All_In

I think this could have been a lovely 13 episode rom/com with a little more about how the couple would go forward with the fangirling and SiAn (who was actually underused). They could have skipped the angsty stuff. The 16 episode norm is unfortunate as very few pure rom/coms can handle 16 hours of story.

I was so irked at how they did the Eun Gi storyline, but I have to admit they actually did something different with it than the normal 2nd male lead but you have to get a bit further along.

I was in agreement regarding a loveline with 2nd male lead until the end of episode 8 and now I don't know what to think.

I would say the biggest flaw thus far is the family politics which are prevalent in so many k-dramas.

I like the two ballerinas and the two guys but the family politics is ugh. I didn't see the end of episode 8 coming though so I am interested enough to continue next week.

This is the rare drama where I would recommend potential viewers read the spoiler. There is quite a twist at the midway point, and if you know going in, you might adjust expectations. Or you might decide not to invest your time. People have already noted the spoiler in below threads so you can click if you desire.

I am 2 episodes in and putting this on hold. I'll check back in toward the end of its run because sometimes a drama can get stronger but I'm suspicious the writer doesn't have the skills to wrap the paranormal aspect of the story up well. Also while I love the actress, I felt that Strong Woman was totally saved by the chemistry between the two leads of that drama, and I still dropped it. Not sure if the chemistry is going to come together on this one.

While I wasn't a fan of Eun Gi "liking" DM, I appreciate that the drama actually shows the reality of the fallout of the confession. This is that DM is uncomfortable and awkward around him. I don't know if I've ever seen a second lead admit that his confession was a mistake both to himself and to her.

That is one thing I like about this drama; the story proceeds along. The second female lead as well as EG and other secondary characters have moved on and are not stagnating in the same place. This is nice pacing and storytelling even if I enjoy some parts of the drama more than others. It's actually been nice to see Cindy do well and have her mom all worried about her.

I also want to praise the drama for finally bringing up Ryan's adoptive parents and how well they seemed to do raising him. One aspect that is still missing is there doesn't seem to be any curiosity about his biological father unless I missed something.

I like that the show finally addressed RG's adoptive parents re: He actually speaks about them. I feel like that needed to be addressed. I know multiple people who have done international adoptions and it is an adventure all its own. (One family adopted a little girl from China and another adopted a boy from Ukraine.)

Also, I like EG getting the friendship/family footing back with DM. The show addresses her continued discomfort and EG seems to get that he kind of messed up and fixes it so to speak. I can still remember in my earlier drama watching days trying to figure out why that cute 2nd lead on My Love From Another Star doesn't pay attention when the gal says she's not into him. I was new to k-dramas so the thought that this guy would just keep working hard for her love was disconcerting. I would prefer they dump the trope, but I could handle this.

I know that some just want to focus more on the romance, and I'm hoping even with a last secret or two that the mood will be a bit happier next week. Realistically without a backstory this is a 12 episode drama. Should they have made that, maybe, but I can handle another few hours with this couple.

I've seen several on your list and many more. I have been surprised at the # of people who won't watch the older dramas. Sometimes because of styling which really doesn't bother me all that much. Of these I've watched Devil Beside You, Full House, You're Beautiful, Coffee Prince, Kimmi Wa Petto and a few episodes of Meteor Garden. I had already seen BOF and the J-drama version so by the time I got to MG, I was done with that storyline. (Tried and dropped the re-make as well.) I am happy to see some changes in the dramas because as much as I like some of the adaptations and remakes, dramaland won't survive if writers/producers don't try new ideas.

I like that even though there is a lot of emotional stuff going on, we still get some sweet moments mixed in. It wasn't an hour of non-stop angst. As much as I didn't like the Eun Gi "liking" DM storyline, I actually give credit to how the show is dealing with the fall-out.

I think Lee Sol was living a hard life raising her son when something happened and she was hurt and told her child was gone. Her father getting rid of her paintings leads me to believe maybe he lied to his daughter. (I didn't even think of the picture being at his memorial at the church.)

One way or another DM's mom does take him to the orphanage maybe because he was escaping and coming back to his neighborhood playmates ...or they temporarily took him in but, due to financial strain, couldn't take care of him.

I might be naive but I don't think there is going to be noble idiocy and, if there is, I'll be ranting right here tomorrow. This relationship has really avoided so many of the tropes.

I think SiAn figured out Ryan Gold is his brother...but I could be wrong.

I'm trying to figure out if I should finish the last 4 episodes. I've stalled. This works as an ensemble work place drama, especially because I love books. However, the romance is tepid and seems to almost be an afterthought.

I first came to k-drama because of the romance, but I love history so an additional perk is being able to enjoy the historicals. Faith was my first drama...romance, adventure, history...it was awesome even though I am aware of some of the flaws. I give credit to the writer that she really did a successful job interweaving the history with the story she wanted to tell.

The key is to not ever look to see what happened to any of the real-life people when you are invested in the drama!

Just finished this one up. YIN hard carried this drama with a performance that could have slid into caricature but didn't. Had to do some skipping in the last four episodes. Probably would have been better with 12 episodes and less of the side romances, none of which really worked for me. It was okay if someone needs a dose of rom/com.

Yep to everything. I don't actually find the best friend to be the most sympathetic character but she was 100% right. He knew he could get away with it so he did it, and I don't think it was for his career. I think he hates the fangirling stuff so be a man and be honest about it.

With the second leads, the gal isn't around much. But with Eun Gi, why couldn't he have just acted like a brother. I think it could have been a sweet storyline to have him be like her true, real brother even if there was no blood tie. He could have still caused a kerfluffle here and there but the whole love thing is just ick. It's my main complaint of the drama.

And Ryan Gold is the best romance male lead I've seen since I've started watching dramas and not because he's perfect but rather he's not but can own up to it.

I missed the "fate" moment the first viewing but upon rewatching, I caught it so now I do wonder.

Gonna have to keep reading reviews to determine if I want to jump back in. I really like to give a drama 2 weeks to get its legs but it feels really uneven. I'm also someone who almost didn't recognize the main male lead but, unlike others, I like his look here. He was playing an athlete in the last drama and looked to be super thin, and if that is something that wasn't kosher for him to maintain, it's all good.

One thing I like about this rom/com - among the many things I like - is that the show is actually funny. Not in a constant slapstick way but it doesn't get too melo like so many rom/coms do. Just little moments like the best friend singing threateningly to her husband have me cracking up. As others have mentioned the pacing, writing, direction and acting, I wanted to throw out that keeping the tone even is appreciated. (This issue was a huge complaint I had with Strong Woman ...cutsie romance and fluff mixed with serial killers. I dropped at around the halfway point.)

Main complaint is the tropey second leads but hopefully they will be dealt with in this week's episodes.

Family drama My Golden Life was very popular in Korea but not so much internationally. Also, Woman of Dignity did really well in Korea, but I remember there was so little interest that Dramabeans stopped recapping it after several episodes.