little hooked. But if you're in the medical field, you might roll your eyes at how chill these residents are. It's probably not the most accurate representation of hospital life. I don’t imagine doctors being this unserious on the job, even if they’re only in their first year… though what do I know?

What I do know is that it’s kind of refreshing to see a take where being a doctor isn’t glamorised the way K-dramas usually do with the genius, effortlessly cool types who always save the day at the last second. This one shows the messy, exhausting side of the job that can make you want to give up before you’ve even really begun. And for someone like me who usually avoids anything remotely hospital-related, this is the first time I’ve found myself thinking, “Huh. Maybe I’ll keep watching.”

I probably won’t update this review much going forward. I might even drop the show if it loses me halfway. But I still wanted to put this out as an early review, especially for those who are like me and are always on the fence when it comes to medical dramas. I know I’m not alone.

Also… full disclosure: I am ridiculously biased when it comes to Go Youn Jung. So take that as you will. (~_^)

Ps: The music? Surprisingly really good. Big plus.

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