Reviews

¡What a wonderful world to live in!

My Royal Nemesis is set during the Joseon Dynasty. Kang Dan-sim became famous at court for her cunning and ambition. Through manipulation and intelligence, she rose to the rank of royal concubine. In the sixth year of King Anjong's reign, Dan-shim died after being forced to drink poison. Her death triggered a shaman's spell, causing supernatural events such as a midsummer frost and a total lunar eclipse.

However, her fate does not end with her death. Her soul awakens in 21st-century South Korea, inhabiting the body of Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress who plays supporting roles in historical dramas. In this unfamiliar era, Dan-shim gradually takes control of Seo-ri's life and, due to her unpredictable nature, quickly adapts to the modern world. She crosses paths with Cha Se-gye, the ruthless heir to a business conglomerate. A tense and conflicted relationship develops between them, complicated by a love-hate dynamic.

As he ventures into this unfamiliar world, Kang Dan-shim realizes that this twist of fate offers him the opportunity to escape his predetermined destiny and transform his life.

The drama presents a unique and unusual premise: a Joseon-era villainess in modern-day Korea trying to adapt to this new and unfamiliar world. She meets a villain from that era, and through misunderstandings and humorous situations, they end up falling in love. I must say, the first episode was incredibly funny and captivated me. It was hilarious seeing Dan-sim's spirit in Seo-ri's body; I connected with her story. Unfortunately, not much happened in the following episodes, but I still enjoyed it. The series makes good use of comedy and humorous situations, which makes it very entertaining. My only issue was with Dan-sim's adaptation: how she learned to use a cell phone and how she navigated the city. I feel like these details were forgotten or overlooked. Another thing I must mention is the production design; it's spectacular, and they use very striking locations. Another point is that the drama falls into repeating the same cycle: they fight, apologize, and continue with the same thing. They couldn't maintain the tone of the first chapters, which was replaced by a sad one that fell into the same pattern. For that reason, overall, I give the story an 8.5/10.

The series doesn't have a huge cast of characters, but it does have quite a few, and they're diverse. Our main couple has great chemistry, that's something I have to say. I connected with Seo-ri's grandmother; her scenes brought tears to my eyes because they reminded me of spending time with my grandparents and taking care of them.

Here's my analysis of the main characters:

Shin Seo Ri / Kang Dan Shim (Lim Ji-yeon):

Shin Seo-ri: An aspiring actress, she was known for her starring role as a child in the drama Sonagi, but as an adult, she became an unknown actress. Later, she is possessed by the spirit of Kang Dan-shim, a villain from the Joseon era, and develops a cruel personality.

Kang Dan-shim: Dan-shim is a ruthless and cunning concubine of the Joseon Dynasty, known as the most hated villain of the court. She rose from humble origins to the position of first-rank concubine without strong support, relying on her sharp wit and manipulative tactics. She possesses an incredibly developed sixth sense. After dying by poisoning, she awakens 300 years later, in 2026, and inhabits the body of Shin Seo-ri, who is filming a poisoning scene for a historical drama. In this new world, she crosses paths with Cha Se-gye, who could be her last chance to change her fate. She also decides to continue pursuing Seo-ri's dream of becoming a famous actress.


I must say that Lim Ji-yeon's acting is very good, how she manages to make Dan-sim feel like she's in an unfamiliar world, and her performance is very funny, how she doesn't back down from anyone and calls the other actress a whore, and the slapping scene was very good to watch.

Cha Se-gye / Grand Prince Cheongheon (Yi Hyeon): (Heo Nam-jun)

Cha Se-gye: The infamous third-generation heir of the Chail Group and CEO of Biojei, he is known as a "monster of capitalism." When he crosses paths with Seo-ri, who is possessed, he confronts her.

Yi-hyeon: A solitary figure marked by past trauma, he wore a half-mask to hide the facial scars from a mysterious fire from which he alone survived. In contrast to Ajong, who represents "light," he is described as "shadow." In his previous life, he was the youngest son of King Mukjong and the younger brother of King Anjong, and a scholar who saved Dan-shim from being confined in a chest of rice.

This is the first time I've seen Heo Nam-jun in a leading role; the first time I saw him was in "When the Phone Rings," and I must say he manages to capture that essence of an arrogant chaebol who just needs to be loved. His acting is cold, but at the same time, he manages to convey the love he has for Seo-ri.

Choi Mun-do (Jang Seung Jo): President of Chail Construction and Se-gye's cousin. He repeatedly tried to gain the attention of his uncle, Dal-su. He even offered to be a liver donor for his uncle, who was suffering from acute liver failure. After becoming president of Chail Construction, he considered the position insufficient and continued to aspire to his uncle's position, while perceiving Cha Se-gye as his superior.

I'd never seen this actor before, and I have to say his character is so detestable. Even as a child, he's always wanted attention, and even having a son doesn't change his mindset. I just hope he gets what he deserves.

Overall, I give the acting a 9.5/10.

The OST isn't particularly noteworthy; the only song I like is "Anyway," though who knows if I'll like the others. THAT'S WHY I GIVE IT A 7/10.

Would I watch it again? Probably. I think it's an excellent drama for when you need a touch of comedy and romance, so I'm giving it an 8.5/10.

In short, My Royal Nemesis is an excellent drama if you're looking for one that blends romantic comedy with touches of fantasy, perfect for a boring weekend. It's a story with endearing and diverse characters, and funny situations that will make you laugh. Overall, I'm giving it an 8.5/10 so far

THANKS FOR READING

Leia Mais

Just watch it ... you'll be glad you did!!!

Keita Machida is absolutely perfect for this role!!!
If you know him from the past, you will appreciate what a great performance he gives.
There are several sub stories to follow as you get deeper into this series, but you'll realize the main story is mostly unknown that surrounds the main protagonist. We get bits and pieces of it, but it's kept well hidden until halfway through episode 4. That seems to be the pinnacle episode of the series.
I can't emphasize enough ... Keita Machida, how brilliant he is with this character. It's like a "Mr Rodgers" without the sweater. Just fantastic!!!
A father trying to be perfect with fatherless kids, but he's having trouble dealing with his own child. It's just great.
If the last episode doesn't bring you to tears, or give a warm feeling in your heart, there's something wrong with you.
It's such a "feel good" series, pointing out the fact ... none of us are perfect, we all need each other!!!

Leia Mais

Great acting

This had the potential to be perfect, but the writers just had to go ahead and make Ohsol wilfully stupid - she kept lying to everyone who loved her and I hated that.
I also don't agree with the way the writers wrote CEO Cha because they made him completely inconsistent, it made no sense.
We never really got to know more about Cha Maehwa's story, so we can't even tell whether she's inconsistent or not.
The worst part, though, was how they made Choi Ha-in be interested in Ohsol when he was an adult and she was a minor - to the writers: do you realise you created an ephebophile? That makes absolutely no sense because everything about Ha-in told us he was a green flag, not a disgusting, sick guy.
On another note, I love that this story explored mysophobia - I suspect this drama drew inspiration from 'I'm Not a Robot', but I was sad that they didn't pay enough attention to detail as 'I'm Not a Robot' did, because there's no way Sungyeol would do certain things if he suffered from the disease as severely as he was supposed to; in 'I'm Not a Robot', on the other hand, there was a perfect portrayal of Minkyu's disease.
Great acting, which didn't come as a surprise because they're all great actors!

Leia Mais

I know it is considered a classic k-drama, and I can perfectly understand why so many people love this series. The production is beautiful, the soundtrack is memorable, the cinematography is incredible, and the premise has a lot of potential. The idea of an immortal being carrying centuries of solitude while searching for someone capable of freeing him is genuinely interesting.

But, for me, it simply didn't work.

My biggest problem was the main couple. I tried to get involved with the romance, but I couldn't feel any chemistry between them. Instead of rooting for the relationship, I spent a good part of the time watching the scenes and thinking that something was missing. The interactions that should have been exciting or romantic conveyed almost nothing to me, so the story ended up losing the impact it should have had.

In addition, I found the pacing extremely slow. There are many contemplative moments and scenes that clearly intend to create a melancholic atmosphere, but for me, they only made the narrative drag. In several episodes, I felt like the plot was going in circles.

In the end, I don't think the show is bad. On the contrary, I completely understand those who consider this drama a masterpiece. It has marked a generation of fans. But sometimes, a story can be very well-made and still not work for you.

And that's exactly what happened to me.

It's a drama I recognize as well-produced, but it bored me most of the time and never managed to convince me to invest emotionally in it. It simply wasn't for me.

Leia Mais

Dark Figure of Crime is an absolute masterpiece

Dark Figure of Crime is an absolute masterpiece in the crime-investigation genre. Its true brilliance lies in how it completely steps away from the usual clichés of loud action sequences and chaotic chases, delivering instead a breathtaking psychological chess match between a weary detective and a highly intelligent, psychopathic serial killer.
​The performances by Ju Ji-hoon and Kim Yoon-seok are phenomenal; the intense chemistry and friction between them turn the plain walls of the prison interrogation room into a space crackling with suspense. What makes this film even more gripping is that it’s based on a true story, heavily focusing on the deeply human and legal struggle to find forgotten victims whose deaths were never even registered by the police. If you are a fan of grounded, atmospheric psychological thrillers like Through the Darkness, this is a must-watch that you definitely shouldn't skip.

Leia Mais

A second chance on life and and a captivating romance transcending time

This is one of those dramas that suck you in immediately and so heavily, that you start to worry about being disappointed in the end. But you're not. Because it holds its promises till the end.

Time travel is a popular theme in dramas and the variety of plots is immense. Here it's a queen in Joseon sentenced to death but suddenly waking up in modern days. Finding a second chance on life, she grabs it, only to discover that history is repeating itself, confronting her with the same threats she already had to face in her past life. Amidst the chaos, she meets her "nemesis", the ML, a coldhearted, domineering blockhead.

What makes the drama so entertaining is its strong cast that carries a quite well written story. Captivating performances of Im Ji Yeon, Heo Nam Jun and Jang Seung Jo make the plot work so well and create the true heart of the story. While Im Ji Yeon is outstanding with her play of a Joseon queen conquering modern routines and forcing her ancient means on others while "socialising" and "adapting" in her own manner in an extremely entertaining way, Heo Nam Jun creates a real good counterpart, unwillingly encountering her and her ways again and again, constantly loosing his composure over her, going against his principles all the time and afterwards questioning himself unbelievably, while unconsciously and helplessly falling for her deeper and deeper. And once accepting it all, he doesn't budge or shy away from his feelings, no matter what peculiar or disappointing things she did again. He's giving her room, he's never forcing her. And he accepts all her weirdness. The romance feels mature, you get your funny/silly moments and it still feels authentic, not over the top - even with the FLs unexpected antics. You notice the slight changes in their behaviour but they stay true to their very own treats from the beginning to end - esp. Im Ji Yeon and her Joseon speech. I appreciated that a lot because their initial bickering and all their early fired up interactions were what made you drawn to the couple in the first place. Their chemistry was on another level.

Jang Seung Jo is one of my favorite actors. He's got a real good acting quality, always giving it all and man, he's great at playing a two-faced, venomous snake. Yet the script manages to not making him out to be a plain villain, but actually gives him a soft spot as well. No matter, how black a heart, everyone needs a driving force in the first place.

What surprised me on a side-note was the grandfather. I always had my suspicions, but damn, they secretly rolled that out throughout the drama quite well. He might be one of the "good" ones, but I can't say that I liked all his ways.

When you look at the drama from above you find a lot of known tropes, yet it reinvents and makes them look more advanced, so you can fully enjoy them again.

If I had to wish for something, I would have liked it if they had shown a bit more about the past life. You get a lot of short scenes and can kinda put it together on your own which was well done. But a few more details for my own curiosity would have been great. I also admit I was a bit lost at the end, when they explained the actual reason for the time travel in the first place. But I might understand it when I think about it a bit longer though. Small personal issues here, but it doesn't lessen the overall entertainment of this commendable drama.

Leia Mais

Repetitive and Boring

As a disclaimer i only watched till ep 12

I started this drama expecting a strong female lead, what i ended up getting was such a stereotypical view of a “girlboss” that it almost felt offensive again. This whole, “she is so strong but she is just a girl and omg she butchers pigs” was so tiring because (at least in the first half), it kept being brought up every episode.
The story also did not seem to progress esp. while the ML was hurt and when i finally thought he is healed, he gets hurt once more and the plot doesn’t move again. Like if you cannot write the plot continuing without the ML, stop having him be sick...

The atmosphere and shots in this drama are beautiful, but the story cannot at all hold it together. I ended up dropping it because every review says it gets worse in the end and i already felt like it was horrible since the start.

Leia Mais

OMG ONE OF THE BEST KDRAMAS I'VE WATCHED 10/10.

The acting was phenomenal from everyone. Drama was heartbreaking, infuriating and unforgettable. I cried so much for Gi Beom and Im Seok Man. They were so young and had their whole lives ahead of them. What broke me the most was how corrupt and incompetent the system was—the actual killer had to clear an innocent person's name because the police and prosecution failed completely.
What makes this even more heartbreaking is that it's based on a real case. It reminds you that so many victims never get justice, while innocent people get dragged into cases and have their lives ruined because of incompetence, corruption, and people's greed for promotions, recognition, and badges.
Everyone should give this a try!!

Leia Mais

This is a controversial one. But I confess, it didn't stick with me after I finished it, despite the shocking story.

I don't think the story is bad or that the execution is poorly done; I just came to the conclusion that this type of drama isn't for me. The most memorable thing for me is the opening theme song, which is PEAK.

The characters didn't captivate me, but I don't think that's the point of the drama. You're supposed to look at them and think, "damn, they're messed up." And when you see how they end up, you don't know how to feel. That's what it is.

Leia Mais

The plot twist about who her father's killer was was always very obvious, but I think the drama knew it. The suspense isn't about us finding out who it is, but about Jiwoon finding out. And what a fantastic performance by Han Sohee.

That ending traumatized me, especially because I had hoped for a happy ending for her and Pildo. But they pulled the rug out from under me and said, "no, that's not it."

It was a bittersweet ending, but that's the premise of the drama, so the execution was great.

The highlight of the drama for me was the plot twist revealing the true identity of her father. I was so gagged and it was very well done.

And despite being a short drama, it has one of the best pilot episodes I've ever seen in a series.

Leia Mais

Good but censorship cut its potential

Ashes To Crown’s cinematography and art direction is one of the best I have seen in a while from a drama. And the story was engaging as we watch four top schemers trying to outsmart each other, but it’s evident this project suffered from the censorship.

This is the type of story that needed some room to let the events breath and allow the viewers to see how the chess pieces were slowly moving in the board. Sadly, that didn’t happened as it was obvious by the butchering editing of what should have been a 30 episode long cdrama, cramped in 24 episodes total.

I personally take offence for Tang Xiaotian who delivered a masterful performance. I absolutely adored his character’s scheming cute little butt. He was ruthless, cold, calculating and honest. Quiet like a tiger waiting to pounce. They all knew who he was and he wore it with pride.

Zhou Yiran’s character also deserved better. It’s the first time I see him play a soldier/General and I think it would have been fun to see more of it.

The relationship between the Xie brothers was also a fascinating side story that was butchered by the censors and editing.

I think this a case of a cdrama that had all right elements but was unable to deliver its full potential for reasons that are beyond the cast or crew.

Still, a fun watch.

Leia Mais

Don't waste your time

I had such high expectations for this, and I couldn't have been more disappointed.
I can't write this review without telling you who wins in the end, but you won't regret reading this before watching.
If you want to see psychopaths winning in life, then by all means go ahead, but that is not what I signed up for - and it's not even about being realistic, it's about the evil characters getting away with anything and everything when the good characters could've won but didn't because they decided to be stupid. I was rooting for them, but it got to a point where they were SO ridiculous that I just couldn't be on their side anymore.
This drama should also come with a serious trigger warning because what happened towards the end actually traumatised me - I couldn't stop thinking about it for a really long time, and I'll never be able to forget what I saw.
Absolutely perfect acting - I just wish the actors had been given a better story.
Do as you wish, but I wouldn't waste my time if I were you.

Leia Mais