Story falls in place nicely + extremely likable characters!!!!
I’ve watched a lot of dramas, but this one has definitely become one of my favorites. The characters, the story, and the production suits my taste PERFECTLY!! Here are the main reasons why I love this drama so much.ALL CHARACTERS ARE VERY LIKABLE
- TDK is the first female lead that I can relate to this much. She is someone who suppresses her emotions and pretends to be fine on the outside so she wouldn’t be a burden to her loved ones. Also, little things like the way she acts, the way she talks and reacts is different from many typical female leads. She is very honest, genuine, and sometimes effortlessly funny. She’s extremely likable and I would love to be her friend if it were possible.
- MM’s character development made him extremely likable (more about that below). When MM is in love, he does not force anything or make TDK feel uncomfortable in any way. His love for her is very genuine and that is shown in lots of scenes. Although MM acts cold and sometimes careless towards the deity, he is extremely respecting of her and understands that there is a greater, deeper layer below everything that he may not know about.
- The deity is wise and knows what she is doing. A very respected character which can be seen especially at the end. It’s interesting seeing the way she delivers messages.
LOTS OF REALISTIC CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
- MM starts with emptiness inside but slowly warms up and proceeds to understand the value of life. It’s very fulfilling seeing him grow as a character and realize the purpose of life by experiencing love.
- Throughout life, TDK locked up her emotions inside so that she can look fine in front of the ones she loved. Throughout the drama, she begins to open up more and starts to find the good in letting out emotions and talking to someone about them. She realizes that problems can be solved together.
- The story of the second lead couple showed lots of character development as well (more below).
STORY FALLS INTO PLACE NICELY
- The story unfolds very nicely and naturally
- There is a reason for everything
- When everything falls into place nicely, it’s extremely satisfying and fulfilling
SCRIPT IS WRITTEN VERY NICELY
- The way thoughts and emotions were expressed with words were very comfortable and suited my taste very well.
- Some things were said not too direct so that they required a bit more thought and space to interpret (mostly from the deity and from CJI)
- There is subtle humor throughout the drama making it enjoyable to watch (IT’S LITERALLY MY SENSE OF HUMOR I’M SO HAPPY HAHAH)
NO ANNOYING MISCOMMUNICATIONS
- The characters know how to communicate with each other
- Of course there are some little misunderstandings, but none of these turn into the main conflict of the plot. In general, the characters are quite open with each other and are true to each other. They don’t hide major things from each other and usually always communicate every problem.
- The first lead couple tries to solve problems together. They always have understanding for each other. When there are unexpected/impulsive events, the other character will always understand and be open to help.
NO USELESS FRUSTRATING CLIFFHANGERS
- The episodes end naturally without frustrating cliffhangers but still leave you waiting for the next one.
- Similar for scenes. The scenes come to an end nicely, there is no switching back and forth between two set of events. This allows you to fully focus on one event at a time which I think is important in this type of drama.
NO DRAGGING, NO FILLER SCENES
- Every scene serves its purpose
- I never felt that the drama was boring or dragging in any way
- The story and romance unfolds at a natural and realistic pace
AMAZING ACTING
- Great chemistry between the leads
- Emotions are expressed so well in every scene
- No awkwardness
- Natural and realistic
- It seemed like the actors got quite close during the 6 months of filming (from the behind the scenes videos) which may be why they had great chemistry and were able to act so well together
SECOND LEAD COUPLE
- The way I perceived it, the main purpose of the second lead couple is to show character development. It’s about moving on and letting go of something that has been held onto for too long. Although the outcome is predictable, it’s extremely satisfying seeing the characters grow as a people. For me, this side story was very relatable and understandable. I was able to gain empathy for all three characters involved in the love triangle.
THE OSTS COMPLIMENT THE SCENES
- The OSTs are memorable and add so much emotion to the scenes
- I’m actually listening to the OSTs while writing this review LOL
I hope this review was helpful! I really do recommend this drama!!!
TDK = Tak Dong Kyung (1st Female Lead)
MM = Myeol Mang (Doom) (1st Male Lead)
CJI = Cha Joo Ik (2nd Male Lead)
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So why should you watch it?
Because it is one of the only dramas where the relationship between the two leads is realistic, healthy and loving. Their rapport is natural. The small honest gestures of portray true love. And both characters are reasonable. No unnecessary drama, feuding or harsh words. They start of not antagonistic in an unrealistic sense but mostly civil.
It is refreshing to see a leading man whose character is humbled and is genuinely likable. It is refreshing to see a leading woman whose character isn't gratingly annoying but fiercely independent in an understated manner. Not the usually over the top confrontational manner that Asian dramas find sooo 'attractive' in the lead girl. Also best thing about it? Jiro Wang as Mars is respectful, caring and vulnerable playing the usual pretentious trades of the lead guy up for jokes. No alpha male arm pulling, no romantic gestures laced with sexism. MOST IMPORTANTLY! For a romantic comedy, there is no unecessary focus on other characters, sure there is an annoying sister but she serves a purpose. Also, the love triangle is handled in a less than typical manner, the villains are reasonable in all their 'villianly acts' and use of drama OST is great.
See? Refreshing.
My only problem is the low production value of the drama. Imaginative direction is not helped by low budget equipment, bad sound editing and certain awkward scenes. But hey, Taiwanese dramas aren't know for the 'purdy colours' as expensive K-dramas are.
Surprisingly enjoyable with some touching and memorable scenes.
Worth it.
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I have to say, they are backed by two actors who did more than good; Kim Kwon and Kim Da Som perfectly embraced their roles and they grasped the personalities of their characters in a way it makes it easy to jump right into the plot.
So after praising the actors, I should praise the plot right?
Well that's where the drama loses points. Although it was a nicely built story, I was still bothered by some incoherences and the inevitable moments of boredom. The plot revealed too much, too quickly: the multiple flashbacks sure were interesting and nice, but I do believe they weren't exploited to the maximum of their potential. Which leads me to the main point of my critique: suspense fell flat almost all through the drama for me. If you paid enough attention to what was going on, you knew what would happen next, and in my opinion, the writers didn't succeed in building up anticipation and dread, which are vital for that kind of thriller drama.
To sum up, the drama is worth watching, for the original plot as well the skilled actors, but could have been much better plot-wise.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Beyond the Bar might not win any awards for originality but it still stands out as one of the better KDramas of 2025 and a solid addition to the legal drama list.. This could easily be called one of the most fine dramas to be made.. The acting and storytelling are fine.. The directing, cinematography, editing and music are all fine.. The drama maintains a smooth, steady pace right up until the end.. While Beyond the Bar doesn’t pack a lot of surprises, it’s still an enjoyable and heartwarming legal drama.. The cases themselves provide a solid structure that elevates the overall quality of the show..Before anything else, I have to talk about the main leads.. Yun Seok Hun and Kang Hyo Min are among the most rational and level headed characters I have seen in a drama.. Yes the ML lost it a couple of times, but it was obviously justified.. What stood out to me most was how restrained their romance was.. They were never going to share the kind of romantic moments the other couples had because that’s not who they are.. They are reserved, introspective people carrying painful pasts.. In the final moments of the drama, they reflected on what love truly means but never reached a clear answer.. Much like their own relationship.. That’s exactly why I appreciated the ending.. It felt like they were quietly considering the possibility of a romance without facing the full personal and professional implications... They started as unhappy individuals but finished the story side by side, having resolved most of their struggles..
I read people say the FL can’t be shipped with ML, but did they miss the slow burn?? Their bond began with admiration, grew through mutual respect and deepened as they spent time truly understanding each other.. It wasn’t loud or flashy but it was mature and undeniable.. Even their eye contact carried more weight than what many romance dramas manage to deliver..
Apart from the leads, my favorite character was Heo Min Jeong.. One of my favorite moments in the drama was when she stood up to her ex-in laws without backing down.. She was really cool. Her chemistry with Lee Jin U was good, though they didn’t get enough screen time.. I also liked the FL’s two friends and their dynamic, but honestly they didn’t add much to the overall story.. Loved the Yullim Litigation Squad, I first thought one of them might be a malicious individual, but so glad that was not the case.. They were all so good to each other..
Bit curious about the bar scene in ep 6.. A stranger touches the FL and her friends go all “awww”.. But it made me wonder, if he hadn’t been a rich, handsome man but instead someone poor, plain or not so good looking, would they still have reacted the same way??
I liked all the cases that were presented in the drama.. They didn’t go overboard but kept things simple and engaging.. My favorite was the Doctor’s case.. I liked how the drama didn't portray prosecutors as power hungry individuals always at odds with lawyers.. That episode really highlighted the goodness in people, helping one another not out of obligation or familiarity or for recognition, but simply because it was the right thing to do..
Three things that irked me.. First, the last divorce case.. I think it was just absurd.. The only case where I wanted them to lose and I was glad the verdict went the way it did.. Nowadays people really seem to be making a mockery of marriage.. Second, I don’t understand why every opposing legal team is always Lee and Seo and why it’s always her ex.. I mean, aren’t there any other law firms or lawyers?? Third, the ads.. Way too many of them.. Seriously, tone it down a bit..
Overall, I genuinely liked Beyond the Bar.. I enjoyed it from start to finish.. Even though it didn’t provide a fully wrapped up ending for the main leads story, I feel it's the beginning of their love story.. I think the drama may have lost a little, perhaps 0.3 points in ratings because of viewers who were just upset with the ML and another 0.1 from those bothered by the open ending.. I would say an 8.6–8.7 rating feels about right for this drama.. There is positive talks ongoing about another season and I hope it happens.. I would love to see how their romance develops and how it affects both their professional and personal lives.. There’s clearly more to explore in this story.. And also, what happens to Hash??
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Scripted horror.
Unhealthy relationship, lack of communication. If there was a quote on the poster: "An example of what not to do", then it would be a masterpiece, but I doubt that the message was exactly that.The first half of the quote on the poster states that it should be a romantic comedy, and the other half hints at a tragic ending. The story should make you laugh and connect to the characters, so that you can be moved at the end, despite the fact that you already knew the ending. This is not the case here.
About the title. Sometimes the titles of films or TV series do not carry a load, but sometimes they encapsulate the essence of the whole plot. "Mr Plankton" or simply "Plankton" clearly had to have a meaning. But what was it? It is difficult to understand what idea the drama is trying to convey. The title of the series suggests that even the smallest organisms matter, but how does the series try to make this point, which we only see in one scene where Hae Jo says this to his younger sister in a dream? Where is this overarching theme that was supposed to follow the adventure and comedy that are no less problematic here?
There is no special chemistry between the main characters, and it's not even clear whether you want them to be together or not, it's just not clear what connects them to be together in any case.
It's not funny or interesting, and sometimes even annoying. It's hard to feel any sympathy. Certain decisions of the characters are unnecessary. For example, when Hae Jo leaves Jae Mi in front of her mother's house and leaves. What's the point? He's sobbing in the car because he dumped her, and she's sobbing because her mother didn't recognise her, even though she started crying not even because of that, but because Hae Jo had abandoned her alone, and then started screaming at the woman in hysterics. Where is the compassion here?
Why did He leave her there? And why did she scream hysterically to that woman that she was just scared and ran away because she didn't want the attention of her family and it's clear that she didn't know how they would react, because it was all out of the blue. Hae Jo could have told her that he had found her mother, prepared himself, come with her with a gift, talked to her quietly or made an appointment, and then she would have introduced Jae Mi to her family. But here, there is no justification for this merry-go-round.
Then we see Jae Mi telling her newfound friends that she has found the mother who left her in the orphanage as a newborn baby. And here is a comedy that is not comedy, they are like: "Let me call the right places," each of them giving their options, "and we'll teach her a lesson, what kind of mother does that?" Was that supposed to make me laugh? There are different reasons why she could have left it, she didn't throw it in the trash. Why didn't she come back for it? The scriptwriter should have thought about that, not just left it as a subplot ending.
"Plankton" missed the mark in all areas. It is incomprehensible, emotionless, although many people write that they both laughed and cried. Honestly, it didn't give me any emotions. There is not a single spark between the characters, and for some reason it leaves us somewhat annoyed with its characters and their motivations. The main characters don't know how to communicate, they leave each other and then cry, then come back again, because it's just a forced necessity to create a drama that doesn't work like that.
For some reason, I was also annoyed that they added the song "California dreamin'," which played at the end of the episodes. I associate it with the 1994 film "Chungking Express". For me, this song is recognisable because of this film, and it makes sense even for the plot. But here, it's not clear why it's there.
The only psychological plus in this story was the character of Eo Heung, he is the only psychologically mature person, but in the ending, you can see that his mental wound has not yet completely healed, because it takes time. It would have been better if they had shown that he didn't start his travel blog alone, but with a new girlfriend.
I don't see any point in you watching it. I've warned you. 90% of people's reviews of this project as a masterpiece on various film resources are incomprehensible to me.
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12 More Episodes Of This Family Please..
Family Matters?? No.. It’s Bloody Matters..Family Matters follows a hilariously mismatched family with superpowers/abilities trying to blend into society.. They are unhinged, chaotic and utterly unpredictable.. But somehow they are perfect for each other.. Literally the most unhinged family ever.. It is an action mystery thriller with a unique concept and dark comedy that really hits the spot.. They were so funny without even trying.. And the cast?? they were absolutely perfect..
The twins?? They absolutely nailed their roles.. The way they casually walked into their grandpa dragging a body and gave no absolute care about it.. It was an oddly brilliant scene..
Even the climax.. All of them sitting in one frame.. The mother with a hole in her hand.. Father with multiple holes in his stomach and a missing ear.. Grandpa with a hole in his leg.. And the twins?? Bloody after beating up a couple of punks.. Perfection..
My only gripe?? The background score.. This show deserved way better music..
The ending made it clear that season 2 is a must.. With that revelation and all it is obvious that we barely scratched the surface.. But since its a COUPANG TV original I dont know what to expect..
With all the theories going around.. My view is that its true that Family Matters is Yeong Su's plan.. It is clear that she manipulated her husband and planted the idea of " Chulsu will do anything to protect Yeong Su " in his mind.. This was revealed after the fight with the pastor.. So yeah she might have started it all but got too much involved and forgot her actual purpose.. There is plenty to explore and another season is definitely needed..
Overall.. Family Matters is a wild ride.. Gripping storyline and standout performances left me craving for more.. Here’s hoping season 2 delivers even bigger surprises..
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It was the perfect drama until it wasn't.
Let's be short the story on the 15 episodes wasn't a revolution but was good enough, the construction of the world, the revenge, how he accepted his new life, the bittersweet comparation between his past self and his new life, how he missed his old family, sometimes the characters were plain stupid just because, but they were evil so it was fine as we watched them fail and suffer.The romance was not there just small moments but was fine until ep 15.
The best of the drama is the relationship between Jin Do Jun and his grandfather, is pure gold, it's just perfect and deserves a 10 just for it, the acting was on point even with the child actor was stunning. His family aka brother, mom and dad where wholesome too, as the family he never had.
But the ending ruin everything, they throw away all the development, the dreams, the hard pushed love line, the promise with the grandfather.
JDJ became by far the saddest character in the drama and overall the ending is disappointing, not satisfactory at all.
The first 15 episodes are a worth watching but the last one is plain wrong.
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Struggles to capture the soul of snowboarding
Lately, Ski into Love (嘘，国王在冬眠) has been circulating in the snowboarding community, so I decided to give it a shot. Snowboarding is my life, and no matter how flawed the content, I will consume it because action sports are so rarely depicted in media - and when they are, it’s often with a misunderstanding that borders on mischaracterization.My approach to this drama was twofold: to assess it both as a story and from a technical and cultural perspective, offering insight into the culture and history of the sport. Initially, I came in with a lot of skepticism, worried about its authenticity. However, as the series progressed, I found myself praying it wouldn’t completely fuck up its depiction of snowboarding. Whether it succeeded or not, I’m still on the fence. While I didn’t learn anything new - and I have plenty of factual errors to nitpick - I had fun identifying the snowboard models, shooting locations, and analyzing tricks.
The Spirit of Snowboarding
Snowboarding, like its action sports counterparts, is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. It’s a culture deeply rooted in music, fashion, and community - a group bonded by their passion for riding. Fun comes first; talent is secondary. The irony of this drama is that the entire plot feels like it was written by Wei Zhi herself - someone with little understanding of snowboarding but trying her best.
I can overlook the title mistranslation ("Ski into Love", even though the show is about snowboarding). The issue of calling them “ski slopes” and “ski resorts” when snowboarders share the terrain hasn’t been resolved in real life either. In Chinese, both skiing and snowboarding fall under 滑雪 (huáxuě), with the only differentiator being 单板 (single board, snowboarding) and 双板 (dual boards, skiing). Riding into Love might’ve been a more fitting title, but I digress.
Where the drama falls short is in its portrayal of snowboarding’s essence. It offers a mainstream, sanitized version that feels disconnected from the sport’s rebellious roots. Snowboarding emerged from counter-culture, a space for outcasts carving their own path. Every rider, no matter how successful, shares this spirit. But in Ski into Love, the characters feel too clean-cut, too polished. Shan Chong’s personal style, for example, is far removed from how freestyle snowboarders actually dress. Sure, designer clothing at his wealth level makes sense, but not in the way it’s presented here. Snowboarders have a distinct style - baggy hip-hop-inspired outfits, a chill, laid-back demeanor. The characters here feel stiff, missing that effortless cool.
Technical and Cultural Inaccuracies
A major oversight is how the series lumps all snowboarding disciplines together. Shan Chong, a Big Air/Slopestyle specialist, is challenged to a slalom race by his teammate Dai Duo. There is little to no crossover between alpine racing and freestyle; they require vastly different skills and equipment. No elite freestyle snowboarder would suddenly be competent on a racing board. It makes as much sense as a figure skater excelling at speed skating.
Another glaring issue is the depiction of the snowboarding community. This sport thrives on camaraderie - it was built by outcasts creating their own space. Even in professional competition, snowboarders form one of the most close-knit communities in all of sports. Yet by episode 5, factions have formed, going against the sport’s very ethos. While rivalries exist, true snowboarders know the real enemy is always the skiers. (Kidding - kind of.)
China’s snow sports scene is rapidly developing, but its cultural etiquette hasn’t fully caught up with global standards. If this drama wanted to be idealistic, it could have done better research into this aspect.
Duelling it out over a game of In Your Face but with completely made up rules was disappointing. The actual rules are: rock-paper-scissors for first caller. First caller calls a trick for the opponent. If opponent lands, they move on, if they fall, loser gets sprayed in the face. Calling the tricks for the opponent would have been a great opportunity to help casual viewers understand what’s happening, which they missed the mark on.
Shan Chong’s friend Beici insists that you can’t let fate decide in competitive sports. While Beici isn’t wrong, Shan Chong’s agreement to his statement feels out of place. Snowboarding has never been about pure competition - it’s about fun. But as commercialization grows, this ethos is being overshadowed. More athletes now prioritize rigorous training over joy. If the series valued snowboarding’s integrity, it should have acknowledged that while progression matters, fun and camaraderie matter more.
Although the series captures the amateur snowboarders quite accurately, elite athletes are depicted more like athletes of other sports. It’s disconcerting to see traditional, sterile bootcamp-style training gyms that strip away the essence of snowboarding. China has Woodward facilities designed for action sports, yet they’re absent from the drama. Instead of advocating for snowboarding, the series uses it as a plot device.
But one of the best parts? The absolute chaos of the national team. As they should be. These are the elite, yet they all act like overgrown kids - just like real-life snowboarders. Their coach, at least, gives sound advice: Shan Chong shouldn’t expect to return to form immediately. His frustration watching younger riders outperform him is understandable. The new generation has better facilities, training, and role models. The older generation had to figure things out through trial and error; the younger ones have the blueprint handed to them.
The drama focuses heavily on Big Air but omits Slopestyle, even though Olympic-level athletes compete in both. Worse, it downplays the technical difficulty of tricks. When Dai Duo lands a backside 1440 triple cork, his teammates claim no one else on the national team can do it. This is absurd - Su Yiming, China’s big air gold medalist pulled off a 1980 in 2022 at the age of just 17. A full 3 years before the events of this series. Every year, the bar gets raised higher, and since events took place during the 2025-2026 season, every olympic calibre athlete should be able to pull off at least 1800s. At the 2022 Olympics, seven riders landed it cleanly in the finals. At the 2025 X Games, 2160s and 2340s have started to make an appearance.
Characters
Wei Zhi is endearing but utterly hopeless at snowboarding. Even under professional guidance, she makes no progress. She gets flustered when Shan Chong teaches others, yet she has no resilience for a sport that demands patience and suffering. Her best friend Nanfeng was right - paying for lessons just to spend time with him isn't the solution to staying in this relationship long-term.
Shan Chong retired after his sister Shan Shan’s skiing accident resulted in a bilateral transtibial amputation. Coupled with his own near-death experience, he couldn’t justify putting his family through more distress. His actions were noble - saving up to fit his sister with prosthetic legs - but the drama falters in depicting her recovery. This part of the story feels rushed - it acutely oversimplifies the complexities of fitting for prosthetics - no casting, no check socket, no rehab... just straight up delivered to their door, ready to put on and get up and walk. But the prostheses themselves are real. Great CGI on Shan Shan too. They missed a big chance to potentially have her aim for the paralympics as well, I thought the story was developing in that direction when she remarked she was on the national junior team during the arcade scene, and later joining the group on their next adventure.
Wei Zhi’s parents’ judgmental attitude toward Shan Chong stems from class prejudice. They see snowboarding as
不务正业 (not a serious profession), even though he’s a nationally recognized athlete. The irony? He’s more responsible for Wei Zhi than they’ll ever be. Rich people sure have the audacity to look down on those more accomplished than them. If anything, they don’t deserve him. For this reason, it felt like forgiveness felt deeply unsatisfying.
Thematic Direction
Episode 8 captures the contrast between snowboarding’s free-spirited nature and the rigidity of high society. At first, I thought the drama was about breaking free - Wei Zhi from her conservative upbringing, Shan Chong from his guilt. This would have been perfect, given how snowboarding is all about freedom - the feeling of flying as you catch air. But in the end, the theme turned out to be about reconciliation. Reconciliation with family, with the past. A solid theme, but a missed opportunity to showcase snowboarding’s true philosophy.
Final Thoughts
Despite its flaws, Ski into Love grew on me. It may not fully understand snowboarding, but it tries. It’s a surface-level depiction of the sport, but for mainstream audiences, it’s a start. And for someone like me, starved for action sports representation, I’ll take what I can get.
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I tried
Not sure what to like about the show. I started it with so much hope.Amazing scenery being set in Finland.
But I had trouble buying into the chemistry of the 2 leads. And when the drama is entirely about their relationship that is particularly troubling.
Pace of the drama was way too slow - each of them staring at each other, first awkwardly then lovey dovey. Same for the supporting cast looking at them. It's almost laughable. I bore with it will episode 25 and then started skipping the remaining 5.
Them playing snooker started of as a simple plot tool, but the shots/scenes of them playing got repetitive/same and I wasn't sure of what the point of the snooker was. It was always the on table camera shot of them hitting the ball and pocketing it. And they were either winners or runners up in All tournaments.
The last episode was to have been wildy romantic but I could not ignore the poor attempt dubbing the singing of Leo Wu and cue collage of all their scenes in the entire drama.
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Day is not a likeable character
Many won't like me because of my review, but I'll be honest. When I started watching this series I really liked it. But, after a few chapters, I started to find it difficult to understand the character Day. I completely understand the fact that he is angry about losing his vision. I would possibly be even angrier than he was. Even so, I think the script created a very inconsistent character. It is very difficult to understand the character's way of thinking and motivations. Let me explain.Not long after they meet, Day becomes interested in Mhok and we can see this in the way Day interacts with his caretaker. The series clearly demonstrates that the interest was MUTUAL from the beginning. However, without a convincing explanation, Day rejects Mhok when Mhok confesses his love to him, saying that he likes more affectionate men. It didn't make any sense since Mhok was always kind and affectionate to him all the time.
After they start dating, things seem to be going well, but Day decides to break up with Mhok because Mhok lied about his job. This breakup and his motivation were quite unconvincing. Day has the right to be upset, but ending everything just because of that seemed like an exaggeration. So Mhok is not worthy anymore for just one mistake? He lied for being overprotecting, he was not committing genocide for the God sake! The fact that Day cannot forgive Mhok makes him a bit childish.
Actually, I think Day's character didn't treat Mhok and Night well for most of the series. I hate stories where one of the characters tries everything he can to make the relationship works, while the other just complains and doesn't help at all. Mhok did everything for Day but Day didn't reciprocate in the same way. Day, by the way, never apologized for anything. He treated his brother Night like trash without a justifiable reason (Night wasn't responsible for the car accident) and Did not apologize for that. He broke up with Mhok for a stupid reason and did not apologize also. When Mhok comes back and tries to renew the relationship, he rejects him again as if Mhok was a monster who had made a terrible mistake. How much drama! Then all it took was for his mother to say a few self-help phrases for him to completely change his mind and accept Mhok again. Sorry, but all of Day's fickle attitudes were not justified by what the series showed to us. Day was poorly written.
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" To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die ".. - Thomas Campbell
What should I start with?? I hated most of the characters in this drama.. Except obviously our leads and a few of their friends.. The adults especially were just infuriating.. So much of the pain and damage in this story gets buried under the guise of pride and so called values.. It was frustrating to watch.. I managed to avoid the spoilers for so long so I went in expecting something else but definitely not this..Great leads, great performances.. And Zhang Jing Yi is just the best thing about this drama.. What a career she's been having.. She is an impressive actress and she seems to be on a path to glory.. Zhou Yi Ran was good too but obviously this was Jing Yi’s drama..
Now, about the mother character.. In a drama like this, where emotional acting is key to elevating certain moments, you would expect her to deliver a pretty solid performance.. But honestly she didn’t.. It just didn’t feel real to me.. No offense but maybe someone else would have been better suited for that role..
Love is the brightest element here..
But it's also the start of a disaster..
Just a heads up.. The following might sound harsh but that’s only because of how irritated I felt while watching.. No offense to anyone.. This is just how it came across to me..
I honestly hated the FL’s family and her relatives from the core of my heart.. The father was a spineless worm and the mother was a clueless, dumb woman.. They didn’t deserve their kids.. Just giving birth and working hard to raise them isn’t everything.. They were partly responsible for everything that happened.. Every individual in her life failed Qiao Bei Yu.. Her parents failed her too, especially her mother.. Its so hard to understand this, a girl died, their child, their family and nobody except the FL seemed to care?? It took her mother 14 eps to show some concern for her dead daughter.. To open her mouth and question the people who were also part of the reason for her death.. And it took her close to 20 eps to actually react.. Yeah she was depressed, fine.. But does that really take away the blame?? Qiao Bei Yu literally ran back to them, asking for help, begging them to protect her.. And they still sent her back to those monsters they called relatives.. And oh God, where did they even bury her?? Why couldn’t they at least fight for a better place for her??
" Their love is silent but profound " Is it worth it if they couldn't protect their daughter?? Is it worth it if they couldn't make sure their daughter lived a life without being constantly harassed by people?? And is it still worth it if they couldn't protect her even from their own relatives??
I wasn’t expecting this drama to be so story driven and deep..
I liked the ML and his family’s story.. It was scripted well.. Their issues were nothing compared to the FL’s family, so it was actually nice to get some screentime away from that mess for a while..
Something about the couple.. With all the other irritating parts this one really got to me too.. The FL was way too harsh on Ming Sheng.. The only person who was truly ever there for her, who did so much for her and she called him a burden.. I don’t understand how anyone can think that breaking someone’s heart just to push them away is the right thing to do.. What justifies that?? His mother left him, he is distant with his father, his grandfather died.. And now the person he loved told him she hated him and called him a burden.. How is he supposed to feel?? She chose her family.. Fine, good for her.. But is that how you treat someone who did so much for you??
Now the romance part.. It was obviously minimal.. Well they were teens dealing with issues that would be too much even for adults but, they were sooo good together.. The chemistry was strong.. And Zhou Yi Ran the forever green forest.. He was her Lighthouse.. ( You will get the reference if you have watched the drama.. ) I so badly wanted to see their dating era.. But we didn’t get that.. Still that’s alright.. I just hope we get to see them together in a modern drama soon.. The romantic finale was really good but it ended up feeling a bit too short all things considered.. After everything they went through, I just wanted a little more time with them together..
Overall this drama is excellent.. But I think a lot of the poor reviews and lower ratings come from people expecting something else entirely.. It was never just a romance drama.. It’s heavier, more emotional and painfully real at times.. Just go in with no expectations..
A life unremembered is a life truly lost..
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Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Inference
13 people found this review helpful
Subarashii!
That's the feeling I got when I binged this little drama. At a single glance, there really is nothing overtly fabulous or amazing about it. But, it had a strange captivating magic that weirdly reminded me of Harry Potter. Or maybe it's because of the soundtrack and Fukamachi Naoya-kun.☆ The plot doesn't exist on the surface. Each episode consists of basic mysteries and legends that many of us might have heard in high schools. The two leading heroes and Reiko-senpai set out to mentally solve the troubles that arose and dispel the rumours. What did continue was Takatsuki-sensei's unsatiated search for an actual mystery.
☆ I really loved the leading character, but he might be one of the most boring male leads I've ever seen. But, there was something really realistic about the way he was portrayed. Fukamachi Naoya had accidentally stumbled across an event that was forbidden to be witnessed by the living when he was ten years old. What follows his later years is a punishment: to be a human lie detector. This causes him to isolate himself from literally everyone. By coincidence, he chooses to study Japanese Folklore, leading him directly into the arms of Takatsuki Akira, his young and vigilant professor. Taking an instant connection to him, his new sensei hires him as his assistant and they together unveil legends and solve mysteries. But, Naoya-san never really is able to let go of the negatives that his little "gift" brought along. I connected to him in several ways. There were moments I wished that he would become normal, then I'd wish that he was once again back to being a lie detector. I liked seeing his growth and loved his smile. The dude rarely smiled, but when he did, I would become happy too.
☆ J Doramas rarely disappoint in the acting department. This one doesn't either. (I'm surprised that both the lead actors are Jpop idols.) There were numerous interesting individuals that we got to meet and I looked forward to every new mystery or legend. Most of their performances were really convincing. When it came to Sewai University, there were only a few characters in the spotlight; thanks to his little gift, Naoya-san doesn't have a pack of friends following him. But, those whom he finds solace in are his Sensei and his perky assistant Reiko-chan and later, a lively Nambu-san. I loved their mystery solving though nothing about it was far from normal. EP6 and 7 in particular captured my heart.
The cottage core atmosphere of the drama helped quite a lot. It was calming and simultaneously thrilling to watch.
☆ The opening BGM was very Harry-Potteresque and the drama as a whole felt really magical. Though there was rarely any magic in it. The ending OST Gunjo Runaway by Hey!Say!Jump! grew on me eventually due to many reasons. It's a shame that Japanese songs do not have english lyrics coming along with them.
☆ Last, but not the least is Takatsuki Akira Sensei, the eponymous character of this show. Though we see the events through the eyes of Naoya-san, it is Sensei who is the scene stealer. I didn't know what to think about him. His actions left me ---and Naoya-san-- in a whirl of confusion and his over enthusiastic response to the woes of people made me suspect if he was possessed. Half of the time, I didn't know whether to trust him or pray that Naoya-san runs away from him. He was enigmatic, charismatic and eccentric all rolled into one and I was beyond curious to know about his intentions and plans. His friendship with Ken-Chan piqued my interest.
Not to mention his hyperthesemia, a condition that makes him remember each and everything he has ever come across.
☆And the Bromance! It was a delight seeing the closed off Naoya-san struggle with the very extraverted Sensei. Their interactions were one of my favorite parts of the show. What's more, their rapport was slowly built through trust, something that Naoya-san grappled with. Also, watching the friendship grow between him and Nambu-san was amusing.
☆ I appreciated how they dealt with the topic of the supernatural and the real world in a very neutral manner. It didn't cross the border, but neither did it completely deny its existence. I hope it stays the same way.
☆ The down side about it might be the format of the episodes. We don't focus much on the main characters, but learn some part about them through the experiences of others. This can come off as boring if we aren't interested in the mystery or just don't like episode after episode of a new mystery each. The cases/unsolved events themselves were nothing new; they involve folklore and urban legends that we might find similar to the stories we hear or had heard at school. (Dead ghost/haunted rooms, objects similar to ouja boards, etc.)
Also, if we don't find ourselves comfortable with the characters and their antics, then there is a high chance that the watching experience will be quite bitter.
Many thanks to the fansubbers who spent their time to make it available and understandable for us International viewers. This drama was completely satisfying. (I pleasantly surprised by the montage at the end of the final episode!) Definitely a binge-worthy gem.
I'm still uncertain about whether to watch the second season. As a saying goes, there are some mysteries that are better left unsolved.
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An amazing journey!
I started to watch it without any expectations and even without reading synopsis... you can say just for time pass, but it turned out to be more than that, such a painful yet meaningful journey it was. There are still tears in my eyes... but I'm sure that it's going to be one of my favorites.Loved the acting Song Joong Ki did amazing work in it, his expressions, his eyes tells us what he feels what he want to talk, it tells that it's not necessary only words can express our emotions... so hats off for his acting. Park Bo Yeong also did great job portraying Sun Yi you can see and feel pain. The execution of story was perfect loved the fact they didn't gave us a fairytale ending because that doesn't happens in real life.
Ending was painful, sad but it was meaningful and perfect couldn't been more perfect than this. I had a great time, I hope you'll also, definitely recommend you if you are not looking for something sweet, cute love story because this isn't it. It's not typical love story but that doesn't mean that it has less meaning rather it's more meaningful that will make you understand many things.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the more impressive historical dramas that has come from Korea in recent years. Masterfully made, with great actors and a much more serious tone than many of these new historical dramas that are a bit fluffier and lighter, and often feel a bit timid to go all the way with its political plot which often makes the story loses some momentum and make the tension of the story feel artificial and contrived. This drama, however, manages all of that extremely well. One can tell why it is one of the most popular historical dramas from Korea for a long time.The Red Sleeve feels serious, bold but still not too dry, so it was no fun to watch. It had a good pace to the story, and I liked the darker undertone that was always present within the narrative. Despite a more serious approach at the palace politics but still achieve a certain lightness in other aspects of the show, without those two things working too much against each other. There was a good balance between the characters arcs, the palace politics, the more romantic moments, the serious and the light.
did a really good job painting this picture of loneliness within the palace and show it as this dazzling but ghostly prison for all the female characters in the show; highborn or not. Especially as we went further into the story. The loneliness of the palace does affect all the character in some way or another and becomes a big theme within the story. It has a good emphasis on how the female characters play a special role within the narrative. To me the main character, Deok Im, never wanted to be anything but free within the limits of the society she is born in, and the story always comes back to that very point. She is always true to herself while putting other before her.
All her life she seems to try her best to be loyal to those who are good to her but closed off to people around her, but especially to the prince who has such great affection for her, to avoid feeling trapped by this life that she has. Because when you become his concubine, there is a certain world that is just closed to you. It’s not really until she’s cornered, and she sees no other way that she finally gives in to his affections. , even if she loved him, and becomes that concubine that she is destined to be. And I think it was the purpose of the story that Deok Im really had no choice but to be his wife in the end, although it was a little frustrating that he liked her more than she liked him.
The romance, as much as I liked it in the beginning, lost it’s my grip towards the end because I felt Yi San insisted too much that he owned Deok Im, and seemed a little too domineering to me. But at the same time, I feel like it was very much part of the realism that this show seemed to convey. This is not a romantic comedy or a teenage love story. The story, all the way through, is describing the harsh reality of the palace, which was something I really appreciated (and it managed that without being too gory or grim for the sake of realism like Game of Thrones for example).
It is a bit bold to present the love story of the drama in such a way and having the prince carry far more feelings for Deok Im than she seems to do for him, or it can be interpreted in that way at least, rather than showing a more of balance between their feelings. But the writing was done with such sincerity and great sensitivity, and the same can be said about the character, that I felt I understood the position of all of them, although I did not always agree with them.
But even though the themes and characters of The Red Sleeve were brilliant, I found the story start to go in small circles towards the end and drag unnecessarily in certain sections as the story goes on a bit about the same thing. But I cannot blame the scriptwriters of the drama too much for that, as the drama got an extension due to their popularity and it can be hard to add new things to fill over an hour of content with something new. And it didn’t hurt the story that much overall. The end result was still the same.
Deok Im as well as pretty much all the female characters in the drama have my whole heart. They were all so deep, varied in characters and thought and had their own stories to tell. And too me they were the focal point of this story. And the bitter-sweet ending works wonderfully well for the story that this drama was trying to tell. Anything else would have taken from the realism of the story.
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