Reviews

Strong Start, Disappointing Finish: What Happened in the Last 4 Episodes?

This is another series I was really looking forward to. The casting looked promising, the plot seemed interesting, and I had high expectations for the script and storyline. Unfortunately, the ending was very predictable and felt extremely rushed.

The series started off really well and was highly engaging. Hui Ju and Yi An were clever and full of schemes in the beginning, but in the later episodes, they became noticeably less intelligent and made poor decisions. Prime minister Min and I Rang were characters with a lot of potential, but they were severely underused. I felt that Prime minister Min was unnecessarily forced into the villain role. I Rang’s redemption arc was almost nonexistent — she barely had any screen time in the latter half. The female lead’s family was set up as having a bad relationship, but suddenly her brother and father started loving and praising her out of nowhere. The last 4 episodes were hugely disappointing. The show introduced so many new plot threads but then completely abandoned them, leaving tons of loose ends. It felt very rushed toward the finale.

I really like iu’s acting in melodramas, but in this romcom, her performance felt a bit off — although she looked stunning throughout the series. Byeon Woo-seok’s acting felt quite stiff. The chemistry between him and IU was just average, but I actually thought his chemistry with Gong Seung-yeon was better. The costumes were beautiful, and the locations were well-chosen and visually pleasing. Overall Perfect Crown is a series that started strong but gradually became boring and lost its momentum. It’s not bad, but it’s not good either.

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at first it was bad, then less bad (but still bad), then really bad.

Pretty early on it because clear that the writers were writing themselves into a corner. Instead of getting out of the corner while they still had a clean way out, they decided to go as far into the corner as they could and then start digging at the wall because they apparently weren't cornered enough.
I understand that they did it on purpose, but it made the story so rigid and stiff. They could barely do anything with the story so far into the corner they had written themselves, which make the story boring and stale and like it was just going in circles.

The story felt so dragged out. It could've easily been half the length (maybe even a third of the length) and still not lose any plot.
Finishing this show felt like running a marathon, just without the adrenaline and endorphins that makes is actually enjoyable.

There were a lot of scenes that felt like thay came out of the blue. Like how did we even get here, and why do we even need to be here in the first place.
Some of the scenes started out feeling like they were flashbacks, but then they weren't. And when there where flashbacks, it wasn't always easy to find out where on the timeline it is.

There were a lot of characters and dynamics/history to keep track of with each character. I personally had a difficult time to keep track of who is who, and why they did what.
I admit that it might just be a me problem, but I'm usually not that bad of keeping track of characters. So if you know that you aren't good at keeping track of characters, then good luck lol.

When I went to write this review, I was genuinely so surprised to see how high others have rated it.
I usually really enjoy this type of show, and I normally like manipulative/scheming characters even when they aren't that well written, but I just couldn't get myself to enjoy this show.

I did actually like how complex the characters were written, and how they actually felt like three-dimensional characters. I just don't like the story they decided to make with those three-dimensional characters.

I genuinely enjoyed the acting and thought that the acters were good at their job.
I feel like in a lot of bl, they have a tendency to cast acters because they are hot, and not because they can actually act. Luckily it didn't feel like they did that here.
It felt like there were genuine emotions in each scene, and both the tears and the smiles of the characters felt real. There where also actually some chemistry between the main couple.

Final verdict:
I personally really didn't enjoy this show, but I can see some positive aspects to it.
If you think you'll like it, then go ahead and give it a try. But I'm warning you: it doesn't get better.

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The Battle of Antagonists

This is one of the specials that accompany the 2012 movie. (Watch this before Alice in Liar Game).

It's a battle between the opportunistic ally, Fukunaga, and the manga's antagonist, Yokoya.

Fukunaga carries this episode, and his flamboyance keeps it entertaining, but Akiyama's charisma is sorely missed. Due to how the actor, as well as the earlier writing of jdorama's Yokoya, he doesn't reach the exciting antagonistic vibe of Katsuragi Ryou. His behaviour here is better, but it feels inconsistent with the earlier series.

As far as the Taboo Game is concerned, it's good enough as far as the battle of intelligence is concerned. If I have to describe it, it's like having you transfixed on the given options and their respective probabilities and not noticing the hidden option.

With the absence of Nao and other players, it lacks the dramatick tension made by 1) winning then losing or vice versa, and 2) the frustrations expressed by other people.

If you're unable to tolerate Nao, you might like this one better.

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Great until it isn't

This has absolutely amazing acting and it's a shame that the story is only brilliant for around half of it. It then feels less and less immersive. Where are the other people of Pei? We don't know. We only see the villain of the family and that's pretty much it. Around 2/3 of the way through we start to see the other families and they plan but it feels disconnected. I don't feel the big network I just see a stupid villain who is filled with hate.

The love story.
I've got to admit, I was hooked with these two. They were brilliant... but then I stopped shipping them when the trust disintegrated. They became restrained. They didn't seem happy. There wasn't even a glimmer of friendship that could have rekindled the love. And this is when I just didn't want to continue to watch. The plot wasn't giving as much as it promised and it felt like the poor ML was in unrequited love, unhappy and restricting his own actions.

I also hate the ML's aunt. She's terrible!

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This is not a law show

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good dram, it’s funny and entertaining, tearjerking even. I cried like once while watching it but i cannot for the life of me, get over the plot holes and the fact that this Shaw has almost nothing to do with him being a lawyer. The lawyer arc is just used as a plot device to pit him against the firm the rejected him before he went independent. I get that they are trying to create tension but seriously every case??? Every ghost he meets, the perpetrators are being defended by that exact law firm and the same person who rejected his resume to his face each time.

I think that he is less of an attorney and more of detective. He can’t even be called a prosecutor since half the time he never makes it to court. Which takes me the question of how does he make his money? And since he cannot actually explain how he got his evidence without sounding like a nutjob or making himself out to be criminal because half of the evidence is collected by breaking and entering. I have sooo many questions and i feel like if i continue watching i will have even more than i have now. I tried to toss my brain cells aside to make it work but it seems like my brain is working overtime and the comedic relief just isn’t enough.

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Wonderfully Wonderfool Wonder

This drama has everything from comedy, action, fiction, great camera work, brilliant CGI (although not a very heavy dose of it as most of the action is shot with props 👌) and bit of romance.

It's the best work of Eun Woo I have seen. He's looking like a million bucks & was wonderful. Eun bin, Choi Dae hoon & ImSungJae fits there characters like a glove. Comic timing was insanely brilliant. It's not cringe. Situational comedy at its best.


They have put something so addictive in this production that you'll keep rewatching it again and again.

TMI - This is based on Stan Lee's comic B-team BTW.

I would have rated it a perfect 10 if Chaeni would have been dropped from the sky & Unseong catches her as the ending. For my sanity that would have been 💯

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A Fairly Good Script With Several Twists Different From The Novel

It was refreshing to see Ci Sha as the lead actor, carrying the role well as both an older statesman and a middle-aged man. The director seemed overly generous with the number of kissing scenes for the lead couples, perhaps getting carried away. Over many episodes, I was puzzled by how the Chancellor, once deeply motivated to reform the country, turned into a greedy and corrupt man willing to collude with Northern Barbarians against his own people. Even until the final episode, I believed this brilliant man blindly trusted his wife simply to please her. I was unexpectedly moved to tears when Ye Xian died in episode 39; his speech rallying his troops was truly inspiring. For years, he bore the shame of being unable to assume his father’s marquis title due to heart illness, and I never expected him to die in battle. Chen Xuan Qing’s transformation from a bright, mature, sensible kid into someone consumed by jealousy toward his father and uncle was a ridiculous twist. At his final hour of death, he returned to that sensible child felt deeply ironic.

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Insanely GOOD

Well I finished and am revising my original review to try my best to give this drama proper due because it is insanely good. I love the writing! It's deep. The dialogues and connections make one think. In practically every character's lines there's substance. That's one of the powers of the drama. In every single character there's a you and I. It's a slice of life that leaves you thinking because of its resonating messages to everyday people.

Hwang Dong Man, the main male character played by Koo Kyo Hwan, will never be easily forgotten. Using weather terms to describe him (his film title Weather Maker) he can be like the scorching sun. Honestly blunt no filter, loud with energy, and serious with his martial arts. He can be like a relieving sun shower. He's soft hearted when needed, protective of those he cares for, and though might grumble but will do for others. He's like lightning strike when he acts impulsively when he's hot, defensively to defend a friend, or even rebellious to break rules to follow his heart. Then he's warm spring, where he's simple, loyal to his friends, brings healing to Eun Na, comforting her. Let me not forget he's like thunder bringing booming laughter maybe not the club eight but all of us watching him. Koo Kyo Hwan deserves an award for this role I feel. He nailed it.

Go Youn Jung, as Eun A, has a quiet character. Silent but quite the force in talent for writing, dedication to her adoptive family, and compliment her budding relationship with the opposite in personality Dong man. She barely had lines but effectively carried the weight of her feelings in her expressions. She and Dong man had the purest most beautiful relationship. She's one of my favorite actresses now.

Every single character had their own story and strong point to contribute to the overall story. Everyone deserves recognition for bringing us a great story.

Twelve episodes wrapped beautifully is easily on my top list of my favorite dramas of all time, certainly for this year 2026. Its an absolute masterpiece.

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Pink Is Not the New Red

By naming itself after one of the greatest ballet films ever made, this movie didn’t do itself any favors. It really bothered me at first that the shoes were pink. However, it turns out the original Korean title translates to "Pink Shoes", so I won’t hold the translation against it. The premise of a woman finding haunted shoes was interesting, but the execution left a lot to be desired. The writing could have been stronger, and the repetitive plot made the film drag on, making it hard at times to stay engaged.

However, the visuals were definitely stronger than the rest of the film. What made them so interesting was the use of vivid color, especially the focus on the bright pink of the shoes contrasted against the neutral colors in the background. While it had entertaining moments, and I don’t regret watching it, this is not a film I would revisit.

Overall: 2.5/5
Quality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 2.5/5

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Second male lead stole the limelight

Ep 27-28 killed me, I cried so many tears. As much as I love the main leads romance, I think I was more emotionally moved by Ye xians story, I usually hate second lead storylines but his was just sad, he truly is a character of despair, his storyline made me cry a lot. I see a lot of people hating on his character of being a man-child, but i think Gu Jinzhao said it best, when he was outside her window the night before she got married about what kind of guy he is. While she was the love of his life, he was her twin flame.

The ending really could have been more, it felt like it was cut short, like maybe the main leads happy in their lives, or something a bit more satisfying to the bad guy ending, cause that was not satisfying, like that was it? The main leads romance was a quiet but mature kind of yearning and love, it's nice to see. A male lead full of nothing but green flags, a female lead strong headed but smart. The way they could understand each other and go through things together is the best kind of relationship to have.

The politics I didn't really care for in the story, it was the typical evil story of corrupt ministers, but him at the end was probably the only evil guy that wanted things to turn around, I see why they don't do that storyline more often, because it looks dumb, you did so many bad things and now you regret? Like at least be a more evil person or something, his wife too was loyal, he literally suffered through nothing, still in power even when he died, he didn't suffer, that's what I didn't like. But I will say I paid more attention than in the other dramas when it involves politics, probably because I wanted to see how the young emperor would go about it. He did well.

All in all solid drama, the ost in the later part really did a number on me, contributed to my cause of crying. Minus points for so much attention on the second male lead story because I almost feel as though he had as much screen time as the male lead, as much as I love the second male lead story, I'm here for the romance, the politics was alright nothing crazy. Would I recommend? Yea, why not.

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Unfortunately disappointed

Because of the strong cast, I was highly intrigued, especially after watching IU's previous work. Diving into this show, the start was decent, but because of my anticipation, I was expecting the script and story to be mind blowing only for the ending to be kind of predictable and a bit rushed.
While watching, I did enjoy the cast and their acting as their display of emotions were absolutely fantastic. I absolutely loved the way the actress of the queen managed to showcase her talent for acting as well as the kid who played the young king, as his talent deserves to be recognized.
I did feel a lack of chemistry in the show between the couples, which did make the show slightly hard to continue, but despite the script being mediocre, it was a show I managed to finish, which is kind of rare for me this year.
This show, like many others, had a huge potential to being something amazing, but yet the results ended up being average.

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Gorgeous hero and Stylish fight sequences stringed by random plot devices

On my 13th episode, I am kind of unsure what to do.
I absolutely loved the first 5 episodes--Yang Yang's fight sequences when he is revealed as the "Imperial Cat" Zhan Zhao was fabulous. Though i liked the actor who plays FL in The First Frost somehow here she doesn't seem to fit into the scheme of things (remembering the FL and ML of Pursuit of Jade).
Yang Yang is Gorgeous and carries the show along with the actor who plays Bai Yu Tang.
But on my 13th episode, the show seems more like a series of stylishly choreographed and shot fight sequences (at one point--I was even reminded of the back to back fight sequences in the film The Raid)--also the slo mo during intense action scenes and the bordering-on-the-funny bromance dialogues in the middle of a fight (think of the one where there are two Bai Yu Tangs in the latter's island) et al are reminiscent of Indian commercial films with great fight sequences (think of the Baahubali for instance).

Anyway, it wound't be exaggerating to say that I am watching the show still, fast forwarding at places, just to see how it goes as it is evident Yang Yang has put in (as has the show put in) a lot of efforts for the fight scenes. Even then, goes without saying that the show is turning out to be a series of fight sequences with a gorgeous ML made to look gorgeous further on screen stringed by literally random plot devices (that are kind of outlandish, in spite of the necessary suspension of disbelief) and I don't know how much further I can carry on, unless there's some real meat in the plot.

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It never truly ends

Overall 10/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

All of it was so good, honestly.
The sybolism with food and eating whenever the villains gathered was so well doneto represent the unending greed. Unsatisfiable greed! I loved that we got an open ending; it really just felt so good and mirrors reality.
- It never truly ends -
I would love to see a second season, but I am also very happy to leave it at this. The actors were fantastic, not a single moment where I wasn't fully immersed while watching - everyone truly did justice to their roles. The storytelling was amazing, and the ost is definitely one of my favourites now.

TW// SUICIDE; TERMINAL ILLNESS; MURDER; PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS

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