Reviews

Love and hate.

Gah, I JUST finished watching this drama and I am at a loss for words so bare with me.
I love how the story starts very light hearted, playful, and fun. I really enjoyed Wang Ying Lu/Liao Ting Yan's character. I felt it played beautifully into the cruel and painful story that was of Arthur Chen/Sima Jiao. Both of them did an amazing job with their roles. Sima Jiao was the perfect cold and authoritative grand-master. Yet with Liao Ting Yan, he let all his walls down and really become an endearing character.

Oh man... The romantic scenes!!!!! I mean wow!!! I felt like such a shy school girl peeking who was caught peeking at a couple behind the building... I've watched a couple of C-Dramas and I have not come across this much romance in it. Usually FL & ML will just touch lips but oh man.. Sima Jiao and Liao Ting Yan really made me think they were a real couple IRL with their scenes.

So now for the story, I think they did a good job building Sima Jiaos background and showcasing why he is the way he is However, with Liao Tin Yan, there wasn't too much story about her. Sure, I get she reincarnated into this world and the ending is pretty predictable. I agree with another user that they should've given us another episode or at least an extra to really see how modern world was for them.

As I mentioned earlier, the story started out light and playful. Afterwards, you get into Sima Jiaos background and uncover all the cruel things that his enemies are plotting. The world started becoming dark with hints of lightness from Liao Ting Yan's antics. I gotta say though, after a while of the same thing happening (ML/FL gets badly hurt, their live is saved by the other, rinse and repeat), the story started to drag and get a bit boring for me. I will admit, I did have to watch at 1.5x speed afterwards.

Now after finishing this drama, I am left sad and disappointed. Why? Sad, because of all the struggles FL & ML had to endure only for that disappointing and predictable ending. Oh well, now I have to find me a pick-me-up drama.

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Better than I expected it to be

I really had no expectations for this drama, and it turned out to be pretty good.

The origin story on how the app was made was probably my favourite part and the highlight of the drama. The whole cast did amazing, but I want to applaud the actresses who played Kwon Siwon & Do Hyeryung, they did a phenomenal job and have a bright future. I actually started this drama mainly because of Kang Mina (Nari), so I was a bit disappointed with how her storyline wrapped up. It didn’t feel fully explained or resolved, which sucks because her character had a lot of emotional weight.

Another thing I couldn’t fully get behind was the love triangle. Like, I understand why Geonwoo likes Seah that one felt natural and built up, but Hajoon being in love with her? That kinda came out of left field. They didn’t really explore his feelings enough for it to feel believable, so it just ended up raising more questions than adding depth.

This drama would've benefited heavily if it had more episodes though. Like imagine a more in-depth story, could've been a top 5 drama for me this year but that's not the case. That said, despite all my confusion and unanswered questions, I still recommend this, especially if you like horror. The acting was solid, the pacing made it super bingeable, and it definitely kept me hooked. And that post credits scene?? Yeah, they’re clearly setting something up, so I really hope we get a season 2 to fill in all these gaps.

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Be Careful What You Wish For!

this was an interesting watch!

I feel like the drama had a killer concept (pun intended 🤣) and had the potential to be amazing, but it couldn’t really live up to its potential. it started off really strong, but somehow fell flat towards the middle/end.

I liked the underlying message of the drama, “your wishes have consequences, no matter how stupid or insignificant they may seem”. the mix of shamanism with modern technology was a great idea.

the acting was incredible. unfortunately, the same can’t be said about the characters. some of the characters were so one dimensional that you couldn’t care less if they died.

there were some things i found stupid or didnt like, but I didn’t find the drama as bad as some of these reviews made it out to be. overall, I think it was an interesting drama to binge on a Saturday night. I will probably be tuning in if they make a second season!

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A Mind Game You Don’t See Coming

The Art of Sarah really pulled me in with how smart and layered it is as a mystery-thriller. It’s not the kind of story that just gives you clues and expects you to follow—it actually plays with your mind. Every episode made me question what’s real, who to trust, and what Sarah’s true intentions are.
What stood out to me the most is how Sarah is such a skilled manipulator. She doesn’t rely on force or obvious lies—she reads people, understands their weaknesses, and uses that against them so subtly that you almost don’t notice it at first. There were moments where I caught myself believing her, only to realize later that I was being played too. That’s how convincing she is.
The tension builds so well throughout the story. The twists don’t feel random—they’re carefully placed, and when they hit, they actually make you rethink everything that happened before. It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you mentally engaged, not just emotionally.
Overall, The Art of Sarah is gripping, clever, and honestly a bit unsettling in the best way. It shows how dangerous someone can be not because of power, but because of how well they understand people—and Sarah proves that perfectly.

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The Perfect Mix of Danger and Heart

I’ve already looped this series three times, and I’m still not over it. The way Zong Yi gets dragged from his quiet life into a dangerous gang world is so gripping. The romance feels warm and real because of the constant grit and pressure of their reality. The second couple, Chen Yi and Ai Di, is just as charismatic; their intense, messy energy makes it feel like two top-tier shows in one. It’s a story about loyalty and choosing the person you’d die for. It doesn't feel like a typical staged drama; it just feels intense and real, which is why I keep going back to it.

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Watch the second couple through episode 8 then bounce

Ugh. This was so painful. And let me be clear, it was painful before the writers completely gutted the best part of the story.

The 3 best things were the second couple, the Black support character, and the kids.

I liked the main couple's acting but I hated their story. It was a strained premise that was made worse by drawing out the unearned resolution for almost the entire series. Ridiculous.

The second couple gave me life. I tuned in specifically to follow them. But the writers destroyed it unnecessarily but literally killing their relationship. The same point about cherishing the one you love in the moment could have been made without offing one of them.

My other complaint was the misses on the NC scenes. Don't act like we are seeing everything because the timing is too short to be the real deal. It feels weird. And dont get into impossible positions. Its distracting.

Overall, blech. Decent to great acting was wasted on a crap script. So annoying.

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Two Love Stories, One Big Lie

Scams, Schemes, and Sincerity

My Romance Scammer is a morally grey BL that leans into deception and turns it into something surprisingly heartfelt. The premise is simple but effective—two con artists, Tim and Yu, scam wealthy heirs Pai and North through fake relationships and marriage. But as the lies deepen, so do the feelings, blurring the line between manipulation and something real.

The series works best when it contrasts its two main pairings. Tim and Pai represent a slow, calculated deception. Their relationship is built on quiet tension, subtle emotional shifts, and a steady push-and-pull dynamic. It’s controlled and psychologically driven, though at times it can feel a bit too restrained. Personally, I struggled to connect with Pai, as his character often comes across as arrogant and dismissive, which made their romance harder to root for.

On the other hand, Yu and North bring a completely different energy. Their story is chaotic, emotional, and immediately engaging. From an impulsive marriage to high-stakes conflict, their relationship feels raw and sincere. North’s openness clashes beautifully with Yu’s unpredictability, creating a dynamic that’s messy but compelling. This pairing easily became the emotional core of the show for me. For me, the real heart of the series will be Yu and North. Their impulsive marriage and the resulting financial fallout create high-impact drama that feels incredibly urgent. Poon Mitpakdee (who stepped into the role originally slated for Fluke Jeeratch) brings a brilliant, romantic energy that balances perfectly with Ohm Thitiwat’s mysterious, unpredictable Yu.

The acting is strong overall. Ohm Thitiwat and Poon Mitpakdee stand out with their natural chemistry and charisma, while Junior Panachai and Mark Jiruntanin deliver solid performances despite a more challenging dynamic. It’s also nice to see familiar faces in the supporting cast, adding depth without overshadowing the main story.

Thematically, the series explores betrayal, vulnerability, and redemption, asking whether love that begins as a lie can ever truly be real. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it executes its ideas with enough care to keep things engaging.

In the end, My Romance Scammer succeeds because it tells two versions of the same story—one slow and controlled, the other fast and emotional. And while both have their strengths, it’s the messy, heartfelt chaos of Yu and North that truly leaves an impact. It’s a series that asks tough questions about accountability and redemption. Can you truly love the person who scammed you? The show doesn't give easy answers, and that’s exactly why it works.

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Decent rom com, Wickedly funny satire/parody/office rom com, great acting, camera, music

THIS DRAMA IS INCREDIBLY WICKEDLY FUNNY, such a satire and parody on so many things!!!! I was laughing in ep 1
It is a decent rom-com, not a masterpiece, but it is still worth a watch. ML actor is a fantastic actor and comedian and he gives a great performance here. FL actress is ... hm.. not my favorite.... to cold. She has some moments where she acts deeper but by ep 6, not enough for me to actually enjoy her acting

==== WRITTEN AFTER EP 6 ========
The cliches are there - FL has a past, is cold and reserved to ML, who is chasing her, i.e. he is trying a lot harder than she is - the classic trope.
Still there are some refreshing takes - FL is a competent professional and his boss.. ML is a green flag, speaks his mind directly, and is a rather realistic male

===WRITTEN AFTER EP 1 =====
There are zillion enthusiastic comments in the Discussion yet 166 ppl gave 7.6 rating, and online 25 ppl gave 6 and 3.5 stars for ep 1 and 2 - CLEARLY THERE ARE ORGANIZED TROLL GROUPS, FAKE ACCOUNTS, WHO DOWNGRADE SUCCESSFUL KDRAMAS
So i wrote this review after just ep 1. the drama is too good to pass :) Dont Believe MDL rating!!!!

yeah there are many issues in the drama, e.g. FL is the only female on her team, etc etc - and I am not sure if HRs really investigate this kind of stuff for real LMAO
but you don't have time to think of that bc it is just so wickedly funny

And the acting, camera and music is amazing! ML actor is such a great actor and a phenomenal comedian. FL actress provides comedic effect in contrast with him. Her character would not be funny at all on its own.
And then there are other great actors in there, like Once Again bro.

I think FL denoted ML bc she/someone saw the staircase kiss, and I suspect she is already hitting on him. He is definitely a catch :)

And... last but not least... isnt it nice to see a real man as ML and a man who CAN ACT a wide range... an not a porcelain doll with plasticized glazed androgenous triangular face and super skinny body AND ONE FACIAL EXPRESSION - gloomy serious. Pursuit of Jade kind that will be replaced by AI bc they all look alike and cannot act. I am so glad we dont have to watch plasticized ppl in this drama. FL kinda smells of it but her acting luckily is ok for her tsundere role.

The reversal of gender roles is hilarious

=====================================
The drama is built on amazing surprises, it is like a roller coaster...

I understand why Koreans are concerned that the end of ep3 can start a new wave of dramas trying to up each other and going the lewd way of Hwood... We already have lots of scenes of guys in a shower, Dynamite Kiss pushed the envelope into bed, now FL almost doing a striptease,.... so what's next... I understand why Koreans are worried we are standing too close to the cliff edge of turning into Hwood cheap.....

I personally think that end of ep 3 was on the edge of acceptable, and it was cheesy, and to me it was made hilariously funny by the comments of the audience, who totally nailed it. Omg the comments are better than the drama in those scenes LMAO

I analyzed why the scene at the end of ep 3 was funny - bc it was so unexpected, bc the drama baited us to believe something else.. yet trained us to trust the drama :) So being so swindled was funny.... See https://mydramalist.com/793102-secret-gratitude#comment-25998698
(Hm why is the comment labeled as "secret gratitude"??? )

Also, notice the SOPHISTICATION of this wickedly funny humor and also very compassionate and revealing. The last scene in ep 3 is effective precisely bc we see only their faces. Hwood would destroy that scene by showing everything. Then all the mystery and the fun of seeing their faces very closely and for a long time and feeling compassion and comraderie with the characters would have been GONE.

This sophisticated humor is the trademark of kdramas, it is a certain elegance and intelligence, parody, satire, jestering, exposing difficult heavy serious issues with tact and compassion, that only kdramas have.

In any case, whoever thought of this script, is a mastermind manipulator and jester :) sooo familiar with people and how to play them and in that contrast, make it super funny and also super educational. A master storyteller :) And the director and camera and production and the actors are the same kind, on the same page, they totally understand the concept. VERY VERY VERY SKILLED TEAM.

RESPECT!!!!!

And the audience here in their comments showed they understand the concept too. Very impressive. This is one of the best chat rooms. Respect!!!

On its own, the end scene in ep 3 to me is on the edge of acceptable and also very cheesy, one more step and it would have been gone off the deep end cliff of Hwood
To me, that last scene became funny bc of the comments of the audience - so incredibly funny.

I hope that other dramas will not start a competition to updo this drama... We already have plenty dramas with scenes of guys in the shower, etc... I would stay on this side of the cliff, not go any further, would rather use the time for quality content.

FYI I find it very funny, my review has 11 likes and yet was listed last. Why was that so? I reviewed 1 ep out of 12 and the others reviewed 2 or mistakenly 12.

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It’s great please watch!

Those who gave it a bad rating please watch it again. I haven’t the foggiest clue why you didn’t like it. I will admit I thought the villains were too evil. But I really like Zhuge Yue and Xing Chu. The only complaint I could have is that they focused too much on everyone else instead of these two and the music wasn’t very well thought out. For the two leads you kept getting small scenes here and there with those two, sometimes longer but mostly just short ones. I just started episode 16 so maybe it will get better. Otherwise it’s great. I’ve seen the actor who plays as Zhuge Yue in another movie series and was glad to see him in the lead role not the second male lead. He is a great actor. Him and the Xing Chu, they can act with just their eyes, it’s crazy 🤣! Please watch, no it’s not the same as Princess agents but the road they chose for this sequel was actually a good one. And I’m glad they actually made a sequel for it unlike this other movie series I watched, can’t remember the name, but because the two leads were dating off set and then broke up they decided not to make a sequel when the way it ended it clearly said, “sequel coming up!” Replace one of them then like in this one or both of them for goodness sake. It’s okay it’s been enough time now ☹️. Okay that’s all.

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I like the storyline

Chu Yunchang hid her identity as the head of the Sengshou sect from her lover, Mao Buyu. Initially, she told many lies, but Mao Buyu loved her deeply, even after knowing Chu Yunsang's identity, he still protected her.

It was very sad to see the fathers of the male and female leads die because of Luo Shixun's conspiracy he even framed Chu Yunsang's father for killing Mao Buyu's father. However, the misunderstanding was resolved at the end of the story, it was a relief that the ending was happy even though it didn't match my expectations because Chu Yunsang and Mao Buyu didn't get married.

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