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1The Story of Pearl Girl is Trully Masterpiece
The drama was truly outstanding, an unforgettable experience from start to finish. It combined a gripping story with exceptional performances that brought each character to life in a way that felt raw and real. The cinematography was breathtaking, with stunning visuals that drew you into each scene, making every moment feel immersive and vivid. The soundtrack was equally impressive, perfectly matched to the emotions of each scene, heightening the drama and adding depth to the storytelling. Overall, the film was masterfully crafted, leaving a lasting impact and reminding viewers of the power of great cinema. It’s the kind of movie that resonates with you long after the credits roll.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Enchantment + Chemistry + Magic = Alchemy of Souls
There have already been numerous lengthy reviews criticizing and praising this drama. So, I don't think I'll need to write another lengthy one. But I couldn't help but write one for this drama because I needed to make my points about why it's so good and deserves what it's getting. I'll try to keep this brief and to the point, but please forgive me if it gets out of hand. : DAlchemy of Souls is a Studio Dragon and High Quality action + fantasy k-drama written by the Hong sisters (Hong Jung Eun and Hong Mi Ran) and directed by Park Joon Hwa. I'll give you a quick summary of the story:
The story takes place in Daeho, a fictional land centred on Lake Gyeongcheondaeho, where mages with the ability to control vast amounts of energy from the lake live. The plot revolves around our heroine, Naksu, the Shadow Assassin, who is regarded as a major threat to Daeho's mages. A situation arises that forces Naksu to perform the Alchemy of Souls, a forbidden magical art that allows a person to transfer their soul to another person's body. Sadly, she becomes trapped in the body of Mu Deok, a mysterious girl. Her weak body prevents her from using her abilities. Then she meets Jang Uk, the young master Jang, who is considered one of Daeho's 'Four Seasons' (Winter), along with Seo Yul (Autumn), Jin Cho Yeon (Spring), and Park Dang Gu (Summer). Jang Uk had been looking for a master who could teach him how to use spells since he was forbidden to do so from birth, which caused many scandals. Naksu agrees to teach Uk because the deal benefits Naksu as well. Then, they work together to achieve their goals and uncover dark secrets buried deep in Daeho's history.
So, that's what the story is about.
Now, I'll focus on the plus points and short comings of the drama and justify why AoS deserves the rating I have given it.
PROS:
*AoS has an amazing story line. It's new and original. The Hong sisters created a whole new world with their imagination. The whole thing is new to us, and we can't help but watch it.
*The plot is so very intriguing with its twists and turns. The way each revelation is made is gripping. It always succeeded in keeping me on the edge of my seat! I can justify that because you'll be left with many questions as the 1st part ends. My mind is burning to know everything!
*The characters in this drama are as intriguing as the plot. They are three-dimensional and multi-faceted. We can see that the characters are built with great care so that they remain true to their original selves till the very end of the drama.
*Another positive aspect of the drama is the chemistry between the characters. Whatever their relationship was, all of the characters on screen seemed to have amazing chemistry with each other.
*The plot did justice to all of the drama's genres, whether it's comedy, action, suspense, or fantasy. The comedic scenes, particularly those between Mu Deok and the Crown Prince, were fantastic! I laughed quite a few times. The action scenes in this drama were excellent too! I liked it very much!
*The complex CGI used in this drama is spectacular! We can't take our eyes off the screen because it's so stunning! This was a visual treat to watch.
*It was a pleasure to watch the cast's acting! The majority of the cast delivered outstanding performances. They made the characters seem real. They made us feel their emotions and live with them, especially the main characters. Actually, this is my first Jung Su Mo and Lee Jae Wook drama. But this single drama has made me fall in love with them! I was astounded by Jung Su Mo's ability to portray so many different personas with so many different expressions! Lee Jae Wook was also fantastic! Despite being a relatively new actor, he seemed to outperform veteran actors! Hwang Min Hyun and Shin Seung Ho's performances have also impressed me. They both played quite difficult characters, and they nailed it! Yoo In Soo, of course, is the person who has most impressed me. I saw him in All Of Us Are Dead, where he played a very different character than he did here. To be more specific, the two characters were like night and day! The majority of the other leads have also done well. Let's give them all a standing ovation!!!
*Another thing I liked about this drama is how different it is from other wuxia dramas. Men with long wigs and women with complex hairstyles are common in Wuxia dramas. But, here, most men here have short hair and various hairstyles, whereas most women have modern hairstyles such as bangs, short hair, and so on. Some of the characters even have coloured hair! At first, I was annoyed by this, but then I realised that the variety makes this drama more memorable. *This drama's sound effects are undeniably beautiful. It provided me with the right vibes for each scene. The OSTs were all excellent as well! Scars Leave Beautiful Traces and You Are Everything To Me are some of the drama's most memorable OSTs.
CONS:
I'm not denying the drama's flaws. Everything has some drawbacks. Some of the things in the drama that irritated me the most were:
*Excessive scene repetition. After all, we are not idiots. We don't have such a bad memory that we need to be reminded of what happened every time something is mentioned.
*Another undeniable flaw in the drama is the underutilization of the female lead, Nak Su. She was introduced as a badass fl, but she was gradually reduced to being the ML's love interest only. Perhaps we'll see more of Nak Su in the coming season. So let us just wait.
*There are undeniably a lot of romantic elements in this drama. They could have given it less screen time and instead focused on improving the drama's other flaws.
*During the middle of the drama, there were numerous filler episodes. During that time, nothing actually happened. This has also turned off a lot of people. They could have finished this in 15 or 16 episodes.
*Another undeniable con of the drama is its underusing of the female lead, Nak Su. She was introduced as a badass fl but, slowly, she was sidelined to being the ML's love interest only. Maybe we'll get to see more of Nak Su in the next season. So let's wait.
*Undeniably, there are more than enough romantic elements in this drama. They could have given less screen time for it and instead focused on improving the other lacking aspects of the drama.
Overall:
I don't think I have anything more to say about the drama, but I can say confidently that this has become one of my favourite dramas, which will live on in my memory for the rest of my life. Hope this review has justified the drama.
If you like fantasy, action or adventure, this drama is highly recommended. The time invested will be worthwhile. Let's all look forward to the Part 2 of the drama and get the answers for all our questions!
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1This review may contain spoilers
How to Lose a Plot in 40 Episodes — and Still Walk Away with Liu Yuning's Spine Intact
★★★☆☆ (5/10) — Four stars for Liu Yuning’s lumbar courage, one for the costume budget, zero for narrative mercy.Some dramas are good. Some are bad. And some exist in that rare third category: the genre-bending fever dream you watch out of loyalty, finish out of morbid curiosity, and then question your entire concept of narrative coherence.
Let’s start with the central mystery: What genre is this?
Is it a romance? No, unless you define romance as one person emotionally bleeding out while the other flicks metaphysical riddles at them. Is it satire? Perhaps. Parody? Sometimes. A parody of a parody? Getting warmer. A slow-burn fantasy with a twist of self-awareness? Possibly, if the “twist” snapped the narrative spine somewhere around episode 12 and nobody told the scriptwriters.
This is not a slow-burn romance, it’s more of a cold shoulder in silk robes. And yet, like many viewers, I clicked play. Why? Three reasons:
The poster, which promised epic fantasy and emotional depth.
The premise, which teased brilliance through narrative self-reference.
Liu Yuning, whose performance, spine, and general ability to suffer gracefully on screen have become the stuff of legend.
He enters as the God of Death, cloaked in threat and charisma, a walking, brooding contradiction of pain and purpose. But as episodes pass, he degrades into what can only be described as the Patron Saint of Emotional Begging. Watching him go from divine menace to doormat philosopher is both impressive and heartbreaking.
And the FL? She knows she's in a novel world. She has foreknowledge of events. She understands the narrative setup. In short, she holds the cheat codes. And what does she do? She gaslights the ML, fumbles assassination plans, and drops half-baked existential quotes like fortune cookies from a bad philosophy class. This could’ve been the smart kind of self-aware fiction, where a character leverages story logic to reshape her fate. Instead, we got 31 episodes of emotional whirligig, poorly planned sabotage, and dialogue that could be summarised as: “Yes, I’m hurting you. But it’s because I read the spoilers.”
Her reactions? Inexplicable. Her growth? Non-existent. Her emotional intelligence? Hovering somewhere between “toddler in a tantrum” and “taxidermied Victorian doll.” And the dialogue? Forget poetic, every line sounds like she's haggling over bootleg scrolls at a metaphysical flea market. Again, this isn’t the actress’s fault. Clearly someone behind the camera instructed her to exceed parody and she committed with wild-eyed determination.
This is not what a heroine should do in a self-aware fiction drama. What should she do?
Observe the narrative structure and learn its rules.
Make allies- power in fiction equals survival.
Use foreknowledge to evolve strategically.
Stop weaponising emotional trauma as plot filler.
Build an actual arc- with intention, consequences, and vulnerability.
Instead, she walks in philosophical circles, drags the ML along with half-truths, and treats emotional consistency like an optional side quest.
Now, let’s talk about writing.
A good script, especially one dealing with stories that reflect on their own structure and romance, needs three things:
Character Consistency- Development, not regression.
Emotional Logic- If we can’t follow the “why,” we stop caring about the “what.”
Earned Moments- Big scenes must be built upon, not dropped in like surprise confetti from a broken ceiling.
This show ignores all three. Pacing oscillates like a caffeinated metronome. Plot arcs appear and vanish like side characters in a dream. Emotional payoffs? Denied. Instead, we get… the bite scene.
Yes. That cringe-crowned moment when the ML, bleeding from a sword wound and barely conscious, is violently shaken and then bitten by the FL in an act that’s equal parts rabid and romantic-adjacent. No tenderness. No catharsis. Just… jaw-dropping nonsense. The kind of scene that makes you question not the actors, but the writer’s grasp of human interaction, or gravity.
And the Crown Prince? Introduced as a man with the comedic energy of someone who might grow donkey ears and burst into song, he later pulls off a sword-wielding redemption arc. How? No one knows. He undergoes a 180° emotional transformation faster than a Netflix recap can say “previously on.” The Emperor, meanwhile, spends what feels like an eternity inventing increasingly sadistic punishments for his son, only to pivot without warning into "Father of the Year" mode. Don’t look for logic here. Our scriptwriter clearly believed they were penning the drama of the century, possibly while sipping hallucinogenic tea or something far stronger.
Even Gárgamel, with his cat Azrael, had clearer motivation than our eyebrow-wielding villain here. And at least Gárgamel knew what he wanted (Smurfs). This villain? He sneers. He raises an eyebrow. He plots vaguely. He exists in a state of permanent dramatic squint, delivering monologues that suggest he thinks he's in Macbeth while everyone else is stuck in Scooby-Doo. With every new plan, he seems one cackle away from asking where the smurfs went. It’s not menace, it’s theatrical confusion. His villainy becomes so exaggerated it borders on self-parody. It’s not that he twirls an actual mustache, it’s more like he’s auditioning for the role of a moustachioed villain straight out of the melodrama bargain bin.
Which brings us to the supporting cast, criminally underused and suspiciously better written. The Nightwalkers? An intriguing and promising concept, sadly underused and left mostly unexplored. The sister? More logical, more emotionally full of subtlety. Fu Gui? A minor character with more clarity and heart than the entire central arc.
Cinematography? Competent. Wardrobe? Sumptuous and repetitive, at least if you're the FL, condemned to recycle the same gown in several key episodes. The ML’s outfits, on the other hand, seem to have enjoyed both budget and narrative respect. Pacing? Like a rubber band stretched too thin over a 40-episode arc. Dialogue? Cringe-worthy at best, with failed attempts at humour that never quite land.
And the ending?
Equal parts predictable and nonsensical, a rare feat. I watched the final stretch at 2x speed, not because I was bored, but because I needed to emotionally outrun the plot.
So what is this drama?
Not a romance. A romance requires mutual emotional investment, vulnerability, and growth. This gave us martyrdom, manipulation, and confusion. Not a parody either, parody implies purpose. This felt more like someone spilled three genres into a blender, added eyeliner and trauma, and hoped for magic.
And yet. Liu Yuning stands tall. His character bleeds, breaks, and somehow survives, narratively, emotionally, and physically. He lends gravitas to a script that doesn’t deserve him, making the unwatchable nearly worthwhile. He does it all armed with nothing but cheekbones and that gaze, the kind that carries centuries of suffering and half the audience’s emotional investment. In the end, this isn’t a drama. It’s a hostage situation. One where the script holds its characters captive, and only LYN attempts a jailbreak, with no tools but his eyes and a well-fitted cloak.
Would I recommend it? Only with caveats.
If you’ve just emerged from the raw anguish of Moon Lovers, the sharp narrative elegance of Story of Kunning Palace, or the unexpected emotional payoff of The Prisoner of Beauty, my advice is simple: give this one a miss, or at least, wait. Let the memory of strong writing cleanse your palate. This drama might wear the costume of intelligence and genre experimentation, but beneath the surface, it sells you a sheep in wolf’s clothing, and expects applause.
Me? I’m off to rewatch Story of the Kunning Palace and TPOB. I need to remember what good writing looks like.
This is just my personal take, and I hope no one gets offended, everyone’s tastes are different, just like in my book club where we all have our own opinions. If you loved this drama, that’s awesome! I’m happy for you. All I ask is that you respect my view, too. After all, variety is what makes stories interesting… even if sometimes the flavour’s not quite to my taste.
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since i am a hard core fan of Korean dramas , comparing this to them can be make this one pathetic. but after seeing all those thrillers, fantasies, etc etc from Korean side we will definitely need a break with something like this. especially for a girl like me. where , a multimillionaire lost love, coming back to his life , all negative characters, witches, after at end everything will be a happy ending yes sounds to be common but sometimes somewhere many likes this and that's why they are making these types of dramas.
Don't get high scopes but it is ordinary, i do skipped many parts still i completed the episodes. you can skip unwanted scenes and save time but actor and actress done a very good job even though you wont to skip they wont allow us.
for me i liked it even though it was common may be because i like these kinds of dramas. so this doesn't deserve so much negative comment
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A Captivating Drama with a Unique Mix of Action and Mystery
MLC isn’t your typical fast-paced drama. Instead, it leans more into storytelling, as each mystery is tied to the larger plot. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but honestly, I loved how much detail went into each case.Cheng Yi as Linhua/Xiangyi starts off pretty playful, but as the story goes on, he really gets to explore the deeper sides of his character, and he does it so well! After all, this is Cheng Yi! He’s not at all about over-the-top theatrics; he is subtle, but when the emotions hit, they really hit. CY might not fit the usual "aesthetic" that’s popular in c-dramas, but his versatility totally makes him stand out from other actors. Oh, and bonus points: he dubbed himself this time!
The dynamic between Cheng Yi's character and Joseph Zeng's character is so humorous and engaging. Their chemistry adds a delightful touch to the drama, and when Xiao Shun Yao's villainous character enters the mix, things become even more intriguing.
The slow start might make some people want to drop it early, but seriously, don’t! It’s so worth it. I gave it a shot, and before I knew it, I was totally hooked. If you want something different from the usual romance-heavy c-dramas, MLC is definitely worth it. It’s smart, witty, funny, and pulls at your heartstrings in all the right places.
Easily one of the best c-dramas of 2023 for me!
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You'll be definitely hooked once you started watching this and can't stop yourself until you've finished the 20 episodes of it. You'll love every moment watching this drama!!! I love it so much!!!
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WHAT WAS THIS ENDING
I honestly have never loved a show more than this one……..up till episode 14. The writing rushed the ending so much that there wasn’t any closure. There were also a lot of plot points that just simply were disregarded or unanswered. I didn’t understand why they built up so much only for nothing to amount to anything. There really was no point showing the older version of the characters or even showing the ballet blot or Na Hee-do’s daughter. Overall, I loved the characters so much and I’m so disappointed with the ending. If anyone’s watched Game of Thrones, the ending was honestly giving me the same disappointment that the last season of Game of Thrones gave. That bad.The reason I’m giving it an 8 was because of episodes 1-13. The characters, the story, the relationships not just between the main leads but among the 5 friends, the coach, and parents was beautiful. It was written and carried out perfectly. I really had high hopes for the show with these episodes. Honestly, the ending deserved better.
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How on the earth I must believe that Gu Xi Xi is a fashion designer when even she doesn't have good dressing sense lol, it's not terrible but it's unbelievable. She's shown to be a smart, witty girl in the prior episodes, but if our FL doesn't become dumb at the right moment how can knight save her in shining armor lol... so yes she just loses her brain when it's needed.
Yi Si Chen is he any different. hell NO. He's cold and obnoxious.. and CEO (This is a must for contract marriages lol). 'Love changes everything' if it doesn't follow this, is it even a drama? as by the rule, due for sake of his love... he's not cold anymore, ah but it comes with possessiveness and jealousy. He does seem to be a workaholic in pilot episodes... a hardworking businessman but when he's in love, how can he be the same.... a looot of free time to wander around.
Mo Zi Xin our 'perfect' SML, seems unemployed coz he doesn't have anything to do other than following oops helping FL around. Did I forget to mention... he loved her for years, you know what? the main problem with these SMLs is timing. See he knew her way before, he liked her way before but ofc he can't get girl coz he's not icy-cold CEO... he can be ge-ge or senior. In course of time our goody perfect boy becomes a stalker... time to wear off SLS lol
Zhong Li Li... here comes I-wanna-slap-that-bitch, am I being too harsh? No! the purpose of her life is plotting against our lead couple, she seems to own some company but she legit has nothing else to do other than make plans to destroy FL, she definitely can be considered one of the most annoying SFLs even existed. Her personality qualify for being in makjang for sure.
The second couple is boring as hell, they don't have story-chemistry or anything that can stop me from pressing the FF button,
We have our perfectly-made-for-contract-marriage characters.... do we need a story? I mean first, our leads will fight with each other over the nonsense thing, then boom something comes up they need to marry... staying together makes them attracted to each other, then we have SML to create some jealousy and tension... SFL who have nothing else to do creates problems.. hence after overcoming everything happily ever after, Done!... Wow, I guess I should also try to write a plot someday... I don't think anyone needs something called creativity or uniqueness lol, just repeat some cliches and old tropes, word done.
Despite having a looot to rant about with dozens of things bothering me, the chemistry between Wang Yu Wen and Wang Zi Qi is on fire, first, they just look great together... second ah they are so adorable. So I did enjoy their time together.. the only thing that kept me invested till the end.
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BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT!
as an original orv fan, this is such a disappointment. it’s not that orv fans hate your faves — it’s just that the way the director RUINED the original work (the novel) is beyond frustrating. HE RUINED THE WHOLE LORE OF ORV. we’re angry because this adaptation completely disrespects the heart of the story and characters. i said what i said, COMPLETELY!i’m sorry, but this is one of the worst adaptations i’ve ever seen. it’s NOT THE REAL omniscient reader’s viewpoint.
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This review may contain spoilers
WARNING! This drama is not good for easily angered and sensitive people.
I 100 recommend this drama but, as you can see in my headline - WARNING! it not good for easily angered and sensitive people. I'm sensitive and easily mad myself but I chose to still watch.I would have given up this drama long time ago but the plot just keeps me wanting for more.
EDIT > Story - It was frustrating at first however it getting good but Min Seol Ah didn't deserve all that.
Theme Song [Life by Hedy - Crown by Ha Jin] 10/10.
Acting - tbh Ha Eun Byul is not bad, just her face expressions when she's mad be throwing me off but her crying is on point like her mom's (Cheon Seo Jin).
Cast - the main and support roles are all good looking. Fighting :)!!
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For me this drama was amazing from the very start to the finish. The reason I added this drama to my watch list and started watching right when the first episode aired was because of the cast. I am big fan of Lee Jong Suk and I do like Han Hyo Joo. Lee Jong Suk is also my favorite Korean actor and when I heard that he was going to star in a new drama I had to watch it and I am so glad I did.
This drama did not disappoint me at all. I will say that there were a few things in the drama that could have been better but overall this drama does deserve a 10. This drama is one of the best dramas of this year that I have watched and I am so glad Lee Jong Suk was in it. He just ends up picking really great dramas to star in. In my opinion not only is this drama one of the best this year it is now one of my favorites of all time.
Story
The story/plot of this drama is so unique and to my knowledge has not been done before in a Korean drama. I loved that it was about webtoons and in particular about one where Lee Jong Suk was the main character. You cannot go wrong with having him as the main character. If the webtoon of this drama was real I would defiantly be reading it as it is the kind of story I would love. I like the concept that the main female character was able to enter the webtoon world of W. That in its self was not as unique as I have seen characters enter the world of the book they are reading before. But this one was so different in the sense that she ended up playing a part in it. I also like that this drama was not so easy to predict what was going to happen next. With most dramas you can kind of predict what could happen next but with this drama you could not. This just made it even more interesting and hard to wait for the next episode to see what would happen. As I said earlier there were a few things in the drama that could have been better or explained better so that is why the story get a 9.5 and not a 10 like the rest. I can’t really say what those things are because I would be spoiling it for you and I don’t want to do that.
Acting/Cast
The cast for this drama was so perfect. I don’t think I could see anyone else playing those characters. They all did a great job. Especially Lee Jong Suk and Han Hyo Joo. Last time I saw Lee Jong Suk was in the drama Pinocchio so it was great to have him back in a new drama and the same goes for Han Hyo Joo. It has been a number of years since she was last in a drama. She has done some movies recently but it was nice to see her back and paired with Lee Jong Suk. I think they had great chemistry together and it showed on the screen.
The other actors also did a great job and played their characters very well. I especially loved both Lee Shi Eon who played the webtoon artist assistant and Heo Jeong Do who played the professor doctor. Both of them brought some comedy to the drama which was nice to have. Also can't forget Kim Eui Seong who played Han Hyo Joo’s father and the webtoon artist. I have seen him before in other roles and he did such an amazing job playing his character in this drama.
Music
The music in this drama was so good, whether it was the OST songs that had lyrics in them or the instrumental Score/BGM. This drama had 9 songs that had music and lyrics and I loved every single one of them. My favorite of them all was the first one to be released which is ‘Where Are You’ by Jung Joon Young. I love this song and Jung Joon Young voice as he is such an amazing singer. The other ones I liked the best were ‘In the Illusion’ by Basick & Inkey and ‘You And Me’ by An Hyun Jung. Also one of the best parts about the music was the instrumental Score/BGM soundtrack for the drama. It was amazing to listen to and scored so perfect for the drama. So in all the music is really good and I have already bought all 9 of the OST songs that were released. I also plan to download the whole soundtrack once it’s available on iTunes. I know it is officially out right now and is 2 CDs but iTunes does not have it up yet. I will possibly buy the physical soundtrack as well once that is released. That is how much I just loved the soundtrack.
Rewatch Value
The rewatch value of this drama is so high for me. This is a drama that I would defiantly rewatch from start to finish a bunch of times. I will probably watch it again very soon and this time introduce it to a friend. Since I watched this drama by myself it would be a great drama to watch with a friend or friends. I told a friend of mine that she needs to watch this drama and she has added it to her list so it would be nice to watch it again with her. Also if this drama comes out on DVD with English subs I will defiantly be buying it.
I highly recommend this unique suspenseful fantasy romantic drama as everything about it was so good. All that is left to say is if you are reading this and trying to decide if you should watch this what are you doing. Go watch it now. It is a must watch drama that should not be missed. One of the best dramas of 2016.
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The beginning was slow and boring, the show picked up around ep 5 (that's when it was actually really good) and the excitement lasted until ep. 10 or so, then the show turned flat like a pancake and only kept flattening towards the ending. The two last episodes were completely ridiculous, the writer had no idea about DID whatsoever! The chemistry between main characters died somewhere along the way. This is weird because Seo Jin and Hana had chemistry, but Robin and Hana didn't; they were like two children playing together.
The Acting
I didn't have much expectations, but for Hyun Bin this was a failure. I think he did great job with Seo Jin but perhaps two personalities were too much for him to handle. Robin turned out to be weird (with overacted expressions) and boring, an extremely dull character with no chemistry with the camera or any other characters. Han Ji Min was quirky at first but soon lost her charm and transformed into a woman of one face. Sung Joon had enough charisma and a powerful aura, but unfortunately he didn't have enough space to shine and suffered from repetitive lines and scenes (and bad directing). What a waste of talent. He is worth so much more than this.
Han Sang Jin pulled it through the whole drama with guaranteed brilliance. His character was interesting, he felt and looked like a man who worked in an amusement park. Sang Jin was the only one who truly brought his warmingly silly character to life and he really shone. Shin Eun Jung had the same dull face throughout the drama and her character, despite being smart and having potential, was ruined with poor script.
All side characters except the secretary Know were completely meaningless and the pathetic little love triangle on the side was purely a filler. Okay, I admit that Detective Na vs Seung Yeon was quite a fun ride and there were not enough scenes of them together. But the cops in general were way too stupid.
The Plot
Yeah, what should I say? The whole implementation of hypnosis and all that, it was a refreshing idea but failed because it was taken too far. The whole DID issue had potential but at some point the DID turned into Robin. I understand where the writer was going with this. She tried to create a conflict between the real man and the illusion, with the illusion being way better than the real deal. However, the writer failed miserably because instead of concentrating on the conflict and bringing out the whole heart-wrenching reality of it all, she concentrated on a ridiculous love relationship instead. This drama could have been brilliant, a struggle between real and imaginary, two realities crashing together and confusing everyone around to the point of madness. This whole idea went down the drains when DID became Robin and Seo Jin was sort of abandoned to deal with his problems alone. I am sure that by writing the ending as it was, the screenwriter tried to go for a fresh image. But the point of the whole show was not love to begin with. It was the conflict, which was forgotten, and the show lost its standing. Hana was one of the dumbest and maddening characters I have ever seen.
The first part of the story concentrated a lot on the problems of Seo Jin and his past. It was interesting until several repetitive flashbacks clogged the episodes. I also wished there were more quirky scenes with Seo Jin and Hana to back up the last episode. The silly grudge of children was taken on a complete new level. The trauma of that grudge was never explored fully and in the end it was pushed aside in a hastly manner. The whole idea of that hatred was that it stemmed from pain and loneliness, but the bad guy remained flat, his character was trapped in a superficial shell and never explored to the depths of his soul. I'm saying that the darker moments could have been way darker and with much more impact had the writer concentrated on the right things. Like the battle within, not what was going on outside.
All in all, this show was either a mess with its characters running around out of control or then flavorless snail-paced boredom wrapped in pink, fluff and all cute with some glitter on the top. There were some loopholes, which could have been avoided easily. And the worst thing of it all: despite being a slow run the ending was still rushed. How? Just how is that possible? You had two freaking hours!
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1Pro Bono vs. Lazy Critics: Guess Who Wins?
Pro Bono isn’t controversial, your privilege is. Some bubble dwellers voluntarily watched a legal drama (just 4 eps) and thought the biggest crime was queer representation or women’s autonomy. Spoiler: the only crime here is your complete lack of critical thinking. (You can find my criticism concerning this show at the end. This review only discusses first four episodes and the bad faith comments about them.)“Too woke”
Okay, let’s unpack this embarrassing ‘hot take.’ You’re voluntarily watching a LAW drama, a genre literally about justice, society, and real life conflicts and your main critique is ‘too woke’? This show addresses teen pregnancy, anti abortion coercion, and queer rights (in first 4 eps). If that bothers you, maybe basic human rights just aren’t your thing….own it and move on.
“Pushing your agenda”
Calling women’s autonomy or queer existence an “agenda” is a rhetorical trick. It reframes freedom as threat so that control looks like morality. Abortion as a personal vs. imposed choice. You completely ignore the distinction between personal belief and enforcing that belief on others. A religion can inform personal choices, but trying to force a fully grown woman/teen to carry a pregnancy against her will is coercion, not morality. Claiming this as “moral correctness” while decrying propaganda is contradictory.
If a belief cannot survive without being forced on others, then the belief, not the people living freely…. is the agenda. That’s the distinction.
“Propaganda”
Propaganda isn’t diversity, autonomy, or people living their truth, it’s the weaponization of belief to control others. Showing queer people on screen (for five minutes) or supporting women’s right to choose isn’t “pushing an agenda”; it’s acknowledging reality. The real agenda is hiding behind morality to take away agency: forcing a teen or sexual assault survivor to carry a pregnancy, dictating who people can love, or enforcing religious rules on everyone else while pretending it’s “for their own good.” It’s not about care or ethics; it’s about control. And the kicker? These people rarely give a damn about the outcomes, if the child is disabled, neglected, abused or struggling, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that their moral scoreboard looks clean. Freedom, choice, and empathy threaten them, so they call it an “agenda” to scare others into compliance. If your beliefs need chains to survive, that’s not morality, it’s coercion masquerading as virtue.
“This is Western crap, why bring it to Kdrama?”
Again, watching a LAW drama and complaining it’s “Western propaganda” is peak absurdity. This isn’t a romcom with rainbow sunshine; it’s a show about real societal issues which exist everywhere, not just in the U.S. Expecting a legal drama to ignore these realities is like complaining about rain during a storm. If discomfort equals propaganda, then reality itself is offensive, but maybe the problem isn’t the show, it’s the viewer.
Why did i take this drama as pro bono and defend it with my last two brain cells after scrolling through all the ignorant takes?
Because unlike some viewers, I actually understand what a law drama is, what human rights mean, and that empathy isn’t a ‘Western agenda.’ Yes, I got offended reading these comments deny basic human rights to fellow humans because it doesn’t align with their own religious beliefs. Religious beliefs should dictate how you lead your own life, not how you can control other’s life. I respect your religion and your beliefs. If you don’t want to abort your own baby, that is your choice and I will respect that. If you are not attracted to same sex, that is your orientation, I will respect that. Forcing it on others? Now thats a propaganda, not an opinion.
Media does not exist in a vacuum, it shapes what society sees as normal, moral, and acceptable. When topics addressed in this drama are ignored or softened, existing power structures are quietly validated. By portraying legal support for queer individuals and the real consequences of denying women choice over their own bodies, the show acknowledges lived realities that affect vulnerable people every day. This is not about promoting an ideology, but about refusing to romanticize control, questioning “clean” moral endings that overlook trauma, and reminding viewers that autonomy, consent, and dignity are essential to justice.
Addendum: Why I rated it high, what my actual critique is, and why that still doesn’t validate the comment section meltdown.
My initial high rating was intentional. The review space had already been flooded with low effort, ideologically driven ratings after just two/four episodes, people declaring the show “too woke” while admitting they barely watched it. The high rating was bait: to get people to actually read why this discourse matters.
That said, defending this drama from bad faith attacks does not mean I think it’s flawless or even particularly brave. In fact, my criticism starts precisely where the show pulls its punches. Despite gesturing toward queer rights, it never commits to a full queer centred legal case (yet). Representation remains implied, diluted, and safely peripheral present enough to signal progress, absent enough to avoid backlash. It is still a positive representation nonetheless. In a different perspective, this might be a stepping stone for upcoming law dramas. Similarly, the storyline involving a coerced teen pregnancy initially frames reproductive control as a legal and ethical violation, only to abandon that stance by episode four. The narrative retreats into a “neutral” resolution, having the disabled child adopted by an anti abortion hospital CEO, which conveniently avoids confronting the core issue: forcing a teenager to give birth against her will. This is narrative risk aversion. In other words, the show wants credit for raising hard questions without fully sitting in their consequences. That’s a valid critique. It reflects an industry tendency to appear progressive while ultimately reassuring conservative comfort zones. I also do not align with or endorse any alleged MAP symbolism or geopolitical propaganda some viewers have pointed out (till 4 eps).
Now here’s where the distinction matters: criticism is not the same as reactionary hate. Criticism interrogates execution, consistency, and ethical follow through. What I’m pushing back against in the comments is not thoughtful disagreement, it’s people collapsing at the mere presence of queer people or women exercising bodily autonomy and calling that collapse an “opinion.” Saying “the show avoids depth” or “it plays it too safe” is criticism. Saying “stop shoving this agenda down our throats” because marginalized people exist on screen is ideological panic.
When shows avoid fully confronting coercion, trauma, or queer legal realities, they don’t become “neutral”, they quietly reinforce existing power structures. My review defends the right of these issues to be addressed in this genre while holding the show accountable for how cautiously it ultimately does so. This review is not a blind praise. It is a refusal to let bad faith outrage masquerade as media critique. You’re allowed to dislike this drama. You’re allowed to critique its writing. What you’re not doing, no matter how loudly you insist is engaging in honest criticism when your problem is that other people’s rights make you uncomfortable.
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Lets start with the really bad acting of Shin Se Kyung. I admit I knew what I was doing when I started watching it. The weird thing is that Mi Do is so much like Ga Young (Fashion King)...neither characters are ever happy no matter what the main lead or even the second lead does for them. Regardless of the character, Shin Se Kyung can't act. She isn't believable. At least her face changed expression a few times in this drama. Still, it is just blah!!!
OK, enough of that.
I know there are many viewers out there that don't like Song Seung Hun, but I love him. He has in the past had an eye bulging problem when trying to show surprise or anger, but he kept that totally under control. Tae Sang felt authentic and I really like the mix feel of bad boy, gangster with naïve and soft lover and friend. He is the best part of the whole drama.
Yun Woo Jin had no hope of showing his acting skills, because Jae Hee is an atrocious character. For someone that is so smart that he went to college abroad...blah...blah...blah, why did the writers turn him into a total idiot. Are we supposed to believe that "When A Man Loves" he does a 180 in character? That is all I get from his role.
There were a lot of unnecessary characters. However, I enjoyed Kim Seo Kyung acting as Roy and the adoptive father as well.
The music is fine.
I will never rewatch this.
I won't recommend this drama. I will end with this. If you liked Fashion King, then this drama is for you. If you didn't like Fashion King, then this drama is only marginally better...you have been warned. If you have never seen Fashion King, then good for you...don't watch this either. :-)
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barely makes sense without the original material
i tried to be unbiased and review this as a stand alone work, but i find that really difficult, as i keep referring to the anime in order to fully understand what's happening in certain scenes, and that's not a good sign. i feel the way the original story was cut in order to fit six episodes, only works if you're already kinda familiar with the characters and their struggles.making uenoyama full on the pov character is a wonderfully idea on paper, it makes us empathize with ue's intrigue and frustration while trying the decipher mafuyu's mind, YET, in practice, what results is mafuyu looking more like a depressed manic pixie dream boy than an actual main character facing trauma, and it's frustrating. i get you, ue (see? it works!).
on to the important part: the romance... it's alright I guess. two goodlooking boys staring at each other always looks cute, and you actually believe that uenoyama is interested in mafuyu. as of sato... most of the time you believe he's not a mannequinn. as of world building, there's none, and that also affects the romance, we know they're students and they're in a band together, done. there are so little scenes of them spending time together, you don't really get an ideas as of why they would have feelings for each other, other than pure proximity principle.
remember i talked about mafuyu dealing with trauma? man, did they brush over that part! we see other characters talk about it more times than we actually see sato dealing with it. i will go ahead and assume this has more to do with tv regulations and censorship, as it is quite a sensitive topic, but i insist they could've done so much more with sato's character building up to the last episode.
as a music drama... i will say its actually nice, like the outro song is something i would listen on a regular basis, and the final song, although didn't quite met the standard of the anime's (its alright, not even the movie sequel achieved that), it's a nice touch that they decided to do an original song, if not to separate the drama from the original work, to highlight Sanari's voice.
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