Reviews

Bonding

This episode explains what happened to Asuka when she collapsed during last game. There is a lot of parental drama and trauma churning around in her head. Her mentor shares his story and why he hated her father. I don’t know whether to laugh or be creeped out at their dispensing of his father’s ashes. They came back to bar like two guilty kids coated in ash. I have mixed feelings with this choice of grief management. At least Asuka has a place to stay with one who cares about her. The bar owner is their angel. Asuka goes back and wins a match. I am not sure if this is a makeup game for the one interrupted or a new set of games. Her dear brother shared the recording of her with the knife to his betrothed, but left out what happened to her and her mom. He’s a weasel and that girl needs to get away from the family. He pointed out that Asuka plays like her father. I would really love to see her defeat her dad at his own game and in his own style. That would be some lovely karma for both of them. She would be vindicated and he could fade away. I liked that he saw the results of his daughter’s games and I hope it registered deep that the cast away daughter outplayed his beloved and cherished son. 😝

Read More

Saranghae!!!

Episode 8 had me laughing like crazy — that cheering with the boss’s face on a fan scene was pure comedy gold. 💀And that shareholder speech — sarang!! — honestly made me feel so warm inside.The words were straight out of a branding video — moral tone, poetic ideals, and all that sincerity media teams love to use. But let’s be real… it might touch a few rare business owners who actually care about what they create, but the profit-chasing ones? They probably wouldn’t even blink. Still, I loved it — that little glimpse of what business could look like if people chose conscience over cash.If I ever end up as an old lady with wrinkles all over my face, it’s gonna be because of dramas 😭 — they make me squint, laugh, cry, and squeeze my eyes too often.Also, when I realized the actor was from Hana Kimi — that old J-drama — I literally gasped. It’s been years, and he still looks like gold. Some people just refuse to age. ✨And oh my god — Japanese dramas have this insane ability to make food feel alive. Even a bowl of noodles or a piece of chocolate feels like it has emotions. You can practically feel the sweetness whispering dreams, like it’s friendly comfort. Only Asian dramas can make something so simple feel that soulful.But seriously, I can’t stop laughing at how in dramas, people get to deliver long, emotional monologues without a single interruption. Because if I ever tried that at home, someone would immediately go, “Wait wait, I disagree—” and boom — debate mode activated 😂 Only in dramas do people actually get to finish their speeches in peace!And then that ending…Saranghae.…Naega do saranghae. 😭😭😭I was gone. Just rolling on the floor screaming “aaaaaaaaaaaaaa” like a certified drama fool. 💘And bro, the last two cameos had me dying 😭The first one — okay fine, ambassador of Japan–Korea drama collab, cool cool.But Song Joong-ki?? Hahahaha sir, what are you doing here?! 💀

Read More

How Mr. Shin backs his team

Detective Choi survives surgery.🥳 His partner was so close in catching him, but even with Shin T-boning the killer’s car he managed to get away. There is some link between killer and the medical director. The director says all the right words and looks and sounds helpful, but Shin knows something is off and hasn’t put it all together yet. We also now know the teddy bear is hiding evidence the director and Catherine’s dad wants. She is surprising her mom visiting home and that is now going to get complicated. Philip’s case has put in motion a change to workers’ contracts so they are better protected. He and Si On are working together and Si On is becoming a fan. She points out to Shin how similar they are and how arrogant when they get things their way.😂 Philip’s struggle with the gymn equipment.😂🤣 He hates shades of gray and for him this is a huge moral dilemma because doing it the right way helps thieves.Shin helps in the background and admires their handiwork. Everything is coming to a head about the 15 yr old case and all of these events are intermingled. The director has now put a hit on Shin so now a week’s wait to see how all this plays out.

Read More

Home is where someone waits for you

I enjoyed this episode as it revealed some history of the knife wielder Su and Kui. When the mask was split, Chang He said that speech was for Kui and now he was talking to Mu Yu. He reminded his friend of the pact they had made and why Patriarch needed to die. They grew up as numbers 17 (Kui/Su Mu Yu) and 63 (Su Chang He). Early on they looked out for each other and rescued each other as needed. They were the best two assassin prodigies and great things were expected of them. I was with the Su representative that wanted to take out the teacher that pitted them against each other. The task was ten left and one returned. When it was down to the last two 63 was going to sacrifice himself and 17 refused to let him. He was determined they would find a better way. There was a brief flash of Patriarch and I think this is how both got to live, but we have not been filled in on the backstory yet. The patriarch is having nightmares and they show his sword broken. This is new. Healer Bai wants to do a soul swap with him to determine what symptoms he is experiencing. I think this is code for sifting his memories for her father while studying symptoms. Rabbit has sensed a new Tang present that wants to settle the score with Patriarch. Their battle is interesting and pretty equal so far. 63 has put obstacles in 17’s way to patriarch hoping the leader will die before he gets back. The Mu clan has sent a creepy one with lamp children to kill him but the Kui outsmarted him and wanted him dead, so this is his first Blood River offering. There is a very strong bond between the two assassins, and he has been warned that if they change roles and Su Chang He becomes patriarch, that he will indeed kill his best friend. Even with that, Kui continues. I am enjoying both the history flashbacks and the different battle elements. I am also glad creepy guy that preyed on children got killed early. He really needed to go. The music with this drama is also quite good. The Patriarch is on the move to destination unknown so this will be an added obstacle for Kui in finding him.

Read More