AnicsiRoscoe

So there is some kind of romance/romantic tension between the two leads? There's almost a 20 year difference (27 vs 44), I guess i'll sit that one out.

As this is your opinion, I'll give my own on this matter. While this drama is not without flaws, I disagree about the romance being one of them.

I think it's important to realize that at least Sanha never saw her as a sister, but just as a best friend, which is why he repeatedly tells her that they're not 'family'. It's clear that he already has feelings for her as a high school student, but for many reasons (one being his emotional baggage), he never acts on it. Also, when they were in elementary school, Juwon actually said she's marry Sanha one day (thus even back then, not seeing him as a brother at all. As you probably know 'oppa' can be used for any older male, a lot of girls actually call their boyfriend or husband 'oppa'). I actually just rewatched it, and I found hints that subconsciously Juwon also already had feelings for Sanha before the timeskip. She treats him differently from her 'brother' Hae Jun. F.e. when she thinks Sanha is dating that girl Huiji (?), she gets super upset and mopey, snaps at him for keeping it a secret and goes to her room without having dinner. So when he tells her that it was a misunderstanding and he doesn't have a girlfriend, that Huiji is actually Hae Jun's ex-gf, she's all happy again from one moment to the next, and even though she shows Hae Jun the cold shoulder for not telling her about the relationship, it's WAY different from when she thought Sanha was dating, there wasn't a hint of jealousy, contrary to before. It's all very subtle, but I do think none of the two really considered the other a sibling.

Why would she continuously talk about family, then? Well, because what Juwon feared most was losing important people in her life (having lost her mother as a baby), and a 'family' was most likely going to stick together. So when they leave her behind, her worst fear becomes a reality, and I do think the show didn't allow her enough time to forgive hae Jun and Sanha for vanishing for all this time. And it didn't give enough insight into her thoughts, and the realization that she had been in love with Sanha for longer than she knew.

I also don't quite understand why you say "they were never truly a family. They were just close neighbors who played house as children. The show never truly encapsulated what its title promised."
What makes a family? In my opinion family is not a traditional setup of parents, children, siblings etc. Family means sticking together, being there for each other in good times and in bad, and you don't have to define a bond between two parties. They could be best friends, two 'sworn brothers', two lovers.... family in my eyes, is a feeling of belonging, knowing you have a place to return to, no matter what. And at least for me, the series made that sentiment very clear.

I think it's important to realize that at least Sanha never saw her as a sister, but just as a best friend, which is why he repeatedly tells her that they're not 'family'. It's clear that he already has feelings for her as a high school student, but for many reasons (one being his emotional baggage), he never acts on it. Also, when they were in elementary school, Juwon actually said she's marry Sanha one day (thus even back then not seeing him as a brother figure). I actually just rewatched it, and I found hints that subconsciously Juwon also already had feelings for Sanha. She treats him differently from her 'brother' Hae Jun. F.e. when she thinks Sanha is dating that girl Huiji (?), she gets super upset and mopey, snaps at him for keeping it a secret and goes to her room without having dinner. So when he tells her that it was a misunderstanding and he doesn't have a girlfriend, that Huiji is actually Hae Jun's ex-gf, she's all happy again from one moment to the next, and even though she shows Hae Jun the cold shoulder for not telling her about the relationship, it's WAY different from when she thought Sanha was dating, there wasn't a hint of jealousy, which it seemed there was before. It's all very subtle, but I do think none of the two really considered the other a sibling.

I am not entirely sure either, but if I remember correctly it was mentioned in passing that she had depression already before the daughter died (although I may be mixing things up here). But I also wish they had expanded on that more, because it was all very ambiguous. In my mind it was because she was overwhelmed having to care for two kids (the father working overtime all the time chasing criminals) and probably her career was put on hold as well, so perhaps she just took off or something? That's just speculation on my part, though, because the father said it was actually her fault the daughter died, because she left the kids alone at home while he worked (and we learn that there was no food). You are absolutely right, though, I think she's the worst mother in a kdrama so far, from gaslighting, emotional abuse and threatening him with suicide, to actually physically harming him (she kept throwing things and lashed out, so even though it wasn't assault, it might as well have been). And until the end she still saw no fault with her actions or behaviour. Even that one time she admits that it was her fault her daughter died, it seemed like she was trying to make herself seem pitiful so he'd come back as a caretaker, rather than actually feeling remorse. Telling your own son repeatedly that it's his fault that his sister died and he was the one to ruin her life, and emotionally blackmailing him and basically treating him like a prisoner for ten years.... I cannot even fathom how messed up a person would have to be. I will never forget that scene when she lashes out at her 9 year old son because he smiled, made friends and 'stuffed his face with food'. She was basically telling him to live a quiet miserable life and starve himself. Terrible, horrible mother, and the half-open happy end she got, she really didn't deserve.

This is such a good summary of why this drama just didn't hit the mark. I love LOVE time travel dramas. I love food, too. I love romance and comedy, so I should have really loved this too, right? Unfortunately though, I even put it on hold after episode 6, and I cannot find it in me to continue, I tried several times and stopped watching it again after 15 minutes or so, because it's so boring, so predictable and nothing about the two leads falling in love makes sense. I am utterly disappointed because I was so hyped for this, on paper it has everything I want from in a drama, but it just didn't deliver. As you said, the plot just suddenly stopped after episode 3, it was really good until then, but then- poof, gone. And I keep thinking something will happen but the cooking and political plotting get in the way, and I just don't know what I'm watching anymore. As you said, as a slice of life, I would probably enjoy it, too, but I was promised fantasy, and drama and epic love. And now there's just the problem that I don't give a damn about any of the characters because the show never gave me any reason or good backstory to actively root for them. I also don't feel any chemistry between the leads. ML is still technically tyrant and a prick? Idk. I might just drop this once and for all.

I very much agree, I love LOVE time travel dramas. I love food, too. I love romance and comedy, so I should have really loved this too, right? Unfortunately though, I even put it on hold after episode 6, and I cannot find it in me to continue, I tried several times and stopped watching it again after 15 minutes or so, because it's so boring, so predictable and nothing about the two leads falling in love makes sense. I am utterly disappointed because I was so hyped for this, on paper it has everything I want from in a drama, but it just didn't deliver. You said the plot picks up again in the final 4 episodes, maybe I'll skip the whole stupid competition and jump to where things are actually happening. Now there's just the problem that I don't give a damn about any of the characters because the show never gave me any reason or good backstory to actively root for them. You know what, I guess i'll just sit that one out...

Yes, absolutely, I agree with you. You cannot 'love' someone from the beginning, love is something that develops over time. At first it's just attraction, interest, or as you say, lust, but that can turn into feelings of love the more you get to know the other person.

Fair enough, if that's not your thing. It's safe to say what they feel toward another at the moment isn't love, but attraction and piqued interest due to their unique characters. But I do think love can develop over time even if it's just physical at first.

I am surprised by how much I am enjoying this. It's definitely unfiltered comedy, very ridiculous but charming at the same time. The leads have chemistry as well. I usually dont watch airing shows, but this has just the right pacing for a weekly comedy-romance fix. So far I'm satisfied!

I'm not judging or anything, but what do you mean with 'fake'? Do you think no feelings can develop that fast?

I second Queen In Hyun's man, I must've seen it a dozen times. It's old, but the chemistry is soooo good (they actually dated for a while IRL), and the story absolutely gripping. I cried buckets. 'Live up to your name' is also really good!

I really enjoyed first 4 episodes, then it became so boring... I was so hyped for a time travel drama. I'm not even sure I wanna finish this.

I very much agree with you, I rewatched it recently but wished I had stopped at episode 8. People keep swooning over second couple, yet here I am wondering how in the world anyone could support a nasty character like *uck Gyu, who showed no interest in anyone besides himself. Ji Uk had gone through life believing his existence itself to be a sin, yet he grew up so lovable and kind, but his brother keeps threatening and tormenting him without taking into account that the real evil is his FATHER and Ji Uk has absolutely no fault in it. *uck Gyu seemed to have changed at the orphanage but the way he treated his brother just unmasked him as a selfish prick and I am disappointed he got his happy ending without ever owning up to his mistakes and apologizing. They shoved comedy down our throats where there should have been remorse and atonement, and not from Ji Uk's side. The show could've been a gem, it's unfortunate... I couldn't bring myself to watch the spin off, I wished it had been as originally with secretary and the writer-nim.

I think you misunderstood her in that regard. She said that she's afraid how her sister will be treated and shamed by the world, for living such an unconventional lifestyle. Korea is one of the most backwards countries in the world when it comes to stuff like this, it's even half a crime to move in together before getting married, imagine having an open relationship or being polyarmorous. It's a scandal worth of ostracization in Korean terms. Even being an orphan or divorced or whatever is seen as a flaw in society. It's terrible really, but true. So FL was worried about the backlash her sister would get. Even if she herself couldn't/wouldn't understand dating several people at once, it wasn't the reason why she argued with her.

I actually wish I had stopped watching at episode 8. Everything was so funny and good until then, even SML showed remorse and seemed to have changed for the better. But episode 9 flips the tables on everything and now I hate HATE the SML and his mother with a passion, they're the worst, selfish pricks, showing absolutely no regard for other people, their feelings and loved ones. I wish Ja Yeon had gotten together with secretary instead, and SML ended up all alone. He never apologized for his blackmailing and hurting ML in the worst way possible, yet got his happy ending. I'm so disappointed, really.

My fav Ji Chang Wook drama for romance is still Lovestruck in the City. insanely stupid title, but the drama is so so so good. It's real life right there. The chemistry is off the charts. And we get to see a dopey side of JCW. I watch it once or twice a year when I want to get all the feels and falling head over heels for someone. Just stop watching after episode 16, take a break and then watch episode 17 as a bonus chapter. It's barely related to the main story.

Unpopular opinion, but I really don't like Hyeri in romance dramas. Besides Reply 1988 which is mostly High School romance, I had to drop all of her romance dramas cause there was 0 chemistry and her overacting made it unbearable. I pray that this will be different because I love Hwang in Yeop.

That's good to hear, that it's resolved in the end and gives a positive message, because I watched at least half the show (had to drop it because some things were just difficult to watch...) and it was still riding on the 'beauty is everythig' wave. Thanks for clarifying. I might try to give it a third chance when I'm in the mood for something silly.

I really want to see Cha Eun Woo in a more mature romantic drama. I tried watching it again, but I just cannot get over the cringe. Some parts are funny but they didn't balance comedy and drama very well. Bullying is such a serious topic, I mean in the first episode she tried to commit suicide for heaven's sake, but the way they played it down afterwards left a bad taste. Then she puts on a tiny bit of make up, puts on pretty shoes and gets a perfect blow-out (like the thought never occured to her in the past, despite being bullied for so long) and suddenly they ENTIRE SCHOOL is calling her a Goddess and her attitude changes immediately. Okay, she's still timid, but she literally just went through hell and back at her old school, yet she's all sunshine and rainbows. Now everyone is gonna come at me being 'oh but it's a romcom, what do you expect?!' What I expect is a bit more substance and thought behind the drama, the transformation, her character... And all in all, the show still tells you, you need to be pretty to be successful and accepted. Not a very good message. Dropped again, unfortunately.

IKR? Second lead's romance was unbelievable at best, and SML a selfish prick until the end. The way he treated his brother was terrible and he never apologized. Just shows that he didn't grow up one bit from being a cyber bully. I was disappointed by those events.