Reviews

Absolute cinema

If you’re wondering if you should watch it or not, you definitely should. The wait was worth it, the beginning is amazing, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen something so amazing that made me love it from the first scene and even brought tears to my eyes. When Gmmtv announced this show I was worried it will get a lot of hate just because of its genres, however I believe that it will do the opposite. The fact that the first episode starts with same sex marriage becoming legal in 2025 and ends with two guys being judged for sleeping next to each other in pool in 1996 is an amazing detail that shows how much we changed as a society when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.

And now the only thing we can do is wait for new episodes that I believe will be as good or even better than the first one.

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Worth watching !

For me, the best in the drama is the story and the comedy.
This drama is a good short watch, something to enjoy for like, 3 hours and half. Not like the usual dramas about solving mysterious cases or demon killing plot, I didn't expected that the story goes deeper than that, but I won't spoil and let you discover it yourself.
The effects are good for a short drama. The story is paced with a light comedy, coming from characters well acted and thoughtfully crafted plot and scenes, that got us immersed in the story. If I have to find some negative points, it would be that the story might look stretched but in the end, that make sense.

Finally, I made this review only to say to you, who came across this page, that this drama deserves giving it a chance and I wish you to enjoy it as much as I did.

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DENSO E MELANCÓLICO

Esse é um drama que estava a muito tempo na minha lista, mas eu sempre acabava desistindo de começar por ser longo demais (eu não estava no clima para isso), mas eu finalmente dei play e gostei muito do que vi.

Essa é uma história sobre vingança, dor e cura. É uma série de angustia e ela esta lá em todos os episódios. É tudo muito humano.

O projeto é longo porque a narrativa leva o seu próprio tempo para ser construída, afinal, é como eu disse, tudo é muito humano, então o dia a dia lento e cansativo se faz presente.

Han Dong Jin e Shim Woo Joo vivem suas próprias batalhas com personalidades bem diferentes e iguais ao mesmo tempo, a dureza dela combinada a introspecção dele cria espelhos que se refletem e exibem seus traumas e fraquezas. Acompanhar eles se enxergando e enxergando o outro é realmente fascinante. E temos também os irmãos e o melhor amigo da Shim Woo Joo que são muito importantes para a história.

Essa é uma trama para ser sentida. Os olhares, falas e edição trabalham muito bem para que esse drama seja o que ele é, denso e melancólico.

Eu acho que poderiam ter reduzido alguns episódios e trabalhado melhor algumas coisas, mas isso é apenas meu gosto pessoal, até porque no geral é tudo muito bom.

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Timeless classic that i can always come back to

I remember watching this show ages ago, maybe like 15 years ago or something. It popped back on my radar recently. I rewatched the show because it I remembered that it was funny with silly moments, and ofc the heartwarming moments of her getting to really know the students. Its a lot of older jokes that don't land the same, since nowadays its a bit more cliche. But the action comedy part of her being yakuza and also a teacher just makes the entire show funny. You can tell that she really want this but her quicks of how she grew up makes the teaching part much more difficult.
It's a light drama for the most part, its easy to get through and be immersed in, as its got this "we are human, we make mistakes, its okay".
This is really a show that doesn't take itself too seriously but still somewhat serious. You have your silly moments - but you also have your heartwarming and moving moments.
If you want to watch this just keep in mind that this is an old show. So a lot might feel cliche and the archetypes that they play are overused, but this is a timeless classic.

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Shin Hae Sun's Best Work Till Date, Another Gem on her Crown!!

What happens when your boss is as crazy as you and you both belong to the audit department??

Frankly, I never thought that the audit department in a company would investigate interpersonal relationships. Starring Shin Hae Sun & Gong Myoung in lead roles, “Filing for Love” portrays a hilarious romance between a quirky boss who is eccentric as hell and a dedicated employee who is least interested in handling “personal matters.” What begins as a “cat and mouse” chase game, turns into a mature romance as the main protagonists grow closer and understand each other better. The female protagonist might seem strong-willed and independent, but she has her own struggles to face. She has never learned to lean on someone else or rely on another person. As they work on difficult cases, our male lead learns to respect his diffident boss’s unusual decisions. But an office romance can quickly turn into a scandal when you belong to the audit department.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2026/06/01/filing-for-love-series-review/#more-2457

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Worth Another watch

Theme was unique on its own, though the 'transport and wake up' part is similar to an English movie, overall the story makes you want to see it more. Movie felt too short for me and could have been a few episodes longer, though I guess this - not enough is what's enough to want more but more would probably be cringe, who knows. The setup's in the dream were great and fun plus the effects which makes it fun instead of bloody. Dylan and Victoria, they're like a son and mother duo, a hyper kid and a serious mother, maybe caused by their position as well in the story. I liked Dylan's banter with the AI, they're like siblings, trying to irritate the other. I like how it started like it's going to be a fun show but got serious, then even serious as it goes.

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IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE LAST 3 EPISODES, THIS WOULD'VE BEEN MY SECOND 10/10

Like the title of my review states, this drama would've been my second ever 10/10 K-drama if it weren't for episodes 13-16.
I am painfully aware that my review is 9 years too late, but I want to get this off my chest, seeing as thoughts about the drama keep popping up. I loved it so very much, just to be disappointed in the end. But, if I can objectively help someone else with this review, please read on. Spoilers ahead!

What a refreshing and wonderful story! I was so glad I came across a drama that would tackle everyday life, heavier topics, and just "normal" people. I'm not a fan of overly stylized and polished shows, so to me, this was a plus as soon as I started the first episode.
And that one had me hooked! I loved the introduction of the FL. She was still searching for her place in life, searching for who she wanted to be, while struggling to keep a roof over her head. I found her to be quite endearing, naive, but also, surprisingly, strong.

Yes, she sometimes came across as young and inexperienced, but she also had to put up with a lot of patriarchal shit while growing up. Still, she didn't just give up; she kept going and tried to take care of her own problems and make her life work. Oftentimes we see women portrayed as helpless damsels, or they are forced on us as strong women just to keep the show going. I didn't get this vibe from Ji-ho at all. She is simply a normal girl finding her way in the world, and I loved that and was constantly rooting for her.

I have to say that my favorite character was the ML. I have a thing for the quiet, almost antisocial, tsundere types who secretly have a soft nature. Se-hee wasn't the very loving type, and we'd find out eventually why. But what I loved about this character was that he was consistent. He set boundaries and didn't go over those boundaries. Still, he made sure Ji-ho was safe, even though that was not in the contract or his job.

A lot of reviewers tend to find him off-putting, mechanical, or even unlikable. But we have to keep in mind that A: he was written that way, and B: he went through some shit in his past and he is trying to protect his heart. Not everyone can go through life with their hearts on their sleeves, and not every drama should be about a man lusting after a woman like an overheated puppy. I found Se-hee quite wonderful because he started out as stoic, antisocial, selfish, and inflexible, but we ended up with a hero who learned to open up his heart while staying true to his nature.

Both leads showed remarkable character growth throughout the drama, and then came episode 13.

All of a sudden, it felt as if they switched writers, directors, producers, or whatever when they started working on episode 13. Ji-ho turned into an idiotic, selfish, and toxic girl. I don't even want to go into detail regarding her stupid choices and thoughts, but I will just to get this off my chest.

Some of us love slice-of-life dramas because they often mirror our own lives. And I feel it would've been much better if they'd stuck to that until the end, rather than using the miscommunication, idiot damsel, and separation tropes to create some sort of fake climax. Not every story needs to be overly dramatic.

What I hated most from episode 13 onwards:
The fact that Ji-ho stopped communicating directly and clearly. She started speaking in metaphors and keeping her feelings and thoughts to herself. I mean, girl, you know Se-hee is almost a robot. Speak your m-fing mind and tell him what bothers you. The man isn't stupid, but he also can't read minds!

She decided on her own that they should break up because he hadn't uttered those stupid words people cling to. Hellooo: "I love you" means absolutely nothing without actions to back those words up. But noooo, she needed to feed her ego. Even after Su-ji told her Se-hee was planning to confess, Ji-ho still found it necessary to get divorced and leave the man.

I understand some of you will think I only mind what the ML is feeling, but no. Imagine you've been living in hell for 10 years. You kept your life private, only opened up your heart to your cat. Then comes along a beautiful, fresh girl, and she thaws your heart up to the point you decide to give life and love a chance again. Then she ups and leaves you because you haven't said the words out loud. Uhm, okay? And yes, I get that at this point Se-hee could've uttered the words and maybe stopped or appeased her. But remember the boundaries I mentioned earlier? The man was protecting the walls SHE put up. He isn't overly dramatic in showing feelings, so it would be unfair to expect he'd do so at this point.
As I said, consistent.

But here comes the worst. After she left, she was supposed to go find herself; she hadn't really lived her life up to that point. So I get that she planned to travel and see the world. We all understand that, right? What did she do though? She went to the fucking neighborhood sauna, chilled with girlfriends, and wandered around the same fucking city!

To make matters even worse: one random day she decides it's time to start their day one. Absolutely no consideration for the man she left alone, broken in pieces. She baked a cake and thought: hmmm, I'll take this to the love of my life and tell him we're on again. Girl, what?

Forget the previous worst, here comes the worst-worst.
She slides into bed with him. Notices he thinks he's dreaming of her. Doesn't correct him. Lets him think he's still dreaming. Falls asleep next to him. The next day when he wakes up, she acts as if he's crazy. The man wanted to seriously talk to her about what happened and about his feelings, and she went on and on about breakfast. WTF, did one of the writers fall on their head? Seriously.

Look, I'm glad they eventually got back together, because I love happy endings. But this was lazy, sloppy, and we're not young and impressionable viewers. If you write a drama which deals with everyday topics like housing, sexual harassment, trauma, and such, you should stick to that until the end and not fall back on mainstream tropes just to insert unnecessary drama.

Instead of the drama, they could've tackled these points:
- Why didn't they delve into the bruised hands of Se-hee after he beat up Ji-ho's attacker? Maybe that would've opened her eyes more.
- Why did she really turn down the writing contract?
- Se-hee wasn't feeling his ex; he showed her as much by waiting for Ji-ho even after he ran into the ex. Why didn't that sway her a bit?

To me the drama would've been a more "perfect drama" if these were explored:
Instead of forcing a separation in the last three episodes, they could've explored the relationship part better. They were two people starting off as landlord and tenant, got married to make life easier, and started loving each other. They could've shown us how they really took the plunge. I mean, both Se-hee and Ji-ho weren't fans of conventional and traditional Korean marriages. Explore that! Show us how they would've done it better. No slave-like activities at the in-laws.
Respecting each other's Room 19. Really having your own space whilst being together.
I loved that they renewed their contract yearly. They could've dived deeper into that.
Anything, actually, would've been better than what we got.

Anyways, I don't want to rant anymore. This has been the only drama I would've watched back-to-back just like I did CLOY. It left an emptiness in me, and now I'm disappointed at the ending. I'm in no way saying you shouldn't watch, because it started too beautifully and stayed that way until episode 13. All in all, it's really worth the 9 I rate it.

Oh, forgot to even mention the side characters. Loved all of them. I only think that Won-seok and Rang should've stayed separated; they were not meant to be together anymore.

Sidenote: the two first leads made a cameo in What's Wrong with Secretary Kim. I read the writer wanted to give the fans some joy by putting them together again, even for something small. Good idea, bad execution.
I wish the cameo was really about Ji-ho and Se-hee. Maybe a collaboration between Lee Young-joon and Se-hee? The form in which we got the cameo left a bad taste in my mouth.

Anyways, I'm done now. Don't let my frustrations stop you from watching this beautiful story.

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Great NC's however poor writing

This one just didn’t hit. At all. actually. I actually really love Max and Nat they have amazing chemistry together. AND when a couple has great chemistry i eat the show up normally. However, it felt like the same thing happens again and again and again and again in literally every episode, it got wayyyyyy too repetitive, and for me when something is too repetitive it just gets frustrating to watch and when I get frustrated with something the entire show will just get boring. The episodes are short but feel super long. They are hard to get through even though I love the main couple. I was over the plot by episode 4 already. I did get it done bc as i said I love Max and Nat and their NC's here aint no different.

If I have to mention one of the things I absolutely loved was the way the NC scenes were beautiful and quite creative when they switched bodies. I loved that they didn't sway away from Max being the bottom when they were in the switched personas. I also loved the strong connection between the couple, that might come from them being an established couple, you really could feel the deep sense of affection and love they had for each other. Which was honestly the only reason i got through this show.

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A Subversive Masterpiece: How 《红鸾引》 Redefines Power Dynamics in Historical Short Dramas

To me, this drama represents a truly subversive cultural shift as opposed to the past traditional dramas where the ML is surrounded by a bevy of beauties.

We are seeing a complete departure from the outdated trope of the helpless housewife relying entirely on a husband. Instead, the plot offers a refreshing, empowered perspective that completely redefines traditional culture.

​Central to this modern reinvention is the commanding presence of the Female Lead, Yun Qi, played beautifully by Wang Yunyun. Far from a damsel in distress, she navigates her world with a sharp mind, undeniable magnetism, and total autonomy. She does not merely survive within the narrative; she actively commands it, establishing a fascinating dynamic where she holds all the emotional leverage.

​This power dynamic is marvelously highlighted by the four distinctly alluring male leads orbiting her, creating what feels like an elite "F4" of the historical short-drama world:

​*The Guarded Alpha*: General Huo Xiao (Lan Bo), her intense, protective ex-husband, whose stormy jealousy contrasts sharply with her calm composure.

​*The Alluring Enigma*: Prince Qi Zhuo (Huang Youtian), a calculating and brilliant prince whose sharp mind matches her own, creating an electric battle of wits.

​*The Devoted Shadow*: Yun Jin Chen (Yi Hang), a submissive, deeply loyal figure from her household who provides a steadfast, protective presence.

​*The Lighthearted Companion*: Prince Xie Lin Yu (Liu Zi Heng), her charismatic childhood buddy, who injects a delightful, playful warmth into the high-stakes narrative tension.

​Each man brings a completely unique facet of masculinity to the screen, yet none overshadows her. By placing a brilliant, complex woman at the absolute epicentre of these diverse romantic dynamics, 《红鸾引》 elegantly deconstructs the traditional hierarchy of historical romances, turning a visual feast into a genuinely empowering narrative triumph.

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Algumas histórias não fazem a gente torcer pelo casal… fazem a gente torcer pelo amor

Temas, amor, destino, tradição, escolhas, dever, identidade, coragem emocional, família, privilégio, liberdade, esperança

Polêmicas à parte, eu simplesmente amei esse drama.

E talvez porque, no fim das contas, o que ficou comigo não foram as discussões ao redor dele. Foi a história.

Foi aquela sensação deliciosa de assistir um episódio e perceber que está sorrindo sozinha. As famosas borboletas no estômago. Os risos que escapam despretenciosos. E aquelas lágrimas que aparecem não pela tristeza, mas pela esperança.

A Coroa Perfeita me devolveu uma coisa que nem sempre encontro nos romances, a vontade genuína de acreditar que o amor pode vencer.

Sobre os personagens, que são a alma da trama:
IU - Ela não é só uma protagonista romântica. Tem personalidade, convicções e uma força tranquila que vai aparecendo aos poucos. Eu gostei especialmente porque suas decisões não giram apenas em torno do amor, mas também de quem ela quer ser.

Byun Woo Suk - Ele carrega aquele peso clássico das responsabilidades, expectativas, protocolos e obrigações. Mas por trás da posição que ocupa existe alguém tentando equilibrar o que deve fazer com o que deseja viver.

E foi impossível não comprar a história dos dois.

A química funciona de um jeito muito natural. Não parece forçada, não parece fabricada. Existe troca, cumplicidade, tensão, afeto. Aquela combinação perigosa que faz a gente ficar torcendo por cada encontro.

E talvez tenha sido isso que mais me conquistou.

O drama fala sobre tradição, posição social, expectativas e escolhas, mas nunca perde o coração da história. Em meio a tudo isso, ele continua perguntando:

O amor pode sobreviver quando o mundo inteiro parece ter outros planos?

Eu me vi completamente investida na resposta.

E quando um drama consegue me fazer rir, suspirar, torcer e terminar com o coração aquecido, ele já ganhou muito comigo.

No fim, fiquei com uma sensação simples e bonita.

Nem toda coroa é feita de ouro.

Algumas são feitas das pessoas que escolhem permanecer ao nosso lado.

Impressão final, um romance que me entregou exatamente o que prometeu, emoção, química, esperança e aquela torcida apaixonada para que o amor encontre um caminho, mesmo quando tudo parece conspirar contra ele.

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Its okay for a one time watch!

It is cute drama to binge watch for sure! I have a very mixed feelings about it. The actors has done their job. But the characters could not evolve i feel. I am sorry but it did not justify kim Bum at all. I had huge expectations from him, but his character failed to amaze me. Kim bum has done a wonderful job ofcourse but i guess its just the story writting which could have justified that.
I love all the actors in here. but it was a popcorn drama i would say.
There were moments where i was like AWWW cute. But give it a try its a good drama to watch over weekend and relax

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That final 15 minutes was refreshing. I liked the twist!

Today I was in the mood for mermaid + merman dramas so I decided to watch this drama. I was pleasantly surprised by the twist - this drama was really enjoyable.

What I liked:
1. Acting - Wang Zi Yi was amazing in her role. She managed to convey the different emotions of her character. She and Li Qing Tian had an alright chemistry.
2. Romance - It was a marriage of convenience but their relationship was warm from the get go. No cold / distant awkward strangers. Their love story was believable because they worked together. This isn’t a steamy drama but the role play was delightful (I liked the doctor bit).
3. Supporting characters - ML's son was smart & sneaky - he was a nice boy. I also liked ML's assistant.
4. FL characterisation - She was kind and focused - the hotel / restaurant was important to her.
5. ML characterisation - He was a nice guy who wanted the best for his kid and FL. It was amusing to see his hidden identity.
6. Twist - That final 15 minutes was a nice surprise. Wow, that saviour story was unexpected. I also liked the part where FL's friend's scheming was unveiled.
7. Fantasy - The element was done well despite the limited budget.

What I disliked:
1. Ending - That final minute ruined everything. I wonder if the scene was created to appease certain group of industry players.
2. Antagonists - FL's friend was mean and insecure. ML's pursuer was horrible for the scheming.

Favourite scene
The saviour story

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He is worth way more than a dollar

One Dollar Lawyer is worth watching for one key reason: Namkoong Min. Charismatic, strikingly handsome, and armed with impeccable comic timing, he completely owns the screen as Cheon Ji-hun, a lawyer who charges the outrageous fee of just 1,000 won (about one US dollar) per case, in spite of being outstanding in his job.

Cheon Ji-hun is the kind of character who can walk into a room looking like a trendy fashion model, act like a complete lunatic, and somehow still be the smartest person there. Cocky, confident, eccentric, and utterly unpredictable, he turns every courtroom appearance into a performance.

A large part of the fun comes from the mystery surrounding him. One moment, he appears completely broke, with his landlord relentlessly chasing him for unpaid rent. The next, he is casually bidding huge sums of money at auctions as though he owns half of Seoul. Is he rich? Is he poor? Is he secretly both? And more importantly, how does a lawyer charging only 1,000 won per client manage to keep his office open?

As the story unfolds, Ji-hun and his two loyal sidekicks take on a variety of cases, usually fighting for people who have neither money nor influence. Watching this unconventional trio work is half the entertainment. Whether it is clearing a man falsely accused of murdering his parents, helping a petty thief escape the shadow of his criminal past, or taking down an abusive corporate executive who treats his staff like punching bags, Ji-hun always finds a way to turn the tables.

The drama does occasionally suffer from pacing issues, especially the first episode - I was wondering I would want to watch on as it felt quite boring. However, if you can make it through the first couple of episodes, the series gradually finds its rhythm and becomes much more engaging.

What elevates the drama beyond simple comedy is the tragedy hidden beneath Ji-hun's clownish exterior. Behind the jokes, outrageous outfits, and constant wisecracks lies a man carrying enormous emotional scars. His fiancée was stabbed to death on a train. His father, a presidential candidate, allegedly took his own life by jumping from a building. Yet Ji-hun remains unconvinced by the official explanations and continues to pursue the truth.

As the pieces slowly come together, it becomes clear that powerful figures with even more powerful political connections are involved. The deeper Ji-hun digs, the more danger he places himself in. Suddenly, the goofy lawyer charging one dollar is no longer just fighting legal battles — he is confronting people capable of destroying lives.

What makes the drama work so well is its balance. It can make you laugh one minute and then hit you with a surprisingly emotional revelation the next. Although I suspect that much of the humour might be lost in translation relying on the English dubbing as I don't understand Korean.

Overall, One Dollar Lawyer is a highly entertaining blend of comedy, legal drama, mystery, and underdog justice. It starts quietly, but once it finds its footing, it becomes difficult to stop watching. And at the centre of it all is Namkoong Min, delivering a performance so charming and energetic that he could probably charge 1,000 won for legal advice and still convince everyone they got a bargain.

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O preço do sucesso: Quando a rotina esgota a mente e o corpo exige uma pausa

Em uma sociedade hiperconectada que mede o valor humano pelo sucesso e produtividade, até que ponto o esgotamento físico e mental nos obriga a desacelerar para redescobrir o que realmente importa?

Esgotado para você se apresenta como uma comédia romântica leve, mas entrega um espelho muito nítido da sociedade moderna, onde o sucesso profissional costuma cobrar um preço alto demais da nossa saúde. A narrativa acerta em cheio ao colocar lado a lado dois extremos do mercado atual: Dam Ye Jin (vivida com muita energia por Chae Won Bin), uma apresentadora de home shopping obcecada por metas e que transformou o "esgotado" em seu estilo de vida, e Matthew Lee (Ahn Hyo Seop), um CEO e pesquisador introvertido que busca o equilíbrio na calmaria de uma fazenda de ingredientes naturais.

O grande trunfo do roteiro é o contraste de cenários e ritmos de vida. A insônia severa de Ye Jin funciona como uma metáfora perfeita para uma mente que simplesmente esqueceu como desacelerar. Quando ela colide com o jeito focado e silencioso de Matthew, a série nos convida a uma reflexão necessária: será que estamos vivendo ou apenas batendo metas diárias? A transição do caos corporativo urbano para o ambiente rural e acolhedor serve como um verdadeiro processo de cura, mostrando que o esvaziamento do coração muitas vezes só se resolve quando silenciamos o barulho das cobranças externas.

Com uma química excelente entre os opostos que se atraem, o apoio preciso de personagens como o de Kim Bum, e uma direção sensível de An Jong Yeon, a produção equilibra momentos divertidos com um tom de conforto emocional muito bem-vindo. É uma obra essencial para quem se sente engolido pela rotina e precisa lembrar da importância de respirar e se reconectar consigo mesmo.

Um drama extremamente acolhedor e necessário. Ahn Hyo Seop entrega um personagem maduro e contido que serve de porto seguro perfeito para a vivacidade exausta da personagem de Chae Won Bin. Ótima pedida para o final de semana!

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Great casts, is the life of the show.

A office rom-com that is thrilling, interesting, and fun due to the great casting, incredible performances, with lovely camedarie, good humour and engaging office investigations. While the plot isn't compelling and incredible the casting performance were the life of the show

While I love all the casting, the main couple casting, was impeccable, with sweet romances, cozy hugs, chaotic energy investigations which were my gripping effects each week and my highest motive to binge this every week.
Loved the ride.
I need Shin Hye Sun and Gong Myoung casted in a great script

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