Not a rewatch
I consider myself to rate the shows that I watch pretty aggressively lolThat being said, around episode 7 is where I stopped watching. (I also could’ve just dropped the show at the first few eps) but I continued mainly to see if the plot would develop, but I just kept thinking to myself throughout like what the HECK is going on man.
Mainly got into watching because of the main leads, but other than that not much else is interesting in my opinion.
I’ve now started watching Nine Puzzles.
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What was all the hype about??
The only intresting thing about the whole series was the drawings and still the reason behind it was so meh.It was so boring but i kept watching in hopes of getting better but nope. It drained me so badly. You can watch it if you want but don't expect anything amazing out of it.
And they didn't even explained about the snow ghost guy and what was going on with him. Like how can a normal guy run so fast as if he's superman. And the eyes??? Those days contact lenses wasn't invented yet so wth??
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im lost???
i watched this drama months ago but i still don’t know what to think of it. i literally don’t know how to rank it of even feel about it. maybe cause i watched it with my mom, who prefers to watch it subbed, but im utterly confused. that’s why i gave it a 4. i need to give a rating to submit my review but i actually really don’t know how to rank it.it was kinda disturbing too..
!!!SPOILER!!!
the FL fell in love with the ML thinking he was her brother?? it was so disturbing to watch even though we knew he wasn’t. that’s not the only thing tho. maybe cause i’m not used to these typ of things but it was really weird.
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what did I just watch
pro: let say it keep you thing about the characters and storycon
there lot is to many to say
the drama not is bad but would not say it good that make me say let me watch again next couple of months later but music in the show was very moving. one thing that was off putting brother and sister relationship that was going that didn’t need to see. the mother and father was out of control in what we’re doing to the ml and fl as well as disgusting prince kidnapping all the children just to a ritual and banded with tattoos that killed the ml.
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A GREAT WATCH!
Actually, this is my first time writing a review. I just think that I have to jot down a review given how great the drama but underrated it is LOL.The plot was great but still needs some refinement, I think, at least for me. I find every episode intriguing that keeps me want to watch more. It's just kinda bit of gore with all the bloodly scenes and violence depicted especially on children. Though, everything was just right for the plot.
For this one, Lee Jae Wook has really won my heart. Dude - he nailed his role. I have watched some of his dramas like the "Alchemy of Souls" and "The Impossible Heir", but he got me going crazy with this one. It reached a point that when he cries or even a single tear just came out of his eye, it also makes me want to cry with him. His character was deep and scarred that makes you feel with him. I salute the actor for portraying it so greatly.
For Jo Bo Ah, she was good. I just don't get why she's being bullied by her acting skills. She did well too as Jae-yi actually. People are saying she's lacking the ability to express the emotions of her characters but nah I don't really agree. I noticed the hate and critique since she starred in "The Tale of the Nine Tailed Fox" with Lee Dong Wook. Maybe the netizens were just jealous that she got good looking male leads with her LOL, kidding tho.
All the villains from Grand Prince Hanpyeong (The Painter) , Sim Yeol-guk, Min Yeon-eui and at some point Moo-jin also played very well. They successfully caught my anger honestly. Thankfully, they payed pretty well by the end. Oh soo satisfying when the hands of the painter b@stard was cut down with his face torn up HAHAHA. For Yeol-guk that is the painter's accomplice all along was shot down by his past lover while Yeon-eui got totally crazy. Then, comes Moo-jin, he was pretty annoying especially when he asserts his love to the FL and tries to eliminate the ML so that he gets want he wants. Thankfully, Moo-jin realized and tried to correct his wrong doings (well just by saving Jae-yi the last moment).
For me, I was really expecting more from Kkot-nim and her organization. I think her story was not highlighted. It could have been better if she does her revenge big time instead of just hiding. She was yet again striked and suffered the loss of her brother before she even got to shot the man who she once loves and believes that would protect her. Thus, the snowman, I really thought that he plays a more bigger part in the story since he was the most highlighted antagonist from the very start. I was expecting something like he was also a victim of the painter given he's snow like skin. Turns out his just a minor character like any other HAHAHA. The connection of the guild to the painter too was kind of vague. How could they possibly agreed with other to do child trafficking. I wanted more from that part. And oh, I think they forgot that the real hongrang have seen the snow man. He shared it with Jae-yi which leads her to at some point conclude that maybe her little brother was a victim. Seriously, we believed from the very start that the real hongrang was also a victim of the snow man kidnapping because of it but it turns out he just slipped and lost his footing. He's death was completely not connected to the snow man and painter plot after all HAHAHA. So what does it mean when he said he saw the snow man in his dreams while waking up in strange places?
The drama has a great cinematography and OST track. The actors was just as great too, especially Lee Jae Wook who literally nailed it. The plot lacks a bit but the actors did really well, especially the leads. If you are in for a romance packed with action and thriller in a Korean historal drama, then this one's for you. It's only 11 episodes so the pacing was also okay.
The biggest concern that I have is the ending of the main characters!! Soul Reaper and Jae-yi deserves soo muchh moreee. I'm aching to see them happy together as they have been hurt so much and carries a lot of unhealed scars. Author-nim?! Director-nim?! Why??!!
Overall, the drama is soo great. Such a great watch!
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Bored
“Dear Hongrang” was one of the most anticipated dramas for me, mainly because of Lee Jae Wook. However, it didn’t quite meet my expectations.The story revolves around a sister searching for her missing brother. An imposter enters her life, pretending to be the lost brother—but she knows he is not. Despite that, his kind nature draws her in, and she eventually falls in love with him. As more hidden truths are unveiled, their lives are turned upside down, leading to a tragic end.
I didn’t enjoy the drama much due to the presence of the psychotic king and the painful truth behind the male protagonist. It was heartbreaking to see how brutally the king used him, which ultimately led to his tragic ending.
I also liked Jung Ga Ram. His character suffered a lot and never truly lived a fulfilling life.
Overall, the story felt too harsh and filled with negativity, which didn’t align with my tast
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A big emotional story packed into 11 episodes
May 2025Wow. What an emotional ride. A trigger warning has to come early, as there are some quite harrowing scenes involving children.
Some light moments in earlier episodes, but this isn't fluffy; on the contrary, it is very dark, and very bloody.
The most dangerous things in dramas (and often reality), are power, money, love and jealousy. These are the driving forces behind this story, with a bucket load of revenge.
It's a twisting tale, mostly fast paced, with some epic sword fights. No particularly out of the ordinary characters ~ a cross section of classes, some really vile people, and a smattering of lunacy.
LJW and JBA are well cast; I liked both characters a lot, they gave believable performances, which really dragged me into caring about them and their happiness.
Kim Jae-wook has a role in this and is excellent, too. He really can act, seeing as his character didn't figure in all scenes, yet his presence never felt far away.
I wanted justice, and some characters really deserved to suffer far more than they did.
There is a lot of tragedy attached to this story, but it isn't depressing.
Plenty of action, thrills, and a moving love story within the main one. There were moments when I gasped, and shouted "No!!!" Not something I do often. Got angry and loathed several characters; something I do do often 😉🤭
The romance aspect felt quite sudden, kind of going from 0-60, with an aspect of mild incest (which in honesty wasn't believable), was shoved in. I'm not sure that fit, for me, but I understood the justification, as it affected the decisions Jae-yi made.
If you're anything like me, you'll need at least one tissue, at some point. It isn't perfect, but I sat through it in 2 evenings, and was glued.
Together with so many scenes getting a reaction out of me, a great cast and acting... that's a more-or-less perfect watch in my eyes. Highly recommended.
I loved the soundtrack, too; even the 'incidental' music.
화화 (花火 Burning Petals) - 4BOUT (어바웃) [per YouTube] was my favourite.
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Worth Watching Sad Series
I'm sure you read the synopsis already so I'm just gonna write my thoughts. The drama was a very painful one, the torture and trauma and the separation was very sad to watch but I love how the main characters always try to save everyone that needed it. I felt like the romance happened way too fast but its understandable why they feel in love. Other that I thought that it wasa very romantic story and worth watching. I was kind of upset that the SML became evil but its understandable cause love can make people do crazy things.
I love a good ploted drama with a sad ending because those kinda of dramas makes you feel a type of way and makes you remember it longer compare to a drama with a good ending, I always feel like happy endings never make me satisfied. Im always like, damn thats it.... and then feel disappointed if it was a crappy happy ending. Lol
I haven"t watched a lot of k dramas this years but out of all of the ones I've watched so far I think this series was one of my top 5. Again only for me😉. I truly recommend this drama tho. 👍
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
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Swallowing Gold
The drama encapsulates the meaning behind swallowing gold. Most of the characters had a greed for something.Hanpyeong had a desire for immortality.
Yeolguk had a desire for guild power and money.
Yeonui had a desire for control.
Mujin had a desire for his love, the FL.
ML had a desire for taking revenge AND his love. He wanted the best of both sides.
All of these desires led to each character’s demise, fulfilling the original meaning of the title. It did feel like the romance was just for ML’s plot, but I guess it was necessary.
it would’ve been easier for the characters to find out about the painter if they’d just interpreted “ㅡ” as “Hana” instead of “il”.
ML is ML because he did not have a name of his own till the end (ToT).
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masterpiece
this historical drama is the best one i’ve seen in years on netflix. the plot twists had me on the edge of my seat. action scenes were sick! cho boah’s acting blew me away. jaewook shined in this role. amazing chemistry between the leads. the romance was deep and touching, it made us yearn and suffer and cry.10/10
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Story and cast acting
💯 recommend drama because the story and th cast is super u can't explain how much h love it such a different story and ending was unexpected.... So aesthetic cinematic..... Please watch this masterpiece... I love their acting the cast is not disappoint me I am glad and happy they give us best storylineWas this review helpful to you?
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A gripping sageuk - 10/10 must watch!
Just finished the drama and honestly, Mu Jin didn't deserve such a respectable death. He lost my respect the moment the words "I don't need your consent" escaped his mouth and he stabbed In Hoe!Other than that, excellent drama! You cannot go wrong with Lee Jae Wook and a sageuk. The actors played a commendable role in portraying their characters. It felt like you were supposed to feel certain emotions towards specific characters just the way the writer intended you to feel.
The story started on an exciting note, although the first few episodes were pretty slow in building up the plot. But right after episode 2 or 3, I remember just binge-watching the whole drama!
DEFINITELY A 10/10 DRAMA FOR ME!
Although I would've loved if the story delved more into the artists’ part and the significance of their paintings, or more about the Snow Man (whatever creature he was). Other than that, I really loved seeing the most hated characters getting the rightful deaths lol.
LEE JAE WOOK'S FIGHTING SCENES, CINEMATOGRAPHY, AND OST ARE WHAT HAD ME HOOKED TO MY SCREEN! <3
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