Sweet dreams are made of cringe
This drama has a lot to offer to the rom com lover, with a whole palette of male leads, friendships, work life blance, comics and what not. But there was just to much cringe, secound hand emberresment and bad acting/directing from the all but the male lead that I just could not rate this higher. Even though the Seos (Kang Joon and In Guk) s presence and characters could easiely be rated with a 10, they were just not enough to save this cringefest.Jisoo, Love, sorry to say this she can not cry on screen, the way they let a top singer IRL sing badly in karaoke was just mean and so were about 90% of her mimics.
Other than that it was a fun watch, just mind the bad acting, embarrassment and cringe and you will be fine.
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Manual to Greatness used as toilet paper #LameWriting (though everything else worked perfectly)
Yet again, another Korean writer who did not fail to disappoint me with painfully weak writing. The overall sketch of the story was so captivating that it could have been an easy 10/10 banger. Instead, like many promising plots before it, this one got sacrificed to the writers’ strange obsession with a two-cents-worth stalker who somehow gets treated like a national-level threat yet arrested after 10 attempts.Honestly, it was tiring to watch the characters waste hours chasing this bargain-bin villain as if he were some multiverse mastermind.
And then comes the female lead. Possibly one of the most clueless heroines to grace the screen. She keeps walking straight into this stalker again and again. At some point you start wondering whether she secretly enjoys these encounters. If she is that fascinated with the stalker, maybe the writers should have just paired them together and saved everyone the trouble. And What makes it more frustrating is that she literally possesses a manual to greatness 'the-holy-book-of-spells' , yet.. still.. ends up getting slapped around by the vamp cause apparantly love and beauty spells are useless in this situation. She didn't use a single useful spell out that book .. oh sorry she did i think the one that saved the ML ..but no he had to die to over come his curse so that one attempt also goes to bin.
Thank goodness she was never entrusted with something like a death note. She might have turned it into a gratitude journal and ll writing daily affirmations for the villain. Damn it !
Now, credit where it is due. The cast was genuinely one of the best parts of this drama. Rowoon and Bo-ah did a solid job, and their chemistry carried many scenes that the script itself struggled to support. Even with an annoying role, Bo-ah’s charm managed to shine through. The side cast also added depth and personality, making the world feel more alive than the plot deserved. So, Majority stars in my rating goes to this lovely effort put together by the great cast of this drama.
The background music and OST were absolute bangers. The kind that linger in your head long after the episode ends.
The ending was satisfying as well. Not perfect, but decent enough to close the curtain without throwing tomatoes at the screen.
So yes, it was a good drama…
if you can simply fast-forward through the endless “catch-me-if-you-can” circus starring the stalker. This one is absolutely a must-watch for you.
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It was soo good!
Because of this drama I can't watch other dramas anymore. My standards have been raised so high that I am finding other dramas boring 😭😭God I miss Chang yue and Xie zheng so much !!
I wish I can erase my memories and re-watch it again. I have watched so many dramas but pursuit of jade and love in the clouds were the best dramas I've ever watched.
So everyone please watch it or you are missing out on masterpiece.
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It aged nicely
Trust your own judgment when it comes to early 2000s Korean melodramas. I’m in love with early 2000s Korean melodramas. i just finished this drama and im very intrigued by the ending. I don’t know if I liked it or not but I feel like melodramas are supposed to leave you with a little of pain and nostalgia and mixed feelings. It was a unique ending. You have to enjoy each episode rather than rush and get impatient. Every drama leaves its own impression. The usage of nature was a great essence. I rated it a 9 because it’s unique and refreshing in its own way.Was this review helpful to you?
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AMAZING CHEMISTRY
They are by far one of my fav pairings. they have sm chemistry it's insane and they NEED another main role that isn't only 8 eps. If y'all want to see a veteran pair at work watch them because ive never seen so much chemistry from a couple EVER. I dont usually write reviews unless a show is really good. If y'all liked Johan norths story I think y'all will like them. I think the only part that's kinda cringe for me is the English from the dad because im just like why cant they cast someone who speaks English? like I get why ngernoat (arthitdao) would still be cast even if their English isn't the best because they're the main lead, but for the dad, there were a lot of parts I couldn't understand which I was very confused about. I just think it doesn't make sense to have a storyline based entirely on being able to speak English because one of the dads is American but not being able to speak it. This is not hate it's just confusing for me especially because I feel like there are a lot of actors who can speak English that can play the role of a dad.Was this review helpful to you?
A match I wish never made...
A drama with potential buried under confusion and repetition. ( Line taken from a very interesting review i just read ) 🤫Well !! I finished it out of habit, not enjoyment, and walked away remembering the frustration more than the story. Like literally ~~~it was one hell of a struggle to understand the way this drama was written. For me, it felt like a failed attempt on several fronts.
1. The plot is packed with errors, making it hard to follow the events. The biggest confusion revolves around the people supposedly killed eight years ago. The list keeps growing with every few episodes. By the end, I was still unsure who actually died and what exactly happened. No .. this is not suspense. It's a good damn narrative fog.
2. The casting was a serious problem. Too many characters looked alike, and the production made almost no effort to distinguish them. Similar faces, similar styling, similar presence. At times it felt like watching different versions of the same person walking in and out of scenes. Keeping track of identities became an unnecessary side quest.
3. The Kardashian sisters' storyline dragged far longer than it should have. I expected more matchmaking cases and more inventive scenarios. Instead, their marriage troubles dominated the screen time. The repetition made the plot feel stuck in one place, circling the same issue without moving forward.
4. The lead characters came across as superficial. Their personalities lacked emotional weight, and their struggles failed to leave a lasting impact at least on me don't know about others . More importantly, the chemistry between them felt weak. Their interactions looked forced rather than natural, which made it difficult to invest in their relationship.
5. The male lead, in particular, became increasingly irritating. I understand the intention behind portraying him as emotionally restrained and socially awkward. But his constant nagging tone continued until the very end, turning what could have been a character trait into a persistent annoyance.
6. The music barely registered. Nothing stood out, nothing lingered, and nothing added energy to the scenes. For a drama that already felt exhausting, the absence of memorable sound only made the experience feel flatter.
Overall, the drama had a promising premise, but weak execution, confusing storytelling, and uneven pacing made it more frustrating than engaging.
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Suprisingly good
This is a really good, but short Xianxia drama. I found it on YouTube by chance, and the next few hours were truly fun. I watch videos at least 1.5 times normal speed, so I didn't "waste" much timeIf this were a fully blown C drama with 40+ episodes, ~45 min each, it would be very close to my fav drama, Joy of Life.
I still enjoyed it very much, and considering the difficulties related to the short format, the cast, directors, and sets were outstanding.
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Amazing Drama!
I love this show so much, this is probably my third time rewatching but my first time posting a review on it. This drama got everything you would need, romance, comedy, a bit of scares, and a bittersweet ending. Be prepared to cry during the last couple of episodes.Story :
The story talks about a girl/spirit, Jang Manwol, she got tied down to this magical tree and became the owner of a hotel for the dead. As time went on, the hotel developed and eventually comes Goo Chan-sung, a Harvard graduate and becomes the manager of the hotel, helping Man wol with work while allowing her to grow and let go of her hatred and learn to love. This story is so sweet, I love the romance between chan sung and man wol, though it is a bit weird that a relationship between a ghost/spirt and a human formed but the producers did not make it feel weird or different.
Music :
The songs were pretty good. Not much to say about them but they definitely sound very calming. The soundtrack was also really good, certain parts had certain feels to them. The costume design was phenomenal!!! I love every piece that Jang Man Wol wears, it really speaks classy and chic and girl boss.
Acting:
The main lead acting was soooo good. I wouldn't put it past IU because she is a queen in the acting industry and she slays every role. The actor who played Chan sung was also really good, he embodied his role really well. I love the supporting cast as well, especially the guy who makes the drinks. He was really funny. I love the different deities/versions of Mago, they really made the show entertaining. I really think the casting person did a really great job! I also like how the second leads, specifically Lee Mi Ra, she didnt hang on to Chan sung a lot and eventually moved on, which allowed for the plot to move a lot smoother without unnecessary plot holes or annoyances.
Ending:
The ending was nice and where I definitely cried the most, so prepare them tissues lol. I love how the director and producers made sure every character had a happy ending and were able to let go of their grudges and move on. It's very rare to see, I also love how we get to see everyone again at the end doing thei rown things and enjoying a new life reincarnated. Also, the way each person who worked at the hotel was sent off really tied everything together.
Absolutely loved this drama! So worth the watch.
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Just like the first season it got better with the second couple
So this series seems to have a pattern where the second couple is more interesting than the first one. There is nothing wrong with Phoon and Fah, but Dao and Arthit had more of an interesting dynamic.What I did like about the first pair was Phoon getting a close knit group of friends around him that will defend him to the very end (as we saw with North). Generally the story of him getting to stand up against his abusive father and finding his mother were also really nice to follow.
I do find the dynamic between him and Fah bit creepy, mainly bc of the aspect that Fah used to view him more as a brother type of figure which then shifts to a romantic interest. Sure this can happen in real life when ppl know each other from longer period. Just something about the dynamic feels bit unbalanced in a way, where I feel Phoon would be willing to do almost anything bc he admires Fah so much, even if he would not be personally comfortable with some of the things Fah wants to do. But they get their happy ending, Fah obviously yes is eager, but adores Phoon and Phoon got out of "little brother" zone into being a proper boyfriend with the guy he loves.
Now about Dao and Arthit. Did this dynamic have it's issues? Yes there were some very questionable line crossing. I get it, Arthit aside from Johan (who is a complete simp now that he has North) is meant to be the second edgier character and I'd say he is the most "imperfect" character of the series. Dao has his own past issues to deal with, and still somehow two of them make a really deep connection during the first episodes. What maybe bothered me, especially after they shared such a significant moment, trying to contact Tith's mother's spirit is the part when Arthit starts to court Dao. Despite the fact that Arthit knew the crap Dao's ex made him go trough, he still resulted into pressuring tactics in gaining Dao's affection. Dao does put him into his place at times, but still some of the stuff did leave me wondering that is Dao going along with it, bc he genuinely is catching feelings or bc of the pressure Arthit puts on him and emotionally he doesn't have the capacity to properly just put a stop to it. Despite the courting process being questionable, I do feel this was in one way the most rewarding couple to see getting to the end.
I am calling the trailers for Dao and Arthit false advertising unless we get a special EP later! The studio trailer made these two to be the most spiciest couple to be expected and we only got one scene in the last ep 16 for them. Yes the scene was definitely more than what we have seen from the other couples, but everything else was the same fluffy stuff we saw from other couples once they decided to become boyfriends. This would have been fine, unless I had the original trailer as a base material for the expectations.
For me this is still a 7/10 series, but if you like university romance with long character development archs this isn't a bad choice.
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Don't Meet Again
Regrettably, this is yet another BL love story where a somewhat successful but isolated individual in the present is still living in the past. Racked with guilt about something traumatic, he has obviously not dealt with its lasting effect. It seems to hang over him like a continuous voice that whispers into his ear – perhaps if I could go back to stop a tragic situation, maybe everything would be different. Although I had been lied to as to what those circumstances were, I still want to go back and change something else just to make sure the same predicament which I am not sure what that is, never happen. Confused? Well, you should be. The story frankly is bewildering from a logical point of view. Oddly enough, it also made little sense from a mythus frame of reference. Is this series enjoyable? Well, yes, it kind of is, only because of the acting of the main protagonists. Yet, the screenplay itself let the actors and the story down, I am afraid. Unless you find a way to travel back in time to be completely 17 again – fully, wholly, and unequivocally – then do not. You will always bring some part of you back with you that will inevitably change elements you did NOT want to change. That alone will digress the outcome you intended. Perhaps it might be best to leave the past – alone.Was this review helpful to you?
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not bad but not good either
2gether is honestly a great series but this really was just a recap of the two seasons. almost 1.5 hrs of scenes from the og show. the graduation scene wasnt bad i just wish sarawat proposed with a ring instead of the guitar picks. i get the significance but its too much imo. the rings would make it feel more official and in a sense show that they’re a couple who’s gonna last. I honestly wish they got married instead tho and they had a kid. PLUS IM SO SAD WE NEVER GOT GOOD KISS SCENES DESPITE THE CHEMISTRY. still a good watch tho.Was this review helpful to you?
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Beautiful Unique Love story
The story is unique and I really like it. It evolves around the unequal and very different lonely souls. Both yerned for love and both had fear in relationship.The ghost queen afraid of the departing of the one she loved so she afraid to love. The mortal afraid of loosing the important in the heart of his beloved, so he cling and sacifice everything including his life.
You can understand both He Simu and Duan Xu. Both actors/actress did a good job conveying this relationship and it is beautiful. The music, the CG and costume are all great. All of the other actor/actress did well. The story is believable and cause you to think.
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Finally, a drama that broke my K-drama Slump
I was in a serious K-drama slump for so long nothing could hold my attention, and I kept dropping shows halfway. Then Perfect Crown happened. I literally subscribed to Disney+ just for this drama… and I have zero regrets. After watching the first 2 episodes, I’m completely hooked. I’ve already rewatched them multiple times while waiting for the next episode, and honestly, the wait feels like torture. Suddenly, Friday feels so far away 😭 The story setting itself feels so refreshing. The modern monarchy concept adds a unique layer to the usual romance setup, making the world feel both familiar and different at the same time. It creates an interesting contrast between power and restriction, status and freedom, which naturally shapes the characters and their choices.Byeon Woo Seok as Prince I-an is honestly so impressive to me. His character is someone who has lived his entire life being controlled told not to stand out, not to express, not to want too much. And you can feel that in the way he carries himself. His posture, his stillness, the way he speaks calmly even in tense situations it all reflects someone who has learned to suppress everything. What I really love is how his emotions are not loud, but they are there. You can see it in his eyes, in the pauses, in the way he slightly reacts rather than overreacts. It feels like there’s so much going on inside him that he’s not allowed to show. That kind of restrained acting is very hard to do, but he makes it feel natural and believable. It never feels empty to me it feels controlled, intentional, and layered.
IU as Seong Hui-ju brings such a different energy that balances him perfectly. Her character is confident, expressive, and emotionally open, but not in an exaggerated way. IU plays her with a lot of charm and sharpness, but also vulnerability underneath. You can tell Hui-ju has her own struggles despite her strong exterior, and IU subtly lets those cracks show without losing the character’s strength.
What makes their pairing so enjoyable is the contrast: he is quiet, contained, and unreadable at times, while she is direct, lively, and emotionally transparent. And yet, when they are together, their energy blends so well. Their chemistry doesn’t feel forced—it feels like two very different people slowly understanding each other. Even small interactions between them are engaging, and that’s why their scenes are so rewatchable. For me, both of them are portraying their characters really well. The acting doesn’t rely on dramatic exaggeration but on nuance, presence, and emotional layering. That’s exactly why it pulled me in so deeply.
The supporting characters deserve special mention because they genuinely add depth to the story. They don’t feel like background fillers each one has a purpose and brings their own energy into the scenes. Whether it’s through subtle humor, tension, or emotional support, they help build the world around the leads and make everything feel more complete and alive. Visually, the drama is absolutely stunning. The cinematography is beautifully done every frame feels polished, with thoughtful lighting and composition that enhance the mood of each scene. There’s a soft elegance to the visuals that perfectly matches the royal theme. The artwork and set design are equally impressive. From palace interiors to modern spaces, everything feels carefully curated. The environments don’t just look pretty they reflect the characters’ worlds, especially the contrast between restriction and freedom. The costumes are another highlight. The styling perfectly captures both the royal aesthetic and modern fashion. Prince I-an’s outfits emphasize his refined, controlled image, while Hui-ju’s wardrobe reflects her confidence and individuality. The attention to detail in clothing adds another layer to the storytelling.
Most importantly, this drama made me feel something again. After such a long time, I found myself laughing, smiling, and giggling while watching a K-drama. That feeling alone makes Perfect Crown special for me. Until the next episode releases, I’ll just be here… rewatching these two episodes again and again 🥲
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Worst Story+Worst Acting+Worst Screenplay+Worst Editing= Worst Drama
No wonder this drama has the lowest ratings..literally in every department this drama is so bad..! Story, Acting, Screenplay, Editing everything seems messy. i think they knew from the start that this project has 0 potential & it'll turn out to be a disappointment that's why there is no any big actor or known face in this drama..that's why they had to go with new actors or unknown actors...let me tell you what i found unbearable about this drama after watching just few episodes: #1 Story is very illogical & absurd #2 they just randomly & so often switch between past & present scenes that after one point you just left confused..#3 another problem is that you will feel many scenes, specially the ones where main leads are having conversation are unnecessary stretched out so lengthy & boring that you just loose interest in their conversation, they just talking talking talking & keep on talking (in one episode there is literally a 14min long conversation scene between two leads & btw one episode length is 1hr).. ..#4 Bad acting: everyone is in some kind of competition that who will act bad.. i don't know when was the last time i saw a kdrama this bad...Was this review helpful to you?
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Contains spoilers
I honestly can’t find anything to criticize about this drama. From start to finish, it was such a beautiful and emotional experience that left a lasting impression on me.The story was incredibly well-written—full of depth, tension, and just the right amount of angst. Every conflict felt meaningful, and nothing was dragged unnecessarily. The pacing kept me engaged the whole time, and I was always looking forward to what would happen next.
The actors did an amazing job bringing their characters to life. Their chemistry felt natural and heartfelt, making every scene—whether soft or painful—even more impactful. You could really feel their emotions, especially during the heavier moments.
And the OST… it was perfect. Every song matched the scenes so well that it made the emotions hit even deeper. It’s one of those soundtracks that stays with you even after finishing the drama.
If there’s one thing I wished for, it’s that Xiaotao and Wei Liang were given a happy ending too. They deserved more, and their story left a small ache in my heart. But at the same time, I understand that their outcome added to the overall bittersweet tone of the drama—it’s one of the few lingering angsts that makes the story feel more real.
Overall, I loved everything about this drama—the story, the actors, the OST… everything. I just wish it didn’t end yet. I wanted more.
Rating: 10/10
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