Reviews

This is simply a perfect show...

Personally, I can't help but rate The WONDERfools as an absolutely flawless masterpiece.
It is an incredible work that reached its conclusion while maintaining an exceptionally high level of quality that exceeded viewer expectations from every angle—boasting a gem of a script whose multi-layered blend of serious drama and comedy takes the audience's heart rate on a roller-coaster ride, innovative action interspersed with stylish yet humorous elements, and flawlessly harmonized performances driven by the cast's incredible chemistry.
There is no doubt it will become one of the defining titles of 2026, and I truly believe it is a classic that will leave a lasting mark on K-drama history.

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Role Reversals

WARNING: major spoilers


Love Beyond The Grave hasn't surpassed Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms (TMOP) as my favorite, but it's definitely one of the best xianxias. Many asian drama actors/actresses are good looking, but aside from that, it's equally important to be convincing in the type of roles they play. Dilraba Dilmurat does not just look like a goddess, she acts like one. While I've enjoyed her performance as the girlish and cute Feng Jiu, I think He Simu is her best role to date, because it is in this role that she shows the most range. Her facial expressions go from cute and playful in one scene to cold and vicious the next. There is an episode where she plays her own doppelganger which shows that she can also play a crazy character. Her sitting on a throne as the sovereign of the Ghost World feels right, because she has a commanding and regal presence. Her character is also filled with contrasts. When discovering the senses and enjoying the mortal world she appears almost childlike. When dueling with other spirits in their yearly tournament, she is all powerful, but just...allowing each immortal, even when defeated, to surrender and try again next year. She also respects their wishes if it's a duel to the death they want.

I used to think Arthur Chen was cold and stiff, but I really like him as the playful and cunning Duang Xu. This cheerful type of sly male lead suits him and he is both dashing and dynamic. I like how the drama does not diminish the male lead, even if it emphasizes that the female lead is more powerful. When he's in his element as an army general, he is shown as effective in winning wars (sometimes even single handedly and alone in an enemy camp); he's also ruthless as an assassin and I thought it interesting that he fought like a berserker in some scenes and wasn't afraid to get bloodied and dirty. The story also shows that he is at a severe disadvantage when dealing with immortals and is very vulnerable, which makes sense. It would have been too unbelievable if he could suddenly stand toe to toe with hundred something old spirits who have been cultivating power for ages. That type of plot armor I do not care for. What's good is that, even if he's almost always at a losing end when dealing with immortals, he still handles himself well. When he enters the ghost world, he is able to take down two zombies using a magical sword. Later, he is able to defend himself (even for a few minutes) against Yan Ke, the main antagonist, using the same weapon Eventually, he does get help from a sorcerer. The male lead suffers a lot in the series, but he is able to accomplish everything he sets out to do, whether it's winning the female lead's heart or regaining back the 17 lands that were taken by the enemy. He gets a lot of help along the way, but in a way that is believable and human.*

One of the things this xianxia has which makes it different from others is the role reversal. There are scenes where the male lead actually gets himself in trouble (in stupid shoujo girl style) so the female lead can rescue him (which she does, she even literally carries him out of trouble) ; the villain Yanke is basically a white lotus (a male Sujin) who is over-the-top but very entertaining to watch (how can you doubt he is the bad guy when he literally has black smoke coming out him- like Sujin he basically loses it as a result of being unable to accept rejection from the one he likes); there are scenes in the Ghost World where all the dancers are male and all the customers being served/massaged are female.

I like how LBTG also looks different. In other xianxias like TMOP or LBFAD (Love Between Fairy and Devil), the world of immortals looks like how one would imagine heaven, with white clouds and set in the sky. The spirit world in LBTG, which is called The Void, is set in the bottom of the ocean. It is dark with bright lights. Everything looks luxurious, but corrupt. There is a curfew because zombies roam the world at night; there is an element of horror about it. There are dark forests, an immortal prison in a mountain overseen by a large, Sauron-like eye, main streets that resemble the underworld in that pixar movie, Coco...and yet, the Void looks like an Asian version of blade runner, with eastern style palaces and bright lanterns. I'm not necessarily implying that it had a better design than other shows, only that it was unique in its own way. Not just in terms of the set design, but also in the way the characters behaved. In other xianxias, all the other immortals are depicted as afraid of the King of Heaven and they never go against him. In the Void, He Simu fends off daily assassination attempts by other immortals, not to mention the yearly tournament designed to unseat her.

The OST in this drama is also one of the best I've heard. The catchy, upbeat tune somehow made things more exciting.

One of the flaws of this drama are its endings. There are actually two happy endings...the problem is that the first ending is cut short. It's a common theme in xianxias for an immortal or a mortal to die and then to resurrect. But when they resurrect, it's usually as a lower life form. In LBFAD, Orchid dies and then resurrects into a plant. DongFeng resurrects into a bone bracelet. They cultivate in this form for years before they are able to take on their human appearance. LBTG's first ending follows this established Xianxia trope where newly dead beings become jellyfish like creatures before taking human shape. There is a minor character, a human general who died saving his village, but when we see him, he is already in his human spirit form. One can assume that he didn't take this form at first. It would have been better if they showed the spirit of Duang Xu getting to cultivate into his human spirit form, just like they did with the other characters, so he can reunite properly with He Simu and they can live their spiritual afterlife together.

The second ending is the one that is canonically accurate to the book, where He Simu becomes a human (which is technically all she wanted) and lives out her life with Duang Xu. I honestly don't have a problem with this version either, since this is the author's intention.

When I first saw the trailer for this drama, I didn't think there would be any chemistry between the leads (I don't usually go for noona romance) but surprisingly, there was. Arthur and Dilreba are adorable when they finally get together. Their characters also suffer a lot. Duang Xu suffers as a result of sacrificing his senses for He Simu. He Simu ends up killing someone who tries to hurt Duang Xu and as a result, loses her powers for 5 years and gets imprisoned by the obsessive Yan Ke. Given that they suffered enough for their love, the happy endings (especially in the first version) should have been clearer.

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A 7 or an 8

WARNING: major spoilers


I think Asian dramas still have a long way to go when it comes to thrillers and plot twists. Sometimes, they get it right (Signal) but most of the ones I've seen border on the makjang/melodramatic and have over-the-top (very obvious) culprits which lessens the suspense. Overall, if judged specifically as a thriller* or a whodunnit*, Siren's Kiss is not quite there yet...but it is a step in the right direction.

In fact, I wasn't sure whether to classify it as a thriller/whodunit or a crime noir. They are not the same thing. I've watched a handful of Hollywood crime noir and from the start, you already know who the culprit is in this genre...it's usually the female lead and the whole point of the story is that she has to be taken down since she seduces and kills men. I'm not against watching this trope if done right, but I much prefer the more sympathetic take Siren's Kiss has, which historically, is the more modern one. While Park Min Young has made a career out of playing wholesome rom-com heroines and is very good at it, I don't think it's a bad thing for her to step outside her comfort zone and try something new. However, I can't quite see her as an all out villainess. While I still prefer her playing cheerful, girl-next-door types (she has a smile that lights up a room and a very friendly presence as an actress), her portrayal of the depressed and neurotic Han Seolah was convincing.

Wi Ha Joon is decent as detective Cha. He plays a similar character to his role in Squid Game, that of an investigator who is obsessive in his fight for justice and sometimes uses questionable means to get it. His actual fight scenes look real, not like he's just posing. He was quite obnoxious to the female lead at first, but overall is a good guy who is just rough around the edges. Kim Jung Hyun did very* well as Baek Jun Bom. His deranged facial expressions were so on point that I can't unsee them. I don't think I'll have an easy time seeing him as a good guy after this, but I'm certain that he's talented enough to ace a different role. Lee Elijah also shines as a character who is envious and obsessive, but also a victim and someone you sympathize with, after seeing her circumstances.

Viewers who are used to the shocking plot twists in Hollywood and European thrillers will be disappointed in the reveal of the big culprit, because it is quite obvious. On the other hand, I'm glad that, given how many crazy makjang characters appear here (probably as red herrings), the main culprit seems like quite the ordinary person. Perhaps it would have been better if his sister* turned out to be the culprit and he was just protecting her, turning out to be another red herring himself? That would have been one way to choose a villain who wasn't cartoony, but still surprising.

The strongest points of this drama are 1) the performances of the leads. The way bottled up trauma and release were represented by the lead actress- her scene after a funeral in the terrace with the male lead was quite powerful and they both delivered there. I feel a bit conflicted about the second male lead...his part in the story was too over the top for me, but as far as this type of role goes, he was really good at portraying a lunatic. Even the actress playing the nasty and scheming Art House chairwoman excelled. The show had this way of making a character do something seemingly normal, but look mysterious, like when the chairwoman stepped into a secret room full of art, her behavior made you know she was up to no good and want to keep guessing what she was up to.

2) The style of the show- There were a lot of symbolic things I liked. The way the male lead first sees the female lead through a one way mirror was similar to how a suspect is viewed by detectives in an interrogation room. The female lead is objectified here, but it is deliberate; one doesn't know if this woman is good or bad, so she is a big question mark. Even the OST is hauntingly beautiful. I like how the singer starts off humming softly and the song builds into a powerful crescendo...much like the way you'd imagine a siren singing. Very powerful OST and thematically fitting.

I don't usually go for bickering, antagonistic couples, so I'm glad that the main couple didn't stay enemies for long. I much preferred the scenes where they were finally working together and like how the male lead protected the female lead for so long once he realized she was innocent. I also like how the female lead returned the favor in the end. Even if she had zero fighting skills, she literally saved his life. I do agree with the flaw that they went from being antagonistic to being friends too fast. I don't know if the 12 episode format is to blame. On one hand, a few more episodes would have made the change more convincing (romance wise); on the other hand having more than 12 episodes would mean stretching out the mystery factor and I've seen many a series become boring as a result.

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The Ink Was Richer Than the Story

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the mid Ming Dynasty, The Heir turns an ink-making empire into a battlefield of ambition, reputation, and survival. What begins with a tribute-ink scandal sends the once-revered Li family into decline and sets off a chain reaction that reshapes Huizhou's storied ink industry. From the ashes of a tarnished legacy rises Li Zhen, an underdog with talent to spare and grit to match, who rises from obscurity to become the industry's unexpected enfant terrible. Across the board stands Luo Wen Qian, a calculating heir determined to restore his family's fallen fortunes. As old rivalries simmer and new powers emerge, the two find themselves locked in a high-stakes game of strategy against the formidable Tian family. In a world where ink is power and reputation is currency, fortune favors not merely the bold, but the shrewd.

One thing viewers should know before starting The Heir: do not come here expecting a romance-driven story. The real star of the show is the Ming Dynasty ink industry itself. The drama dives surprisingly deep into ink production, ink classifications, business practices, cultural traditions, and historical terminology. It even provides textual explanations throughout the episodes, making the viewing experience feel educational without becoming overly academic. In fact, learning about the ink industry became my favorite aspect of the drama. For a series centered on something as specific as ink-making, it manages to make the subject fascinating and accessible.

The opening episodes immediately pulled me in. The tribute ink competition serves as an effective introduction to both the industry and the Li family. During the event, young Li Zhen impresses everyone by helping determine the rightful winner, showcasing her natural talent and intelligence. The celebratory family banquet that follows cleverly establishes the family dynamics and personalities. It did not take long to realize that Aunt Tian Jiang Yue would eventually become a source of trouble, while Li Zhen's relationship with her seventh-branch grandmother Wang Ru Jun provided some genuinely heartwarming moments.

The child actors deserve special praise. The young actress portraying Li Zhen delivered one of the strongest child performances I have seen in a Chinese drama. She perfectly balanced intelligence, confidence, and youthful charm, giving the character an incredibly strong foundation. Young Luo Wen Qian also left a positive impression. While the character already showed hints of becoming someone who might frustrate me later, the young actor's affectionate gaze toward Li Zhen felt sincere and natural. The casting team truly struck gold with the younger versions of the leads.

The drama's first major tragedy arrives during the tribute ink delivery. Due to circumstances that appear connected to Li Zhen's father, the eighth branch becomes the scapegoat for the family's downfall. Watching Li Jin Shui punish his own son before the entire branch is expelled from the family was heartbreaking. The emotional weight lands particularly well because we have already seen how much the elderly patriarch values the family name. Not long afterward, Li Zhen loses her father, leaving her to grow up alongside her mother, grandfather, and older brother. The subsequent time skip marks the beginning of her journey into adulthood.

Adult Li Zhen remains hardworking, kind, and remarkably resourceful. She becomes well-liked throughout her community and frequently offers practical business advice to those around her. At this point, she is engaged to Tian Ben Chang, who initially appears to be a sincere and diligent young man. Unfortunately, that image quickly crumbles. Driven by greed and family pressure, Ben Chang manipulates Li Zhen's brother into handing over the Li family's secret ink recipe. The consequences are devastating, leading to Li Jin Shui being forced to swear that he will never touch ink again. Watching Li Zhen immediately break off the engagement after discovering the truth was immensely satisfying. It was one of the moments where her strength felt empowering rather than performative.

Another standout character is Luo Wen Song. Initially, I misunderstood him due to his involvement in acquiring the Li recipe, but he quickly redeemed himself through genuine remorse, thoughtful advice, and unwavering support for Li Zhen. His passion for developing new inks made him one of the most entertaining characters in the entire drama. Eccentric, knowledgeable, and endlessly curious, Wen Song injected life into every scene he appeared in. Ironically, he became my favorite adult character despite having relatively limited screen time. His eventual departure from the story felt abrupt and disappointing because he left such a strong impression.

The downfall of the Luo family should have marked the beginning of an incredible revenge arc. Political turmoil destroys everything Wen Qian once had. His father sacrifices himself, Wen Song is relentlessly hunted, and Ben Chang's resentment toward the Luo family escalates into outright madness. The sequence involving the burning house is one of the drama's most infuriating moments. Watching Wen Song perish while Wen Qian stood outside witnessing the tragedy generated exactly the kind of rage that fuels great character development. Unfortunately, this is where my problems with the writing began.

Prior to his family's downfall, Wen Qian was immature, carefree, and more interested in having fun than shouldering responsibility. The tragedy, combined with his years under Marshal Qi's army, seemed like the perfect recipe for transformation. I expected him to return as a sharper, more disciplined, and more formidable strategist. Instead, very little changed. Despite spending years training under Marshal Qi, Wen Qian rarely demonstrates meaningful growth. His plans are often underwhelming, his strategic thinking leaves much to be desired, and his pursuit of justice moves at a glacial pace.

What frustrated me most was how little impact he had on his own storyline. He repeatedly claims that he wants the Tian family to climb higher so their eventual fall will hurt more, yet he spends much of the narrative making minimal progress toward that goal. His screen presence is surprisingly limited for a male lead, and there were times when I genuinely forgot he existed. Even when opportunities arise for him to take control of the narrative, he stumbles through poorly executed decisions and impulsive mistakes. The story constantly tells us that he is important, but rarely shows us why. And then comes the biggest issue: Li Zhen ends up resolving almost everything.

I have no problem with female-centered dramas. Some of my favorite dramas feature strong women at the forefront. However, The Heir becomes so determined to portray Li Zhen as universally capable that it begins to undermine the story itself. The narrative repeatedly follows the same formula: someone underestimates Li Zhen because she is a young woman, she delivers an inspiring speech, proves everyone wrong, and saves the day. Once or twice, this works. After numerous repetitions, it becomes exhausting.

The problem extends beyond her personal victories. Li Zhen becomes the solution to nearly every conflict in the drama. Family disputes, business crises, industry challenges, and even Wen Qian's revenge arc eventually circle back to her. The Li family repeatedly mistreats her and her branch, yet she continually returns to help them whenever they ask. The cycle becomes predictable and frustrating.

This issue reaches its peak in the second half. What initially felt like a shared story between Li Zhen and Wen Qian gradually transforms into Li Zhen carrying the entire narrative while Wen Qian fades into the background. The decision to have her essentially resolve the conflict with the Tian family felt especially baffling because this was supposed to be the culmination of Wen Qian's journey. At one point, he barely even appears while Li Zhen bends over backwards to deliver justice on behalf of his family. I was genuinely flabbergasted.

The villains themselves are not particularly impressive either. Oddly enough, they are not infuriating because they are clever or terrifying. They are infuriating because they are pathetic. Aunt Tian's motivations stem largely from resentment. The Tian family embodies ingratitude at its finest. Ben Chang evolves into a deeply unstable man driven by jealousy and grudges. Yet despite their pathetic nature, the family drama and constant scheming still managed to raise my blood pressure more than a few times.

To the drama's credit, the production values are excellent. The cinematography is gorgeous, and the visual presentation immediately draws you into the world. The earthy browns and muted grays complement the ink-making theme beautifully while reinforcing the historical atmosphere. Every workshop, residence, and street feels carefully crafted. If aesthetics alone determined ratings, The Heir would score significantly higher.

The ending ultimately left me feeling indifferent. By that point, I had already grown numb to many of the writing decisions. The revelation surrounding the original sabotage felt unnecessary, the prolonged separation felt equally unnecessary, and the open-ended conclusion failed to provide the sense of closure I was hoping for. A simple wedding scene would have been far more satisfying than a series of interpretive text cards.

In the end, The Heir is a drama of two very different halves. The first half is engaging, educational, and rich with fascinating insights into the Ming Dynasty ink industry. The second half struggles under repetitive character writing, questionable narrative choices, and an overwhelming need to position Li Zhen as the answer to every problem. If you're a fan of Yang Zi, interested in learning about historical Chinese craftsmanship, or simply looking for beautiful cinematography, there is certainly value here. But if you're hoping for a tightly written story with balanced character development and a rewarding payoff, you may find yourself running out of ink long before the final episode.

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I'm disappointed.

I'm so sorry, I kept defending this show but seriously what?. Michelle's character and Kim bum made me stay. I absolutely hated the last two eps I kept spamming skip 10s.. I'm utterly disappointed omg what was this show.. rom was good MAYBE. I don't know I can never rate shows bad you know, bcz I js feel bad cuz the actors and everyone worked so hard on it but like what was this??? Kim bum's acting was highly wasted imo, I love ahs but love what was this?? I'm just annoyed. very annoyed I'm just very disappointed as well I expected to like this rah.. the female lead is such a good actress.. and the fl's Co workers made me stay as well.. and how the hell can the fl forgive her mother this easily I'm just so annoyed lord. I don't know how I'm feeling so annoyed this is the first time I'm not liking the ending of a show, ughhhh!!! this was genuinely utterly disappointing seriously, wasted potential! no joke. wouldn't recommend this!!

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Too much of a dark back story

Seriously thought she was going to kill her mom dad and him in the end. It would have made a better ending. Having her mother try to kill the whole family then finding out everyone is alive was a strange twist that made zero sense. So she has split personalty her psycho mom being her alter ego half of the time protecting her the other half destroying relationships. Weak back story for the ML too with him being so emotionally distant. I feel the show could have been much better, great actors and cinematography but the story line got too weird and dark...or not dark enough.

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King of it's Kind!

My my my...WHAT A DRAMA! I have never seen anything of this sort before. As someone who is seriously against red flags and the entire manipulation thing, this drama shook my morals at least a good couple of times.

Fan Xiao-a, Fan Xiao, WHAT A MAN YOU ARE! I have no idea why I was watching you ruin a good human's life. Because honestly, I know clearly I was never on your side till the end, but I still couldn't help but want you next to You Shulang, at least a bit. Every second was a ticking bomb because I couldn't wait for your ridiculous plan to be revealed. But I must say, the second half into the groveling and redeeming was so satisfying and pleasing, not just because you had it coming, but also because I could finally, whole heartedly support you instead of fighting myself. I was just waiting for that. Fan Xiao is the kind of morally grey person with a solid backstory that has enough points to side him if you tried. I definitely wouldn't blame him for the break up of You Shulang with his ex or brother. But I just cannot with the entire "I'm the one who'll leave him once I'm done". Yes, he couldn't accept that goodness could exist because of what he's been through. But that gives him no license to mess up someone's life for fun. Yun Qi is a very good actor with real potential. Can we have another drama of him as a dom? Please? 😭
Now towards one of my favorite characters of all time, You Shulang. THIS IS WHAT I WANT IN A BL. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR. Not a soft, obviously feminine, trying too hard, damsel in distress. But a strong, genuinely good human being - capable, smart, kind and every other possible good trait you could find in a human who tries to live his best possible life, no matter how hard life is. He's not an angel, not a sweetheart who's all sunshine. He is a boss who can beat you up without batting an eye if you crossed the line. Evident from how he doesn't break after being molested or knowing Fan Xiao's truth. I was all in for it!!! Altogether, I have to say he didn't deserve the pain he went through. But I don't know how he still has that good heart to love again. I mean, that part takes a lot of strength. And yes, Fan Xiao did change a lot (bless that) but ya, needs courage and a big heart to trust again. Hao Yiran, hats off to all that wonderful acting! It surely would have been so draining but thank you for sticking through 😭🙏

And I've heard from those who have read the novel that the redemption arc was a bit sped up and I agree with them. An extra episode or two wouldn't have felt like a lag 😁👍🏻 The chemistry between them? FIRE, LITERALLY FIRE! To think so much of skin is shown on a Chinese BL, DAMN! I don't even know why I went weak in my knees for the entire bodhisattva and the pendant thing 🫣 YES! The sparks were there from the beginning and it had already started to spill wayy before it finally burst. Good good good 😁

Side characters were good, not too much, but played their part. There wasn't much on the music side either. None caught my attention, also might partly be because my entire focus was on the story and acting.

Must say, you are a outstanding author, Su Er Liang! I seriously hope that someday, I can read the original novel - 'Si Mian Fu'. The direction by Ou Tan Kai that brought this world to life, is truly remarkable. The lighting was great. Loved it! Grateful for this work.

In a nutshell, Fan Xiao and You Shulang would definitely be the icons of 2025 BL dramas and for me, the best of all the manipulation dramas I've seen in a BL. Will never forget them! This is the kind of dynamic I want, a strong top and bottom 💪 And since as of recent, the whole morally grey, black flag trope is on the rise in the BL world, it would take quite a lot for another drama to dethrone this. To my shore has set the bar high!

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Style Over Character

The problem with many Chinese historical dramas is that they confuse style with character.
They give us a flawless twenty-year-old warrior with perfect hair, porcelain skin, no scars, no sun damage, and almost supernatural abilities, then expect us to be impressed because the camera films him in slow motion.

But a pose does not create a character.
Dirty Harry wasn't intimidating because of the pose.

The pose worked because the character had already earned it.
Here, it's the opposite.
First, they sell you the legend.
Then they expect you to believe it.
I didn't drop this drama because of the story.
I dropped it because it asked me to admire its characters before giving me a reason to do so.

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A MASTERPIECE DRAMA OF YANGZI?❤️

Wow, just WOW—I honestly cannot believe I flew through all 42 episodes without skipping a single second or ever feeling bored! From the very first six episodes, Yang Zi absolutely ate this role; she did so well, and I cried so much my eyes were literally swollen over how much her family suffered. I deeply admired her character for being such a strong girl—even when fate was incredibly hard on her, she kept smiling and stayed resilient. On top of the emotional story, I actually learned so much about Chinese ink and culture, which added such a beautiful layer to the background. The entire cast deserves an award because you can truly feel the sheer effort, intense love, and deep hatred they poured into their characters. At its core, the drama highlights a powerful life lesson: even if you love your family members deeply, they will be gone one day, but you still have to continue your life and do better to make them proud. The male lead was also phenomenal; you could completely feel the pain in his eyes and understand his drive for revenge after losing his father and watching his older brother die right in front of him. While I absolutely hated the villains, the writing gave them reasons for their actions too. This is hands down a must-watch of 2026—a total 10/10 that I highly recommend!

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Magnetic couple

I read reviews about this drama here and was not expecting much since a lot of reviews are 7 ⭐ but i can say i greatly enjoyed it. There's no villain, and people are actually mature in this. Yes after school there's less tingling sweet scenes, but they've always been supportive of each other and there's pretty much less to no misunderstanding. Love is not sweet all the time, sometimes it's support, respect and being there for each other, this couple was exactly that. They communicate, figure out things and do things for each other without any ego and issues. It's been a great watch, i recommend this drama

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