Reviews

ENEMIES TO FAKE DATING TO LOVERS!!!

I LOVED THIS DRAMA SO SO SO SO MUCH!!!!

It literally felt like I was reading a contemporary romance book, down to the tropes and everything. The enemies to fake dating to lovers is gonna hit every single time!!! Everything about this drama was chef's kiss. It was the perfect mixture of comedy and romance... you can't help but fall in love with the characters. I also couldn't take them seriously because they were so outrageously hilarious. The banter / discourse between the opposing viewpoints of men and women was refreshing. I found myself thinking wow that's really how men view women and vice versa.

Mi Ran has my entire heart!!! We love a badass heroine who puts men in their place. I adored how Kang Ho balanced her out perfectly. It's like both of them finally met their match and sparks just flew – LITERALLY. The chemistry between them was off the chartsssssss.

I also loved the second lead couple, they were cute... when they got together I'm sure we all screamed FINALLY. His pretty woman moment was so adorable fr!!!

I would recommend this to friends because it was so light hearted and easy to watch / binge in one day. If you are in a drama slump this drama is for you. You literally feel the episodes fly by so quickly one minute your at episode 1 and the next you're at episode 10. Now that I'm finished I am thinking of watching it again.

I gave it an 8.5 out of 10 simply because I felt like I needed more, the episodes were super fast paced which was good at first especially if you have a short attention span like me, but...I felt like they wrapped up the drama so quickly between episodes 9 and 10 especially. The third act conflict just jumped out of nowhere fr after the leads were having such a great time in love and being together which was kind of sad and unnecessary imo.

Either way it's a drama I needed to just sit back, relax and have a nice laugh. I literally couldn't stop smiling because it was so freaking cute!!!

Warning: If you're single this drama is gonna make you feel even more so like I cannot emphasize it enough. The way the couple is with each other is just aajhskjs!!!

If you haven't binge watched this yet you need to hop on the train and do so immediately!!

LOVE TO HATE YOU IS THE ROM-COM DRAMA YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE <3

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It was good but it could have been great!

A solid 8/10 for me.

General Remarks:
Excellent writing, brilliant acting and a suspenseful story that keeps you on your toes.

1. Story about 3 sisters with absentee parents.
2. A mystery surrounding a girl who stole 70 billion won and left it in the account of one of the sisters before she was killed.
3. Main focus is one of the sisters trying to find out what happened to her friend and why she was killed.
4. Characters mysteriously being killed and willing to go to their graves to find this stolen money.
5. The interconnected storylines and drama in each of the sister's and their enemies lives.
6. Mystery behind the blue ghost orchid and the people wrapped up in a society that pledges their lives to it.

Let's start with the positives:

I really enjoyed the storylines of all the sisters. I felt like In Joo and In Kyung always had to be so strong for In Hye and tried their best to take care of and provide for In Hye because of again. absent parents.

I thought the plot was amazing and unlike any other drama I had ever seen or watched. I didn't know so much about orchids and I thought it was refreshing to see a show centered around a rare species of orchid (the orchid of death) and the whole group of people wrapped up in the organization.

I found In Joo battling what to do with all that money to be a realistic portrayal because really and truly most persons wouldn't know where to begin if that amount of money somehow fell into their hands.

I like how everyone's storyline became interconnected and it was like each character was serving a greater purpose in Song-A's "play" of sorts. They were all like her little dolls and she basically called all the shots. At first I was led to believe that she was being forced and coerced by Park Jae Sang but soon it became apparent that everything she was doing was a ruse. She believed herself to be an actress and presented herself differently to each person. Each person was treated like a new canvas or stage of sorts.

Personally I think Sang A was the most interesting character because she was a truly evil serial killer / psychopath. She had no qualms or regard for other people or their feelings (typical sociopath behavior). Finally, a villain being a true villain without any regretful backstory as to why they became that way. Song A was just born that way and though they tried to justify her actions by saying she killed her mom on accident and was living with the guilt and the trauma in her "closed room" (ie. the door that she never opened) Imo her recreating that tragedy was sooooo sick and I loved every minute of it. She was downright horrible and at a point I believed she was going to try and take everything away from both In Joo and In Kyung. I thought In Hye would have never escaped her and she was gonna get rid of Hyo Rin and mold In Hye in her image – creating the perfect daughter. Thank god that didn't happen though!

In Joo and Do Il left much to be wanted at the end – I am disappointed that we did't even get a kiss or a hug lol! The chemistry was there and despite everything they went through you could feel the sheer care they developed for one another. They may not have ended up together but I believe important lessons we learned. No amount of money in the world could make In Joo happy / satisfied and that she would give it all up in a heart beat to protect her sisters and the people she truly loves and cares about. Through In Joo, Do Il too realized that there are some people worth fighting for and more important than money.

I never thought In Kyung would give Jong Ho a chance but I lwas literally so happy at the end when they finally got together and admitted their feelings for one another.

Though In Hye was a really complicated character I thought her message at the end was sweet and behind her depressive and cold hearted exterior was a troubled teenager with a heart. She did care for In Joo and In Kyung but just had a sh*tty way of showing it. Her message to her sisters was sweet and I could kind of understand her reasoning for being distant and wanting to find herself first before appearing in front of them again. Even though she appreciated all the sacrifices they made for her in her life she needed to go her own way and find independence.

Negatives:

I could not stand their mother. She was awful and didn't give a singular f*ck about her kids and it was so infuriating to watch. She took her daughters field trip money and just ran away with the sh*tty excuse that In Hye is young and has so many opportunities to travel and that she needs to go now because she's "old" essentially. That was just soooo absurd to me considering the fact that the mother knew damn well that was In Hye's dream and the thing that would make her the happiest????? Imo she stifled those poor girls and was not fit to be a parent, not to mention their good for nothing father who the mother ran away to help and barely heard from ever since. In Joo and In Kyung practically raised themselves with the help of the great aunt who raised in Kyung for a while and then them turning around and raising In Hye.

I found In Hye to be ungrateful and selfish and the fact that she chose to find herself and travel the world with her friend rather than stay with her sisters even when the danger was eminent left me shocked.

I wish In Kyung's alcoholism was tackled more and we could see her path to recovery not like she just woke up and magically got over it. It's a touchy subject yes but I feel like many people struggle with alcoholism and it would've been nice to see a kdrama tackle such an important issue in the midst of all the mystery and chaos going on.

I wish we saw more character development but I understand it was hard to do so in 12 episodes.

I thought the last episode was rushed but again it was hard to fit everything into 12 episodes. I felt like Sang A died a quick and mildly painful death but she deserved to suffer wayyy more for her crimes... so it was upsetting seeing her die without having to atone for any of it while Hwa Young was badly burnt, survived and still had to go to prison. Imo Hwa Young has mental issues that also need to be taken care of because I don't know how someone can endure all that + their fake death and still be mentally sound. Also I am not sure how I feel about her getting involved in another gardening program (like especially if it has anything to do with orchids) like that was strange and it gave me the creeps. Hwa Young has the perfect demeanor and makings to be a villain / antagonist so it would be interesting to see her character arc in S2 (if there is one) Honestly I feel like she wasn't able to fully get her revenge and have peace of mind so I kinda do hope if there is S2 that opportunity presents itself.

Final Remarks:

Kim Go Eun really puts so much into her acting and you can feel that translate across the screen no matter what role she undertakes. Wi Ha Joon's character was mysterious and throughout watching I couldn't quite place him. Was he evil or was he good? It became clear that he was a morally grey character (which I ate up btw) essentially a wildcard that could swing either way depending on the situation.

I hope there is season 2 with a whole other mystery that the sisters are swept up in. Maybe this time it can start with In Hye and her friend Hyo Rin and then the others have to help save her. I would also love Hwa Young to make a reappearance and help them from prison if she can or this mystery finally frees her as we meet an even bigger contender / mastermind than Sang A was.

I liked it so much as I am still thinking about it and wishing there was more even though it's finished. I would definitely recommend it to others :)

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Enjoyable But... I Wish They Gave Us More!

***Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone***

(This review is entirely based on the show, I did not read the webtoon and went into this completely blind)

I really loved this drama... I thought the story was interesting, the acting was phenomenal and the OSTs touched my heart. I wish I could rewatch it for the first time and be able to experience and feel all the things I did all over again.

The way this drama had me in a chokehold for weeks needs to be studied! I honestly don't know if this drama would've had the same effect on me had I just binge watched it in one go. From beginning to end you can see the care / effort the writers put into bringing this story to life on screen. I thought the cast was beautifully chosen as the actors captured the essence of their characters so well. The emotions through the drama were raw / real and it was almost palpable through the screen. I heard the webtoon and the drama are different and that writers changed some stuff but idk I think that's the whole point of an adaption it gives the writers creative license and room to explore what the original story didn't have / lacked. Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun were so amazing. I need to see Bo Hyun in more leading roles... perhaps a historical drama next.

Overall, this drama was enjoyable. My only problem with it was that it was too short (12 episodes) and the last couple episodes seemed rushed and like they were trying to tie everything together at the last minute. They could've used the middle episodes to develop the plot further or have Seo Ha find out that Ji Eum was Ju Won's reincarnation earlier as well as her memories from her 1st life and how to break the curse. I found the shaman guy (Min Ki) so annoying. Especially the fact that they let his identity remain a mystery until the last two episodes, it was very underwhelming. They made it seem like he was a lover but as it turns out he was the reason why Ji Eum was cursed to be reborn each time she died. I found the ending of her forgetting everyone while they lived on remembering her very strange / not well thought out but I'm glad everything all worked out in the end and the drama ended on a happy note. I was initially so scared that it would end badly but then again I'm a lover of angst and pain. Either way I think I would've loved this drama bc the storytelling, acting and sequence of events was so entertaining.

I definitely would rewatch this drama sometime in the future. I think the key to enjoying this drama is just to go in blindly without any preconceived notions from the webtoon or constantly comparing it to it. As a reader myself it's just a fact that no adaptation can ever really live up to what you imagined in your head.

With that said I give this drama an 8/10.

Thanks for reading & happy watching!

❤️

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THE SOUND OF THE FLOWERS WILL HAUNT ME FOREVER ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

**Disclaimer: This is just my opinion, please don't take anything I say personally. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone. This review is kind of lengthy so please bare with me.***

General Overview:

My Dearest is a profound story set in the year 1636 during the Qing invasion of Joseon. It tells the tale of Gil Chae the "village’s 99 tale fox", who can have any man she wants because they are willing to do anything for her at the drop of a hat. The story depicts how this beloved but conceited and naive girl matures as the tides change and she realizes she must be strong for those around her. She has to step up and become a leader and a source of strength in these harsh times. We also meet Jang Hyun, a flawed man whose actions demonstrate how determined he is to change and be better for the woman he loves. He acts as if he doesn't care about much, but as the story progresses, you can see how much he does care and is determined, willing to fight for and help the innocent people around him.

The plot revolves around the constraints imposed on various classes of people, gender disparity, camaraderie – sisterhood and brotherhood all combined with a breathtaking, slow burn romance that continually breaks and mends your heart. It's about survival and, more importantly, perseverance – it's about how far you're prepared to go for the people you care about. It's a great drama that underlines the importance of sacrifice. This story offers so much more than romance. You get politics, warfare, suspense, drama, heartbreak, romance and everything in between. The story could exist without the love story and I think that’s what makes it so special. The love between the people is what ties everyone together and keeps them hoping for a better and brighter day but it is not the focus of the plot. It is about the perils of war and how that can tear people apart and make them often do things they would have never done in the first place. It’s about choosing the best option not for yourself but for the greater good of everyone.

Needless to say I feel like this story has changed the trajectory of my life. Am I embellishing and over exaggerating? Yes, but I’m also being so serious. It’s a story I believe everyone should experience at least once in their life. The artistry and care behind this production is something you can feel through the screen in any scene, at any moment. I won’t say it’s the best Sageuk I’ve ever watched because there is still more to come but for me, it’s pretty damn close.

If you're on the fence about watching or starting it, I would highly encourage you to do so. I feel like this drama is a classic and everyone should experience it at least once in their life.

____________________________________________________


In more detail (spoilers ahead):

I genuinely feel like my soul just got ripped out of my body. They literally had me hoping things would work out between Jang Hyun and Gil Chae and in the end they gave us nothing but PAIN?!

Let me first take a moment to rewind and go over everything I liked about this drama...

They literally gave meet cute, slow burn, enemies to lovers, forbidden love, right person wrong time, drama, suspense, passion and yearning. When I tell you I was on the edge of my seat with each episode. I went into this not knowing whether I would like this drama as much as the next person but I was pleasantly surprised when I realized this would easily become one of my favorite dramas of the year.

To say Gil Chae is a well-written, multifaceted character who serves as a role model for women everywhere would be an understatement. She has so many positive attributes, and I found myself being a proud observer of her development.

We first meet this young, naive girl who is consumed by the fairytale of having a happy ever after with the man she sees in her dreams (the one she feels is her rightful husband) But oh my how the threads of fate proved to have a different path in store for her. I believe that her dream was foreshadowing all the ups and downs and tribulations she will have to face until she and her lover can finally reunite. We follow Gil Chae on her journey as she transforms from a snobbish, shallow noble's daughter to someone willing to put her life on the line for her friends. The road there is not easy, as we can see but Gil Chae has really blossomed and transofrmed into something of a force herself since the 1st episode compared to the last. She is truly a flower that changes with the seasons and grows older and wiser as the story progresses.

Jang Hyun, on the other hand, is a laid-back, free-spirited man who clearly puts on a cheerful facade so that people don't see the real him or know his true intentions. He appears to be a man who is uninterested in politics, has no plans to marry, does not believe in supporting / backing his country or the king, and prefers to avoid war and picking sides. In contrast, our Gil Chae fantasizes about her ideal happy marriage with her perfect husband. Jang Hyun claims that love and romance are fleeting and that he does not want to be tied down to anyone as a result. He'd rather think about things and have fun for the time being. That is, until he meets Gil Chae, who changes the course of his life and challenges his previously held beliefs. He appears to be a people-pleaser, always seeking flattery and recognition, but I don't think he knows what he wants at the end of the day. He's a man who has lived a full life, is well read and educated, and has traveled extensively. It'll be interesting to learn more about his backstory.

As the story progresses and Jang Hyun's layers are gradually peeled back, you realize he is a shell of a boy, with scars and unhealed trauma from his turbulent past. You can tell he has had a difficult life, but he does not portray himself as a victim; instead, he handles everything with grace. I believe he is very calculating and he sort of quietly observes people as if he sees them as pieces in a game of chess. You notice this when he makes subtle remarks about the king and crown prince, or any bad men he encounters. It's heartwarming to see Jang Hyun change for the better as he rises to the occasion and ends up saving countless lives. He wants to live another day and meet Gil Chae again, not because of the war or his circumstances. He perseveres and survives, demonstrating incredible bravery, determination, and resilience in the face of any challenge, battle, or adversary.

I love a "pathetic" and "morally gray" man so much. There's just something so inherently attractive about a man who is down bad for his woman and literally gets so sad at the thought of leaving or losing her – literally when the mere thought of being apart from her for even a second makes him so lovesick or causes him to make the most unpredictable decisions to protect her. Jang Hyun is the embodiment of "touch her and I kill you" and "I hate everyone in the world but you." and that's why he's the best ML to exist. The mere fact that he would probably burn down the world to save Gil Chae is just so satisfying to watch. I am truly saddened whenever I hear Jang Hyun refer to himself as a terrible man since he is so kind, wise beyond his years and pure of heart. When I tell you we as viewers don't even deserve him, know that I'm being dead serious. Normally, I would find persistence annoying, but the way Jang Hyun pursued Gil Chae had me gasping for air and at a loss for words. It reminded me of a Bridgerton-esque courtship lol! The tension was so thick and intense that it appeared to be impenetrable even by the sharpest blade.

Gil Chae and Jang Hyun share a lot of similarities. They do differ in terms of upbringing, status, and maturity levels, yet throughout the drama, they embark on their own adventures, endure trials, and grow. At first I thought their personalities were too similar and I was unsure about their pairing because in the back of my mind usually it’s opposites that attract. But as I continued watching I realized they were each others true equals. Nobody else would ever be good enough for either of them. It was clear from their banter and subtle gazes that Jang Hyun understands and knows her, and vice versa. They are, at their core, just two people who long for that one constant love that will never change, regardless of time, space, or distance. No matter how many times Gil Chae hurt his feelings and rejected him, he still hoped that she felt even a smidgeon of affection for him. I melted when he told Yeon Jun that if he could only have a quarter of her heart, he would take it. That is genuine love right there. I loved how Jang Hyun was able to let his guard down for her to truly see he was being sincere in his affection and he never wavered even when Gil Chae was being stubborn / playing hard to get. When faced with adversity, they both are unable to to give up. Both will fight to the death to protect the people they care about, while simultaneously longing for the day when they can reunite.

As Jang Hyun said "I swear by the moonlight, wherever you are, I'll make sure to find find you." The symbolism of the moon touched me deeply because, just as everyone is under the same moonlight, Gil Chae and Jang Hyun's love will also remain constant, no matter where they are. This oath/promise is kept throughout the entire drama and solidifies their soulmatism.

Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin both delivered outstanding performances. Their portrayal of their characters was so amazing and emotional that it completely blew me away. Namkoong Min takes us through a variety of thrilling and heartbreaking scenes. His fight scenes are fantastic, as are his tender and heartfelt scenes demonstrating his growing affection for Gil Chae. Eun Jin does a wonderful job of portraying Gil Chae especially in her funny/silly moments and her painful, heartbreaking ones. Their chemistry is beyond words to the point where it feels palpable through the screen. The side characters and extras also do a phenomenal job of selling their roles. The villains (Qing intruders) are very menacing and they add to the realism of the portrayal. Everyone in this drama has done a tremendous job acting their asses off – they are really convincing, and I believe that is what distinguishes this drama.

Dislikes:

Yeon Jun annoyed me because he seemed to be playing with Gil Chae's emotions. He seemed harsh when he said that Gil Chae could have any man she wanted, but Eum Ae could only have him. Which was true, but it was still brutal, made worse by the fact that he almost broke down his wall, revealed his true feelings, and kissed her. My heart broke for Gil Chae, but it was exactly what she needed to mature. She needed to experience the fantasy and dream of one-sided love. Something that appeared to be perfectly crafted in her head, but was actually something entirely different in reality. I was relieved she chose to be selfless and encouraged Eum Ae to marry him instead. It was touching how she stood by her friend and assured her that she was worthy of being his wife and the best person for him. He still irritated me in the end because when it was time for him to step up, he didn't and made the lame excuse of not wanting to betray his country and maintain his pride, but all the characters literally suffered and were affected as a result of that one decision. He caused his wife and her friends/family to suffer as a result of his pride and stupidity, which is completely different from Jang Hyun in that regard because at least he is able to use his morals/judgment and be selfless even in difficult situations.

Let us now discuss Ryang Eum. He clearly idolizes Jang Hyun to the point where he believes he has developed strong, intense feelings for him. Jang Hyun saved Ryang Eum from a bad man who was torturing him when he was a boy, and his gratitude grew into adoration and love. While I don't blame him for feeling the way he does, the way he goes about being a driving force to keep Gil Chae and Jang Hyun apart is deceitful and dishonest. I'm not sure how he can face Gil Chae or Jang Hyun after literally betraying them both. Isn't he aware that he is the problem and the plot device / boulder in the way of their love? I'm sure he's smart enough to realize Jang Hyun will never feel the same way he does, will never return his affections, and yet he's hellbent on sabotaging them and then making pathetic excuses like "I thought she'd make you miserable"? I needed him to be so for real! He irritated me, but what is a drama without close friends betraying characters' trust and undercover foes driving the plot?

I also dislike the officer (Won Moo). At first, I was overjoyed at his kindness towards Gil Chae but disappointed when I realized he wanted more than friendship, that he wanted to marry her and offer her a more comfortable life. I guess the deciding factor for Gil Chae was when Won Moo said he would still have her knowing she had another man in her heart. That should have made me feel relieved but I was just so torn as all of this transpired while she thought Jang Hyun was dead. I was celebrating when I believed Gil Chae was going to go with Jang Hyun and the officer would have turned a blind eye and let her, but that did not happen because Won Moo chose to be cruel and let her mentally ill father loose in an attempt to bring her back home. While I wholeheartedly understand Gil Chae's motives, her duty to stay and take care of her family, as she is the sole provider for them, it didn't make the ending of the third act conflict any less painful. Jang Hyun and Gil Chae have been through so much that they deserve to be happy, with each other. I don't know what else to say other than I hope the officer dies. Just anything else just so Gil Chae can be with the man she truly loves. But of course, things are never that simple and we don't get what we want because life isn't fair and it seems like the ML and FL must always be facing obstacles that push them further apart.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, the drama's historical accuracy is astounding. The costumes, scenery, and realistic depictions of the brutality of war is one of the best I've seen in a historical drama. The OST they used is simply stunning and heartfelt. The songs complement the story perfectly and leave an emptiness / yearning that just stays with you. Each episode held my attention, and I'm not going to lie, I've shed a few tears. So be sure to bring your box of tissues lol! My biggest fear is that this drama will end in tragedy. I really hope not. but even if it does I know that i'll stick around until the final episodes' credits roll.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I’m still reeling from this immense high. They gave cinema. They gave near perfection. It’s just that the ending pissed me off so much I wanted to rate it lower but I will stick to my initial thought. I am still waiting for things to get better They literally had me for more than half of the episodes and then completely shattered me with that ending. While I am aware it is a continuation to say I was disappointed / dissatisfied with the cliffhanger of an ending, is an understatement. I can empathize with Gil Chae and her motives behind choosing to stay for her father and her friends but it hurts to know that two people are so perfect for each other but can't be together (yet). They keep missing their timing, which is both frustrating and exciting.

Obviously, if you start this drama expect a simple and sweet love story, you should reconsider. This is not a drama for the faint of heart. Is it perfect? Yes and no. It's complicated, but that's kind of the point, and it's one of the reasons I enjoy this drama so much. I love how intricate the storylines and characters are. I like that this drama strikes a balance between highlighting the struggle of doing what is right versus doing what is necessary, delving into how far people are willing to go to survive and protect those they care about. This story was written for angst , slow burn, acts of service and pain / comfort lovers like me. In my opinion, these tropes have never hit harder, and I can't wait to see everything else that unravels in the future with these complex characters.

Sidenote:

(I am mad at myself for not watching it sooner but I was unable to start it knowing Part 2 would not be released until October. I started it last night October 12, 2023 and completed it this morning October 13, 2023. I am so excited for Part 2 but also worried because it might be a very sad ending)

I'm expecting more trials and tribulations, but I'm not too concerned because Gil Chae is a resilient person who I believe can and will face anything with a brave heart. Jang Hyun is also a very resourceful and determined man as well, so I doubt this is the end of their story.

The underlying message of this drama is that relationships require effort and that love is a choice people make every day rather than just a fleeting emotion. It demonstrates how two flawed people fight for each other without losing their sense of self-worth. This drama isn't about your typical delicate and frail damsel in distress waiting for a knight in shining armor to come and save her... instead, it's about how two people strive to be together despite all odds but trust that in the end they will have the courage and endurance to take care of themselves until they meet again.

With ALL of that being said, I gave it a 9/10 and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

(Thank you to all the beautiful and kind souls who actually read all this ❤️ )

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it was awful. I loved it.

yeah your eyes aren't deceiving you. everything was a 0/10 and I ate every single second up as if I was starving.

the story: the writers sat in a room and Jon from accounting said "BDSM Mafia Boss". one person said "what about the storyline?" "don't worry about it" Jon from accounting replied. "the hornies don't care about that." and they really stuck to that because except the lil quarrel they had in the end, nothing really happened. Until Jon from accounting said "you know what. throw in a threesome, but don't build up or follow up on it at any point ok?" and the room said "Sure thing, Jon".

acting: listen I've never seen these actors in any other show and I've read that they are supposed to be good........... BUT WTF WAS KAMOL DOINNNGGG the actor cracked me up. whatever emotion he was supposed to portray, I wouldn't know because of all the botox he apparently got done right before filming. like damn he was hardly able to smile and no way he was able to look angry. his forehead stayed perfectly smooth and gosh I loved it so much...

music: the evil piano music whenever Kamol entered........... It was perfect.

conclusion:
when I watched the first episode, I added this to the "dropped" list real fast. but then episode 2 came and I started to see it as what it is. peak camp. the piano music. whole scenes only for product placements. awkward acting and even more awkward sex scenes with 0 build up. Kamols only characteristic being head over heels for Kim...

everything was awful and it's my favourite show ever.

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It was fun and enjoyable!

***DISCLAIMER: These are just my thoughts while watching the show. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone.***

If you’re like me and you loved "Yul" in Alchemy of souls, Keep watching this drama for the best of Hwang Min Hyun. It keeps getting better and better. I genuinely started this not knowing what to expect and I found the first 2-3 episodes slow but as soon as you’re midway through, the twists will keep you hooked to the show.

Kim So Hyun is really a good actress. In this drama, both her and Hwang Min Hyun show a lot of chemistry and cute moments. The storyline is also pretty decent and they complement each other in this drama. Hwang Min Hyun shows a different side of his acting too… each episode I found his character to be really cute, soft and endearing. He’s like a little puppy who is misunderstood and wrongfully accused. It’s sad because you can see the weight for his past affecting him daily and holding him back from pursuing his musical dreams to the fullest.

At first I found Sol Hui’s ex boyfriend (Kang Min) annoying but I’m glad he actually cared about solving the murder mystery and not just persecuting Do Ha because he wanted Sol Hui back. I respected him when he told her he was no longer able to hang around her and be “just friends” and decided to leave her alone for good. I also enjoyed Sol Hui’s parents’ arc and how they found their way back to each other and rekindled their love/romance. It was sweet how he waltzed in and showed the other guy up for not knowing his ex-wife. I’m glad Sol Hui’s mom came to her senses and chose love instead of money and decided to live simply and happily with the dad in the forest. I liked the supporting actors as well – especially the bickering couple who are totally into each other but keep pretending like they’re not. They are so adorable and deserve to be happy. I also would enjoy a bodyguard romance spinoff with Syaon and Chi Hoon I think they’d be cute and the writers could incorporate some drama into a whole new storyline with Do Ha and Sol Hui as guest stars (maybe?)

Honestly, Ji On is different in this role compared to seeing him as selfless, justice serving “Ryung Goo” in Tomorrow. If you enjoyed his character in Tomorrow, let me just say you’re in for a shock if you decide to watch in My Lovely Liar. I thought the resolution / revelation of Eom Ji’s real killer had us going in circles. I can’t believe Deuk Chan did it, as in I did not suspect his character at all and they almost fooled me with his brother Jae Chan taking the fall. I thought the writers could have expounded more on his relationship with Do Ha / Seung Ju – how he fell for him etc. The also could have wrapped up the story by telling us what happened with his wife / the divorce and his relationship with his daughter especially now that he’s in prison. I feel like they kind of lost the plot with his character in that aspect.

It’s by no means the best rom-com I’ve ever watched but thats not the point! It’s honestly so much better than a lot of higher ranked dramas that aired this year. I personally liked the twist of mystery / drama in it. Not to mention the visuals of the leads and chemistry between them is an added bonus. It’s also so hilarious and will keep you laughing/smiling throughout. Idc it’s a light-hearted little rom-com with mystery, drama and a touch of fantasy to keep viewers engaged & question the true intentions of someone and their heart rather than judging them based on if they’re telling the truth vs a lie.

I gave it a 7.5/10 because it was light hearted and kept me entertained.

Give it a try!

:)

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A Light Hearted Rom-Com — but so much more!

It feels like a 2013 drama that was remodeled for a 2022 audience.

To sum it up in simple terms, The Law Cafe is a very unorthodox law drama with a sheer sense of community and heart at its core. Even though it seems like a rom com do not be fooled as it also has slice of life aspects, political intrigue and mystery.

I adored all the characters and the effort they put into their roles. Kim Yoo Ri and Jeong Ho’s story felt special but I enjoyed the incorporation of the clients stories at the law cafe even more so. In the earlier episodes, specifically the ones that covered child abuse and school bullying, really touched my heart. I appreciate all those young actors / and actresses because the emotions they evoked to truly bring the story to life was powerful. Lee Se Young nailed the part and brought across a true authenticity that you almost felt like you were in her shoes / witnessing real accounts.

I feel like it started off strong in the earlier episode but then fell off midway and towards the end. For me, the true essence of the law cafe lost its meaning after Yoo Ri and Jeong Ho entered a relationship. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy their moments and thought they were cute — it’s just that it felt super rushed. I understand that they had memories from 17 years ago and since college that was understood / implied offscreen but Jeong Ho being in love with her for so long and then feeling like she did not reciprocate his feelings was just a bit too much. Him then basically still going along with his proposal plans even though he knew her reasons for not wanting to get married, just put a little bit of a strain on the relationship dynamic for me. They eventually worked it out but I feel like the drama would’ve been more powerful without them being so close so that Pyun Woong had an angle to strike at. That is to say Yoo Ri was Jeong Ho’s weakness and vice versa. It was very predictable at that point as the villain knew that wounding / hurting one would result in action / serious measures taken from the other.

Jeong Ho’s character felt insufferable at times because he sucks at communicating. Had he told Yoo Ri the truth instead of dedicating his life to research and writing novellas all of this could have been avoided. Him continually trying to push Yoo Ri away and making her cry was also annoying especially when you hear him admit to the camera that he’s been in love with her for 17 years. In essence it seems like he dedicated his entire life to serving her and like she was his main focus. Kinda stalker-ish fr considering he knew her plans to set up a law cafe and bought that exact building… it’s almost like he laid the groundwork for her to come back to him (I guess everyone in that family shares some kind of psychotic tendencies) That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy Lee Seung Gi’s portrayal of Jeong Ho it’s just that his character arc could’ve had more substance. Through and through he was a silly character and it made you empathize or understand his reasoning a bit.

I really enjoyed the supporting cast. Eun Kang nailed the whole mysterious brooding just-released-from-prison / ex convict vibe which I just ate up. Honestly I’d like to see him as the lead in a drama. The ajumma’s were hilarious but kind of annoying sometimes. Honeybee / Bae Joon had that naive impressionable young person thing going on. I liked at the end how he was likened to Yoo Ri and shared a similar sense of spirit that she had when she first started working for Hwang & Gu Law Firm.

I loved the doctor (Woo Jin) I felt like he too liked a Yoo Ri from the get go… even before Jeong Ho expressed his feelings towards her and I felt sad that he had to restrain himself out of respect for Jeong Ho. I’m not a fan of triangles but I wish Woo Jin had gotten a fair chance or at least his own love interest. His story with his patient was so sad and I really felt sorry for him. A+ for Kim Nam Hee’s portrayal. His emotions translated well across the screen.

I want to also applaud Jo Han Chul’s acting as Lee Pyun Woong. I have enjoyed every drama I’ve seen him in but finally seeing him undertake the role as a psychotic villain was something else entirely. He made me hate him so much I just knew he was doing an awesome job. He did the role justice and was super convincing.

The final episode could have been wayyyy better but I think the fact that the ended with Jeong Ho and Yoo Ri’s wedding says enough. The fact that Yoo Ri got married in a bright red wedding dress just shows how “unorthodox” they wanted this show to be. The typhoon no less was a metaphor for their tumultuous relationship. Imo funny but also highly unnecessary. I literally found the supporting casts love stories more interesting — Do Jin Ki and Seo Yeon as well as Eun Kang and Song Hwa (not portrayed but implied) Those two couples left me wanting their dynamics to be explored.

Overall the drama is a solid 7 out of 10 for me. It wasn’t meant to be deep or intense so if you go into it just know you’re just there for a good time. There are important takeaways from each episode for sure (at least in the earlier episodes) and that’s what I appreciated about the drama. I didn’t think such a light hearted show would evoke so many different emotions but it was truly refreshing and left me entertained for the most part.

Watch this drama if you’re looking for something with a perfect mix of everything. Comedy, romance, drama, politics and a little bit of mystery / thriller.

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The Best BL of all Time! So Go Watch!

I have never written reviews for anything but this drama forced me to write one. The recent surge of BL had us BL fans swooning however during the process the BL's lost its originality and offered the same plot with school/university/ engineering/love triangle/making all the females either villain or brainless fujoshi but with different actors. I am not bashing other bls but it was getting very repetitive.

But then BOOM! came this BL out of nowhere. Surprising us with its wholesome and refreshing original plotline. This is a story about an introverted salaryman who was just going with the flow of life and not much caring about love thus stayed as a virgin. However, when he turned 30 he was bestowed with the mind-reading ability and this is where folks one of the most hilarious yet MOST tender wholesome love story of the BL world's begun. Our protagonist, Adachi, finds out the popular and most perfect guy in the office, Kurosawa, has an intense crush on him.

Adachi is someone we all can relate to especially us introverts. He looks down on himself, lacks confidence, and always gives up fighting for himself and others when needed. But after he gained the power we could see the changes in him. He never once used his power for himself or to harm others rather he used them to help the people around him. He is becoming a better version of himself. Slowly but steadily he is overcoming his weakness for a better life.

Where else Kurosawa is completely opposite of Adachi. He is an extrovert person and the most popular guy in the office. He is a perfectionist in whatever he does. Girls go gaga on him including me. He is smart, handsome, confident, and knows how to carry himself. He is the go-to person, whenever someone faces any kind of problem. He is the perfect example of how a salaryman should be. However, when it comes to Adachi he loses his calms and his confidence wavers. All he wants is to stay beside Adachi and make him smile. Kurosawa will be happy and content as long as Adachi is happy and stay beside him even if as colleagues but that's going to change very soon though.

Cherry Magic has stolen my breath and my heart! Every week I anxiously wait for the new episodes like my life depends on it. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling and you can feel it from the very first interaction and you can feel as each episode progresses the chemistry intensifies. At first, honestly, I thought this will be like Ossan's love with overly comedic with little focus on romance especially when I read that the guy will have mind-reading power and the trailer also really didn't impress me but thank god I gave this gem of drama a shot and I fell in love.

The best thing about this drama is that all the characters no matter how small or big their role is very much like real life. All of us can relate to them in our life personally for me I could very much relate to Adachi and Fujisaki-san. Episode 4 touched my heart so deeply like no other bl could. Also, how could we forget our poor Kurosawa's fantasy?! Trust me it will make you laugh and giggle like a kid. Well, all episodes will make you giggle and scream in the middle of the night like a banshee in loose...or like a kid!

And to all the BL writers out there please learn from Kurosawa how to write perfect gentleman. Kurosawa even though is restless about his feelings for Adachi he never ever tried to force his feelings on Adachi. He is always respectful and he even felt remorse when the co-workers forced him to Kiss Adachi ( episode 3) albeit it was only a forehead kiss Kurosawa still felt bad which shows how considerate Kurosawa is and how much kindness and respect he has for Adachi.

This is a genuine love story between these two men that will warm your heart and soul...make you feel like you are on cloud 9. Make you feel fluffy and soft and gushy and will definitely make you say "EHHH!".

The thing with Japanese bl is that they don't need to show physical intimacy to convey their feelings. They can literally carry the whole show, with the same per as those that hugely depends on physical intimacy to gain popularity, with their eye contact and body language, and what acts they do for their loved one. Again I am not bashing anyone specific.

I think like most of you I am also not a fan of Japanese acting. They often feel cringe to me and made me stopped watching Japanese drama for a while. So for the people who are worried about the acting, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. The acting is actually top-notch. Both actors perfectly understood their characters and have dutifully are able to portray them just as they were written in manga. Machida is literally Kurosawa and no one can deny that!

To be honest I feel the live-action characters have more feel to them than the manga in my humble opinion. Also, the director did an amazing job of executing the story. And I am glad that they are adding their own original scenes to this adaptation and changing the timelines of specific scenes which I think will be more exciting.

The only con is the development of a side couple. Don't get me wrong I love them too. Tusge is a chaotic virgin that cracks me up every time he comes on screen and our cutie Wataya is such a tsundora lol. But I wished their story would have progressed with the same care as the main pairing but it's ok. This series is already a perfect 100 for me.

And Udon-Chan is love, Udon-Chan is life!

Listen guys once you start watching this series you will not be able to stop yourself from re-watching the currently out episodes again and again. I have already lost count of how many times I have re-watched the 5 episodes. Cherry Maho really spells a real cast at its viewers then we can't stop watching the series even if we want to.

So what are you guys waiting for join our Cherry Maho cult!

Sorry for such a long-ass review and I know I am not the best reviewer out there but hope this review at least is helpful to you lots.

Peace Out XOXO!


Edit- I have finally finished the whole series and my man I LOVE LOVE LOVE it so MUCH!! It was perfect!!! For me, the character development was so good. Adachi overcoming his fear of losing his power and mingling with people, understanding people without his power showed huge character development! Finally, Kurosawa can have his sweet life with Adachi. I do hope we get a season 2! I wanna see more of their sweet life. Call me greedy because I am. Fantastic ending to a fantastic series. Guys watch this show or else you will be missing out on the biggest gem of your life!

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I have seen absolute darkness. I know what it's like to lie in bed, unable to leave, trapped under sheets of sweat-drenched anxiety because every single movement feels heavier than you are. I've lived for the moments you reach the surface and gasp for air, only to slip beneath the waves. Most importantly, I know how a single hand can reach into that darkness and pull you to shore.

For sake of argument, I am going to share something very personal. In 2009 I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This isn't a condition that you catch like a cold, but rather one that manifests at a certain age and snowballs until it's nearly impossible to function. You can't prevent it through proper care, you can't always predict its onset and you certainly can't run from it. Essentially, bipolar disorder means I suffer from violent mood swings - severe bouts of depression and self-destructive manic states. Most people are familiar with depression on some level, but the idea of a manic state is foreign so I'll take a moment to explain it. If depression is an extreme state of sadness or hopelessness, you can think of mania as an extreme state of happiness. It's generally characterized by impulsive (and often destructive) decisions, lack of sleep and is almost always accompanied by the physical feeling of euphoria (you can think of this as something similar to the effects of several drugs like ecstasy.) This state is the most dangerous and, for me personally, meant that I would blow through money on drugs and alcohol, ostracize my friends and family because of an uncontrollable temper and sail off into the sunset feeling invincible. These impulses left my life in ruins.

I crashed hard during my third semester of college and had to withdraw. At my worst I was suicidal, faced with a crippling loneliness that I had never felt before. You can think of it like standing knee- deep and staring into a dark pool of water. The only light is the reflection of your own eyes and even those seem foreign to you. If you shout you're greeted by a distorted echo that you recognize as your own, but it's masked by an alien quality. In this sense, mental disorders create two yous; the you that you're familiar with and the stranger you can't recognize beyond a silhouette and the stain it leaves behind. You're a prisoner in your own body and every single day you feel yourself inching closer and closer to the water.

If there is a single safe harbor in all of this, it's love. When two souls dredge through the fire and connect, the bond can become unbreakable. Empathy is the great uniter; shared pain is like cement. Love will harden through pain. Two souls become pillars, lifting the other out of the water and into the sky. This is what separates this drama from the rest. This is why It's Okay, That's Love is a masterpiece.

Mental health is not a topic that is addressed very often in Korean dramas, and when it is it often comes across as comical. Mental health balances between something people think of as self-imposed, something you can shrug off if you try hard enough, and something to be afraid of. Because of this, it's usually presented as one of the two extremes: something too light, often existing as comic relief or a silly quirk meant to add flavor without substance, or as something too heavy, existing as some ethereal force that twists the mind into something less than human. It's Okay, That's Love is able to present something serious and keep a lighthearted tone without being insulting.

If you're looking at the melodrama tag and expecting something that borders on makjang, this drama is not that. The feeling of melancholy threads this drama together, but it does not weigh it down. You won't find endless sobbing, misunderstandings or two-dimensional characters. Instead, this drama showcases the marriage of two souls through unconditional love and growth. Love is strongest when flaws can fit together like a jig-saw puzzle, and the characters in this drama compliment each other perfectly. It's important to emphasize that these characters are flawed. Too often dramas shy away from characters with real problems and instead settle on external conflict to move the story in its entirety. The characters in these dramas are perfect outside of the experiences they undergo and the forces that act on them and it makes them two-dimensional. This is not the case in this drama. Most of the conflict is internal, but it's relatable and organic. Every single character is presented in a manner that allows you to love and empathize with them - it's a multi-layered story, the supporting cast is also very well-developed.

In addition to a perfect atmosphere, this drama does something almost unheard of in a Korean drama. It presents a love story that is not about the chase, but rather endurance. Adult topics such as sex, intimacy and trust are at the forefront and allow the drama to paint a picture of actual couplehood instead of traditional guy-chase-girl or girl-chase-guy fare. You'll watch the couple grow not only as individuals, but as loving creatures. It doesn't stop at love, either, the concept of friendship as a refuge is just as strong. The entire cast grows over the course of the show, and if you're anything like me, you will grow along side them.

I really can't gush enough about this drama. It's been a very long time since I watched something that resonated within me with such perfect harmony. The soundtrack captures the moods perfectly, the actors (from main to supporting) have realistic and beautiful chemistry. The melancholy is haunting, but it won't overwhelm you. I cried, I smiled, laughed and lived with this drama. I saw those two souls grow into a love so pristine that you honestly believe they cannot live without each other. The term soulmate can only apply when two people love each other unconditionally, and they both crossed the sea in a rowboat to reach it.

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AN UNFORGETTABLE CINEMATIC MASTERPIECE !

***DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone.***

THIS DRAMA IS BRILLIANT, INCREDIBLE, AMAZING, SHOW STOPPING AND SPECTACULAR. It may seem like I am over exaggerating but it was seriously so intense! I can’t even properly articulate how captivating it was. Not gonna lie the CHOKEHOLD this drama had me in for MONTHS definitely NEEDS TO BE STUDIED.

Since Part 1 this drama hooked me from the very beginning. The story is a long an tumultuous one, a rollercoaster ride with many many ups and downs for lack of better words. I feel I am truly blessed to have experienced this drama in 2023. I have always loved historical's especially in western shows but this drama made me realize my love for Saeguks in particular. This kdrama reminds me of every classic novel I've ever read. It’s filled with political intrigue, war, power struggles, women’s issues, survival, camaraderie, found family, societal expectations, class relations, love, marriage, the importance of reputation and so much more.  

If you are debating whether to watch it or not I suggest you go for it. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s definitely an experience you do not want to miss. I know some will disagree with me and find some fault but there is something interesting and captivating in every episode. Even if you don't want to admit it this drama is ADDICTING. It managed to evoke a lot of feelings whether that be frustration, annoyance, anger, sadness or adoration – THE WORKS! It put us ongoing watchers through the wringer each week but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I feel so grateful to have known these characters and followed them along their journeys, both individual and together.

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IN MORE DETAIL (SPOILERS AHEAD):

They exceeded my expectations in every episode. I can't express how wonderful this drama is. This show understands that every episode is important and that every single scene has a purpose. I'm astounded at the progress of the primary leads; they've come a long way. From the first episode, you can observe the difference and transformation. The intensity of the episodes, particularly their first reunion, the separation / goodbye, the "death" and their final reunion took a heavy toll on my emotions. 

I’d like to give a big thanks to the crew members that brought the cinematography to life. The same is true for the writer for having this degree of commitment to the story. Additionally, with each successive episode and scene, our main characters improved their craft. I really hope they win many awards!

Firstly I want to commend the talented Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin for bringing our dearest Gil Chae and Jang Hyun to life. Our beloved Jangchae will be remembered forever and always. For me at least, they will go down as one of the BEST and MOST WELL WRITTEN CHARACTERS IN KDRAMA HISTORY. 

Gil Chae was My Dearest's actual heart and soul. She is undoubtedly my favorite character in 2023, and one of the top 3 in all of the dramas I have ever seen. Ahn Eun Jin's emotive and exceptional performance was profound. There are no words to express how much I adore Gil Chae. This drama proves that a strong-willed, feminine, kindhearted, sensitive, and perfectly imperfect female lead may exist without being annoyingly childish or portrayed as damsel in distress. Gil Chae truly matured throughout the course of this drama, and her character development is one of the best. I’m pleased Gil Chae never tried to define herself as a victim or force others to pity her. She remained resilient, resourceful, quick-witted, clever, and tenacious to the bitter end. Though she seemed overly understanding, selfless, and shortsighted at times, particularly when it came to Ryang Eum, the Qing Princess, and attempting to sacrifice her happiness in order protect Jang Hyun, her character was very nuanced, and I am grateful I got the opportunity to know her.

In a world of men, Jang Hyun is a "gentleman." I just felt compelled to make this point because he is by far the only male in this story who was kind, caring, compassionate wise beyond his years. Though I wished for more of his backstory as to how he became the man he is today, I believe the last two episodes neatly tied it up and as we watched him grow throughout the entire drama, you could always see and understand his motives because of the powerful messages he always managed to leave with other characters. I treasured watching him mature and prove himself to everyone. It was amazing to see him change his ideas after meeting Gil Chae and discovering someone he wanted to protect and stand by for years to come. Though he was a morally grey character in Part 1, he evolved into the guy he is today as a result of his experiences and the people he met along his journeys. He was more than just a merchant or an interpreter. He was the true diamond in the rough – the only one who saw everyone as a worthy human being and regarded everyone's life as important as his own. 

He is the only man in this drama who ever took the time to understand people and the world. Jang Hyun's gentle and compassionate remarks to Young Rang, his reprimand of the Qing Princess, his advise to the Crown Prince and Princess, his powerful heart-breaking confession to Gil Chae and his final appeals to his father will never be forgotten. 

The fact that Jang Hyun never once reduced a woman to her experiences needs to be recognized. He accepted Gil Chae as she was, never asked her to change and adored her and cherished her wholeheartedly. He is the epitome of what a guy should be. I know I've said it before, but he is the GOLD STANDARD. The fact that he had no intention of falling in love or even marrying until meeting Gil Chae years ago after saving her from falling from the swings says a lot. I will never ever forget the fact that after he first laid eyes on he he heard the sound of flowers and likened her to the marvel of Peru blooming. THAT IS A MAN HOPELESSLY IN LOVE. I admired how his loyalty to her never faltered for even one second. She was constantly at the back of his thoughts, no matter where he went or what he did. Even when his memories were erased, it was her voice that lingered.

Again I want to reiterate that Gil Chae and Jang Hyun are each others true equals. Their parallels and similar experiences say enough. They became daughters and sons to no one, yet they somehow found a home / safe place to land in each other. In their heart of hearts sworn by the moonlight and tied by the red thread of fate they were destined to always find each other. The ending of this drama is proof of that soul connection. Although people, places, and times changed throughout time, their love never wavered. That is more pure and sincere than any love story I have ever witnessed.

While love is not the main point of this drama, I can’t help but think it must be highlighted as the driving force that allowed them to be so courageous, endure, persevere and fight to protect the people they cared about.

I have never seen a kdrama where all the actors were actually flawless and nailed and sold their parts. I must applaud the actors who were members of the Royal palace, the Qing people and The Joseon captives who were so compelling! The supporting cast, which included children, intruders / invaders, and prisoners of war. I appreciate you putting your heart and soul into these performances. With the captives especially, you could feel their struggle, grief, frustration, heartbreak, and suffering. Even though they were only in a supporting role, they captured my attention and more than delivered in helping to make this drama feel more real and riveting.

I loved Gu Jam, he was always able to make you laugh especially in his interactions with Jong Jong. Even though I disliked Yeon Jun, you knew he was doing something right when he was able to make people hate him. I was proud of Eum Ae for making a comeback in the final episodes and shedding light on the patriarchal and sexist culture that has no regard for the rights of women. Even though I despised Gak Hwa, she managed to make us almost feel sorry for her when she changed her mind and released Jang Hyun. Although she was by no means a good person, I'm satisfied that she was able to find some sort of closure in the end. Yang Chun will always be remembered as a hero for giving his life to save the captives. From having mixed emotions towards In Ok to entrusting her to take care of his son Taeng Taeng, he has come a very long way.


DISLIKES:

Ryang Eum – Oh boy! He and I definitely had a love hate relationship. I could not stand him at all because he was the problem / obstacle from part 1. If only he actually passed on Jang Hyun’s message and didn’t lie to Gil Chae that Jang Hyun had passed away our leads could have been together sooner. In part 2 you thought he would have learnt his lesson but no, he continued with his obsession and jealousy. He was so possessive over Jang Hyun even though he knew how much Jang Hyun and Gil Chae loved and would risk everything for each other. I also wish Ryang Eum's storyline was better developed because we just see him in a handful of scenes in prison wondering what happened to Jang Hyun after disclosing everything he knew and then nothing. I'd like to know how he was apprehended, why they thought he was insane, and why he was locked up for so long. I didn't like his character at first, but he matured and deserved better than the hand he was dealt. I'm sure he had no qualms about being imprisoned for Jang Hyun's sake / in his place, but it's unfortunate that he'll most likely have to live all his days in this manner. (Crazy bc I never thought I’d feel sorry for him either)

Yeon Jun - The last 2 episodes confirmed my hate and disdain for this man. His mindset is so ugly it shows that he does not care about women’s struggles. He doesn't really have a sense of direction or mind of his own. That’s why when Jang Chul hung himself and Eum Ae left him he tried to kill himself. He was such a pathetic coward to the very end. Out of all the characters he’s the one who never really changed for the better. He proved to be that same boy Gil Chae kept on pining over in the village because she did not know him better. Gil Chae dodged a bullet for sure, but Eum Ae who is such a sweet woman deserved so much better.

Officer Won Moo – Hated him from the moment he refused to believe Gil Chae was kidnapped. He spent all that time investigating and trying to find out whether she was actually taken or chose to run away with Jang Hyun instead of going out there, chasing down the intruders who took her and preventing her from crossing the border to Qing. Even after he found out the truth he was convinced by some men that she had already been defiled and that he would be better off re-marrying. He eventually abandoned her because he was weak and not able to endure her shame. The moment the husband chose his reputation over her wellbeing was the moment I considered them legally divorced. People are so quick to crucify Gil Chae and never hold Won Moo accountable but I am not one of those people. He literally went home, lied to everyone that thieves stole his goods, returned and then managed to knock up another woman all while Gil Chae was out their suffering and fighting for her life. I am glad he did not make an appearance in the last episodes after his exit in episode 16.

King Injoo – Senile and psychotic as ever. From day one we knew he would become an operative out to get everyone. I can’t believe he allowed the concubine Lady Cho to poison his mind against his own son and the captives. She prayed for their demise and in the end her curse came true. He was a fool and thats why he suffered in his last moments knowing he completely destroyed good people (Crown Prince So Hyun and Crown Princess Bin Kang)

Qing Princess – If you were here since the beginning you already know my sentiments towards her. Nothing changed for me because I hated her until the end. She had a change of heart in the end but that does not take away from the fact that she was ruthless, manipulative and selfish. She was 1 of the 2 obstacles in between our leads and I grew tired of her character. I felt like she took up a lot of screen time for such a boring character. It seemed like her entire existence revolved around Jang Hyun and trying to win his heart. That was disappointing since they made her character description seem like she was this badass princess. In my opinion she was all bark, no bite.

I believe that this drama could have been 4-5 episodes longer to fully delve into Jang Hyun and his sister's past. I was particularly interested Sam Do and his family and how they were murdered and how he became a slave. I also did not like the fact that Yeon Jun was used at the last minute to create unnecessary tension and strife in the last 2 episodes. To me, it just seemed like they tried to cram all that information in the eleventh hour. While I enjoyed it, as a lover of flashbacks and backstories, I wish there had been a bit more. 

Additionally, the concept of time between events in this drama doesn't really make much sense and trying to figure it out was a struggle. Nevertheless, I looked past these minor flaws and just appreciated the drama for what it was.


FINAL THOUGHTS:

I loved this drama so much, I don’t think anyone could have possibly loved this story more than me. I was there through it all –the back and forth, the difficulties, the tribulations, the suffering, the pushing each other away, the tension, anguish, desire, the pain, the war, the heartbreak, and now the sadness / depression that has ensued because this drama has ended. I'm not sure how another drama can ever equal this or fill the emptiness left by My Dearest. 

My heart is overflowing with love and excitement knowing that our dears – Gil Chae and Jang Hyun, are safe. They got to live the life they always wanted together, they got to grow old together, even if we couldn't see past their reunion on that beach. The emotional high at the end had me crying my eyes out. I didn't need a kiss since their hug and facial expressions told me all I needed to know.  They survived the storm and all of their trials and tribulations. THAT IS THE EPITOME OF TRUE LOVE AND DEVOTION. The fact that he lost his memories but remembered her voice and tracked it down to the precise location where she stated she wanted to live in the future is really full circle writing. 

Some may argue that the ending was a fan service, but to me it seemed appropriate. It took time for Gil Chae and Jang Hyun to reconnect and find each other again, which was realistic. I loved the parallel of the conclusion with the first episode where we see Gil Chae’s dream of her following the red thread she dropped, crossing so many terrains, weathering all seasons, seemingly running forever until finally sees her husband’s silhouette and meets him again on that beach. In the last scene Jang Hyun seems to remember Gil Chae and gives me so much peace knowing that she will be there every day from then on to remind him and ensure he never forgets her, himself or their story.

The OST is so hauntingly beautiful and stays with you long after finishing each episode or the entire drama. I found myself listening to the OST while waiting on new episodes each week. Our lead, Ahn Eun Jin, sang one of the best songs, With My Heart. Additional appreciation goes to The Stray's My My Dearest, Lim Jae Hyun's Floral Shoes, MIYEON's The Painted On The Moonlight, Kim Feel's My Star, and 2NB's Love Affair.

Would I recommend this drama to others? Yes. It's the BEST kdrama I've seen this year and my roman empire. I will never move on. I'll also never forget how much time I spent sitting and waiting for new episodes to come out week after week, or participating in discussions here. I met so many new people because of My Dearest. This drama may have started underrated and overlooked but I want to thank those that stuck around and made this whole experience unforgettable.

I'm hoping "My Dearest" will go down in history as a K-Drama classic. It has some of the greatest writing, acting, and directing, intriguing topics coupled with the tragedies of war, survival, sorrow, finding light in the darkness, healing / coping with trauma etc. In simple words it is everything I hoped for and more.

This drama explores consequences of war, love, duty, responsibility, and power shifts in history. The most pertinent message of the drama lies in the idea that there is hope during a time of war. It's a juxtaposition of love and war + sin and sacrifice. It demonstrates how GC and JH fall in love despite the war setting and develop a relationship with each other and overcome their perils and adversity. It also emphasizes patriarchal society's bleak outlook and the disastrous implications it has on its victims. The most important lesson is to acknowledge how fleeting life is and to seize each moment of happiness while it lasts.

Please be advised that this is not a happy story. It depicts the hardships of war in a realistic manner. There is far more sorrow than joy. If you're prepared to endure, then watch this drama. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Each episode finishes on a cliffhanger or with a promo that reels you back in and leaves you wanting more. If you don’t believe me then just watch and see for yourself.

With everything said I give this drama a 10/10.

See my review of part 1 here: https://rb.gy/vplfh0

Thanks for reading and happy watching! 

❤️

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Let me say this right off the bat: If you’ve been watching K-dramas long enough- and by long enough, I really just mean like about ten dramas among of which atleast two were law/crime/investigation- there’s a high probability that you’ve already seen all there is to see in the genre. There are some tropes that will always and I really do mean “always” happen in these shows.

Let me count them down with you:
1)Corrupt people in power who have successfully fooled the public into believing that they are good.
2)Our underdog hero and heroine who have a tragic past caused by the above mentioned corrupt people in power.
3)Our hero and heroine having coincidentally linked childhood history of some sorts.
4)An abundance of convenient plot-devices and complications that happen just for the sake of happening.
5)Rushed endings.
6)Our hero having magical powers that makes him have an IQ of 269, ninja fighting skills and a slightly whacked emotional quotient.

Yeah in 9/10 K-crime/law dramas this will happen. I bet my left tit on it. So if you are going to wear your granny glasses and make these the basis of judging what is original and what is not- you might as well save yourself the hassle and stop watching these altogether because by these standards you’re never going to find a drama that is “original”. Even if you do find one that seems different on the surface, I assure you it too will have a lot of typicalities in its core. And I say this in the nicest way possible ‘cause been there and done that.

So you ask me, Jeana, if they all tell more or less the same story what’s the point in watching? So glad you asked. The thing is, while the story may not be entirely never-before seen; the characters that tell the story and the way they tell it, is. And that makes all the difference.

Lawless Lawyer, in its core is also a typical crime/law drama and it has all those tropes I just mentioned above. However, the reason why it’s a must-watch is because it fulfills the goal all dramas strive to achieve: entertainment. And ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you this: LL is entertaining as fucking hell. It has moments that will have you cracking up, moments that will have you hold your breath in suspense even when you can already predict what’s going to happen and moments where your heart will fill with pride because of the characters you will surely come to love.

I’ve been eyeing Lee Joon Gi ever since I saw him single handedly carry the clusterfuck that was Scarlet Heart Ryeo on his beautiful broad shoulders. His acting chops are no joke. You bring him on the screen for two minutes and he’ll show you he isn’t playing. You know how we say that “some actors just emote with their eyes”? Yeah well, LJG emotes with the very flex of his jaw, the flick of his eyebrow, the tilt of his head- you name the part and the man will show you how to act with it. Simply put, he is brilliant. Which is why it’s literally a surprise to nobody that Bong Sang Pil is an extremely enigmatic character with madness in his eyes and gold in his heart. It was a joy to watch him and by the end of 16 episodes I was mighty fond of him.

Holding her own alongside LJG was our beautiful and talented Seo Ye Ji who first impressed me in Save Me and now won me over in LL. Her character had a solid backbone and she wasn’t afraid to show it. I usually have a bone to pick with beautiful actors -both male and female- because they rely heavily on their looks and decide to model their way through the episodes. Even when they are talented, you can see them take it easy and just roll through. I hate that and even my superficial tendency to fawn at pretty faces, masculine abs and collar bones isn’t enough to stop me from giving the drama a big fat 4 if I felt like the actor relied more on looks than putting in work. Here however, both LJG and Seo Ji perfectly embodied their characters and did their job despite being two very gorgeous people and that just made watching them extra sweet.

Some people say that a show is only as good as its antagonists and worry not my folks because the villains here are also an absolute delight. I have loved Choi Min Soo since his supporting role in Warrior Baek Dong Soo where he stole all the spotlights from his younger and more popular co-stars. Some people think that he tries hard or exaggerates with his roles but I disagree. I feel like he always brings these unique characters to life whose actions you both love and hate. He was an excellent villain in Lawless Lawyer and his Ahn Oh Joo- a greedy, ruthless and power hungry goon made me enjoy every second he was on-screen.

Next up on the antagonist list is Nam Soon Jo who with her over-the-top screaming and deliberately evil expressions never failed to amuse me and then finally, last but definitely not the least- we’ve got Cha Moon Sook played by Lee Hye Young. The evil mastermind and the woman on top of the food chain. She was as cold as they come. As sophisticated as she was cruel and I loved every scene she was in.

Lawless Lawyer was a very enjoyable ride from start to finish. There were many endearing supporting characters and some side roles and cameos by older actors who I adore. The music wasn’t too extraordinary but it was well-placed throughout the episodes. There wasn’t too much of a love story either; as a lot of potentially good chemistry between our leads was left unexplored but I’m not complaining because there were some good kisses and cute moments and I don’t ask for much in a drama which has romance as a sub-plot only. Other than that, I’d say LL had basically a bit of everything- love, laughter, kickass action scenes, suspense and emotion and so baby, I was a happy camper.

Yes, there were things that could be better. Some scenes could have developed more properly, some events more fleshed out. The ending more nicely executed but you know what? This show got me out of a three month slump. Before this I kept dropping shows half-way through or near the end ‘cause I just lost interest but with Lawless Lawyer I was compelled to watch episode after episode and I just didn’t want it to end.

So be brave, give it a shot and delve a little in the land of the lawless. ;)

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Good drama to get out of a kdrama slump

Solid 8.5/10 for me, I watched this and honestly the storyline and actors had me hooked. It takes a while to build up but if you stick with it I promise it gets better. For me this was a very intricately written slice of life drama with romance and some supernatural elements.

I like the fact that this drama sheds a light on more niche professions such as audio / sound engineering and we get to delve into what that really entails in Do Kyung's daily life. I enjoyed learning about the main character's backstories and how they became the way they were. I know a lot of people say the FL, Oh Hae Young is very annoying and behaves like a child but I really loved her character. She was so hilarious and endearing in my opinion. I feel like anyone living her life would lash out and react the way she did. I really resonated with Oh Hae Young's character as she's very strong willed and emotional but unlike others she isn't afraid to hide her emotions. She feels deeply and wears her heart on her sleeve. That for me made her character seem more real / genuine and relatable. You could also tell that the actress Hyun-Jin put her everything into that role – her performance was phenomenal and she truly deserved all the awards she won.

I also loved that this drama highlighted real struggles in peoples day to day lives. I felt connected to each character and came to a better understanding of them as the story unfolded. The chemistry between the leads was amazing I love how they were lowkey the strangers to enemies to lovers trope. They served so hard tbh! I adored how their relationship progressed and when it reached its climax it was like all the emotions and tension between them were palpable through the screen. I love how through all their trials and tribulations you could see the situation from their point of view, understand why they each wanted to let the other go and eventually how their undeniable connection brought them back together.

At first I was weary of pretty Oh Hae Young but then we got to see who she really was underneath her happy exterior. On the surface she looks happy and seemingly has a perfect life but the truth is that she was broken and wasn't raised in a family that loved her / showed her how to love. The sheer irony of the fact that both Hae Young's wanted to trade lives or were envious of the other at some point in time was some excellent writing. I feel like the writers thoroughly thought out the plots, story arcs and found a way to mesh all the character's lives together.

This drama taught me not to judge a book by it's cover and to treat others as you would want to be treated because you really don't know whats going on in a persons life or what they have been through. Additionally the drama emphasized the meaning of friendship, forgiveness as well as love and family relationships (the good, the bad and the ugly)

Other highlights for me included Do Kyung's precarious relationship with his mother and his crazy relationship with his siblings. I particularly enjoyed watching the love story of Jin Sang and Soo Kyung unfold. It took a while but they got there and I was so happy for them at the end.

This drama had me grinning from ear to ear half of the time and I definitely appreciated it for everything it was. I would recommend this to people who are in slumps and don’t know what to watch next. This got me out of my own :)

Thanks for reading and happy watching!

❤️

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Anyone disappointed after watching this? NOT ME.

An incredible series that GMM25 has delivered and a dangerous new standard for the upcoming series. Why? Read below. This is a longer review than usual, but this series is INCREDIBLE and therefore incredibly hard to only put into only a few paragraphs. :))

(Quick recommendation. Listen to this while reading: https://youtu.be/__6Eb2jhceo)

The story is unique and nothing that anyone has easily come close to achieving. Political topics have a high risk of not being well received by the viewers because the pacing often becomes very sluggish and boring if it is not implemented correctly. Another danger with this trope is that romance can often feel redundant and inappropriate, thus degrading the quality of the story. Neither is the case here. Why? The answer is not very simple.


PRODUCTION
Let´s start with the production and filming/ writing of the scenes. Throughout the entire series, one can not deny the beautiful shots that were taken. Everything seems to have gone under detailed planning of how to use the natural light the best and how to film beautiful scenes at locations, that doesn´t depend on much editing. However, one thing is certain, professionals are at work. Both in the filming and editing, but also in the individual usage and choice of music. Incomparable to other series.

Praise to Nuchy Anucha Boonyawatana, Noolek Sureechary and M Rittiktai Kanjanawiphu for the incredible screenwriting. I did not stumble across any grievous mistakes. Personally, I want to thank the creator of "Not Me”, Dem Thanutnun Vitsivakun, for creating this incredible story. She has succeeded in merging the topics of politics, injustice, LGBTQ+ and revenge to a point where you can only be amazed.

And of course, praise for the cinematographer Beat Pramett Chankrasse, he gifted us with captures of breathtakingly beautiful moments. The scenes embody the emotions of all the characters and carefully embrace them. But how are other series supposed to keep up now, mister? I have no idea.

The difficulty that this series has met was the decreased amount of episodes because of budget problems. This problem was briefly felt towards the end, but the overall presentation is so brilliant that the few inconveniences can be overlooked, really!


PLOT
Black and White are twins with a powerful connection but the two are as different as day and night. White is very dedicated to reveal the truth behind the state of his hospitalized brother, but his personality is FORTUNATELY too different to not cause other problems, incidents, etc. This fact is very well implemented by the writers: Without being too obvious about it they make White purposely misbehave in his role as Black. The story and its execution go hand in hand in this series.

The entire plot had so many risks in its adaption, but the series succeeded in not getting trapped by them. On the contrary, they used this fear to create a masterpiece that will amaze everyone, probably even the people involved themselves. The expectations were more than met.

The side stories also have their unique charm, and the introduction of a mute person just gives the overall picture that certain something of realistic scenario that you get addicted to watching. No matter if politics, injustice, LGBTQ+, revenge or disadvantages, each topic is accurate and not exaggerated.

The female characters did not meet the cliché standards of many other BL, on the contrary, they were no tools for the story but - and that should be the norm - they were their own masters, had their own lives and did not have any unexplainable toxic trades. All their reactions were understandable and well implemented.

The characters aren't denied their mistakes either, rather in the series these people try to work on their mistakes. That's what makes them so human and the series so perfect.


ACTORS
Before I get to Gun´s outstanding performance, I start with the supporting cast. The acting of all of them was solid and no one seemed to be uncomfortable to look at. Additionally, I also want to praise whoever cast this outrageous cast. Because even smaller roles like the parents or the antagonist have proved themselves well and worked fine with the plot.

Film (Eugene) and Lookjun (Namo) delivered two incredible performances as two female characters in a gay romance oriented series. They acted very naturally, and one could sympathize with their portrayed roles. Especially Film was well cast for her role as Eugene. Filmshy was also doing a good job, but she didn´t have much screen time, so it´s hard for me to review it.

Let´s get to the boys. Oh. I have so much to say but I don´t know where to start. I have never imagined Sing to ever get this kind of role, but he succeeded in any means. If you ask me, he deserves to get more main roles in series because he is such a flexible and good actor.

The leader of the garage, Gumpa played by Papang. Two words. Unexpected Gem. This guy did such a good job in his role. He also deserves more screentime because he is truly gifted. The same goes for Mond, who portrayed Gram. Personally, I like this actor a lot because he always managed to meet my expectations and I love the control he has over his facial expressions.

When it comes to emotions and portrayed intimacy, First (Yok) and Fluke (Dan) were blowing my mind. I loved their shots and on-screen scenes. Everything in this series worked incredibly well together but especially these two. After watching their sequences, I got inspired and overwhelmed by a sudden wave of motivation. I will miss them. I will miss the PAIN. THE PAIN.

There was also incomparable harmony between Gun (Black/ White) and Off (Sean), again ... but honestly, how do they do it? How crazy can one succeed in their role? The two are a great match and I hope to see more of them in the future. Speaking of how incredible these two are, Gun deserves a special mention. He managed to draw a clear line between Black and White. Cold and warm. Physical and psychological. He was playing both twins, but you could tell them apart. Manifestly! What an incredibly good actor! Mastering a twin role alone is something many have attempted and failed, but none has been as good or compelling as Gun. Give him a huge award and lots of love and attention.


OVERALL
At this point I´d like to cite our POP-Queen Lady Gaga:
NOT ME is “talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, (…)”. In a nutshell, this show is everything and more the LGBTQ+ film community has ever wished for. The sceneries and shots are breathtaking, the actors outstanding and the edit incomparable. Even the use of music has been merging with the entire awesomeness of this show. Every expectation is being met and it´s honestly nothing you should miss.

The upcoming series has a lot of work ahead if they ever want to meet this extreme standard of perfection.
Who am I lying to ... it´s impossible.

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A CRASH COURSE IN LIFE

DISCLAIMER: These are just my thoughts; we don’t have to agree and I’m not looking to argue with anyone.

This show should be called Crash Course in Life, not Crash Course in Romance. Overall it had more comedy, slice of life and drama / thriller than romance aspects.

First off I wanna say that I really enjoyed this show and before it was finished I was excited to rate it super high like a 9/10 but now my feelings have changed and I give this show an 8-8.5/10. Studio dragon definitely doesn’t really miss with the shows they produce… for the most part, they seem well put together, thought out, and executed. You can feel all the actors efforts no matter the script and I think that’s what makes their productions truly worth watching / amazing.

For episodes 1-8 I was super invested and loved the direction the show was going in even with the annoying controlling moms but then after that, the show took a different turn and idk… it became very predictable, and I found myself not as invested as the first time. Maybe because I watched this drama weekly instead of binging it in one go is the reason, I feel this way but idk… the show ended up missing the mark in some ways. Don’t get me wrong the comedy and light-heartedness of the show was really touching and I even found myself tearing up a few times. At its core, you can really see that love and family relationships is an ongoing theme throughout and that these people will always fight for and protect the ones they care about.

In my humble opinion, since Haeng-seon and Chi-yeol got together I felt myself losing interest… there weren’t as many obstacles in their relationship prior to dating and it seemed like their romance got overshadowed with trying to find out more about the murders and who exactly was targeting Haeng-seon and her family. It was predictable because Dong-hui seemed suspicious from the get-go. Honestly, I was not satisfied by his suicide because he got the easy way out instead of having to rot in prison and pay for his crimes. I keep saying this, but I hate when female leads are always so carefree and nice to persons who clearly don’t mean them well… same goes for Su Ah’s mom. I literally did not care or feel sorry that her husband cheated on her. If anything, it was karma and it served her right. She was always praying on the downfall of other moms and their kids so that her child could remain on top and well… what goes around comes around.

Hae-e’s mom coming back the moment she got into a coma was your stereo-typical drama moment. I’m sure everyone could see that coming. I really felt bad for Hae-e because you could tell she didn’t see that woman as her mother after so many years and felt obligated/forced to be nice to her and tolerate her bullsh*t. It was painful watching her pretend to care for and be interested in Hae-e when you knew the real reason she was here was to try and pimp Haeng-seon and Chi Yeol (him specifically) out of money. She literally had no scruples or shame about doing it either and I’m sure at that moment Hae-e realized she was nothing like her mom at all… and she didn’t even want to be. Her bio mother was a nuisance and to me, she added nothing to the plot other than tension and unnecessary drama. She was only a plot device trying to create strife and break their little family apart.

In the end, I’m glad she realized that Hae-e grew up fine without her and she was just intruding on her life by sticking around. She was a sh*tty mom and I’m glad she realized that and packed her bags to allow Hae-e to be happy with the family who raised her.

This show really got me in my feelings, especially the last episode. Scratch a lot of the bad things I said before I absolutely loved this – THE LAST EPISODE CAME THROUGH!!

Chi Yeol and Haeng-seon both deciding to buy each other rings and proposing to each other was golden. They really are made for each other and I love that their feelings have never wavered. Even if this show is frustrating keep watching because the love between the characters will really get you. It’s about the pure love between a mom and her daughter. That scene when Hae-e ran into Haeng-seon’s arms just like in the flashback had me crying!!! Even Sun-jae's mom making amends with both her sons and accepting Hui-jae as he was touched me so deeply. Su-A's mom becoming a mentor/coach at the pride and helping other parents to get their kids on the path to seeking higher education was a good turn of the tables aswell. It seemed like everyone really changed for the better. A big surprise for me was Geon Hu and Su A liking each other, Hae-e actually giving Sun-Jae a chance and Jae Woo getting Young Joo pregnant. I mean they added it all at the end/epilogue but I still ate it up.

All in all, this drama was good. It gave what needed to be given and tackled a lot of situations while still maintaining the funny, lightheartedness of it all.

I give this drama a solid 8.5/10 and some brownie points for being able to tug on my heartstrings ❤️ I would 100% recommend it to others and I would rewatch it in a heartbeat.

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CLOSE YOUR EYES – NOW FEEL ⏯️

DISCLAIMER: I completed this a week ago and had time to collect / sit with my thoughts so please take my opinion / review with a grain of salt as I’m not here to argue with anyone.

I also have not watched the Taiwanese version yet (but I will do so soon) It will be interesting to see if my opinion on the show will been alter / change. Anyways, this is just a my summary of the drama. I watched it completely blind with no preconceived notions.

The emotions you will experience while watching this drama cannot be replicated by reading a plot synopsis or watching a summary video on YouTube. I recommend that you watch it without looking at the spoilers or hating / comparing it to versions you've seen before. Just pretend it's a whole new drama.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Fantasy

Tropes: Time travel, time loop, doppelgängers, friends to lovers, second chance romance ,found family, friendship, transmigration (body / soul switching), soulmates.

Likes:

This drama was interesting to say the least. The cinematography was beautiful and it felt very nostalgic because it takes you back to the 90s and 2000s. The time travel plot was very well done. I thought it would be confusing but it wasn't. It was easy to understand and found myself figuring out the plot half way through. I figured the scarred man was in fact Nam Si Heon and came up with reasons how this could be possible etc. My guesses were close enough lol. Every episode had me on the edge of my seat, thinking I had it all figured out, only to be surprised by unexpected twists and turns. I had to pay close attention because of the back-and-forth storytelling, but it was worth it.

Jeon Yeo Been's performance was outstanding, especially in how she portrayed the two different characters – she was convincing in showing us (the audience) that it was in fact two different people. The especially how she shifted her personality between the characters. The way she looked at Si Heon / Yeon Jun, laughed, walked, smiled and talked – all changed with the person and the timeline.

Ahn Hyo Seop gave me butterflies and made my heart skip whenever he was on screen, he really is very handsome and I think I developed a crush while watching. Si Heon / Yeon Jun was soooo boyfriend and just the greenest flag ever, across every single timeline. I mean he did such an amazing and convincing job as he portrayed the Si Heon / Yeon Jun who longed for his love (Jun Hee) across time and space. I thought the way he could immediately tell the difference between Min Ju and Jun Hee was precious and endearing. Min Ju could not fool him and unfortunately he would never be able to return her (or anyone else’s) affections becasue Jun Hee was his one true love.

Kang Hoon proved that even without a lot of lines, one's screen presence can be pretty impactful. Also, the way he emotes with his eyes is at another level altogether.

Rowoon's guest appearance was a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed seeing him on screen even thought it was short lived.

Min Jin Woong was a very compelling villain. He nailed the psychopathic murderer / serial killer role so well. I was definitely creeped out and on the edge of my seat watching and waiting to see what his character would do next.

Dislikes:

Some aspects of the time travel phenomenon weren't entirely explained, like why there were two people with the exact same face? I also found it puzzling how Chan Yeong looked exactly like his older brother. That resemblance was truly a mystery for me but I guess it made the storytelling easier from the writers perspective. It seems like that's just how the world of 'A Time Called You' works. I did not have a problem with Si Heon / Yeon Jun and Min Ju / Jun Hee existing in the same timeline like other people. It was very understandable and if you pay close attention you won’t be confused.

What triggered me was Min-Ju’s suicide. It captured a suicidal persons thoughts perfectly but reinforced the fact that no matter what you say / do to help a suicidal person, it won’t change the fact that if someone wants to die… they will kill themselves. They have to want to live for themselves and want to heal / get better and have something to live for. I’m not saying this to be cold/heartless because I just knew a girl like Min Ju. The only difference is she'd always threaten suicide for attention (unlike Min Ju) but in actuality, being her friend was exhausting. Safe to say we're not friends anymore and she still has her depressive episodes but I’m glad I’m not around for her to trauma dump on me or act like her issues are for more important / greater than anyone else's. She used to claim other's do not understand her and that she doesn’t have the mental capacity to care about anyone but herself (at least she was self aware, but imo she was also self centered and mean spirited most of all!). I don't think it was for a lack of love or attention, because it seemed she received both, but like Min Ju she was bullied a lot in her formative years and then kept attempting to transform herself indefinitely. Unfortunately she did not realize (and still hasn't to this day) that by doing all that she was killing the person she used to be, leaving her feeling empty and full of self-hatred (much like when Min Ju claimed to be Jun Hee lol!)

Anyway, it's ironic because thorough everything I was deemed selfish and told that I just don’t understand even though I always was encouraging, reassuring and supportive much like In Gyu. Seeing such a similar occurrence in this drama brought up a flood of emotions for me, which is why I think I felt overwhelmed then slightly irked while watching it. It was insane, especially when they showed inside Min Ju’s mind, Jun Hee trying to stop her, In Gyu pouring his heart out and trying to comfort her by lending caring / supportive worlds to then hearing Min Ju claim nobody cared about her. It was even more shocking to then see her catapult / launch herself off the building, thus killing herself (bleeding to death) and In Gyu taking the blame. I had so many mixed emotions but that very intense scene left me feeling sad and disheartened most of all. I could feel the same sense of hopelessness much like how Jun Hee felt, just being a mere bystander/watcher from that cave – not being able to do anything to help or convince Min Ju her life was worth living.

Moral of the story is choose your friends wisely, try your best and be kind always. If it’s not good enough (especially to the other person) and they don’t see the value in their life then know it’s not your fault / on you. Don’t blame yourself and go to prison for someone else’s choice or twisted wishes to be fulfilled like In Gyu. As Jun Hee said it was Min Ju's own expectations of people that made her miserable and she needed to take time for herself and take care of her wellbeing.

I wish the show explained the alternate ending better, I would’ve liked to find out exactly how In Gyu saves Min Ju on time. It would also have been nice for them to tell how Min Ju gets stuck in a cave where she see through the eyes of Jun Hee and vice versa plus how they escape from it and become the main host of the body.

I’m a very emotional / sentimental person so I did tear up while watching. If you’re the same (or worse) be sure to bring some tissues.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, each of their stories was beautiful as was the ending. Even though it’s an open and some what bittersweet ending I think it gives the viewer hope and promise of what is to come between the two main characters. While watching I felt warm seeing the kind of love that was portrayed throughout the drama. It made me feel the butterflies of a first love, the comfort of a mature love, the pain of separation and the overwhelming relief of their reunion.

The ending made me hopeful and happy, but it also made my heart hurt. I think it’s more so because of the realization that so many precious memories and relationships formed across various timelines would be lost forever, as if they never existed.

This was the kind of drama that stays with you long after you finish watching it. I still feel an ache in my heart when I think about it or listen to the OST (which by the way is just as amazing!) I think everyone who enjoyed this had that moment where they played "Gather My Tears" and tried to close our eyes and dissociate pretending we were going back in time like Jun Hee.

If this drama was a quote it would be: "In a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality – I'd find you and I'd always choose you."

It truly deserves an 8.5/10 and I will definitely be sure to rewatch it in the future, whenever "a time calls me."

If you read all this ILY! ?


Thanks for reading & happy watching!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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