This review may contain spoilers
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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This review may contain spoilers
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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This review may contain spoilers
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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