AyasKCorner

A suspenseful thriller that starts strong but loses steam in an endless cycle of chase and escape.

Midnight is proof that sometimes, survival isn’t just about skill—it’s about sheer, unexplainable luck.

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

The Good

Perfect Casting Across the Board
The casting for this film was spot-on. Everyone played their role so convincingly that it elevated the entire experience. You don’t realize how much great casting impacts a movie until you find yourself bumping the rating up just because the actors got it.

Kept You on Edge… At Least at the Start
The beginning really knew how to keep you anxious. That entire first chase sequence had me gripping my seat. Every time he nearly caught her, I found myself holding my breath. It felt chaotic in the best way, like anything could happen next.

Her Deafness Was a Game-Changer
Kyung Mi’s deafness made the entire experience ten times more nerve-wracking. The way the film muted the audio at times, letting us feel her disorientation, was so well done.


The Bad
The Cat and Mouse Game That Never Ended
At first, the chase between Kyung Mi and Do Shik was gripping, keeping the tension high and the stakes intense. But as the movie went on, it became painfully repetitive. The cycle of her running, him catching her, hesitating for no clear reason, and her narrowly escaping played out over and over again. How is he always just a second too late? Is it sheer luck? The suspense turned into frustration, and by the end, I was more over-it than anxious.

Frustrating Moments of Plot Convenience
This ties directly into the endless chase loops, but the level of plot convenience in this film was wild. Jong Tak, for example, felt like one of the most useless characters second only to the police. He spent most of his screen time either running in the wrong direction or getting beat up. And don’t even get me started on the scene where Do Shik traps Kyung Mi under a chair only for her to throw sand in his face, which sends him flailing on the ground long enough for her to break free. I ask this again: how is it that he had already killed multiple people, yet Kyung Mi, who couldn’t speak or hear, managed to outsmart and evade him time and time again? It was hard to take him seriously when he kept fumbling like this.


Final Thoughts

On first watch, this movie was solid. I even gave it an 8 out of 10. Once I rewatched it, the flaws became glaringly obvious. Things that had slipped past me the first time now stood out like neon signs. There were way too many moments when she escaped when she absolutely shouldn’t have, and a whole lot of scenes that felt like filler. While I still appreciated the tension and the strong acting, the endless chase sequences felt way more repetitive the second time around.
Basically, enjoy the suspense while it lasts, because once you notice the plot holes, police incompetence, and absurd chase sequences, there’s no going back.

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This one got mixed reviews from a lot of people, what did you think when you first watched? Was it as interesting as I first thought it was?

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A dark and layered tale about love, lies, and legacy – with a bit too much story

Between fake identities, serial killers, and buried traumas, this drama delivers a packed plot — just not always at the right pace.

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕


The Good:
Suspense On Suspense On Suspense
This show was thriller galore! Every time the story jumped to a new case, it was so engaging. I think the key was that, aside from the little boy’s arc, all the cases ended up being connected, making every twist feel intentional rather than random. The pacing was so well thought out.

A surprisingly wholesome love story (minus, you know… the crime)
I loved that Hyun Soo and Ji Won were genuinely in love. Their family dynamic was so sweet, and it was refreshing to see a K-drama couple that wasn’t secretly miserable or hiding petty resentment (outside the whole serial killer thing, obviously).
Watching Ji Won battle her feelings as a detective vs. her love for Hyun Soo was so compelling. And the fact that they kind of worked together to uncover his true emotions? Heartwarming. I liked seeing him realize he did love her. It gave their relationship more emotional weight.


The Bad

Dragged Out — Especially Towards the End
As much as I loved the suspense, there were definitely some dull moments, particularly near the end. If a show could function perfectly fine without a full hour-long finale, did it really need to be there?
When a show is highly rated/recommended, I tend to hype it up too much, expecting flawless storytelling   but this made me realize maybe I set the bar too high. It was good, but there were definitely noticeable slow parts too.

They Made Him Seem Like the Bad Guy… But He Wasn’t
Look, I love a good fake-out — the kind where the story has us side-eyeing someone only to flip the script. But here? It felt excessive. Hyun Soo didn’t just look like the bad guy , he acted like one. I mean, tying someone up in your basement and trying to force pills down their throat when they ask a question you don’t like, isn’t exactly giving “wrongly accused soft boy.” The show wasn’t hinting at him being guilty,  it was straight-up telling us he was the killer, only to swerve at the last second and say, “Surprise, he’s completely innocent!”

Why Did Hae Soo Let Him Live Like That for YEARS?
Why did Hae Soo let Hyun Soo live as a fugitive all those years? She clearly cared about him when they were younger, so it doesn’t make sense that she let him take the fall for something he didn’t do. I get that she had trauma, too. But even if she couldn’t face things for herself, why not do it for him? Instead, it felt like she chose lifelong guilt over taking any real action to protect her brother. (Glad she got justice, though.)

He Lost His Memory at the End… Why?
I have a soft spot for drama, obviously, but Hyun Soo losing his memory at the end felt like pure filler. It didn’t add anything meaningful to the story, and in fact, it robbed us of closure. After everything he went through, clearing his name, his emotional journey with Ji Won, facing his trauma, we’re supposed to accept that he doesn’t remember any of it? That he finally earned peace, only to lose the memories that gave it meaning? The ending only left me feeling the same kind of pity for him as I did throughout the show.

Ji Won Gave Up on Hyun Soo?! LOLL
This one made me chuckle …  but like, in a sad way. Ji Won really went through everything with Hyun Soo, risked her job, almost died multiple times… and then was ready to bounce to Busan the moment he lost his memory? I get it, she was probably done emotionally, but it just felt off. She knew how much he suffered, how isolated he was. So to be ready to leave him behind right when he needed her most? It didn’t sit right. If there was more depth to her decision, I’d be more understanding. But I’m not gonna read between the lines for hidden meaning that wasn’t there. So, yeah… it was giving “I tried” energy, but also “girl what?”


Final Thoughts
This show was really good when it was good. The suspense, the twists, the acting — top-tier. But when it dropped from mountain-high excitement to deep-sea slow, it was painfully obvious. I get that shows need slower parts to give context and build up to the next big thing, but there’s a fine line between slowing down for effect and slowing down to a near-complete stop.
Unfortunately, those dragged-out moments ended up sticking with me more than the parts that had me on the edge of my seat. The emotional whiplash just didn’t balance out in the long run ; which is a shame because when Flower of Evil was thrilling, it was REALLY thrilling.
At the end of the day, I get why people loved this show. If you’re into thrillers, twists, and a touch of psychological intrigue, this drama has a lot to offer.

~~~
What did you think of the show? This wasn't even all my thoughts haha! I just summarised the most relevant bits but I still think you got my point (hopefully) 😊

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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 drama that dipped its toe into self-acceptance and then cannonballed into teen romance chaos

A story about a girl who wanted to quietly survive high school, but got main character energy, two love interests, and one very public scandal instead.

This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

The Good
Cha Eun Woo… DUH.
Let’s be real, Cha Eun Woo was an absolute delight to watch. Was his acting perfect? No. But I mean I wasn’t watching for an Oscar-worthy performance after all. From start to finish, he was effortlessly handsome. (Truly a visual legend. 🤭🤭)

Team Seo Joon. No hesitation.
Apparently when True Beauty first dropped, the K-drama fandom split in half over the great debate: Soo Ho vs. Seo Joon. Regardless, it’s my turn to explain why I’m riding with Seo Joon. No hesitation. Here’s why:

Soo Ho was lowkey possessive
Somewhere along the way, Soo Ho’s vibe shifted. At first, it felt like “I like you and want to be with you,” but it slowly turned into “You’re mine because I saw you first and Seo Joon can’t have you.” That’s not love, that’s ego.

Seo Joon actually liked her
He constantly showed up for Ju Kyung, went out of his way to make her feel better, and genuinely wanted her to be happy. His affection didn’t feel forced—it felt real.

Soo Ho just stood there
Remember when Ju Kyung was afraid of being bullied because girls were mad about her dating Soo Ho? His response? Silence. His energy reminded me of Beck from Victorious—just standing around, not actively telling people to back off, assuming that not liking them was enough. (Spoiler: It wasn’t.)

The photo reveal incident
Okay, credit where it’s due, Soo Ho did try to comfort Ju Kyung when she got humiliated. But outside of that? He did nothing. Meanwhile, Seo Joon was on a mission. He texted her constantly, hunted down the culprits, confronted Soo Jin, and even got the video taken down. That’s a good man right there.

Her true identity? He fumbled it
The moment Soo Ho found out what Ju Kyung actually looked like, he immediately used it to mess with her. I get he wanted to get close to her and while his intentions might have been good, his approach was awful. It backfired, and rightfully so.
Meanwhile, Seo Joon found out, he respected her secret, never pushed her to reveal it, and, unlike Soo Ho, didn’t make her insecurities his business. Honestly, it felt like Ju Kyung fell for Soo Ho because he was the first person to see her face and still like her—which felt more like a trauma bond than a love story.

There are more reasons, but you get the idea. Seo Joon felt like the healthier, more emotionally available option.

Too Much Romance, Not Enough Personal Growth
While I did enjoy the relationship drama, the show’s title and premise suggested something deeper; a journey of self-acceptance. But instead of True Beauty being about Ju Kyung embracing her real self, it quickly turned into a love triangle spectacle.
Yes, there was some growth by the end, but honestly, it felt rushed and tacked on. Throughout the show, Ju Kyung seemed determined to never go without makeup; she didn’t actively try to accept herself. It wasn’t until the photos leaked that she was basically forced to face reality, which made it feel less like a journey of self-love and more like “Well, the secret’s out—guess I have no choice.”
I wish the show had explored her gradual acceptance of her natural face while helping other girls embrace their insecurities along the way. Instead, the message boiled down to: Fake it until you literally have no other choice. Imagine if, instead of her being exposed, she had reached a point where she chose to show up to school without makeup. That would’ve been way more impactful and a true sign of growth and self-love.

Story Dragged… Lost the Plot After Episode 14
I went into True Beauty expecting a drama about a girl hiding her face, embracing her beauty, and dealing with boys in high school. Next thing you know—she’s working and getting drunk on weekends?? Once she accepted herself, picked Soo Ho, and wrapped up her growth, boom, roll credits. The whole point was her embracing her true beauty, so why are we still going after that?

The Mom’s Sudden Change
The mother’s so-called redemption arc? Yeah, not buying it.
She spent Ju Kyung’s entire childhood being unbelievably harsh on her, never explaining why. Then, the moment she found out Ju Kyung was being bullied, she suddenly did a full 180 and was instantly forgiven—despite basically being one of Ju Kyung’s own bullies at home.
We needed a deeper redemption arc for her. Without it, her sudden shift just felt unearned.

The Sister/Teacher Relationship Was A Major Eye-Roller
I seriously can’t stand obnoxious characters, and the sister/teacher dynamic was exactly the kind of thing that makes romance comedies hard to watch.

Soo Ho Let Seo Joon Hate Him
I get that Soo Ho was drowning in self-loathing and guilt, but why do characters act like clearing up basic misunderstandings is impossible?
Seo Joon blamed Soo Ho for everything, then later admitted that he didn’t realize how much Se Yeon’s death destroyed Soo Ho. And Soo Ho? He just let himself be hated, never once trying to set the record straight. If something isn’t true, say it. They struggled alone when they could’ve leaned on each other, and that? That was the saddest part.


Final Thoughts
In the end, this show was… okay. I mainly watched it because of Cha Eun Woo, but honestly, if he’d been killed off or moved to Canada halfway through, I would’ve stopped watching. If they had focused more on her self-love journey (and if she had picked Seo Joon), this show would’ve landed way better.
I started watching True Beauty expecting a coming-of-age arc where Ju Kyung grows through different stages of self-acceptance and ends up stronger for it. Instead, I got two boys fighting over a girl who only ever liked one of them.
I once read a comment that said, “Don’t watch True Beauty like a critic—watch it like someone who just wants a light romance comedy,” and honestly? I agree. If you’re not thinking too deeply, you might not even notice the flaws and genuinely love it.
So sit back, mute your brain, and enjoy the pretty faces. That’s the real secret to loving True Beauty.
And if that doesn’t work, just pretend it’s a Cha Eun Woo music video with plot cameos. 😌

~~~

What did you think of this drama? Are you team Seo Joon or Soo Ho? And if it’s Soo Ho, tell me why… seriously.
These aren't all my thoughts but I think you get the point!

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A Dream Within A Dream Was Amazing at First...

After watching "Prisoner of Beauty", I thought I'd have beef with Liu Yu Ning's next characters. But turns out a character is just a character and Nan Heng is now on my "Ge Ge list" (🤭).

Before we get into this, please remember that this is MY OPINION and I'm not here to hate on the actors or anybody who disagrees with me. I can be very brutal but it's all lighthearted! Also SPOILERS AHEAD so keep that in mind. This is going to be another long one so let's keep this convo fun and respectful 💕.

The Good
Nan Heng
When I watched Prisoner of Beauty, I thought I'd have a bit of a prejudice against Liu Yu Ning's next character (joke) but then I met Nan Heng and fell in love. It's meant to be guys, it really is. Liu Yu Ning is a celebrity crush now and Nan Heng was a delight. I loved the character and how he was portrayed. He was such a caring guy and also super funny. He facial expressions when he'd have to save the Yi Meng were hilarious. Amazing character and has raised my standard for men in future historical dramas.

"White Head Same Heart"
I loved how they used "White Head Same Heart"! it was so clever and I love when that happens in dramas. When the lead isn't sure about the other but then they do something that only the two of them know about. Brilliant. It reminds me of a different drama I watched where they had a special kind of knock. Either way it's adorable from an English speaker perspective and a sucker for creative romance things like that. Stuff like this is why I love romance shows and I won't lie and say those four words didn't bump the rating up a bit.

Interesting start
The first few episodes of this drama were the best. I usually watch two to three dramas at the same time (different genres though) but this one had me hooked. I couldn't even watch the others because I always wanted to watch this one. I loved when Nan Heng had to save her, I loved how she was determined to get married to Gui Hong, I loved how desperate she was to escape her fate, and when she met Mr. Li. It was so interesting to watch Mr. Li, Gui Hong, and Yi Meng plan how they were going to kill Nan Heng. I thought this was gonna become the first historical drama that I loved... until it wasn't.


The Bad
It kind of lost the plot towards the end.
After everyone found out that Nan Heng was Mr. Li, some of the plot got lost. What happened to wanting to find the weapon of forging? Why did he even really need it? I will give them credit and say that she was still desperate to change the story at the end, so that was a plus. But it did start to get slow when the story no longer forced her to do things and force Nan Heng to protect her.

I also felt like they didn't know how they wanted to end the drama so they threw in the Gui Hong plot. I mean when you think about it, how else would the show end without her going back to the present time. The story should've ended when they had the first ending. I really didn't like how it ended with everyone alive and with a happy ending. The best ending was the very first one when Shangguan He died heroically protecting Yi Ting and they had that battle. The had so many foreshadowing moments that made it seem like he was going to die that I was lowkey expecting it. But when it went back in time twice so that everyone can live, it was a bit of a letdown. It should've ended the first way and Yi Meng should've went back to the real world. The ending when the actor for Nan Heng remembered her (somehow?) could've still happened or they could've done where she either forgets and then remembers or she thinks it was all a dream. Something would've been better than her staying there forever. Or did she? the ending was kind of confusing.

The show was a bit slow.
Even though I really did enjoy this show, I felt like there were more irrelevant scenes than relevant ones. I thought the whole point in her being there was to change the story and her fate. So why did we get one iconic scene every, like, 10 episodes? Most of the stuff that happens in the drama doesn't hit the same because it was just her existing in the times. I really enjoyed the show during the first part because her changing her fate and ignoring Nan Heng was her top priority. But after the first few episodes when he's forced to protect her, she's constantly avoiding him, and they are both forced to say and do stuff they don't want to, it all becomes slow. You're left thinking "Okay, we're on episode 30 and she still hates him. Where is this going?".

Song Yi Meng Was so MEAN
I'll never get over how mean Song Yi Meng was to Nan Heng CONTANTLY during the most of the middle part in the show. At first I understood where she was coming from. He was evil, she read the script, he tried to kill her, etc. But once he continued to prove himself to be misunderstood, I still didn't understand what her problem was. He constantly showed her that he cared for her, Always protecting her and looking out for her, and clearly being a misunderstood good guy. So why was she so cruel to him despite knowing how much to script changed. He was so clearly not the same Nan Heng from the script and yet she constantly undervalued all the things he did for her. As Nan Heng and as Mr. Li.

I especially couldn't stand how often she got mad at him just before they got together. It felt like she wanted a reason to hate him. She always made sure to stab him and twist the knife.

Why Did Nan Heng even like her so much??
I'm the kind of person who NEEDS to understand a character's obsession/love for another character. If you're gonna keep pining after a girl that rips you to shreds (emotionally) every episode, I need to understand why. And I didn't. She didn't really stand out at all. What I mean is that she acted like everyone else who misunderstood and distrusted him. It was kind of confusing that he loved a girl who hated him without a mask. Maybe it would've worked out better if she talked to Mr. Li (him in a mask) about how misunderstood Nan Heng was and that she wish she could trust him and not know the future. But she hated him no matter what was going on. What causes intense love from that?

I think his obsession would've made more sense if she defended him or trusted him at least once. Instead she would literally see him crying because of her words and KEEP GOING! That one scene at night in the snow was pure torture to watch. And she did that kind of this constantly. It was annoying on both their parts. She was annoying for ripping him to shreds constantly and for him still trying to get her to love him. I wish he stopped trying and only then did she realise how much she cared/loved him. But watching him get kicked in the face and then kiss the shoes that kicked him just because they were hers became so unrealistic (considering) and overdone.

Chu Gui Hong being evil felt random
Anybody else felt like Gui Hong becoming evil felt thrown in? How did the good guy turn so evil because he found out he was a story character? That one scene when Song Yi Meng put him in his place and reminded him of all the innocent lives he was ending, was so satisfying. But it was confusing how someone who swore never to let anyone wrongly be killed and then did that very thing.

I kind of think that he had such self hatred for wrongfully hating Nan Heng this whole time and just couldn't accept that he was wrong all this time. I really liked when Yi Meng's father said "No one can wake someone who's pretending to sleep" and not only do I say that now, but it really reflected Gui Hong perfectly. He was so convinced that he was the victim and Nan Heng was to blame, that he didn't realise that he was the actualy problem. Nan Heng did steal Yi Meng. It was Gui Hong's attitude and switch up that pushed her away. It's crazy that he didn't realise that even if Nan Heng wasn't in the picture, she still wouldn't have been with him.

We got a little off topic but the point is, him doing a full one 180 and killing everybody felt like they just needed a reason to end the show. It didn't really fit and I was sad that Gui Hong's story ended like that. I was kind of hoping he'd reconnect with Nan Heng... Oh well.

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A six-episode journey that somehow managed to feel rushed and dragged out at the same time

A beautiful premise wasted on weak pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a finale that forgot to earn its own tears.

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

The Good
A Strong, Twisted Premise
The core idea of this drama is actually really solid: the person whose death she’s never recovered from suddenly returns only to tell her she’s going to die in a week. Almost brilliant.

No Magical Resurrection Nonsense
As messed up as it sounds, I appreciated that they didn’t try to force a fairytale ending. Ram Woo stays dead and while it’s bittersweet, Hee Wan finds healing and chooses life. Sometimes, a beautiful ending is just one where someone chooses to keep going.


The Bad
Too Short For Its Own Good
I never thought I’d say this, but this drama was too short. There wasn’t enough time to flesh out the storyline or characters, making everything feel rushed. She supposedly isolated herself, pushed friends away, and even dated Hong Suk to cope, but where was that in the show? In moments like her reunion with Hong Suk or final days, it felt like she was closing a chapter the audience barely got to read. So when she said her goodbyes, I wasn’t emotionally invested. I barely knew the characters she was leaving behind.
Then we had Yeong Hyun, who was randomly thrown in with supernatural abilities where she could see ghosts, predict how people would die, and apparently pinpoint exact locations. How? Why? No explanation.
Too much was crammed into the story, with not enough time to develop it properly.

The Underwhelming Death
Okay but… was anyone else underwhelmed by how Ram Woo died? They built it up like the name-switching was going to be this massive, tragic twist. I genuinely thought he died because of some fatal name mix-up—like he was mistaken for Hee Wan, or died protecting her. But no. It was just a freak accident at an observatory after she gave him a ticket. And look—I get that guilt doesn’t have to be logical. People blame themselves for things all the time. But if Hee Wan’s been unable to move on for four years, you’d think there’d be a stronger link between her and his death. Even his mother managed to heal. Meanwhile, Hee Wan was stuck in this guilt-box she built for herself and the trigger was… giving him a gift that went sideways?

He Died… and Then Was Erased
This isn’t necessarily bad, but I wish Ram Woo hadn’t disappeared forever. The show establishes that if a Grim Reaper prevents a death, they cease to exist entirely… and yet somehow, Ram Woo was included in this rule. While I get that he helped Hee Wan realize she wanted to live, her choice to live was ultimately hers. A better ending? He doesn’t cease to exist, but instead, she can no longer see him. That way, the final scene could have shown him watching over her, quietly letting her go, before quitting his reaper job and moving on to the afterlife.

Storyline was meh.
This storyline had so much potential and it just didn’t deliver. It’s supposed to be about a girl who’s ready to die but finds reasons to live by checking off a bucket list with her first love, who’s now a grim reaper. Sounds poetic, right?
But we barely got that. Ram Woo’s list? Completed in like an episode and a half. Her list? Knocked out in half an episode. After that, it’s just her saying goodbye to people we barely got to know. The emotional beats fell flat because the buildup wasn’t there. Even the flashbacks dragged. I wanted more from the present, more growth, more tension. Not recycled memories that told us what we already knew.

I Wanted to Feel Her Pain… But Didn’t
This kinda ties into what I mentioned above as well as the pacing issues and the lack of depth, so I’ll keep it quick: I never truly felt her pain. She was supposedly trapped in guilt, haunted by his death, but aside from a few panic attacks, there wasn’t enough to showcase her emotional torment. Throughout the episodes, there was no gradual shift in her mindset—no subtle evolution from wanting to die to fighting to live.
Maybe it was because the pacing was off, but the transition just didn’t hit. Especially since, in the end, she was still ready to jump anyway. And to make matters worse, she literally says she’ll live for both of them in one scene, then heads to the roof the next. It undercuts everything the story tried to build.
The emotional impact would have landed better had we seen her initial relief that her time had come, slowly shifting into genuine devastation that it was actually over. The way a character’s subtle change in wanting to live makes the final moments so much heavier.

The description was wrong
I thought the story was about a girl who refuses to say her first love’s name three times, unable to let go. But… that never happened. Instead, he was the one who had to say her name three times. Then, the descriptions also made it sound like she writes a bucket list early on, and they carry it out together before she dies—which was only half true. She didn’t make a list until the final episode and for most of the story, Ram Woo was the one with unfinished wishes that they completed instead.
It’s not a huge deal, but when the actual plot strays from the advertised premise, it throws you off. Especially when the version we were expecting sounds way more compelling than what we got.


Final Thoughts
In the end, this show was boring. The description set it up to be a soul-crushing, gut-wrenching heartbreak—but instead, it delivered six episodes of nothing. The entire premise revolved around Ram Woo getting Hee Wan to want to live, and yet, in the final moments, she still wanted to die—effectively making the entire journey pointless. So while the concept had potential, the execution completely missed the mark.
The worst part is that there was a beautiful story buried in there somewhere… it just never made it to the screen. And it never will. So If you’re looking for a show to break your heart, don’t even bother. But if you’re looking for a show with drawn-out flashbacks that add little to the story, this is just the show for you.

~~~

What did you think of this drama? I think my problem was that while I was watching it, I was actively thinking of what I’d do (ahead of the story), so when the scenes came, it wasn’t as good as my thoughts (she said as humbly as possible 🤭🤭).

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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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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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