AyasKCorner

Packed with heart and pretty faces, but weighed down by logic gaps and narrative loops.

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️
This one's a bit long- so if you like slightly detailed reviews, you're gonna (hopefully) love this.

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good

The Casting Was a Gift
Let’s be real: watching Byeon Woo Seok and Song Geon Hee for 16 episodes was a blessing. The entire cast was easy on the eyes, but these two definitely carried a chunk of the show's watchability on their ridiculously attractive backs.

That Soundtrack Slapped
Honestly, the music was the MVP. The song Sun Jae wrote for her? Instant classic. The rest of the OST was just as strong — emotional, memorable, and the kind you keep on your playlist long after the drama ends.

Sun Jae’s Over-the-Top Love
Some people thought his love was too much — and yeah, the air-kissing scene was… a choice — but overall, I found it sweet. There’s something adorable about someone being head-over-heels, timeline-spanning in love. I just wish it had felt more earned. With a bit more depth to their story, this could’ve hit me even harder.

The Bad

Im Sol’s Lack of a Plan
Im Sol’s entire approach to time travel is… questionable, to say the least. After Sun Jae dies, instead of focusing on stopping the serial killer or figuring out how to protect him, her first instinct is to ghost him. Really? You’ve got a chance to save him, and you choose to avoid him like he's the one toxic ex you can’t escape? She spends her time reacting emotionally, but there's little thought behind her actions. She’s supposed to be a grown woman with life experience, yet she acts like a teenager with no game plan. Avoiding Sun Jae just wasn’t the move here.

Im Sol’s Lack of Survival Skills
Then there’s the sheer recklessness of her actions. She decides to lure the serial killer by herself, walking down a creepy alley with zero backup plan. Was she expecting him to follow her into a trap? If he had, no one would have known where she was. She’s a 30-something-year-old woman, but here she is, making choices that scream “I never learned basic survival skills.” This is especially frustrating because her lack of caution directly contributes to Sun Jae’s death. The serial killer was around, and she had no plan—just bad decisions all around.

The Villain That Wasn’t
Young Soo, the villain, is a major letdown. There’s no backstory, no motive, and he has no real purpose other than to create unnecessary drama. He’s obsessed with Im Sol for reasons unknown, and we never get any answers. For a character who’s supposed to be a threat, he’s more of a plot device. His death is anticlimactic—taken out by a random truck. What was the point of all the buildup? His character never really adds anything substantial to the story, and his unsatisfying end just leaves more questions than answers.

A Love Story That Did the Most
Sun Jae and Im Sol’s love story was sweet... if you only focus on the small moments. But zoom out, and it quickly becomes way too much. Im Sol’s side of things felt like an unhealthy obsession with Sun Jae. She’s so caught up in him that she neglects her family, especially her grandma, who has dementia. Hello? You had a chance to reconnect, and instead, you’re running around saving the guy? It made her love feel a bit too consuming, like everyone else existed just as a backdrop to Sun Jae. On Sun Jae’s side? The whole “obsessed after one rainy day” thing was hard to believe. A yellow umbrella and some candy, and suddenly he’s writing songs and tracking her down? Cute, but totally insane. And the weird part? He’s been obsessed the whole time, but in the beginning, he acts like she’s the annoying one. The disconnect here was maddening and made it hard to buy into his whole “I’ve always loved you” act.

The Friend & Brother Duo No One Asked For
Let’s talk about Hyun Joo and Im Geum. Their relationship was a mess. Hyun Joo’s undying love for Im Geum felt utterly undeserved. The guy made so many poor decisions, like blowing all their money on some random friend’s company and giving away lottery numbers. And yet, we’re supposed to root for them? Why? She had three kids with this guy, but I wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d packed up and left after the first dumb investment. Im Geum was a walking disaster. From his absurd crying over an ex at a camp retreat to his general lack of maturity, he was nothing but a giant, unnecessary subplot. Purposefully dumb characters like him are a pain to watch, and this pair’s scenes were the hardest to sit through.

Grandma Knows Everything?
Okay, can we talk about Grandma for a second? How did she know everything about the past without the watch? How was she time traveling? She was like the show’s magical plot hole, and the writers never bothered to explain any of it. It was beyond frustrating, especially when even Sun Jae couldn’t figure things out until the very end. She was a walking mystery that the show never even tried to solve, leaving me scratching my head over how she could be so all-knowing without any actual explanation.

The Drama Refused to End
By episode 12, I was done. I swear, this drama just kept going in circles. Sol avoids him, Sun Jae chases her, they get cute, and then… rinse and repeat. It felt like we were watching the same cycle over and over, and I honestly started zoning out by the end. The drama dragged, and by the time we got to the last episodes, I was begging for it to just end. We were running a marathon, not watching a K-drama. The fluff piled on, and the episodes started to feel like filler. At a certain point, you have to ask, “Is this a K-drama, or are we just going through the motions?”

The Ending
Let’s break the ending down into two parts.
First, the time travel—suddenly, it’s all perfectly controlled. Im Sol just so happens to travel to the exact moment when Sun Jae falls for her? Convenient, but totally unrealistic. It felt like lazy storytelling, making everything fit neatly into the plot when we’d spent the whole drama dealing with time travel randomness.
And then there’s the paralyzed body mystery. In the final life, where she prevents Sun Jae from falling for her, how was she able to avoid the accident she was supposed to have? The taxi driver randomly decides to become a silent stalker instead of finishing the job? The logic didn’t add up.
Lastly, Sun Jae’s suicide. Was it on purpose or just a random accident? We’re never really told. His depression seemed to only exist in one timeline, but did Young Soo push him? It’s another thread left dangling, with no closure.

Final Thoughts:
Lovely Runner had all the ingredients to be great—a unique premise, a gorgeous cast, strong performances, and an OST worthy of repeat listens. But somewhere along the way, it traded depth for swoon, and logic for vibes. The writers seemed so focused on making Sun Jae the ultimate simp that they forgot to build a believable love story—or a plot that made sense.

Despite the setup, the romance never felt earned, the villain was more plot device than person, and the side characters took up way too much screen time for how little they contributed. Honestly, if it weren’t for the cast, I doubt this show would’ve made half the noise it did.

By the final stretch, the endless loop of tragedy and reset got exhausting. And let’s be real—just because a drama can be 16 episodes doesn’t mean it should be. In the end, Lovely Runner wasn’t a sprint or a marathon—it was more of a scenic detour with great visuals, killer tracks, and way too many slow-mo stares

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Enemies to Lovers in what world??

This drama wasn't enemies to lovers but more like fake dating to real dating.

Before we get into it, keep in mind that this is my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone!!

The Good:
I liked her attitude throughout the show. She taught herself every fighting technique she could to avoid being the damsel in distress and I liked that.
I also thought it was a nice reality check to reporters out there who have no problems ruining someone's life for a buck. It was also like a reality check for fans out there who are more like stalkers than genuine fans. Some fans out there really believe that they own their idols and get the final say on their relationships. It's sad to see that fans can't even be happy for a guy if they don't deem the female "worthy" of him.

The Bad:
It wasn't enemies to lovers at all. She thought he was a predator and hated him for that (valid). But when she found out he wasn't (like two episodes later), not only did she not hate him, she saw him as an angel. As if not being a pedophile makes you an amazing guy. That shouldn't even be a thought, that's not even the bare minimum-- that should be a given.
Also, he didn't hate her at any point. I can't stand when people call a relationship enemies to lovers when only one of the two hates the other. He actually liked her from the start. He wanted the fake relationship in hopes of it becoming a real thing. In what world is that enemies?

I also felt like their reasonings for hating the entire opposite gender didn't really stand. She hated all men because out of all the men she's been with, they've been horrible. But she only ever surrounded herself with bad men. Obviously if you surround yourself around bad people, they are going to do bad things-- that's also a given. Then they make it seem like he was the best guy ever when he was just acting like a normal guy in a relationship. She was down bad simply because he wasn't like all the horrible guys she chose to be around. I kind of wish she had a valid reason for hating men. Even when she got cheated on in school, she didn't seem to care. I get her not wanting to get married because of her dad but even that's kind of just choosing the wrong man. I wish he'd have been a good partner before they got married then did a 180 when they got married. That would make more sense for why she didn't want to get married.

As for the guy, his mom was a gold digger and so now he assumes every other women is like that..? He hated all women but it was more like he couldn't stand entitled actresses (which makes sense). I don't know why they were both around horrible people and assume the whole gender is like that. Then when they meet each other their like "Maybe all women/men aren't so bad" which was like DUH!!

Then this anxiety thing that didn't make sense. He got nauseous around all woman because one girl broke up with him and called him a stalker like 10 years ago. bsfr. And how come she was the only one who didn't give him anxiety? that fact was kind of thrown in and it didn't even make much sense. They should've just said that he likes tough, independent women and called it a day. Him brushing his teeth and gagging after the kiss was something else. he did not have to do all that lolll.

Did anyone else feel like the hatred to the other gender was random? It didn't really add anything to the storyline. Yeah the girl made it seem like he was gay but that just ties in to the anxiety thing. I thought they would've hated each other as they reflected everything they thought they hated in the gender but actually ended up liking each other. OR SOMETHING.

Then my next issue, there was no antagonist or anything that gave this series life. I only finished this show because it was 10 episodes long and I was playing games on my phone at the same time. There was nothing that really made this show interesting. Maybe it would've been better if they actually hated each other but were forced into a fake relationship or something! Instead it was just two people in a fake relationship slowly fall in love. Which was nice but boring.

I also didn't get why Won Joon liked Na Eun even though she was just a regular girl. None of the characters stood out so it didn't make sense that the guy who was surrounded by a bunch of girls couldn't stop thinking about another regular girl. Like she acted just like the rest of the girls so what about her made him stop and change everything? Same with him. Neither of them stood out (actions wise) so why fall for each other?

Final Thoughts:
Like I said this show was okay. It had more problems than good things and that brought it down a bunch. I liked her bad b personality but that was mostly it. There was nothing in the show that added life and that also made it a struggle to watch. I liked the actors but that was also about it. They should've changed the name and not make it seem like two people who hate each other are forced into a fake relationship and make it seem like how it is: two people in a fake relationship falling in love.

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When the Phone rings: a show that progressively got more disappointing as it went on

The good:
The Casting & Plot Twist
Chae Soo Bin as Hee Joo was perfect and Yoo Yeon Seok as Baek Sa Eon was also a good choice. The first two episodes were amazing, it really had you interested instantly which can be difficult for a lot of shows. The plot twist with Baek Sa Eon not actually being Baek Sa Eon and that linking to the orphanage was a good twist. One other thing that I sort of understood and liked was how he started to care for her after she almost died. I especially liked the scene at the beginning when he sees her safe and we see him visibly relax.

The Bad
Buckle up — this is going to be a lot.
Their Relationship (or Lack Thereof)
This had the potential to be a great romance, but instead, it was rushed, messy, and absolutely ridiculous. Let’s break it down.
First off, why was Sa Eon so cold and distant toward Hee Joo for three whole years if he actually wanted the marriage? He planned the whole bride swap and then acted like it was some massive inconvenience to him. At first, I genuinely thought he wanted the older sister and got stuck with Hee Joo by accident. Turns out, he actually wanted to marry her — but his reasoning for being cold was ridiculous. He was “scared to let her in and care for her.” WHAT? WHY? We’re given no real explanation beyond that. Some people theorize it’s because of his childhood trauma, but that doesn’t really make sense to me. He was supposed to be Sa Eon until death — there was no replacing him after that. It’s not like they could swap him out again! Plus she didn’t have the money to leave even if she wanted to. So what exactly was stopping him from treating Hee Joo like a human being?
What exactly was preventing him from just… being with her? It’s like they wanted to write a brooding, conflicted male lead but forgot to give him an actual reason to brood or be conflicted. Real Baek Sa Eon would’ve come after her regardless, no hesitation.
Speaking of which, Hee Joo getting over those three awful years in, like, two minutes was absurd. She spent all that time hating her life, feeling invisible, only for him to show up a couple of times, and suddenly, she’s completely over it? The deep, unconditional love she had for him was never earned, and frankly, he didn’t deserve it. We should’ve seen him work for her forgiveness, fight for their relationship, and prove himself. Instead, we got… what? One camp retreat? That was it? Very disappointing to say the least..

The Jealousy…?
This ties into the relationship issue, so let’s address it. Sa Eon had absolutely no reason to be jealous of Sang Woo or the co-worker from the camp retreat. Just because they liked her doesn’t mean she liked them. It was obvious Hee Joo didn’t feel anything for Sang Woo, so his jealousy just felt forced. Sang Woo was just a good guy who learned sign language to be a supportive friend. The co-worker? Literally just being polite. And yet, Sa Eon was throwing around attitude like he owned her. It felt like he was mad that Hee Joo had any kind of chemistry (even non-romantic) with other men because he hadn’t built any chemistry with her — which was entirely his fault. Let’s not forget that regardless if she had chemistry or not with the others, she’s MARRIED to HIM! His whole vibe was giving, “I don’t want her, but I don’t want anyone else to have her either,” which was beyond annoying.

The Sign Language Fail
The show completely dropped the ball on this. This could’ve been such a sweet way to develop their relationship, but no. Despite supposedly liking her for years, Sa Eon never bothered to learn sign language? If they wanted to sell this whole “he loved her all along” narrative, why not have him secretly learn sign language? Imagine how much more powerful it would’ve been if, during that moment at the British Event (in the first or second episode) when she was angrily signing at him for calling her his weakness, he actually understood her. He could’ve understood her frustration and grown from it. For example, if she’s sick of him leaving dirty dishes in the sink, she could sign her annoyance. The next day, the sink would be spotless, leaving her both confused and touched. Think about it!!

Sang Woo Married… Who Now?
Sang Woo marrying Yu Ri was a surprise — and not in a good way. There was zero romantic chemistry between them at any point in the show. When they worked on the case together, they acted like two buddies solving a mystery, not two people falling in love. What made it worse (and kind of funny) was that Sang Woo was still obviously into Hee Joo, and Yu Ri had always had a crush on Sa Eon. The engagement announcement was so awkward, I thought it was a joke. At the end, when they’re all invited to Hee Joo and Sa Eon’s new home, Sang Woo looks visibly jealous when Hee Joo and Sa Eon share a cute moment. Then, when he and Yu Ri hold hands, he seems shy and not exactly thrilled. Man really settled for the next available option. Tough break.

The Family Dynamics…?
Hee Joo must have superhuman levels of forgiveness because her mother put her through years of emotional trauma, and it’s just… fine? No big deal? Her mom literally forced her into silence, yet we never get a proper reconciliation or even a moment where Hee Joo decides to cut her off. Her mom was manipulative and rude to her throughout the whole show, and we only saw her caring when she thought Hee Joo was dead.
Also, what was her relationship with her stepdad like? They interact maybe once the entire show, and that’s it. Whenever something happens to Hee Joo, he doesn’t seem to care or be worried at all. Meanwhile, the older sister’s return felt pointless. She revealed some information to Hee Joo, but that could’ve been discovered in other ways. Her messing with Sa Eon’s parents during the cooking thing was just random. She didn’t add much to the story after her initial revelations.

The Last Episode Was a Whole Different Show
The final episode went so off the rails, I had to double-check if I was still watching the same drama.
First, Sa Eon sells all his stuff and disappears after hearing “bad” news from real Sa Eon. Then Hee Joo finds out he’s in a war-torn country (that doesn’t exist). So naturally, she flies there alone and immediately heads straight to the most dangerous part, because why not? Predictably, she gets captured and then in the most ridiculous plot twist ever, she’s randomly rescued by a group of good guys — and who else but Baek Sa Eon just happens to be among them? What are the odds! The whiplash from this storyline was insane. The plot was so lost that by the end, the title of the show didn’t even make sense anymore. It’s ‘When the Phone Rings’ until about episode 6, and then it’s a complete mess.
And let’s not forget why Sa Eon left in the first place. He was punishing himself. It was his father's fault certain things happened. And what was Sa Eon doing during all of this? Fishing. In the woods. With some random old man. But somehow, he feels guilty? Make it make sense.

Small Things That Annoyed Me
Hee Joo and Yu Ri’s Friendship: I never felt like they were actually friends. They barely spoke the entire show. When Yu Ri finds out Hee Joo can talk, she’s upset she was never told — but they weren’t even that close.
The Wattpad Vibes: This show felt like it was written for 13-year-old girls. While that might work in a Wattpad story, it doesn’t translate well to a show meant for older teens and adults. The story would’ve been so much better if it had been adapted for a more mature audience.
Park Do-Jae’s Survival: Park Do-Jae (the friend) surviving after being beaten, drowned, and stabbed in the span of a few hours was insane. Is he immortal?
Hee Joo on the Phone: Hee Joo talking to Sa Eon on the “406” phone dragged on forever. When she fell off the cliff, she was clearly in pain and out of breath — on the phone — and still didn’t think he’d notice? It was so obvious, and the whole thing felt unnecessarily drawn out.
Hee Joo’s Sudden Speech: After years of being mute, Hee Joo starts speaking, and no one really cares? Everyone was shocked but moved on so quickly. There were no real questions or explanations — it was just accepted and forgotten. Huh?

Final Points:
At the end of the day, When the Phone Rings had so much potential but got lost in its own chaos. From rushed relationships to a finale that felt like a different show, it’s a K-drama that could’ve been great but ended up being… well, a mess. Still, it gave us plenty to talk about — and sometimes, that’s half the fun. Would I recommend it? Maybe, but only if you’re ready for a wild ride (and a few facepalms along the way)!

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Twenty Five Twenty One: I Came for the Romance, Stayed for the Edits

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good

The Actors
I say this in almost every review, but the acting? Chef’s kiss. Especially Kim Tae-ri as Hee Do—her crying scenes hit hard, and not in a dramatic K-drama way, but in a “wait, am I intruding on a real moment?” way. The raw emotion, the red eyes, the realism—it was so good it blurred the line between fiction and reality.

The Breakup
People say Hee Do would’ve fought harder for the relationship, but honestly? She did. She waited, she compromised, she swallowed a lot of disappointment. But after months of being stood up and feeling like a background character in her own love story, even Hee Do had her limits. When Yi Jin missed dinner with her mom, it wasn't just a scheduling conflict—it was a turning point.

Her breakup wasn’t abrupt, it was a slow, painful realization that she was walking into the same lonely life she lived as a kid with her mom. She saw the future and it looked like emotional déjà vu: workaholic partner, neglected family, inner child re-traumatized. Letting go wasn’t giving up—it was an act of self-preservation. Sometimes love is knowing when to leave before resentment replaces what was once beautiful.

The Scenes
The drama had its mess (see: “The Bad”), but wow, some scenes were cinematic gold. The friend group scenes were both heartwarming and a little heartbreaking for us friendship-deprived viewers (just me?). The fencing matches were so intense I forgot to blink, and the Madrid scene? Just pain. Soul-crushing, beautiful pain.

The Bad

Fencing Skills—Too Fast, Too Furious
I know K-drama characters are built different, but Hee Do’s glow-up in fencing felt a little too miraculous. One week she’s getting clowned at her old school, and the next she’s out-dueling Yu Rim, the fencing queen of Korea? Sure, she trained hard, but that kind of level-up usually comes with a time skip, not a montage. Did she just suddenly become psychic with everyone else's moves too? Unclear.

Yi Jin’s Big Apple Detour
Why did Yi Jin move to New York? Genuinely asking. The man had unresolved trauma there, looked miserable, and yet just… went? It felt like the writers spun a globe and said, “Here, New York.” Not to mention he made that choice without much thought for Hee Do, his brother, or, you know, anyone. And calling Hee Do’s support a burden? Sir, please go sit in the time-out corner.

So What Was This Drama About?
Romance? Yes. Fencing? Kinda. Friendship? Also yes? The show felt like it wanted to be ten things at once and ended up spreading itself too thin. It never fully committed to one storyline, so even great moments got a little lost in the shuffle. A tighter focus—like making Madrid the climax for both sports and emotional arcs—could’ve made the story land harder. Instead, it wandered, and at times... yeah, it got a little boring.

Too Real, Too Painful
This drama said, “Let’s talk about how nothing lasts forever,” and I was not emotionally prepared. It hit too close to home with its realism—watching friends drift apart, love fade, and life move on was depressing in the “ugh, fine, you're right” kind of way. I get that slice-of-life doesn’t always mean happy endings, but sometimes I want to be delusional. Let me pretend things work out perfectly forever, okay? That’s why I’m here!

Final Thoughts
This drama was just… fine. Not bad, not great—just aggressively average. It didn’t live up to the hype, and if I’m being honest, the only reason it’s not rated lower is because of that one beach scene song and the emotional edits people made online (they really did the heavy lifting).

The cast was great and there were cute moments, but it didn’t land for me the way it clearly did for others. It’s one of those shows I’ll forget the second I hit “post.” Moral of the story? Keep your expectations in check, or you’ll end up more disappointed than necessary. Glad I watched it—gladder it’s off my watchlist.

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"I hope you're hungry... For nothing"

This drama was the biggest let down of the year. From the reviews to the edits, I expected a masterpiece enemies-to-lovers. But instead, I got an arrogant, bare-minimum, (lowkey) narcissistic male lead, and a female lead who (while smart, quick witted, and brave) not only justifies every single thing he does, but accepts his bare minimum acts as if it's out-of-this-world love instead of what it is.

Quick Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! I respect everyone's opinions who liked this show! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

I had such high hopes walking into this drama because of how many people recommended it and at first, I got the hype. When the female lead, Qiao Man, set the sulfur on fire and then ran to him with a bunch of arrows behind her, I can't tell you how many times I went back. They really set this show up during the beginning. But sadly, as the episodes went on, it quickly went down hill. Let's break this up into "Good" and "Bad" (with subtitles) to keep it organized.

The Good
Qiao Man Really Stepped Up
Qiao Man was such a queen. I love when women in historical shows break the norms and act like a boss. She was so clever and she was guiding armies and slaying the game. Despite the relationship part (that I mention below) she was such a queen.

The Side Characters' Romance Carried
The best part of the show was the side characters' relationship. Wei Liang and Xiotao, and Bi Zhi and Qiao Fan were so cute. I loved watching their scenes and watching their relationships develop. They made the main relationship bareable.

The Bad
I Couldn't Stand Wei Shao
Wei Shao was so annoying, like, 90% of the time. He had such toxic masculinity that it was so hard to like him. I get that back in the day, most men had toxic masculinity, but this is a drama and things can be altered. Plus Wei Liang and Bi Zhi didn't act the way that he did. For example, he's the type of guy who would miss his wife terribly and yet would refuse to go and see her unless she came to him or asked for him. Like just go see your wife, we're tired. He never took the time to truly understand who Qiao Man was and it showed. I get that at first it's the thought that counts, but after a while, it becomes ridiculous.

And he was also incredibly PETTY! I couldn't stand how petty this man was. He was always overly mad at her for no reason and she always either justified it, or apologised (even if it wasn't her fault). It was like he loved a reason to be mad at her. And he'd be mad for so long too-- he'd even go as far as to sleep in the freezing government office because of his pettiness. Like when he read her wish boat and hurt because he thought he loved her more. First off, why does it matter if you love your wife more? And second, why go behind her back to read her note and then randomly be mad at her without even saying anything? It was like walking on eggshells with him and it was so overdone and not even worth it. I think he apologised once the entire show (and that wasn't even when he literally choked her).

I also couldn't stand how he did nothing but the bare minimum the entire show and everyone (in the show) seemed to have eaten it up. I get that he's a war lord and had his issues, but when he fell in love, he didn't do anything that wasn't already expected of a husband. When I watch dramas, I usually like/expect the husband to go above and beyond and do things many husbands/ men wouldn't do in the real world (like Sang Yan in The First Frost). I want to kick my feet and scream in my pillow! So when they not only act like a arrogant jerk the whole time but their redemption ark is just basic level husband things, it fails to land. He didn't bring much in terms of "husband goals" to begin with and what he brought, wasn't good enough. It just wasn't.

SLOWWWW Burn
Now I love a slow burn as much as the next person, but a show still needs to flow. This was much too much of a slow burn that they didn't even kiss until episode 29 (not drunk). Out of 36. This was much too slow and what made it worse is that they gave us nothing to kick our feet at until the near end of the show. And don't get me wrong, I fully understand that love is SOOO much more than intimate moments, but they didn't even give us any cute scenes continually throughout the show. We get like two cute scenes during the whole show up until ep 29..? What even is that? Like with Hidden Love, even though they didn't get together until later in the series, we were given enough cute scenes, full of chemistry, in the episodes leading up to it. And the male lead wasn't overly rude and blind during that time. So while it was also a slow burn, it wasn't the ML fighting his feelings for 60% of the show, then bare minimum effort for the next 20% before they finally kiss (and then some...) from episode 29 and up. It's like, I get slow and steady wins the race but it also doesn't. This didn't. Everyone finished and went home.

Qiao Man Was Too Good for Him
While Qiao Man had plenty of lovely qualities, she was way too lenient and forgiving for this man. Everytime he did something to her, she either justified it or blamed herself. Even when he chocked her, she justified it. It was so annoying watching her try so hard for a man that wasn't giving anything in return. She seemed to love him WAY MORE than he loved her and the writers didn't even bother to hide it.

And on top of that, I never understood when she said "He just seems cold but he's actually super kind and warm <3" Girl What? When? He was always mad and always cold. Once again, he gave her the bare minimum and she confused it for "Warmth and Kindness". I just couldn't wrap my head around their relationship and was way more interested in Bi Zhi and Qiao Fan.

Boya and Bi Zhi

Enough of the relationship, let's get into the storyline now. Anyone else think that Bi Zhi would've become the ruler of Boya and team up with Wei Shao to take control of other states? It was a bit disappointing when Bi Zhi became the Commander and then they just left it there. Like when they put the Qiao flag down, I thought it would've been the beginning of him taking control but they kind of just left it there.

The Ending
The ending was so unfortunately rushed. The show had nothing but filler for most of the middle episodes and when it finally got good, the show was at the end. The huge war and fights were squished into the last episode and the episode wasn't even longer than the rest. Most of the villains' in this show died off... quite pathetically. There was no fight, no intense near-death experiences, nothing. Despite the fact that they made such an uproar and shook the comfort of the Wei State, they died off in the span of 20 minutes. It really looked like the Wei Clan was going to be defeated and yet they won with a couple of speeches and like five really lucky, unkillable men. I wish they had the war brewing through the whole show and didn't wait until the final episode for the showdown. The defeat didn't go the way I expected and that wasn't a good thing. We didn't get enough time to process it and get into it.


I could keep going but this is getting long and you get my point. I really wanted to like this drama but I found it so hard too. I'm a drama reviewer (I have a blog) and I think it's forced me to take off the rose coloured glasses and see all the issues with dramas that I once overlooked. This show was so hard to like that the only reason I finished it was to tick it off my list. I hope no one got offended as that wasn't my intention.
Since everyone loved this drama (based on the reviews), what did you think of my points? Do any of you agree with me?

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A beautifully shot, emotionally devastating journey… with a few frustrating loose ends.

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good:

The Storyline
They really committed to the realism with that ending — no magical recovery, no love-powered miracles, just death. And weirdly, I respect that. Hae Jo’s gradual shift from not caring about life to desperately clinging to it was handled with such subtlety, it wrecked me. Like, actually had me sobbing. You feel his transformation, which makes his death hit even harder.

The Ending
That final scene with his dad? Brutal and beautiful. Watching all versions of Hae Jo hug his father — child, teen, adult — felt like his soul was finally at peace. It was symbolic, emotional, and honestly? Perfect closure.

The Scenery
Every frame was wallpaper-worthy. The cinematography team did not come to play. Especially that final backdrop — if you’re gonna die, might as well do it with a killer view.

Woo Do Hwan
Woo. Do. Hwan. That’s it. That’s the review.

The (Possibly Real) Father Theory
Okay, I might be reaching, but the second dad totally felt like the real dad. The show never confirmed it, but the emotional parallels were suspicious. Both he and Hae Jo lashed out at people they cared about when feeling cornered — textbook self-sabotage. Their similarities ran deep, and honestly? That fish market bonding scene had too much heart for it to be fake. Maybe he didn’t mean to screw everything up — maybe he just didn’t know how to handle finally having something good. Sound familiar?

The Bad
Jae Mi Deserved Better
The trailer teased a love story, but Jae Mi ended up feeling like a narrative prop. While Hae Jo found peace (read: died) and Heung found freedom, Jae Mi just… existed. Her arc barely went anywhere. No closure, no growth, not even a final scene to show where she landed. The show really said, “Thanks for your service, now exit stage left.”

Character Development? Where?
For a man on the clock, Hae Jo didn’t grow much. He just kept abandoning Jae Mi, feeling bad about it, then doing it again like it was a hobby. Compare that to other dramas where terminal characters find emotional clarity — Hae Jo stayed in his mess. By the end, it felt less like a tragic hero and more like a guy stuck in a loop.

The Dad’s Mystery Vibes
Why did the dad never explain himself? He clearly kept mementos and cared on some level, but we never get a reason for why he ghosted his literal child. That flashback where he pretends not to know Hae Jo? Weird. And then… nothing. The emotional math wasn’t mathing.

The Final Goodbyes Fell Flat
His last moments with Bong Suk and Gi Ho were rough — and not in a cathartic way. Bong Suk, who was clearly a mother figure, got hit with a cold “you meant nothing to me” monologue before he dipped. Gi Ho, the ultimate ride-or-die, barely got a proper sendoff. These two loved him unconditionally, and he couldn't give them one final moment of sincerity? Painful.

Abrupt Ending, So Many Loose Ends
Yes, he’s Mr. Plankton — he drifts. But did the plot have to drift off with him? The second he dies, the show just… ends. No follow-up, no grief montage, no hint of what happens next. We don’t know what became of Jae Mi, the business, the gangsters, the dad — anything. Bold choice? Sure. Satisfying? Not even a little.

Final Thoughts
Mr. Plankton is a rollercoaster — heartbreaking, hilarious, and deeply human. It’s a raw, poetic story about life, death, and the messy, beautiful connections we stumble into along the way. Woo Do Hwan delivers an unforgettable performance, and the show’s refusal to sugarcoat reality? Bold and brutal in the best way.

That said, it’s not without bumps. Some characters were left undercooked, the ending felt rushed, and too many threads were left dangling. Still, its emotional honesty and gorgeous visuals leave a lasting impression. It’s not perfect, but it sticks with you. If you’re into bittersweet endings, painfully real characters, and male leads who are (almost unfairly) attractive — this might just be your next favorite. A strong 7/10, and with a bit more closure, it could’ve easily hit a 9.

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20th Century Girl was disappointing and surprising in a bad way...

If you've seen 20th century girl, this review will make sense. But if you haven't then read this after because it won't make much sense. I was very disappointed in this to say the least so you will see the bad is a lot longer than the good :)

One sentence description: A nostalgic story about a girl who becomes trapped by the memory of a crush, clinging to the past for over a decade.

The good
A good story line
The fact that he died in the end was excellent, I don’t think anyone watching this was expecting it. In fact, I’m sure we all believed that he would’ve returned years later with an explanation and it would’ve ended happily. Especially since she waited all that time for him. I also liked the scenes they had together, they were super cute and I enjoyed it. Bo Ra is definitely a real good friend for not only pushing down her feelings but also rejecting him even though she felt the same. The storyline was really good and all the characters were amazing- especially facially (**Byeon Woo-Seok**). I did feel bad for the best friend because it was clear that she never had a chance from the start but I did have a few opinions on her (which will be in the “bad” section). All-in-All, this film had a great plot and that’s why it got a 7/10 from me.

The Bad
Why It Got a 7/10
My biggest issue? Bo Ra and Woon Ho didn’t spend enough time together for her to be locked in for 15+ YEARS. Don’t get me wrong, their moments were cute, and I totally get why they liked each other. HOWEVER, in my opinion, it just wasn’t enough. She spent so much time avoiding him and her feelings that there weren’t enough moments to really justify calling it love.
Not only that, but from the way the movie played out, it seemed like they knew each other for less than a year — yet she stayed single for years waiting for him?? That’s wild. Maybe my opinion stems from the fact that I’ve never had a crush, but still — there were definitely not enough scenes that explained why she remained so loyal for 15 years. So while it was cute that she waited, imagine finding out you put your love life on hold for 15 years over a dead man. (And I say that with the utmost sincerity — R.I.P. Woon Ho.)

Yeon Du Was Kind of a Bad Friend
Bo Ra was such a good friend to Yeon Du, but was it really mutual? She knew Woon Ho had no feelings for her, yet refused to let her best friend — who clearly liked him — be with him out of jealousy? Like, please. If the roles were reversed, Bo Ra would’ve sucked it up and pretended to be fine. Yeon Du, on the other hand, waited until the last possible moment to get over herself, and by the time she did, Woon Ho was already leaving. On top of that, it’s not like he was sticking around — he was moving to the other side of the world. She should’ve just told herself “This isn’t going to last” and let them be happy for the time they had left. The friendship dynamic was so 30/70, and it was a shame.

Woon Ho’s Death…?
Okay, so can we talk about how his death was so vague? Like, we’re just told he died in 2000 in an accident and that’s it. What accident? I think it would’ve hit way harder if we had more context.
For example, imagine if he died on his way to the airport to see her. Maybe she was waiting for him with a sign, only for his plane to land…and he never gets off. Then later, she finds out he got into a car crash on the way. THAT would’ve been devastating. Instead, it just felt like a buildup that suddenly dropped. Like in baseball when you think it’s a home run, but then it just…gets caught.

What Happened to the Side Characters?
This is a general issue in many other K-dramas I’ve seen, but why do side characters just disappear? The ending always hyper-focuses on the main leads, and we never find out what happens to everyone else.
Like, did Bo Ra and Yeon Du stay friends? Do they still talk to Hyun-Jin? Or did the whole friend group just dissolve because Woon Ho was the glue holding them together? I need answers! Also, why didn’t she ask Hyun-Jin if he had heard from Woon Ho? Like, wouldn’t that have been the first thing you’d do if someone stopped responding to you? But I guess the story would’ve played out differently if she found out sooner that no one had heard from him.

Final Thoughts
Overall, 20th Century Girl had so much potential, and while it was still an enjoyable movie, some parts just didn’t land for me. The romance wasn’t developed enough, the friend was lowkey selfish, the side characters disappeared, and his death needed way more explanation. A solid 7/10 — but it could’ve been higher if they had given us just a little more.

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A Thriller That Keeps You Guessing Until the End

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good
Twist After Twist After Twist
This movie knew how to mess with your mind in the best way possible. The plot twists had me questioning everything, just like Jin Seok. When his brother came back acting all strange, I was sure Yoo Seok was the villain. I had my own theory board going, but of course, I was wrong. And that journey to the truth? So worth it.

Edge-of-Your-Seat Suspense
The suspense in this movie was chef’s kiss. From the pencil inches away from Jin Seok’s eye to the creepy room with those weird noises—every scene had me on edge. What made it even more gripping was the feeling that everyone in the movie knew what was going on, except for us. No slow build here—it was intense right from the start.

The Psychological Element
Jin Seok’s mental struggle hit differently because, honestly, it’s not just fiction. When you experience extreme trauma, your brain sometimes blocks it out as a coping mechanism, even creating fake memories. That’s what happened to Jin Seok. His guilt over the family’s accidental deaths was so heavy, it was buried deep in his mind. And when the truth finally came back? Yikes. It’s fascinating in a deeply unsettling way.

A Tragic but Perfect Ending
This might sound grim, but when a character gets what they want and then dies? That hits. It’s tragic, sure, but also poetic. Yoo Seok’s mission was finally complete, and then he ended his life. It felt like a tragic, full-circle conclusion. The whole movie started with tragedy and ended with it—perfectly tied together, in the most haunting way.

No Time Wasted
One of the best things about Forgotten was how it didn’t waste any time. No slow build, no dragging out the plot—this movie got right to the point. I watched it with my dad and stepmom, both of whom hate slow movies, and even they were hooked from the beginning. That’s how you know the pacing was on point.

The Bad
The House Was Just… There?
Why was Jin Seok in that house? I get it’s part of Yoo Seok’s trap, but it didn’t really help Jin Seok recover his memories. He didn’t start remembering until after he left. The house felt more like a weird psychological manipulation tool with no real payoff, rather than a meaningful part of the plot.

Lack of Flow
I love a good mystery, but Forgotten took it too far. The twists worked because they blindsided us, but the clues were nonexistent. We were trying to solve for A or B, only to be hit with an answer we didn’t even know was possible. The kidnapping? Juicy, but pointless. And the brother’s personality switch was just confusing—didn’t tie into anything. It was like they were so focused on making him suspicious that they forgot about the bigger plan.

Plot Overload
This movie couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. The two major plots—the kidnapping and the murder—competed for attention. They ended up just getting thrown at us in phases, with no real resolution. The kidnapping took way too much focus, especially considering how insignificant it turned out to be. Maybe they could’ve focused on one plot or expanded the story to give everything the attention it deserved.

The Trailer Lied (a Little)
Not a huge deal, but the trailer totally sold this as a "my-brother-isn’t-my-brother" thriller, and that wasn’t even the main plot. It definitely misled me, but I’m glad the movie still held up despite the bait-and-switch.

Final Thoughts
This movie is one of my top-rated thrillers. It hooked me from the start, with twists and a hauntingly poetic ending. A solid 9/10 from me.

But once you look closer, the cracks start showing—like the multiple main plots fighting for attention, and the kidnapping arc that didn’t really go anywhere. It’s one of those movies where the first watch is a rollercoaster, but on a second go, you’ll catch a few eyebrow-raising moments.

Still, no movie is perfect. Forgotten delivered where it counted. It’s the kind of thriller you wish you could experience for the first time again. And if you do rewatch it, just don’t think too hard about the plot holes—gasp dramatically, pretend you didn’t see them, and keep the popcorn coming.

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Romance, Action, and Heartbreak Done Right

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️
This one's a bit long- so if you like slightly detailed reviews, you're gonna (hopefully) love this.

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good
Plotline Perfection (aka Genre Soup That Actually Worked)
This drama blended so many genres—romance, action, suspense, and even comedy—and somehow pulled it off. The pacing picked up fast, and once it did, it never lost momentum.
And the twists? Unhinged in the best way. That final one with Man Dong? I was gagged. Freedom was right there, and they missed it because of him? Genius-level chaos.

Jisoo’s Acting Debut = Slay
Jisoo really surprised me. For her first drama, she held her own against a cast full of seasoned actors and never broke the immersion.
Sure, there were moments Hae In had to work a little harder to sell their chemistry, and that kiss felt more like a polite nod than passion—but overall, she did well. Respect.

The Romance: Chaotic, But Cute
I really liked Soo Ho and Yeong Ro’s love story. It was sweet and soft without overpowering the main plot.
It felt real—awkward at times, but in a good way. And Soo Ho didn’t turn into a fool for love, which automatically makes him elite.

The Ending (A Beautiful Tragedy)
That ending… whew. Of course I wanted them to end up together, or at the very least have him survive. But honestly? I’m not mad at how it played out. It was beautifully done and, more importantly, believable.
I’m so glad they didn’t go the unrealistic route where he jumps out the window, dodges bullets, and somehow lives. His death actually meant something.
And that epilogue? The "what if we met under normal circumstances" callback? I was done. Beautiful, heartbreaking, unforgettable.

Bun Ok: Annoying, But I Get It
She was frustrating, but her actions made sense. Everything she did came from a place of survival and desperation.
And her quiet thing with Comrade Joo? The unspoken looks? The subtle softness? Honestly, one of the most underrated dynamics in the show.

The Bad

Slow-Motion Start-Up
I get the need for setup, but this one dragged its feet. The first few episodes were painfully slow—like, “am I watching the right show?” slow. Cute moments popped in here and there, but overall? Snoozefest.
And the wives? Please. Their boutique gossip sessions were filler at best and dead weight at worst. The “13 virgins” subplot? Completely irrelevant. Their scenes killed the pace and made the early episodes hard to sit through.

Plot Convenience (AKA The Spy Personality Swap)
Soo Ho’s sudden moral awakening made zero sense. These people were raised and trained to follow orders no matter what—especially spies. But the moment things got dicey, they all just… switched sides?
Comrade Joo was the only one who stayed true to his conditioning. Everyone else? Way too soft, way too fast. I get drama magic, but Soo Ho risking his sister’s safety for a girl he barely knew? That’s not love, that’s lazy writing.

Can Someone Please Die Already?
No, I’m not heartless—just honest. For a “high-stakes hostage crisis,” the show weirdly avoided actual stakes. Nobody died for most of it, which killed the tension.
Soo Ho and the spies hesitated way too much. Even Gang Mu surviving made no sense. You can’t sell us intensity with constant threats and zero follow-through. At some point, the hostages should’ve realized there were no real consequences.

Final Thoughts

As you can probably tell, I loved this drama. “The Bad” section was honestly me nitpicking—none of it ruined the experience.
Yes, the beginning dragged, but once the plot kicked in, it stayed in. Every episode had me glued to the screen, the twists kept landing, and the romance felt just right—soft but never sappy.

And that ending? Devastatingly beautiful. The epilogue lives rent-free in my mind. I know there was a lot of controversy around this show, which is why I focused on the hostage plot, not the politics. But from a storytelling perspective, it was stunning.
The romance was grounded, the stakes were real, and Soo Ho had me emotionally unwell for days. I fully plan to rewatch—just be warned: come for the thriller, stay for the emotional destruction.

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Cinderella at 2AM proved that even 10 episodes can feel long when nothing happens.

I write really long reviews but here's a summary. Keep in mind this is just my opinion and I don't mean to offend anyone ❤️
This one's a bit long- so if you like slightly detailed reviews, you're gonna (hopefully) love this.

❗SPOILERS AHEAD❗

The Good

Moon Sang Min as Joo Won
Let’s be real—Moon Sang Min carried this drama. His character was the only reason I powered through. Joo Won was so my type, and I don’t care what anyone says!! He was adorable, loyal, and had me seriously questioning my own standards. The casting? Chef’s kiss. He fit the role perfectly.

Si Won & Mi Jin’s Side Romance
Si Won and Mi Jin’s relationship was the real saving grace of this show. Their romance was way more entertaining than the main couple’s, and they stole the spotlight every single time they were on screen. Si Won was hilarious, Mi Jin had charm, and together they made every scene better. Usually, side character arcs bore me or feel like filler, but not this time—I was all in.

The Bad

Boring Story & Endless Loops
This drama was painfully slow and uneventful. Like… how does a show with fewer episodes than usual still feel like a marathon? From episode 3 to the very end, it was the same tired loop: Joo Won chasing, her pushing him away—and not in a flirty, will-they-won’t-they way. Just… pushing.

Her Unbalanced “Love”
Their love felt more like 20/80 than 50/50. Joo Won was out here treating her like his entire world, while she was giving the emotional equivalent of dry toast. I get that she was the one who ended things, but come on—where was the longing? The late-night breakdowns? The “almost called you but didn’t” scenes?
Sure, she mentions her feelings later, but by then it felt like a random info drop. There was no emotional buildup, so it didn’t land. And don’t get me started on the wedding. She put zero effort into planning and genuinely thought work achievements were more important than showing up for their future together. Like girl, be serious. He was rightfully upset, and I felt zero sympathy for her.

Underwhelming Acting Choices
No shade—it’s not easy being an actor—but I needed more range from Yoon Seo. Every time she was annoyed or uncomfortable, it was the same expression. If you’ve seen it, you know exactly which one I’m talking about. It got repetitive fast.

No Antagonist & Wasted Trauma
The show dragged because there was no real antagonist or tension. Joo Won’s mom? A minor inconvenience at best. No external pressure, no urgency—just vibes.
And the abuse storyline? Wasted. It could’ve added depth, but instead it felt like a sympathy card that went nowhere. Her trauma was barely explored. Her parents die off-screen, and the whole thing is forgotten. If they’d actually shown how that trauma affected her current relationship—maybe fears of repeating past patterns—it would’ve brought some much-needed emotional complexity.

Everyone Felt Like a Side Character
No one in this show had real development. It felt like everyone—even the leads—were just floating through. No character arcs, no personal growth. While Si Won & Mi Jin came close, the rest were flat and forgettable. It made the show feel hollow.

The “Block” Button?
This one's short: why didn’t she just block the number? Before she knew it was the artist, she had no reason to keep responding. Watching her get mad at texts she could’ve stopped instantly? Infuriating. Girl, just hit “block” and move on.

Final Thoughts

Cinderella at 2AM somehow made 10 episodes feel like 20. I didn’t go in with high expectations, and it still managed to underwhelm. By the end, I was half-watching—just trying to get through it.

Joo Won was perfection, and Si Won and Mi Jin brought some much-needed life, but it wasn’t enough to save a flat plot and one-sided romance. The pacing dragged, there were no real stakes, and the “other lover” subplot was as weak as the rushed wedding.

Honestly, the only reason I’d revisit this show is to remind myself what true loyalty looks like—because Joo Won really set the bar. So for that… I guess I owe it a tiny thanks. Just a little.

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