Reviews

I have not been this obsessed over a drama in a while, and I rarely give any drama perfect 10s, but I believe this drama is the perfect melodrama. The plot is a mix of suspense, ill-fated romance, psychological thriller, and tragedy. Every single episode is engaging from the very beginning to the last moment. I love interesting characters and here Seo In Guk shines as the enigmatic Kim Moo Young, who's every expression captivated me in a way that few Kdrama leads have. I had no idea what this drama would be like when I started it (having never heard of the original Japanese version), but from Moo Young's first judgmental side eye and confident and slightly dangerous smirk, I knew I was hooked.

This definitely isn't my first time liking either of the leads in a drama, but I feel like this is both of them at their absolute best. Seo In Guk and Jung So Min also have legendary chemistry here, ranging from entertaining banter, to intimate and genuine, to emotional rollercoaster. They both really get to showcase their range in these roles and create truly memorable characters who I couldn't help but care about and root for, even if their relationship was extremely complicated and messy. That's what I loved most about this drama and its characters, nothing is all good or bad, and nothing is as predictable as it may initially seem. These characters make frustrating decisions and take scream at the screen inducing actions, and instead of that making me mad it just made them all feel more human.

It also helps that the entire cast is impressive. Park Sung Woong big brother role and Jang Young Nam also have amazing chemistry and give really great performances. I loved Moo Young rivalries with various characters. I especially loved the moments when Jin Kang and Jin Gook hid darkness and depth behind their smiles and teasing. The whole cast really played well off of each other. Some roles end up being more significant than others but there's not a single weak link in the cast, which helped to make some of the more melodramatic moments feel more realistic and made me more invested in everything that was going on, even during moments when I was confused. Eventually, all the elements of the story do come together, so any confusion I had was always temporary, and just kept me more interested in what was going to happen next.

Would I watch this drama again? Without hesitation. Although the suspense of not knowing what's going on would be gone, just watching how all the pieces fit is entertaining to me. I also feel like this is the kind of drama where I might pick up on something during a second viewing that I missed the first time. I really wasn't ready for this drama to be over, even though it ended in a way that seemed inevitable and was well done. I still miss the characters enough to want to see them again, especially the sensitive yet slightly sexy and sociopathy Moo Young. I crushed so hard on Seo In Guk watching this it was almost shameful. That's another automatic reason to want to watch this again. I will probably watch the original version too, but I can't imagine me liking this version any less after viewing it... it's too good.

I should also mention the music which to me fit the show perfectly. There was even a moment when I was holding back tears but as soon as "Star" played, Seo In Guk and Jung So Min's duet, the floodgates opened and I couldn't hold the tears back any longer. The harmonies got me right in the feels and now it's among my KDrama OST favorites. I had no idea it was even them singing the song at first so that's just another reason to love them together.

Overall this is easily one of my new favorite dramas ever, so of course, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. The story is a pretty dark one, but it's not without light moments and scenes that made me smile and swoon. This isn't exactly a sweet romance, but there are plenty of moments to satisfy romance fans. There may not be much action for crime thriller fans, but I think the suspense around characters and the story makes up for that. If you are the type of person who prefers stories about happy people living happily ever after, then you may want to skip this one, but I think you're missing out.

Now that there are no more episodes left, I feel the smile leaving my eyes : ( but since it is Thanksgiving I will just be thankful that I got to watch what I'd easily call the best drama of the year!

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I don't want China to stop making BLs

The amount of butterflies I got in my stomach while watching this drama was insane. The main attractiveness of this drama is The POWER BOTTOM ? Ohhh yeah the characters are so handsome that sometimes I forgot to breathe . What a beautiful storyline ! What a beautiful acting ! Woah . The slow burn is S L O W B U R N I N G . And one the most beautiful part is the cinematography. It's really awesome.

I love it when two polar opposite people start to like each other. And the 1980s theme made it more special.

What made ' Sammy's Children's Day ' more likable ?

A. Excellent story plotline. Something new , Something unique. ( Not some typical soft romance )

B. The strong MAIN CHARACTER ..... ( Said goodbye to stereotypes )

C. Beautiful background music .

D. Talented actors who made those side characters interesting too.


If the starting of 2026 is like this then I can wait for it every year . Go and try it , you will definitely like this drama a lot . 10/10 recommended.

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To the Marriage of True Minds....and the Comedy of Wits

The tone of Perfect Match is a mix of comedy with heartwarming moments. Its use of exaggerated humor is typical of satire that aims to make a statement about social problems. From the first day of its release, the labels of "misogynistic" male leads and words such as "sociopath" as in one review were tagged on Perfect Match. The negative comments were to the extreme that either these viewers misunderstood the satirical tone of the drama or were too quick to judge without watching more than a few episodes. Be aware that there are negative reviews that were posted after only 4 episodes were released and deceptively marked as 36 episodes watched. Allow me to clear up some incorrect information in the reviews:

None of the ML cheated on their wives
None of the ML deliberately did anything to hurt his wife or any of the sisters.

Perfect Match tells the story of a widow, Madam Li, who desires perfect matches for her five daughters. The overall tone of the drama makes it interesting so even if one couple might not be as great for you, the drama will still hold your interest. Each couple has its time as the main couple in the drama. The drama has great pacing as it moves its focus from one daugther to the next.

The drama begins with the sisters and Madam Li moving into Bianjing. The second sister, Fuhui is already married at the start of the drama. Her match appears as an immature character, Fan Lianghan, who she describes as too soft-hearted to the point he gives away his money to women who cry to him about their woes. At first, he appears to be ridiculously immature, but his character gains some maturity in a manner he retains his role as comic relief while showing some maturity and wisdom...in rare times :) After the first few episodes, I came to find him adorable, to be honest. I like him!

The focus of the first 10 episodes is on the third sister Kang Ning and her perfect match Chai An. This match is my favorite! Both Chai An and Kang Ning are brilliant strategists and it was entertaining to see them outsmart each other. I was disappointed when I saw less of them after ep 10 when the other stories became the focus. However, I was happy to see them in each sister's story.

Others prefer the next couple. The eldest daughter, Shouhua, is matched with a top-ranking scholar, Du Yang Xi. I didn't enjoy the eldest sister's CP much because the chemistry was bland. However, some have stated it was their favorite, so it is a matter of preference. Du Yang Xi's backstory was interesting, and the introduction of Shen Huishao as magistrate in the court scenes made for a nice transition into the fourth sister's CP.

By the 20th episode, the drama switches its focus to the fourth sister, Haode, and her perfect match, Shen Huishao. Her character growth is interesting as she becomes educated in the laws to help her husband solve cases. But what makes it even more interesting, is the way Haode melts the barriers Shen Huishao set up against falling in love and taking a wife.


The drama's next focus is the youngest and 5th daughter, Leshan, around ep 28. Her "perfect match" is Yang Xian. I have mixed feelings about her story. With her personality, it was not surprising to see Leshan fight back against the bullies in the Yang family. I admire her spirit and courage but her aggressive behavior toward Yang Xian made me uncomfortable in the early part of their story. I knew it was temporary as this drama tends to exaggerate for humor. But it was too much and I didn't find it funny after a while. I found myself feeling bad for Yang Xian. I appreciated her intelligence in standing up to the Yang family for both herself and her husband. It was for this reason, Yang Xian fell in love with her more every day. But even more lovely, was watching Madam Li give Yang Xian the motherly love he lacked in his own home.

Perfect Match is entertaining. I enjoyed the lively family dynamics of Madam Li and her daughters. Their devotion and love for each other is heartwarming. Each of the sisters has unique strengths and characteristics. Madam Li as the mother is depicted as an ambitious mother exaggeratedly at times but at other times there is no doubt that her deepest desire is not for the wealth and status she wants for her daughters but rather for their happiness. The perfect match for her daughters would be a man who would cherish them.

But Perfect Match is not only about the marriages of Madam Li's five daughters. There is an underlying theme of gender and societal expectations. It portrays the treatment of women in the Song Dynasty. Madame Li as a widow lost property and status when her husband died. The court cases address some of the prejudices against women at the time. Each daughter's story depicts the challenges of defying predestined futures. The romance endures misunderstandings and conflicting circumstances. The use of humor and the battle of wits makes this drama a warm bundle of charm.

Perfect Match has a happy ending. However, the final episode would have been better if they had not added more problems to Leshan and Yang Xian's reunion that dragged into episode 36. I hoped they would have given us more of the couples' married life. I especially wanted to see more of Chai An and Kang Ning. I wanted much more than just flashbacks of each couple. But even with my disappointments, I will rewatch Perfect Match. It is still a 10 for me because I came to love the characters and found myself rewatching episodes while I waited for more to air. The plot was interesting and the family dynamic and tone of the drama is unique. The overall feel to Perfect Match will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. I will miss watching these characters daily.

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An aesthetically pleasing, original fantasy drama

When I saw that IU would be cast in this drama, I felt that I had to give it a shot, and I'm glad to say that for the most part, it did not disappoint. Without a doubt, Hotel Del Luna is my favourite kdrama of 2019. There is plenty to love about this drama, ranging from its stunning cinematography, decent storyline, excellent cast, oh and how could I forget: the most beautiful OST in kdramaland.

Plot/Storyline:
I thought that the writing was pretty solid throughout the drama. It is refreshing to watch a drama that ventures into foreign territory and breaks free of the traditional kdrama tropes and cliches to explore the less commonly visited genres of horror (though I wouldn't really consider this drama to be scary at all) and fantasy + romance. The plot is layered and has some depth, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge. The main character Man Weol's story captivates you right from the get-go, as the show uses flashbacks very well to reveal small snippets of her past at a time, causing you to be curious about her past, and eager to find out more. The generous use of humour also helps to balance out some of the heavier, more emotional scenes, while also allowing the drama to be easy and fun to watch throughout its lengthy episodes. Personally, the ending did not play out exactly how I had hoped it would, but it was fitting to the themes of this drama and very beautiful to watch, as well as very emotional. The drama explores the themes/ideas of 'letting go', 'resentment', 'unselfish love' and 'forgiveness', which are all very meaningful, thought-provoking ideas, not just in the context of this drama, but these themes also have a place in our lives as well.

Elaboration on themes for those that are curious:
For example, the drama shows that it takes a greater act of love to let go than to hang on, which the same can be said about many situations in life. Suppose this: a severely ill person is given a few months to live. His family can choose to convince him to receive the surgery that would extend his lifespan by a significant amount, but which would also drastically reduce his quality of life (place him in a vegetative state), or let him die naturally of his illness. One may argue here that the greater act of love is to let go and allow the man to live out the rest of his days to the fullest, eventually dying a dignified death, rather than trying to desperately hang on and cause the dying man even more pain. Don't quote me on this sketchy analogy, but this is my best effort at trying to explain the themes that the writers explore in this drama.

Cinematography:
the cinematography of this drama is frankly top-notch, and can be compared to the likes of dramas such as Goblin. It is that good. The elements of fantasy were conveyed by great camerawork, skillful use of special effects, and excellent editing. The drama truly bought the supernatural fantasy world of ghosts to life, creating a vivid and charismatic viewing experience. It is difficult to describe in words, but once you see it for yourself I'm sure you'd agree that it is spectacular. The production team also did a phenomenal job of picking out Man Weol's outfits. IU looked absolutely incredible in pretty much all of her scenes, and I've lost count of the number of unique, beautiful outfits that she wore throughout the drama.

Acting:
the cast for this drama is a highlight for me. After watching IU's brilliant performance in 'My Mister', she was one of the main reasons I came across this drama in the first place. The drama is largely centred around her character Man Weol, and she absolutely nails her performance. She plays her character like it is second nature to her, effortlessly conveying emotions through her facial expressions, while also managing to bring out the complexity of her character. Her character is the focus of the drama, and IU does an excellent job in portraying her character's growth arc in the drama, all while making it seem very believable and authentic. And as a bonus, she looks absolutely gorgeous flaunting her giant wardrobe of high-end clothing. Furthermore, this drama exposed me to Yeo Jin Goo, who also delivers a very commendable effort and holds his own against IU. He appears to be much more mature than his age (considering he is only 22 years old), and the scenes of him breaking down emotionally feel raw and sincere. The chemistry between IU and Jin Goo both on and off the screen is also evident, and the relationship they develop seems to be very natural and genuine. The supporting cast also complements our two leads well, providing some comedic relief and some interesting side-story.

Soundtrack:
Although the soundtrack is supposed to complement a drama, Hotel Del Luna's soundtrack is far from ordinary and deserves a shoutout. Not only does the OST include big-name artists including the likes of Taeyeon, Punch and Heize, the tracks also have excellent synergy with the drama. The OST helps to effortlessly set the mood of multiple scenes and makes the emotional scenes even more powerful. There are many excellent tracks in the OST, but the standout for me is the special, unreleased OST by IU that is used at the end of one of the episodes. This track only plays once throughout the drama, but it merges into the emotional scene perfectly and elevates it to another level. (end of ep 12, )

Overall, this drama performs strongly across the board and ticks many of the right boxes for me, other than a few imperfections here and there. Although I wouldn't call this drama perfect, it comes pretty damn close in my books. I think I'm already experiencing withdrawal symptoms having finished the final episode an hour ago. It has been one heck of a ride, and now that it's over I feel like there is an empty void within me that's not going to be easy to fill. But giving credit where credit is due, hats off to the Hotel Del Luna team, as they have created something quite special and unique. Worth a watch, especially if you're an IU fan, as this drama is all about her.

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Ok let me get started with one of he best dramas that HAS NO ROMANCE (I know shocked right especially for being a romance buff)! To all you people who love romance in everything and don't really know whether to watch this or not let me put your heart at ease.....:watch the dang thing or regret it! Lol not to be too harsh..... It is an amazing drama!
The acting was phenomenal, the characters were so well oriented with each other and the actors all seemed to be living the life of the character as they were on screen! I cried for all the right reasons watching this drama and I might even watch it again so that I can get that feeling! The bromance was so well developed that it maybe sometimes gave me this big goofy smile that I usually wear when I see the main couple interacting it's each other in other dramas! Haha! Nam Soon and heung soo are seriously he best ones in this drama! Also the teacher student relationships are really unique and also described perfectly!
The story it elf is a deal brake because all these school dramas that we love to watch no matter how much we dream they aren't really realistic, even though they dramafy everything in this drama this stuff happens at school everyday and we all know it! This school drama Is perfect and I know the some of you who don't want to go through a school drama are missing out on every thing you have ever wanted to watch.
All In all this drama is with every second and very tissue that you use! Even for those of us who like romance don't miss out on this show amazing actIng and an amazing storyline! I believe you people will savor evey second of it!!!!!

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One thing before I rave about this drama. I don't know why they called it Secret Love Affair when it wasn't a "secret". Maybe the LOVE was a secret, because the other characters were shocked at what Oh Hye Won did at the end.

This drama is excellent. Love unexpectedly blossoms through music. I can so relate to Oh Hye Won. Sometimes a person feels like they are just moving from one necessity to the next (even if she was a little greedy) with out really thinking about how you are living your life. Then some one walks into your life and changes everything. The way the director portrays every emotion through music is so wonderfully done. I love that the writer actually assumed we would know what the character was thinking. The music is amazing. I even cried. Crying while watching a drama is rare for me.

Yoo Ah In is combustible. His emotional portrayal of Lee Sun Jae was perfection. I don't know any actress that could have played the roll of Oh Hye Won better than Kim Hee Ae. I really don't know how she gave off a feel of innocence. I felt like she was reliving her youth. Good for her. I was totally invested in the main characters. The rest of the people were good too, but I could have cared less about their characters. I think that is what the writer wanted. There is no second male lead. No one for you to care about except the two lead actors.

The music is phenomenal.

I say watch it. Maybe younger people wouldn't really be in to it. It isn't action packed or anything. It is a real romance.

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some things said or done can never be undone...

Overall: I'm pretty torn on how to rate this series. I thought it had a strong start but the writing/pacing ruined the series for me. This was adapted from a webtoon which I didn't read (it's on Lezhin Comics) and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 30 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala & iQIYI country dependent. Ep 1 GagaOOLala link (vpn to Taiwan works) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4176/jazz-for-two-2024-e01 Episode 1 iQIYI link https://www.iq.com/play/jazz-for-two-episode-1-xiat5zva94?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: past death (see comment for another one), manhandling/injury, mental health struggles, bullying, non con touching, sexual assault, non con kiss, grief, beaten up/violence, parental abuse, homophobia, manipulation

What I Liked
- explored more serious topics such as internalized homophobia
- some mystery of what happened in the past
- A Shoulder To Cry On cameo for 2 characters
- the blue haired guy's friendship with the two leads
- that Se Heon wasn't a total pushover
- the jazz music
- the bike riding in episode 6 was funny
- sweet moments mostly in episode 6
- showing taking medication and going to therapy for mental health struggles
- the revelation at the end of episode 7 was interesting but not enough time to fully explore it
- the final kiss in episode 8 was well done
- production value

Room For Improvement
- failed redemption arcs for multiple characters, they needed to tone stuff down if they wanted me to root for their romantic relationships, one "I'm sorry" was not even close to what was needed for what those characters did, they also needed to shorten the length of bullying because a character was a jerk for five episodes and then again for part of episode 7 (and the writers leaving out a character repeatedly kicking/beating up another character many times in episode 7 flashback did not escape my notice though it seems like they wanted viewers to forget that part)
- pacing, there was way too much time searching for an apartment but then the ending episodes were extremely rushed complete with a 3 year time jump and no sign of a few characters, they had too many relationships and it meant not enough time on any of them
- cliche poor communication/noble idiot trope (thankfully it didn't last long)
- multiple dead fish lip presses/blocked kisses
- started with a confusing flash back/forward (later realized it was a flash forward)
- exposition dump/voice over in episode 1
- cliche female character pursued a disinterested guy (she did eventually stop/apologize indirectly)
- nonsense stuff including a bar only having milk or water as non alcoholic options, they'd have juices/sodas to mix with the alcohol to make drinks, (let me know if it's common to have only beer/wine at a bar in South Korea and I'll remove this)

Thoughts on Bully Characters/Their Romantic Relationships
Sometimes these characters and their dynamic work for me and other times they don't. Here are the factors that I'm thinking about. The first response is the lead couple and the second are the second couple.
1. does the reason why the character bullies the other character make me empathize with them, note that there is never a good reason to bully another person but whether or not I can empathize with them is important (kind of and no)
2. how severe was the bullying (verbal/mild physical/sexual and severe physical)
3. how long did the bullying last (we don't really know times but first 5 episodes and then some more for 1 and seems to have been an ongoing long term thing for the other)
4. is there some kind of apology/amend making (just 1 verbal apology and just 1 verbal apology)
5. is there character growth (maybe a bit for both but not really shown)
6. do I believe that the characters will stay together in a happy romantic relationship (maybe and no)

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Wasn't sure how it would be, as I couldn't find much information. But I waited patiently for the release, and watched it all in one day.

The story is one that fits my ideal show. I love when it's not your average normal romance, there has to be something different. The difference was having one actor playing two characters. One a hologram, one a human. The story was cute. It has only 12 episodes unlike the usual 16 or 32 but it did not feel short or rushed, it was well paced and you don't really feel bored waiting for the next moment.

The two leads were cute together. The chemistry between them I felt was believable. I enjoyed seeing how someone who has facial blindness interacted with A.I. It was interesting how A.I could really help someone who has these sorts of disabilities. Technology is a main part of this, and we saw how it can be used for good or evil.

The story itself was unique, others may say it would be unbelievable and cliche, especially with the facial blindness trope we always see, but it felt different. The story had good mystery to it and it was hard to predict how it would end.

One bonus is, there really isn't any usual second lead syndrome in this one. Usually k-dramas always have to have another guy, but since the main actor is the two male characters, you can actually feel content with the ending and not feel like a guy has just been thrown off to the side.

All in all, I think it could be worth a try if you enjoy plot lines that aren't the usual lives we live day to day. It isn't a show that everyone will love, but it definitely one I recommend and definitely will watch again when I need a good sci-fi romance fix.

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This drama was full of happy and sad moments throughout. It contained cute romantic scenes to heart wrenching goodbyes, this drama had it all following multiple stories but not dragging the attention away from the main characters.

'When the Camellia Blooms' is about a single mother who moves to Ongsasn with her extremely young son in hopes of owning a successful bar, The story progresses over 5 or so years where her bar isn't going exactly as well as she had planned and neither does she really fit in with the rest of the community there, she later on meets Yong Sik a police officer who falls for her at one glance. The story follows the two going through hardships to do with family and also a serial murder on the loose (sounds kind of clique lol)

The story was really well written and laid out, especially focusing on relationships with the character's mother's and being a mother, plus the sacrifices and hardships you have to overcome to protect your child. The story also followed with romance with a fateful couple and a married couple falling out of love.

The acting was really well played and suited each of the characters personalities! All really well acted. The emotions displayed really play with your heart strings! Especially DongBaek and her raw emotions and her crying is extremely contagious!!! Plus the interactions between Dongbaek and Yong Sik are so natural and have so many emotions it feels like your watching a couple together in public!

I really recommend this drama it's full of many versatile genres which would be the taste of most people as each genre is spread throughout the episodes so it 's not constantly romance or not constantly about crime or family which is sometimes a bit tasteless or insensitive to some moments in dramas but this is spread consistently so it doesn't always feel so strained and forced especially when it comes to romance between two characters where the chemistry is basically non existent

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ran on vibes (though there were some sexy vibes)

Overall: my advice is to watch ep 1-3, 7 and 8. This series could have been a 9.5 but the paper thin/cliched plot and too many side characters lowered my rating. 8 episodes about 20 minutes each aired on Viki (U.S), GagaOOLala & WeTV depending on your country.

What I Liked
- the child actors were adorable and did a great job (though I was confused about who was who)
- heart fluttering moments, boss Jun had some excellent flirting/innuendo laced conversations
- really good kissing/intimacy in the last episode
- that gift they received was awesome and how boss Jun had it in his hand at the end (this is a first I think for kbl)
- Mr. Heart actor cameos in ep 5 (did not enjoy the rest of ep 5 though)
- good communication in episode 7 (finally)
- production value (except poor editing with confusing flashbacks tossed in)

Room For Improvement
- paper thin plot, too much business meetings that I cared zero about, not enough time spent on the leads and explaining their motivations/reactions, why did the other interns bring up this HR nightmare but then it's never a problem? cliche poor communication skills (a 1 sentence text would clear up the misunderstanding in ep 5)
- what on earth is boss Jun's "plan?" Why did he wait until now? Why does he act like that with her and not clarify things? How stupid is he? Even his unworldly hotness couldn't save his nonsense actions, the writers never even bothered explaining why the two boys couldn't/didn't keep in touch
- too many characters that were not well developed, why was everyone so in love with intern Jun, he's nice but ????
- confusing flashbacks that weren't immediately apparent were flashbacks and didn't contribute much to the paper thin plot
- translation error in ep 1? confused who is who in the childhood flashbacks

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Sweet, Cheesy, and Totally Hilarious!

Rom-coms have always been my guilty pleasures—something I just cannot help but indulge in, like sneaking a spoonful of Nutella straight from the jar. The drama can be full of the usual tropes, and I’m typically fine with that because I like them. Such is the case with *My Sweet Mobster*. Some will say it is predictable and cheesy, and they would be right, but the show did the cheesiness and comedy so well that it won me over. I found most episodes enjoyable and funny. Additionally, the show had a compelling premise: the ML was an ex-mobster leading a group of ex-convicts and trying to stay on the straight path.

The biggest draw for me was Uhm Tae Goo as Seo Ji Hwan, the ML. He completely surprised me. I had only seen him in *Save Me 2*, and I did not expect him to be so versatile in this drama. I was impressed by how he was able to transition from being scarily intimidating to being goofily love-struck. Uhm Tae Goo showed that he can do comedy, so I hope he will continue to explore that. Seo Ji Hwan was easy to root for. He was principled, led by example, and was admired by his men. I especially loved his interactions with his group of sidekicks who live with him. That dynamic seriously elevated the show for me, and in fact, I would say that was the best part of the drama.

As for the romance, the chemistry between the lead couple was not as great as I would have liked. Han Sun Hwa was fine as Go Eun Ha, the FL, but I was not won over by her character. Go Eun Ha was a content creator for children, and Han Sun Hwa fit the role—cute, bubbly, and pretty. However, there was something missing between the couple that did not make my heart flutter during the romantic scenes. There was no feeling of giddiness or warmth watching the FL's reactions, but it was incredibly funny watching Seo Ji Hwan swooning (in some cases, quite literally!), as he had never experienced love before. His antics, accompanied by the humorous reactions of his sidekicks, kept me laughing a lot.

Kwon Yul, playing Jang Hyeon U, the SML, was another surprise for me since I have seen the actor play more menacing villains in other shows. In this show, Jang Hyeon U was not as annoying as the stereotypical SML. He was persistent when appropriate but remained a gentleman when rejected, and his protectiveness made sense given the ML's background. Best of all, he underwent some character development, becoming a good friend to the couple, supporting them, and truly caring for their happiness. I appreciate that the show did not pair him with someone else just for the sake of it, although there was some implication of a potential romance for him.

The development of the second couple, Ju Il Yeong and Kim Mi Ho, was okay to watch, but Mi Ho's parents and, again, the sidekicks were the ones adding the most flavor to the good scenes. Honestly, the supporting characters deserved much kudos for making this drama a lot more enjoyable.

Recently, there seems to be a general struggle to get the pacing of dramas right, and *My Sweet Mobster* suffered from this as well. Some episodes started to feel like filler. It was as though the show could not bear to leave out all the comedy gold, so they squeezed it all in, even though the scenes did not move the story along. As much as I laughed, I also found certain parts rather draggy. Another downside was the main villain—I could not take him seriously. Even if this was supposed to be comedic, there was something off about him.

The wrap-up was nicely done. The resolution for the ML and his mobster ties left a good feeling, and the way the show ended, featuring the main group, was satisfying.

In terms of the soundtrack, it was good—mostly romantic tracks fitting for the more emotional scenes. The opening credit song was lively and reflected the positive and happy tone throughout the show, but my favorite was "Beautiful Woman" by Yu Jeongseok. It was just so funky and unexpected, but totally appropriate when played. For posterity, I included the links to the playlist.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6QLkDGAblKUfnW7tB6ywqX?si=d688c0d23fc2451a
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-8m3l2VVxQ

Overall, I would recommend this show. For a rom-com, it was different, straying a little from the stereotypical rich chaebol heir falling in love with a lovely girl of a common background. The comedy was well done, and if you can deal with the cringey moments that are in almost all Korean rom-coms, then you may enjoy it as much as I did.

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No Need to be Hypnotized, This Drama is Simply Enchanting

This drama captivated me from beginning till the end. Everything I wanted to see in a romantic comedy is here, and then some! This review is strictly for the drama, not to compare/contrast with the manhwa "Prince, Don't Do This!" (王爷不要啊) written by Dong Man Tang, in which it was loosely adapted from. I am rewriting the synopsis below for clarification without spoiling the plot.

STORY
Princess Aimala (new country name is Ming Yue) from the southern country Xi Yue is forced to marry to Prince Zi (common name is Li Qian), the 9th prince of the northern country Bei Xuan. Both parties disagree but it is for the political alliance. Li Qian already has a marriage arrangement with his childhood friend Lady Qiao (Hui Xin), and Ming Yue has a lover General Yun Ci. Both dislike each other since the beginning they met. Ming Yue who is skilled in horse riding, shooting, and hunting is not a typical feminine lady according to her new country's custom, neither she is beautiful. Even the Emperor (Li Qian's dad) despises her. Li Qian is cold and reserved, and has no clue on women and how to please them. Ming Yue is his first love. Even then he is still unsure if his feeling towards Ming Yue is genuine or fabricated, because his wife has another unique skill: she can hypnotize him and she does it, a lot! The couple needs TONS of guidance on love and sex (yes that's right!) from their friends: the wise Kong Zhen, the playboy Jin Yu, the mischievous Kang Le, and the straightforward Tan Li. The story is not all rosy though, we also get to see inside power struggles and outside rebellions, tragic past unfolds, hatreds and betrayals, revenges and sacrifices, broken hearts and even deaths.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS DRAMA:
(+) It is a well-done medium or big budget show.
(+) No need character or story guidance or anything like that you usually need it for watching Chinese history/palace dramas.
(+) The story has a lot of features for everyone's liking: action-packed, mysterious background, steamy romance, hysterical comedy. It's not boring, it's fast or evenly spaced. I do not skip scenes or conversations though I do a lot with Chinese dramas.
(+) The story is not straight-line, has a lot of facts from the past, dreams, plot twist and surprises.
(+) Satisfactory ending
(+) Good looking cast from the main to the supporting ones (gosh even the musician Lan is stunning and the Empress is elegant)
(+) Adorable acting of Ling Mei-Shi as Ming Yue. Although there are more beautiful Chinese actresses, but the choice to cast this cute young actress as the outspoken, mischievous, and smart foreign royal princess is just right, either in funny, romantic, or sad scenes.
(+) Charming acting of Allen Fang as Lin Qiao. From cold and serious, to confused and suspicious, to romantic and playful, his facial expressions are just right. Also the fighting/martial arts acting. He is also a member of Chinese pop boy band M4M. He sang some songs in this drama (see OST comment below). And he looks better in historical drama than in modern day drama (his other drama is Childhood Sweethearts Pianist but he looks bland there)
(+) Stunning acting of Ni Han Jin as Yun Ci. Though lots of comments do not like him, I feel bad for the Yun Ci role. Though he is abrasive and aggressive but his broken heart and pain look real as a man whose lover is snatched away behind him. He is not only handsome, but has a great body, too! And FYI I do not have Second Lead Syndrome.
(+) Exceptional acting of Zhou Zi Xin as Hui Xin. I saw her in Put Your Head in My Shoulder drama as supporting role who also likes the male lead, but Hui Xin's love here for the prince is dangerous and devastating. The actress is capable to go thru yandere transformation from a gentle, submissive, elegant lady to a conniving, hateful, and dejected villain.
(+) Other supporting actors and actresses are just right playing their respective roles.
(+) Great cinematography. Camera shots and angles were just right.
(+) Breath-taking sceneries. Lots of falling flowers and snow rains. They could be real snowing scenes too because the drama was filmed during the winter months of January to March 2019. The filming location is at Hengdian World Studios, the largest film studio in China or even the world (http://www.hengdianworld.com/en/default.html)
(+) Beautiful OST from the drama opening and in special scenes. The opening song is "Magnificence" by singer Jian Hong Yi (who is also handsome). The main leads Allen Fang and Ling Mei Shi sang "The First Seen Snow". Allen Fang also sang "Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon". A song specifically dedicated to the love of Yun Ci and Ming Yue is "Departure" by Jin Runji with mystical Middle-eastern tone.
(+) Elegant royal costumes, especially for the Princess and Princess. I love especially their outdoor gears and the Turkish/Middle Eastern robes Ming Yue and Yun Ci wear (in the manhwa Aimala is from Uyghur, the ancient Turkey area in Asia)

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‘She Shen Qu Yi’

‘She shen qu yi’ (舍身取义) literally means sacrificing oneself for justice. This drama is about this ideology. Everything the main characters do is based on this belief. The current political turmoil in the real world makes this drama especially comforting, giving hope that there are still many of these ‘xia yi’ people out there fighting for justice and sacrificing themselves. It's this ideology that brings tears to viewers' eyes and to love the characters.

This drama has an amazing storyline with great wuxia. It starts with a nail-biting scene, and continues to be nerve-rackingly intense almost throughout. The intensity is so great that it’s hard to watch without a drama partner. Viewers are therefore advised to find a viewing buddy before beginning this drama. Having said that, viewers may also kick off the partner half way through as the drama slows down and the plot becomes less intense.

Zuo Qingci (Zhang Yao) is a sickly but brilliant doctor who wanders the earth, saving those who can’t afford a doctor. He also has a different identity and is the mastermind to save the Emperor and the kingdom from fallen into the devil’s hand. In his quest, he finds his long lost love, a girl who has given him meaning to live at the time when he loses all hopes. Together, they meet challenges testing their love and trust for each other, and in the end they’re rewarded.

The side couples’ stories are equally enthralling. To my content, the characters are well developed and their stories are well told, and even bring tears to my eyes. Other supporting characters are pretty well developed too and they really engage the viewers’ sympathy.

All the female characters are strong, determined, dignified and brilliant (there are no love sick silly girls who go all out to get the love from their men). Even with a physically sickly female character as in Xie Jiang Er (Xu Meng Yuan), she is sensible, strong and wise. Her words are comfort to all those around her. For many of the scenes, Su Yun Luo (Zhang Ya Qin) is disguised as a boy, Fei Kou Er. Her make-up is probably one of the best disguises I’ve ever seen in a Chinese drama with dark rough skin and tattered clothing, and no boobs. Zuo Qingci’s make-up reminds me of Mei Changsu (Nirvana in Fire) – white robe with fur. Probably such style gives the viewers a sense of simplicity and frailness.

I’m really impressed by the acting, in particular by Shi Yun Peng who portrays Zhu Yan, and Deng Yu Li who plays Shen Man Qing. They have totally convinced me and captured my heart.

The only qualms I have are perhaps how they've talked about and built up of certain mysterious 'da xia' (heroic) characters, and as soon as these characters appear on screen, they're being killed off without much effort. It's really bewildering because heroes are not supposed to die easily like ants. The overall suspense building up to the climax is ruined basically by the climax itself as it doesn't match up to the built-up -- it (the climax) is not exactly unexpected and spectacular; the climax is the anti-climax. After the climax, it leaves the viewers asking the question: "What is the point of all these?" A lot of the actions and decisions by the characters, seemingly futile, can only be explained by the "she shen qu yi" belief. Again, like many Chinese dramas, the ending is weak and feels 'forced' without much effort being put into it. The main characters become pedestrians, losing all their heroic appeals.

Despite all these flaws and plot holes, I've enjoyed this drama. It is through and through a wuxia story with all the wuxia elements and virtues – brotherhood, sacrifice, devotion, endurance. At the same time, it is interjected with romances to slow down the pace for the viewers to take a breather. The story is intriguing, the fighting scenes are beautiful and convincing.

If you're a wuxia fan, you'd love this drama. If you're a romance buff, you'd equally love this drama. Amazing story, amazing acting, amazing music, amazing cinematography. It’s a must-watch and deserves a rare 10/10.

Two thumbs up!

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