This review may contain spoilers
A Bumpy and Underwhelming Fantasy Ride
K (Seo Hyun) escapes into her favorite fictional world as Cha Seon Chaek, a supporting character who crafts modern cocktails, lives her dream life, and even shares a one-night stand with Prince Gyeong Seong (Ok Taec Yeon). The premise is fun, whimsical, and full of charm—at first.
But very soon, things start to unravel. Gyeong Seong's constant proposals and overplayed rivalries get repetitive, and the story takes a hard left into heavy political intrigue, abandoning the playful tone that made the beginning enjoyable. The sudden tonal shift, combined with increasingly frustrating character decisions, makes some later episodes feel like a slog. Let’s be real—fast-forwarding feels tempting.
And then there’s the subplot of the real Cha Seon Chaek swapping lives with K. It’s barely touched on, leaving us wondering why it’s even there. If you’re not going to explain how she survives in the modern world, why include it at all?
Seo Hyun and Ok Taec Yeon have solid chemistry and bring life to their roles, though Seo Hyun’s character sometimes leans too much into “cute” territory, which can feel out of place compared to the more grounded supporting cast. That said, the series shines brightest when Cha Seon Chaek interacts with her fictional family, delivering humor and heart that balance out the heavier plotlines.
Overall, the show starts strong but struggles to keep the magic alive. Fans of time travel and romantic fantasy might still enjoy it, but don’t expect a perfectly smooth ride..
But very soon, things start to unravel. Gyeong Seong's constant proposals and overplayed rivalries get repetitive, and the story takes a hard left into heavy political intrigue, abandoning the playful tone that made the beginning enjoyable. The sudden tonal shift, combined with increasingly frustrating character decisions, makes some later episodes feel like a slog. Let’s be real—fast-forwarding feels tempting.
And then there’s the subplot of the real Cha Seon Chaek swapping lives with K. It’s barely touched on, leaving us wondering why it’s even there. If you’re not going to explain how she survives in the modern world, why include it at all?
Seo Hyun and Ok Taec Yeon have solid chemistry and bring life to their roles, though Seo Hyun’s character sometimes leans too much into “cute” territory, which can feel out of place compared to the more grounded supporting cast. That said, the series shines brightest when Cha Seon Chaek interacts with her fictional family, delivering humor and heart that balance out the heavier plotlines.
Overall, the show starts strong but struggles to keep the magic alive. Fans of time travel and romantic fantasy might still enjoy it, but don’t expect a perfectly smooth ride..
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