Reviews

I love this episode and my favorite so far!!!

This episode has so many iconic scenes from the novel, and their execution is so good! I also love how they include different POVs of other characters, which are not shown in the novel because it is told only from Carmela's POV. I love the acting of all the cast members in this episode, especially in the "sinasapian scene" they all nailed it. I love how they deliver their lines, it is not awkward at all. Also, kudos to Heaven and Jerome they portray Carmela and Juanito very well. Carmela's funny side and Juanito's charming personality are done well by Heaven and Jerome. I can't give a full 10 stars yet because I have some complaints about the editing of certain scenes, but compared to other episodes, the editing is improving. I can't wait for the next episode. The abangan is exciting!

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no i did not have fun

i picked up my phone so many times this episode. i opened up spotify twice. there are some cute stuff in this episode like i think it's nice to see just the other cheffs besides cook yeon at the helm & see them with people with their own pride. the ming envoy are like kind've ridiculously cartoony which is perfect for them & for cook yeon to react to. but like i was saying oh my GOD was i bored with this episode. no character was particularly strong in an episode dedicated to strenghteninmg the characters. it was heavy on the conspuiraqcy politics whichj is not my main interest in a historical drama ,nor do i think is it a strength in this particular drama. if i ever rewatch this show this is the episode i will plan out my schedule around so i can get work done while they bavbble in the back+ground.

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A star is born

And by this point, the urge to change the main Screenwriter and Directors is irreversible. It's an engaging episode, whereby I'm convinced this drama is supposed to have two MLs of equal importance. When Xiao Qiushui swallows the Yang half of the Infinite Pill after a series of incidents including lying to the deplorable Shao Liulei, his levelling up is almost unbelievable. In this same episode, we are introduced to Liu Suifeng's suffering and cause of loyalty, grounded in willingness to do anything and everything to get stronger and repay the debts to his benefactors. I'm not sure what the Directors and main Screenwriter are trying to achieve in this episode. Using parts of the theme songs when two of Cheng Yi's scenes most needed to convey a certain emotional intensity was jarring. He should have been allowed to portray the necessary according to the sounds of nature or a suitably light BGM. Going forward, the next ten episodes need to walk a better line than this episode.

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WASTE OF MONEY, TERRIBLE ACTING

It is obvious that someone is treating his complexes, that he wants to be an actor and a director, but to no avail. I don't understand why all that, when the acting is very superficial and transparent, there aren't even any elements of acting, but everything is forced, the director too. The production is, to put it mildly, Z. It's not even there. But it is important that it is only recorded, as the series Season of love in Shimane and Kiseki are very bad.Wouldn't it be better if that money were meaningfully invested in something worthwhile rather than wasted?The script is very important, then the acting and then the director, which does not exist here!

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chapter one ⨾ healing in the midst of tension 𓎩 𓇢𓆸

The first episode of is a carefully crafted introduction that sets the mood for the entire drama. I really appreciated how the story opened through Cha Soohyun’s perspective, pulling us into her restrained and often lonely world, before seamlessly shifting to Kim Jinhyuk’s lighter, more open outlook. This dual narrative made their eventual meeting feel all the more organic and natural. Through subtle moments we’re shown soohyun’s warmth despite her difficult circumstances like when she notices her colleagues being tired and suggests taking a break. We also see how she handles herself under pressure, such as enduring her ex–mother-in-law’s birthday party and interacting with her former husband, where her grace and composure contrast with the suffocating environment around her. What also sets « encounter » apart from many other dramas is how it flips the expected dynamic. Instead of a stern, wealthy male lead and a softer female counterpart, here we have a powerful, poised woman opposite a warm, free-spirited man. That inversion makes their story all the more intriguing. A standout detail is Soohyun’s striking red dress and lipstick, which symbolizes both allure and strength. Even their styling reflects to this idea. Soohyun with her chic, short haircut exuding control and elegance, while Jinhyuk’s slightly longer, freer style hints at his unrestrained and optimistic spirit. The leads’ first interactions were refreshingly genuine and full of promise. While the episode carried underlying tension and the weight of reality, their chemistry and the scenic beauty gave it a healing quality. Both Soohyun and Jinhyuk stand out with distinct personalities that complement one another, and together they create a pairing that feels both unusual and captivating.Time moved both slowly and swiftly during this episode. The pacing and direction created the sense that I was traveling right alongside the characters. The Cuba backdrop wasn’t just scenery but an experience, turning their encounter into something vivid and immersive. The first episode gave justice (indeed) to the title of the drama. Now that the brief escape in Cuba has ended, reality awaits. Watching how these two navigate contrasting worlds will be just as compelling as their initial meeting.

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