Reviews

Not bad, but not perfect either.

I think my only problem with this series is that it feels like the filming was rushed. Like every scene feels like it was shot in one take and the actors weren't really given a chance to properly embody their characters and portray the emotions fully. Otherwise I really did like it. The cinematography and the setting were gorgeous, the plot was interesting enough and very different from other bls, the wardrobe was very pretty (I especially loved the outfits made for the Mudan tribe), and I think the actors did a decent job. I liked PearlPeak better in Moonlight, but this series is still a good watch. A solid 8/10 for me.

As an aside, I find it hilarious that all through Moonlight I kept thinking that Peak's character must have some sort of healing pheromone because anytime he was away all of the characters would be on death's door, but then would get magically better the moment he came back. And for this series his character actually does have special pheromones lmao, really manifested that one.

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Fluffy with Serious Chemistry

This is one of those fluffy romantic series that you watch in an oversized animal onesie with snacks, chocolate, and a yummy drink. The leads had great chemistry and both did a stellar job acting their respective roles. The moms were a bit intense (each for their own reasons) but also protective of their kids. I dont think the whole fake engagement side-plot was needed but I see why they put it there (aka to move the plot along). The ML has very expressive eyes that you can feel as if you can see into his soul. The FL also gives heavily emotionally charged performances. They make a great duo! (att casting directors: you do not have to pair them in the next 20 dramas you make!)

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I'm sure it's just a coincidence I realized I was trans like a month after this aired

Gets 1 extra star for the Maryland mention. Could not for the life of me empathize with the female lead for not wanting to be a beautiful man forever and was very confused by how upsetting it was for her. Pretty early on I felt like her male version was significantly more interesting and engaging than her as a female, though this likely has a lot to do with what a great performance Junghoo was putting on. The boyfriend refusing to set a single boundary with the 2nd female lead was infuriating. I swear to god, that woman activated my fight or flight every time she was on screen.
Disappointed by the lack of boykissing. 9 stars for acting is mostly just for Junghoo. If you also found it incredibly annoying she stays a woman at the end, consider unpacking that

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Chu Zhao and Four and a Half Men

Before you start, know that this is an INTENSE historical political drama. Though there is romance, that is not the main plot.

This is a story of a woman in love who was brutally betrayed so fate gave her another chance. Unlike other time travel, second chance stories, the female lead has minimum advantages of knowing how the story unfolds. She starts to act quickly and things almost immediately begin to change leading her to resort to drastic and bold actions. She has to form unexpected alliances as well as think 10 steps ahead.

Since this was a historical drama, the show was frought with underhanded dealings, assassination and rebellion/power grab attempts. This is not a drama one can watch idly while playing a game on the side. It requires attention. Not just because they are a lot of characters but also because something is always happening. Every episode is a problem that has to be dealt with.

There are many wins and some losses. I actually got emotional several times mid-season.

I had mainly seen the FL type casted as a villain in every drama I saw of her in the past so she really shines in Ashes To Crown. All the male characters have done an incredible job acting. They keep you guessing if they are good or bad. Fu Jiu though is a dream man who gives his everything to support Chu Zhao. They chemistry was wonderful! The young child who became emperor overnight also is such a wonderful actor.

There are a lot of twists and turns till the very end. It is an intense ride.

I do have an unanswered question related to another child character which the drama forgot in the latter half. The ending was sweet yet keeps you longing for more.

The OST is quite beautiful especially the opening theme song which is hauntingly good and still playing in my head.

This drama is wonderful but perhaps not for everyone. I don't expect my review to convince anyone to watch it. But if you like strong female characters, great acting, beautiful cinematography, serious revenge plots, wonderful chemistry, then consider giving this a shot.

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Not just porn without plot.

I haven't watched a lot of Taiwanese series. I wasn't sure if this series was gonna be something for me especially since I'm asexual and only watched like 3 Taiwanese series in my entire live. As an Asexual I do not usual feel disgusted with sexual topics, not did I feel disgust with this series. This series was so good, it wasn't just porn without a plot, there wasn't even super much nc scenes. I definitely underestimated what it would be about, but mainly due to the description.

I love how there's 4 couples in this series and how I equally loved them, which is rare for me. They all have failed sex and romance lives and I love how they are related to each other to end up with almost the same conclusion. AI and Ping Ke are so fucking cute together. Ping Ke genuinely loved Chu Ai but I feel like AI just didn't know what to do with those feelings. I get both sides. Chu is in the beginning not interested in Ping but Ping is in her. So basically unrequited love. Chu Wei and Shieh clearly have a strained relationship. I felt bad for both of them. The mom and dad also had a bit of a strained relationship, but also a misunderstanding.

I feel like out of all of the characters the story line that was extremely unclear to me was the one of Yu Sen. It was hard for me to understand even though I'm gay because it's so fucking layered. For the other members of the family their problems are clear but Yu Sen is a pretty quiet and less open person. That Henry guy seemed ok but there was some clear unbalance between the two. I liked Lee Yueh and he seemed to be a very sweet boyfriend and guy to Yu Sen. Actually to be very honest I did not trust him at first.

I love how you notice the different stages in life. You have the younger couple, Ai and Ping Ke and you can notice their parental struggle and how Ai seems to struggle understanding romantic relationships. Ping Ke also has a lot of troubles with his mom and he (to my opinion) looks like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Then you have the gays, who struggle coming out and gambling and more, their age wasn't super important but I think they were begin 30s. Then you have Wei and Shieh who are already married but their relationship gets strained, because of work and stress. Also very pushed to get children they don't want, which to my opinion also strained their relationship further. And then finally the mom and the dad who had a good relationship but everything kinda went wrong after the situation with the job (to avoid minor spoilers I'll call it job).

Love the cool intro with the design and very smooth scenes and editing work.. I loved how it kept me locked in for hours. I did have to skip some scenes cuz yeah I got to uncomfortable, but those were the scenes with heavily moaning in it, which I really dislike. I'm also a big fan of the lightning they use in multiple scenes. Everything looks so good due to it.

I love how the series also kinda mentioned that Sex should be more normalised to talk about and not just in a joking matter. I 100% agree on that although they were super open to it to their family. I'm not so sure about Taiwan but in my country talking about sexual stuff with your family is seen as a 'weird' and 'uncomfortable' thing from both parents and their childrens side. Actual serious talk about SA not just jokes about it. I really liked that also happy to finally see some male SA representation, since it is rare to see it being done in a normal way and not in a joking matter. I also like how they actually showed what emotion Chieh was experiencing after and he clearly didn't give consent to it. This series is also very educational over sex.

Overall a really good series, I definitely suggest this and it's just very in depth and interesting. I love how you have 4-5 storylines to follow so if one of the relationships doesn't sound like your thing you always have another one you can focus on. This series is not just about sex, although it does play a big part of it. This series is not for everyone, but if you think this sounds fun, I do suggest it.

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Watch it for the drama and you will enjoy it

It’s not a good show for someone who want to learn about autistic people or care about how good the FMC is shown as an autistic person. But if you ignore that and watch the show for its unique drama it’s actually a well written one. FMC is an autistic character but sometimes you don’t feel like that she is autistic and that’s because the actress is not irl which is understandable. But she casted her role greatly resulting in lots of goofy and awkward moments. Sometimes you feel like FMC is just like a child. But sometimes you feel like she is a genius. That different sides of FMC doesn’t match very well together and the reason is no matter how many autistic ppl you met by the end you can’t understand them fully because as it was said in the show as well they live in a totally different world
This show have a great drama, with a very interesting story. It’s not a mystery show so don’t expect a perfect puzzles. But what I really liked about this show was how FMC learns different things about her life and her relationships by the cases that she was solving

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It was ok

This was an okay GL overall,i was interested in the storyline, but the chemistry didn't really click for me, tge plot had potential, especially with the time travel element, but it felt underused and eventually lost my attention

Ple actions were frustrating for most of the series,even with the whole "I'm doing this to protect you" justification, she often came across as unnecessarily harsh rather than sympathetic and for a supposedly massive company, it felt like there were only three employees running the place

What ultimately made the show disappointing was how predictable and anticlimactic it became, The father being villain reveal, Peem's death, and most of the major twists were easy to see coming, which took away any emotional impact.

The production quality and visuals were definitely strong, and the premise was genuinely interesting, but the execution never lived up to its potential.

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Best Historical Drama Ever

Story: Scarlet Heart Moon Lovers has one of the most appealing stories that keeps you hooked the whole way through out of any historical k-drama I have ever watched. I am NEVER bored no matter how many times I rewatch it (and I rewatch it a lot). The palace intrigue, the romance, and it is fairly mature considering it is a k-drama.

Acting: Lee Joong Gi and Kang Haneul are masters of their craft, and although this is one of IU's weaker dramas in terms of acting I think she still does an incredible job. She is so capable of making Hae Su's joy, fear, and sorrow come accross. All of the supporting cast also does a great job- BaekHyun and Kim Ji Soo often steal the show.

One of my favorite, if not my favorite drama of all time. Worth a watch 100%

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I like it. I like it less. I like it again

I'm in two minds about this drama. On the one hand, our leads' love line is swoon worthy, but the rest is patchy.

To put it simply, the main plot comes down to a people's revolution to overthrow a drug crazed tyrant. The usual antagonist minister is straight out of central casting.

Even the whole soul swapping plot feels half-baked. It starts well and pulls us in. There are dramatic scenes early on, but it soon settles down to long stretches of swapped souls. It becomes a convenient way for the ML to see how the common people live (I mean suffer) and note down their grievances. While the FL is largely marking time while camping in the ML's body.

If I'm honest, this series would have been better if it is only 12 eps long. 16 eps just means the tropey game of throne plot is stretched to its limits. It definitely lacks oomph.

Not all is lost, the romance between our leads is swoon-y and they have decent chemistry. The skinship quota didn't ramp up until the last few eps. There are a couple of other proto pairings. They are more like footnotes.

I must admit the ending is well done. It didn't end abruptly but allows the story to come to its logical conclusion.

I do find one aspect to be a little heavy handed. They bring in the OG Love God aka Old Man on the Moon (big cameo by Kim Jae Uck) to explain the soul swapping and their entanglement. Fate writ large, chingu. There is even an epilogue just to prove their lives are forever intertwined. We get it! LoL

I won't lie; our leads do look good in the present. I can watch a movie based on that scene. I'm working on the script right now. Call me . . ;)

Ultimately, this is a castle built on shifting sands. Acting is good, the romance is sweet if a slow burn and the production is solid with a big ensemble. Alas, the script is the ever shifting sands. Peace.

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Preciso começar exaltando a atuação de Lu Feng e Xiao Chen. A forma como eles passaram as emoções de cada cena é absurda — sem exagero, digna de Oscar.

Vou destacar ainda mais o Lu Feng. A precisão com que ele transmitiu raiva, transtorno e amor foi surreal. E não estou falando só das cenas “bonitas”. O que mais me impressionou foi a exatidão dele nas cenas em que o personagem está completamente desestabilizado. Ele conduziu tudo com maestria. De verdade, fiquei de boca aberta e só conseguia admirar. Tiro meu chapéu pra atuação dos dois.

Agora, sobre a história… aí a coisa muda. Ela é extremamente problemática do início ao fim. Lida com temas sensíveis, dolorosos e agonizantes de um jeito que nunca tinha me afetado tanto assistindo algo. E não estou dizendo isso de forma positiva. No começo até segura bem, apesar de alguns deslizes. Mas chega um ponto que fica insuportável acompanhar, e tem cenas que pra mim são inaceitáveis até o último capítulo. Não vou passar pano pra isso.

Foi difícil terminar de assistir. Fui até o fim justamente por causa da atuação impecável — é raro conseguir acompanhar uma história com esse nível de entrega dos atores. E isso é inegável. Tenho certeza que a obra foi odiada por muita gente, mas me recuso a não reconhecer o trabalho deles. A forma como passaram os sentimentos dos personagens me deixava instigada e admirada o tempo todo.

Não me arrependo de ter assistido, porque fiquei encantada com a atuação. Por isso consigo recomendar, mas já aviso: não vai ser fácil acompanhar e é bem provável que você queira abandonar em certos momentos por causa das atitudes dos personagens e do contexto da história.

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Between Greatness and Excessive Tragedy

The Lead follows the life of Laidi, a girl from the countryside who, due to circumstance and her family's extreme poverty, is reluctantly taken by her uncle to a Qinqiang Opera troupe, one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese opera and an important symbol of cultural preservation.

The story begins in the late 1970s, during the final years of the Cultural Revolution, a period that sought to eliminate ideas associated with capitalist influences and pre-revolutionary Chinese traditions. One of the most interesting aspects of the series is the atmosphere of constant surveillance within the troupe's small community and how it reflects the social tensions of the time. People who supported and opposed the revolution are forced to continue living together while adapting to a new political reality. The contrast between this environment of scrutiny and a troupe made up of artists trained in an earlier era becomes one of the show's strongest elements, adding historical context while generating personal and legal conflicts for those involved.

Right from the start, the young actress playing Laidi wins the audience over. She is so effective in the role that it's hard not to regret knowing she will eventually be replaced by an older actress. Through silence, body language, and simple shifts in her gaze, she conveys the character's humility and sense of displacement with remarkable clarity.

The training period within the troupe is also when the series introduces many of the characters who will remain important throughout the story. Most notably, Laidi's uncle Hu Sanyuan, who constantly finds himself in trouble. The series also explores the conservatism of the era, the incompetent bureaucratic leadership, rivalries among performers, and Laidi's struggle to find her place both as an artist and within everyday social interactions.

During this period, Laidi learns many of life's lessons through her experiences in the troupe: Jiahe's jealousy, her first love for Xiaoxiao, the care she receives from the kitchen staff, and countless situations created by her uncle, who, despite being a good person, seems incapable of avoiding trouble. Eventually, the two are separated when he is imprisoned following yet another mishap involving a cannon during a performance.

Farewells become a recurring theme throughout Laidi's journey, and the series handles them particularly well. After all, life is shaped by countless goodbyes, especially while growing up. These departures only carry weight because the series takes the time to build its relationships properly, turning many of its supporting characters into people the audience genuinely cares about.

As promised, the story moves across several decades of Laidi's life, eventually reaching the 1980s through a time-skip sequence centered on her training. For years, she practices in secret under the guidance of four elderly masters who recognize her talent. Her relationship with these mentors, especially Master Gu, who takes on an almost paternal role in her life, becomes one of the highlights of the series.

Her stage debut is another key moment. The sequence cuts between Laidi performing and her uncle playing drumsticks in prison, creating the sense that they are sharing the moment despite being apart. As the performance moves the audience within the story, it becomes one of the series' most memorable scenes. If the show had ended there, it would have already justified the journey.

The writing during this section is at its strongest, often relying on subtlety rather than direct exposition. One example is the departure of the troupe's director, who leaves without receiving a single farewell. Similarly, while Master Gu remains strict because discipline is the only method he knows, brief moments of affection strengthen the bond between teacher and student until their eventual passing of the torch.

One of my main criticisms of the series is that Laidi is rarely allowed to remain comfortable for more than a single episode before a new setback arrives. Eventually, this becomes repetitive. Just as she begins to settle into life within the troupe and gains recognition through successful performances, she is transferred to the Chang'an troupe and larger stages. Once again, other people decide her future for her.

Unfortunately, not everything in the second half reaches the level of the first.

In Chang'an, Laidi encounters many of the same challenges she has already faced: rivalries, sabotage, jealousy, and competition. It often feels like a less engaging repetition of earlier storylines. This is also where the series begins to lose momentum with the introduction of its long-term romantic interest. Everything involving Hongbing feels out of place. He is a one-dimensional character who comes across like someone imported from an entirely different show. He is the kind of person who insists on calling himself charming while constantly being irritating. There is little emotional depth or nuance to justify his role in the story. It feels as though the writers decided Laidi needed romance and personal drama, and simply dropped him into the narrative to provide it.

As a result, the most engaging storylines often end up being those involving Hu Sanyuan or the return of characters from the original countryside troupe.

Another issue with the Chang'an arc is the troupe itself. Most of its members function as background characters, receiving little development, personality, or individual storylines. More importantly, the performances, which should be the heart of the series, often become montage sequences set to the show's theme song. This weakens both immersion and the emotional impact these scenes should have carried.

As time passes, Laidi becomes increasingly famous, but the gap between her success on stage and her personal unhappiness becomes a defining aspect of her life. Even after marrying Hongbing, she never appears to find fulfillment. Much of this stems from her inability to fully understand herself, open up emotionally, and make peace with her own choices, all of which can be traced back to the way she was raised.

By the 1990s, the series explores the decline of opera's popularity. Characters from earlier chapters find themselves in very different places after leaving artistic life behind. The show consistently improves whenever it reconnects with the people and relationships established in its earlier years.

Meanwhile, Laidi and Hongbing struggle to survive financially, particularly when their son becomes ill and they must gather money for his surgery. These circumstances show how two people lacking self-worth, one introverted and the other extroverted, change under the pressure of life's difficulties.

Still, the series continues to rely heavily on suffering as a narrative device. Many of the later tragedies feel less like natural developments and more like attempts to sustain the final stretch of a 48-episode story.

Even so, the ending is not without worthwhile moments. Scenes such as Laidi singing again while her voice echoes throughout the apartment complex, or her final performance in which she remembers the people who shaped her life, remain effective. That said, the latter sequence is stretched by the excessive presence of a certain character. The series seems to expect viewers to forget everything that came before and accept them as a happy, well-adjusted couple. I didn't.

In the end, the first half comes close to being a perfect drama. From the Chang'an arc onward, however, the series enters a gradual decline, almost mirroring the decline of opera within its own story. It becomes weighed down by tragedies that often feel unnecessary, proving that, more often than not, less would have been more. Even so, it continues to find strong moments whenever it returns to its roots and the characters that made the story work in the first place.

Is it worth watching? Absolutely. Its highest points are strong enough to carry much of the weaker material that follows, allowing the journey to remain satisfying despite its flaws. By the end, what stays with you is the time spent alongside Laidi and the Qinqiang Opera troupe.

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so far good

Drama China Never-Ending Summer menghadirkan kisah cinta remaja yang manis sekaligus menyakitkan antara Zhou Wan dan Lu Xixiao. Berawal dari kebutuhan Zhou Wan untuk menyelamatkan neneknya yang sakit, hubungan keduanya berkembang menjadi cinta pertama yang hangat di masa muda. Namun berbagai kesalahpahaman dan kerasnya kenyataan membuat mereka harus berpisah selama bertahun-tahun sebelum akhirnya bertemu kembali saat dewasa. �
FilmiBeat + 1
Yang membuat drama ini menarik adalah perpaduan antara tema first love, perjuangan hidup, dan kesempatan kedua. Chemistry antara Bao Shang'en dan Zhou Keyu terasa natural sehingga banyak adegan yang berhasil membuat penonton ikut tersenyum maupun patah hati. Selain romansa, drama ini juga menampilkan proses pertumbuhan karakter dari masa sekolah hingga dunia kerja. �
CPOP HOME + 1
Kelebihan drama ini terletak pada suasana musim panas yang hangat, visual yang indah, serta alur yang cukup emosional tanpa terlalu banyak pasangan sampingan yang mengganggu fokus cerita utama. Beberapa penonton juga memuji chemistry pemeran utamanya sejak episode-episode awal.
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Meski alurnya menggunakan trope yang cukup familiar seperti bad boy x good girl, drama ini tetap berhasil memberikan emosi yang kuat dan membuat penonton penasaran dengan perjalanan hubungan kedua tokohnya.

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Excellent story plus strong chemistry

The best C-drama of 2026, without a shadow of a doubt, has set an exceptionally high bar for everything else released this year. It's truly a masterpiece that has captivated audiences and critics alike, earning its place as an instant classic in the bustling world of Chinese television dramas. What truly elevates this particular series above its contemporaries is its exquisitely balanced and masterfully woven narrative tapestry, which seamlessly blends elements of romance, humor, family dynamics, and the enduring power of friendship. This intricate fusion of genres doesn't just work; it flourishes, creating a viewing experience that is both deeply engaging and profoundly resonant.
The romantic storyline, in particular, is handled with a delicate touch, portraying a love that feels both passionate and refreshingly genuine, avoiding the common pitfalls of melodrama or forced tropes. It's a journey of two souls finding each other, navigating obstacles, and growing together, making their connection feel utterly believable and heartwarming. Complementing this romantic core is a generous dose of humor, expertly sprinkled throughout the episodes. This isn't just slapstick comedy; it's witty dialogue, cleverly conceived situations, and charming character quirks that elicit genuine laughter, providing much-needed levity and enhancing the overall enjoyment. The exploration of family relationships, from heartwarming bonds to complex challenges, adds another rich layer to the drama. It delves into the nuances of filial piety, rivalry, and the unconditional love that often underpins familial ties, offering relatable scenarios that many viewers can connect with on a personal level. Furthermore, the portrayal of friendship is nothing short of superb, showcasing the loyalty, support, and camaraderie that define true companions, proving that these bonds are just as vital and impactful as any romantic connection.
At the heart of this phenomenal success are the lead actors, Linghe and Xiwei, who deliver performances that are nothing short of phenomenal. They were undeniably at their absolute best in this series, embodying their characters with such depth, nuance, and conviction that they almost ceased to be actors and instead became the very people they were portraying. Their chemistry on screen is palpable, sparking with an electricity that makes every interaction, every stolen glance, and every heartfelt confession feel incredibly real and impactful. Beyond their exceptional acting prowess, their physical appearance is undeniably gorgeous, a fact that certainly doesn't hurt the drama's widespread appeal. Their striking good looks, combined with their undeniable talent, create a magnetic pull that keeps viewers utterly entranced.
It's no exaggeration to say that my newsfeed, and indeed the newsfeeds of countless others, was utterly flooded with content related to this drama. From enthusiastic fan theories and episode recaps to beautifully edited fan videos and heartfelt discussions, the series dominated online conversations, becoming a true cultural phenomenon. This pervasive presence in the digital sphere is a testament to its widespread impact and the deep connection it forged with its audience. For me, personally, this drama emerged as a cherished source of comfort and solace during what were undeniably trying times. Its ability to transport me into a world of captivating stories, endearing characters, and uplifting emotions provided a much-needed escape and a sense of warmth, proving that sometimes, a truly exceptional piece of entertainment can be a powerful balm for the soul.

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Alot of food & alot of violence with last minute unexplained happy ending

The male lead is pretty loathful for a good bit & then his deranged broken bad boy charm slowly (slowly) settles in. This is fiction/fantasy, so it's best to avoid seeing his character as real boyfriend material, but you have to admire his loyalty & "all in" attitude. (well Let's try to say so anyway) . Kudos to male lead Lee Chae Min for pulling off the nuances of deranged, unhinged , smolderingly charming & heartbreakingly distraught.
A nod to Choi Gwi Hwa as well for making his villain so maniacal.
The Female lead works really hard to sell her character & though the actress is not my favorite (SO I say ,as I realize just how many drama's I've watched with her in them!) she jumps into every scene with "gusto" and makes it work for her. Male lead's character ,(a demonic form of Austen's Mr. Darcy ), & is angry at everyone & bent on revenge -though he's not sure (or particular about) who the target is. The cooking & the killing being equal parts in this drama, are an odd mix. The cooking segments are wonderful (even if you aren't a foodie) The bite size mysteries that pop up every once in awhile concerning sabotage , trading out new world ingredients for Joseon dynasty ones is surprisingly interesting. Figuring out who (all) the bad guys are is difficult as there are alot of people who'd like to see the leads dead.
In order to enjoy this drama : suspend disbelief a good bit and take it for the violent yet somewhat fluffy drama it is. Set your expectations at that bar & don't get caught up in the few plot holes ( might be more than a few). Overall I enjoyed the drama, though Ep. 11 was brutal & hard to get through, but as you go you see it's necessary. The first half of Ep. 12 is unpleasantly bloody & gut wrenchingly emotional (pun intended). Both Ep 11 & 12 have recollection montages (which I hate) , but the warm fuzzy in them set you up to be emotionally invested in the final struggle & then to fully enjoy the happy conclusion . (Though be warned; the happy ending is both nonsensical & satisfying). If given another episode they might have gone into explanations, but really, why bother ? They have already given clues for us to fill in the blanks ourselves & why does it matter anyway ?

I took off points in my rating for what I felt was too much time spend on drawing out killing scenes . ( A quick stab -camera pans away & move on is the way I like my drama deaths!)

I will rewatch this.
I didn't notice the OST at all, which fits this drama well.

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