All_In

Yes. I think it had a satisfactory ending for all the characters.

I decided to jump into this drama because of the writer. She is a favorite of mine regardless of genre. She always does an excellent job laying the foundation for her dramas and having well rounded characters and solid pacing.

I always think a writer is doing a good job when people comment about how sometimes they like a character and sometimes they are frustrated by the same character. To me this shows the writer is not going for the standard perfect guy or gal but writing characters with flaws like we all have.

Right now I'm enjoying seeing Ji Soo give her new family some grief, begin to see that maybe her non-biological mom wasn't so bad afterall (the coat scene) but, yet, still be totally clueless as to how JiAn at that same time was getting the short end of the stick, "I'll spend less on JiAn's coat". JiSoo has been insulated and spoilt, and yet I like and am frustrated with her at the same time. I think this makes all the characters more interesting.

In family dramas, I think the writers try to throw in cultural struggles like in Five Family it was divorced/single parenting and starting over again. Here I think she is showcasing the young couple struggles wherein the family is on the lower end of the financial spectrum. I've seen the "I can't afford to buy a place so I can't get married" thing in a lot of dramas, most recently This is My First Life.

So I am hit or miss on the young couple struggles. At times I like it and at times it seems redundant to the main story, but I just take it as the writer is making a point of living life as best one can regardless of financial success and to stop trying to keep up with everyone elses expectations. It might not speak much to me as an international viewer but perhaps resonates more in Korea.

I think #1 can be the most important. Sometimes a drama just isn't your cup of tea and that's fine. Because drama descriptions can be all over the place, I've given many a drama try and realized it wasn't my thing. No big deal. I never review these or speak harshly about them because it's just realistic that not all dramas are going to please everyone. And every once in a while, I discover a great show that I'd have otherwise skipped.

What I think I've realized is that no matter the hype, sometimes I'm just not gonna be interested. Jealousy Incarnate (1 episode), Goblin (9 episodes), Romantic Doctor (4 episodes)...I dumped them all and have no regrets but I'm always happy that others enjoyed them. I certainly have enjoyed many a drama that others have dumped so I figure it evens out.

So my thing is move on and don't be bitter.....except for a drama that one is somewhat enjoying for over half the drama and then it goes sideways. Thinking of Temperature of Love right now. Oh well.

I have not watched the most recent episode, so having said that I don't quite get everyone feeling bad about Je Hoon. I get his background and why he is frustrated with his situation, but the way I take it he now has a certain amount of job experience so, dude, go get a different job and quit working for a company you don't like for people you don't respect.

At a certain point I think a person is responsible for his own life. I get it, his dad sacrificed and Je Hoon was able to achieve a certain amount of success at this company. Take that experience and jump ship. It's worth it to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and maybe crack a smile before this drama is over. The actor really is doing a great job with the character.

Overall I find this to be a middle of the road drama. Easy enough to watch but nothing spectacular.

I think I have overdosed on lawyer/medical/cop type shows because I find it so refreshing that in this drama she is a travel guide. What the passengers are dealing with are all slice of life type stuff that might not be new or unique but the setting and the way it comes about is refreshing. Wish it was getting a little more love.

I would say so.

Oy Vey, this drama. I enjoyed the first half or so but starting with the last few episodes have moved to reading the recappers comments on DB. I mean I'm not even reading the recap; I can figure out what's happening just from the comment. This drama is so frustrating. And it's too bad because I liked the low key romance in the beginning and how timing in relationships actually is important. So I will maybe tune in for the last episode but otherwise, no thanks. I'm also done with the writer: High Society dropped, Doctors was way too long and veared into boring (no greater sin in dramaland) and TofL ended up being a mess.

@KingLouie I agree. I was referencing people who wanted a lot more change early on...around episode 4. I actually like the pacing of the drama quite a bit.

Yes, and I like how they are handling the evolution of his character through episode 8. I'm one of those that like that it didn't happen overnight.

I haven't been reading that many reviews but 80% of k-dramas have a heavy dose of cliche in them so I'm not quite sure what people expect. I find this an easy, pleasant watch.

I know some got frustrated that Hyuk wasn't changing fast enough like when he turned himself in to the prosecutor; however, I thought that was too soon. People generally don't change easily when they hit adulthood. This feels more real to me; that he had to go through hard times and see life from a different perspective. Really liked episodes 7 and 8. It's nice to see SiWon get more opportunity to have a go at dramatic acting instead of always the comedic.

There is generally more hitting/slapping than I like but this is way over the top. I take it to be a cultural difference.

They are kind of beating it over our heads that she resents this because of what happened with her father. So, yes, I get she personally doesn't want to accept money but one of the moments I appreciated was when she rips up those compensation checks and says something like money doesn't solve everything and Hyuk replies, "most people like it"....because they are both right but he is MORE right especially in this scenario. For those three co-workers, it would have solved a lot.

Probably the best drama I'm watching right now is "Because This is my First Life" which is on Viki (If you have access). It's a contract marriage drama that is more slice of life than the norm for a romance.

In some ways I find this drama easier to relate to than most k-dramas because issues like ambition/goals and timing that doesn't work out come in to play just like real life. I like the way the age difference was noted but not the end of the world. I like the lead guy seems more grounded than most male k-drama leads. I like the relationship between the main couple for these reasons, but I notice some think he's boring or there is no pizzazz. Maybe it is too reality based.

Where the drama fails for me is with the friend and the second male lead story line. A mean girl and the common second lead love triangle. Ugh.

Anyway, I agree with your comment.

I binge watched the first four episodes over the weekend, and I'm enjoying the drama for what it is. All the actors are doing their jobs well. Sure, there are cliches but hopefully it will continue to be fun. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a fish out of water story. I especially like that the pacing is good with the story zipping a long. The one thing I'm surprised to see is how many people here have SLS. Gong Myung is doing quite well playing the put upon, harried fixer but I see no particular sizzle between him and Baek Jun. I would be thrilled if they avoided the love triangle entirely.

Time to face facts: Only Senior Han is husband material.

For a Taiwanese Idol Drama, this is pretty good though about 4 episodes too long. I take it the length is why we get some unnecessary bit of wishy washy lead female late in the drama and it is, of course, without much of a plot. However, the leads have a nice chemistry, are flawed (which is nice), and have actual real discussions like regular dating couples. The secondary characters are kind of minimal in their impact especially the 2nd male lead. With judicious fast forwarding I enjoyed this one.

All the girl was doing was living her life and getting it on with her guy and she ends up pregnant, kidnapped into a harem to spend life as a concubine by the guy who took over her country and killed her family. All this and pregnancy hormones as well.... It's a lot for a girl to deal with. Seriously, they've had her do dumb things like leave the palace just to come back. That's just bad writing. I do see a tonal shift in episode 19. I actually kind of like that she didn't instantly fall for the king especially since she'd had a relationship with her guy. It would have made her seem fickle. Again, definitely a shift in episodes 19 and 20 so it maybe/possibly might be less frustrating.