Reviews

This drama really took a turn and left me speechless. I don't really know how to feel about this drama though, definitely not a show I would come back to watch but I did somewhat enjoy it. I was more interested in the dramas political side about An and Wu emperor, I found it really amusing and how everything happened, and what they would do to try to save him. The ending is a little upsetting for because it honestly doesn't really show any relevance to the story at all.

The fighting scenes, humor especially Yu Shishan, costuming were all superb. I really enjoyed watching a really strong female lead who is very bold, and I loved watching Yang Ying's character development. Li Tongguang's character was also very very interesting to me. I really want to know more of his story because he is so obsessive.

There are a lot of boring scenes in the show where it continues to depict the romance between Red Xin and Ning Yuanzhou but again it is a romance drama, I just wished they had cut a couple of those scenes out. The ending was something not really expected, personally the author could have made it a better ending than everyone just dying in the battlefield. It didn't make it really special because it common in a lot of other cdramas.

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Season 1.5

Given the premise is already known, there isn't much the author could do aside from introducing and setting up new characters, as well as give a new character journey for the main character.

In terms of setting, it's the same; and the plot more rushed; the author favoring direct exposition than spending the time for it to become clear as the story progressing. I guess the choice there was to avoid making it boringly long, or changing the genre of the show.

Thematically it's a much stronger more coherent critique compared to the first season. While people think it's a critique of capitalism, it's actually more a critique of liberal democracy, from a liberal who won't sacrifice it for something post liberal. It's more a lament for the Korean soul in certain respects but is also hopeful.

It's anti-conservative, anti-religious, anti the shift within Korean youth culture influenced by American Urban culture and the embracing of the Halyu wave within the West, fueled in part by Korean expression of "urban music" (Urban in the American context). A liberal dissatisfied with liberalism. Highly individualistic, but as with the first season, unable to bring things to a proper resolution.

Given there was going to be little shift in terms of setting. More has been poured into the plot, and characters. We are given more time with other Characters; I imagine since, their reasons would be more compelling than that of our main character. Many mysteries from the first season being resolved makes this feel more like an add on. Ideas from the 1st season being made clearer. The ideological conflict being given a bigger stage.

So, this season is more of a character study far more than the first one. Giving it a feel of clarifying ideas from the first, and its individualistic conception of human motivation, and coping strategies. It's a competent an anti-morality tale, which will struggle to meet the expectations of the fanbase that loved it for the gore; but has opened new doors, promising more about those who make the game work, not just those desperate enough to participate.

I give it a 7.5 or an 8 as a piece of entertainment. Those familiar with death games (more common in anime and manga) will not find anything really new. "Liar Game", "Tomodachi Game", "Btoom". It's more of the same. What fans of death games can appreciate is how the author weaves common struggles into his narrative, and how he updates it with his characters.

Most people will like this, except for horror fans. (Specifically, those who hunger after gore). A good watch for those who liked the first season. This is more for the Character-narrative fans, and "theorycels" who enjoy figuring out the author's critique.

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farcical comedic brilliance mixed with adventure, intrigue and emotion

I've seen some reviewers attempt to rate this as a serious dramatic production. They totally miss the point and take themselves way too seriously as reviewers.

This is a farcical lighthearted comedic fantasy, drama and adventure story. The plot does not need to be super realistic or make sense because in fantasy we suspend our disbelief to live the story. The point is poking fun at the improbable situations and tropic stereotypes in the genre. That, and having a good laugh.

The mistake made, imho, was projecting this as a detective story in pre-release and not a comedy adventure. It isn't until we get into the story that the real nonsense begins, and the viewers realize that we have been haphazardly thrown into another world just like the hero.

edit: I am 35 episodes in and realize that this series has shifted. For the first ten episodes or so, comedic farce was at work. After getting deeper in, we settle down into the twisting plot which is more dramatic and intense, but still liberally sprinkled with humor and intrigue.

This program is by no means perfect. Holes can be poked left and right if one wants to rate the expressions, accents or plot. However this would be like pointing out the absurdity of a Monty Python classic.

Guardians of the Dafeng is going to be an all time favorite that I will re-watch over and over. Cannot wait for season 2! Please don't let us down by switching out the irreplaceable cast. Without the key players, this show would fall flat on its face.

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A Hidden Gem of Heartfelt Romance, Comedy, and Life Lessons

This drama is truly a hidden gem—one that captivates you with its sweet romance, hilarious comedy, and profound depth. I’m not usually a fan of noona romances, but this was so wonderfully done that it completely won me over.

Part of what makes this drama so special is how it goes beyond the surface of comedy and fluff, diving into deep questions and reflections about life. It masterfully portrays the dilemmas that many women experience but rarely talk about. One of the most heartbreaking yet important aspects it highlights is how society has conditioned women in their 30s to feel like they’re “second-rate goods” if they’re not married with kids. It’s even more painful to see how single mothers face relentless judgement, further reinforcing the idea that their lives are somehow incomplete or flawed. This drama addresses these issues with empathy and authenticity, making you feel seen and understood.

The female lead’s journey was deeply personal and relatable. For me, her insecurities didn’t feel like flaws but reflections of the weight she carried—baggage handed to her by a society that sets impossible standards. Her character was beautifully flawed, layered, and human. Watching her slowly let down her guard and learn to communicate felt so raw and real. It’s a testament to how hard it is to shed years of emotional armour, and it resonated deeply with me. Yes, some might critique her decisions (and her drinking habits, lol), but her journey felt authentic—a reminder that growth is messy and imperfect.
The male lead, on the other hand, is an absolute treasure. He’s such a precious and pure soul, and his unwavering love and kindness towards her were truly heart-melting. This drama made me love He Yu even more—his performance was phenomenal, and he brought so much sincerity to the role. He’s an actor I’d love to see in more dramas; his talent deserves far more recognition.
Their interactions are brimming with tenderness and sincerity, making their love feel incredibly genuine and heartfelt. Beautiful chemistry, and their hugs—absolutely unforgettable! Each embrace felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket, overflowing with comfort, love, and reassurance. Watching them together was pure joy, rekindling my belief in the beauty of love. Though their journey wasn’t without its bumps and it took time for them to find their rhythm, it only made their connection more realistic. After all, what relationship doesn’t require effort, patience, and the courage to truly open up?

Another standout aspect of the drama was the portrayal of the female lead’s friendship with her besties. Their bond was portrayed so beautifully—full of love, humor, and unwavering support. It was refreshing to see such an authentic and heartwarming representation of female friendships, which added so much richness and warmth to the story. I still wish the single mother would tell the third friend about her situation, that was not cool at all, and I really don't get it tbh but I'm glad they got over this and continued being amazing friends.

And I can’t forget to mention the childhood moments sprinkled throughout the story—those absolutely stole the show! They were heartwarming and nostalgic, adding an extra layer of depth and sweetness to the romance. The way the past and present intertwined was so beautifully done, showing how love can quietly blossom over time and how those memories shape who we become.

At its core, this drama is a beautiful love story that teaches us a powerful lesson: the biggest obstacles we face are often the ones we create in our own minds, either because of our own experience, people's opinions and the unhealthy mindset that is somehow normalised by society, but at the end of the day if we don't let any of that ruin us and we find courage to pursue the things we want, the reward will always pay off.


I highly recommend this drama for anyone looking for a meaningful and cozy binge session. It’s a perfect mix of heart, humor, and life lessons that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

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Enjoyable, but falls short to its preceding season

I don't mean to offend anyone and I'll keep it short... This is just my personal opinion, but there's nothing really special in this season for me. It's still enjoyable to watch, but not exciting. I found some things to be quite expectable as well, plot-wise.

As for the characters, aside from the main ones from S1 and Hyun Ju (for what the character is, what it means/represents), I felt they pretty much lacked some serious depth. I didn't feel any special connection with them or felt invested in their stories. Actors like Im Si Wan, Kang Ha Neul... It seemed like they were just there to fill the plot and maybe attract/retain viewership.

I would say the most interesting bits of the season might be the possibility of In Ho being Il Nam's son (he said his son is allergic to milk and In Ho said he doesn't drink milk) and that No Eul might be Sae Byeok's relative/sister (both from North Korea, both having "Kang" as family name, one's name meaning "sunset" and the other "dawn").

Like someone said, maybe this season really is just a filler for S3. I hope S3 will be quite better than this one, if not better than S1. Otherwise, I honestly think that it will just be Netflix trying to "milk the cow".

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Squid Game S1 was a global phenomenon and an unexpected hit for Netflix. There has been much made of the drama and advertisements for S2. Any drama would have a hard time living up to those expectations. Season 2 wasn’t perfect but was still entertaining given its middle child syndrome.

Instead of joining his child with his new won wealth, Gi Hun becomes obsessed with finding those in power and ending the games. Armed with 45.6 billion won he hires his old loan shark to locate the games’ recruiter. Officer Hwang now works in the traffic division with most of the police force thinking he’s lost his mind when he rambles on about the murderous games. With the help of a fishing boat captain, he searches for the elusive island. Eventually, the two survivors of S1 find each other and devise a plan to bring down the cruelly sadistic creators of the deadly competition. Gi Hun ends up back in the games and as before there are those who want to go home and those who want to see how much money they can win regardless of how many people must die.

The players this year included an influencer in a disastrous crypto business, a drug addicted and psychotic rapper, a mother and son, a pregnant young woman, a trans woman, an old friend, a deranged shaman, and an obvious plant. This time around there were people who had lost billions of won/millions of dollars. There was one mole known to all who watched the first season with plenty of hints for the clueless players to put together. The second secret plant was overly obvious from early on for the audience. As before there were unexpected heroes and cowards. The focus shifted slightly more to the players and their teams as people picked sides of whether to vote to stay or go. There were new games and an old one, all as insidious and barbarous as S1 for those who need their daily dose of gore and carnage.

Gi Hun could be a difficult player to root for. By the time he made a catastrophic choice I suppose he saw everyone as already dead. He certainly wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box. Hwang also didn’t choose his allies too wisely. There were only a handful of characters I hoped would make it through to the end, and that’s if a person has small hands. S1 taught me to not become too emotionally attached to any of them.

The acting ranged from excellent to over the top to barely had a pulse. There were characters who were killed that scarcely made a ripple in the puddles of blood. The production values were once again of a high quality and the writing was nicely paced. I wasn’t bothered by the cliffhanger knowing there was a S3 scheduled. Sometimes it takes a third installment to take down Sauron or Darth Vader.

While S2 didn’t have the element of surprise that S1 had, it was still a solid effort. The characters who valued life, theirs and others showed the quandary of wanting to stay alive and also of having a life to go back to. As the money poured into the giant translucent pig other players’ greed and gold fever broke out over them in a lascivious sweat. Traitors lurked in the open and in the shadows. The games of the “have nots” on full display for the “have everythings” once again showed the disparity between the desperate and the bored. I wasn’t sure SGS1 needed a sequel but I’ll stick around and see how the writers decide to conclude the multi-tentacled story.

31 December 2024

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Underwhelming Female Lead Outshined by 2nd Female Lead

I finally decided to watch this old drama since there's nothing new worth watching right now. The biggest issue this series had was that the 2nd lead couple stole the entire series from the main lead couple. The main couple was so bland.

The Good:
- ML (Leo Wu): although his acting was still pretty stiff in this series, I do enjoy watching him. He's grown to be a better actor in his more recent work (Love Amidst in a Snowstorm, Love Like the Galaxy).
- 2nd FL (Zhao Lu Si) did an amazing job. She really portrayed the character development very well from a young, helpless, naive cry baby to a compassionate, determined and capable princess.
- 2nd Lead Couple (Princess Le Le Yuan and the guard Hao Du) were way more interesting than the main couple. Both actors showed believable character development and had great chemistry. I rooted for them from the start.
- The emperor Li Shi Min was very likeable and delivered a solid performance.

The Bad:
- FL (Dilralba) was a disappointing. This actress is better suited for support roles. She's beautiful, but her acting is mediocre. Her posture in this series was terrible, like a turtle with its neck stretched out. It was so distracting. Her portrayal of such a lofty character like Li Chang Ge was underwhelming. She failed to evoke any emotion from me.
- Main Lead Couple: zero chemistry between Ashile Sun and Li Chang Ge. They felt more like an older sister/brother relationship.
- Storyline: overall it was a solid storyline with some plot holes that made no sense. Li Chang Ge character was over emphasized too much that it became ridiculous at times. She's supposed to be a young teenage girl but somehow has convinced experienced generals, royal officials and tribe leaders to follow her lead in major warfare? She was supposed to be a skilled martial artist but couldn't beat royal guards and was always getting captured. She was constantly being saved by Ashile Sun.
- The slave girl (Mimi): how does a slave girl get to roam around at free will everywhere, be arrogant and demanding to people, etc. It just made no sense at all. She was a very annoying character.

OST: It was edgy and fits this type of storyline/series but it wasn't my favorite.

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Houses Are for Living In

I’m a Philistine. So, I can freely admit to never having read John Milton’s *Paradise Lost*. I gather — *from sources unknown* — that its devil has all the best lines. And so, anti-heroes were born!

*City of the City *is* *a tale about family, sacrifice, ambition and mentorship in the package of a finance (*ish*) drama. It won’t be winning any awards for its fidelity to the workings of the finance industry, but that’s beside the point. In the same way that palace dramas don’t bother with the humdrum aspects of bureaucracy, its bank setting was merely the background to a story about the temptations that life in the big city provides.

Tao Wu Ji (*Bai Yu Fan*) and Tian Xiao Hui (*Xia Meng*) are booed up graduands trying to make a life together in the worst Chinese job market in decades. Wu Ji lands his dream gig. Xiao Hui does not. Luckily, her mother doesn’t just have a *hukou* for the city, she’s got connections! And so, Xiao Hui avoids neetsville. But as everyone except — *I suppose* — those dreary Nords can attest, favours are never one way. A favour given today is an IOU for tomorrow. Pretty much every third-worlder agrees with Don Corleone that repayment is an offer we can’t refuse. The weight of gratitude and millennia of tradition would permit us nothing else.

Xiao Hui and Wu Ji are part of an ensemble of young characters who’ve all got big choices to make as the episodes unfold. The young had an uncertain path but most of the older characters were already wading in murky waters. The old make decisions that move the plot along and upend the lives of the young generation. The most noteworthy trio were Zhao Hui (*Liu Bei!*), Wu Xiao Long (*Yang Gong Gong!*) and Shen Jing (*Yang Zi Shan*).

Zhao Hui is the rainmaker for Shenmao Bank. At first glance, he seems like another of *Yu He Wei*’s many straight-laced characters. He’s the widowed, loving father to a girl suffering from macular degeneration. He’s immune to bribery and honey pots. Yet he’s prideful and possessed of a certain low cunning. That edgy side of his character escapes his iron discipline after he’s passed over for a promotion that — *like Cao Cao declining the imperial seal thrice *— he had pretended not to be interested in. That and his love for his daughter bind him closer to Wu Xiao Long, his adoptive brother who’s a heavily indebted real estate developer desperate for the liquidity Zhao Hui controls.

The little dragon is a devil perched on Zhao Hui’s shoulders negging him into embracing his worst impulses. But their dynamic is fascinating! I remain uncertain if their relationship was mutually exploitative or — *in its own way* — loving. Alas, a prequel shall never be.

The strong female character is an archetype that always risks flying too close to the sun — with the usual consequences. There is a temptation to give them special powers and render them uninteresting, make them preachy and thus annoying or glam them up into femme fatales and get cancelled. Although Maggie Q’s Nikita will never die! But. . . I digress.
Shen Jing is the best type of the SFC — she just does her job! If you’ve seen Olivia Colman in *The Night Manager* or *The Crown,* then you know the type. You wouldn’t spare her a second glance in the street, but an interaction at close quarters would be enough to enlighten you that you’re dealing with someone competent. Shen Jing is that sort, and she commands all her scenes.

I enjoyed this drama up to a point. More accurately, I was satisfied so long as the *villains* were winning. I was bored stiff once the pendulum swung back the other way. The heroes were bland and had no achievements but snitching. A society of slightly shady investment bankers can thrive; one packed to the brim with self-righteous auditors will stagnate. I kept yelling at the screen for Zhao Hui to move to Singapore before it was too late. Alas!

All in all, the story was pretty standard fare — neither yay nor meh. The production values were high, and I wasn’t bored.
Onwards to 2025!

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I was bracing myself to watch this drama. On one hand, after hearing this would be a romance drama with Park Shin Hye, I immediately thought, “Oh my gosh, she’s going to screw this up isn’t she, with her notoriously horrible on-screen kissing?” Then there’s Park Hyung Sik who was brilliant in SWDBS and soundtrack#1. So I was mildly surprised to see Shin Hye’s vastly improved lip-locking skills, but her crying skills were so bad that even my nine-year-old could outperform her.

Speaking of cringe, I wasn’t sure whether Hyung Sik was supposed to be a plastic surgeon in this drama, or a dentist, because the abundant times of him flashing his pearly whites were as if he’s trying to drum up sponsorship from Colgate. So it’s no wonder that, with his high visibility, that he’s an easy target. He went from high-profile to lying low in a nano-second, and somehow ends up staying at his ex-rival, previous crush’s house, because Korea is THAT small.  

And while both Ha Neul and Jeong Woo’s careers are in the dumps, they cling to each other like Jack and Rose aboard the small wooden door from the Titanic. Their acting could not save them both from this drama, but you know who does? Surprisingly, it’s the rest of the cast, who were more natural in their roles. Seong Ha and Yoon Park have this cute chemistry going on as the second couple, and they were adorable as Hong Ran and Dae Young. Both single parents leading busy lives and were awkward with their own children, but somehow could lend each other support and give sound advice for the other.

I also particularly loved Jang Hye Jin as Ha Neul’s mother; I’ve seen her in many dramas and she’s just that lovely ahjumma who embodies the nurturing figure, while trying her best to understand her daughter despite initial misconceptions. By no means perfect, she tries to impress her nosy, one-upping relatives, and in the end, learns to accept that her children’s health and happiness are more important than having illustrious careers.  

Another weak point in this drama is the surrounding mystery of how Jeong Woo’s patient died, or what made him the scapegoat for that death. Although I sensed who the culprit was from the beginning, I didn’t know that there were other layers in how this came to be. I wasn’t sure whether it was necessary to the plot, but I guess the writers deemed them important enough to include them in the drama.  

There were other half-assed attempts at introducing characters into the drama who bear very little relevance, aside from showing the juxtaposition between real friends who stick with you or pretend friends who are only with you, when things are going great.  

Ultimately, this series aims to tell you that misfortunes happen, but when they happen, it is how you cope with them that matters, and having supportive friends and family who help you along the way is a crucial part of that journey.  

IMHO, this show delivered the right message with partly the wrong execution.  

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I was though it will be something which I can’t stop to watching buuut ın the end nırının

It has a good start. Fantastic , you are wondering what happened. Strong FL, smart, rich amazing woman . She is full of revenge. also twins are amazing. they cab fight. Amazing. ML is strong, believe s equality. they are always together. very supportive each other. they talk everything. they are shy also very sweet. but after 25 episode you can’t find the our couple. they don’t have screen time. I am sick of the watching old guys . they talk talk talk. where is the our couple. because of this I just watched couple screen time and finish 5 episodes less than 30 minutes. After 25 episodes They decide to began ML’s brother story. I didn’t understand his love story and I am not interested at all. I just searched couple screen time. I am little bit sad.

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Good portrayal of depression.

Overall 8/10
🌟🌟🌟🌟

The drama is very captivating at first as I was really invested however I ended up dropping it towards the end for a few months before watching the last episode! Doesn't really stand out among the other dramas of 2024, however I really enjoyed the character development and relationships portrayed. Dr. Slump successfully showed how depression can seem like a blow out of nowhere for the person diagnosed. One can be so used to bottling up that it doesn't even become apparent to oneself that you are mentally unwell and tired. I appreciated how they showed her healing process and that depression is not something to be scared of. The drama can be a bit cringe at times but overall the drama was really good. Would definitely recommend watching!

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