Reviews

Caveat Emptor!!! buyer beware.

Caveat emptor. When something looks too good to be true, perhaps we should be wary.

Was I sold a bag of rotten eggs? And can I only blame myself because I was attracted to the beautiful packaging? I have been watching Royal Betrothal slowly unravel since the second half began, and I kept telling myself, perhaps it will get better. That is usually the danger with these dramas, you invest so much time and emotion that you keep hoping the writers will somehow find their way back.

Unfortunately, by episode 30, I finally gave up. Their version of a Game of Thrones “Red Wedding” was the moment I couldn’t even finish the episode. Everything about it felt wrong. The bait-and-switch, only to be baited and switched again, became exhausting. At some point I had to ask myself: How creative were the writers when they ran out of ideas? The excessive slow-motion sequences became almost comical, the fight scenes defied any sense of realism, and the drama seemed to substitute spectacle for storytelling. With only two episodes left, I finally succumbed to my inner desire to drop the series. Life is simply too short to finish a drama I no longer enjoy.

And that is particularly disappointing because this drama had so much going for it. The production looked beautiful, the cast was attractive, and there were moments early on when I genuinely thought we were getting something special. Wu Jin Yan and Chen Zhe Yuan are both talented actors, and they certainly have the ability to carry a good story. But as a viewer, I also have to hold them accountable not for the writing or directing, but for the choices they make about the projects they take on. As top actors, they have some say in the stories they attach themselves to. After this one, unfortunately, they have lost a little of the goodwill I had as a fan.

I know Chinese dramas are becoming increasingly mainstream and are reaching audiences far beyond China. That is wonderful. But please, don’t mistake international audiences for ignorant fools who will accept anything simply because the costumes are beautiful, the actors are gorgeous and the production looks expensive. We are watching. We are paying attention. If anything, expanding into the international market means the writing has to step up, more credible characters, more intelligent plotting, and storytelling that doesn’t insult the audience’s intelligence. The Chinese drama industry absolutely has the talent and resources to do this. I’ve seen it. And unfortunately, Royal Betrothal is no Pursuit of Jade.

If this becomes a continuing trend, audiences outside China may eventually shift their attention back to Korean dramas and other Asian productions. There is plenty of competition out there, and beautiful packaging can only take you so far.

Having said all that, I realize this is a rather long rant. But sometimes you simply have to get it out of your system. I really don’t like being sold a beautiful bag only to discover that someone forgot to check what was inside.

So, with two episodes remaining, I’m moving on. There are plenty of other dramas waiting for me and perhaps after this disappointment, it’s time for some completely senseless high-school BL nonsense. Sometimes that’s exactly what the doctor ordered.

And next time, please don’t call it Royal Betrothal.

Just call it what it really is:

“Chop Suey: The Movie… Part Deux.”

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Back again for an unnecessary season 2 of a pretty good short drama; let's go

It's been a while since I actually finished this show; I just forgot to write my review for it, lmao, and thank god I took notes, because I don't remember a single thing about it, lmao. I would give it a 6.5 out of 10, and I am going to say what I liked and didn't, and finally be done with this show.

The only positive thing I had to say in my notes was: "yay they are dating," which is lowkey insane. But yeah, this is season two where they are dating, and the rest of the show goes downhill from there.

Starting off strong with things I didn't like: this whole show is a continuity error. We know I'm so picky with this shit, and I was just irritated as fuck. Okay, in season 2, they were both in their third year of college, and not even a month later we know both have full-time jobs and are out of college, BECAUSE THAT MAKES LOADS OF SENSE YALL. We both lowkey have bullshit jobs but somehow don't have time for each other, and the manager lowkey looks like his man; like, I am so gagged.

AND hey, we are going to allude to a cute moment but not really do anything because we don't live together, we don't text or call, and we can barely look each other in the eye, but apparently we are dating, yes, of course.

And that is it for the show, because we have to spend 5 of the 28 episodes doing behind-the-scenes shit. Of course, because why would we ever try to get an actual plot in these? Okay, yeah, I would say watch the first one but not this one because it is a waste of time. Okay bye!

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I found myself watching for the second couple

==Breakdown==
Background plot - 30% (more and more as the show progresses, but averages to 60%)
Romance - 60%
Misc comedy - 10%

Background plot - They dragged it out, but it was fine
Romantic chemistry - EXCELLENT from the ML, okay from the FL
Misc comedy - Fine
Production value and direction - Fine

Once the second couple's story resolved and they "left", I lost interest in the drama completely. I agree with others who said the actress wasn't a good fit for the FL. I like this actress in certain roles, but she lacks the ability to convey subtle emotions. She's either hot or cold, no in between, no sense of nuance, no ability to convey conflicted emotions. She was great in one drama I saw her in, because the character was very black and white, but this character definitely was not. She needed to show her slowly falling for the ML over time (and against her will). This was no conveyed AT ALL. It was just him falling and her not falling... and then suddenly she's in love. Blah. No yearning, no inner conflict for her character, very flat performance.

And since the FL couldn't convey subtle emotions or nuance, the main story circled around the same issue over and over with no progress until suddenly it was resolved. I hate that. I couldn't be bothered to continue since, at that point, there was no build up and no chemistry between the main leads.

The rest of the cast was great, but since the FL was so central to the story and I fast-forwarded all her scenes, there was no point in continuing.

Of note, that second couple was ON FIRE. Worth a watch to episode 29 just for them.

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Slow Paced & Relaxing Vibes

After a family emergency, our big-city FL was sent to a small town for her senior year, where she met the aloof ML. Their relationship started off rocky, but they soon came to rely on each other. Their animosity turned into trust & their friendship deepened into love in this coming-of-age story that followed a group of teens from high school into adulthood.

This was a low-angst, high-comfort drama as the young adults figured out who they were & determined who they wanted to be. It showed the gap between those without money troubles & those who had been forced to let go of their dreams just to financially support their families. Big city thinking & small town living clashed & blended as these Leads interacted more & grew together.

This is also a great “they’re together without being officially together” plot, which I’m very grateful for since their actual dating era is only in the last couple of episodes. But ohhhh, what a beautiful two episodes those were! The Leads had great chemistry that stayed strong from their first meeting until the story’s end.

I loved the ML from the start. Not just for his looks - but that blonde hair? Whoa! 🔥🫠 He’s a really admirable character who you can’t help but love as more of his story is revealed. Once a top student with big plans & dreams, he gave it all up when his family fell into debt & his Grandma’s health worsened. To help cover the medical costs & to help his mom repay the heavy debts left behind by an abusive husband, he quit school to work full time doing numerous jobs around the town to make ends meet. Thankfully, he always had his two best buddies by his side to help keep his life from becoming too bleak (I loved their bond!)

The FL took a bit longer to grow on me due to her initial arrogance & somewhat entitled attitude. Remembering she was thrust into an environment that was extremely foreign to her & forced to live with people she didn’t know helped me give her grace. Then she chose to start adapting to her new circumstances instead of despising them & she became much more likable. Her willingness to share her money-making knowledge & her desire to help the family business succeed was very admirable. Her strengths really shone through as she flourished in this small town she once detested.

Though opposites in many ways the Leads also shared many similarities. They were both intelligent & hardworking; honest & mature; kind & genuine. The reasons why were different but they both had to grow up before their time, taking on adult responsibilities while still in their youth. But they both handled everything so well. Rather than blaming the world or growing bitter, they chose to rise above & make the best of the changes in their lives brought on by the decisions of others.

Their life together was full of many beautiful moments. The Leads were the big draw but the support cast were wonderful additions who added a lot to the story (even the “love rivals” were good people!) The whole cast did amazing bringing this drama to life. They made me laugh at their chaos, swoon for their romance, cheer for their victories, & cry for their pains. I highly recommend watching this for fans of the genre 👍🏻


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.29 💋
- Together : ep.29 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💍

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Almost Good

While I was watching this, I kept wondering why it was rated so low as it had a pretty decent story and the acting was fine. While I didn’t find the humor funny, it also wasn't insufferable. Then I got to episode 9 and I completely understood.

Episode 9 and 10 are the start of the amnesia plot line that doesn't add anything to the story. No character development or important scenes happen. In fact, I believe it actually changes Bamee's character for the worst.

Episode 11 is when Bamee remembers everything but hides it, I believe as a way to make it easier for Kiao to return to the past. They also add a pointless jealous plot line between Frong and Kiao that is ridiculous in the fact Kiao knows Bamee is pretending to still have amnesia so he know Bamee couldn't possibly believe Frong and him would ever have anything, but still somehow works. Truly the height of bad writing.

Overall, this drama would have been a pretty good drama if it had cut the amnesia plot line and made the drama 10 episodes. And while I don’t care for the age difference romance that was the ending, they did make it seem creepy honestly.

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Stunning, Immersive, and Emotionally Rich

FINAL UPDATE — 16/16

The final three episodes confirmed everything I already felt about this drama.

Out of nearly 145 dramas I have completed, this is now one of only three I would place at the very top.

The finale stayed true to everything that made the series extraordinary: beautiful visual storytelling, emotional restraint, layered themes, meaningful callbacks, and characters whose choices felt earned.

The five-year wait between Qinglang and Changyang was painful, but it made their reunion — simply, “I’m back” — incredibly powerful. Their quiet wedding in the mountains was the perfect final image.

The “Moths to a Flame” sequence was also a stunning culmination of the drama’s themes around fame, public opinion, fandom, and destruction.

Beautiful. Immersive. Deeply emotional. Stunning.

One of the best dramas I have ever watched.

Original review:

I keep seeing people call A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills’ Dream one of the best BL dramas they have ever watched, or one of the best Chinese BLs. For me, that is way too limiting.

This is simply one of the best dramas I have watched. Ever.

I have completed more than 140 dramas across multiple genres and countries, and only a tiny handful have ever reached what I personally consider my absolute top tier. Unless something goes terribly wrong in the final three episodes, Winter Sun is headed there.

The best word I can find for this drama is stunning. Another is immersive.

There is something almost melodic about the way it tells its story. The overall tone is gentle and atmospheric, sometimes almost peaceful, even while enormous and life-changing events are happening. It never feels as though the drama is shouting at the audience, THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART. CRY NOW. It trusts silence, scenery, music, framing, expressions, and the audience’s ability to understand what is happening beneath the dialogue.

The cinematography is extraordinary, but not merely because the mountains, tea fields, forests, lakes, and snow-covered landscapes are beautiful. The camera itself participates in the storytelling.

A reflection in tea.
A face appearing in a small makeup mirror while another reflection blurs.
Fog swallowing someone from view.
A character framed alone in a place that was once filled with another person.

Again and again, the visual composition adds meaning rather than simply making the drama pretty.

And then there is the writing.

There are multiple couples and several major storylines, yet none of them feels like filler. The secondary relationships are not decorative romances inserted between scenes of the main couple. They have their own histories, conflicts, emotional trajectories, and consequences. An episode can spend relatively little time with Qinglang and Changyang and still be completely engrossing because the other characters are carrying equally meaningful stories.

Small conversations from much earlier episodes return later with entirely new emotional significance. Objects and ideas become motifs. A philosophical conversation about time that initially seems almost casual can later become devastating. A flower mentioned repeatedly becomes part of a character’s final story. The drama remembers what it has told us.

The acting has also impressed me tremendously. There are quiet performances here that could easily be overlooked because nobody is screaming or dramatically collapsing every five minutes. Characters communicate through hesitation, eye movement, posture, silence, restraint, and physical distance. When the emotional explosions finally come, they feel earned because the emotion has been accumulating underneath the surface for so long.

And yes, the chemistry between the couples — especially Qinglang and Changyang — is exceptional.

This drama contains a surprisingly high level of physical intimacy, including some very intense kissing scenes and additional “Small Theater” scenes. But that is not why I love it. In fact, if the same level of intimacy existed without this story underneath it, I would probably lose interest.

The physical intimacy works because it belongs to the relationships being portrayed. It grows naturally from the characters, their emotional closeness, their longing, their reconciliation, their fear of losing one another. It never feels as though the plot has stopped so the production can insert a scene designed only to create a viral clip.

That distinction matters.

I have loved other BL dramas with far fewer intimate scenes because fewer scenes were appropriate for those particular stories. Here, the physicality fits. It enhances relationships that were already compelling without it.

What I perhaps admire most about Winter Sun is its atmosphere. This is one of the rare dramas I actively choose not to binge.

Not because I am bored.
Not because I have to convince myself to continue.
Quite the opposite.

I desperately want the next episode, but I often watch only one and then wait a day or two because each episode requires so much emotional engagement. There is too much to absorb — the plot, performances, scenery, visual motifs, music, relationships, and the things characters do not say aloud.

I need time to come back out of its world before I enter it again.

That is an extraordinarily rare experience for me.

I originally began watching this as a BL. Somewhere along the way, the genre label stopped being remotely sufficient to describe what I was watching.

A Winter Sun Wakes the Wind in Spring Hills’ Dream is romantic, painful, intimate, beautifully acted, visually breathtaking, layered, emotionally intelligent, and profoundly atmospheric.

Three episodes remain.

If it lands the ending, this will not be one of my favorite BL dramas.

It will be one of my favorite dramas ever.

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Payback is an absolute masterpiece for anyone who loves dark, high-stakes storytelling. From the very first scene, it pulls you into a gritty underworld of mafia intrigue, betrayal, and relentless vengeance, striking the perfect balance between raw emotional pain and ultimate healing.

Performance & Character Highlights

Min’s Standout Performance: Playing Sun, Min gives a masterclass in screen presence. Beyond his nuanced facial expressions, the production cleverly uses subtle shifts in his hair style and color to signal timeline jumps, a brilliant visual detail that makes Sun's evolution feel entirely distinct and grounded across every era.

Toptap’s Lead Debut: Stepping into his first primary role as Jay, Toptap completely steals the show. His performance is sharp and compelling, proving he has everything it takes to anchor major series moving forward.

Storytelling & Pacing

The narrative structure is handled brilliantly. Rather than confusing the audience, the frequent flashbacks drop answers gradually while raising fresh questions to keep you hooked. Sun’s tragic backstory immediately pulls at your heartstrings; carrying years of guilt over the deaths of his mother and younger brother, he blames himself for a tragedy he didn't cause. The realization that the ultimate betrayal came from someone he trusted turns his grief into a fiery drive for vengeance that propels the entire plot.

Chemistry & Maturity

The romantic dynamic between the leads is explosive. The intense kiss at the end of Episode 3 stands out as a memorable turning point, offering a genuine, passionate connection rather than a timid, staged moment. The intimate scenes throughout the show are unapologetically mature, passionate, and grounded, making Payback a refreshing, top-tier entry for fans of mature BL dramas.

Final Verdict & Recommendation

If you are looking for a mature, gripping BL that goes beyond typical romance clichés to deliver complex characters, intense drama, and top-tier chemistry, Payback is an absolute must-watch. Highly recommended!

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One of the best BL of the year.

All are great maybe except the first half of last episode.
Lack of communication makes such poor decision from either side of couple. I hate when Xiao Fan make such revenge against Lu Qing, costing him to suffer such loses, luckily ML very forgiveful towards one he loves. One might argue that Bei Lu Qing not treat him not that well, but i think every thing, acting,asking MC to quit from the house (all because he want to avoid his mother detect and separate them), make-shift fiance (fooling the villain), pull and push is all within reason explained to us audience, but not to Xiao Fan himself. Its all because lack of communication and tsundere behavious of ML. Nevertherless i forgive such mistake, because the chemitry saves them and because of that i suffer from post drama syndrome.

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One of the Most True-to-Life Coming-of-Age Stories I've Seen

Wow. I don't know if I'm emotionally ready to write this review, but let's go...

This drama could almost be split in half: I loved the first part, while the second half haunted me. I found myself wishing the latter had more humor and fewer real-life challenges. But at the same time, those challenges fit the drama perfectly.

As someone in my late 40s, this was an incredibly nostalgic watch. Even with the cultural differences, so much of it felt spot-on to me, and I deeply identified with many of the situations explored throughout the drama. I felt like the storytelling captured so many authentic aspects of youth—the friendships, struggles at home, parental dynamics, future aspirations and uncertainty, and the realization that not everyone will go on to college, often because of differences in financial security and individual abilities. You start out feeling like everyone is on equal footing, but inevitably, people begin to take different paths based on the opportunities available to them and the skills they develop.

And then there were all the silly, impractical things we only do or think about when we're young—the things that seem completely reasonable at the time but make you look back and smile later.

This was such a beautiful drama, and I'm honestly surprised it isn't talked about more on social platforms. I think this is one of the more true-to-life coming-of-age dramas I've watched. It was an amazing journey to follow these characters all the way to the end, especially after becoming so attached to them. More than anything, I think I'll remember this drama for the characters I fell in love with and the nostalgia it brought back.

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10/10 Pure entertainment - clever, funny and full of heart

I'm genuinely surprised The Apartment Job isn't getting more love because, for me, it has just about everything ! want from an entertaining drama.
It has crime, comedy, corruption, clever schemes, strategic problem-solving and a wonderful group of characters who gradually develop that warm, slightly dysfunctional family feeling that K-dramas do so well. There's also just enough hint of romance to add another layer without taking over the story.
It actually reminds me quite a lot of the movie Tower Heist with Ben Stiller - not because the stories are identical, but because it has that same enjoyable feeling of watching a group of unlikely people come together, use their individual strengths and try to outsmart people who have abused their money and power.
Ji Sung is fantastic in the lead, but what really makes the show work for me is the ensemble. The characters bounce off one another beautifully, the comedy genuinely makes me laugh, and underneath all the fun there is a satisfying story about exposing corruption and finding clever ways around seemingly impossible situations.
Most importantly, it's FUN. I look forward to each new episode, which is probably the best compliment I can give any series.
If you enjoy clever caper stories, great characters, found-family dynamics, humour, a little romance and watching corrupt people get outsmarted, give The Apartment Job a chance. I absolutely love it.

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Too Much Story, Too Little Time

This show was an okay adaptation, but the story itself was very average. The characters felt incredibly flat, with almost zero emotional intelligence.

Ten episodes were simply not enough for this story. It was such a letdown because so much was crammed into those episodes, while so much was left out. The pacing made the story feel rushed, and I think the characters and relationships suffered because of it.

Arthur and Sun’s supposed love story? What love? How is that relationship relevant in any meaningful way? Arthur cutting his wrist so Sun would feel guilty for him—why? What exactly did Arthur ever do for Sun that would make him feel that kind of guilt?

Unlike the majority of viewers, I felt absolutely no chemistry between the leads. I didn’t feel much for either of them because the story simply didn’t give their relationship enough substance or development for that chemistry to come through.

The NC was well done, and the actors did a good job with what they were given. I just wish the writing had given them more to work with.

Once again, I feel Arthur should have been played by a more mature-looking actor. Just because you’re built like a refrigerator doesn’t mean you can pull off a dark and mature character. Arthur’s face always gave off an immature vibe, especially when compared to the manhwa, where Jay’s face looks much more adult and mature.

The side characters did a wonderful job in the show, and I especially appreciated that the villains were actual VILLAINS. They felt like genuine antagonists rather than characters who were conveniently misunderstood or softened by the narrative.

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Strong Performances, But Too Predictable

I started watching this because I heard Ding Yuxi and Peng Yuchang played roles that were different from their usual ones, and I agree that they did. That made it an interesting watch. But overall, I thought this was just okay.

The biggest issue for me was that it was very predictable and easy to figure out. When I can recognize the formula and predict the next five steps, the journey becomes tedious because I'm no longer discovering the story—I'm watching it to confirm what I already expected. Predictability isn't always a deal breaker for me, but when a story feels too familiar, I need something else to offset that. Unfortunately, I never found that here.

The story often felt like it was simply following a script, with very little surprise in the reveals. The arcs also felt somewhat stilted, so there wasn't much opportunity to become emotionally invested in either the narrative or the characters. The only time I felt any real emotion come through in the storytelling was toward the end, when we got some backstory into the life of one of the villains. That was the best part of the movie for me because it finally gave me a reason to feel for the characters and see them differently.

If that kind of emotional depth and backstory had been layered throughout the rest of the movie rather than saved for the ending, I think I would have enjoyed this much more.

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The worst piece of media in existence

bro what???? this must have been, without any exaggeration, the worst show I have ever seen. finished it only bc I wanted to minimize the damage to joongdunk's career by giving it some views, though I can't imagine this not having an impact on their future projects

kamin and jade were just bumbling about the whole time, solving nothing, the conclusion to the whole case was just them standing there while kids killed each other, no one was even armed at one point, and those two stood by idiot style and watched it happen lol

hard cuts between someone's melted corpse or a gory crime scene and kamin and jade flirting at each other like two unfunny cyborgs were villainous. they fell in love instantly and the script sounded like someone holding chatgpt at gunpoint, so none of their lines landed and I could not give a single fuck if they lived or died

they left Jay, who had been traumatized and shot, alone in the hospital and went on PTO to the beach!!!!!!!!!!!! everyone who took part in this should be tried at the Hague

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Kei was playing checkers, and Eito was playing football

Okay, this was an interesting one and very creative; I will give them that. I would give it a 7.5 out of 10. Then I am going to say what I liked and what I did not like.

Okay, so starting off strong, I think the guys have pretty okay chemistry, and they have a crazy high difference (THAT WAS NOT USED, I AM SO MAD). But yeah, I think the guys did a pretty good job on this, and I feel like they were both cute, just different kinds of Japanese cute, which is nice. They did both have very long eyelashes that could have looked really good curled, but we’re not locked in like that. But yeah, I don't know, they were both pretty fun.

I think the whole plot with him being an ASMR streamer was a little bit weird, but you know that is okay (a boss and a babe-ass plot). As far as the plot, I liked the whole plot twist with the guy setting up their meeting and stuff. I just wish they had dwelled on that a little bit more. But yeah, pretty cute, pretty fun. I just feel like they did not really do enough with the plot they had.

I also like the whole thing with the girl because I did not think she was going to be a villain. I thought she was just going to be like, oh, this is his friend, who is also into this ASMR guy, but she was low-key like a crazy stalker, which was pretty fun to see, so good for them.

For the things I did not like, I think this was pretty short, and they had a lot of characters who all kind of sucked. Like we had the girl, we had the manager, we had our two main characters. I feel like nobody had any depth or background, which sucks because I feel like this could have been really good. Also, because it was a short drama, and this company specifically, which makes these short dramas, cuts it off at the 30th episode instead of going all the way to 35. Yeah, I do not think we need five episodes of behind-the-scenes. I feel like we could add a little bit more depth. I think just even one or two more episodes would have brought this to life really well, but they did not have those one or two episodes, so it is just kind of like, whatever, with what we have.

WHAT IS WITH THESE FUCKING SHOWS AND THE TURNAROUND CRINGE MOMENT. I BEG, CAN WE LEAVE THAT ALONE. I mean it's like funny but also so fucking cringe; I feel like I am gonna dieeee. Just stop, please.

Yeah, I do not know. I was not given a lot to work with, so I do not have a lot of feedback, but it was pretty good. I just wish they added more substance to it so I have more reason to actually care about everybody and develop the plot and all that. But yeah. Would I recommend this? I do not really know. Go watch it if you want, if you have already paid for it. If you have not, do not pay for this. Okay, bye!

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I love the concept of "found family"

I'm not a big fan of corruption dramas, but with Ji Sung in it, I had to give it a try.

The story slowed down in the last couple of episodes, but I still liked it. The acting/characters were what made me keep coming back for more. I loved the "found family" aspect of it, people coming together that you'd never imagine being in the same room.

Ji Sung - him standing at the funeral with tears streaming down his face really got me. He can be over-the-top, but, for the most part, he reined himself in admirably.

Moon Sori - the irritating tenant that eventually becomes the president of the building. She started out SOOOO irritating, but once she decided to help, she was all in. I loved the change in her.

Kim Won Hae - always good for comedy relief but also plays serious as well. I look forward to his performances when I see that he's in the cast.

But, ultimately, it's Park Byung Eun as the villain that really impressed me. First, his makeup. His skin tone was pasty, making you feel like he never saw the light of day. There were a couple of humorous things from him, but for the most part his performance was chillingly understated. When he showed up at the funeral and spoke to the ML, I totally got the creeps!

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