Reviews

A light watch which couldn't get me invested

I needed a siple watch and this drama delivered it, which can be a good thing, but to be honest it was just not anything special. I wasn't invested that much in the story mostly because I didn't understand what was going on, it wasn't extreme or thought provoking, but I enjoyed the simplicity and it was somehow refreshing? Weird mix of emotions here.

I wanted to watch this because of Go Younjung and SHE DEVOURED her role. I've always known she is a good actress and she has this captivating energy, but in this, her talent truly shined. It is not easy to act two different roles, but she could switch between Cha Muhee and Do Rami. I especially liked the Do Rami parts because that element was so interesting, it gave the whole drama a certain edge and the actress really brought out the vibe of the character. The delivery was good, that is why it didn't feel weird for me. I couldn't always place if Do Rami in the second half was just an act or a real thing, I guess it is up to interpretation, and I got the message but at the same time it was hard when the drama kept acting like it should be taken as a real person switch.

For me, the concept was interesting at the beginning, but the plot tired out pretty quickly. I felt like they didn't have many ideas for actual conversations or misunderstandings, so the emotions, heartbreaks and this push-and-pull plot was out of the blue. I understand the need for suspense, but it felt like those parts weren't written well. Sometimes I also got the impression that I just cannot grasp what was intended with the symbolics, maybe I am just too literal and the drama was intended to be mysterious and artistic. Overall this interrupted the plot for me which resulted in me not being invested afterall.

What I really enjoyed was the camera work. The colors, scenery, angles, dynamics really elevated the experience. This drama is beautiful, from the clothes, to the locations, I appreciate the details that went to the planning of this.

I don't have strong opinions, as I mentioned, this was a light watch with parts which I couldn't understand, so I wouldn't watch it again, but I cannot really complain either.

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Absolutely Enjoyable

This series turned out nothing like I thought it would be. I went into this thinking it would be kind of goofy and unrealistic. I was completely wrong, and for the better, too. It turned out to be so entertaining, and somehow made this crazy story seem possible and believable. There was surprising drama blended with just enough comedy to make it work.
Besides the writing, the cast is what made this all come together. Each of the three protagonists added a completely different personality to the mix, proving the phrase "opposites attract" 100 percent! My favorite character was Shinpei, and Taiga Suzuki was great at portraying him. Kodai Asaka & Aki Asakura fit perfectly with their characters as well, making everything balance out.
As you get deeper into the series, you kind of start to question how things could possible turn out for the best. So many obstacles to get over ... but don't give up. Somehow, the final episode really gives us a great finish. It was surprisingly satisfying.
Overall a really enjoyable series!

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It shows a lot of different ways love occurs, in an everyday way

I couldn't love an actor more than Huang Chin Chi. Both he and the actor who playesd his little brother in this short film were very good. It was a well written story, but the real delight was that the acting was entirely facial and physical. You could have deleted the dialog and soundtrack and still had quite the same experience, that is how good they were.

People will tend to complicate the reviews here. If you love stories about love, if you have ever loved a sibling, if a parent has ever loved you distantly and unconventionallly, if you've ever had to take a minute, this 16ish minutes will light up your soul.

I rated highly because it made me remember when love was simple, and the only answer, before life got difficult and confusing.

I hope to see Huang Chun Chi in more prominent and starring roles in the future. His skills are excellent.

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Plausible yet unconventional drama

I watched this drama yesterday since i found the proper subtitle for this drama. If you are looking for entertainment or romance drama, this is not for you. If you look for unconventional plot, you can give this drama a try, Huang Yunyun nailed the female role this time and its my first time seeing Hou Pengyan in ancient drama. The supporting casts are doing great job and my personal favorite were FL's bodyguard and FL maid.

The plot is basically about FL who got second chance after being murdered by her husband who pretended to died with his mistress but the difference she just do any improvisation since she had no clue beside the time before her death. She was tricked by her Mother-in law few times while she want to change her fate without her knowing. The scumbag and mistress commit suicide and die together in the early stages, and the divorce is decided very early on. Later, FL fights with the ML against the emperor, the supervisor, and the imperial concubine. In the end, the couple works together to ascend the throne. Palace

Let's go to most controversial. Many people say that the FL was reborn for nothing, but in my opinion, she didn't even touch the core of this matter in her previous life. Given her position, she has already done her best for example she knew she couldn't change her mother hatred for her. FL also tried to fix ML fate few times even when he was exiled she stayed by his side.

The cons in this drama were editing and story coherence are flawed; there's too much content, and the flow isn't very smooth .There is much plot hole for the example ML repeatedly abandoned the FL for Consort Xiao, and the reasons for his kindness towards her were never clearly explained, which infuriated me.

You can this drama try if you want to see unconventional drama.

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Silly but Not Insufferable

The drama was a slapstick comedy about an out-of-favor military noble and a hostage pawn of a neighboring country. The pawn suffered from a split personality which initially drew the suspicion of the rough ML, but her elegant and kind personality captured his attention.

I had to take breaks in watching, because broad comedy isn't my favorite. I'd keep coming back simply because the ML was so respectful of FL's autonomy, and that is often a rarity in Dramaland.

Added a half star because the ML insisted the FL should decide her own future. At every juncture when the 2ML wanted to protect her and prevent her from risky choices, ML would step in and champion her right to free will.

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A Graceful Liar - Lies, Greed, Ambition, and Revenge Within a Family Dynasty

So overall, I didn't hate this drama. It could've been MUCH better, but I didn't hate it. The plot was pretty interesting, and I liked the unconventional FL we had. I didn't hate the ending either, because not every drama needs a happy ending, and this is one of them. It was bittersweet, just like I predicted.

That being said, I am LIVID that YC got a happy ending! WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT??? AND JW ENDING UP ALONE?! I feel like she got punished far more than YC did- just for stealing her identity and being ambitious & greedy for a little while? I mean, I don't mind that HN and JW didn't end up together- it's what I wanted- but writing it like that just makes me feel so bad for him! 😭 NS's ending felt so lazy to me. Also, there were so many questions unanswered? So those politician guys were introduced for nothing? The model ex & his fate? JW's ex? The drone video of YC killing the model ex? SH's bio dad? HELLO?!

However, the strongest parts of the drama were some of the character arcs and the acting. Everyone did a great job, and even Lee Shi-Ah's acting stabilized later on (it wasn't too great at first.) The best character development has to go to Nan-Suk, who turned around towards the end. Then Ha-Neul, who finally stepped up in the second half of the drama and became the MVP, and then Hye-Ra. While her character arc & storyline was confusing sometimes, her redemption (and Lee Il-Hwa's portrayal) saved it. Jung-Won fell somewhere in the middle, I honestly would've rather seen her become a villain than stay as an anti-heroine or become semi-good. The writers put her character through too much for her to not go completely dark. But I liked that she was introduced as someone who wasn't a good person and didn't take any BS. That aspect of her character was consistent, I loved it.

Worst characters/character arcs go to Se-Hun and Young-Chae. Young-Chae ESPECIALLY. She was a flat, BORING ass character from beginning to end. There was NOTHING likable about her. I hope the few YC fans are happy here, because she got pretty much everything she wanted. 🙄 When you have me liking the final boss more than YOU, that says A LOT! Se-Hun was slightly better, if pathetic at times. But he was a sympathetic guy from the beginning, deceived by everyone. I actually wanted him and JW to work out. I hated how he went dark and it just... went nowhere? Nothing to say about Tae-Seok, I hated him, his actor did amazing, and I'm glad his character is dead. Thank goodness! YIPPEE!

The cinematography was amazing though. This felt less like a daily drama and more like a weekend drama. Things were more intricate and real, there were outside/real location shots and the drama was aesthetically pleasing to watch. KBS2 daily drama budgets have clearly gone up! I love that! The music was also incredible! Especially the BGM, I hope it's released someday. The plot... okay, so the first half was amazing. The second half, not so much. Some parts dragged on. Didn't really mind the birth secrets, but the one with JW genuinely shocked me. It was a very good, well-executed twist. As for the themes, well, I think... they were examined well? Greed gets you nowhere, family can be chosen, and sometimes revenge can hurt you (the avenger) more than the person you want revenge on. Also, lies can destroy a family, your relationships, and people who love each other. Sometimes it's not worth to get power. Basically none of the characters are running Gun-Hyang Group anymore. There was no point in fighting over the company, all they did was destroy themselves in the process.

Would I rewatch this? Not really. Maybe some parts, but not everything. If the ending was a bit better, if some questions were answered, and if some character arcs were changed, then it could've gotten above an 8 rating from me. Nonetheless, a decent drama.

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The slow, unique kind of introspection that will intrigue some and bore others.

This drama encompasses exactly what I wrote in the title. It develops slowly, but the type of stillness that makes you feel as though you yourself are present in the scene, watching it unfold and sharing the main character's experiences and emotions with her. Involved in her quiet turmoil, her numbness, confusion, and twisting love and silent regret as it shows her past failed relationships. The naturalistic acting and quiet music do an exceptional job at creating the immersion.

A noteworthy point is the exemplary cinematography. Especially the long shots done in just one take, at one camera angle. One angle could be nearly three minutes. The lack of music overlaying created a silent ambience that made you have to sit in the emotions, no matter how uncomfortable, instead of forcing you to feel them. Almost as if you are taking a pause, like a breath of fresh air. The scenes feel so real and give the actors space to flourish, making the characters feel like real human beings.

The story is one that slowly follows the life of Ayana, a novelist, who falls in love too easily, and so she tries to be with people who she will not fall too hard for. She meets her current boyfriend Yukio in a laundromat and they bond over an awkward yet sweet exchange. As the story develops, the drama delves into Ayana's past and her failed relationships, and her development and progression to becoming a better person.

Some may write this drama off simply because it contains unconventional themes, such as cheating. Please, don't be that person and reduce this show to a single moral transgression. The drama does not glorify the infidelity. It explores the reasoning behind Ayana's actions, her emotional complexity, the unmet needs of the characters, and the fragile dynamics of the relationships they are in.

A unique, introspective, and slow Japanese drama. It's becoming one of my favourites.

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