Maika

I finished and just curious if I missed anything (it's not anything important but I feel like somethings were abruptly cut?)
- When Hong & Prince Yeongpyeong were imprisoned the Queen came in a man's disguise. Did she not tell them anything? Like I don't understand why she was seen walking towards their cell. Did I miss something? (Ep. 18 i believe)
- How did the story in the present have Secretary Han still? Wasn't Han in the past castrated as an eunuch?

The funniest part of the drama was Lu Yue taking pictures of Si Cheng & Tong Yao and getting hit all the time
and the fatty's reaction when he saw the couple kiss. He's like why's it gotta be me to witness you guys doing stuff each time!!

I haven't watched LAR yet but I have a feeling I might prefer it over AOL.
(*spoilers for AOL below for anyone who hasn't watched it*)
I just finished AOL and I think it would've been way better if they did not drag out the Yun elixir pill being in her body (that pill took roughly 66% of the drama; it should've been cut down to 33%). Initially the FL's childish & slow nature didn't bother me, but it eventually got on my nerves. I was grateful for the mortal realm which made her mature a bit. But I feel like there is no logic. The pill seals off love, but most of the time it felt like it sealed off her brain too. Especially that dramatic moment where she stabs XF. I get the writers wanted angst but that was the most stupidest thing ever. I agree that the love triangle was annoying too. That was also dragged way too long. It was kinda irritating because it interfered with the romance of our main leads. I also felt they didn't have much romantic scenes, but few good scenes between them. I was hoping Jin Mi would eventually become this badass character cause most of the time she needed saving but was disappointed on that part too.
I still liked AOL overall.
Hopefully, my expectations for LAR don't drop while watching it later since AOL was also hyped.

finally a sensible comment. the RY biased comments are insane.

@Tsukushi Makino
XF is not an entirely terrible as he is portrayed in this review and comments. definitely agree that TMOPB is way better than this story. This drama has a frustrating blockhead FL character and that pill is annoying & should've been rid of sooner.

RY is manipulative and controlling. XF didn't know that JM was not his sister and he's slow to pick up these things compared to RY. RY already knew the truth & kept it from XF because he wanted to be selfish & wanted to take advantage of JM. He knew that JM carelessly tells everyone that she likes them and baited JM to say it in front of her father. This way he can get themselves engaged. The fiance thing is stupid because who tf cares about a promise before the kids are born even JM's father said that he would cancel the engagement if JM didn't wanna marry RY. But obviously she was naive & RY took that to his advantage and have her sign the engagement thing WHEN SHE DOESN'T KNOW A THING ABOUT LOVE & MARRIAGE. He was so afraid of losing JM and didn't care about what her feelings actually were.

The argument of "oh RY loved JM first" or "XF loved her first" doesn't matter. What matters is who JM loves cause that's when you know who should probably let go. You can't decide who deserves her, she is the one to decide who she loves, this isn't a game of first come first served. It was obvious that her heart throbbed for XF even before she went to mortal world (and yes she doesn't know that bc of that damn pill). But also if you look at it, she kissed XF twice with the pill in her which probably made XF think she has a thing for him& he kissed her back. She was also hugging XF (under moon immortal's teachings but with the thought of wanting to make XF happy). She never hugged RY or kissed him with the pill in her nor ever thought of making him happy that way. XF made it clear he'd give up on JM if she liked RY back, he wasn't convinced that JM likes him. What's the point of loveless marriage? Plus he was in confusion too thinking JM likes him. RY also had impression that JM likes XF.

Was moon immortal biased towards XF? Probably. But he liked RY too and complained in the start that RY never visits him. Also he's been matchmaking mortals for a long time so he believed XF & JM are fated to be. He was even telling KL to go for RY.

Now she gets engaged to RY & is sent to mortal world. XF only went there as Caroline said to protect her from his mom. He probably would've been more helpful if he went in his immortal form, but probably wanted to avoid that because he could possibly be dragged back by his parents using some sort of conflict or something as excuse or forcibly drag him back. Cause even RY didn't watch her 24/7 when he was immortal. Also RY tried to make her fall for him by visiting her often & appearing in her dreams, but she didn't fall for him. Mu Ci couldn't kill JM in beginning cause Yuanji was watching. But it is dumb plot device, cause he could've killed her any other time.

When JM finally realizes her feelings, she tries to break off engagement by telling her dad. RY knows her feelings for XF too, but as he just lost his mom, JM also couldn't tell him. XF straightforwardly tells RY but RY refuses to give up JM. Now as for XF and JM making out in the trees while she engaged to RY may be inappropriate but it's not really adultery cause they aren't married. Now RY knows JM loves XF but he also is no different than XF by kissing her when she's asleep. That's forcing a kiss on someone who may not consent to it. Just bc you're engaged doesn't give you the right cause that person may not want it and he KNOWS it too that she would never kiss him or want him to kiss her is the WORST part.
Also repairs her pill and uses her as a chess piece. Even JM exposes RY when she learns the truth and that's the truth. RY never loved her, it was obsession because he felt she was the only person to accept him and was blinded. He also wanted to use her as a weapon against XF. That's not love. You don't use a person you like as a weapon..RY didn't directly tell JM that XF was killer, but he did indirectly. He manipulated evidence to make it look like it. When XF & RY fought with the stars, RY said he will gamble on one chance which was JM. Otherwise RY would lose.

RY was pitiful in the start. He had tragic past and XF was spoiled no doubt. But XF still loved RY as a brother & it was not out of guilt. It was RY's failure to realize that and he can't see the people who actually care for him. As for XF not being able to do anything to his parents, is because he is soft at the same time and you can see that throughout drama. He probably was confused as to what to do because he can't kill his parents & he didn't want to be disrespectful to them either. Probably took filial piety too seriously. You also saw his men let XF go because XF did a lot for his people. Though I did wish he took a stance against his parents bad choices is where his flaw is too.

RY had the chance to start over after XF's mom was sentenced to prison. He could've fought for the throne and XF would've gladly given to him. But RY wanted to be possessive over JM. Even locked her up to prevent her from running from marriage. No different than his father tbh. Glad he didn't rape JM though.

But that war over JM between both brothers is dumb. If they wanted to battle that badly should do a 1v1 fight.

RY & XF do have faults, but I personally think RY's being evil can't be justified. Each person goes through tragic events, you have the option to choose. He chose to go wrong & that's his fault. He could've stopped any time, but didn't.

yeah I get what you mean. When the uncle heard her accusation, he told her straight up that he trusts with his heart that his nephew wouldn't do such a thing. But she couldn't use her heart or emotions cause of the pill, but I'd expect her to at least use her brain. But she wasn't smart to begin with and got easily manipulated which is why I hate how weak they made the FL's character. After coughing out that pill, she finally learned what love is and tried to make it up to him.
I just think the writers shouldn't have been so dramatic where she stabs him on her own will or make that the occasion where she coughs out the pill. It would've been just better if she was on a puppet spell and controlled to stab XF in the back if they really wanted to go that way.

realistically, you're right. I feel like no person would want to reunite with someone who stabs them in the back especially if you loved them deeply. Even if it was caused by a misunderstanding, I think it would be too much for them and future trust issues may arise.
Kinda reminds me of Goodbye My Princess-They loved, but the girl knew they could never be together after the ML's mistake.
I think there would be no option for him in this storyline. Sui He was definitely a no, LY would never be with him & sees him as a brother. So writers just had him forgive her & they end up together. But at the same time he's known to be softhearted so ofc he'd forgive her. He loved her a lot more so it pained him knowing that he can't hate her.
My friend called the ML an immortal simp after I told them about this story lol. As for the romance, idk. I guess each person sees it differently. I think their romance/chemistry was ok, not off the charts or exceptional. I could still see their love for each other but not as much as compared to other dramas where I actually cried for the couple.

The thing is I understand you can't blame Jin Mi's character entirely because she was given the Yun Elixir that suppresses the feelings of love. That's why she carelessly went around telling people that she liked them and couldn't separate love from like. She was frustrating at the start because she was a bit slow about other matters too, but what pissed me off is those Floral Realm chiefs! They broke their vows anyways in the end. They should've told Jin Mi's dad that she has a pill and can't love. Then the dad could figure out that Jin Mi telling Run Yu that she likes him may not be love. Instead the chiefs also support her marriage to Run Yu while telling him that she's barren causing him to figure out that she has a pill in her. They also didn't teach JM not to carelessly tell people that she likes them and mislead people. JM made a point later on that her mom shouldn't have done that because that pill caused even more problems. BUT also JM with a cracked pill didn't tell her father that XF loved her even before their mortal world trial. Cause he kept telling her that their feelings were just because they spent time together in mortal world. Her Yun Pill was reacting even before that trial. She started to love him when she was his assistant. The mortal world was where they both confirmed their mutual feelings. Perhaps her father would understand.
The mortal trial really helped JM to mature which made me less frustrated and relieved but then she stabs XF like an idiot which was one of the saddest scenes and pissed me off. The pill seals off her heart but it seemed to seal off her logic as well. Sure evidence pointed to XF but I thought that was too obvious as Run Yu stated. It's like her brain reverted to the first 20 episodes.
When XF treated her coldly I was thinking she deserves it, but then started to pity her because she did make it up to him.

Kuang Lu also pissed me off. Unlike Pu Chi who realized where he was wrong & stood away from Run Yu, she blindly supported Run Yu in the name of love. Her conscience should know that what he's doing is wrong & should've stopped him any way she could or inform the rest.
Which is why I like Liu Ying. When her lover Mu Ci was out there killing JM, she didn't support his wrong choice. She fought with him. RY doesn't reciprocate KL's feelings so what? She also encouraged him.

This drama is full of miscommunication which is irritating. Also I don't get why they made XF good at battles & military strategies but slow to pick up other things compared to RY. It seemed like RY was decent in military strategies too.

Only characters I liked was Fox(Dan zhu), Pu Chi (snake), Liu Ying & Xu Feng.
Run Yu was pitiful at the start only. I knew he'd lose it and probably go evil, but then his obsession was becoming too frustrating like Sui He's. I wished it ended. I knew JM would die in that battle because she knows 2 men fighting for her, so best thing is to end what they're fighting for.

I skipped through non dialogue scenes when XF died cause I wanted to see him resurrected lol. Then did the same when JM died, could not bear to see all the suffering & crying no dialogue scenes.

This drama had so much potential to be good, but I feel like they dragged on so many things to frustrate the viewers and trying to be dramatic. I wished her pill disappeared sooner.
The bad people got what they deserved & RY tries to redeem himself should happen sooner, and XF&JM have their happy ending and we see more of their moments cause the only good stuff was their time in mortal world. Also JM needs to be stronger not a damsel in distress

After watching this, I'd name this Difficulties in Love lol
The first 20 something episodes are REALLY frustrating, the FL especially, that's why I liked the Demon Princess Liu Ying more. When they were both in mortal world, I was so relieved and less frustrated. Then the frustration comes back and then anger mixed with sadness. Yeah this drama is a roller coaster ride. But, I wasn't that emotionally attached to the drama. I liked 4 characters but that's it. But I won't lie, I was still entertained and tried to finish this drama really fast cause it was still interesting & funny

lol, I just went there after your comment out of curiosity, thinking that perhaps I'm at a far enough episode (watched 2/3 of the drama) to read the description and turns out nope. That description really spoils too much

cause it was like the 2nd book of this series is what I heard.
Like this drama is based off the first book and the second book was made into Skate into Love.
Not really like a S2/sequel. They gave Deng Lun a special appearance as Xu Feng in the present but that's about it.

My long rant:
ep 1- HSK is venturing into an abandoned station on her own where dead bodies are and a potential suspect could be hanging around there too. She was lucky with SDW being in the area, but still. She should've just stuck close with him.

ep 2- HSK again ventures into station this time fully alone with no one with her. But this time she sees a train and a suitcase, already knowing that it may carry a body and that who else could throw it except for the killer and she gets shot.

I think they could've discovered the parallel universe without using HSK's death? I mean if she was smart enough to not walk over to the suitcase and waited till the train departed then she and SDW would've both been people who saw that train. Then they could've eventually figured out how that train works and that there are parallel worlds. It would take the drama into an entire different route, but yeah.
When they did HSK's autopsy, they found the bullet to be the one the police uses. Idk why SDW didn't look into any of the officers then either. At first, I was confused and they made me believe the druggie SDW killed HSK but I realized that wasn't the case. Then the train scene they didn't do a good job blurring the uniform, you could see the police badge. So I already knew that the person dumping bodies is in the police.
Now when SDW is in the other world you see the chief Oh acting all weird to SDW saying if he could prove it. Her behavior was sus since then. But we didn't know her relationship and then we saw the doctor.
Doctor was already sus too when he kept telling his patients "you can kill them."
I've seen like 2-3 dramas already where the doctor ends up being the culprit --
By then the whole mystery thing was gone. I already figured everything out and it wasn't a surprise when SDW saw his chief pointing a gun at him.
But what they did do was add more worlds than 2 which was unexpected.
I felt no pity for the doctor and Chief. She saw her son die 4 times no matter how many worlds she skipped cause she ended up abandoning him.

What I don't understand is the timeline.
She arrested her son in one and he suicides. Then she skips at least 2 other worlds and sees him die in jail again as an adult?
And then in the fourth world she doesn't imprison him. But don't they all run around the same date? So it means she had to quickly get over her trauma and jump train to next one?? I'm so confused. Why didn't she just try hugging her son and apologize for abandoning him? I'm sure that's all he wanted. The truth. And just live with him. But he suicided each time because she gave him the wrong answer and he wanted her to suffer.
They also didn't explain why all of a sudden in World B, the son started murdering 3 years ago?
The son had a 9 year break before murdering again. I get that he saw his mom in those patients, but it's weird that he never saw another woman like his mom in those 9 years that he didn't murder.
And HSK in World B, once again makes reckless decision in her apartment. She knows someone's in her house. Why did she walk toward him and not wait till he comes out and then attack him by surprise? Or call for help...
Another part that didn't make sense is SDW in World A confronts Chief Oh that she didn't let him turn the necklace as evidence for his father's crime because her son's fingerprints could've been on there. But then why in World B, did they not check the fingerprints on necklace?? Was it cause the dad was alive?

Overall not a bad watch.
A bit of confusion and things don't logically make sense.
Idk why I've been running into the same type of FL characters recently...where they have the FL making the most dumbest reckless decisions ever.

those were my thoughts too
I feel like most of these dramas such as this one and the current one I'm watching label it as thriller, but use characters whose logic has disappeared. There are very few dramas that have a balance. Sure, a smart character who knows it all isn't fun for entertainment. But at least don't make them entirely dumb where they aren't using their brains at all.
I agree about the Chairman. I only found him suspicious on the part where he had the same driver and he was too nice to KSJ as a boss. I get he sponsored his education, but I find it very hard to believe that he didn't require KSJ to show up to work after 2 weeks. Most bosses that are rich like him don't give that much time off is what I was thinking..Then it was obvious he was behind the building collapsing and there wasn't any element of surprise left in the drama. He was such a poker face villain.
Kinda sad that they wasted ABH's to be just the guy who the ML's wife had an affair with. They didn't make his character special at all. Just someone who loved her blindly and was willing to sacrifice everything for her.

Actually glad Tang Ping doesn't turn into a complete annoying character. When Lu Yiyao suggested to sabotage Ling Rui & Lu Fang Ning's relationship, I was worried. I really can't stand to watch a couple suffer a long time over such misunderstandings. And later on we found out she never liked Ling Rui, she was competing with Lu Fang Ning. She is still a silly type of character which I wished was less annoying, but it's whatever.
Lu Yiyao liking Lu Fang Ning is kinda weird cause he is her uncle through adoption, although they're like 3 years apart? So might've had a crush on her because they were around each other and grew up together. She saw him as a brother/uncle and he knew that and I'm sure he realized his feelings for her aren't right so he hid them. He technically could have pursued her if he broke off the adoption, but I don't want that either. . He was a jerk for using Si Yu and his ex-fiance (and trying to expose LR & LFN's contract marriage), but then later on near the second half of drama they try to redeem him. This is the drama where I actually felt the secondary couple doesn't matter to me. The main couple makes up for it.
I felt a lot of secondhand embarrassment from watching the main couple though... they had such good chemistry!
The kid Lu YouYou is so adorable too when he came into the drama.
As for Gao Erfan, I don't know what to say. I felt like he was let off way too easily. But I guess it wasn't that serious for them. I was always wondering why LFN never took action or try to fight for Deersing when she came back, but I guess it didn't matter much. She probably didn't want to hurt the man her sister deeply loved anyways.

Though I rather they solve the grudge between Gao and LFN's & her family sooner. I feel they need a better reason for her to divorce LR, go abroad, & give birth to their son and keep it hidden for 5 years.
They could've just had the old Yang guy in company to take advantage of the situation& take over the company and he threatened LFN or something and that's why she left (cause Gao never threatened LR). Leaving because of poor miscommunication is just...not logical for some reason.
Also they tell each other their numbers didn't change, then he could've contacted her on that app chat and threaten her he won't go to Germany if she doesn't come back..
I also don't get why LYY didn't tell LR right away when he found out he's a grandpa. I think that's what he should've done as family and being a friend for LR later on. He knew it was wrong that LFN kept it a secret, but he also kept it for her.

Lots of cliches & cringe moments, but I ended up enjoying this drama overall(binged it too!). It made me laugh a lot and some characters I really liked, especially Lu Fang Ning. The gender role reversal was nice too. It was nice seeing the woman take initiative for a lot of things in the first half of the drama. They also sent a lot of messages about how there's no specific way for a woman & man to act. Probably would rewatch the drama again but only to see scenes with ML & FL or scenes that I want to.
I've watched Zhou Yu Tong in another drama and I really like her acting. I could feel her emotions at times and wanted to cry with her in some scenes.

I don't think he was exactly "hitting" on her when she was married. He kept his feelings a secret and her husband told him off too.
It is kinda weird because he is still her nominal uncle. He could always cancel his adoption and break off from the uncle position to make it less "weird". But she would still see him as a brother/uncle.

Depends on your tastes. I liked all the ML's. But if you can't watch a drama with the ML and FL with an age gap like Goblin, then probably not. Though I'd say there's not much intimate romance scenes.
It took me awhile to separate the ML's appearance from his character. I warmed up to Eugene's character eventually just like Dong Mae.

Nice article!
I guess I'm one of those people who go into sad K-dramas unintentionally, not for therapeutic reasons. I never read the tags of dramas where it says "tragedy" then see the dramas like Mr. Sunshine which make me cry for hours and think about it for days. I loved FoE and Mr. Sunshine on this list

I liked LJW and CJS (CHS's sister) relationship the most. It was mature, no major problems. I assumed LHJ would cause issues cause CJS cancelled her wedding dress and thankfully their relationship wasn't affected. CJS also didn't hesitate to date LJW, knowing her brother is his subordinate.
I did feel bad for CYS and Ha Eun but I'm glad she was able to stay strong.
I have nothing to say about LHJ & LJS except that I liked how the writers developed their characters. LHJ was finally able to let go of her obsession and live her life with the realization that she deserves someone sincere & how she should love herself.
Now onto the main couple where people have different thoughts. Everyone perceives things differently.
I'm also one of those people who don't think CHS was creepy or stalkerish in the start. His character seemed normal to me. It's not because I'm being "biased for the ML". I just think it's normal for people to pursue someone they have a crush on. Some may stay quiet but some want to pursue their love. He didn't cross the boundaries of pursuit when I watched it. Now if he were to sneak some photos of her in private or do some other creepy shit, then yes I'd say he's a stalker and creep.
When he found out YSA is with LJS, he was devastated and would've eventually given up, but he saw LJS cheating on her. It was none of his business, but I would've done the same. If anyone that I'm close to is being cheated on and I discover it first, then I would definitely tell them the truth and it's up to them to decide what to do afterwards. YSA and CHS were close as trainer and trainee and it's not like they're complete strangers. Was it a little cruel of showing her evidence? Maybe. But it's good solid evidence that won't keep her in denial forever, because otherwise she wouldn't believe his words if he just told her.
Was he being selfish? Yes. But, I think he tried his best to respect boundaries later on. She was the one who slowly fell for him (which I think the drama did good. They paced it well. She took time and rejected him several times till she realized she likes him).
Then they presented the common issue of a woman wanting to excel in her career, but in a relationship. As for their breakup, I did expect it. I'm also glad they didn't drag CHS being heartbroken for a long time. They showed a reasonable breakup scene.
CHS didn't immediately accept her and told her to make an effort to win him over (though we all knew he was happy, but he wanted to have her put in the same effort as he did).
And we have our happy ending

I liked this drama overall. It is full of cliches but I feel the writer did a great job of not dragging the story too long. I think the pacing was fine too. The character development for MOST of the characters were nice.