Cute. Light Hearted. Bingeworthy.

I DEVOURED this series. Truly, one of the best ones there is when it comes to light-hearted shows.

I loved how even if it's light with very little to no drama, the story still packs a punch. It was able to execute perfectly the merging of fiction to nonfiction (aka real life). I appreciate how it also focused on character and emotional growth and enjoying the present moment, rather than on love triangles or the usual business feuds. This is such a feel-good show that I'll be recommending it to those looking for something light, cute, and romantic. Plus, can I just say that the chemistry between the leads is just pure fire. From the first episode alone, I can't stop watching them. Definitely s show worth rewatching!

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Started confusing... Ended up just okay.

While the story seemed confusing, especially during the first few episodes, it all started to make a bit of sense halfway through the series.

The murder mystery aspect of the drama is actually gripping, it's just that viewers have to brave a couple of episodes for the whole thing to make sense. The hallucinations part, while it helped the storyline, is also very confusing given the timeline when the story was taking place. Felt like a watched magical realism / murder mystery to be honest...

Lastly, I don't really understand the point of the female main lead as she has the weakest plotline in the story. Almost every character present was important and involved in the murder that happened years ago, except her.

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Surprisingly really enjoyable!

As a person who loves love and the feeling it gives throughout, I truly enjoyed this show. It portrays the feeling of youth. From initially liking someone, to getting to know them, courting them, caring for them, and then falling in love with them.

What made this show so fun to watch is that it presented us the possible beginning of love. And it didn't cheap out on the storyline as well, all possible love matches were given an equal amount of time to present their stories and get introduced. Not only that, it was also able to present the growth of all these possible love interests. Which made it harder for viewers like me to root for just one of them.

The ending is also very well done as it didn't force the FML to choose a love interest. She learned from her past and decided to take her time and not rush head on into finding love.

Honestly, a really great and light show to feel good!

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Different- In A Good & Bad Way

The execution of this drama, especially during the first few episodes was spot on from the webtoon. The addendums they added, like the second life of Seo Ha's mother, the relationship of Min Ki to Ji Eum, and how the uncle of Seo Ha surrendered were great and honestly top-notch.

What led to the downfall, in my personal opinion, was the number of flashbacks they used and reused in the entirety of the show. In Episode 12 alone there were three flashbacks already. It was too time-consuming; time that could've been used to add more story and depth towards the ending they gave.

Then there's also the ending, since Ji Eum will not be remembering Ae Kyung, who would've brought her up? Who would be with her during her formative days? Since there's no Seo Ha, what would make her dedicated enough during her younger years to persevere?

The ending they gave- which was VERY different from the webtoon, became too full of plot holes. While it was a meet cute kind of ending they presented, it left too many plotholes in place.

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Family. A Mother and Child Bond

Honestly, 95% of the time the mother in this series got into my nerves. But, the last 5% of the whole storyline became the saving grace of this show; it is not because the mother changed drastically, but because her changes were very small yet somehow highlighted her somewhat crazy yet caring way of thinking.

The micro management of the Mom about everything and to everyone is honestly grating. She’s honestly and without a doubt the true antagonist and protagonist of this show.

But, there is something gut wrenching about how that kind of suffocating love is also and is still love. Love that some people long for. Love that some people dream about. While it is too much, we can never discount that she love her kids and her family.

In essence, I think this show was able to capture the realness of love in the family. All families are not perfect. All families have feuds from within. But at the end of the day, when all is rooted in love, there is security and peace to be with the family.

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Enjoyable

The title itself already gives a clue not to take the whole story too seriously and to just enjoy the show without being too objective. If done so, the story and flow of the show is actually good and enjoyable.

The FL is a strong heroine, she knows what she wants and she fights for it. There's a reason for her behavior and the saying that 'there's more than meets the eye' is the perfect definition for her. The supporting female leads and their stories are also worthwhile to watch and be invested in. I feel that they're not just tools used to benefit the leads, but they contribute to the actual flow of the story. One of my favorite characters is the lady and wait and best friend of the FL, Xu Shi Jin. Her goals and her actions in the show are actual scene stealers and just plain boss lady moves.

As for the male main lead and the supporting male leads/characters, I think that while they contribute to the story greatly and help give the viewers the butterflies with their romantic moves; their other purpose in the story is to also help with the growth of their partners.

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Lacking

The theme of this series is focused on finding one's self and growing as a person. While the story was somewhat able to carry on the theme of the drama, the casting, acting and the production fell really short.

The casts had no chemistry. The acting was too cringey. While the story had it's purpose and meaning, it still felt flat. The production skimp so much on it's budget that the environment of the show was so bad it actually affects the overall enjoyment and story flow of the show.

This was an okay show. But definitely not something worth rewatching.

Please note that I'am not a hater. It's just that the sadly everything about this drama was lacking.

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Expect Chemistry & Lots of Ruckus and Laughter

A light and fluffy drama that'll surely give viewers the feels.

Definitely enjoyed the banter, the hate - love relationship between the CP and the ML with his advisor, the chemistry between the main leads, Yu Chang Ya's chemistry with the FL, and the interactions of the whole palace gang. I also appreciate how until the end the advisor chose the best interest of the country and the emperor even though most thought he was the villain, and how the story tied up everything in the end.

I also got really attached to the story of the advisor and FLs Mom. I wish we saw them get married in the end. But overall, this was such a feel good drama to watch, there was absolutely little to no stress, and just pure enjoyment.

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Great Series and Storyline

The plot kinda reminded me of Hotel del Luna. But can I just say that... The chemistry is insane!

It's also amazing how all the people Dong Joo helped is somehow related to her birth story. I love how they tied it all up creatively in the end. It's actually a surprising and genius move! So heartwarming!

If you guys thought all the episodes are tearjerkers, the last one will definitely break your heart so bad. Though, I did kinda forsee it, it was still so painful to watch. The actors did such a great job at portraying the characters that they were able to built viewer attachment.

I feel that the only thing the story felt short on, especially around the ending, is the romance aspect. Tae Hee and Dong Joo's ending could've been written and portrayed so much better after all the build up they did. Don't get me wrong, I love how mature their relationship is and how they are each others rock; as seen when both of them encountered very difficult moments in their lives. I love how their presence is silent and yet very unwavering. But towards the end, I just truly wished they showed more scenes of the two of them being together more (?), whether it be just silently bonding or what. I just feel robbed of that moment wherein it's just them. But that's just me.

The murder mystery part was also humanely written. The choices Hae Ahn did was always because he wanted a good life, a life far from his childhood. Sadly, he was too blinded by it that it changed him. But I'm glad he showed remorse towards the end and did the right thing.

Lastly, can we give props to Vincent and Uncle Priest. Their interactions and screentime were always pleasurable to watch and also helped carry the show. They're humorous and yet also full of love. Ahhh~ such amazing people to have in one's life.

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Good Pastime

With only five minutes per episode, I'm surprised and in awe that it was still both able to be action and angst-packed. There are a lot of serious issues/events that were shown (fake identity, murder, kidnapping, etc.), but it was all instantly resolved. This show is a good pastime for those looking for something fast to watch. But sadly, there'll be no character attachment given how short the episodes are and how fast most of the events take place. Also, for those wondering, the romance was short, cute, and just okay, it wasn't the main theme of the story; and honestly, I feel like it could've been developed more. Overall, this was a short and good series.

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Healing Journey w/ Comedic Value

Bo Ra! Deborah is a drama that focused on the different stages of relationships. While it is not perfect, people got hooked on it because it actually makes a lot of sense.

The storyline is ingenious, to be honest. It focused on the personal growth of not just one character but almost all of them.

I most especially appreciated the growth of Bo Ra, initially, she tried too hard to cloak her real self to fill the mold of what her previous partner preferred. It was maddening because it seemed like she had no real personality and was living in a Barbie world. The breakup while it wrecked her, also helped her in the end to be the best version of herself or try to be. Plus, while the portrayal of her wreckage was very cringe-worthy it was still part of the healing journey and was very real- I mean, let's be honest, most people really do insane things when brokenhearted, it's just that her actions seemed over the top.

I also appreciate the moment Soo Hyuk entered Bo Ra's life. They helped each other in more ways than one. They became each other's pillar and at the same time, they learned more about each other in the realest way than the other couples. I really appreciate how they saw each other in their lowest stage and became friends and each other's support system. I also liked how Bo Ra didn't push Soo Hyuk to be the person he isn't, she helped him overcome his difficulties in communication by meeting him halfway and allowing him to digest his feelings without rushing him. I also loved the part wherein Soo Hyuk said that "Whatever you do, nothing can make me stop liking you." Because from the very start that's what Bo Ra needed, someone to accept her as she is. And that admission is also what Soo Hyuk needed, a person who'll make him finally break the dam that prevents him from accepting his feelings.

My only qualm is that while we saw both Soo Hyuk and Bo Ra grow and get over their previous failed relationships, the drama lacked in showing how they are outside of that bubble. Like what will Bo Ra and Soo Hyuk be into now that they're together? How is their dynamic as a couple? What are the things they do together that they both enjoy? I think those little things would make so much more impact on their storyline. Either way, they still gave them an impactful story.

As for the other couples, I think that their storyline is done in a way that's a middle point between acceptable and needs to be improved or fixed.

San Jin's storyline. I actually appreciated the first part of his story a lot more than I realized. The story about his divorce and how they both failed as partners was perfectly portrayed. It highlighted how failing to communicate as partners will eventually lead to the failure of the relationship. But sadly, the appreciation of his story ends there. Sang Jin's new love interest is a mess, not only do they have nothing in common and have no chemistry at all, the progression of their storyline also makes zero sense. I'm left wondering if he gave in because she gave him exactly what he was looking for; whether it be attention or the youthful and innocent portrayal of her admiration. I really don't know or understand.

Then there's Yu Jung and Jin Woo. The married couple seemed like they were only roommates. I honestly don't understand this couple or the resolution they gave about their marriage problems in the end. It's clear that Yu Jung would always need validation regarding Jin Woo's love, which might be because she was the one who proposed to him, and there'll always be a lingering insecurity there. I think that Jin Woo on his part really needs to show value to Yu Jung. I'm not looking for over-the-top showering of attention and all, just any small action on his part just to show his love and appreciation for her would be nice. Them meeting halfway on each other's interest would be nice too. The ending they gave, which is to dive into foreplay is not actually a real solution to their problems but just a patch to the hole.

Lastly, the young love of Bo Mi and Jin Ho. Oh my. I think that the ending they gave this couple is the weakest one in the whole series, and their storyline had such great potential! This couple needed to learn more about themselves and their place in society at first, and they know and have discussed this. Seeing them grow into the people they're meant to be while still choosing each other would've been great. Instead, they shocked us by impregnating Bo Mi early on giving them no chance to grow at all. Bo Mi just became dependent on both Bo Ra and Jin Ho without having the chance to know what she wants for herself. Also, can we also note the fact that we know little to nothing about Jin Ho other than him being instantly in love and attracted to Bo Mi. What is he going to do to support Bo Mi and their twins in the end? Oh well... I guess this part of the story refers to the youth today and how unstable things are in this generation.

Overall, Bo Ra! Deborah is such a great drama to watch with healing and growth as its main point. The romance between the main leads while lacking airtime is still something to look forward to on every episode.

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Probably 2024’s Best

Loved this drama. It was something I always looked forward to at the end of every week.

The angst, the action, the drama, the plot, they were all wonderfully made.

And as much as I love romance and the chemistry between the leads, this is probably the first time that it didn’t become my focus or priority. I was so engrossed in the story that I just want to know what will happen to Justitia and the gang in the end.

Speaking of the end… While the open ending gives everyone a somewhat happy ending; because it’ll be up to us to interpret what Justitia’s next action will be, I still preferred if they ended this on a bittersweet note. I think the impact would even be bigger. Because in all honesty, the plot twist to give her mortality in the end, beats the purpose of her being an actual judge from hell with zero f**ks to give. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the character growth of Justitia, but let’s be honest, we cannot erase that at the end of this all, they are still from hell… And I was somehow prepared that this will be like a CLOY love story with heaven and hell as the barrier... I just really wish that the ending was more thorough, or more options were given, rather than it being focused on just giving a happy-happy good ending fan service for everyone.

But overall, I still love this drama. Very much so one of the best for 2024.

-.5 just because I can’t with the ending. This is probably a me issue though.

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The butterflies love and young love give.

A great salute to ones teenage to adult years. A great story that's embedded in friendship and love.

To say that I fell in love with this series is an understatement. It gave me all the feels. I enjoyed the friendships and relationships that took place. I enjoyed the growth and the portrayal of men showing feelings more than just being stoic.

While to story was mainly centered on the two childhoold friends, Ling Chao and Xiao Tu, the development and character growth of Jiang Juan Juan and Jia Sia Wen was the perfect icing on the cake. From total opposites, to uncanny friendship and camaraderie, to long distance relationships, to break up, and back to growth and being back together. The sacrifices and growth in that journey was the main highlight of the show to me. It was only in the last three episodes that they were given proper highlight, but the way their story was written was so beautiful and heartbreaking. The quiet sacrifices they both did for each other, especially the story of Jia Si Wen made me bawl my eyes. The insecurities of Jiang Juan Juan also hit home and made me bawl some more. It was beautiful and it honestly portrayed youth. While they aren't the main leads in this show, their story had more pinch to it. It resonated with me more.

Definitely won't tire rewatching this show!

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