Reviews

I LOWKEY ENJOYED THIS ONE

surprisingly i really like the storyline, the plot twist was really unexpected imo. i thought it would be predictable at first because of the whole enemies-to-lovers + amnesia trope, but the way they revealed the truth and connected everything in the later episodes actually caught me off guard.

i also like how the drama tried to explore more than just romance. the whole memory loss situation and their past as rivals made everything more complicated, and you can really see how their relationship is built on both pain and love at the same time

tho i feel like they could’ve done much better with the acting :)) there were moments where the emotions didn’t fully hit, especially in scenes that were supposed to be really intense. BUT i will say, there are still scenes where they did well, especially during confrontations or emotional breakdowns.

overall, it’s still a good watch for me. the plot and concept really carried the show, and even if the execution wasn’t perfect, it’s one of those dramas that keeps you thinking about it after finishing.

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Unnecessary Lies but Good Start-Up Dynamics

Start-Up is a story that, while having its poignant and moving moments regarding the family's past and an engaging present that draws you into the world of entrepreneurship and the characters' success, also has its weaknesses and inconsistencies when it comes to the love triangle and the letters.

The Family Conflict

The backstory was moving and tragic. Characters like the father are heartbreaking; you can tell that striving to be a good man costs him everything, yet the world gives him no breaks. I can't judge the mother and sister's decision too harshly since some people get their hands tied in a crisis while others simply take the easy way out.

However, it was incredibly frustrating when the mother returned years later with her tail between her legs the moment she faced a hardship. Even though the drama tries to make us feel compassionate, I found her to be completely shameless. On the other hand, seeing the protagonist’s present was hopeful; her resolve as an adult made me genuinely want her to succeed, and I truly valued that she and her sister eventually made peace.

The World of Start-Ups

Although I'm not a fan of business-related themes, I admit I enjoyed the dynamic at Sandbox. The projects, the presentations, and the rivalry with her sister kept my interest. It was interesting to see the process of building a company from the ground up.

The Letters and The Love Triangle

This is where the story lost its strength for me:

The Letters: I was curious about how this would unfold, but the lie ended up feeling completely unnecessary. She was a rational adult who should have been told the truth from the beginning; it's not like her world would have crumbled. The effort put into protecting that lie was questionable, and both men acted in ways they shouldn't have.

The Romance: Given the situation with the letters, I didn't have high hopes for the romance since its foundation was built on lies, so I wasn't excited about anything related to those involved. Furthermore, I didn't feel any "who will she choose?" suspense because, honestly, the female lead never showed genuine interest in the second lead. It felt like he never stood a chance from the start.

P.S. As a side note, the cherry blossom scene is absolutely stunning.

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What the heck was that?

Things I liked

1 Not a single one.

Things I disliked

1 Every single minute.

2 The ML. He's good looking and maybe one day he'll be perfect for the mL in a drama, but here he was wrong cast and he didn't make me believe one second in his story with the FL. He had zero chemistry with her, although I don't blame him, she was awful, but still, he wasn't good enough to be the male lead.

Things I hated

1 The FL actress. So untalented and unattractive, every time she spoke or appeared I wanted to yell. How on earth did she land the role? On the other hand the role itself was beyond terrible so at least a talented actress didn't waste her time. She had one or two expression the whole time, she never make me feel anything not despair, not empathy, not anything remotely close to romance. She was terrible in every scene.

2 The broken promise. You give me a blurb and a poster that screams rom com, and then you give me zero chemistry, and the worst, you give me a drama that is dark and stupid beyond any point. That wasn't a script any writer with a brain would write. It was awful. But again the most frustrating was the promise that wasn't kept. This has become a staple these past few months. You wait eagerly for a rom com based on blurb and poster and then you have something awful that plays out as if the people behind it never watched a rom com in their life.

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Most heart-touching and greatest 50 episodes(long) masterpiece I have ever seen...❤️?

Woaaahhh… 🥹

I just finished watching Seo Young, My Daughter… and my heart feels so full.

Oooohh, I only have two episodes left, and I don’t even want to finish them… I want to slow down time and stay in this story a little longer.

But why does this feel so different from other long dramas?
Why does it leave such a deep sadness and warmth at the same time?

I smiled, I cried, I felt comforted, I felt broken… I lived with them.
How can a drama make you feel this much?

Watching cold-hearted people slowly become warm through love and connection…
Seeing people continue to love even after betrayal…
It makes you believe that maybe, in real life too, stories like this exist.

And suddenly, even the smallest moments in life feel so big.

Seo Young… I truly felt her.
Her pain, her choices, her silence… everything.

And the brother’s unconditional love… that kind of love makes you believe someone can survive anything in life.

This story… it’s not just a drama. It’s a masterpiece.
But you can only feel it fully if you watch it from beginning to end without rushing.

The acting was beyond incredible—especially Lee Bo-young. ...
Even the smallest expressions, like her trembling lips before tears… felt so real, so human.
Also loved handsome park hae jin so much....... Man looks and have a heart like this okay..... But real life like this one is rare...... If not, there are no any man like this. Made me think all the things....

Every single character, even the supporting ones, gave their best.
Nothing felt fake. Everything felt alive.

And the OST… it blended perfectly with every emotion, pulling you deeper into the story.

If you ever watch this drama, don’t rush it.
Watch it when you have time… feel every moment.

Because this is not just a story—
It’s one of the most heartwarming, emotional, and beautiful family dramas I have ever experienced. ❤️🔥🥹

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good writing and acting

I wasn't expecting much, yet it is probably one of the best of the first quarter of 2026. The writing was surprisingly good,
maybe a bit hurried up at the end, the mediocre director seemed inpatient; by the way, it seems that the majority if K-directors never went stars gazing; they should be send by their school on a field trip by night :-). Anyway, the acting was excellent by all actors. It was nice to get some views not only of Seoul, but also from Gangwon and other provinces.

I rarely get the feeling to start watching a series again when it finishes, but this one did it!
100% worth watching!

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Most boring drama of the year!

Ok I just finished it! Also a 6/10 for me… tbh the beginning of the drama was really good and the middle was still solid. Like when she comes to Seoul and then runs into him and we see how she is trying to start a life for herself there etc. I really liked that. Because it really is not easy to start a new life somewhere new. It was all good until the ex started meddling with the old guesthouse etc… thats when it got annoying. I wish we could have seen her starting a new life in seoul together with Tae-Seo… I didn’t understand why all the going back and forth both emotionally and physically (from Seoul to small town) was neccessary…

And then when she did end up deciding to open her guest house again, why did she again, end up moving back to Hawaii???? I dont get it! She risked her relationship with Tae-Seo to open that guesthouse just to leave again??? In the end, neither Tae-Seo nor the guesthouse were important to her…I didn’t get the point of this drama. The plot was like what exactly?

There were some cute and sad moments, and the cinematography was great as well as the OST.
But i found almost all the characters annoying and unrelatable… except for the second female lead A-Sol, she was cute!
Even Tae-Seo’s brother was lowkey annoying, how he guilt-tripped him whether he was in Seoul or not… idk! His behaviour really icked me out…

And then we don’t even have to talk about the second male lead!!!! Omg ||what a pedophile!!! He was literally crushing on her when she was still in high school!!! And then he even dated Eun-A’s roommate???? Who would probably be the same age as her!!!! Thats sooo disgusting!!!! For me someone who has more power at work shouldn’t date a trainee or a freshly employed person… that’s borderline power harassment…

I also didn’t like it how Eun-A was jealous of A-sol when she drove the brothers to the village and back and how she told Tae-Seo not to have dinner with her to pay her back. But she herself literally had wine with her ex-boyfriend at 3 am!!!! Like wtf gurl????

And at the end, when the grandma woke up, and she kept remembering the wrong memories, and she kept on running into Eun-A even when her recent memories came back like… WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT??? Can someone please explain??? Because I really did not understand why that was neccessary!!!! Why did we need all that grandma memories section???? How did it all connect together? I am sooo confused…whoever wrote this drama must have been drunk or sth…

All in all, the drama had a great, promising start. It seemed like a cute coming-of-age story with beautiful cinematography and a second-chance romance… but it ended up being the most boring drama of the year so far…

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Follow your Joy!

“Follow your joy!”
The workplace’s headline truly reflects the flow of the story. Dreaming of becoming a Cinderella may seem outdated or even childish, but this drama manages to turn that idea into something genuinely fun.
The intro animation and narration are playful and full of character. It’s not over the top, but still manages to be hilarious with so many genuinely funny moments—the kind of fresh humor that actually makes you laugh.
The chemistry between the characters is also very strong, whether it’s between coworkers, siblings, or the main couple—everything just feels right. Honestly, the male and female leads would be perfect to see together again in another romcom.
This drama is perfect to watch when you’re feeling bored and just need something light and entertaining, with simple conflicts and a joyful tone. Lmao.

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There’s the fight between a messy start and a charming conclusion

The character introduction in the first EP felt too abrupt. My initial reaction was, “Am I watching the right starting point?” However, I appreciated how the story gradually established its foundation, especially with the reveal that Xiao Bai is a secret agent assigned to investigate his roommate, Da Hei.

As the story progressed, I found myself becoming more invested in what would happen to them, right after they began pretending to be a couple. Their chemistry was undeniable, but still needs some flourishing. Andy Ko’s soft, gentle presence is captivating, while Nelson Ji’s emotional performances, particularly the way he delivers dramatic scenes with tearful intensity, are truly fascinating. Although the drama leans heavily on cliché moments, they don’t significantly drag down the overall quality. It’s fairly average in storytelling, but the performances elevate it.

After the confession and major revelations, the series treats us to several intimate kissing scenes that were confidently delivered. Watching them share these moments felt natural and entertaining, just like how a new couple might behave. Their on-screen intimacy was convincing and enjoyable.

One of my favorite aspects of this BL was unexpectedly falling for Mike Lin. This is my first time watching him, and his role as the older brother is incredibly charming. From his first appearance, with glowing skin, a charismatic aura, and clean visuals, he completely stole my attention. Every time he appears on screen, he brings a calm and comforting presence.

Pairing him with Matthew Han was an excellent casting decision. It’s just a shame that they were introduced halfway through the series and only given a few romantic moments toward the finale. Still, those brief scenes were enough to make me want more, perhaps even a spin-off centered on them. They’re undeniably a visually striking pair, made even better by the fact that they can truly act. They deserve more recognition.

I initially thought the second couple would be No Sir and Dou Ke Yi. To be fair, they share some history, and I could definitely see their potential as a pairing as well. Another standout moment was the cameo appearance of Thomas Chang as a gangster boss, such a strong presence. Justin Chang is another handsome man on the list. This drama is packed with good-looking actors, and it amused me that most of their stage names are in English.

Overall, the drama offers a similar vibe to the enemy-to-lovers trope, along with the added challenge of winning over a disapproving grandfather. While it was enjoyable, I believe it could have been executed even better. Still, I loved the cast. That’s definitely one of its strongest points.

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Hope is the light that still shines

I think this drama is getting a lot more hate than it needs to be cause of how it turned out, but like the title, it's really about that sliver of sun shining through the darkest of times. I think while we are young, we build these memories that we look back our whole life thinking about how happy we were, and how we changed and I think this drama encapsulates this feeling a lot, especially with the feeling of love. Sadly, life is often a series of miscommunication and obviously it's not as enjoyable knowing the full behind the scenes while the characters don't, that's sometimes what life is and I think that's one of the more enjoyable parts of this drama. The chemistry between Jinyoung and Minju was something that really shown through the drama, and I think Jinyoung's acting was super articulate, I could feel the despair and happiness radiating around him whenever he felt something, and as an emotional person, made me relate heavily to his circumstances and feelings. This is a drama purely based on the feeling on latching on to that last slip of hope, and sometimes you just got to see where that little shining piece of hope can lead you in life.

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Cute and Quick

For a low production quality, this is one of the better ones.
It's nothing exceptional, but nobody expected that from a mini series.

Cast is cute together and shows emotions in a realistic manner. Of course the pacing is a lil off and jumps from one situation to the other, that's the fault of the length per ep tho.
They just had to put some angst in it as well at the very end, kinda unnessecary it would have also worked without!!
Sometimes I just wanna see more fluff but maybe that's just me.

So this is a watch while doing smt else, you're not gonna miss stuff and can just enjoy for funsies.

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Compelling Plot, Questionable People: A Frustrating Watch

I have a bit of a love – hate relationship with this drama, and I’m still not entirely sure which side wins.

I actually came into it because of Takeuchi Ryoma. After watching him in 10Dance, where he was genuinely magnetic and emotionally precise, I started digging into his other work. So when I saw he was leading a detective mystery with a long-buried case at its core, I was immediately on board — and, to be fair, it did keep me coming back week after week.

The premise is strong: a crime from roughly twenty years ago, four interconnected characters (three men and one woman), and that slow drip of revelations that makes you want to piece everything together. Structurally, it works. There’s tension, there’s intrigue, and even when I began to guess where it was heading, I still wanted to see how it would all unfold.

Performance-wise, Takeuchi delivers. His Tobina Junichi is emotionally open, slightly fragile, and easy to root for. You can actually feel the weight he carries, which anchors the whole series. I also really liked the character of Nara, the senior detective, in spite of her strange antics. Honestly, I kept hoping the show would lean into a mentor–trainee dynamic between her and Tobina, maybe even flirt with a subtle workplace bond or unspoken admiration. The chemistry — or at least the potential for it — was there, but the script never quite capitalised on it, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Where things start to wobble is the character writing — especially outside the central detective pair. Keisuke comes off as thoroughly two-faced, and his personal storyline is more off-putting than compelling. Naoto is… fine, I suppose, but a bit too muted to leave a real impression.

And then there’s Makiko. She’s clearly positioned as a sympathetic figure — a struggling single mother with a painful past — but something doesn’t land. Instead of empathy, I mostly felt irritation. Her actions often come across as manipulative or inconsistent, reflecting poor judgement both as a woman and as a parent, and the narrative never really earns the intense loyalty she inspires in others. We’re told she’s worth protecting, but we’re not shown why. That gap is hard to ignore.

The same goes for several relationship dynamics in the story — they feel underdeveloped or, at times, slightly contrived. Even smaller character beats, like Tobina’s girlfriend (the same manipulator, just a quiet one) or Makiko’s son (a real brat), don’t quite ring true. No sympathy for them either.

And the ending… without spoilers, it left a rather unpleasant aftertaste. Not in a thought-provoking way, but more in a “that didn’t quite pay off” sense. After all that buildup, I was expecting something sharper, more coherent.

That said, I wouldn’t dismiss the drama altogether. It’s well-produced, emotionally engaging in parts, and the central mystery is solid enough to keep you hooked. If you’re here for the investigative thread and a character-driven performance from Takeuchi, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Just don’t be surprised if the character dynamics — and especially the romantic undertones — end up getting on your nerves.

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