Just posted my review, but the tl:dr version is: To Be Continued is definitely not the best drama ever produced, it’s perfectly serviceable for what it is, and I wouldn't say it was a waste of my time to watch it. Would recommend for people who want to watch a drama that doesn’t make them think too hard for a couple hours, or for people looking to get into Astro. 7/10
3 episodes into the plot, and still no sign of the body-swapping shenanigans I was promised from the synopsis, which I am immensely annoyed by. From what I've experienced from previous Kdramas, most shows have the good sense to at least set up their main conflict or premise right out of the gate and give you a taste of what's to come so you keep watching, a la the mythological and supernatural elements of Goblin, Bong Soon's inherited superhuman strength in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, or the time traveling elements of Tunnel or Signal. Secret Garden? You'd be forgiven for thinking this is just a subpar romcom if you only had the first three episodes to go by. No supernatural elements or Freaky Friday scenarios to be found whatsoever.
The main male lead is also the most insufferable, conceited jackass that I have ever seen in any show I have ever bothered to watch to date that's not an actual villain. He meets one woman (Mrs. Plucky and Independent Female Lead) that won't put up with his bullshit, and suddenly he's "smitten," by which I mean he stalks her, constantly insults her profession, her personality, her looks, her social class, and the fact that she's poor and can't afford nice clothes or accessories or food, orders her around, puts his hands on her body without her consent, snoops through her things while she's not around, and STEALS AND DESTROYS HER PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT HE DOESN'T HAPPEN TO LIKE. Like, am I supposed to find this romantic? Desirable? Forgivable because the guy's insanely wealthy? I think NOT. All I can say is, the main heroine deserves way better than this asshole, and as the plot is taking forever to get moving, I don't have the will or the patience to sit through any more of this. It's almost physically paining me at this point. I have too many other dramas on my To Watch list without forcing myself to suffer through a show that moves glacially slow and still hasn't figured out what it's trying to do even after 3 entire hours in the desperate hope that it'll "get good" eventually.
(Plus, the entire thing looks incredibly dated and low-budget, with the picture quality looking more akin to a soap opera than a professional-grade TV production. I would be more than willing to overlook this if the plot was any good, but since it's not, it's yet another reason why I'll be dropping it.)
So, sorry, Secret Garden. Your initial premise seemed interesting, but it's been three strikes. You're now out.
The main male lead is also the most insufferable, conceited jackass that I have ever seen in any show I have ever bothered to watch to date that's not an actual villain. He meets one woman (Mrs. Plucky and Independent Female Lead) that won't put up with his bullshit, and suddenly he's "smitten," by which I mean he stalks her, constantly insults her profession, her personality, her looks, her social class, and the fact that she's poor and can't afford nice clothes or accessories or food, orders her around, puts his hands on her body without her consent, snoops through her things while she's not around, and STEALS AND DESTROYS HER PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT HE DOESN'T HAPPEN TO LIKE. Like, am I supposed to find this romantic? Desirable? Forgivable because the guy's insanely wealthy? I think NOT. All I can say is, the main heroine deserves way better than this asshole, and as the plot is taking forever to get moving, I don't have the will or the patience to sit through any more of this. It's almost physically paining me at this point. I have too many other dramas on my To Watch list without forcing myself to suffer through a show that moves glacially slow and still hasn't figured out what it's trying to do even after 3 entire hours in the desperate hope that it'll "get good" eventually.
(Plus, the entire thing looks incredibly dated and low-budget, with the picture quality looking more akin to a soap opera than a professional-grade TV production. I would be more than willing to overlook this if the plot was any good, but since it's not, it's yet another reason why I'll be dropping it.)
So, sorry, Secret Garden. Your initial premise seemed interesting, but it's been three strikes. You're now out.