Reviews

Not really my cup of tea, but still it's a great show. This type of romance is classic and conventional, puts a lot of focus on the romance side. Sadly, it's rare to see this style of romance shows lately. The early episodes were painfully slow to me. The comedy came kicking quite late. However it still has a refreshing and fresh comedy, thanks to the Company Five, Seo Dan's family, and Gu Seung Jung. The North Korean setup is an advantage, because it's difficult to verify whether something is realistic or not. I love the chemistry between Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin, and the intensity the writer made by making their characters hanging by a thread because they could be separated at any time. They put a lot of goodbyes in this show. And the ending.... Two weeks per year didn't seem like a happy ending. The second couple also has a good chemistry.

The soundtracks are very good! Where are this type of soundtracks nowadays? The cinematography is outstanding, and the visual effects is somehow better than some later 2020s shows.

Although it's all sweet and swoon, I still feel it's ridiculous that they made Cho Cheol Gang came all the way to the South only to kill one person that wouldn't even bother seeing him again. It seemed like he won't gain that many by doing that, all just driven by the sense of revenge(?). He came to the South with sufficient preparation and full support from the North, meanwhile Jeong Hyeok's father sent the Company Five with nothing. Cheol Gang occasionally got updates and directions from his subordinates in the North, why couldn't Director Ri do the same? On the other hand despite knowing the danger, Yun Se Ri made almost zero effort on protecting everyone, apart from hiring some unknown Chinese thugs. I mean, with such wealth, she should be able to clean up everything under the table. She was able to fake a passport for Jeong Hyeok, why she didn't go further? The arranged marriage is also weird to me, it didn't seem anyone will gain any advantage from it. Dan's mom was probably the one who will gain most power, but she didn't really need it as she was already powerful enough because of her brother. Dan herself didn't seem interested in any power, but she frustratingly kept hanging on the promise despite being "cheated on". Jong Hyeok family didn't seem to gain anything. I wonder why they kept pushing this arranged marriage.

If you are a romance enjoyer, this is a must watch! Romance enjoyers may even want to rewatch this title.

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"Change No Circumstances in my Life"

It’s somewhat ironic that most people are obsessively focused on changing their life situation rather than being focused on changing themselves. Kobe Bryant was once asked in an interview if he were given the opportunity to go back in time to change something, what would he change. He replied, “I would never use it. It would undermine and destroy everything I’ve worked so hard to be. Without those challenging circumstances, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

Ha Eun Gyeol is a young man who is a great student, and thanks to a mysterious man he meets in a local music shop, he finds that he has a love and passion for music. He is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). His parents are deaf as well as his older brother. Life isn’t easy for Ha Eun Gyeol as he is blessed with the burden of often being the translator for his parents and his brother.

The one time Ha Eun Gyeol attempts to live for himself, rather than constantly being there for his family, he incurs his father’s anger when he finds out that Ha Eun Gyeol has been sneaking out to play in a school band. And then, one mysterious moment, Ha Eun Gyeol finds himself suddenly transported back to 1995 when both of his parents were in high school. Yes, the series does have common themes and storylines to “Back to the Future,” but while the great film trilogy was largely fun and entertaining, the series endeavors to go much deeper. I’m sure that if most people were given the opportunity to go into the past to change something, they’d jump at the chance.

Ha Eun Gyeol makes the mistake of trying to “fix” everything, especially in regard to both of his parents, not understanding that everyone has burdens. Everyone has struggles, but that it’s those struggles that make a person who they are. It strengthens them. A diamond can only be created by immense pressure. So, too, can the human spirit be strengthened in helping a person realize who they are.

Ha Eun Gyeol finds that he’s not the only “time traveler.” On Eun Yu is another soul in great despair, believing that her life is nothing but a tug-of-war between her parents, she gives up wanting to live, and so her ulterior motive for returning to 1995 is to find a way to, either change it to her benefit, or give up trying.

The series is remarkable in how it demonstrates how so many people believe that something in their life needs to be fixed or changed. Both Ha Eun Gyeol and On Eun Yu find that their mysterious benefactor—the man who arranged to have them sent into the past—refuses to really help them. Thus, leaving them to come up with their own answers. Such is the method of a true teacher. Find your own way.

There are many heartfelt and touching moments throughout the series. Ha Eun Gyeol is a young man who wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s prone to breaking down into tears, which is a true strength and not a weakness. However, he’s also prone to taking the blame for every “bad” thing that seems to happen, and thus he carries a tremendous weight on his shoulders. Only in the end does he realize that nobody can live anyone else’s life for them. Everyone walks their own path, and no two paths look exactly alike. People impel, but they do not compel.

We have more than enough to do with focusing on ourselves. Of course, offer help and advice when asked, but never intrude upon someone else’s path. It may seem noble to carry someone else’s burden for them, but the interesting thing about carrying a burden is that sooner or later, it will make you strong. However, when you carry someone else’s burden for them, don’t ever expect them to get strong enough to be able to carry on without you.

The budding romance between Ha Eun Gyeol’s parents is especially touching and poignant, especially when we see the abusive circumstances that his mother lives with. Ha Eun Gyeol spends so much time trying to help his parents, that he scarcely has time for anything else.

This is truly a beautiful series with some very deep spiritual truths, and the music is captivating with some great songs. I can easily understand why this series is beloved by so many. By the time you reach the end, hopefully, you will make it a point to focus on your own life rather than everyone else’s.

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The Regrets of choosing fame over familial relationship & love friendship.

This drama is one of my favorite body swap in this genre. I really love how they take took this to the next level of relating a supernatural event to tackle real life struggle & regrets. The male lead perfectly portrays the role with conviction & authenticity to the role of the dad & being Gao Wen ming who is the introverted friend. The build up each episode to take the step by step process to know about his son while handling the pressure on his friend's body is definitely helping get out the comfort zone of being a arrogant & selfish person for his goal & fame.
Overall this drama takes the body swap genre on a whole different matter is definitely catches my attention, also to note that our fate & efforts relies on how we Humans move & do it genuine love for the people we care about & will sacrifice ourselves to make them happy.

Definitely recommending it to you.

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Romance x time travel? Sounds great, but the time travel doesn't make any sense

I really wanted to love this and I actually did at the beginning. I'm huge "time travel" lover and when when it comes with romance and saving lives I'm so down bad... But something bothers me here... I can't explain what exactly, maybe the plotholes, maybe the fact the time travel doesn't make any sense, maybe the fact that it would be better if there were 2 more episodes and or each ep was longer... The color blindness should be more talked about, the friendshop trio unincluding one member too, the romance they shew in the firt half kinda lost the developmet... The chemistry of the actors in insane and I totally fell for it, but now it's not enought to make me watch it...

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Please leave your brain at the door

When a show ventures into ludicrous territory, you have to be convinced to turn off your brain and just enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, Pursuit of Jade couldn't do that for me.

The final straw was when Changyu defeated General Shi (in 2 strikes, as they love reminding us!) despite not training and having zero battle experience. I think there's a fine line between creating a strong, powerful FL and creating a ridiculous caricature, which is what Changyu devolved into despite a great start. That said, Tian Xiwei is playing the hell out of this role. This is her personal masterpiece, although the show itself is such a mess.

Unfortunately, that substance is lost when it comes to the male lead. Zhang Linghe is barely given anything substantial to do, and the few emotive scenes he has fall flat anyway. This is a hardened military man who is somehow not known by 99.9% of the army (huh?). He's also a grieving son trying to avenge his father, despite the fact that we never actually get any scenes to show that grief. He's also suffering a huge recent betrayal from his uncle, but we also don't get to see any emotional fallback from what he's gone through. He's just always ... there in the background, hair gently fanned by the breeze. They could have hired a puppet to play Marquis Wu'an, like they did for the falcon, and the role wouldn't have suffered one bit.

It feels like the show tried to do a lot, but did very little of it well: the slice-of-life story about orphans who have to provide for themselves was amazing. The Marquis seeking vengeance plotline was a flop. The imperial politics was forgettable, but I'm eternally grateful because it introduced 2 new members to the list of iconic cdrama villains: Qi Min and Yuanqing. The noob-to-female-general storyline was painfully overdone but saved by TXW's brilliant performance.

Ultimately, I could have powered through the last 10 eps, but I fear I would have become those bitter hate-watchers. Best to tap out early and find something else to gush about.

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Good Plot. Worst Execution.

This is One of the Few Dramas where I actually put it on hold in the middle of watching for so many days and only finished it for a sake of finishing it as I don't usually drop dramas. In this review I will briefly explain about the Good and Bad things of the drama from my point of view.

Good Things
1. The Baby - Usually the infant driven dramas are always good but it's rare due to various reasons but the toddler was good and actually made me watch it during its airing.

2. The Male Lead - Seemed cold at first but actually a decent good person who learnt from his mistakes on both responsibility and caretaking. ( P.S - He was good to the point i actually wanted the show to make another female character to end up with him )

And that's all the Good points from me. Unlike lot of people's bitching about poor acting, according to me- the acting wasn't awesome or best but it's okay atleast it didn't make me cringe mainly on the scenes with the toddler as they seemed natural. Still the Acting was bad but it's not the worst aspect of this drama.

Bad Things
1. Love Triangle - There was no need for this damned love triangle to be here. And if the writers really wanted the love triangle then make it a light love triangle like Hometown Cha cha cha or Our Beloved summer and so on. The Love triangle actually made the drama worsen to the point of no return.

2. The Female Lead - Contrary to people bashing the actress, i actually bash the character which was written ( I liked the actress acting in Our beloved summer ). This Female lead was one of the worst female lead of all time. How ? - Simple she led both ml and her senior by noose until the 10th episode. The fl will bitch about family this family that but won't keep the promise she made with ml. I mean she really didn't keep the single promise she made with ml throughout the long drama. Overall The female lead was one hell of terrible character.

3. The Screen Time - I really wanted to know how high the writers were when they started writing 6-10 episodes. I mean they totally reduced the ml timing and pushed the senior screen time highly. Unnecessary screen time for the unnecessary love triangle. wow this factor contributed half to the downfall of the drama.

4. No Character Depth - This was the driving force I expected in this drama but there was none. Not a single little character depth. In the 12 episodes drama all they shown was the fl and her senior love triangle with ml and the story only moved in the last 2 episodes in a hurried manner. Man when i first watched the first 2 episodes I was expecting a depth character on why and how the ml brother and fl sister backstory and how the ml brother regretted his decision of abandoning his brother and in the present the hard things of leads raising their nephew with hardships and lil bit of backstories from the neighbors who helps them and the father's abuse and his punishment. It's all my fault when i expected all good things from this drama. The most infuriating thing in this drama is the lack of shopping for things, man it used to be one of the most cliche things I like in the cohabitation drama. So Overall No Character Depth.

Tbh the premises for story was good and with a toddler in cast usually drama won't be bad with the exception of this one. The whole drama went to shit because the writer forgot the drama wasnt some love triangle awkward story but two strangers raising a baby after a unfortunate accident. I usually don't say this but this one of my most hated dramas in the list of Heartbeat, Midnight Studio, wedding Impossible, Lion's Secret and few on.

For Future viewer - Watch this if you want to watch a insufferable fl who goes on more dates on love triangle senior rather than ml than actually raising the kid whom she took responsibility.

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Great cast but something was missing

To be honest, I had a hard time getting through the first few episodes. I just couldn't get into it at first, but after a while, it did get better.

The acting was great. Rowoon is a fantastic actor—I loved his last drama The Murky Stream, where he absolutely slayed the role. Yi Hyun was also good; I enjoyed her in Head Over Heels. The storyline was interesting, and I liked the concept of matchmaking. But despite all that, something still felt missing.

The drama felt so long. I kept checking how much time was left in each episode, and I wasn't really excited to watch the next one. I'm in the middle of it, but I don't know if I can carry on—it feels like it's taking forever. In the end, I just skipped to the last episode.

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Came for the Leads… Stayed Out of Stubbornness (and 50% Flashbacks)

I clicked play purely for the leads—and honestly, they’re the only reason I crossed the finish line.

The Good:
The concept had genuine potential on paper, and the leads are undeniably cute. Their chemistry is solid, providing a few sweet moments that almost—almost—make you forget the mess surrounding them. Plus, the happy ending is a nice enough payoff for the time investment.

The Not-So-Good:
-The Writing: Simplistic, heavy-handed melodrama that often felt exaggerated and underwhelming.
-The "Flashback" Loop: I’m convinced half the runtime was just recycled scenes. It didn't add depth; it just tested my patience.
-The Villain: A total wasted opportunity. For someone with 11 reincarnations of memories, there was zero strategy or menace. Just "chaos vibes" with no believable motivation.

Final Verdict:
This is a "watch if you're bored and have nothing else lined up" kind of drama.
It’s not completely unwatchable, but between the weak execution and the repetitive editing, it never quite delivers.

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Again according to the reviews I thought I'm going to find a spectacular drama
But for sorrow it was very normal
Sometimes boring
The romance was tooooooo lukewarm although it could be amazing during the events
How could a woman loves a man over 15 yrs then when he confessed she acts with this stupid way and being cold like this
So I think this wasn't love this was obsession
With an idol

The character development was ok for most of the heroines
For the first time, I see the second ML in the love triangle marginalised which it doesn't hurt me much
But it doesn't please me too
Because I saw the love triangle in this drama wasn't necessary at all
The writer could make the ML jealous just from their relationship without hurting the 2nd ML
I loved the 2nd ML a lot his character was so Manish and cute
Over all this drama was just one time watch for me

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Exceptional Xianxia Romance

Love story between Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan: they go through a stoic grandmaster everyone misunderstood, a good, happy "lazy" disciple, and how their interaction largely drives the narrative. The Sima clan is being used by the celestial palace for their own gain. Later, they flip this on its head when Sima Jiao turns to chase LTY, now called Shi Yan. This was an interesting take. Multiple sad goodbyes and reunions later, until they reunited in the real world.

This story and the chemistry between the two leads are by far the best take on the xianxia romance genre in 2025. Couples that come to mind that I watched are The Blossoming Love, Love In The Cloud, and The Unclouded Soul. If you watch this type of genre, you know what I mean: the narrative of the story is largely driven by the ML and FL leads, with different forces/misunderstandings that drive them apart, and their love will overcome that.

Why When Destiny Brings the Demon stands out from the 3 I mentioned, although it is formulaic, WDBTD still manages to add just that little something special to keep this genre from becoming too predictable. Maybe it is how they basically kinda cram multiple approaches to romance into one xianxia show. I would have given this 10/10, but there are still some "issues" that I have with WDBTD.

Mainly using the "Immortal" to resolve a plot point, and the fact that isekai tropes are being used here just kinda makes me laugh when the ending happens, and they reunite in the real world. I got curious and double-checked whether that happened in the novel, and it didn’t, so that is on the scriptwriter.

But overall, I really enjoy WDBTD, and I know those who are into romance and haven’t seen it should no doubt try this.

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Biased Review and Vent

Out of the many series involving legal cases, there isn't anything particularly that makes this one unique with regards to the execution and resolutions of each case. However, it does touch on very real issues we have currently ongoing in our world without the over-dramatization of the actual issues.

There is one major overall aspect that I really love about the entire series because it hit a very personal sore spot. Since childhood, my blunt personality and nonchalance of what others thought about me has always been an easy target for others to put blame on for anything or everything. And our male lead in the series experiences this over and over again. Despite having earned his place through hard work and endurance, despite the fact that he knew there can be no resolution in the real world unless you play the game, and despite having proven over and over again his true intent... everyone around him continued to doubt him.

His pro bono team were pretty much useless on actually winning cases which would truly help victims but they judged and continued to judge him harshly on his methods. They celebrated every time there was a win and happily took credit but whenever there was ever the slightest potential shakeup, they would look at him critically again. They lectured him with their own personal idealistic views but can't exact real results without relying on him. They claimed he was arrogant but failed to realize their own deeply embedded egos and inabilities. People who like to think and feel passionately but can't execute any real results, so all they can do is stand on their imaginary pedestal and look down on others.

Even the one female I was rooting for to be his match, ended up betraying him. Despite the "happy" ending, I felt instead heavy sadness for the ML; he has been alone for so long and continues to be utterly alone in the end. He proved time and time again to have done everything with good intentions and overcame his own selfish desires to still choose to be good. But with just a whisper or a slight shift in climate, and the true hypocrites around him immediately casts doubt again. I really wasn't happy about him taking those ignorant dependents under his wing despite this because they are undeserving. Repetitive apologies doesn't take away the wounds from constantly being accused or doubted by the world who can't see outside themselves, much less be someone who can be there for others. At the same time however, I was paradoxically content with the ending because it's a very real depiction on how foolish the world can be. And now I shall go watch something that will throw me into a world further from reality to balance out.

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