Erika

Pretty good

The start and middle were nice. But what on earth was that ending? It was rushed and ridiculous. They should've left Moli's character alone. They only turned him into a last minute psychopath villain as a gateway for the leads to get back together.

My favorite thing about this romance is that it was the ML who fell first, confessed first, and made the first move. A personal favorite trope of mine. There was also a bit of groveling which I enjoyed. The playfulness and clingyness were also appreciated lol. Tbh the ML actor really does pathetic yearner really well in all his work I've seen him in.

The FL was also likable. She values her career and makes sure everyone respects her and knows she's the boss. She did not let the ML off the hook after that insulting remark. She always lets him know her boundaries.

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To think this was my most anticipated kdrama

Plot:
- I thought it was gonna be a drama about unrequited love at first, but the plot took a really drastic and weird turn. The very definition of “we lost the plot”.

- The alter ego plotline really killed the romance for me. She even got more time with ML than real Muhee in Italy. Felt like he was babysitting.

- The concept of the show they’re filming reminds me of the old korean show “We got married”. Loved those.

- 2nd couple came out of nowhere. Ick.


Production:
- The music, setting, and cinematography were atmospheric. It was good.


Characters:
- Mu hee is such a fun and quirky character. I like her. But Do Rami is the reason the plot took a dip for me.

- Dont get her initial attraction to the ML. He wasn’t even nice to her and personality is so dry. Glad he got more palatable throughout though.

- 2nd FL had romantic relations with 3 men in the span of 1 drama. Cant take her seriously.


Casting
- I think the actors acted really well. I would cry whenever they would lol.

- So happy Kim Seon Ho is back on my screen. With pretty Go youn jung too. But he probably should’ve picked another script for his comeback drama.

- Hiro’s actor’s visuals really be testing my loyalty to Kim seon ho.

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Enjoyed it! My first no-skip cdrama.

> Hanyan is such a girl’s girl. Chen Duling plays her so well. Obsessed with her character. She matches wits with Mr. Fu but is otherwise too good for him.

> Im really into this romance. They cant stop trying to kill each other and scheming against each other though they like each other. My gray area couple.

> Episode 27 (out of 30) is where we first get a love confession. Even then, they dont get together until the last episode (tbh how they got together was underwhelming but atleast I did not cringe). This is the kind of slow burn I long for.

“I kept having improper thoughts about you. Your occasional tenderness in return made me happy. Perhaps, from the first day we met, I thought I was the one hunting the fox, but I’d been captured by you.”

> Props to the redemption arc of the step mom and sister.

> The last episode was underwhelming and so is the revenge to the dad. Seeing Duke Qi get hit and taken away felt more satisfying. And why is Hanyan so obsessed with her mom?

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Comfy watch

- The FL is so cheerful and charming. Its refreshing to see a FL who doesn’t get awkward and flustered around the guy she likes.

- He fell first. Quite early in the story too. I love it when the ML is just a little more in love than the FL.

- The female friendships here are so healthy. They share their thoughts, but also take time to listen. Also, the two girls liking the same guy, but are not out to sabotage each other and are talking it through is such a good showcase of maturity. It rarely happens in dramas so I appreciate how this was approached.

- The conflict was so shallow. Her biggest secret is she lost weight and had an insane glow up. Big deal.

- She directly told her boyfriend that Black is ranked ahead of him. So parasocial omg girl.

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The tension and angst killed me

Production:
- The aesthetics, colors, and cinematography in Thailand are amazing. Its giving Tokyo Drift.

- Impeccable wardrobe and styling for all the characters. Esther Yu wardrobe never disappoints.

- I adore the OST.

Plot
- The plot is nothing special. The drama focused more on its characters and their interactions.

- Zhao and mom’s whole interaction wasn’t shown in the book. It was the most heartwarming part of the show so Im glad it was added. Seeing Zhao plead and be accepted 💚


Chemistry:
- The romance is pure intensity and sexual tension. I give most of the credit to HeYu for this. Man knows how to make tension out of thin air.

- The book was a lot more adult. After their first time, Jin Zhao initiated sex whenever he was alone with her. Im shook.
“The soundproofing here is excellent. No need to hold back.”

“Some traditions shouldn’t be broken. A woman doesn’t take the lead her first time.”

Characters:
- Zhao is such an acts of service guy. He provides princess treatment and spoils her rotten. But he keeps making decisions on her behalf. He didn’t even grovel for ghosting our princess for 6 yrs and never making an attempt to reach out. Like why is she the one chasing you again sir?

- The burden of making the first move ALWAYS fell on Mu’s shoulders. She initiates all the clinging, flirty remarks, love confessions and skinship. Her efforts alone started and rekindled their romantic relationship. Without her trying, their story might have never progressed past yearning stage. The real green flag.

- Sin Lai is an amazing friend. My shaylaa
“Why are your shoelaces always untied?”
“Im afraid if I squat down and tie them, no one will wait for me”

- Ngl, I expected the father’s role to play a bigger part in the story. Wasn’t a very impactful presence.

- Lin Sui also felt like such a randomly written character that served no purpose. He wasn’t the villain nor the love rival we initially thought. His role is basically be the rich guy offering Zhao help at random moments.

Casting:
- Everyone was SO HOT 🔥.

- HeYu has great yearner/ bedroom eyes. His stares and little smiles make me melt. Perfect for a role like this. My pick for standout actor this entire drama.

- Esther has a good mix of baddie and cutesy diva princess. Mu’s styles and personality actually matches hers irl.

- Mike Angelo’s chemistry with Esther IRL is so much fun and makes for such a funny third wheel.

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My first republican era drama. Pleasantly surprised!

Thoughts:
🌸 Yizhong x Haimo— slowburn pro max. Chemistry is insaneee. They’re so mutually respectful and gentle with each other. Haimo harbored unrequited feelings for him the ENTIRE show. It actually became painful to watch her be so devoted to him but to no avail. There really is something special about their attachment to one another. I believe he found a home in her and we see it in the final episodes how he is so moved by her.

🌸 Props to the show for not being afraid to kill off major characters. They really killed off everyone. They need to send Yizhong a therapist frfr.

🌸Surprised how relaxing and comforting I found this show considering its themes of war and so much politics.

🌸 Crushing on both Joseph Zeng and Chen Duling. They both so fine.

🌸Overall, very pleased with this watch.


Fave characters:
💙 Haimo
- Best girl
- Shes so womanly and expensive to look at. Her face card
- My heart ached for this girl
- Dutiful wife but never man-crazy. Still kept her wits about her and always stood on business.
- Happy to love fully in silence without ever asking for anything in return. Professional yearner.
- Her ending? Loved that for her.

💙 Gu Yizhong
- This man is gorgeous ngl. So dapper.
- Very respectful and an absolute gentleman
- After everything he’s been though and everyone he lost, he deserves therapy
- Super cute when he gets flustered with things Haimo does/says during their married era.

💙Zhou Zhifei
- NOT a 2- dimensional villain. He had his own driving forces and real people problems. You come to sympathize and even laugh with him at times.
- The cheating on his wife and lying and gaslighting was a bit triggering though
- Amazing cat and mouse chemistry with Yizhong.
- Handsome. Especially his jail scenes imo.
- His death was the saddest for me.


To end this review, let me leave this painful Haimo quote for everyone:

“I know you have never forgotten her in your heart all these years. I never expected to hold the same place in your heart as she does. But Yizhong, I’d be pleased if you treated me a tenth as well as you treated her.” 💔💔💔

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These men aint it.

Dropped it at episode 4 but still decided to write my thoughts down in a review.


Thoughts:
- Kim Tae Hee is a kind of beauty that starts wars. I totally get why these men are crazy about her.

- The dumbest chest compressions I’ve seen on TV 😭. Dont they consult medical professionals or even do research before filming?

- Love it when men can be open and honest about their attraction and are able to step up and pursue. Intentions loud and clear. Still, her boundaries need to be respected. Neither the ML or the SML respect her boundaries!

- ML better watch his tone around FL. He can get loud and condescending with her snd its annoying. The second ML also hit her in the head with a basketball because he was jealous. He even flat out ignored the plate of food she offered 😭.

- These men force their feelings down the FL’s throat even after she verbally expressed her unwillingness, then treat her poorly when they get jealous. Y’all cant just do as you please. She is not your property!

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My brain is not braining

These are the types of shows I enjoy watching even if it makes me feel dumb. Some challenges were more interesting than others. I’ve always known korean education system to have strong math from all the korean classmates I’ve had through the years.

As a non-korean, I’ve always had the impression that SNU was the top university in Korea. It may have made me favor them unconsciously while watching. Also, they have starboy Hyun Bin and master strategist Dohyun. My fave genius duo.

Sidenote: I find guys good in math and strategy in particular very attractive.
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So wholesome and healing

- I seriously liked every single contestant. All so likable and looked out for one another.
- I think the episodes are well paced and never boring. It was easy to get invested.
- Although there were many overlaps and unrequited feelings, everyone had very mature conversations about them
- My ghost ship were the two new students who were both the cutest ones in the bunch.
- No complaints


Some thoughts on the contestants:

Jiwoo
- My favorite from the moment she arrived. I find her super cute and brutally honest. I adore her.
- The cutest cry face ever :((
- Very patient and hands-on with the person she likes lol.
- She can make chemistry with any guy in the house
- In my opinion the best communicator. She’s very well-spoken. She turns people down really well.
- She’s most charming and playful with Jung hyun. My favorite date the entire show was their glamping. Could not stop laughing. Her witty and forward remarks kept flustering him and making him blush.

Se yeon
- I like how he managed his shift in feelings. Spoke to all parties involved.
- In terms of personality and vibe, one of my favorite guys. Giving princely energy.
- This man is disciplined. Always wakes up early to work out and keeps his bed tidy.
- Did everything right with Jiwoo. Never pressured her, always took initiative and pursued, and was overall respectful in the process. Even in rejection he was gracious.

Jung yun
- My personal pick looks-wise. Hes handsome and looks the manliest.
- Rooted for him and Jiwoo all the way, but he had an ego to him that I didnt like seeing. Especially when compared to his rival who was way more pleasant and accommodating to her.
- Probably the only one in the house that isnt a good communicator but its understandable.

Pyeong seok
- Such a cutie. Has the most melt-worthy smiles.
- Seriously good looking with his hair is slicked back. When he was working out with the other guys, he seriously looked the most attractive.
- House husband material. Always cleans and cooks in the house
- The greenest flag. Him and Heeji were the most unproblematic duo

Heeji
- SUCH A GOOD FRIEND. Girl’s girl and guy’s bro.
- The rock of this group. She took care & managed everyone so well.

Sang Won
- consistent, mature, respectful
- I like how he doesn’t want ambiguous partners.

Jimin
- His treatment of seo yeong annoyed me. Felt disrespected on her behalf, especially on that date. I appreciate him apologizing though.
- Best banter with yerin. I love watching how much fun they have on dates.

Yerin
- I find her so charming. Her energy is so contagious and has a talent of making people around her feel comfortable.
- I love her hair

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Second chance romance oozing with chemistry and angst with eye-candy leads.

> Chu Ran x Yang Yang visuals go hard. I have a crush on them both now.

>dreadful piano bg music

> Showcased the beauty of a second chance romance. The tension and yearning was overflowing. I thought they would be together by E10 because they already liked each other from the start. Glad to see they managed to make it to E25.

Sidenote: On that episode, did y’all notice the hunger on Song Yan’s face when she briefly pulled back during their first makeout scene? Had me blushin’ 😳

> Its so weird that the second lead here is technically her brother of all people. Interesting choice from writer-nim.

> Doing CS on a dead pregnant woman is actually so controversial in the real world. Im surprised they put that in there.

>Song yan is such a serious guy. His cute playful side comes out when he interacts with his sis. Need more of that side to come out.

> I thought we were watching the love story of the brother and waitress. I didnt expect such crazy turn of events lol. Glad there was no rekindling afterwards. Made me worry for a moment. Just leave this poor man alone with his alcohol and weird sister attachment. He’s got enough problems to deal with.

> Got a bit cheesy in towards the end but still tolerable and sweet. Boyfriend version of Yang Yang got me swooning. He seems to like back hugs and even wiped his drunk girlfriend’s feet. Such an acts of service thing to do 🫠

> The firemen’s interactions with their “sister-in-law” is actually adorable.

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