Reviews

A Heartfelt Tale of Love, Sacrifice, and Hope

The Cloud Embracing the Moon is a beautifully crafted historical romance that blends political intrigue, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters into a captivating journey. From its opening moments, the drama draws viewers into a world where love must survive betrayal, duty, and the weight of destiny.

The female lead shines with quiet strength and resilience. Rather than relying on grand gestures, her courage is revealed through her compassion, intelligence, and determination to protect those she loves. Her emotional growth throughout the story makes every triumph and heartbreak feel genuine.

The male lead is equally compelling, carrying the burdens of responsibility while struggling to follow his heart. His devotion, patience, and willingness to sacrifice for the people he cares about make him a character worth rooting for. Together, the leads share a natural chemistry that grows through trust, mutual respect, and countless emotional moments, creating a romance that feels both sincere and timeless.

Visually, the drama is stunning. The elegant costumes, breathtaking cinematography, and beautifully designed sets immerse viewers in a world filled with grace and tradition. Combined with a moving musical score, every emotional scene leaves a lasting impression.

While palace politics and personal conflicts keep the story engaging, the heart of the drama is its message that love can endure even when fate seems determined to pull two people apart. *The Cloud Embracing the Moon* delivers romance, heartbreak, hope, and healing in equal measure, making it a memorable historical drama that lingers long after the final episode ends.

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A hero who really sacrifices for his heroine . . .

The wonderful thing about this plot device is its life threatening drama in a modern context. Multiple attempted assassinations, life ruining blackmail etc. all make sense in a modern world where there's still a Korean Royal Family directly linked to the Joseon era.

This allowed for my favorite romance trope - a couple equally matched, as its modern times, but where the hero is willing to truly sacrifice for the heroine. Who is protective and puts her above all else.

It's a shame that the second half is a bit more diluted. Hui Ju/IU takes a backseat as the plot resolves.

But I truly loved this main couple, and their romance and characters. When Hui Ju proudly announces when she fell in love with the prince. The prince and the audience can't but smile at the hidden truth of how long and how much the prince has loved her.

A great ending, and a world I'm sorry to leave behind.

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One of the original and fantastic dramas to watch.

I'll start of by admitting that as a veteran or seasoned cdrama fan this drama is definitely original and spectacular to watch.I really loved the unique sense of the plot following it's deep involvement in football overally since we r used to plot being rooted in basketball and stuff and that made me glued to my tv(I found myself binge watching it🤭)

I also want to emphasize on the friendship the kids shared amongst themselves,their coach and also Ms Lin Wanxing.I really enjoyed their time together and their strategy to solve misunderstanding amongst themselves.ooh and I must say during the first few episodes I found their interactions a bit unnatural,"boss and Lin Lu but then I got to understand that they r just highschool students who r goofy and easygoing and I loved it.
I must kuddos the cast for their epic acting and execution of their respective characters especially the painful scenes and the times they made us laugh🥹

I was really looking forward to this dramas to bash off the haters who say that Esther Yu can't act mature roles since this is one of the dramas that prove that she can execute mature roles as much as the cute ones too.
Well I have to say that I really loved the scenes where Wen Chengye would trash talk his fellow football teammates since I found it funny and annoying at the same time😂,and he is actually one of my fav characters.
Generally for those searching for a fresh plot and sweet interactions this is Ur go to drama.

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Not much more to say than ok.

I fell in love with TutorYim in 2022 when Cutie Pie was airing and I didn't really feel like watching this while it was airing and saved it for later so here I am. I was so scared when I opened it and saw copy a Bangkok.... For people who don't know, copy a Bangkok often has extreme NC and sometimes no plot and just straight up p/rn. I hate that. It ruins many shows.Like Playboyy and Peach Lover tried to have a plot but... yeah. Honestly, I was immediately scared. Should I have been scared? Idk..

I normally like these type of drama's and one specific romance genre like starting a small shop or just in general a business. It starts messy but that's nice. The whole ex thing was done quite well but it was a little too early in the series to actually feel along, this is something I normally have and I'm not changing my rating on this. The whole business was a big mess. It seemed like the bar was far from ready to open and then all of the sudden everything was done while it felt like they never really worked on it.

About the NC, I'm not a big fan. Honestly, no hate to TutorYim but if they really wanted to add this much NC they should've used a different pair. TutorYim's boundaries seem to not like too much explicit content and I can 100% get that. But the NC felt like it was lacking. I don't watch series for the NC but this just caught me off guard. They keep talking and teasing each other about it but the actual thing is 1 kiss and then quickly a jump in the future. Some scene's didn't even feel like they did something because the skip was SO fast.

I hate to say it but there is too much romance. Like 0 drama and everything between Intha and Oeng seems to be going extremely well. I love how healthy they are but at some point it started to just bore me. It felt like that fire was added to make it a bit less boring but there was no fire damage at all and it was fixed immediate?? Also, the ex only came back like 6 times and even that wasn't serious.

Yim plays a characters I've not seen him previously do. He seems way more masculine and less 'shy' or his usual 'innocent' role. Holy shit I liked that extremely. Also I never noticed he has quite some muscle, it looks so good on him. I really hope he will get a similar role in the future. As for Tutor, he kinda had the same role as before. I was soooo surprised that they added Buddhism again and I'm so happy about it!! It really reminded me of cutie pie and it just made me happy.

Domundi is fucking peak lately and they just keep releasing more and more good series, to the point where everything is just better and I need to be honest, I switched from being a Gmmtv fan boy to a Domundi boy. The DWY refrences AND khemjira?! Yes this made me sooo happy. I loved seeing master Peem again and can't wait until the Khemjira special episodes. Do I suggest watching it? Meh. It just really has to be your type of series. I do see people hate on this more than I expected.

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A TRUE MASTERPIECE

Key to the Phoenix Heart is the kind of drama that reminds you why historical C-dramas are so addictive. over other genres. Without relying on cheap twists or over-the-top melodrama, it delivers a gripping story filled with political intrigue, emotional tension, & characters whose motivations keep you invested from beginning to end. The pacing is perfect, with every episode revealing just enough to leave you eager for the next. I had to pause several times because there’s a lot to digest over the course of 28 episodes

Hou Ming Hao absolutely owns this drama. I love him!! His portrayal is magnetic and he’s incredibly expressive with just a glance. He brings remarkable depth to his character and, dare I say, XWY is my fave character of his to date?!

I’ll be re-watching. I can’t move on. I LOVE HMH!!

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Endless Love

Love in the Clouds is a drama that truly comes alive because of Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao. While the story follows familiar xianxia tropes, their performances make every emotional beat feel fresh and memorable.
Hou Minghao delivers one of his most captivating performances. He perfectly balances confidence, quiet vulnerability, and unwavering devotion, making his character both charismatic and emotionally compelling. His expressive eyes and subtle acting speak louder than dramatic dialogue ever could, especially in the quieter, more intimate scenes.
Lu Yuxiao is equally outstanding. She gives her character strength, warmth, and emotional depth without ever losing her natural charm. Whether she’s teasing, fighting, or breaking down emotionally, every scene feels sincere and effortless.
What impressed me the most was their chemistry. Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao don’t just look good together—they genuinely make you believe in their relationship. Their interactions are filled with natural tension, playful banter, and heartfelt emotions, making even simple conversations enjoyable to watch. The romantic scenes feel tender rather than exaggerated, while the emotional moments hit exactly where they should.
The beautiful cinematography, elegant costumes, and enchanting soundtrack create the perfect backdrop for their performances. Although the plot occasionally follows familiar fantasy-drama formulas, the outstanding acting from the leads keeps the drama engaging from start to finish.
If you’re someone who values believable chemistry and emotionally rich performances over complicated storytelling, Love in the Clouds is absolutely worth watching. Hou Minghao and Lu Yuxiao carry this drama beautifully and are, without a doubt, its greatest strength.

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A Hou Ming Hao Show All The Way

Positive Points
1. ML and FL's acting was good. Hou Ming Hao absolutely nailed his role. FL, though, was miscast; she performed her role well.
2. The action scenes were good, and the overall screenplay and direction were also good. The comic timing was good and felt natural.
3. Except for the childish FL's character and her weak A'mao and his meek sister, I liked how the female characters in this drama were written. All of them had their own purpose and goals in life.

Negative Points
1. FL's character is absolutely childish and silly. No one can take her seriously. She feels more like a comic relief instead of being an independent character. She plans to run off to her lover by boarding a boat alone, along with trunks filled with gold, while she does not know proper self-defense except for some petty tricks. She does things on impulse and needs the ML to come to her rescue. As soon as the ML comes to her rescue, she gives the ML her 2 cents on how she understood the schemes, but still is willing to get herself caught in it, but did not plan how to get out of it. Moreover, her character was inconsistent. She was so attached to her maid but didnot gave much reaction when she got killed. Her father gave her such a shock, but she turned absolutely normal within a few hours. Should she not be a little bit upset at least? Also, how old is she exactly, as she was saying she built her reputation of being miraculus weapon creator for the past 16 years. Was it a sloppily written dialogue or a wrong translation? The FL all day thinks about the trinklets she made and her A'mao. No idea about the political situation and politics, but loves to insert herself into it in the name of rescue. No sense of self-protection, as how in real she went to the peace negotiation team without telling anyone. If anything had happened to her, what would she have done then? Later, I thought when she would get a bit older she will not do such foolish things and she failed to prove me right. At the last episode, she herself comes to the enemy territory in the name of love, but only manages to be used as leverage against her husband. Wasn't she given a deadly poison to keep her husband in check? How come nothing happened to her? All in all it was an absolutely poorly written FL. The ML liking her itself was a wonder to me.

2. The political scheming seems a bit weak. The initial palace coup ends just like that? Why would Empress Cui want the only military commander (ML) to die, as this will lead to a border invasion by the enemy troops? How did the mutiny get resolved that easily? None of the antagonists hardly feels like antagonists except for the Empress Cui. That Li Mao was not an antagonist at all. I don't know what the writer was trying to portray by trying to redeem everyone towards the end. I understand it was partially to portray complex human nature but it reduced the impact of the ending for me. I was just watching Xiao Wu Yi scheming and making big plans while rest of the characters were watching. I prefer a proper, equally powerful antagonist who can match the level of the protagonist.

3. The relationship between the leads does not make any sense. Its typical cliche romance with a misunderstood heartless ML and a bubbly love-brained kind FL. Moreover, it does not help that both actors have 0 chemistry and give off a more sibling vibe. Aimi is good in her acting, but she is absolutely miscast with Hou Ming Hao. None of them communicates with each other at all. None of them tells the other what they are planning. Moreover, it was a serious turn-off for me seeing a minor actress with an adult actor who is a decade older than her. Aimi should do roles suitable for her age, along with actors who are closer to her age. Heavy makeup was not enough to hide how young she is compared to the ML. She will get her turn in the future. Impatience is never a good trait.

Overall, if you are a fan of Hou Ming Hao, you can watch it as he gave a stunning performance but story-wise it was nothing special (certainly not bad but not that excellent either) and I certainly hope Aimi will take the hint and stay away from romance drama for now (especially with actors a decade older than her).

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A marriage in which every promise may also be a trap

Key to the Phoenix Heart begins with a familiar shape: a feared commander, a gifted young woman and a marriage arranged far from love.
Beneath the wedding silks lies a story of hidden identities, military reform and affection sharpened into strategy. Xiao Wuyi forces the mechanically gifted Xie Jiayu into marriage, but neither is what the other—or the audience—first assumes. Their household mirrors the court: every kindness may contain a calculation, every silence may hide a confession, and even protection can resemble captivity.

Actors and Characters

Hou Minghao as Xiao Wuyi

Hou Minghao’s greatest strength is restraint. Xiao Wuyi has been fashioned into a monster—cruel, indulgent and dangerous—but Hou builds him through pauses, glances and the discipline of a man who never reveals more than necessary.
To the court, he is a general who may turn against the throne. To Beifu, he carries the weight of every life lost under his command. To Jiayu, he begins as captor and gradually becomes a protector capable of respecting her freedom even when it may lead her away. His love appears through controlled surrender—trusting Jiayu, placing his life in her mechanisms and allowing her to choose. For Xiao Wuyi, love is not possession. It is trust without certainty of return.

Ai Mi as Xie Jiayu
Ai Mi gives the drama brightness and motion. Jiayu is clever without being invulnerable: she misjudges people, acts impulsively and enters the marriage with unresolved feelings for Li Mao. Her engineering alters negotiations, investigations and escapes. Her identity as Miaoshou Gongzi mirrors Xiao Wuyi: both survive by controlling what others know, and both initially mistake the other’s mask for the person beneath it. Suspicion becomes curiosity, curiosity becomes respect, and respect becomes partnership. A glance shared in danger often says more than an embrace.

Wang Yilun as Li Mao
Li Mao begins as Xiao Wuyi’s opposite: gentle where the general is feared and vulnerable where he is powerful. As Jiayu’s first love, he represents the life she might have chosen. But power does not simply corrupt him—it exposes him. He wants not only Jiayu’s affection, but the earlier version of her, before she learned to choose a future without him. Wang Yilun grounds this decline in humiliation, separation, fear for his sister and manipulation by older players. His tragedy is not that he stops loving Jiayu, but that he confuses love with the right to keep her.

Xiao Wuyi and the Beifu Army
Beifu is more than Xiao Wuyi’s army. It is his chosen family, political vulnerability and truest legacy. Every decree may endanger soldiers, and every accusation against him may punish those beneath his command. The court can tolerate a general dependent on imperial favour; it fears a commander trusted more deeply than the throne. Xiao Wuyi therefore wants to reform Beifu into an institution based on discipline, merit and responsibility rather than one man’s charisma. He is fighting to build something that survives him—to make himself unnecessary. The soldiers’ loyalty feels earned because he never forgets the lives hidden inside strategy. Still, he lies and manipulates events, leaving the drama to ask whether those deceptions protect Beifu or make him resemble the court he opposes.

Cinematography and Production Design
The drama’s visual language is red against darkness. Red wedding fabric, banners and blood-toned interiors connect love with legitimacy, sacrifice and violence. A wedding can resemble a coronation, an execution or the beginning of war. Xiao Wuyi is framed in dark clothing and rigid architecture, suggesting that even the most powerful man remains trapped inside structures older than himself. Court scenes use symmetry and distance, turning protocol into a cage. Close shots of gears and hidden compartments make Jiayu’s mechanisms a metaphor for the plot: we see the piece that moves, but not always the hand behind it.

Martial Arts and Action
The action is strongest when it reveals character. Xiao Wuyi fights economically, focused on purpose rather than display; even in combat, he remains a commander. Jiayu instead changes the environment through traps, armour and mechanisms. The mounted archery challenge is the strongest set piece: Xiao Wuyi’s vision is impaired, Jiayu’s device must work, the court is watching, and diplomacy hangs in the balance. Victory depends on trust without time for explanation. Some editing is overly fast, but the best sequences preserve danger and consequence.

Themes
Reputation Versus Identity
Nearly every major character has a public and hidden self. Xiao Wuyi’s violent reputation conceals his political purpose and identity as Crown Prince Wenxi, hidden so he can sacrifice himself for the northern expedition. Jiayu’s noble identity conceals Miaoshou Gongzi. Xie Huaigui’s image as father and scholar hides ambition, while powerless-looking Li Mao contains a hunger for authority. The drama asks whether people are defined by reputation, intention or consequence.

Love as Recognition
Li Mao loves the Jiayu he remembers and tries to preserve her. Xiao Wuyi recognises the woman she is becoming: inventive, politically aware and capable of choices that may hurt him. This is why “知我”—“The One Who Knows Me”—matters. The highest form of love is recognition without ownership.

Reform and the Cost of Peace
Xiao Wuyi accepts public hatred and bargains with compromised figures to protect a larger goal. His methods raise the drama’s hardest question: can someone use deception and coercive power for humane ends without being shaped by those methods?

The Political Web
Xiao Wuyi and Beifu possess military credibility but remain vulnerable at court. Empress Dowager He controls procedure and legitimacy. Xie Huaigui presents himself as her counterweight while building his own path to power; his greatest weapon is placing the right person inside the right emotional crisis.
Li Mao becomes an heir whom every faction believes it can shape, yet once he gains authority he repeats the behaviour of those who manipulated him. Jiayu appears to be the marriage pawn, but her knowledge and relationships make her unpredictable. The men around her plan through her, only to discover that she can alter the mechanism herself. The Eagle King and northern peace talks turn affection into diplomatic currency when marriage becomes the price of stability.

Strategies That Deceive the Audience
Xiao Wuyi performs the villain, allowing rumours of cruelty to circulate because fear gives him room to act. His enemies prepare for a reckless brute and overlook the patient strategist; the audience is deceived by the same performance as the court.The Changsha prince is both enemy and decoy. Defeating him resolves a battle, not the system producing it. Xie Huaigui hides behind the protective father’s image. His affection may be sincere, but he still weaponises it. Li Mao is introduced as the safer romantic alternative, yet the dangerous Xiao Wuyi gives Jiayu freedom while the gentle first love becomes possessive. The triangle becomes a contrast between devotion and control. Xiao Wuyi and Jiayu also deceive each other. Neither possesses the whole truth, so trust matters precisely because romance does not guarantee it.

Breath-Holding Moments
The opening return from battle establishes the drama’s method: apparent death, manufactured reputation and a commander who understands spectacle. The lakeside confrontation surrounding Jiayu’s identity is tense because several plans collide; she escapes, but leaves behind a clue. Xiao Wuyi’s public marriage request creates suspense without a sword. He rejects the expected reward and makes a request that rearranges every faction’s plan. The court falls silent, and that silence lands like a blade. The wedding day combines assassination, political elevation and abandonment. The mounted challenge turns trust into spectacle, while Jiayu’s rescue and the crossbow attack on Xiao Wuyi shift the conflict from calculation to consequence.

OST analysis
The songs function almost like an emotional map of the drama, each one attached to a different form of longing, loyalty or consequence.

“一诺成川” — Hou Minghao
Opening theme / “A Promise Becomes a River” This is Xiao Wuyi’s political and heroic statement.Its grand orchestral style suits images of marching soldiers, vows and national responsibility. Hou Minghao’s voice carries more determination than polish, which works in the song’s favour.It sounds like a promise being carried through resistance.The central idea is accumulation.
One promise becomes a river.One calculated action becomes reform.One political marriage becomes a partnership capable of changing the state.

“炙光” — Zhang Bichen and Hou Minghao
“Blazing Light” marks suspicion giving way to understanding. Zhang’s bright voice contrasts with Hou’s restraint, framing love as choosing the same direction even when sacrifice awaits.

“怜心” — Huang Xiaoyun
“Compassionate Heart” captures Li Mao’s love becoming fixation and justification for control.

“知我” — Liu Yuxin
“The One Who Knows Me” values understanding over destiny and asks who truly knows the leads beneath their public identities.

“因果” — Duan Aojuan
“Cause and Effect” reflects how political choices return in altered form. Fate shapes the road, but the characters still choose where to step.

“成全” — Jing Long
“Fulfilment” or “Letting Go” suggests completing love or stepping aside so another may be free. Affection is proven through loss rather than possession.

For me, this is already one of the best dramas of 2026, and one of the few that has captured my heart this deeply since Pursuit of Jade. Hou Minghao once again proves that he can completely disappear into every role he takes. He never fails to impress me, and moments like this always remind me how lucky I feel to be his fan.
Ai Mi surprised me just as much. Knowing that she is only one year older than me makes her performance even more inspiring, especially as this is her first leading role. She carries Xie Jiayu with confidence, intelligence and emotional warmth, making it difficult to believe that this is her first time leading an entire drama. The romance may frustrate viewers looking for obvious physical intimacy, but its appeal lies elsewhere: loyalty, restraint, collaboration and emotional recognition. For me, that is exactly what makes it so special. The fact that Xiao Wuyi and Xie Jiayu became one of my favourite couples without relying on a single kissing scene proves how powerful their chemistry truly is. Their love is built through trust, sacrifice and understanding—and that is exactly my perfect cup of tea.

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Goofy and serious at the same time

Viki: https://www.viki.com/tv/40439c-boys-be-brave

What started as a goofy little quick BL to watch for fun became something so much more.
At the start I thought I wouldn't like it too much, it was silly and whatever but nothing special, but the more I watched, the better it became. Especially the side couple, who genuinely made me tear up for them.
Overall I think this is definitely a good series, but there are a few things that could've greatly improved it.

Things I liked:
1. Side couple. Insanely good, the biggest reason for my love for this series. While we didn't see them that much, I really enjoyed whatever we got with them and honestly think they deserve their own spin-off series, but of course one can only hope.
2. Fun and silly. At first it was a bit too goofy for me even though I started watching it just as a quick, relaxing kind of series. But with all of the maturity later on, it really became a good contrast and was nice to see from time to time.
3. Jung Gi Seop. It took him a while to figure out himself and what he actually wants, but when he did, his growth made him an even better person.
4. Main character's growth. He had a lot of growth as well, which was nice to see.

Things I disliked:
1. Misunderstandings on misunderstandings.
2. I really wanted more for the side couple. With both the time and the way things ended. I'm still happy with whatever scraps we got, since I was getting really suspicious of them not seeing each other again after everything. So I'm happy they got at least somewhat of the happy ending, but I really wanted so much more for them.
3. Short. I think if it had at least two more episodes it would really improve a lot of things.

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Road to Success - the title says it all

This is purely my opinion if you don’t agree with something, please keep it respectful.


Usually I don’t write reviews at all,
but i had to take this opportunity to white about this drama.
I’ve waited for quite some time before it came out and was really satisfied with every effort and work they’ve put into it.
If you’re looking for a drama about healing, hard working towards achievements or facing your fears — then you should definitely watch it without a doubt.
Esther Yu and every other member acted very well by capturing all emotions (sadness, anger, happiness…)
Already missing all of them ♡!

A quote that has been stuck with me and motivated my journey was - “hoping that no matter how narrow the road may seem, you will eventually find the light” .

So if you’re on that journey — please continue !

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Come for the dark crime thriller, stay for the Human Vacuum Cleaner.

As someone who has watched countless BLs, The Prosecutor's Proposal easily clears the competition to claim a spot in my Top 5 of all time. South Korea has officially shown everyone exactly how it's done. I went from having zero expectations to being completely obsessed after episode one. Waiting for Thursdays felt like an actual eternity—so much so that I literally forced myself to read the entire original novella just because I couldn’t survive the cliffhangers!

A Mainstream K-Drama Masterclass
This isn't just a great BL; it feels like a top-tier, high-budget Korean crime thriller—think a BL version of Strangers wrapped in a sharp detective atmosphere. The premise alone is elite: the son of the victim (Ju Tae-seon) working alongside the son of the murderer (Lee Chae-ha) to untangle 15 years of corporate corruption. The filmography, the script, the pacing, and the incredible music by Studio Oak are absolutely brilliant. The raw emotional range delivered by this cast is next-level; you truly feel like you are watching A-list actors at the absolute peak of their game.

Ju Tae-seon: The Human Vacuum Cleaner
We have to talk about the romance because the chemistry here should be illegal. Ju Tae-seon starts off playing a cold, calculated "office psychopath," but the second he falls for Chae-ha, he goes completely feral. Can we get a moment of silence for Chae-ha’s lips? Because Tae-seon is literally a vacuum cleaner in human form 💀💨. Is there any oxygen left in the room when this man locks in?! Every kiss scene is an aggressive intake of air and soul—he looks like he hasn't eaten in 15 years and is trying to devour Chae-ha whole, professional ethics and office walls be damned!

The Devastating Emotional Rollercoaster
Beyond the chaotic, down-bad energy, the angst is pure excellence. The heavy, suffocating trauma between them, the way their pasts are weaponized against them, and the transition from toxic revenge to literal "I will burn the whole world down to clear your father's name and protect you" devotion had me crying in the club. When all the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place, the tears were flowing.


My only real complaint is the runtime. It is a damn shame the episodes were so short because a masterpiece with a plot this insane easily deserved a full-fledged, 45+ minute, 16-episode mainstream run. Still, director Yang Kyung-hee created absolute magic with the time given. Everyone on this project acted their hearts out and deserves the world. I rarely rewatch shows, but I am binging this again immediately. Do not skip this masterpiece. Just watch it!

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