Reviews

I do not understand the hype

I will cut to the chase. It was not bad, it was a nice series to watch to pass your time but the reviews make is sound like it's a masterpiece. The only unique aspect this series had to offer is the stories of the secondary characters. However, in classic kdrama fashion, they decided to focus on the main characters' romance instead of them. That wouldn't be an issue, if the main storyline was strong or if they managed to smoothly play in the main story but I found their story the least interesting, the only interesting parts of the main male protagonist were almost brushed off and resolved out of nowhere so it felt predictable and rushed. Instead the producers decided to cram in many overused clichés that offered nothing to the story. The 3-4 minute blatant Domino's pizza ad in the middle of the last episode was the cherry on top... you knew at that point the creator didnt really care to make a nice story. Dissapointing, because it could have been so much more.

Both main actors are amazing (and beautiful), great acting but the chemistry was not fully there.
As mentioned previously the stories of the villagers were incredible, they dealt with so many different issues and it left me craving for more.

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A "Moving" drama that doesn't come around very often! SUBLIME, WITTY, ACTION PACK AND EMOTIONAL.

"Moving" up your emotions in every possible way!

CHEMISTRY is through the roof! Han Hyo Joo and Zo In Sung are chemistry-ing like no other, even the chemistry amongst the other actors are so effortless and smooth that you just get sucked into THEIR reality while watching!

Even though this is centered around incredible individuals with super powers, it still very much showcased their in-depth reality of hardships in their life that is focused with missions they carry out. I really loved the backstory and past of the kids' parents. The parent's story from the past, their struggles, pain & hardships truly were admirable to watch!

Every time I watched Jang Joowon's (Hulk) scenes I became a bawling mess! It's been a whole emotional roller coaster the parents acting truly proved why they're A-listers actors. They portrayed caliber acting where you feel each and every emotions! The display of emotional expression of the veteran actors were so meticulously well executed that you feel each emotion deeply. This series is unbelievably amazing that waiting for the next episode were torturous!

Moving really touches every aspect of everyday life; the struggles, pain, loneliness, hardships, societal judgement, hierarchy of jobs and the disparity of living an average life as individuals with super powers.

This drama is packed with fast pace action, great CGI/VFX, amazing cast of actors; both playing teenagers and A-Listers actors and great story-line of every character that pulls at your heartstrings. The production value is indeed spectacular and stellar. Not only is the quality of the drama evident but the intriguing story line is so well paced and written that every episode feels like 20 mins instead of 56 mins.

CHARACTERS

The kids/parents relationships are so heartwarming to watch. The parents did their very best at raising their children especially with all odds against them. And the kids being good, attentive and understanding of their parents showed us their strong bond and trust between each other; each having their own unique story.

Character development was very well paced out by using flashbacks, clever and poignant editing. Each character's backstory had their own message which really created emotional attachment from the viewers. This made me empathize with every one of them after understanding their pain and struggles of what they all had to go through especially the parents.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Each scenes were very well thought out and every cut was symbolic and meaningful. For instance the interaction between the American Ambassador and the Chief director of the NIS. The American guy boldly sat down displaying his back towards the Korean creating a discourteous/disrespectful move. The power altercation between the two countries was quite a revealing case to watch!

SYMBOLISM WAS THROUGH THE ROOF!

The symbolisms in the drama were so relevant to each character too!! Every scene has a meaning not one thing is useless in a scene. For instance, the 2 bullet scars on Joowon's arm are so symbolic. They represent the 2 people (The commander & DooShik) who showed him real kindness during his mission on the field when everyone else thought of him as a monster. And the keepsakes he holds dear from both of his comrades and wearing the boots and always having the pocket knife with him are such precious memories he'll never forget. Their existence to him are irreplaceable. He's truly so pure of heart and loyal to the end. His story really brought me to tears from him getting betrayed, chased, stabbed, always enduring the pain, to him falling in love which made me smile but then cried again when he lost his only rock and love of his life.

ACTION SCENES

ACTION was killer and unbelievably incredible that it seriously kept me on my toes!! The production and quality was beyond my expectation!! I can't say it enough but it felt like I was sucked into the characters' intense action scenes during their fight rooting for them to win and accomplish their mission. The perspectives, different angles and camera takes were so smooth and effortless that there was no awkward cut at all. Truly a spectacular performance on both the actors' effort and the production team!

ROMANCE

The romance in the drama is surprisingly a pure breath of fresh air! It's not at all cliche, cringe and overdone but just perfectly balanced! The characters' personality creates such a heart fluttering scene that encapsulates their sweet moment without rushing and the slow-burn romance just makes the viewers left wanting more. That's exactly how pure romance in real life is like and I'm glad they showed and displayed it in such a way in the drama. Of course for my taste, nothing beats seeing adults falling in love for the first time and even better at first sight! Perfectly done in my opinion!

Overall, this drama truly exuberates every genre you can think of; action, romance, melo-drama, humour, mystery, thriller, supernatural and high quality content of story-line and cast. It is refreshing, compelling, fascinating and complex!! Definitely a must watch drama that doesn't come around very often!

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Drag drag and drag...

I think the writer of the drama wanted to make a daily soap out of the script but then they faced some production issues and for the sake of just making it they had to squeeze the whole thing into a 20 episode drama, even when they didn't want to.

Let me get to my point straight, I didn't like it. Not like I hate it, but I hust couldn't bring myself to like it. On that note, my review will be short as well, which is more like a rant.

"The King's Affection", originally titled as "연모" (Affection) fictional sageuk drama which is primarily based on the typical gender-bender concept where the female lead disguises herself as a male and the male lead anyways falls in love with a man, just to realize in the end that he had been loving a woman. Well, I don't hate that concept but it's already been outdated and also experimented in historical dramas before. Moreover, given the basic plotline the execution is not up to the par; I mean it could have been a decent price if they had not Incorporated all kind of typical sageuk elements into the script.

Let's get a simple plot. The Crown Prince's Consort gives birth to an identical boy-girl twins but citing it an ominous sign, the King orders the girl child's death, since only the boy can climb up to the throne. The consort however sends the baby far away who somehow ends up in the palace as a maid after a decade. The siblings come across each other and adms the Prince one day is in the girl's disguise to sneak out of the palace, is mistakenly gets killed. At the same time, the girl in the Prince's disguise remains in the palace and to hide the late Princes demise, she continues to grow up as the Crown Prince, upon her mother's advice.

She shuts all the door to her heart in order to become strong but her starts to waver as she meets her childhood first love whom she had met in the palace as a maid and had a beautiful encounter. The person not knowing the king-to-be is actually a girl and in fact his first love, grow fond of her with time. The story is about their journey of love, affection and struggles on their way to togetherness. It also involves the usual period politics, conspiracies, secret revelations, fightings, unusual deaths, etc.

Park Eun Bin plays the girl Dam-i/Yeon Seon who is in the disguise of her late brother, Crown Prince Lee Hwi. Rowoon plays Jung Ji Woon, a great scholar & Royal Inspector General's Son, who is also Dam-i's first love. Nam Yoon Su plays Lee Hyun, Prince's cousin and son of the previous king. Lee Pil Mo plays King Hyejong, Dam-i's father. Yoon Jae Moon plays Left State Councillor Han Ki Je, Prince's Grandfather. These are the major characters who are also known for good acting; Pil Mo and Jae Moon ahjussi infact the veterans. I (have) loved Park Eun Bin's acting and Rowoon has still a lot to do though his performance was up to par. Nam Yoon Su is amazing as a rookie actor. Lee Il Hwa is also there as the Queen Dowager, the Prince's Grandmother. There are in fact many good and familiar actors in playing key characters of the story.

Special mention to 3 actors...Baek Hyun Joo playing Court Lady Kim Sang Gung whose delivery was nice and her firm voice :0; Go Gyu Pil playing Eunuch Hong Bok Dong whose expressions were very funny; and Choi Byung Chan playing Prince's Bodyguard Kim Ga On, ofc for his visuals.

The thing about this drama I loved the most is the childhood love story of Dam-i and Ji Woon. The way they encountered each other and became friends gave off immense romantic vibes. Them spending time in Hanyang and gradually growing fond of each other in just those 2 episodes, really melted my heart. In fact when they met each other after a decade as The Prince and the tutor, their longing hearts trying to find each other made me cry so much. It was difficult seeing the ML struggling with his sexuality but also mesmerizing the way he was falling for the King-to-be not knowing his real identity.

The old Korean poetic verses, philosophy and the characters deciphering those is another thing I loved about the drama. Obviously yes, all the historical Korean dramas have this element but I particularly liked the way the writer in here has accurately used and related to life and their situations.

The problem with the drama is it's plot development, content and the thorough execution. The first 2 introductory episodes are good enough to keep you hooked, in fact the best episodes of the drama though you'll have to cry every now and then. After 2 leaps of 10 years each, when the characters appear in their final stage, it becomes more interesting. The premise is gradually set up by intriguing screenplay methods and the romance between the leads begins with initial tease-party. Simultaneously the politics sector of the drama develops steadily. Despite all that, the drama seems to be lacking a specific destination with which it is supposed to end; it becomes unclear where exactly the drama is heading to.

However, everything goes smooth for a while. Somewhere around the 9th episode, the drama starts to be uninteresting with the beginning of crude romance between the leads, which is very typical and don't spark any good chemistry any longer. Events happening for the romance plot of the drama becomes repetitive and unnecessarily dragged to a great extent. Also, the love triangle of the story doesn't create any firm impression on the viewers; like I don't get why was it even there in thr script? Great waste of Nam Yoon Su's skills, ngl.

Starting from the 2nd half, i.e. the 11th episode, the drama becomes a greatly typical sageukk with the cliché elements like power struggle conspiracies, Ming Envoy visits, corruption among ministers, revenge game among families, etc. Given that the drama has 20 episodes and it already runs out of substances right at the interval, It didn't interest me at all to even finish it and I was forced to watch the rest at 2x speed. They try to send the plot to peak several times by incorporating twists here and there but it was clear, they were trying their best to drag it to make it a 20 episode drama. The script didn't even deseve 16 episodes to being with, forget about 20. Simply, it could have been a decent drama at least, if they had planned for a 12 episode set.

Writer Han Hee Jung seems to have not improved over these years. Among her works, the only thing I liked was "Gunman in Joseon". "Clean with Passion" was a wasted potential too. She was the reason I didn't have high expectations from this but I was hoping she might have bettered than before... well, meh! Given the basic plot, the script is totally exaggerated in the 2nd half and the main problem is with the lenthy writing and many unnecessary plots as well as characters. I wish it were a 12 eps drama.

Director Song Hyun Wook is actually experienced and have produced many good dramas but I guess for the reason that it's his first sageuk (historical) drama, he couldn't prevent the flawed outcome of the drama. Screenplay is average given how it runs out of substance sooner than expected. Cinematography is quite well handled, I should admit. The natural elements as well as architectural aspects were taken care of properly. Screen-editing is also good but the dragged script makes it uninteresting and difficult ti keep up with.

I loved almost all of the OSTs. The composition by Tae Keun is very good and he's been able to produce such beautiful tracks, perfectly fitting to the mood of the drama. My most favourite is "Shadow of You" by SuJu K. R. Y; it's soulful and gladdening. They're my favourite trio in the world of Kdrama OSTs. "One and Only" in heart-wrenching vocals of Lyn is another favourite. Baek Ji Young's high notes in "IF I" are very emotional. An Da Eun's "I Believe" felt like a classical sageukk OST. "Hide and Seek" by VROMANCE is a jolly track TT. "Full of You" by Hae Yoon is a modern romantic song and very likable; it's also covered by Vromance. Loved Rowoon's smooth vocals in "No Goodbye In Love" which also makes me cry so much.

In overal, The King's Affection felt like an exaggerated version of Lovers of the Red Sky. I can't help but compare these 2 because they are produced around the same time period. The former is obviously a lot better than the latter but still the amount of dragging the script to produce more episode is the same. Also, the ratings of both the dramas are hugely influenced by the cast and not the quality, everyone is aware of that.

I still wanna insist that I love the basic plot line but the script is pretty mediocre and around the average. Yes, I am disappointed even though I didn't have very high expectations. The cast was obviously the reason I had anticipations but the flaws of the drama amounts to my disappointments, hence I won't recommend this drama to anyone, even for an one time watch, unless you want to give it a try for the visuals.

P. S. I ended up writing a lot anyways haha.

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Chemistry? As artificial as plastic.

The plot? A classic case of Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V.

Our ML’s family member gets killed, and he’s back for revenge. Out of a quarter billion women around his age, who does he fall for? The enemy’s daughter, of course(here they are childhood sweethearts so one more clichè comes free) And—because fate has a wicked sense of humor—she’s conveniently average-looking. Chinese writers, I feel for you; creativity has officially hit saturation.

It follows the same age-old pattern: ML hides his identity, regrets it later, and oscillates between holding and leaving the FL—all in the name of "protecting" her. No new tricks, no fresh twists, just déjà vu in HD.

Now, onto the cast.

Dai Gao? The man can do no wrong—except here. I’ve seen him as a king, a bodyguard, an army general, a boxer, a model, a gangster (kind of), and now, a company chairman. And let’s be real—he absolutely devours that rectangular-framed, clear-glass, three-piece suit aesthetic. YUMMY. But his acting? Surprisingly... mid. Why? We’ll get to that.

Jin Zi Yuan is a solid actress, but she just didn’t bring her A-game. She thrives in period dramas, where she fits like a glove, but in modern settings, she sticks out like a misplaced extra. In this role, her expressions were rigid, and her dialogue delivery felt about as natural as a scripted reality show.

Now, their chemistry—oh boy. If childhood friends are supposed to have an unbreakable bond, these two must’ve had severe amnesia. Lovers? Barely. Their dynamic felt like an arranged marriage where intimacy exists, but it’s as thrilling as watching paint dry. This is precisely why Dai Gao’s performance didn’t shine—there was just nothing to work with.

As for the rest of the cast... well, they exist. Overacting galore, as if none of them attended even a single acting workshop.

And the background music? Or should I say, the complete lack of an impressionable soundtrack? A final nail in the coffin.

So, should you skip this drama?

No, no—watch it. But only if your expectations are lying comfortably six feet under.

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A String of Fate, Unraveled: An Exploration of Ruin, Redemption, and Human Nature

“Protecting humans is my duty, but falling in love with you was instinct.”

Do not listen, read, or watch anything related to this drama aside from the trailer. If the provided material piques your interest, just watch it. I’ve seen a lot of hate circulating around this drama and honestly, it’s really not necessary. I’d encourage you all to take the baseless negativity with a grain of salt. If you want to watch this drama, just go for it!

I’ll rate this drama using my personal criteria, called ‘CASES’ that looks at the following: cinematography, acting, storyline, experience, and soundtrack. I’ll break down each one individually.

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 5/5
Lighting: 5/5
Camerawork: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5

The CGI is immaculate, no flaws there whatsoever. I haven’t followed this drama since it’s early production, but based on the behind the scenes clips, you can tell that the entire crew poured their entire heart and soul into its creation. The visual, creative, and drama directors especially deserve a whole standing ovation for their devotion to the craft. The sets, cinematography, and worldbuilding for Xiao Yao are truly unlike anything I’ve seen before (at least in a Chinese drama production). It doesn’t take a seasoned drama viewer to tell that every shot, camera angle, lighting, and setting were made with intention. The directors like to challenge themselves, playing with various different shots, manipulating the elements within the shot, and just making use of every tool in their toolbox to craft a scene that’s not only visually-appealing, but one that evokes hidden meanings here and there. There is almost a hyperactive attention to detail, and it’s precisely this quality that sets Xiao Yao apart from other dramas. You’re not just watching moving pictures, you’re being pulled into that alternate universe. The soundtrack is god-tier, with each song being replayed over and over again until my YouTube crashes. You have those slow, melancholic tracks like ‘Parting in the Mortal Realm’; epic, high-fantasy ones like ‘Embers’, and light, upbeat ones like ‘Mirror’. The lyrics to all of the songs are meaningful, poignant, and befitting for the story. Through the dramas top-notch production and attention to detail, I truly felt like I was transported into the world of ‘Xiao Yao’ from the comfort of my own bed. It’s truly magical.

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ACTING - 5/5
Naturalness: 5/5
Characterization: 5/5
Chemistry: 5/5
Charisma: 5/5

Acting. God, where do I even start? I’ll toss it right out from the getgo: Seven Tan and Hou Minghao were an unexpected duo that somehow managed to sweep me off my feet. I’ll admit that I went into this drama without much expectations. I’ve never seen any of Seven Tan’s works. HMH is one of my favorite actors and is the one who sets the BAR for what acting SHOULD be. In the past, I’ve never really found anyone who could ‘match’ his level of skill, but Seven Tan completely changed my perspective. When you’re watching dramas, there is always one actor who’s delivering more than the other. Sometimes, you can see the discrepancy between their level of skill (it may be subtle or obvious), but I didn’t see that here at all. Seven Tan’s performance was natural. She is one of the few actresses who can act cute without giving the audience second hand embarassment. She breathed Xiao Yao’s bubbly, likeable character to life; HMH gave an impeccable performance that was able to capture Hong Ye’s gentleness and compelxity. Their chemistry is ‘fluctuant’ in the sense that they have good chemistry as friends off-screen, and ones as lovers when the lights turn back on. Their chemistry is not overt, but subtle and filled with tension. The drama itself is a slow-burn, probably almost pain-stakingly so for some people. However, this is precisely what allows their romance to progress naturally. Let me tell you. When I realized that this was taking that slow-burn route, I rejoiced: “Yes!! They’ll know eachother’s names when they kiss! They’ll know eachother’s names, everybody!” Both actors excel at micro expressions, and this is especially useful for slow-burn romances where you’re able to pick up on these subtle changes as the story progresses— how that initial, cold gaze belonging to a demon who has fortified his walls crumbles in the face of his destined one. I didn’t see the chemistry or vision at first, but over time, I got converted. I am now a member of the Seven Tan cult (and a long-standing member of the HMH one), and I can only thank Xiao Yao for pairing them up and allowing these two actors to showcase their abilities!

No complaints for the rest of the cast. Acting is not something you will have to worry about when watching this drama. Here, we have a lineup of seasoned actors and actresses who know how to act through their eyes, breathing their characters to life and delivering a convincing performance throughout.

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STORYLINE - 4.4/5

Premise: 4/5
Plot holes - 4/5
Flow - 4/5
Pacing - 4/5
Ending - 5/5
Predictability - 4/5
Relationship development - 5/5
Character development: 5/5
Worldbuilding: 5/5

Let’s hop onto the meat of the review, shall we?

News flash: this drama tethers on two extremes. When it’s sweet, it’s tooth-decayingly sweet. When it’s sad, it’s a soul-crushing blow. This drama made me cry bitterly, but it also made me smile in front of my laptop like an idiot.

Xiao Yao is what I would conider an ‘escapism grounded in reality’. The narrative sheds light on human nature and it’s various facets, toys with your moral compass, makes you doubt your own principles, and ultimately raises the question “who is truly in the wrong?”.

The essence of this drama, I find, is contained in this quote: “In todays world, have humans and demons truly become indistinguishable?”

The whole theme of demons vs humans is nothing new to xianxia and has always been a ‘black and white’ sort of debate. You will typically see humans portrayed as the good ones and demons as the bad ones (or vice versa), but this is my first time seeing a drama that makes it so both sides are equally flawed. In Xiao Yao, every character (no matter human or demon) has a reason behind their actions, and oftentimes, that ‘reasoning’ is identical. The lines become blurred, and the moment that veil of prejudice is lifted, you realize that the demons and humans are actually cut from the same cloth; instintiguishable from eachother.

A Chinese idiom I find is the ‘foundation’ for Xiao Yao’s plot is 冤冤相報 (Yuān yuān xiāng bào), which directly translates to "grievance upon grievance, mutual retribution." The complicated entanglements between the leads, and just the entire story in general, is just a deep-dive into what’s right and wrong, what’s considered just and unjust, and who is truly worthy of sympathy.

That being said, it’s hard to hate any character in this drama. Even the villains have souls, with the overarching ‘villain’ being quite whimsical and cute, such as Hei Wu.

Hei Wu is a compelling villain because, despite lacking a backstory, his personality and comedic adlibs makes a ‘flat’ character like him just as lovable as the others.

The plot is truly a wild-card. Just when you think they’re going to recycle all of the common tropes already explored in xianxia, they do something completely different. Xiao Yao’s plot is complex, layered, and isn’t the typical ‘3 lives’ theme explored in dramas like TMOPB. It may seem that way at first, but as the story progresses and the revelation finally hits you, you realized that you’ve been bamboozled. In that regard, this drama scores a moderate in predictability. It starts off predictable at first, but as the story gradually unfolds, you’d find that your deductions were wrong and that it’s going to take a completely different approach than what you originally thought.

Pacing-wise, it’s definitely on the slower side. This may deter those who aren’t a fan of slow burn romances, but as someone who goes rabid for that trope, I found that Xiao Yao delivers quite well in this aspect. The storyline is a perfect balance between character and plot, so even when the romance is seemingly lacking, the plot grips you enough so that watching doesn’t feel like a chore. That being said, the ‘slow’ aspect of the plot is not just a stylistic choice; it’s calculated and intentional.

Characters are also layered and well-written. We have a plethora of seemingly ‘irredeemable’ villains with the purest of souls, and ‘innocent’ characters who are hateful go the core. There are many characters, but I’d like to expand on a select few who stood out to me the most.

Bing Zhu is a morally-upright character who cycles through a dramatic character arc. He starts off as a character unshakeable in his principles to a man who eventually loses sight of them. BZ is compelling in this regard because he represents the ever-changing nature of the human heart, showing how it’s the most testable thing in this world. His characterization delves into the question: In the face of countless setbacks, who’s heart can remain eternally pure?

Xiao Yao is truly a remarkable and mature female lead who was strong willed from beginning to end. Her character doesn’t change much throughout the story, but she is in no way two-dimensional. She’s layered, entertaining, witty, and surprisingly relatable. Overall, I’d consider her to be the ‘constant’ who drives the plot forward. She is someone who navigates using both her heart and mind, governing with reason while never truly losing sight of her own beliefs. Overall, a very well written FL.

Hong Ye is the most complex and intriguing character of them all. If Xiao Yao is the constant, he’s the variable that is ever-changing. He goes through a series of major character arcs in which he gets pushed to hell and back, building his character. You see him get ‘beat into shape’, basically. He’s not good, he’s not bad, he’s the demarcation between black and white. His origin story is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, and HMH did a great job at breathing his role to life. His character will definitely have a special place in my heart, and his story is one that’ll leave an everlasting impact on me. I won’t forget about him, that’s for sure.

The relationship between Hong Ye and Xiao Yao is pure and healthy (despite what they’ve been through). For once, I feel like I’m watching a drama where the two leads are actual adults— not some 12 and 16 year old. Communication isn’t a barrier here, no no. We have a couple who actually knows how to use their mouths to talk to eachother. When things go wrong, both the male and female lead know how to take the initiative in order to smooth things over, handling conflicts in a patient manner. You’re also not getting love triangles here, so theres no hair-pulling miscommunication in that aspect. All in all, I’m incredibly pleased with the way their relationship is portrayed. Miscommunication is fun when it’s in moderation. Sometimes, a healthy cp who knows how to talk to eachother is very much needed!

Good things aside, I just have a few complaints about the plot that I’ll throw out here. The pacing was slow and calculated for the first half, but sped up considerably towards the end. At some point, it did seem a bit rushed, but fortunately it anchored itself on the last few episodes. In addition, there were also some aspects of the plot that could’ve been resolved. Not ‘plot holes’ necessarily— just characters who deserved a bit more closure towards the end because their story either felt incomplete or ended too abruptly. Just tying up those loose ends, that’s all!

Finally, some people say that the drama ended off weak, but I would honestly say the opposite. It started off strong and ended just as strong. Sure, it was a bit rocky towards the end in terms of pacing, but I personally liked the ending a lot and found it to be incredibly thought-provoking. The ending is like: “If I could start from the very beginning, even if it meant overcoming those obstacles, I’d be willing to stake it all in one throw just to see you again” or “I am a protector of all beings, someone who is meant to be selfless— but for you, I am willing to be selfish for once.”

It’s been a while since I initially felt so conflicted with the ending, but after staring at the ceiling for a good hour after the final episode, I was like: “damn.. that was a good ending.”

Mind you, when i completed that final episode, I was pacing around my house with the occasional urge to say: “Damn! That ending was GOOD!” A part of me sees it as a combination of OE, BE, and HE. Ultimately, it depends on your perspective, but I just love reading other people’s narrative interpretations of the ending. There is a lot of food for thought.

It’s just.. this drama is one of those films that has such a unique storyline that it manages to stick with you for a long, long time (despite its flaws). It maps out a love so profound that it transcends time and space, as well as countless lifetimes.

Overall, I’d say the ending was closed and ‘perfect’ in my book— though it may not seem that way to others!

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EXPERIENCE: 5/5

God, I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been this absorbed in a xianxia romance. Been in a bit of a drama slump, you see. Xiao Yao unexpectedly pulled me out of that rut. I revived my IQIYI membership to get a ‘taste’ of what this drama would entail, not knowing I’d sink into it completely. For the first time in a long time, I waited in anticipation for the episodes to release everyday, feasting on bite-sized content on 小红书 to curb my hunger in the meantime like Squidward begging for spare change on the sidewalk. That being said, no dull cliffhangers here. Every episode grips you and you’re left wanting more.

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SOUNDTRACK: 5/5
Variety: 5/5
How good it is: 4/5
How fitting it is: 5/5

I’m lost in the music. In fact, I’m throwing it back to ‘燃烬’ as we speak. What can I say? I’m just obsessed. The songs were properly placed, addictive as hell, and had me screaming ‘HONG YEEEEEEEE MY BABYYY HUHUHHHHHU’ at the top of my lungs— is that telling enough?

All in all, Xiao Yao is great if you’re looking to indulge in a high-fantasy drama with impeccable worldbuilding and emotional acting; a tight script that takes a ‘spin’ on a common romance trope; an ensemble of well-written, impressionable characters; all weaved into a thought-provoking narrative that will have you questioning your morals, principles, and existence in general.

Was it a masterpiece? Debatable, but Xiao Yao is one of the most memorable dramas of 2025-2026 for me and is one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some food for thought.

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From the moment I finished the novel last year to when Pursuit of Jade finished airing, it has been a long wait.. This has been one of my most anticipated dramas of 2026.. Well, did it live up to my expectations?? It’s sort of muddy waters.. Because I loved the drama, even though it wasn’t exactly what I pictured.. I just felt it could have been more.. The Lin’an arc like most people said, was the best part of the drama.. They took their time developing the relationship and the romance, building the characters.. It was all done very well.. But once the story moved out of the town, it all just got messy.. Not because the script was poor, but because of the storytelling.. It wasn’t nearly as gripping as the novel.. Still, it was a pure delight to watch the main leads and their journey on screen..

Need to mention this.. Honestly, they did Zhang Ling He’s character pretty dirty once he went back to being the Marquis of Wu’an.. All he really had were some witty BGM moments and slow mo scenes but nothing with real weight or charisma to match the reputation of a ruthless marquis.. Not to mention the lack of screen time.. They should have utilized him more and given him scenes that showed the Marquis in his full glory.. And the war?? The battle scenes were very poorly done.. Not one noteworthy fight.. Add the bad CGI to that.. It was disappointing.. Even so, ZLH still did an outstanding job..

Tian Xi Wei.. She was really, really good as Fan Changyu.. Her character development from a common woman to a General felt rushed, but it wasn’t bad.. I think she got better action scenes than ZLH.. And her attires were really beautiful.. She gave a brilliant performance, the camera really loves her..

The rest of the cast are incredibly phenomenal.. Special shoutout to Deng Kai and Snow Kong.. I really didn’t expect them to be this good.. Especially Deng Kai, he was terrific.. The others were solid too.. They are another big reason why the drama worked so well.. When you have a good story to tell, it helps when the people telling it are all doing it well..

Okay, the romance.. I gotta say, it was something else.. The chemistry and intensity between the main leads were just amazing.. If you have watched it, you would know.. There was that sense of yearning right from the beginning, then the sexual tension building up.. And the intimate scenes in the last phase of the drama?? Intense, really intense.. I am just a bit disappointed that the “I can’t do it anymore” scene didn’t make it to the final cut.. If you have seen the leaks, you will know what I am talking about..

Slightly off topic, but I have seen quite a lot of edits of Sui Yuan Qing, romanticizing his character.. He is the same person who slaughtered an entire town and let his men rape those women, serious psychopathic issues.. And people are making edits for him.. Like, how?? why??

The cinematography was okay.. I mean the overreliance on CGI/AI kind of ruined it.. I don’t know.. The visuals should have been better.. The music was good.. It sort of fit the tone of the drama and elevated a lot of scenes..

Now, the middle phase of longer shows are usually boring.. Because the writers have to tie everything together to set up the final phase and sometimes they rush through it.. Here though, they managed to minimize the damage.. The pace never feels draggy or cramped.. My mind did wander at times but not enough for me to call it boring..

The last phase, storytelling wise, was good.. It was set up for an epic conclusion.. But nothing really happened.. We didn’t get a war or a proper battle, not even one good action sequence.. Everything got resolved so quickly.. Why?? Why couldn’t you give us an epic conclusion?? You had the cast and the story right there..

Overall, despite all its flaws this is a 9 for me.. Because it just worked where it mattered.. I loved the romance and the chemistry.. Also the yearning, the evolving relationships.. Loved the main leads. The Lin’an arc was just bliss to watch.. The drama didn’t fail in any way, it just could have been more.. I had a great time.. I was happy..

P.S. Read the novel.. It’s the best way to enjoy the story..

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Started off great but...

This started off great but ended very stupidly.

Story:
A woman trained as a doctor. Gave it up mid-way to raise her kids and become a housewife. Gets sick during her middle age. Once recovered, decides to resume her medical training and pursue her own dreams.

The FL was disrespected greatly and very much used by her husband and mother-in-law.
Her two children take her for granted at the start of the show.
There's a lot of pushback to her resuming her medical training. Her husband works as department chief and her son is also a first-year resident and none of them are happy to have her join their hospital. The daughter, a high school senior, is used to having all of mommy's attention and devotion and is unhappy at the prospect of having to heat her own dinner while mommy does something for herself for a change.

Despite the challenges in having been gone from the medical field for so long, having just recovered from a liver transplant, and having to deal with her family's disapproval, our FL sets forth to become a fully licensed doctor.

She has struggles, but she overcomes them. That's the medical side of things.

Then there's the family side.

We discover that the ML, the husband, is having an affair with a woman who used to be his girlfriend in medical school.
(Back then they'd broken up because the ML and FL had had a one-night-stand which resulted in the FL getting pregnant with their son so they had to marry. )
This "other woman" is also a doctor at the same hospital.
And the cherry on top? The ML and other woman have a daughter who's the same age as the daughter of the ML and FL (conceived when the ML and other woman meet during a medical conference in the USA several years after the ML and FL had gotten married).

To round off our cast we have a dashing, handsome, and rich professor doctor who performed the FL's liver surgery. He takes a liking to her, and helps her out in small ways while she's his patient. And when she returns to the hospital as a resident he does his best to be kind and encouraging- the only person around the FL who gives her that. It's obvious to see that he "likes her" likes her, but he's always respectful since he knows she's married.

The series focuses on:
1) The FL's growth as a doctor: slow but steady, with its share of challenges and setbacks, which she overcomes.
2) The FL's son and daughter growing up a bit, eventually coming to see their mom in a new light, and ending up being very supportive and loving.
3) The FL, the MIL, the son and the daughter finding out about the affair.

Spoiler & Ending: The kids take mom's side. The couple gets divorced. The FL ends up opening her own medical clinic and being a happy single doctor. The ML ends up pining after the FL, having broken up with the other woman.

While this may seem like a "happy ending", I'm angry that the romance we were teased with (between the FL and the dashing professor) never materialized. Why put it in there at all? If the goal was to showcase a strong woman living alone, fine. Focus on that without introducing the romantic aspect of the second ML. It's rude to the viewers. And also, not in keeping with the FL's character. She definitely responded to the SML on multiple occasions. She liked him and connected with him. I can accept her wanting to become settled as a doctor first, before pursuing a relationship. To come into her own and recover from her divorce. But to turn him down, and say she wants to be alone forever? Zero sense. She's a warm person. A good mom. She likes people. And her friends would have pushed her to meet someone new. She'd been living in a sexless marriage for 10-15 years, with no emotional support either. The entire situation, and its resolution, was so completely stupid and implausible. They ruined the ending for me.

Not worth a re-watch (except for some funny scenes in ep 1-2 that always make me laugh-basically the only comedy in the show).

PS: The daughter of the other woman and the ML also got a raw ending. She deserved better. And the other woman? A total idiot. Her character makes no sense to me. She basically gave up her family and their financial support just for the sake of having this baby and being a single mom. But instead of moving on and creating a stable home for her child, her obsession with a med school boyfriend (who cheated on her!!!!!) caused her daughter decades of pain and potentially cost her a stepdad and solid family life had her mom made better choices. Dumb and stupid of the other woman. I expected more from her. And the daughter deserved better.

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WHAT A WASTED POTENTIAL...

Zero communication, dumbest FL, overconfident but foolish BFF, the most cliche-lazily written plot and lots of investment business talks we don't care about — is what we get here for more than "20" episodes.

I mean seriously, what kind of split personality did the FL have here?? She is so confident and mature about her work but where is her maturity in her relationship? Why can't she make her own decisions and follows her stupid BFF blindly instead? (Bff - who is apparently herself a lost case)... FL didn't even hesitate to say those flirty lines in starting but then she's standing like a statue when she needs to apologize!?

nevertheless, the beginning when things yet made sense and there were no unnecessary love rivals and misunderstandings and the ending which was quite a hot mess. damn their chemistry was lit... both parts saved the overall rating but I still won't recommend this as the middle is both messy and frustrating. You might tolerate this happily if you're a big fan of the actors or you were in the mood for a dramatic (brainless) melodrama.

What makes me so upset is that I'm a big fan. both Bai Lu and Dylan Wang are my treasured favorite actors (even my pfp has always been bai lu). And all the anticipation and hype we gave to this drama. Like its such a waste of their talents and our time to watch two kids... The actors did well but the storyline was just too draggy.

For those (like me) who were excited to see Bai Lu and Dylan Wang together, go watch FMVs of this (save some time) or their off screen interaction of variety shows because they're far better or just watch this drama and skip until both your fingers and brain is tired af.

Kudos to the build up in the beginning tho I have to admit I was deeply invested in the so-called "plot" and I cared for these silly childish characters. To the point that I often screamed "say something bitch" xDD. Last 6 episodes were what people expected from this drama but what we got is a boring business drama with stupid leads. And I'm not going to forgive the production for all the frustration they gave me before those last episodes.

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Don't Get Mad, Get Even

When this drama first appeared on my radar, my initial thoughts were of Robert De Niro’s Taxi Driver. It turned out not too different and the themes definitely give off similar vibes for me. Although dark, violent and gritty, it is also ADDICTIVE, COMPELLING and POIGNANT. Taxi Driver is one of the year’s best and must-watch dramas.

The Story

Taxi Driver is based on the webtoon, The Deluxe Taxi by Carlos and Lee Jae-jin. It’s about a team of people who work together in running a deluxe taxi service, Rainbow Taxi company, that provides “additional services” which entails a mix of rescuing people, dishing out vengeance on deserving bad guys and delivering (street) justice - not necessarily in that order - for victims of (especially violent) crimes who have been so wronged, exploited, downtrodden and tormented to the point that they are ready to end their lives just to escape their tragic circumstances.

Every single member of team avengers carry their own chilling backstories - crimes committed against their loved ones where the perpetrators never truly received the punishment that they duly deserved, no thanks to the failings of the local police and judicial system. It is this tragic past that motivates the team to do what they do - seek justice for those who experience the same trauma that they themselves had gone through.

The drama features the general format of case-based procedurals presented in mini story arcs which run for 2 to 3 episodes. There isn’t any overarching plot or underlying conspiracy per se but the story does evolve in the final third where the direction of the team changes course significantly.

The Production

For a SBS production, I was surprised by both the production values and the raw grittiness being depicted. This is a quality drama which doesn’t skimp on budget. The action choreography of men and machines (including the number of vehicles destroyed in the process), set designs and props used, the various filming locations as well as the technical aspects of directing, cinematography and screenplay all contribute to making this drama a top-tier production.

At around the episode 11-mark, the screenwriter was changed due purportedly to creative differences with the producers. I’m not sure whether this is attributed to Lee Ji Hyun taking over from Oh Sang Ho or because the evolution of the story begins at this point, but the change in the overall tone of the drama is quite noticeable. Suffice to say, the amusement factor was no longer present because things became profoundly serious indeed heading into the finale.

The Main Cast & Characters

I have truly enjoyed Lee Je Hoon’s performance here, in what is his best work to date (I have yet to watch Move to Heaven where some viewers claim his portrayal is even better). I haven’t read the source material but I think it’s fair to say the story revolves around his character, hence the drama being titled Taxi Driver. Compared to his singular focus in Signal and bits of what I had seen in Where Stars Land, he gives us so many more different sides to his titular character of Kim Do Gi in this drama.

Think of Denzel Washington’s Equalizer, Liam Neeson’s Taken, Mel Gibson’s Mad Max and yes, even Robert De Niro’s Taxi Driver. Elements from each of these iconic characters all rolled into one irresistible combo. Perhaps his background as a former Special Forces operator has afforded him combat proficiency, coupled with extremely mad driving skills as well as an uncanny ability to blend into any given environment like a chameleon. In any case, what we end up with is Rainbow Taxi company’s employee of the month, every month! This man doesn’t just mete out physical punishment on the villains, he does so without them even realising before it's too late - via utterly convincing undercover and infiltration missions to search and destroy the target from within. Efficient, effective, lethal. Lee Je Hoo executed this portrayal to perfection. However, if there is any criticism of this character, personally for me it would have to be the logic-defying fight scenes when he alone takes on a whole horde of assailants. The plot armour for the ML is very apparent, amidst the very well choreographed sequences.

It’s my first time seeing Esom and truth be told, I’m quite impressed. Little wonder she’s been nominated for acting honours in the past because she exudes talent. For the most part, her character Kang Ha Na subtly projects determination that’s borne of stubbornness, and takes a while to warm up to (at around episode 12 for me) but that’s down to the way it’s written as part of the underscored tension between the prosecutors and our band of avengers. I appreciate her nuanced interpretation of the role and she pretty much showcased her impressive range by delivering those intense emotional scenes really well, it must be said.

Pyo Ye Jin plays my favourite character in the show, Ahn Go Eun. She steals the scene every time she appears on screen and I think that’s not only due to her immense charisma but also her characterization. There are several highly charged scenes particularly in the Udata story arc that enables her to fully flesh out her character, in addition to the rather charming but quirky role that she’s already assuming. She is definitely one to keep an eye out for, and I’ll be looking forward to her future projects eagerly.

Rounding off the main cast is Kim Eui Sung who plays the owner of Rainbow Taxi company, Jang Sung Chul. There’s not much else that can be said about this veteran award-winning actor that hasn’t been said before. Having seen him in Six Flying Dragons and Mr Sunshine, this man is the real deal and his portrayals are often flawless. He gives a very decent account of his role here, which is perhaps somewhat more subtle compared to his previous works.

The Side Characters & Guest Stars

It would be completely remiss of me not to highlight some of the insanely superb performances by the diverse cast of guest actors. Taxi Driver, for me, is made particularly compelling because of this eclectic ensemble. Without them, this show just wouldn’t be the same. I honestly believe it’s a combination of pure joy of acting and the ingenuity in the script that manifests in these “perversely entertaining” story arc characters.

Cha Ji Yeon as Baek Sung Mi certainly deserves a mention. This interesting yet complicated character oozes class, style and villainy in equal measure. It’s not often that we get female mobsters, especially a memorable one at that, in a K-drama. Her lieutenant, Goo Seok Tae who is played by Lee Ho Chul, looks like he came straight out of a Bond movie as the evil mastermind’s oversized bodyguard. This is one character that you will come to despise as the story develops, and for very good reasons too.

Tae Hang Ho plays the uber-violent jeotgal factory owner Park Joo Chan almost too convincingly. Out of so many fight scenes I’ve seen in dramaland, the ones involving him are frighteningly vicious and unforgiving. The top prize for the most disgusting villain (to me anyway) goes to Baek Hyun Jin’s Park Yang Jin. This vile sociopath may appear unbelievably exaggerated but make no mistake, the severity of his crimes and misconduct are pushing stratospheric levels.

The Themes

On the face of it, Taxi Driver is dark and violent. The first half in particular incorporated much black comedy as well. The crimes depicted are not for the faint hearted, with references to subsets of violence, notably sexual abuse, physical assaults, and exploitation. White collar crimes are represented in the form of fraudulent acts, voice phishing, and blackmail. Toxic corporate culture is also vividly portrayed. There are times that I personally find it hard to stomach some of the portrayals of suffering and trauma inflicted on the victims.

I think the most disturbing aspect for all the crimes featured is the fact that they are very real and are currently happening all around us. We may or may not be aware of their existence in our neighbourhood but it would be extremely naive to think otherwise. It’s an extremely visceral and realistic part of the world that we live in, and this drama truly shines the spotlight on all of such elements right before us.

On a more positive note, the depiction of camaraderie among our team of avengers is a joy to behold. Everyone has his or her own strengths, weaknesses and fears, and together they accomplish so much more than any of them individually could. They are each other’s pillar of support, both mentally and spiritually.

Music

There are 2 songs in particular that I really love, which were beautifully integrated into the drama. Pyo Ye Jin’s rendition of the soulful jazz piece, A Walk, which plays during one of her more poignant moments where she stares pensively into the distance from the backseat of the taxi. Kwak Jin Eon’s A Gloomy Letter hauntingly evokes a profound sense of deep sorrow through his richly layered vocals in his slow ballad. Maybe I’m just drawn to evocative and sad songs…

Anyway, full OST listing as follows:

1. YB – SILENCE
2. Kwak Jin Eon – A Gloomy Letter
3. Pyo Ye Jin – A Walk
4. Cha Ji Yeon – All Day
5. Simon Dominic – RUN AWAY
6. Sanha – Moon Light

Overall

Taxi Driver is arguably compelling and essential viewing. As dark as its themes may be, I honestly believe viewers can glean a thing or two potentially life saving survival skills from this drama. This deluxe taxi service might be fictional, but the crimes depicted do not get any more real that what is seen here. I find myself rooting for the team to wreak vengeance upon these truly horrible evildoers during every episode. Although deep down I know it’s probably morally and ethically wrong, I can’t help feeling a deep sense of pleasure and gratification from the street justice being dispensed. Long story short, watching this drama will evoke many emotions and feelings, with nary a moment of boredom. And the best part? I absolutely love the perfect ending.

Fun Facts:
1. The model of car used as the deluxe taxi is the 1996 Hyundai Dynasty.
2. The deluxe taxi faces off against the dreaded White Truck of Doom and “history was created” in that scene.

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Good idea, boring execution

To be honest, I was bored. So the question I’m asking myself is, why?

Well, this is a thriller, but there were precious little thrills for most of it. I did think that the idea behind the plot was good—triggering self-destruct mechanisms, light the fuse and then step back. It offers great opportunities for building tension but I don’t think that the overall production capitalised on the potential.

The pace was a constant plod. It needed some speed variations, some light and shade, some better twists and turns and a great deal more tension. This is really a problem across the board from the writer, through the director to the editing suite. The only thing that had any zing was the cinematography, which was beautifully realised.

The characters, including the protagonist, were universally unlikeable. Song Hye Kyo had a stone-face throughout and I was not impressed by her performance. The main problem for me was that the characters were not presented in any depth and for the most part had one mode of operation. For a plot built on the premise of self-destruction, the characters have to be much more carefully realised. Also, with so many antagonists, their inter-relationships did not have enough time to develop to the point where I was engaged. Maybe if Lee Sa Ra and even Son Myeong Oh were omitted that would have made room for more character breadth and detailed interactions.

As it was, I was totally unmoved by any of them and fairly disinterested in what happened to them. The most interesting character for me was Ha Do Young, played by Jung Sung Il, who brought more subtlety to the realisation of his part than any of the others. So when you’ve got nothing much going on in the plot and you don’t feel any interest or attachment to any of the characters, what is there to keep your attention?

One thing that always hacks me off is when the psychology is wrong and it is here. Dong Eun can be triggered into horrendous flashbacks which completely cripple her, but shows no hesitation in confronting and challenging her torturers face to face in isolated places without a tremor or a drop sweat breaking out. This type of dichotomy is simply not credible. Her character relies on words for her safety, but it is emotions that provoke damage and they are much quicker off the mark. So her interactions with the emotion driven antagonists are undermined. It is even more unbelievable because no explanation is offered regarding any of the psychological processes that turned her from fearful victim to controlled aggressor.

What my rating means: 6+ Some aspects of it were OK but it had serious flaws. It will pass the time but you can find something better.

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It must be said that Goblin is very much a somewhat cliché rom-com disguising itself as something else, but ultimately, what appears to be an interesting premise is cast aside for a romantic plot that I'm going to be honest is a little creepy and at times feels very fatherly to me. This makes it very hard to love the romance especially when the female lead is a bubble of cutesy energy and also she borderline looks twelve. There were moments I wanted to run into the scene and tell Gong Yoo, you get the hell away from her and date someone your own age. Yes, that, 782 age gap was at times hard to swallow.

What makes Goblin good is it's featuring. It stars longing looks, teary-eyed longing looks, bromance, ignoring that he is 800 years old, trying to pretend you are not watching this because of the bromance and good looking leads and KES's obligatory three good episodes towards the end that makes you think this is so good. It also stars a very good performance by Lee Dong Wook. I'd like to say the rest of the cast were just as good, but I'd be lying. Gong Yoo is someone, I watch because he is in good movies (The Crucible/Silenced, etc) but not because he gives an actual good performance. He's like a Brad Pitt type in that regard. I was quite surprised by LDW as I find him heavily attractive and have for a long time but I've admitted he's a terrible actor. Suddenly he is Matthew McConaughaying me. The female lead is literally a copy paste of all rom-coms. Especially from this writer.

The intro of this drama is unique and creates what has the potential to be a very good plot, but ultimately this is a meandering slow stream of a journey that I heavily recommend you skip some episodes. Yes, skip from ep 5 to 13 and you'll miss very little. The juicy parts of the plot are thrown aside for a slew of teary-eyed longing looks and cliché romantic scenes that at ep 4, I started to wonder when they were actually going to focus on the juicy premise.

Character wise, the bromance sells this stale plot as personally, the romance between the male and female lead just looks awkward. I should be gushing at romantic scenes but they look as uncomfortable as I do and when Gong Yoo pats her head, he at times feels like her father. The drama has a lot of potential but the writer didn't seem to know what to do with it and I feel like a traitor who deserves to be hanged for saying this, but as a huge lover of bromance, dare I say it, I actually got bored of the bromance. I started tuning in to cast longing looks at Lee Dong Wook. My obsession made me run out into the street and jump in front of a car, but I heavily recommend you don't do that as the Grim Reaper never appeared and now I'm writing this in the afterlife.

The writer here also inserts her I suckered you into thinking this was good by having her obligatory three good episodes that make me think, Oh this has potential. It's always towards the end too. Melancholic episodes with good editing that make me wonder where was this for the previous ten episodes? I feel the drama is a seven at best as in, I would be very generous to give it a 7. It has its good melancholic and humorous scenes but it ultimately never quite gets its pacing right and never seems to know what to focus on making this really not as good as it could be.

PS. I also urge you to cast aside any logical questions you might have especially towards the end. They will not be answered.

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LOVE ISN’T BLACK AND WHITE, NEITHER IS LIFE!

***DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion after watching the drama in it's entirety. I will try to remain unbiased and give an honest review. We don’t have to agree and I’m not here to argue with anyone.***

This show should really be called “The Price / Cost of Love” , “Understanding Love” , “Walking With You” , “The Time of Us” or “Sandcastle” (iykyk❤️)

I enjoyed this drama so much. Contrary to popular belief that this show is “ trash” blah blah blah (insert other bad comments / non-constructive criticism) I feel like it was realistic and people can take various life lessons from it. The biggest lesson that was emphasized was for people to stop sitting around wondering “what if” and instead seize the day, go after what you want / who you want because it might turn into a missed opportunity and you will have to live with regret. The second was don’t make rash decisions in the spur of the moment or lie because you’re afraid of confronting and dealing with your feelings. And lastly, stop running away from your problems because they will eventually catch up to you.

Imo this drama was refreshing considering I’d only ever known Moon Ga Young in juvenile roles. It was nice to see her portray an adult and go through “grown up” issues. I feel like I can finally relate and empathize with her character now.

General Overview:

Su Yeong is a young woman with a dismissive avoidant attachment style who struggles with depression, scars from the past, grief from her brother's death and a broken relationship with her family. She first meets Sang Su when he comes to the bank and she’s his senior who has to train him and help him learn all the tricks to being a bank clerk. They got closer and she really was there for him. Fast forward 3 years later he has been getting promoted while she has remained in the same position. Su Yeong feels as though her life is stagnant and she won’t move forward in her career compared to her peers because they all have college degrees whereas she does not. She develops a bit of a complex because of this and realizes no matter how hard she works or tries she’ll never get promoted. She realizes her place in society as she is from a poor background and has no degree. Everyone looks down on her and makes up rumors about her even though they don’t have a clue about who she is. Sang Su seemingly has a crush on Su Yeong and at the beginning of the drama he attempts to pursue her. They go on one date and agree to go on another however when Sang Su was on his way to meet Su Yeong he hesitates. She can see him from the restaurant… notices his hesitation in coming to see her and she feels horrible. She immediately leaves and essentially shuts him out of her life.

As the story goes along you kind of understand why Su Yeong ignores him and pushes him away. For the first time in her life she was willing to let someone in and truly be happy but in the end she realizes they would’ve never worked out because of their places in society. She ultimately decides it’s better for her to go on without him and pretends to date Jong Hyeon instead at first to get rid of Sang Su and quell her feelings for him but along the way you can see her tenderness for Jong Hyeon as she feels sorry for his unfortunate circumstances and invites him to live with her instead of quitting his job as a security guard and moving away. Enter Mi Gyeong — a college friend of Sang Su who is clearly into him and will do anything to get him wrapped around her little finger. She eventually senses that there is something between Sang Su and Su Yeong and goes out of her way to befriend Su Yeong by giving her gifts, taking her to dinner and finding out what she likes / dislikes. Anything to keep Su Yeong at bay and also guilt trip her into backing off from Sang Su for the sake of friendship. If keep your friends close and your enemies closer was a person, that would be Mi Gyeong. Nevertheless, her plan doesn’t work out because as it is Su Yeong and Sang Su are incapable of staying away from each other.

There’s a lot of unnecessary drama in between of them fighting feelings for one another, entering relationships they had no business being in because they were still hung up on each other / pining for each other unintentionally. There was literally no need for them to bring other characters into their business/drama. I hated Mi Gyeong, Gyeong Pil, and Jong Hyeon just a little bit more than usual because even when they found out the truth they tried so hard to make Sang Su and Su Yeong’s life more unbearable. That to me proved that their desires were more important than what the people they claimed to “love” needed. If that’s not selfish idk what is. People can call Sang Su and Su Yeong selfish for wanting to break up with them but they were selfish in different ways. Like be so frl, I got sick of them acting like they got the short end of the stick and were done the worst injustice by Sang Su and Su Yeong breaking up with them. Like sometimes people have to make tough decisions for themselves even if it hurts someone else’s feelings. I feel like Su Yeong and Sang Su both always spent their lives putting others before themselves and the one time – THE ONE TIME, they wanted to choose themselves (be selfish) and go after love / the person they truly wanted to be with it was such a huge problem. At least they weren’t trying to stay with their partners and cheat behind their backs. That would’ve been so much worse / messy. The worst part is that they both tried so hard to spare Mi Gyeong and Jong Hyeon feelings but ended up doing the opposite and hurting themselves in the process. They even admitted their faults and apologized multiple times but somehow it was never enough… especially for Mi Gyeong.

Lmao don’t let me get started on her. I just hate how she pretends to be a “nice girl” when she is in fact very self-centered and mean. She befriended Su Yeong because she sensed that there was something going on between her and Sang Su and she thought that if she was nice to her and kept on buying her things she’d feel guilty and back off. It was so disgusting to me the way she’d worm around situations and try to have everyone bend to her will. She wanted to be so different from her father but eventually she realized she was just like him and then defended him by saying "that’s probably how he shows love"??? That was bullsh*t. Not her condoning her father's actions in order to justify hers, then perpetuating her continuous desire to control everyone and everything by trying to buy their favor.

In my humble opinion, Sang Su and Su Yeong’s moments were precious… anytime they talked — really talked and listened to each other on long walks, drank (playing the “truth” / “lying” game), or hung out by the seaside — it was really beautiful. I felt their emotions pull on my heartstrings and bring me to the point of tears several times. For me, it was like “How can two people be so right for each other yet not stand a singular chance of being together?” They had mutual understanding, comfort, and peace whenever they were with each other. The harsh reality is that both were stupid and allowed society and other people's opinions of them ruin what they had. People told them they shouldn’t and couldn’t be together and they believed them instead of believing in their relationship and what they had.

Her leaving Sang Su the last time — I’m sure he saw it coming. She always runs away except this time he decided not to chase after her because he felt like that’s what she wanted, he respected her choice and decided to give her space. Even after four years passed, Sang Su always kept Su Yeong close to his heart. While I’m sure he respected her decision he just couldn’t understand it. I’m guessing Su Yeong just wanted to disappear and have a fresh start but I’m sure a part of her also wanted Sang Su to chase after her or convince her to stay. It’s so messed up when someone feels like a burden and that they’re to blame for all the misfortunes that happen to them in their life. It’s like they feel like they deserve it but ultimately they also think they deserve nothing at all. This is why I can understand Su Yeong distancing herself from everyone and not believing she deserved love or even happiness.

One thing I disliked about this drama was the miscommunication trope. Don’t get me wrong it’s okay when it’s done right but there were a lot of moments you know could’ve been fixed with a simple conversation. Sang Su would’ve listened to her and appreciated the truth. There was so much sneaking around and lying for no reason. Like I can try and understand/empathize with Su Yeong’s reasons… she rather destroy everyone/everything and burn it all to the ground + run away rather than face and conquer her greatest fears. She is distant, cold unfeeling, and avoidant but that legit doesn’t excuse her always wanting to run away / disappear. Sang Su on the other hand never speaks his mind and prefers to suffer in silence / take on the weight of other people's problems. Yes, I get that he’s protective and always wants to save the day but lol some girls (ie. Su Yeong) don’t want to be saved. They just want to be understood and seen/heard for once in their life. Yeah, it sucks but that’s pretty much what I got from their dynamic. In the end, it worked because they really balanced each other out.

Another aspect I absolutely hated about this drama and a lot of others is that they always have all the characters make up with each other. Like even if there’s a huge falling out they always have that plot point where years later they come back and everything is all hearts and flowers. I wouldn’t say that’s realistic because sometimes a person really isn’t for you / meant to be in your life. Sometimes the friendship/relationship was toxic and you know that you’re better off without having them in your life, meeting up to discuss what went wrong, or even making amends. Usually it’s better to just let things be and move on. Live and let live as they say but idk maybe Mi Gyeong and Su Yeong are just super mature to see past their differences… though I doubt it because she legit had to remind Su Yeong how much she resented her in the past but at the same time she missed her ? Make it make sense.

The truth is, some people are just happy knowing you’re not as happy as they are in life — it brings them peace knowing they won and you lost. And I feel like that’s truly how Mi Gyeong sees Su Yeong… she looks at her life as small and inconsequential in comparison… saying it “suits her” Like bffr Su Yeong owns a drawing cafe while she’s a big manager in HQ. Su Yeong gave up her job and her life in Seoul because she knew she wasn’t and would never be accepted. I kind of wish she spent the last four years in college getting a degree so she’d feel better about herself and able to face the world and people with more confidence. Sigh. I also didn’t like the fact that Sang Su never rlly tried to move on from Su Yeong in those four years. I guess he decided a long time ago that she was the one for him and made her occupy all the space in his heart and mind. It’s kinda sad… I know Su Yeong would’ve wanted him to be happy regardless.


Final Thoughts:

If I could sum up this drama into a few words it would be “will they or won’t they?” ahhh if you don’t like slow burns, slice of life dramas or melodramas then do not watch this. Trust me it’s super slow and it’s more pining / longing than the leads actually getting their happy ending until the very last episode. I have to say though their chemistry is really good and you can feel the angst / tension through the screen.

Don’t watch this drama if you are going to view it from a one dimensional lens and blame the characters for being flawed as adults. People mature at different stages and as it turns out some people have to fall down and make mistakes in order to learn and grow from them. Nobody is perfect is what I’m saying and these characters all have their shortcomings, baggage, trauma and scars.

If you’re not willing to see them as actual human beings with issues and trauma to deal with / faults to overcome then again I reiterate do not watch it.

If however you want to stick around for these two love struck idiots who actually deserve a real chance at happiness and a shot at a real relationship together then do continue / start watching. It’s a rollercoaster ride (an unreasonably slow paced one lol!) so you're definitely going to go through the emotions and really feel for them (especially if you are emotional / have a big heart / empathize with others) If you’re looking for a drama that is more insta lovey and doesn’t have much plot / story building then I suggest you go watch something else.

Overall I gave this drama an 8/10 (initially it was a 7.5 however, I figured disliking the ending alone isn’t fair) My rating is primarily because still find myself thinking of these two and their tumultuous story. I can’t ever let them go / forget and I think that’s the point. They were the definition of “right person wrong time” and I just ate it up. This drama was enjoyable for me and I don’t regret watching at all. I think more people would’ve given this drama a higher rating but the open / bittersweet ending made them take off some points, so to each their own.

Long story short, this drama really stuck with me and I stuck with it because it’s a realistic portrayal of people living their daily lives, experiencing love, kindness, jealousy, heartbreak and everything else in between. It highlights the fact that that love is hard work. It’s not perfect, it’s not a fairytale and not everyone gets a happy ending. It’s solely based on people’s efforts and how much they are willing to compromise for someone else. Love is overcoming obstacles, facing challenges and choosing / fighting to be together. It’s putting another person before yourself (no questions asked) and rooting for their ultimate happiness. It’s choosing to let them go even if it hurts, even if they are happy without you because if you love them you will respect them, their choices, and ultimately want the best for them.

I would recommend this drama to persons who like slow burns, second chance love and slice of life dramas. Honestly, I really liked it — I mean the first episode really drew me in because I was so shocked and had to know what happens next. Obviously this show isn’t for everyone but if it’s for you / worth watching then you should know by episode 3 or 4. Also I'm not sure if speed watching helped me enjoy it more bc I watched this drama on x1.5-x1.75. I find that the pacing in these types of dramas are unnecessarily slow and that tends to make it seem like it just drags on forever. So maybe you could try speeding it up if you're having a hard time getting into it.

I also really enjoyed the OST. It has the perfect balance of fun / flirty upbeat songs mixed with sad and emotional / heartfelt ones. I still listen to it from time to time.

Would I rewatch it? Yes because I am a sucker for slow burns, I loved their moments / interactions and even though the ending is sad / bittersweet… it’s their story. It’s a little messy but it seemed real and I felt like I was with them the whole time — watching, waiting and rooting for them to make it along their individual journeys + also finally coming together, to find peace at the end of it all.

There’s this quote that says “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” And I feel like it perfectly captures Sang Su and Su Yeong. Even though though their journey came to an end, I believe that the open ending still offered a great deal of hope for them to eventually let go of the past, move forward, and create a new “future happiness” one filled with better memories and without regret.

All in all, I think that the drama did a fantastic job of portraying the ups and downs of love. Sang Su and Su Yeong are not perfect (so far from it actually) but they’re special in their own little way. In my eyes some people are meant to be, just not made to last.

This drama is not for everyone but what I will say is:
THE PEOPLE WHO GET IT GET IT!!!

Anyway, that’s my two cents <3

(Sending love to everyone who stayed and read all this ily!)


Happy watching!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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This had a lot of potential, but the execution didn't come through here.

Apparently, serial killer guy is in love with the MC. But I don't see how. She's beautiful, intelligent and straight-forward -- sure, but they only met once before he falls in love with her. Their communication is super short - only a few lines of dialogue. They needed to spend some more time making his love believable. Like him being interested in the person who made this app he uses to find his victims, learns about her and then finally meets and falls in love with her. But nope. No build-up whatsoever.

There's nothing deep here. Sometimes it doesn't make sense who he chooses to kill and who he chooses to let go. Why some of the women would meet up with some random person they only talked to once online in some SUPER secluded place, out in the boonies or a building at night.

Almost every woman in this story happens to be a horndog, including the MC. Nothing wrong with that but ALMOST EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM throwing caution to the wind for it? Makes absolutely no sense.

The shaman is also random, and I feel is out of left field for the story. Nice having a LGBT character and all, but the shaman thing is still random.

I'm generally a fan of Netflix Kdramas, but I didn't vibe with this one at all.

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I’m really disappointed at the drama fans. I crossed my finger and hoped for this NOT to be like the japanese Starman. However my hopes were crushed when I found a story full of cliché, and poorly written. Yes girls, same old Disney plot painted differently. We have the perfect PRINCE CHARMING and the princess who needs his help every once in a while. How dreamy.

I’m really so sad to see so many good reviews ignoring the fact that this drama left many questions unanswered. I’ll talk about the two main ones that bothered me. First, the whole issue with her father was just empty. Not to mention that their relationship makes you wonder if the writer knows about how interpersonal relationships work. Second, Do Min Joo was just the perfect (robotic) being and this drama, sadly, portrayed him like an object, for the drama ends and we know nothing about him except that he is an alien and has some powers. I could write a book about all the questions I had about him, THE main lead. How can we permit this!!!!

Love is portrayed like something so dreamy and flawless once you are finally with that person. Their attachment to life and their love makes me conclude that at the end they won’t accept that nothing is forever. Of course we want a happy ending, but what we mean by this (at least I) are happy, fulfilled characters…not poorly unrealistic endings (even if it was a fantasy drama).

About the special effects I have to say I liked them very much, they were very good. The acting was just good, nothing special really I did wished for some real tears. The main leads are impossible not to love, she is so cute and he is adorable. I didn’t see that much chemistry between them but I won’t touch the subject or else I’ll unleash the fury of some. There are some unforgettable moments too ;) (kisskiss) Anyways, the first half of the drama was entertaining but if you are like me, a drama fan that is hard to please and likes to ask questions, just keep in mind what I just said.

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Don't get fooled by the title, it's not the Korean version of Bring It On.

Watching this was an absolute joy! It will make you cry, laugh, and grin! When you're in high school you get serious about studying, so you'll get accepted in the university/collage you aim for. However, it's also the time when you want to have fun and enjoy life with your friends. So the balance between these two is what this drama is all about.

I might be too generous with my rating but the show was that good. The plot line wasn't draggy and very interesting to the very end. The acting was perfect from main and support characters. The music was lovely and spot on. So obviously you would want to watch this drama again because it's so charming.

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