This review may contain spoilers
BRACE YOURSELVES, LONG REVIEW COMING!It’s kinda hard for me to rate and review this drama as a -one thing- because the -mini drama- doesn't follow one story line so, I’m rating them and reviewing them individually. The general rate it’s basically an average I did with the rates I gave to each story, but if you don't wanna read the entire review just pick the story you want to read or if you don't want to do that either and just want to know if this is worth watching, then, yes it is worth watching. If you like love stories in general you'll definitely enjoy this hehe...
So, let's go!
NO SPOILER
*1st story* -Seung Yeon and WooJin-
Overall rating--- 7.0
Rewatch value--- 5.0
A kinda heartbreaking story about a couple that has to face death and loss in their relationship, this story also has a sci-fi-time-traveling plus that makes it interesting and different. The story can make you cry and laugh and make you sit at the edge of your chair because you basically don’t know what’s gonna happen later, so you suffer with the characters. It has a pretty good acting of both sides and a satisfying ending, the chemistry between them was ok, I didn’t feel an awesome connection but it was good enough to make me root for them.
*2nd story* -Goo Hara and Kim Young Kwang-
Overall rating--- 10
Rewatch value--- 10
Oh my...! I’m so glad I watched this, seriously. The chemistry was like BOOM! I totally felt the sparks when they were together. Ok, the story goes like this: This shy and ordinary girl who works in a convenience store, one day realizes that she has terminal cancer and makes this list of things she wants to do before dying, and in the path of fulfilling these wishes, she meets (in a very odd and funny way) this crazy-problematic guy who is gonna become our hero, so the rest... You have to watch it. The story is clever and funny and the reason is that the characters are the strong point of the drama. They are so loveable and enjoyable, because they are real and they have flaws and craziness and energy and chemistry, and problems, and scars and fears and so on... I liked that this drama took a serious and sad topic like this one and turned it into a light and easy-to-watch thing. This could have been a perfect 16 episodes drama :)
*3rd story* -Kang Ji Young and Bae Su Bin-
Overall rating--- 7.0
Rewatch value--- 6.0
This drama tells us an innocent lovestory, I’d say a one side lovestory, but probably you won’t agree with me, anyway, after you watch it you can describe it as you think it actually is. The acting was pretty good of both sides, and the drama has a plus that I can’t tell you but it’s basically the soul of the story, in other words the writer of this drama is genius srsly. Hehe, although it takes a little to take off but it's worth watching 'till the end.
*4th story* -Jung Nicole and Lee Kwang Soo-
Overall rating--- 9.0
Rewatch value--- 7.0
I don’t have much to say about this one, although I really enjoyed it. The story follows the journey our main characters have to follow to solve a riddle that will lead them to an inheritance. The story has 2 kinds of love. One is the father-daughter’s love and the other one is the love between our couple. The acting was GREAT! I loved Jung Nicole and Lee Kwang Soo’s acting sooo much! And also the chemistry was awesome.
*5th story* -Park Gyuri and Ji Chang Wook-
Overall rating--- 10
Rewatch value--- 10
Please watch this story!!!
This one was probably my favorite one, although I didn’t like her character that much, actually I found her kind of annoying sometimes, but still...
Her character is the perfect Oh HaNi (Playful Kiss)- If you know what I mean-, a crazy, prideless stalker girl, but still cute. She works for a travelling agency in Jeju Island, so you can imagine how beautiful the scenery is.
His character is super enjoyable, he’s kinda jerky, he’s kinda cute and funny and DAMN! This man is beautiful, it should be illegal being this mesmerizing, srsly. He’s an angel, actually he’s her guardian angel and that’s what makes this story awesome. The way these two meet and how they develop the angel-human relationship was pretty well written, performed and directed.This is the only one story of the series that has a second male lead and an actual love triangle. I was really sad when this ended because this SHOULD be a 16-20 episodes drama. Who do I have to talk with to make this a drama? Please drama gods!! Come on!
Sorry for the long review... If someone actually reads this, thank you and I hope this has been helpful to you
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3
1Being a single mother in South Korea can be quite hopeless, that´s where this story is coming from
Yes, you should watch it.As the title suggests, "Mother" deals with the archetypal theme of 'motherhood'. When is a mother a (good) mother? Once a mother = always a mother? Who can become a mother? Who has to be, no matter what? ... So far "Mother" isn't necessarily specific to Korea in terms of its story. (Actually the original is Japanese). But "Mother" is also (and most importantly) about the stigma of single mothers - and for South Korea that is outstandingly detrimental. From this point of view, this KDrama becomes immediately socially critical: if the position of the single mother in South Korea weren't so hopeless, then the whole story wouldn't have developed the emotional drive that it has.
In this context, "Mother" also confronts the viewers with two other socially sensitive issues in their manifold entanglements: child abuse and vigilantism. It is a dramatic fact around the world on the subject of child abuse that dealing with domestic violence is legally difficult. If you go the official route, you can only intervene when it is already too late. In the case of "Mother", essentially almost all mothers featured are to some extend criminals before the law (of one kind or another).
The hearty fare in terms of its sensitive content is, however, in a digestible way illuminated with all the proven stylistic devices of KDrama. The subject is dark and exhausting, but there is still room for light, color, joy and heartwarming in the presentation. Despite all the traumatization, the abused child is primarily a ray of hope (isn´t poetic freedom just wonderful!). It's no surprise that up-and-coming actress Heo Yool was named "Best New Actress" at the 2018 BaekSang Arts Awards... Her play ist simply amazing! (And not just hers...)
"Mother" aired on South Korean television during weekdays at 9:30 p.m. Regarding the scenes about child abuse, the age rating here has been set at 16, as opposed to the more usual 13 years. The KDrama "Mother" was released in 2018. It may be simple coincidence or even correlation: the KDrama just happened to present a burning topic of society at the time: In 2019 there was a change in law, which means that at least abortion now is legally possible for all women in the first 14 weeks without punishment.
-------------------- Side note: --- Orphanage and Single Motherhood in South Korea ---
If you are unmarried and happen to get pregnant, in South Korea you will have a hard time, still today. Exclusion, hostility, mobbing, unemployment, pressure from all sides are not uncommon.
If you are the child of a single mother, trauma of some sort is almost certain - mobbing, devaluation, child abuse, orphanage and/or adoption, you name it.
Noticeably, the 'orphanage' often plays a role for one of the protagonists in KDrama. That's not because it's such a stirring story hook, but because it's a current influence in the lives of many children (and now adults) of South Korean descent. Since the 1950s, the number of officially and unofficially adopted South Korean children, mainly from abroad, is estimated at 150,000 to 200,000. Another global leading position for South Korea... At first there were many war-orphans among them, otherwise there were also children from poor families. But since the 1980s, the main causes have been that the mothers are single parents. Desperate women - for whatever reason single with a child - often have no choice (to give themselves and the child a promising chance in life) than to give the child away - thus giving them a new chance with the option of being adopted to a solid family sooner or later...
For the children in the orphanage, the parents are not necessarily dead. However, their mothers gave up their parenthood at the door for a good reason: because society with its traditional value system does not accept a concept beyond ´traditional´ family. Single parents are not welcome. However, since abortions were also undesirable - i.e. forbidden for ages, unmarried pregnant women always found themselves in great distress... It was only in 2019 that the ban on abortions - that had been in force up to that point - was declared unconstitutional, so that pregnant women are now at least up to the 14th week without specifying abortion without punishment, in the case of rape up to the 24th week.
--------------------
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Raging comedic banter, battle and romance. I highly recommend!
Cho Yeo Hwa (Lee Ha Nee), lives as a dutiful widow by day and by night she's running across rooftops fighting criminals for the poor secretly. One night, she got into a chaotic fight, she landed in the arms of a palace guard, Park Soo Ho (Lee Jong-won). Unbeknownst to both, there’s a secret in the past left to be unfold. As Yeo Hwa continues living her lifestyle, Soo Ho keeps running into her, wanting to know who she really is… will she be able to keep her disguise?This drama is consistently entertaining! While I expected the show to be as fun as it was, I didn’t expect to be immediately connected with our characters and their motivations. I love Yeo Hwa, her mother-in-law and her quirky friend, too. That she's widowed due to a tragic past, controlled by her mother-in-law and almost 100% locked inside her house, it all sounds depressing, but the storytelling is so so fresh. Also it's interesting to see like how our male lead, Soo Ho with his role to serve justice but he's bind by a lot of rules, while he sees this mysterious person just do it each night.
The intro and the epilogue scenes are A+! Each episode is meaningful with steady pacing. Interesting twists happened here and there. There's a whole lot of wuxia-style fight scenes; flying to the roof, hitting people by acorns, and I enjoyed a lot. The action scenes are funny, also the little gestures, sound effect, visual effect, they're all worked together perfectly. The romance is fun, low-stake, and heart-fluttering! Every romantic scene counts. Not much complicated intrigue until the last few episodes, where it was resolved but falters flat. Though so, the whole experience of my watching is truly entertaining!
-Feb 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
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Eerie Yet Cunning Story
For me Somebody was a delightful watch. The slow pacing, the story, the characters and the whole overall aesthetic was very fun. People are complaining how they didn't understand why ML was doing whatever he was doing. Psychopaths never have any logical reason anyways for their doings and this is why I loved it. Because I always eat up any psycho thrillers. Somebody was just another level of distinctive art where each and everything was pure art. The cinematography reminded me so much of how usually Korean movies are. It's not everyone's cup of tea and that's totally fine.Was this review helpful to you?
Which is the main couple?
The very first thing that I believe every watchers think of the same way, the main couple supposed to got more screentime. Due to lot of second couple scene (tbh, I skipped a lot), I started to confuse and feeling like Xu Qing You and Mo Ling Ze is not the main couple. What I like the most from this series is that was no dumb FL that appeared in most c-drama (well, XQY is dumb in another way, lol), the FL is fashionable here (I don't think she re-put on the same outfit) and for sure the mature relationship.This series is not coming in the vibes I expected for, I don't really can relate it to the title. But, at least, it's 'so so' and still watchable for me. For the casting and acting skills, I don't think there're any problem, they looked great--well built chemistry and suit on all their own characters. Although I don't really remember the songs played in the drama, but I like that sexy opening song! :D lol.
The two essences of this story:
"What's the point of enduring in a toxic relationship?"
"We can't 'form' people, because they are ALIVE!"
P.S: I put the rewatchable value amounted at 5, but actually I'm not type of watcher who rewatching any, so it means it's 5:5 according on your own taste.
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It is just one of the many 'what the f' moments, and there was a lot.
First the story - a love story with a supernatural twist and that's what brought me to the series. It was slowly setting up the mistery and then midway i felt duped into watching the show - the supernatural elements was so scarce (or was intentionally dialed down) that you almost dont feel it. To add to the insult, none of that was explained, not in the tiniest bit. The writers are just taking the viewers for a ride and they think you'd be ok with it. Seriously, more on that in the end of this review. Also, the way people grieve for their dead in the series is just over the top, its as if their love ones died just recently when the fact of the matter is, both featured loved ones died at least 5 years before the present time.
Second, the characters. Runway is pretending to be an angel but a user in real life. Dream is a perverted being. Guide is a 'confused' gay guy with a mustache. Yim is, i dont know what Yim is, you take advantage of him and he will say thank you. Yaimai is a martyr pretending to be a mean girl. Good may be the only good one here. Elle is a shapeshifting homecrasher/homewrecker demon. Oh there's also a rapist and a crazy mother. Did i mention 5 of them are in a love pentagon?
I do appreciate that they tried to do a series without any real antagonists and that comflicts and complications were the result of the characters acrions rather than creating fake bitches and villains.
The pacing was so painstakingly slow where in some episodes nothing really happens and then they just insert one small moment to tease the audience. Its like they had a story in mind and then the producers had a brilliant idea that this series can go on for three seasons and instead of thingking of new twists to the plot they just decided to cut their story into three parts and stretched the middle part into these 12 very long episodes. Yes this is the middle part because apparently from the teaser there is SUPPOSED to be a next season which is going to be a prequel of some sort. Whats worst, like i mentioned earlier, is when you realize in the end that nothing will be resolved and explained after very slowly building up the events, not even a single happy ending. To add salt to the injury, it looks like there is no more second season so yeah full marks for leaving all the stories hanging and bailing on the viewers.
I finished the series screaming to the telly "what the effin f**k?"
Stay away from this one. Dont even think about trying it. I wasted my time to see it so you dont have to waste yours. You are warned.
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This review may contain spoilers
Lazy ending
This is usually my favorite kind of plot: a female lead transported into a novel or the past, so I was genuinely excited, especially since the male lead is quite talented. Unfortunately, while the story had potential, it was painfully slow. I kept watching, hoping it would pick up, but it never did. Nothing about the drama felt exciting, which is disappointing because this type of plot has huge potential to be genuinely funny...and it wasn’t.The ending didn’t help either. I could predict it from miles away, since this isn’t the first Chinese drama to use the “writing the story” loophole to get around the transmigration ban ( wink a dream within a dream which did this way better ). The conclusion felt extremely lazy : “how he comes into her world is a story for another time” just sounds like the writers didn’t know how to end their own script.
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Story: Right or Wrong gives us a lovely storyline that does not actually start with a love line but a main "get to know the life of the characters" plotline. Soon though, it picks up the pace and gives you a lot more than you expected. The story gives you some drama, a lot of funny remarks or conversations (at least I sometimes found them quite funny) but mostly it gives you loveliness...RoW is lovely from beginning to end and when you start you don't wanna stop because the characters grow on you rather quickly. Also it gives us a little unusual storyline for BL series and movies, so that's something new and fresh.
Cast: The cast was a little bit awkward at first but after getting to know the characters better, you start loving them and the awkwardness disappears. The acting is good enough, for me to forget that they are actors and for me to want to know what they will act in next. Also the cast managed to give their own flavour to the characters.
Music: The music was great. I love the ending song!!
Rewatch: Oh yes, definitely. Probably right now ^.^
Overall: Overall the story did not disappoint at all and was interesting and refreshing especially for a BL series. The characters were lovely, the cast did a great job, the music is noticeable and nice to listen to and I definitely love this as much as Obsessed. Well, the expectations for the rest of HIStory 2 are rising...
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This review may contain spoilers
The epilogue or continuation to ep 36 and the ending to the series.
If you have watched 36 eps of Word of Honor, then do watch this as it wraps up the series and answers the questions you may have after ep 36. This small episode shows what happened to Wen Kexing and Zhou Zishu after we last saw them in the armory. We also get to see Gao Xiao Lian's family. A happy end to the series and for WKX and ZZS. Nice to see them be together and retire from jianghu to teach the future disciples of the rebuilt four season's manor.Ep 36 leaves off with Gao Xiao Lian calling everyone to a meal and here we see Deng Kuan (her husband) come to collect their son for the meal with mother. We see the disciple practicing 18 steps of Qiuming that only WKX knows so he is learning from WKX. ZZS turns up to instruct him and then WKX shows up to disagree with his teaching methods as he tends to do. Deng Kuan then whisks away his confused son, saying that the two of them have been fighting like this their entire lives and says that they are now immortals. In 36 we are shown that Chengling has rebuilt the manor near the ice mountains. So, all of them live nearby. Great that their family of three is still together.
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As typical as this set up may sound, it's so well done and enjoyable to watch it doesn't matter. I've actually never seen a movie premise like this. Well that's not true. A few years back there was an American movie about a ghost writer helping an author to pen a book but it was done poorly and there is no comparison.
Remember that they are writing an adult comic. There are a lot of sexual references but it's done very tongue in cheek as the female writer is faking 99% of her sexual experience. Most of the graphic sexual images are in fact, in graphic (comic book) form.
Watching Jung Bae get wise to her act...I loved it! Dae Rim is such a character and Jung Bae finds her tough to take at first. But when he begins to draw...it's her face that appears on paper. As the two leads gravitate toward each other and their feelings grow...it's so cute!
Lee Sun Gyun and Choi Gang Hee make a great pair. Able to be comedic and have you believe when they are sincere.
I recommend this movie highly.
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Better than I expected
It is probably the most satisfying liveaction I’ve ever watched. I usually avoid Liveactions as 9 out of 10 LA are so poorly done, and cringey. Part of the reason why I enjoyed this chinese adaption is bc I didn’t read the original manga, but still as a normal sports drama, it exceeded my expectations.STORY
Brilliant!
Previously I watched Chinese adaptation of Prince of Tennis, which was just so-so imo, so I didn’t have high expectations for Hikaru, either. Besides, when I saw posters of Hikaru, they were like some trashy posters for typical bad dramas..
But then I saw so many positive reviews on Douban and here on MDL, so I gave it a try... I am surprised and got hooked. I went into this totally blind so everything was a surprise. I laughed watching those funny moments, and cried so hard while watching sad scenes.
ACTING
Splendid!
Most of them are new faces, I have seen ML in NiF 2 but I haven’t seen other main actors. Some supporting characters are from My Huckleberry Friends, so I am quite familiar with them.
All of them are brilliant. From main character like Shi Guang to minor character like Wu Di, all of them impressed me.
Director’s cameo as Lazy Monk was a pleasant surprise as well.
BROMANCE/FRIENDSHIP
Do you know what’s the best thing about this drama?
Of course, it is bromance and friendship.Friends motivating each other, helping each other out, and the best thing is bringing them out of their darkest moments.
Bromance? This is the best part of drama..
My favorite two characters are Chu Ying and Hong He. Ofc I loved Shi Guang.
MUSIC
I noticed that some songs are quite good, but I haven’t fully listened to them. But ending song was nice.
So here are some SPOILERS...( If you haven’t watched, pls don’t read)
I have some small complaints;
1.Hong He quitting Go?
It is a little disappointing, with many obstacles he has gone through to become a professional player. He just quitted like that? And from his dad’s expressions, I can tell that his dad wants him to continue playing..
It is quite a relief that Shi Guang said he will continue persuading Hong He
So the drama should have given a proper solution to Hong He’s problem before ending
2.Episode 34
I have already cried my eyes out in Ep 32 and 33, but Ep 34 was super hard to watch. Shi Guang was like I’ll forget everything about Go bc Chu Ying left.
I expected this but this arc was longer than I expected.
These problems are very small... so small that these didn’t change my opinion about this drama.
I would say it deserves high ratings and it is definitely worth watching.
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This review may contain spoilers
It's a really good movie, but the movie was a bit depressing in the middle, but that's actually quite realistic in the world. Where there is not trust in both, the relationship won't maintain, relationship exist because of trust, "I believe in you", this is actually a powerful sentence that could made people a good day and feel not alone.Just some of my thoughts, people in old times might have more courage than most of the people now. Back then, like this movie, they actually quite hard to connect to each other so they will express the true feeling to the person to make sure they see them again. Unlike now, I know I will see the person through social media or reality every day so I hide my feeling and waiting for her to find it out...
It is really a beautiful movie with a perfect song list.
And I was waiting for the ending that Mi-Soo and Hyun-Woo open back the bakery...
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I came into this drama for the cast alone, but I got much more than I was expecting. If you are expecting a great romance, you may be disappointed. There are some romantic feelings, but it is not the main point. The quartet of flawed but likable individuals find friendship and support at a time when they all have a deep need for it. As a hardcore romantic, I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship and didn't feel any lack due to the barely there romance.
The best things about this drama:
1) the acting- the casting could not have been more perfect. Each actor seemed fitted to the role, bringing out the best in their character.
2) the characters- perfectly imperfect, and quirky. Their interactions with each other made each episode special.
3) the witty banter- I applaud the writer. So very clever. This truly made the drama a joy to watch.
4) the music- brilliant!
Quartet may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me, this is the best drama of the year.
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Hope I didn't give away too much here.
First of all, I wont call myself a saeguk fanatic, since I don't think I watch that much dramas of this genre, though I definitely do enjoy them and Korea's history.
Story:
Plot is interesting, satisfying amount of action and nerve-wrecking moments.
I definitely say that the content is like 80-90% political, with the remaining parts for romance, just to spice up and bring some colors to the political issues here.
I like how they focuses on the political history of Joseon with its neighboring countries instead of the usual domestic politics among the clans.
So I wont recommend it if you are looking for a more romantic saeguk drama like The Princess' Man or The Moon Embraces The Sun.
Acting/Cast:
I started this because of Seo In Guk, but that definitely isn't the main reason why i completed this.
- Seo In Guk
I do feel awkward at first seeing him acting in a historical drama, since this is his first.
I even thought that his voice isn't suited for a prince especially when he give out commands, which usually goes well with deeper voices.
But he improved over time, and before I knew it, I was too into his character, GwangHae, to even remember it's InGuk who's acting.
Definitely a good actor indeed.
- Shin Sung Rok
He's just PERFECT at playing the bad character. No words needed to describe it.
- Jo Yoon Hee
Not a fan of her acting. Keep feeling that there's something missing in the way she acts in some of her scenes.
- Others
I always feel that saeguk drama actors/actresses are the best. Most of them portray the characters clearly, which makes you hate or love them to the core.
Kim GyuRi's acting is worth mentioning, love the way she successfully acted the Kim GwiIn character that makes me dislike her, but at the same time feeling that she is pitiful and likable as well.
Music:
I'm addicted to it now, putting it on replay, so that should mean its nice ;)
I'm a huge ballad/emotional drama songs. They definitely have the good ones, the ones that when you listen to, you cant help but to replay scenes of the drama like an mv in your head. And it makes you emo afterwards (or maybe its just me XD)
Though I wish there are more songs instead of only 3 being repeated in 23 episodes.
Re-watch Value:
Since its hugely political, i don't think it is worth re-watching.
Unless one don't mind listening to the usual long political conversations in saeguk dramas :P
For InGuk fans out there like me, maybe it wont be so bad to re-watch it just to stare at how hot he is as a prince~~
Hope this helps :)
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This review may contain spoilers
Idiosyncratic SK interpretation of a sequel to 'Sleeping Beauty' from the Prince´s perspective :-)
I would like to see the KDrama "Yong Pal" as an idiosyncratic South Korean interpretation of a sequel to 'Sleeping Beauty' in the modern zeitgeist, which is told from the point of view of the prince - what had actually happened after the two had celebrated their wedding at the time? ..."Yong Pal" gives its own makjang-infused answer several centuries after the Brothers Grimm :-)Obviously, the story also has a critical focus on recent health care topics. Basically, the Hanshin Hospital takes center stage. This belongs to a Jaebeol conglomerate. Yong Pal is employed here as a talented young intern. But Yong Pal also works illegally as a doctor. Provided the price is right, he treats those who need medical care below the official radar of the health care system. Yong Pal gets promoted as exclusive doctor for the discreet care of the VIPs, too. On the 12th floor, the very rich and most influential patients stay within a separate department of the Hanshin Hospital, where, in addition to plenty of luxury and discretion, only the best medical care is guaranteed. Towards the end, Yong Pal also works as a doctor in a simple, small, rural clinic. Thus, in the course of the KDrama the protagonist's field of activity (and challenges with ethics, or rather the lack of it) covers the broad spectrum and the current focal points of the topics in health care (i.e. in South Korea).
In the beginning, Yong Pal is clearly at the center of the story, captivating the audience. The focus shifts after he meets coma patient Han Yeo-jin and helps her to regain consciousness, strength and her rightful legacy as Jaebeol of the Hanshin Group. From then on, everything revolves more around Yeo-jin and her vendetta. This isn't less impressive, especially with Kim Tae-hee's intense acting. However it is different. The second part thus offers pure Korean-style Makjang: more drama is always possible. As a result, storytelling takes another lane. (Many viewers obviously don't seem to have been very happy with that. Makjang fans, however, will definitely get their money's worth.) The transition between the first and second parts is moderated by a transition, which is filled with the blossoming romance between the two protagonists. From then on, however, there is hardly any room for a love-life in the protagonist's bitter fight for inheritance and revenge, in which she is ready to take any means. (You may want to take that against the KDrama as well.)
All in all, "Yong Pal" is a moving story that is grippingly exciting at the beginning and furthermore tells of a makjang-charged revenge. Love story included. Due to the success of the series at the time of broadcasting, actually two more episodes were added.
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