This review may contain spoilers
Where Fantasy and Love Meet
I’m a sucker for shows that hook you from the very first moment, and even though I didn’t expect this one to do that, it absolutely did. I went in nervous because of the hype, especially with the sci-fi/fantasy + romance mix, but wow—this show was so worth it.
I wouldn’t fully call it sci-fi. The VR aspect at the start was honestly genius and a huge reason the show worked. Those VR episodes were stunning—the aesthetics, architecture, and vibes felt like a Republican-era fantasy blended into a modern drama. You really got two worlds at once. The VR outfits were gorgeous, the game concept was fun and well written, and the idea of escaping real life into another world was delivered perfectly. Every VR scene felt cinematic, like watching a movie.
Now the male lead—I’m so glad CXX is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He truly shined here. The small smiles, serious expressions, quirkiness, and shamelessness all worked perfectly. His broken character was portrayed beautifully, and honestly, he could pull off a psychopath role because of how well he conveys deep emotions. And the wardrobe? Insane. Runway-level looks, designer vibes, full model energy. Easily one of the best-styled male leads in a modern C-drama. Character-wise, he was a green flag with a revenge arc—passionate, layered, and very well written.
The female lead was one of my favorite LYX characters. She was mature but still had a youthful spirit, had a backbone, and went after what she wanted. I loved that she wasn’t the typical shy FL—she was confident, outgoing, and never backed away from him. Her cute moments never felt childish, and her emotional scenes, especially her crying, felt raw and real. Her character was genuinely well done.
The romance was one of the strongest parts of the show. Their chemistry was insane—natural, effortless, and believable. Their kissing and intimate scenes didn’t feel scripted at all, and I loved how the show fully invested in the couple. They didn’t shy away from closeness, and it made everything feel real. If you’re watching for romance, this absolutely delivers.
The second male lead surprised me a lot. I had such a love-hate relationship with him, but by the end I was really happy with how his story was redeemed. His character was clearly messed up, but the abuse and constant comparison from his father made it easy to understand why he turned out the way he did. He wasn’t a good guy, but he felt real regret, knew when to let go, and that made him feel human. A lot of this worked because of DX’s acting—if it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would’ve connected to the character as much. Plus the suits, the glasses, the charisma—he stole the spotlight more than once.
My favorite scenes were definitely the VR ones—they felt magical. The cinematography was dreamy, the production quality was high, and the OST fit perfectly. Everything looked beautiful.
As for complaints: I wish we had more VR scenes later on, the reveal could’ve been written better, and the FL’s outfits were hit or miss—especially compared to the ML’s flawless styling. And my biggest complaint: why only 28 episodes? I wanted more. I never got bored, even after they started dating.
Overall, this show is 100% worth the hype. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves romance with a fantasy twist. Beautiful characters, amazing chemistry, stunning cinematography, a great OST, and no dragging. Easily one of the best C-dramas of 2026 and such a strong start to the year—a show that really stays with you.
I wouldn’t fully call it sci-fi. The VR aspect at the start was honestly genius and a huge reason the show worked. Those VR episodes were stunning—the aesthetics, architecture, and vibes felt like a Republican-era fantasy blended into a modern drama. You really got two worlds at once. The VR outfits were gorgeous, the game concept was fun and well written, and the idea of escaping real life into another world was delivered perfectly. Every VR scene felt cinematic, like watching a movie.
Now the male lead—I’m so glad CXX is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He truly shined here. The small smiles, serious expressions, quirkiness, and shamelessness all worked perfectly. His broken character was portrayed beautifully, and honestly, he could pull off a psychopath role because of how well he conveys deep emotions. And the wardrobe? Insane. Runway-level looks, designer vibes, full model energy. Easily one of the best-styled male leads in a modern C-drama. Character-wise, he was a green flag with a revenge arc—passionate, layered, and very well written.
The female lead was one of my favorite LYX characters. She was mature but still had a youthful spirit, had a backbone, and went after what she wanted. I loved that she wasn’t the typical shy FL—she was confident, outgoing, and never backed away from him. Her cute moments never felt childish, and her emotional scenes, especially her crying, felt raw and real. Her character was genuinely well done.
The romance was one of the strongest parts of the show. Their chemistry was insane—natural, effortless, and believable. Their kissing and intimate scenes didn’t feel scripted at all, and I loved how the show fully invested in the couple. They didn’t shy away from closeness, and it made everything feel real. If you’re watching for romance, this absolutely delivers.
The second male lead surprised me a lot. I had such a love-hate relationship with him, but by the end I was really happy with how his story was redeemed. His character was clearly messed up, but the abuse and constant comparison from his father made it easy to understand why he turned out the way he did. He wasn’t a good guy, but he felt real regret, knew when to let go, and that made him feel human. A lot of this worked because of DX’s acting—if it weren’t for him, I don’t think I would’ve connected to the character as much. Plus the suits, the glasses, the charisma—he stole the spotlight more than once.
My favorite scenes were definitely the VR ones—they felt magical. The cinematography was dreamy, the production quality was high, and the OST fit perfectly. Everything looked beautiful.
As for complaints: I wish we had more VR scenes later on, the reveal could’ve been written better, and the FL’s outfits were hit or miss—especially compared to the ML’s flawless styling. And my biggest complaint: why only 28 episodes? I wanted more. I never got bored, even after they started dating.
Overall, this show is 100% worth the hype. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves romance with a fantasy twist. Beautiful characters, amazing chemistry, stunning cinematography, a great OST, and no dragging. Easily one of the best C-dramas of 2026 and such a strong start to the year—a show that really stays with you.
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