Reviews

Finale didn´t do justice to the greatness of the drama in general

Over the course of three seasons the writer came up with this beautifully written makjang (one of the best I´ve seen in a while).
It was full of plot twists which sometimes we didn t see them coming, making the drama even more enthusiastic, and even when the twists were a little (tag fantasy) the writer made sure to explain everything in detail which made them more realistic.
In the first 2 seasons i gave full 10 stars, and even in this final season with many incongruities, the drama stayed true to its nature, giving briliant twists till the end. However this season was not the best, because even if ALL Hera kids had their own character development and had a fairly happy ending, most adult characters, the good ones had a soulless, heartless ending or the bad guys ending that wasn´t bad enough for their evil deeds.
I must point out Shim su ryeon, who was my favorite character throughout the whole seasons because of her strong attitude, resillience and kindness, didnt match these traits in the finale of penthouse, however I can still understand her ending and others too. It was bad because it was a beautiful makjang but in the end turned out just a simple drama with a basic ending, it doesn´t make any sense, still sad with the ending. Nevertheless I still recommend it to everyone to watch all seasons, cuz only then will you witness the greatness of this series, it is still one of the most brilliant makjangs with greatly developed characters despite the (in my opinion) not so fitting end.
Hope it helped!

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Super fun mysteries + cute, romantic couples = light-hearted detective show

Woww, I loved this show so much! It does a great job in not adhering to tiring tropes such as evil second female lead, super nice second male lead, love triangles/unnecessary entangelements, etc. Watching this show made me feel at ease with how wonderful the main and secondary couples were, how well they worked together, and how much they loved each other. It was balanced with an intricate mystery that the characters worked to solve as they grew together.

PROS
❀ It had a couple of well-done tropes | Including hidden identities and revenge for family. Each mystery the team solved became a step towards solving the main villain's plans, which made for a solid storyline that I didn't get tired of.
❀ A+ teamwork | I don't have enough words to express how much I love the main team that comes together. We have a detective (FL), general/prince (ML), martial artist (my fave himbo), poisoner (wish we got a character arc for her), and chef (so cute). Perfectly balanced with a fun/friendly dynamic. I absolutely loved their camaraderie and antics.
❀ A+++ romance | Phew... I ADORED the romances. It was so nice to see how gentle, kind, and loving the male lead Pei Yan Zhi was. He first encounters the female lead Su Ci while she's investigating and is impressed with her... after that, their fates become intertwined. Su Ci is a dedicated detective who is observant and sharp-witted. Her keen eyes are a great complement to PYZ's sensitive hearing. She's pretending to be a man to figure out the truth behind the death of her Bai Liang clan in the past, which has to do with a sinister plot going on.
❀ Don't change the woman, change the society | The script had inspiring female leads that you really want to root for. I loved how once PYZ realizes SC is a woman, instead of trying to mold/change her into someone who conforms to society, he makes plans to change society itself so she can fit in. Wow,,, the dedication.
❀ Mystery plots were pretty well-done | While the detective work was pretty superficial (conjectures based on observations and such), I like how they were all related to the bigger plan going on. The villain wasn't the most developed, but he made for a satisfactory antagonist to beat. There was also surprisingly good fighting choreo too!
❀ Aww @ the brother relationship | I liked how the kid emperor was good bros with PYZ rather than wary of him for wanting to take the throne. The whole time, PYZ is loyal to the emperor without need for any rewards and in general tries to stay away from court politics. We stan a humble and smart male lead.
❀ Another bullet point for the romance that made me gush | When the leads get together, I love how physically close they were and how well they worked together to solve crime. Also, A+++++ kiss scenes. There's not a lot, but a couple of them were quite swoonworthy.
❀ Happy ending that makes you want more | The ending is definitely satisfying but I would have loved some extra episodes of the characters doing more detective work. Their teamwork is just impeccable!!

CONS
✕ Misunderstanding level: 3/10 | There's a (kind of) necessary misunderstanding that lasts for literally an episode. It's a grave misunderstanding for sure that was caused by the FL's momentary emotional response, and it gets resolved super quickly. No misunderstandings just for the sake of screentime.

OVERALL
While this drama was more romance-centric than mystery-solving, I liked it exactly like that. The characters' antics always made me laugh and the female leads had a subtle, quiet strength that was really attractive. This is best for a light watch where you can gush at the characters and their romances with detective work in the background.

(Note: My rewatch value is set to 5.0 always as a default as I'm not the type to rewatch dramas EVER. Thus, I do not take it into account when calculating overall score.)

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Why Cute?

The title is not corresponding to the meaning of the series.
When they want to say that women can do it, they must not mention how cute or not is a woman. They lose the target.
It was a bit boring in the beginning but after about ten episodes the style changes and becomes faster.
The two male leads give a serious advantage to the series, but the plot is having some gaps.
Anyway it was a pleasant series to get your time by but nothing more this. I have seen more interesting ones that include a lot of technological data and innovations as well.

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Abysmal plot; Good cast

Writer chew more than she could handle.

There were two distinct parts of the story: fantasy romance of 2 realms and palace drama. From the moment she decides to mix the two that's where disaster starts to brew. The transition from fantasy part to just historical palace defies a lot of logic. There were gigantic plotholes in how ML goes to present, how they seesaw between they can and cannot touch each other, how someone else could hear ML, how if he sleeps he can choose not to dream of her of which he would enter her realm. And then how wishing on a special lunar phenomena transports her to the past in time to see another female of the same face passing away. And she conveniently assumes her identity. The amnesia bit was ( ༎ຶ ۝ ༎ຶ ).. All this gave me a headache in digesting and then choosing to suspend the logic thinking part of my brain to continue watching.

My biggest issue was how it then became a solidly palace drama full of scheming females and inciting unrest in the backpalace and discord among the princes. Worst of the lot is Ming Hui who has a huge grudge against Ming Wei of which Xiao Wei of present shares the same face. This palace bit starts from about 1/3 in to the drama and lasted til ep 39. So I'm telling you if you dislike palace politics like me it means a lot of skipping of scenes.

As to why i still gave a solid 7.0 scoring despite my huge grievances with the drama. Its because of the cast. Both Li Lan Di and Wang An Yu are super young but sparkling in this drama. They deliver depth where possible and their banter were pleasantly cute and sweet. There's that good push pull, action reaction when you get a CP with chemistry. Its only the plot problems that cause IQ cells of Xiao Wei to dwindle when she went back into history. The last 20minutes also gave the show some bonus points.

I wouldnt recommend this drama. I started it when going through Li Lan di's pastwork and decided to give it a go. It doesnt sticks with you like Scarlet Heart does and i dont think its fair to compare.

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PROS AND CONS OF THIS DRAMA

PROS:
Brilliant acting by Fan Bing Bing. The chemistry between Li Zhi & Meiniang is awesome. I love the costumes. Even insignificant concubines have pretty dresses. The music is really catchy. Overall very enojyable.
BTW this show might be a little confusing at first because there are many characters and clans but you'll get used to it later on. Also, skip the intro/theme song and the outro cuz they contain spoilers.
CONS:
The years and months in this show go by kinda fast. Also, some parts are a little historically inaccurate like the Princess Anding thing. Also, It would've been better if they finished off Taizong quicker and showed us more Meiniang x Zhinu & it would've been more accurate too because irl Meiniang spent more time with Li Zhi than Li Shimin/Taizong.
Anyway, the drama is interesting but I suggest you to watch a historical drama before this cuz it might be confusing if u haven't watched a historical show before and don't know about the whole consort concubine system. I recommend Empress Ki.

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Well, at first, I didn't expect much from this drama and watching it just to kill the time. But unexpectedly I enjoyed it, a lot. The male lead, I watched him for the first time in One and Only and even I don't like his role a the crown prince, but I like his acting. And I was so shocked when I knew he's only 19. Omo!! He's going to be big someday I bet. And I hooked with his role as Mo Qing Chen, the 2nd Prince who exiled himself from the palace because of his inability to feel or to taste anything. And I love the FL also. Instead damsel in distress formula that almost every drama follow, Lin Chi is a clever and witty girl. And I love love love the ML and FL interaction, their chemistry is over flowing. You would never know there's quite an age gap between them (ML 19 and FL 27). They're sooooo lovey dovey.
But I kind of sorry to Prince Rui. Yes, he is bad, but he is kind of lonely also. And (I forgot his name) the one who play the role of Prince Rui, I watched 3 of his drama and his role is always like this.
Overall, this drama is worth to watch. And yes, it's a happy ending drama. I myself replayed a few scenes of Mo Qing Chen and Lin Chi. Love this couple.

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I was annoyed at Xiao Chun Hua at some point.. SGQY is the MVP~!!

This drama has a clear plan layed out well but I find it irritating at some point. However, I can't discredit it for such petty reasons since I still enjoy it as a whole.

The first few episodes made me bored but it was able to pick up it's own pace. Anyways, I think it's also because of my mood that time so I never really treated it as a boring drama at all.

Moving on lemme just pin-point/highlight some things I was particular with this story...

× Love-Hate feelings for the FL for being so idealistic and righteous.
× Shangguan QiuYue's Unconditional, Selfless and genuine love for Chunhua made me go soft all of the time. He got some weird yet straightforward way of showing his affection that made the story extra lovely and fun to watch.
× Xiao Bai exudes so much Papa's boy Vibe for me. His idea always abides to his father/clans teachings and it made me feel sour of his character.
× Leng Ying killing Feng Cai Cai's father could be a great drama twist that I anticipated for it so much but turned out to be a great missed. They really try hard to preserved its light-hearted mood to such extent where plot holes arises.

Anyways, Still a Good drama to watch. I finished it longer than usual because of my crazy schedule but it's still worths it.

Story - 9.0, They tried so hard to keep it light-hearted that it misses some great drama plot opportunities and that leads to some questions and flaws rising one by one. I was never particular of such scenes but I felt disappointed that they didn't fully utilize it considering it has long 40 episodes.

Acting/Cast - 9.5, Acting are really good and convincing same with how the cast executed their characters. It's just I have some distastes towards some characters. Which is something personal.

Music - 10 Great choice of Music. I specifically love the Fun Narration with the opening theme and the insert songs were also good.

Rewatch Value - 9.0, Still deserving of such high score cause It simply showcases a lot of good points as well. I can never mistreat/misjudge a drama just because I hate some pieces of it.

Overall - 9.5, I honestly wanted to give it a 9.0 rating but Shangguan Qiu Yue saved this whole production for me. He's the MVP of this drama as a whole. A male lead who's reasonable, tactical and loving.

IF you find my reviews helpful please let me know.

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Slow & Depressing ...

Okay so this drama is not what I expected it to be, even it is some what enjoyable.

The first part was more like an awakening. Like a realization of a blooming of youth. Meanwhile in this, it will depict the changes that come with college life and access to adulthood. Once again I am in awe with his skills in conquering both of our hearts with the way he takes the character of Teh, the always avid dreamer and aspiring actor and then we have PP being his adorable self, taking us in an emotional ride by how well he shows Oh-aew struggles through the screen. The way they can draw emotions in their roles is truly amazing. PP with just his expressions alone can really makes us see the pain and suffering that his character is going through, that talent hasn't changed from the first season to this one, on the contrary their acting has only gotten better,

It's a trial and error this thing called LIFE., this is what I can establish so far from this drama, learning what you are or what to become, realizing the mistakes you make, and how you grow from that.

They could not have chosen better actors for this series. The chemistry between them is immaculate, you can feel it through your screen. You can see their emotions, and you feel with them. When they cry, you cry with them and when they're happy, you're happy for them. Not a lot of actors can make me feel like that. They portrayed the relationship, the ups and downs and the love so well this season. The final episode was so heartwarming. I was so happy when Oh-Aew said that he finally loves himself, I felt really proud.

Overall: It is a bit on the depressing side at times, but it does touch on what real life or what could happen after Uni.

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Sweet & Hilarious

I had little to no expectations going into Fish Upon the Sky, as I found the trailer and concept pretty underwhelming and cliché.

Its one those dramas you can literally watch with your eyes closed, I found it really sweet and funny most of the times, and the characters worked well together. This is absolutely one of, if not, THE funniest GMMTV series I've seen. I find a lot of the delivery comedy wise in GMMTV series to be a little cringe and sometimes hard to find funny, but this series does not have that problem in the slightest. Although Pi and Mork have some really funny scenes, especially towards the beginning, the humor really shines in the "Story of a fifth-year student" scenes with Meen and Duen. Both of them have really perfect comedic timing, and the ridiculousness of their scenes are so fun to watch!

If you are looking to have a lot of fun, see one of the best sibling relationships I've seen on a drama in a while, and aren't looking for a cinematic masterpiece, this show might be for you. For all its faults I don't regret any time I've spent watching it.

Overall: It was a sweet and funny drama, that you could watch without any thought process to it.

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it was not much that touched me.

I did not get any feelings at al, while l watching this series, there was no chemistry between the actors Yoon Shi Yoon and Ahn Hee Yeon, I have to admit, i did not like her.. I was thining that it was good that it was only 8 episodes. The dialogue was bad and unethical. What therapy would try to sleep with his client ...

Yoon Shi Yoon certainly played very well, I must say. He is good. Kim Seol Jin was fantastic as a friend.> Is this is best performace ever?

But the story did not last, became uninteresting and something was missing. It did not feel noting. It felt wrong that he would end up with his old flame. No. I hope that Yoon Shi Yoon will soon be able to play in a romantic comedy where chemistry exists and the big story lasts.

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Best romcom ever!

I really hope the ending will not dissapoint me but sofar, this drama is the perfect comedy for me:
- BIG APPLAUD for the script, which is excellent, I love all the side stories which I usually skipped. I love the Hye Jin and her close friend chemistry, the grandma's loneliness, people who look like weirdos at first sight but are in fact more deep and blundering people. It's very realistic and I do like the warm viewpoint, the authors have a very human way to see all the characters.
- Each characters have their lovely scenes and its helps understanding the main plot. And frankly their acting is great! As I said I love the girls' chemistry between Hye Jin and Mi Seon, and the secondary romance between Mi Seon and the policeman. Hwa Jeol, the loving mother and good wive is nicely despicted. The villagers are not idealised, nor despised, their are shown in a warm and realistic way. Even the guest
actors, like the chicken seller has his charm! And oh my! Their know how to play comedy. I laughed a lot!
- Frankly, I came to watch because of SMH and KSH and the main couple did great. The comedy timing is perfect! They are also blundering people: at first we see how clumsy is Hye Jin and the male lead seems too perfect for me. But as the story progresses, Doo Shik also shows his weekness. EXPERIENCE MATTERS, it's good to see older actors like KSH and SMH act, they masters the scene in the bickering moments, tenders moment and of course, the kissing moments... Here, there is not some clumsy and akward scenes played by a former idol but really experienced and talented actors. They deseve our praises.
- THANKS also because the love triangle doesn't last long! It was nicely wrapped and the second lead did a great job. I love the fact that there are two caring male leads and not the typical tsundere ML versus caring ML. It's quite realistic, Hye Jin is a caring person and she does attract pure and caring people. The main romance has a very nice progress.
It might be too fluffy some people, too plain for others and now with this pandemic period, I think it's the right time to watch a comforting drama like this one. I smile, laugh and cry a lot when watching it, I fall for all the characters ans rewatched it for sure !

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It's a 10!!!

After a long time I watched a really refreshing drama,this is really worth ur time it isn't just abt a love story but abt ur youth, passion,love, dreams.I totally loved every moment in it. I will someday rewatch it. The cast were all really amazing, I really liked the main leads chemistry a lot and the other two couples were adorable as well. I really appreciate the directors and writers and all those who participated in this amazing drama. I really never wrote a proper review before, this is the first time so pls don't mind my mistakes if any, but, I hope u could watch it and experience all those tender feelings in this drama.

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LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

At it's worst, what desperation can mean to many when pushed to the maximum, even at the cost of gambling their lives away in life threatening games. Competing for the grand cash prize of ₩45 Billion (USD38 Million), these contestants know that it is the only way for them to resolve their financial problems which are hounding them incessantly in their daily lives. Hence, the game starts with the famous "Red Light, Green Light" ....followed by a series of childhood games which gets harder and thrilling by each episode. Imagine....as the game starts with 456 contestants, ending with "Squid Game", with ONE last person standing in the end...., how many are 'assassinated' along the way, as each and everyone try to stay alive in whatever means they can.

This genius of a drama is not only able to keep our attention with it's visually and mentally thrilling games, but as it unfolds, it also tells a story of basic human nature of kindness, love, greed, betrayal, sacrifice and much much more depicting the good and bad that exists in each of us. And that, when it comes the time to decide, one can 'choose' to do the right thing.......or not.

Like many, I was also SURPRISED by this survival drama. Not a fan of action dramas and too over-loaded by romance drama, I was not thinking that Squid Game will be a likely choice for me to watch. Thought I'd just watch one episode and call it a day. But, I kept hanging on to it and spent a full day binge watching 9-episodes and after that thought to myself 'dang', what a fabulous show, even till the last drop!

I have not seen Lee Jun Jae since 2010, "The Housemaid", that I nearly forgot what a great actor he is. In Squid Game, he played his character Gi Hun (No. 456) so well, from the gullible, trusting, loser of a guy to a true survivor, is well deserved of an award. His best friend Sang Woo - No. 218 (Park Hae Soo) is no slacker too, who in the drama, is the head of an investment team at a securities company, wanted by police for cheating his clients.

The rest of the cast (1) Sae Byeok-No. 67 (Jung Ho Yeon) North Korean defector, (2) Il-Nam-No. 1 (Oh Yeong Su) elderly man with a brain tumor, (3) Deok Su-No. 101 (Heo Sung-taek-su) a gangster with massive gambling debts, (4) Abdul Ali-No. 199 (Anupam Tripathi) a Pakistani foreign worker, (5) Han Mi-nyeo-No. 212 (Kim Joo-ryoung) a mysterious and manipulative woman who claims to be a poor single mother AND (6) Wi Ha-joon -Guard No. 29 (Hwang Jun-ho) a police officer who sneaks into the Game as a guard to find his missing brother are ALL worth mentioning for their perfect acting. Not a single flaw and had great energy playing off each other's strengths and together with the two main leads.

Such a memorable show. As you watch, there are also many clues from what the actors say and surroundings.....keep a look out on the walls too! This drama has now such a huge global following....kudos to another Korean show that is truly entertaining and well suited for international consumption.

And, finally, last but not the least, having Gong Yoo and Lee Byung Hun in special appearances was the icing on the cake!! Writer and Director Hwang Dong Hyuk (who also directed Gong Yoo in "Silenced") did a fabulous job. Such a genius, I await eagerly for the second season of Squid Game.

Squid Game is a highly recommended watch, don't miss it!

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It was ok

I thought it was a good drama I also fast forward a lot of scenes that I felt was boring yes the drama touch me a lot cause I also have mental issues and some scenes made me more emotional than others would have felt I thought that the actors did a good job with there roles I do wish we get a spin off for Bao Ling and Rou Shen I kind of want to know what happens to him and her if they get together how did he become and idol like so many questions but I hate the fact that the episodes all the way up to 24 were flash backs it could have done so much better if half of it was flash backs and the rest giving us what happens to them getting back together and also showing us how roushen becomes an idol again I don't think it was a waste of time to watch I do recommend people watch it and give there honest opinions on it then only seeing half of the drama and dropping it I also would say that this drama will be on my like list for dramas unfortunately it didn't make it to my favorite list

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Beautiful story

Honestly so far I been loving the story so much! ?☺️ I think it’s because of two reasons it contains animations and the couple it’s really relatable. Every episode I’ll either be laughing my ass off or grinning like an idiot. I honestly wasn’t going to give a try since the male lead is been only evil characters before but ngl in this drama he is a cute pie and don’t get me started with yumi she’s so cute and an overthinker like me lmao. This drama hasn’t been completed but honestly so far is really good. I recommend it 100 percent ❤️ I’ll be back once it’s over airing.

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