The Witch

The witch

First thing (I do not even know why I have a need to add disclaimer, from now on I will not do it anymore, it is my last one - cause everyone will have different opinion, there will be a lot of people who love some drama while I will hate it or many will hate while I will love it - so in general I gave it pretty high rating, many will rate it much lower, it is not perfect but as long as I have good time then I will rate it pretty high - to put it simply, it did not felt right to give it 7/10.
So moving on from this too long explanation - it is rather slow drama, no crazy action scenes but at the same time I do not think that it is a healing type.
Story in my opinion was interesting, what need to happened with her to end up with injuries or worse (and not only her) - although I wish there was explanation why actually this things was happening, if it was actual curse or what.
Yeah - Park Jin Young's (character of course) behaviour was too much as stalking, at the same time if he wanted to solved it there was no other way for it, still nod justifing his actions.
I do agree that it was not really love, not then (too early and they did not know each other well) - it was rather opening for it, letting them to actually be in each other's life and developed such strong feeling - also this city in Austria was beautiful.
Truth be told - there is definitely too many repeating of scenes - I know that it is often in dramas, I do not mind it but in this case there would be 8 episodes (maybe less) without retrospections - these time could be for second couple, to developed their connection/feelings more.
The cast is cute, they played really well, there is no way to not like Roh Jeong Eui in it.
Hmm also worth explaining is that many people thought that it was in the same universe as Moving (still have not watched) and Light shop (although flickering lamp reminded of it) - it is not, it is by the same author but not the same universe/story so if you want to watch only because of that then you will be disappointed (but I do think that if creator will want he could make it happened in one universe).
To sum up - it is slow and calm story but it is enteirtaining, especially if you watch something crazier at the time, it was my meantime for Burried hearts and "heal" after Newtopia ( I love it, need season 2), so perfect option to add something "lighter". In my opinion it is worth giving a chance.

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My opinions

I would say that the story is intriguing. Some critics that I have with this is are so many of the episodes are flashbacks. The first few episodes are purely flashbacks then the next are new information that come with even more flashbacks. The side couple could've used more time, because I'm not even sure where they started liking each other. The main couple I could see it building up, with them playing seemingly insignificant roles in each others lives during high school, I could see how much the ML liked the FL which was cute( even without the "stalking") and I could see her gradually starting to like him. Like when she was trying to give him the energy drink, and was relieved when he said he wasn't hurt because of her, and how worried she was when he was going to tell her that he liked her on her rooftop. I liked how they built a series of relationships, example being when he was delivering her food and they went down the receipt checking if everything was correct. How she started to appreciate his company and the conversations that they shared. I see how the main couple ended up together. I think fear was keeping the FL away. The second couple I don't know how that happened.

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The mystery of this student, nicknamed witch, leads this classmate to study statistics. He will sacrifice his whole life to discover the variables for the accidents and deaths that surround her.
For some, this obsession of his could compare him to a "stalker" for others only the fact that he is in love with her and wants to find a way to get close to her without dying.
The ending, a bit like "Crash landing on you", in Austria instead of Switzerland, but it reminded me a lot.
If I were her, I would have immediately gone to an exorcist rather than live a solitary life.
I honestly watched this series for the main character, Park Jin Young, singer of GOT7.

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Statistical Variables of the Witch's Curse Breaker

Once again I prove that ratings aren't everything. The Korean drama The Witch only got a rating of 7.9 from Mydramalist, then dropped to 7.7 at the end of the episode.

Korean viewers were also less enthusiastic about this drama, seen from the acquisition of only 1.3% (nationwide) in period 9, and 2.6% (nation wide) in episode 10, not even entering the top ten of Seoul viewers (Source: AGB Nielson)

There are many reasons. Among them are the presentation of data that is confusing for many people, and the two main characters who have not met. Imagine Lee Dong-Jin (played by Jin Young) only met face to face with Park Mi-Jeong (played by Roh Jeong-Eui) in episode 6!

The rest of Lee Dong-Jin only stalks the girl he loves and does some hypothetical proofs, whether he was unlucky (had an accident or even died) when he met Park Mi-Jeong, or not?

This, for some viewers, might be annoying.

I actually like it! Yes, statistics to break the rumor, that's interesting! Moreover, the casting is very fitting, Jin Young who has a childish appearance becomes a stalker because he wants to save the life of Park Mi-Jeong, a beautiful girl with a gloomy face and is in a slump.

In addition to Jin Young's busy breaking the Park Mi-Jeong rumor with his various researches, I also like Jin Young's very close relationship with his mother.

The scene where his mother gets angry when Jin Young reports his GPA is 4.5 is very funny! Hahaha, that GPA is very high, but those who have never been to college certainly don't understand.

The rhythm of the Korean drama The Witch is quite slow, but it can be understood because Lee Dong-Jin is proving his hypothesis. The slowness of the drama is also intentional so that the audience is nervous about the possibility that Lee Dong-Jin will be injured or die.

But overall, writernim arranges the storyline gradually and comfortably to enjoy. Each character is explained carefully, the relationships between characters, and the haunting mystery that must be solved.

Although honestly I'm a bit annoyed with the inclusion of another character who has a disorder like Park Mi-Jeong. Lee Dong-Jin's best friend suddenly falls in love with Park Mi-Jeong's best friend out of nowhere.

Maybe the writer wanted to make a surprise, but …….... oh well. 😊😊

Full review can be read at https://www.maria-g-soemitro.com/2025/03/the-witch-kutukan-penyihir.html

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It felt like an almost

I liked how the story was progressing, but as it approached the end, everything felt forced—especially the second couple. The buildup for the first couple’s relationship was lacking since the previous episodes mainly focused on the experiment. Their only interaction was when he was delivering food—just that.

I was expecting a nice flow until the end, but they ended it really badly. However, their acting was really good that's why I was really hoping for this drama to end well.

I hope they extended it until episode 12, I think they didn't know how to end it with only 10 episodes.

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Unique, slow and strong story

not the typical mushy mushy romatic story. slowburn, looks like only 10 episodes.. im really enjoying the buildup. at the episode 6 end the ML and FL just came face to face.

park jin young is brilliant till now. subtle acting, nothing over the top. the class he holds in devil judge you can see in this role too. what a wonderful versatile actor. contrast it with outgoing jolly character in he us psychometric.

waiting for last 4 episodes. hope they font disappoint from this point on.
takes you back to old time korean content when not everything used to be spelled out. audience was considered to be smart. with international audience i feel to cater to the masses, they stopped msking unique stories. im happy this genre is coming back

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COMPELLING CONCEPT WITH A SOMEWHAT SLOPPY EXECUTION

The premise of the drama was very intriguing.

As for my thoughts on the story and its elements, I initially thought that they hadn't mentioned anything about a supernatural or fantasy element to maintain interest or surprise factor, and it engrossed me. However, as I continued watching, I realised that the events surrounding Park Mi Jung had nothing to do with magic or a curse, and I was dying to understand why such accidents surrounded her.

Although Dong Jin's actions were extreme in wanting to help solve this mystery, his intentions for her to live a happy life were genuine. His feelings started as a curiosity when he was a high schooler since Mi Jung's circumstances made her the talk of the town, but felt almost like a fixation or obsession rather than a crush at some point. Although I do understand that due to the FL's circumstances, it was less a question of whether she wanted help or not, but more of how his feelings towards her and the mistreatments she faced, forced him to take a stand I helping her when barely anyone was there to stop the horrible rumours and accidents. However, I appreciated how both Dong Jin and his friend admitted to the fact that he did indeed stalk Mi Jung, no matter whether his intentions were good or bad.

The best or unusual side to this drama was how the ML used data and statistics to understand the events and accidents surrounding the FL. Although all the patterns and variables made sense, it was still a bit unrealistic and illogical how someone could have such "Rules of Death" surrounding them, as this drama was depicting real life and not a fantasy story. The ending and the connection between Mi Jung and Jung Hyuk ultimately presented that this drama was not telling a story of whether curses or witches were real, but was more a metaphor of sorts, almost like your typical fairytale ending, where true love conquers all. It was a story of how superstitions and similar beliefs make people's lives so lonely and isolating since they have no control over them being unlucky/cursed. I am still somewhat perplexed by the ultimate meaning, but that could be me trying to get too into depth.

I am going to mention however that Mi Jung confessing her love for Dong Jin at the end felt a bit forced. Yes, sometimes love can come from a place of deep care for someone and grows from there, and she was indeed worried about Dong Jin. Most importantly, she would not have gone to Dong Jin if she did not want to be with him or had some feelings for him. But that last variable, where Dong Jin tried to make her fall in love with him, was it really for her to have a happy life with someone by her side or more him forcefully putting himself in her life by making himself the last variable? As mentioned above as well, both these questions show this obsessive need for Dong Jin to make Mi Jung's life a happy ending.

The lead actors did a good job in portraying their characters, with Jin Young and Roh Jong Eui showing versatility. The cinematography was very well thought out. The grey and almost foggy colour grading throughout the drama emphasizes the sentiment of isolation and loneliness that the FL has experienced her whole life. The OST further creates this eery, sad and mystic atmosphere that further envelopes you in the story.

Yet, the story could be considered disorganised and could have been done better, as the slow pacing and repetitiveness failed to keep many viewers engaged. However, I do believe that for the type of story being told, the pacing and the way it was directed/edited somehow worked in creating suspense and inquisitiveness and managed to keep me engaged till the end.

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if you’re the kind of person that craves being nosy for the sake of science.

I didn’t realize how repetitive the story was until someone pointed it out in episode 6, I was just enjoying it. That’s quite curious to me because I normally get bored really easily, seeing the same things tires me out, cof cof [A Good Day to be a Dog] cof cof, but I hadn’t realized this about this story.

While watching, I was completely engrossed in it. That said, yes, the story doesn’t have a lot to offer. The tone tries to be melancholic, tries to invoke a yearning that falls flat as soon as you start to think about what is happening in the story.

The twist in episode 9 felt really good while it was happening, but then, followed by episode 10, everything felt too convenient for the main story and for the Twist.

I think The Witch is a story where you enjoy the journey if you’re the kind of person that craves being nosy for the sake of science. That’s me, sometimes I think to myself, “What if I stalk this person?” But you know, just one of those thoughts that makes you doubt your morals.

Now, keep in my that althought The Witch is based on a story originally written by the same author of Moving and Light Shop and those other adaptations were written by the author themselves, this adaptation was written by another writer.

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Promising premise but quick demise.

As an academician, I found the entire premise of rigorously proving or disproving some phenomena through empirical evidence and experimentation really intriguing . But I felt that to some extent the feelings played more important role than the facts.
It begun pretty well, setting up the background and history, but towards the end things started to feel a bit rushed and discontinuous. Also some moments in the show felt a bit unnatural at times(apart from the obvious witch part).
The ending felt really rushed and kinda forced, like the buildup so big and the result in the final few minutes in the last episode, like wtf?
The love story of the MC's best friend felt like total nonsense and forced.
The OSTs were pretty good and suitable.
Not much complaints about the acting.
They had a strong idea but I feel like they didn't think it through till the end, and didn't quite make what they aimed to make.

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GREATNESS SHALL COMES FOR WHOM WHO WAIT

This slowburn drama its not everyone cup of tea, but its intriguing to see how ML make every deduction on every circumstances that involved in FL life, with such dedication, and as ML collecting data as data miner, stalking involved because its needed for data accountability and fact checking, almost every crime / mystery solving will involved stalking.
But it will be better if you watch it as once, maybe 4 or 5 epi to make you more understand about the story telling and layers in the drama.
Both ML FL captivates great emotions, the shoot is beautiful, its pay a lot to details in every frame.
So i cant wait to see where the story goes...

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Watch at 1.5 speed

Quick review. You can literally watch the drama comfortably at 1.5x speed. It's not an exaggeration. It's SOOO slow and has constant flashback and repetitions. The so far 8 episodes could have been reduced to 4. I'm not joking. It's his pov, her pov, flashbacks, flashbacks, at start of new episodes are 5 mins repeated scene from previous episode.
To add to turtle pace are the slow scenes. It's a minute or 2 of fl walking down the stairs, looking at scenery or ml driving.... Like why... Why!?
The only reason I'm still watching this drama is because I want to know how it concludes. Because I can't seem to predict or theorise on what to expect. So holding painfully and stubbornly till the end. The acting is not bad. Can't critize much. Soundtracks not particularly memorable however its calm and good.
I do want to add;
It's an explainable romanticised weird stalking by ml to fl so it might make one uncomfortable. It certainly did to me 🤦🏽‍♀️

Overall - Not worth the watch, you can just read a plot spoiler which probably won't be longer than this review, to tell you the whole story 🤣

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