Of Gentle Feelings and True Affection: A Tale to Delight the Heart and Enchant the Feelings
I must confess myself entirely governed by the inclinations of the heart when it comes to the subject of Korean dramas. Should a tale so enchant me — if it cause me to sigh with longing, to champion the felicity of the characters, to loathe the villains with untempered zeal, and to yearn most fervently for a romance of tenderness and charm — then, most assuredly, such a drama shall secure a cherished corner in my affections. I am not, by nature, of analytical disposition; I do not dissect performances nor assess the finer points of production. It is the whole, the sentiment, the essence that captivates me. And if the principal romance should stir the gentler parts of my soul, then I confess — my heart is quite entirely won over, without the least hope of recovery.Head Over Heels ensnared my sensibilities within mere moments of its first episode. I found in Park Seongah a creature of such innocence and ingenuousness, that I could not help but see a portion of myself reflected in her gentle manner. Nay, I envied her. I longed — ardently — to one day know an affection such as hers, kindled in but a single glance at Bae Gyeonuh. Her love was so sincere, so untainted, that I was transported into a reverie, dreaming sweetly of their union.
To witness the blossoming of his regard for her — steadfast, unwavering, and, in time, surpassing even hers in depth — was a source of endless delight. Perhaps it is the influence of my upbringing, steeped as it was in the romantic ideals of fairytales, where noble princes strove valiantly for the happiness of their beloveds, that rendered Gyeonuh’s devotion so very affecting. His every action bespoke his desire to shield Seongah, to ensure her welfare, and I was wholly under the spell of his quiet heroism from the very beginning.
I felt no grievance that the narrative did not extend to the resolution of his familial entanglements. Indeed, I am of the opinion that such individuals were unworthy of his presence, and their exclusion from the tale’s conclusion caused me no dissatisfaction.
The love shared by those two souls awakened in me a longing to one day experience an affection so earnest, so guileless — and, perchance, equally returned.
I have secured the entire drama for my private enjoyment, to preserve it for those occasions when I shall seek the comfort of nostalgia, and to feel once more the delightful tumult of emotions that their romance so exquisitely inspired.
For me, this drama deserves a resounding ten out of ten, for it is no ordinary story that may stir one’s heart to such heights, as did the tender and whimsical love between Seongah and Gyeonuh.
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This review may contain spoilers
It's okay but not a must-watch
A fast paced drama that will keep you entertained, but the a bit messy.The first part was interesting and really well done, but then Bongsu shows up and that's when the show starts derailing. Now I must say that I find Bongsu a very fun character to watch the problem is that the initial story has nothing to do with him. I feel like the first part of the show is about Seong A struggling with being a shaman and having a personal/school life and falling in love with Gyeonu, the unlucky boy that hates shaman and Seong A is trying to save from dying. The second part of the show is about Bongsu and they just forget about Gyeonu's problem.
I just feel like it could be two different stories or maybe a longer drama. And they definitely should have cut-off a few characters, not that I don't like the side characters, but the time used on them could have been used for other things.
The acting was nothing ground breaking but still good and the actors had a quite good comedic timing.
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Head Over Heels...Then Suddenly Flat on my face
“Head Over Heels” had a fantastic start — charming leads, genuine chemistry and a storyline that pulled me in from the very beginning. The pacing was smooth, the emotional buildup felt natural and I found myself truly invested in the characters' journeys. It had all the makings of a solid drama: laughter, growth, youth, friendship, longing and those little fluttery moments that make your heart skip.But then came the last two episodes — and suddenly, everything felt rushed. Plot threads that deserved time and care were tied up too quickly and the emotional weight the story had built seemed to lose its impact (with the time skips especially). I found myself wanting just a bit more closure, a bit more depth.
Still, I don’t regret watching it. It gave me plenty of moments to smile, sigh, and swoon over. The journey was worth it — I just wish the ending didn’t feel like it was in such a hurry to wrap up.
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Strong start, but weak finish
I'm always a fan of Young Woo, because of his great past performances ... so I stuck with this series right till the end. It was a great story at the beginning, along with great acting by the four protagonists in their roles, but somewhere about halfway through, things changed a bit for me. I found the direction of the plot a bit confusing at times, but as I said, I stayed with it, hoping it would correct itself. Unfortunately that didn't happen, it really didn't seem to be as interesting from the middle part of the series through episode 11. The finale did have some good direction toward the very end, but I think it was just a bit too far gone for me at that point. To no fault of Young Woo, Yi Hyun or Kang Yoon, giving all strong performances, but I just wish the last six or so episodes were as enjoyable to watch as the first six.Looking forward to his future projects!
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half romcom half thriller
half of the story tells you how evil this deity is , you should be fearful ! 100 soules have been fed to him . And the other half shows him like your friendly neighborhood ghost.Also this evil deity can switch bodies under specific circumstances through a kiss !!
Tbh I liked the show but the story was all over the place .
If not for the FL looks , I would have dropped it 😄
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Started off AMAZING, but fell short by the end
This drama was honestly amazing when i first started watching it. It had a unique premise, and a cute, relatable MC. I liked how the ML didn't magically start liking her, or recognise her from childhood, or any other cliche. The FL won him and others over with her genuine affection and kindness. I enjoyed that he had struggled a lot, and that this wasnt underplayed and forgotten within seconds. The quests to destroy ghosts and save him was interesting and engaging, whilst all the while the MCs built a connection and we got to learn about other characters. But then episode 8/9 happens. And suddenly the entire plot is thrown completely off track, everything is super complicated and incomprehensible, and the romance between the two is shattered. Even by the ending, they 'recover' things but nothing is really recovered. The drama has become angsty and frustrating. I will say that Bong-Su's background and story was absolutely golden - I cried for him so many times, it breaks my heart over and over again, but the choice to have him stay so long was a mistake. He should have crossed over in episode 10, and the hash this drama made of itself should have been resolved. Why turn a sweet, fun romantic drama into an angsty, dramatic mess? I was disappointed. The cast was amazing, in particular Cho Young Woo was STELLAR. The way he was able to switch personalities was incredible, he is seriously talented and the acting probably saved this drama from a 7/7.5 ranking.Was this review helpful to you?
Started Strong, Ended Wrong – A Shamanic Misfire
→ Recommend to Watch: Unfortunately, NoThis is going to be a short review—because honestly, the disappointment was so real, I don’t even feel like writing a long one. Which is saying something, because I’m usually pretty verbose.
→ What went Wrong:
I started this show for Choo Young Woo, having absolutely loved his performances in *The Trauma Code* and *No Mercy*. His acting is consistently solid, and I was excited to see him in something lighter. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the cringe romance and comedy—even though high school tropes aren’t really my thing anymore. The “shaman high schooler” concept was quirky and fresh, and the visuals, music, and early mystery had me hooked.
I paused after Episode 10 for as I had to go for a 2-week vacation, hoping to return to a strong, satisfying finale. But wow, as Shikamaru from *Naruto* would say: *“What a drag.”* The last4 episodes—especially the final 2—were a complete mess. I was literally pulling my hair out watching Episode 11. The story could’ve wrapped up neatly around Episode 8 or 10, but instead it dragged on with repetitive, emotionally hollow plot loops. One character sacrifices themselves, the other saves them, rinse and repeat. It was exhausting and boring!
→ Best Thing:
The silver lining? Discovering more of Choo Young Woo’s work, and being introduced to the FL actress and Ji Ho’s actor—both of whom I’m seeing for the first time and will definitely follow in future projects. They were bright spots in an otherwise uneven ride.
→ Overall:
I came back from vacation hoping for an epic finale and a reason to recommend this drama. Instead, I got a narrative nosedive. It started with promise—especially with the intriguing shaman twist—but ended in chaos. Disappointing.
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This show made you excited in the beginning, then you wonder halfway "How did they miss the mark?"
Head over Heels is one of those dramas that leaves you asking for so much more. It had a dynamic storyline with something new in every turn. The casting was great all around, and the plot gave such a dopamine hit when reading about it. I even digested and waited till I reviewed this one, simply because it was like a climax dream that you woke up from halfway in.I’m not entirely sure if it’s because of the westernization of dramas through Netflix or what, but while the story offered a lot, it didn’t deliver enough emotional pull for all the characters, only for the main female lead. It missed the mark when it came to fleshing out the other side characters, and it also left you confused as to why major plot points were introduced at random peaks in the story. It wasn’t like these additions brought a new dynamic that changed the direction; it felt more like, “Well, we only have so many episodes, so let’s just slap this important information here now so viewers won’t be left questioning.”
The drama had so much potential with its story, actors, and viewership. It simply left me feeling like, Damn, this would be so much better as a novel or with a full, well-developed script that included emotional plot points to draw viewers more deeply into the entire story.
Don’t get me wrong—it was okay. But it had so much room to be something truly great. It kinda missed the fullfilment of fans for these drama types, honestly.
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The chemistry between Cho Yi-hyun and Choo Young-woo is undeniable and the heart of the series. Together, they manage to convey the innocence and fervor of first love, making every moment of their relationship endearing and believable. Cho Yi-hyun shines in her role as a determined young woman who does everything possible to change destiny, while Choo Young-woo brings a vulnerability and warmth that make his character irresistible.
"Head Over Heels" successfully balances fantasy and romance in a refreshing way. The high school life scenes blend perfectly with the supernatural elements, creating a drama that is both exciting and touching. If you're looking for a K-drama that will make you laugh, take your breath away, and leave you with a warm feeling, "Head Over Heels" is a perfect choice. It's a memorable journey into the world of love, luck, and destiny that will leave you wanting more.
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1Who’s Giving This a 10? Are You Blind or Watching a Different Drama?
I'm shocked that people are giving this drama a 10 after finishing it. Are you still on episode 2 and already rating it a 10, or did you watch a completely different show? Because honestly, this really baffles me. I thought fellow K-drama fans had at least some intellectual honesty.This drama just doesn’t work, which is a shame. It had a great start — actually, a brilliant one. I still remember the first few episodes fondly: an original story, two young people in love, a kind best friend hopelessly in love with the female lead, strong supporting characters who helped the shaman grow, themes of insecurity, bad luck, and suicide. A mysterious villain. I’m talking about the beginning. If I were judging just those episodes, I’d give it a 9 without hesitation (not a 10 because the OST is basically nonexistent — a great drama needs a great OST too).
But from the mid-season onward, it all fell apart. I won’t spoil anything, but you all know the plot has massive holes. The rules of shamanism change every 10 minutes. Viewers can’t form theories; we’re just expected to sit there blankly while the shamans explain some “final” solution — only for it to be replaced 10 minutes later with “oh wait, there’s this other ritual we can try.” I felt completely taken for a fool.
The villain, who started off as mysterious, turned out to be just a petty person. Constantly saved by the good guys, only to keep committing crimes. Never punished. And don’t even get me started on the final two episodes — they were a joke. Huge time skips where everyone just moves on with their lives, then suddenly we’re on some archery mission across Korea looking for lost love. Come on… and then after four years someone just says Mr. X’s name and boom, everything is solved?
No way this deserves a 10. A real pity, because the cast was amazing and the special effects were great. But the OST flopped, and the script — especially the script — was a failure.
Still, I recommend watching it, because it’s an important drama.
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1We were running a marathon, but the end became a sprint.
What it felt like was watching well paced 1st and 2nd act, and then landing on the last line of the 3rd act - as if we skipped a whole bunch of scenes and plot line developments to only get a semi-satisfying conclusion.When you want a love triangle to become a square ⇢ Dynamics so go you don’t mind any mixes.
Probably one of the best love triangles (squares?) I have seen in kdramas for ages. No matter how I look at it, I believe in that aspect there was nothing to fix nor improve. Seong A with Gyeon U? Seong A with Ji Ho? Gyeon U with Ji Ho? However you mix it, they always delivered fun, heartwarming and entertaining scenes. And if we add one not so bad baddie to the mix, it becomes even more interesting.
You all could be heroes ⇢ Characters with individual charms and great presence.
As I said, all the dynamics worked perfectly, but that’s because these characters were actually well crafted individuals with distinctive personalities. Seong A might have seemed like a shallow cutesy teen, but under that bubbly persona there was so much emotional maturity and patience. Gyeon U might seem like your typical cold male lead with white wall personality, but there was actually so much warmth and determination behind it. And you might fear Ji Ho will be your typical jealous best friend, but this man had more heart in him than a lot of second male leads combined.
Turning casual jogging into race ⇢ When pacing escalates to ridiculous speed.
Up till episode 9 the pacing was amazing - balancing well the different plotline, building relationships, comedic bits and the thrills involving ghost and separate cases. You could clearly see it’s building to something bigger - the grand finale. And that’s where the disappointment lies - the ending. Honestly speaking the last act felt like watching a drama with a 9 years old child with zero attention span fast forwarding the plot to oblivion.
Maybe not everyone deserves a second chance? ⇢ Ending that leave a bad taste in my mouth
There were a few characters that had a bit too good of an ending if you ask me. Some got their “redemption” before the show ended and it all was just too… sweet and disney. I feel like the level of their bad decisions, acts and attitudes did not match the consequences they faced. Some characters had rather overwhelming stories that were concluded in an unsatisfying way. I understand the drama wanted to have a positive message and even the female lead was the pure ray of sunshine and hope, but maybe then they should have toned down the bad guys a little bit.
I actually really appreciated Yeom Hwa as a character. Her story was well built, explanations for her behavior hidden long enough to almost give me a heart attack from all the frustration, but not dragged too long I would drop the drama. Was the conclusion of her story satisfying? No. But then the only thing I truly found satisfying in the last 3 episodes was the comedy.
Fairytale land aesthetics - sometimes Disney, sometimes Grimm. ⇢ Production value fitting the story
I have to appreciate the aesthetics of the show. They knew exactly when to make it all pastel Disney to give us the cute and butterfly inducing moments. But they also knew how to make it more dark, but still well balanced and fitting the overall mood of the show. I must say, I liked the styling of the ghosts a lot and the way shamanism moments were filmed was just CINEMA.
Are you sure you are acting? ⇢ Performances that seemed natural
If I were to pick my favorite performances I’d go with Choo Young Woo (my guy was busy in the drama, delivered in all area, all type of emotions), Choo Ja Hyun (to make me hate a character so bad, and yet still feel pity for them, but yet still wanting them dead is a challenge) and Yoon Byung Hee (while Do Ryeong was mostly there for comedy, there were still many serious scenes, at times with more emotional impact that he was able to deliver perfectly). Cho Yi Hyun did a fantastic job too, don’t get me wrong, but somehow I was more excited for scenes of other characters than hers.
Overall, the ride was exciting and smooth until it wasn’t. The ending feels extremely rushed as if they cut 2 episodes from it. Technically we’ve got all the conclusions, but they mostly felt flat. Still - in terms of the rom-com vibes, it’s a solid A. Not even being a big fan of comedy, it was so good here, it became one of my favorite elements.
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they tried to cover so many things that it was frustrating.
Moral of the kdrama: No matter the problems, take this random solution that a minute ago you said didn't exist and was impossible.1) The protagonist's pouting made me grimace every time. Please, kdramas shine for having strong and intelligent protagonists (this last comment is personal i understand that many people enjoy characters like this )
2) Love triangles sometimes work, but this was love torture. My boy was practically there being The Third Thing 12 episodes, doing the lord work.
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