People who want to reset their lives should watch this
After reaching a point in life, many of us wish to be reborn, thinking that if we get a second chance, we won't repeat the same mistakes and will work harder this time to make our lives more beautiful and successful. This drama is the visual representation of what would happen if our wish became real. FL wished to reset her life from the start; she seriously didn't transmigrate. Instead, that night in her dream, she got the opportunity to see what it would be like if her wish really came true. In my opinion, the entire dream was meant to help the present Xiaolan realize her worth and potential. After watching the dream, she finally figured out what steps to take to address her ongoing difficulties in life.Was this review helpful to you?
Cute
That was extremely cute and lovely but sadly it was a bit draggy, specially in the latter episodes.The premise is adorable and very Manga-like, so if you like innocent and pure love stories, you are in for a treat.
However it had its fair share of cliché moments and the very stereotypical arcs in every love story ever existed.
I will not say much about it because compared to these things it was more enjoyable and full of swooning moments.
I believe the negative side is the age difference or to be specific the FL being still in high school, but if you actually watch it, you will understand that there is nothing icky about it, and both characters were too pure and innocent. You won't even think about their age.
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Disney's Mulan 2.0 ... Yawn
I know that the girl boss and Mary Sue archetypes are the hot trend nowadays, but this drama takes the cake. They amped it to absurd levels. At one point the FL lifts up two baskets full of rocks, each weighing 250-plus pounds (>100 kg). Once I saw this roughly 130 lb (59 kg) girl lift more than four times her weight, something that not even the top 1% of men can do, it jumped the shark for me.Sorry, but not even Disney's Mulan or Star Wars' Rey was that over the top. I guess she's the C-Drama equivalent of the overpowered Ms. Marvel in all her girl-boss, I can-beat-men-twice-my-size glory. So it comes at no surprise that the drama is peppered with the repetitive "women are equals" / "women can do whatever they want" PSA. That is, of course, the same recipe for pretty much every historical drama these days, but none as in-your-face as this one.
What about the ML you might ask? Is he also as strong and capable? He's pretty much a lanky ken doll who gladly accepts to be a matriarchal husband. No tension. No debate. It is quite obvious this oh so mighty and "battle-hardened" ancient general is wearing heavy make up. Enough said.
I couldn't take this drama seriously despite the strong effort of the otherwise likeable actors. I just couldn't. On top of that, the plot was fairly predictable and dragged, especially after the first third of the drama. There was no emotional payoff, hardly any humor and all too brief battle scenes. The other two secondary couples lacked originality. I basically fast-forwarded to the last episode. In the end, if you are desensitized to over-the-top Mary Sues and just want to see horse-riding pretty boys slathered with foundation, then this is for you.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Persons diary, to this gorgeous show
This review is more like a diary, there are written thoughts also recap of events, so please read it only if you have finished it =)‼️EVERYWHERE IS SPOILERS‼️, THIS IS FOR ME, WHEN I MISS THE SHOW, THAT I COULD READ AND REMEMBER THE MOMENTS :P
JJY x TJR
CDL x Joseph
Now i know my favourete genre: Foxes. I truly liked them since i was child, Also I really like Fox characters in c-drama: TBL, TTEOTM…
【～Awards】
For acting improvement—Ju Jing Yi!
For underrated acting and popularity—Tian Jia Rui!
For the smartest villain in the whole c-drama history—Jiu Ying
For director, who keeps forgetting his main characters….
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
🍀☘️- CAST -☘️ 🍀
(1) [JJY - Lu Wu Yi]
*Actress - I dont think anyone else could fit in to be sly fox, as much as JJY. Her make up, red lipstick, indeed give me Red Fox vibes! I think this role is truly suited for her! I never had watched any of her dramas (well maybe a bit In Blossom, but couldnt connect with it; i’m more of her fan of singing side, i always listen to her songs) and I think people who casted her, truly did favour for her, thats the role she should be playing.
*Character - I feel that she is a bit more colder than her sister, even thought it feels the opposite at first.
* Lu Wu Yi is truly obsessed with Ji Ling. that even ChiWen got annoyed, Ji Ling Ji ling all you talk about is Ji Ling
(2) [Joseph - Wu Shi Guang]
*Act - I haven’t watched many dramas of his, only Feud which i really enjoyed. Until now i haven’t noticed how truly beautiful and handsome he is!
*Character - He is actually demon, one of the flood dragon clan. He grew up with the weasels after the incident.
Shiguang is ChiWen younger brother. Tenth dragon son. (He actually was created for peace)
*I was disappointed how the character turned out, it’s not the actor fault…It feels that WuShiguang did nothing to be dragon deity which is kinda unfair how other people sacrificed so much…It not that the character doesn’t deserve it, but I think it was too fast, wasn’t enough time for development.
(3) [Chen Du Ling - Wu Wang Yan]
*Act - I always thought she was super beautiful, like JJY, they really are like sisters of beauty, no any other woman in the world i have ever seen could compare to these two beauties (“Idols”)! My other of her dramas are anticipated “Qiao Chu/?Ashes of crown?” also if not this drama would have aired, i would have started watching Glory, where she has main role. She gives me Empress/Queens vibes, also manipulative vibe! But i heard she is super sweet person in real life, I folow her youtube chanells.
*Character - So Wangyan is actually so kind hearted under the cold mask…She never wanted to hurt people in the first place, nor be guilty for it. She always shed tears…
(4) [Tian Jia Rui -Ji Ling; Chi Wen dragon deity, ((ManMan))]
He so handsome…I liked him as Ji Ling…And the relationship with JJY. He is such cute pookie. That’s what i thought at first…
(4.1.1) [TJR - Ji Ling]
* Ji ling…How could Chi wen be so cruel, was it so hard to say to him that he has purpose..? That he isn’t just a wooden….Im starting to not like Chi when at all…
I feel sad for him, when he released he is just a puppet without feelings…He ?died?, even thought in the first place he was never alive
(4.1.2) [TJR - Chi Wen dragon deity]
he is so coldddd, but he is protecting himself and others this way.
* He (Chi wen) is starting to warm, more and more like Ji Ling to be. But I don’t quite like him like this…But in the show the FL is going to end up with Chi wen not Ji Ling, because they are the same persons.
* The way Chi wen is trying to win over LWY with good food and clothes 🤣 I feel that Chi wen is jealous of Ji Ling.
*now it makes sense….Before he was Chi wen, he always have been Ji Ling…That’s why he made the wooden doll, to not forget about Ji Ling, his inside heart.
*This time he will give anything Lu Wu Yi wants, because destroying Jiu Ying means destroying Lu WuYi
• He isn’t the real chi when….
* Why did he had to side with Jiu Ying….My poor Wangyan.
* I was right….Chi wen is truly cold hearted, no he is not cold hearted HE DOESNT HAVE A HEART! I was right from the start. I never liked him the first place, I really need his cruel backstory that my heart would warm more, and I will immediately forget about it!! (Btw I don’t have actually, that’s what I was feeling while I was watching!) —So all this was just a dream???
* lol one second I say I hate Chiwen/Ji Ling the other I say I love him. Hate-love relationship 🤣 this time I love him for being so good to JJY!!! He truly loves her so much!
* I really enjoyed his past-story!He couldn’t be anymore the funny little fox, but a cold strong Chi Wen.
(4.2) [Yan An - Li Jie;Yuan Wuhuo/Butterfly demon]
Ji lie twin brother…? But demons can grow appearance…Also Chen wen said that Ji lie is human, while Yuan Wuhuo is demon, and that demon can take appearance from other person if that person lost something (like item)…But…Remember what JJY/LWY said, before killing the child whose parents were human and demon. I don’t remember exactly what, but that it will bring disaster, because it cannot cultivate as demon, nor can life as human!
What if they are actually twins and their parents are demon and human, so two brothers twins were born: one human Ji lie and the other demon Wuhuo! It’s just a theory I’m not sure if it’s correct! The other thing, remember Ji Lie is extremely strong as a human!
eeeeh, I was a bit off, but I like this theory.
(4.2.1) [Yan An - Li Jie, true name Xizai]
Honestly, he is the most mysterious of all of them, also the most handsome :<
* 10years ago Li Jie came with nothing, not even memories! Chen wen gave him name Ji lie, to be born after calamity.
(4.2.2) [Yan An - Yuan Wuhuo/Butterfly demon]
He manipulates everyone…Wuzhiqi, Xiaowei.
But I feel sad for him also, he was “reborn” from the obsession of Chi Wen, Ji lie “born” as good side and he was as the evil one.
(5) [Jiu Ying - main villain]
* I feel that her character isn’t full, also her reason for doing it, it feels a bit off. it gives me vibes like in those kids shows where villains are villains just to make the Heroes shine.
EXTRA:
[Liu Yu - Tian Di]
I really like his dancing aswell as his singing. He is very underrated! please check him out!!! I was surprised to see him in the cast list, well only guest role, but still a role! He is first time acting (second) But the acting is sooo good, like he is professional actor?! He truly should have more recognition…
[Character] Tian di is star stone, he thought Wu Zhiqi is good person and he is only imprisoned to be protected. Xie Ling xi is the older version of tian di. Xie lingxi master of Shiguang.
* I feel that every character is so mysterious…
- - - - - - - -
🌱- CINEMATOGRAPHY/VISUAL/OST/SOUNDTRACK -🌱
When LBtG aired, i was sad for not liking it, because i thought i missed the visual, but here its as good as there! The cinematography is sooo good! Reminds me of FoF, thought i havent watched, but after finishing it(VoS) i will def check it out. The costumes are also so well made, they are so extraordinary and beautiful! Honestly even the side characters are so beautiful, there aren’t a single person less attractive! So many fine shyt, I’m speechless.
the sounds are made so well also! It so well suited in the series, all the soundtrack, i find it very special!
- - - - - - - - - - -
～🍀☘️- STORY - DIVIDED BY ARCS -☘️🍀～
Overall: Every episodes ends with cliffhanger, leaving the audience wanting more and more! it dwells deeper each time. And I love that so much! Everything connects back to its pieces.
[ | Arc ] 1-6/7episodss. I give it a name, I might give a name to every arc: Xiaowei…Keeps Searching for her, to find a cruel fate a trick on him.
The first arc, got a bit dragging around the 3-5 episode, but i still decided to keep up with it, becauss so many unanswered questions keep you engaged.
But it truly got better each episode, The 6 episode…The director truly likes trauma…I feel so sad for Xiaowei. Did he deserved it…?
[ || Arc ] 6-16 The illiusions give me Moonlight mystique vibes, when they intered the “star-stone”. lets call it “Heart-breaking compelling of sad stories, that connects one big on-come”
* Pan Gu’s spirit/soul became the dragon deity.
* He had nine suns, calamity came from Jiu Ying-demon of all world, made a war between demon and man. To save all lives the nine dragons sons fought him to death. Eight of them turned into towering mountains, to seal him. Only the ninth son, Chi Wen remained in the world to guard all life.
** so the three “illusions” are connected, ManMan steal the “star stone” -> fire incident -> Wuzhiqi without the stone couldn’t safe his brother (Mortal killed demon (the brother)) -> conflict between man and demon -> Wuhuo and Xizai “arc”, Xizai was weak so Wuhuo forced him to drink to be cured illness -> Cang Hao x Wing Yi lifetime/arc. Small Shiguang found one of the “star stone” -> Wu Zhiqi came to steal, but was stopped by CH, QY; Xie Lingxi
* And all of this was straight connected to Wu Zhiqi, because he was the one who wanted the “star stone”, his obsession truly went so far that he stills wants it after so many thousand years have passed. But I pity him, and he wasn’t the one behind it. Poor anti-hero.(Wuzhiqi-> Green ape clan, that got ?slaughtered?)
TIMELINE - ManMan, Dizhu -> One thousand years ago; Wuhuo, Xizai -> One hundred fifty years ago. CH, QY -> Fifty years ago. “Star Stone cave”
The one behind it, behind all thoose accidents was Jiu Ying. She doesn’t want to kill people, because she doesn’t need to do it. She is like evilness, she wants despair, hatred and conflicts….That’s the source of her powers. She doesn’t die as long as she possesses people. Nine dragons sealed her, so she needed (Shiguang) to break the seal.
* wuzhiqi just wanted to save his clan…And Tian Di just wanted that Wu Zhiqi would keep living. And both of them died….
[Arc |||] 16-20ep. “Trying to Destroy Jiu Ying” Heartwarming moments have come before the disaster strikes.
Lu Wu Yi is connected to Jiu Ying, Jiu Ying is “formless moon master”(the real one died).
destroying Jiu Ying means destroying Lu Wu Yi. that’s the price ChiWen/Lijing will have to pay…That’s why he will give anything she wants, because she doesn’t have enough time left…So for few episodes we will see heartwarming JiLing/Chiwen moments with LuWuYi, before the disaster will break out. I thought it would have been a bit longer, but the disaster strike so fastly 😭
ChiWen/Li Jing sided with Jiu Ying, stabbed Wangyan and made Jiu Ying posses Shi Guang. I feel so sad for Lu WuYi—Just a dream?!
[ Arc |\/ ] 21-24ep. WWY x LWY x SJ arc. The “three sisters”.”Time-loop arc”
Everything was false…LWY isn’t demon, she was stitched together by Jiu Ying. She can absorb any power and she is the most powerful of all of them.
LWY is in time-loop. Because CW/JL keep killing WWY.
Mu long/Su jian and Han Ba story is so heartbreaking…*Su Jian is dead, her daughter is Mu Long. (played by the same actress) But now Mu Ling has You Chi, thought she lost Han Ba
*Also I feel sad for LWY, WWY and CW/JL...No matter how it turns out , they are all poor souls, LWY loves WWY as much as CW/JL. She doesn’t have anything to do else, she either has to betray one of them. I think what LWY did is right, she doesn’t want to see died WWY nor JL/CW. Right now betraying WWY, is better than CW, and before betraying CW was better than WWY. And all it was because of Jiu Ying; I
*feel bad for CW also, because he is always left alone, but not this time.
*Poor WWY, the memories she shared with Su Jian are reals while with LWY are fake ones, but after all she still loves LWY every time. Maybe this is better, because she would be too heartbroken to find out that Su Jian is dead
LWY every time-loop tried to save JL/CW!
Now she is stronger than anyone else, almost Deity.
[Arc V] 24-29ep. ChiWen and Yuan Wuhuo arc. “Everyone gets what they deserved, what they truly wanted”
*The past-story of them both is so heartbreaking and also just a little heartwarming. Chi wen who is just a little fox demon and Yuan demon hunter who just lost his brother, takes blame on Chi wen for not saving his brother. Thought Yuan hates Chi wen for being exactly like his brother, their moments grew heartwarming.
chi wen and Yuan wuhuo past-story is so well done.
Also it quite well explained about Ji Lie and Wuhuo—they are the same person, born from the obsession of JL
- - - - - - -
🌱☘️🍀- COUPLE’s - ROMANCE - 🌱☘️🍀
* [JJY x TJR, Lu Wu Yi x Ji Ling]
A puppet without feelings, still is able to love, its master…cannot….
This couple is so cute and warm, it keeps my heart so heartwarming and happy, that I forgot everything else, the all bad things, in the show also in the life so different from the show.
I think, Lu Wu Yi as she said, she loves Ji Ling, Not Chen wen. And I hope she won’t change her mind. I’m interesting what happened back then…When she met him for the first time. Was he just a puppy, or was he real person…? A Chen wen…? It will be a mystery for now…To reveal for later.
* The heartwarming moments have come, before the disaster strikes. ChiWen/JiLing confesses that he IS JiLing, he will give everything to Lu WuYi, because she is so precious to him. And he knows that soon he will forever lose her.
* [JJY x TJR; ManMan x Dizhu]
So theirs backstory was that DiZhu was possessed by evil snake and killed everyone.
Also I feel that Chi wen is starting to be more and more like Ji Ling!
* [Chen Du ling x Joseph, Wu Wang Yan x Wu Shi Guang]
This one is more like slowburn, but I already feel the chemistry! They got so much improved their relationship in CH x QY lifetime! I love how healthy their relationship is.
I’m sorry, but did the director forgot them??!
After the mid of the show, their screen-time increasedly started being low…They had so much potential just to be thrown into the trash bin…. 🗑️🎬
*[Cang Hao x Qing Yi]
It’s killing me, from laughed, so the baby they found is Shiguang, and now they are his parents.
So they spend together 10years…They should get closer each year, more comfortable together being, also Shiguang won’t be so shy with her anymore. The kid is growing great. I think the family is perfect, sadly it won’t be forever, they will soon come out from the “formation, illiussion”
I feel that Wu Wangyan is actually quite happy, after all she wanted this type of life.
I like the flirting sooo muccch. After being wife and husband for 20years accounts should still be set 🤣 So they lived like ordinary couple, for all these years…Grew old together, it was so moving to watch it!
*[CHS x Jolin Jin; Han Ba x Su Jian]
THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVE COUPLES, they are so unserious and funny!!!! I like the actress so much, she is so cringey (well she supposed to act like this), but she doesn’t annoy me at all! It’s so funny and sweet! I enjoy her watching so much!
* I feel so sad for Han Ba, he wanted to safe his lover, but brought drought over. And poor WWY, she didn’t understand at the time what truly happened, it wasn’t her fault, neither it was Han Ba fault….
～【Negative】～ 🌱❣️Why not 10?
Because in the first episodes until midway the drama is truly good, but later near end many people are disappointed by not equal billing.
thought I enjoyed this show fully, I was disappointed by Shiguang character...He did nothing to be dragon deity, while other characters sacrificed so much...I mean that his character isn’t fully developed yet to be the dragon deity…Also where did WWY and he disappeared in the second half? it felt that the director not only forgot about them, but later just throwed at him, and said: I'm sorry that I forgot you, here you go you are fated one so you should be the dragon deity.
(Okay I’m a bit overreacting)
I actually think that the ending is right, Chi wen got what he wanted with LWY, which is the best version I could even think. but I still somehow feel weird about ShiGuang and WWY, they deserved more development…
🌱[HAPPY ENDING] 🌱Thank you for reading
P.S. This is one of the shows that actually could have had 40+ episodes! normally I wish that shows would have less episodes, but this is the exceptional of dramas. There were also more than few couples that could have been told more about like Sifeng, also about WWY and other formless moon sisters!
P.S(2) The review is too long so some parts where deleted…(ofcourse the important parts as always)And I don’t remember everything thought I just watched the drama a second ago…So Sad(;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`) Going to check out for FoF, people said it’s similar!
【2026-04-20 THE END】
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In the meantime, this drama can be found in YouTube’s link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLed6i_VUYI
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Please don’t waste your time
I only give it a 4/10, cause the first two episodes were amazing and the cinematography was excellent, other than that: full garbage.I have never seen such miserable and annoying characters. The ML is the most miserable person ever. The lack of self respect drove me INSANE. How can someone hate themselves that much? His character was really interesting at first, but they ruined it by making him a simp. They should have give his character more in depth scenes, the character was much more than an idiot waiting his whole life for someone who left him.
The female character is the exact opposite, super selfish. She was so angry and mad about.. what? I couldn’t understand her at all. Everyone is loving her and open to help her, but she is just an ungrateful brat.
I appreciate people who choose themselves and go for their own dreams, but she should’ve never interrupted the ML’s live. She made things only worse and left, again.
I can rant about the absolute RAGE I am feeling right now, but I will spare you guys, just don’t watch it for you own sake.
The only good thing about this shit drama is that they didn’t end up together, THANK GOD! Or i would’ve given it 0/10
I am so disappointed that they ruined absolute perfect two episodes. I can absolutely love second chance romances, but not like this ever again please.
They WASTED an great opportunity the worst way possible and I will have to mourn for this now.. THANKS.
edit (and spoiler): I forgot to mention that the FL is really the worst girlfriend ever. she drank wine with her ex, whom she hid from her boyfriend, while her boyfriend was having a hard time, because his grandma was almost dying. i think i won’t be forgetting this awful situation ever 💀
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Lost memory - but Sae Byeok will love enough for two!
Sae Byeok's love for Ha Neul was consistently evident in every scene, every lingering glance.His devotion was unwavering and so strong and for that alone I was locked in from the first episode.
I seriously love this kind of male lead. I felt as though he carried their entire relationships delicately on his shoulders, holding it together with barely sticky sellotape.
I’d be doing a disserve to any BL fan if I didn’t make a note in my review about Sae Byeok's luscious lips – They were just so there, my eyes were trained on them each time he spoke!
I’m a fan of the amnesia trope if it’s done well. And for the most part, it was in this show. I wish it had been more developed, but given there are only eight episodes, I grasp why the storyline occasionally seemed superficial. At times, the constant toggling between past and present events made things unclear. I would have preferred more time dedicated to the present to witness the boys working through their relationship, particularly since one was mentally dwelling in the past due to losing his memories of their life together as adults.
I had a hinky feeling about that barista fella right away – I’m glad my hunch was correct!
For two new guys to the industry, I was impressed with their acting and would watch more of their projects in the future. I'm sure their skills will go from strength to strength with each new job.
Would I recommend the show? Absolutely. The ideal amount of emotion holds your attention and keeps you suspended, without being devastating. No K-trauma here! Hoorah.
A love story that delivered through the ups and the downs.
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Suspense and Drama
I watched this drama not knowing what to expect and I really love it so far. Everyone's acting is A+ and the production is great. The flashbacks got me a little confused at first but once I figured it out I saw clearly what was happening. I have asked my friends to watch it along with me so that we can discuss. I also love the fact that I do not know what is going to happen next.The whole plot is unpredictable which ads to the drama and suspense. Can't wait to see how they wrap it up
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A comforting K-drama with an intense plot that overshadows its healing vibe
This drama was according to me the most serene, soothing and areumdaun (Korean for beautiful) drama I had ever seen except for the main leads' story (more on that later). If not for that, this was one of the best healing kdrama for me. The cast brings out the warmth in each and every character. The concept and the vibe potrayed also has the "serenity" in it which amplifies it. But there are some very nice and uncool things I have to say about this drama:1. Han JI Hyeon and other cast (halmeoni/grandma, the pet dog and other side characters) carried the show
Everything which was not meant to be a plot for us to keep wanting to watch for in the next episode ironically became the reason I continued to watched this show. The warmth they displayed, the support they might have given, the care they provided or maybe at least the interactions they had were what kept me wanting more.
2. One of my favorite kdrama relationship (Song Ha Dam and Cha Yougum)
The young couple studying in school suprise you with their kindness, love, care and internal chemistry.
I fell in love with how they helped each other in times of need, stayed strong for each other and worked through their relationship which is not quite common nowadays.
3. but all of this is overshadowed by our main leads' storyline
This is a gray zone for me, so lets agree to disagree if you do disagree.
I believe if the main ML was not connected to her past but actually a fresh character in her life with his cool, outgoing and warming presence he showed after his change would have been a better choice. It could have been then my favorite healing kdrama.
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Messy but not bad
At first, I didn’t really like this drama. But after watching a few episodes, it started to grow on me, so I decided to continue.The plot is quite good and keeps you interested, but I still feel like something is missing. I can’t exactly point out what it is, but maybe it has to do with the way certain scenes are built or presented—it feels a bit messy at times.
As for the acting, everyone did a solid job. I didn’t notice anyone underperforming, which is definitely a plus.
One thing that confused me was the masked man at the end—I couldn’t figure out who he was.
Overall, it’s not the best drama I’ve watched, but it’s still worth watching if you’re curious.
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Season 2: Action Above All
The second season of Bloodhounds returns stronger, louder, more brutal, and definitely more spectacular. The fights are practically non-stop, with no weapon manipulation, just pure, raw, bare-knuckle brawling, which creates a super intense atmosphere.The main duo, WDH & LSY, continue to do the most work; their bromance is absolute gold and the heart of the entire drama. Their loyalty and humor make it feel warm even with all the brutality; you just want to watch and root for them.
I also like that they added the subplot of an underground global boxing league; it added a fresh touch to the story.
Plot-wise, it's a bit weaker than in the first season. The story is simpler and at times a bit predictable. It's clear that more emphasis was placed on action than on building tension or character depth. The main villain, played by Rain, is more exaggerated – menacing, but one-dimensional. The "down-to-earth" fear that was present in the first season is missing. To sum up: a different atmosphere than in the first part, but still very watchable.
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Good start but crashed towards the end
This is a slice of life drama that shows that life is what happens between the day to day life and tragedies... While one tragedy after another seem to leave the leads unaffected its the small drops that push them over the edge, over and over again.The first 6 or 7 episodes have decent pace and decent story and even made me shed a tear or two. Our female lead didn't really deliver much when it comes to talant but her story was mostly interesting and so was her character. This drama could truly have been great and gotten a higher score if it werent for the painfully slow last 3 episodes that went back and fourth, round and round we go...
At times it felt like they put more effort to shooting pretty things than making sure the story had a good flow. A decent story dragged out a bit to long while still leaving out a whole lot of missing pieces towards the end.
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tried to do too much
Overall: there were way too many characters/plot for 4 hours as well as multiple timelines which made it confusing. A protagonist also had a giant flaw, which made me not support the romance. This is based on the web novel of the same title by Hwacha. 8 episodes about 30 minutes each. Aired on WeTVContent Warnings (SPOILERS): past (stalking, murder, blood), present (attempted murder, blood, manipulation, blackmail, non con kiss)
What I Liked
- initial premise (even though it's not realistic, it is a bit different)
- physical intimacy
- sweet moments
- characters who did terrible things did have consequences
Room For Improvement
- too many characters/plot, we had: past stalking/murder, current stalking/attempted murder, amnesia, lost dream, job troubles, love rivals, as well as plot that took place in high school, the years in between and in the present
- not all flashbacks were clear and added to the confusion of when/what was happening
- I am very upset with Yeo Sae Byeok if I understand correctly (and I might not because it was confusing)
- in the past he didn't tell Ha Neul about the stalking/threatening letters or go to the police which led his dad to be killed and then Ha Neul to blame himself
- in the near present he didn't tell Ha Neul about the threatening letters or go to the police which led to his boyfriend almost being murdered and missing a large part of his life which I would imagine would be extremely traumatic
- in the present lying by omission and still not cooperating with the police could have easily led to his boyfriend being actually murdered
- super stupid plan in high school with the poor communication trope
- did not feel the emotional intimacy between them, part of it was their past relationship was developed in a 6 minute montage
- there was a ton of writing nonsense, a few examples: no medical professional checked on him for a long time after he woke up, the police were fine not interviewing the victim and taking someone else's word for it, a person in jail was able to obtain a ton of red envelopes and mail them out of jail and they weren't even sealed
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At the end of the day, we need to let go of the past
I'll start my review with no spoilers, so everyone can read my general opinion!The show was a 10/10 for me. Everything was perfect, from the writing, to the cinematography, to the final message, to the acting.
You may like it or not, but I think I'm quite objective when I say the characters are very well-written, in a complex, realistic way. The script and dialogues were just wonderful, with a lot of symbolism and parallels that you may notice or may not. The shots were just breathtaking, as were the color palettes. The OST was exactly what the show needed : it was never loud music in your ears. It was soft, low and heavy music, just like the show was.
The actors delivered a close-to perfect acting in everyscene, with raw scenes.
The show relied a LOT on the acting because a lot of things were shown without being told (which makes the show amazing to me, but you need to have analytical skills). There are a lot of silence where emotions are only transmitted through gestures or glances, and I can tell you, the actors mastered it. If you're observant, you get it.
I can preshot a lot of negative opinions about the show. It may make you hesitate whether to watch it or not. I'll tell you, this show is not for everyone. If you're here for a feel-good romance where things are smooth and light, then, clearly, don't watch it. This show is slow, raw, heavy and bittersweet. But it's also full of hope and deep messages. Still Shining's purpose was never to show a classic love story. The point of the show is to focus on realistic character-growths. People make mistake, sometimes they accept things they shouldn't, sometimes they're not logical. That doesn't mean the characters aren't coherent or well-written - quite the opposite, actually. The show was full of foreshadowing and hints. You can guess very early which direction it will take and it stays true to itself, and you got to love a show that doesn't change himself just to please the audience.
***SPOILERS***
"This is where I stop. Trying to make things work, intruding in your peaceful life, and repeating this vicious cycle. Enough."
While there are a lot of people upset about the ending, I think it delivered exactly what it promised to deliver : a hopeful story about life and relationships. The main focus may have been the romantic relationship but the story was never about romance or happy endings. It's a story about letting things go.
Each character was stuck in the past at some point, not only the main characters.
Taeseo grew up with heavy responsabilities on his shoulders and never truly let them go, even when he started living in Seoul. He was always afraid of the idea of going back to his hometown, and never truly freed himself from the responsabilities, because he was stuck in that past where his brother couldn't handle things and he had to do everything himself. I think his main journey was about making peace with that past and accepting that his brother could handle things, and only then did he realize that he actually wanted to be by his grandparents' side. He no longer had to put distance between them because he loved them - his love for them was not a burden anymore. I think Ahsol hit exactly where it hurt when she told him what she was thankful for. I think, before that very instant, Taeseo still thought of himself as that stuck highschool boy, without noticing he had become an adult and overcome what weighed on him back then.
Eunah was clearly stuck in her guilt toward her father. In higschool already, when she couldn't plan on leaving him because she was afraid for him, and then, as an adult. She was still stuck 10 years ago, in that time when she broke up with Taeseo, in that memory in the snow, with the "what if" AND stuck with the guilt of her father's death, that she tried to escape from by blaming Sohyun. Her whole journey in the show was to accept things, let go of both her guilt and anger, and stop repeating the same mistakes. She needed to meet Taeseo again for that, to learn how to break up correctly with him, and needed to reconcilile with Sohyun to let go of her guilt/anger.
Seongchan was clearly stuck in his obsession for Eunah. He was obsessed with being here for her and doing everything for her and he had to let those feelings go because it hurt both him and Eunah. I found him a very interesting character because, you know, why would he fall in love with a girl who was a highschool students months ago, as a guy 7 years older? You see him being all controlling over her, not accepting her giving up her pension, and I kept wondering, is he actually a creep who just want control over her or is he...right? And turned out he was right for most things. He was when he thought Eunah was making a wrong decision to stay in Seoul, and at the end of the day, he knew Eunah better than we did, because we didn't know (and we'll never really know) what happened to her in the 10+ years between the time gaps, while he was there and looking after her. So what came out as controlling was actually rightful concerns because he knew better than us how many efforts Eunah put into her pension. And she should never give all that up just for a man. (Now I'm not saying Seongchan was perfect, he was clearly very borderline, but his character was so interesting).
Heeseo was probably the most resilient character of the show. The whole show starts with him undergoing a huge surgery and he had to learn how to let go of his leg. His whole journey was to overcome this grief, the anxiety it brought him, and learning how to live with his liability. He did a wonderful job and despite having the most legitimate reason to be "stuck", he's the first to actually move on.
Even Ahsol was a character who had to learn how to let go of her compassion and love for Taeseo. I think quite literally all the main characters were stuck in the event from ten years ago and the whole show was about them finally moving on. The grandma being stuck in the past after she wakes up and her brain jumping memories from memories until she's finally back in the present is, in my opinion, the most beautiful and unique way to show what the whole story was about. When Heeseo comes to bring Eunah back to his grandma and says his grandma is back, he has those words : "It's right now. The present." And to me, that was the whole message of the story. All the character were stuck in the past and they finally let go of it. It was finally the present for all of them.
At the end of the day, I think even Eunah's dad was a character stuck in the past. He was quite literally the exemple of what a person becomes when they can't "move on". Being stuck in the past and in the regrets brings depression... and while some are lucky enough to recover and start moving toward the present, like our main characters, some people aren't that lucky and get stuck forever, like Eunah's dad.
Now, on whether Eunah and Taeseo ends up together or not... I actually think the version they were at the end of the should could never be happy in the long term. What separated them was not only their different ambitions but also the way they processed things. They just don't work the same way, and no amount of love could ever change that, so the smallest problem can quickly turn into a huge misunderstanding that hurts both of them. But at the same time, that doesn't mean they can never end up together. Maybe in ten years, when they'll be different versions of themselves, they'll be more compatible. Which is why I loved that they didn't use a timejump to show them reunite. I didn't want to see that because I think it will take a lot of time for them to find each other again and to be together, and that might just never happen.
But the show chose to be faithful to its premise and be hopeful. It ended on a very hopeful note, where characters were finally free from the chains that trapped them in the past.
I'll end this review with my favorite quote of the show :
"Dad. When you told me to live freely, as if I was on a journey, you meant that in life, we can't stay even when we want to. Things seem like they'll last forever, but they don't. And since life is full of such things, when it's time to leave, you meant I should just take off, as if I was on a journey."
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Is that cdrama premium!!
Am i really in cdrama premium only 9 eps til now nd am amazed by everything in. The cinematography, the places, the music, the acting, the story.... absolutely a masterpiece the characters development tho. So i hope it will stay in this rhythm til the end.Was this review helpful to you?
