DramaAjumma

This is more fun than I expected. I actually like the leads even though I'm not normally a fan of noona romances. But I think Xu Kai's character although is a little immature, is smart and can read the room. He's suffering late onset teenage rebellion but who can blame him with a mother like that. The transactional side of their relationship is the best part so far -- up to Episode 7. Negotiating and then renegotiating their contract. It actually feels grounded and plausible.

Anyway, I'm a sucker for contract marriages and I can sit through almost anything in that sub-genre.

Kim Kang-hoon is something of a veteran in the industry. He has won awards too.

I've got to give the PD and writer their due here. This show has a lot more historical depth and authenticity than I expected. Episode 1 gave me the impression that this was just a makjang but it's turning out to be a lot more than that. The first 3 episodes show a great deal of promise. I feel that a fair bit of research has gone into this.

As for the romance, everything hinges on how good the writing is. Whether there should be a romance is irrelevant. It is about the script and the performance. Besides, Shin Hyun-bin is one of the reasons why I'm watching this.

Lee Sung-min is a really busy fellow this year. Three dramas! Wow. But he's great in all three.

And Kim Kang-hoon is always good value. Happy to see him here after Racket Boys.

You should consider posting this in the review section. Maybe expand it a little if you can.

I think the ending can be considered a cliffhanger BUT the first season does stand on its own. Most of the questions are answered.

I understand what you're saying but saying that "everyone is dirty" is somewhat of a giveaway. Not that it's completely true either.

For me it's best that nothing about the plot twists (if we can call it that) should be mentioned at all.

There are some good moments in this but I persevered to the end because of Namgoong Min. Episode 11 was definitely a head scratcher -- so obviously a waste of time.

All in all it's an okay superhero origins story.

The part where you said that there was a change in focus. It's much better for people not to know a single thing about what the bad guy plot is.

This is easily one of the best things I've seen all year. The script is pure class from start to finish and the acting is superb all round. The plot is intricate but not convoluted. More importantly the drama respects the intelligence of the audience. It isn't just a really good police procedural but a fantastic cautionary tale of how destructive systemic corruption is in the long run.

This should be in spoiler tags.

Fast paced.

This is my problems with makjangs in general. They're generally plot driven and they often devolve into a tailspin of absurdities. They are inherently manipulative so it usually ends up all about playing with the audience's emotions and how much they buy into the experience.

2022 is the year I fell in love with Wi Ha-joon. Choi Do-il was a great character.
The ending was very disappointing -- it felt incomplete and rushed at the same time.

Right out of the blocks, the script screams quality. It's top-notch storytelling and the cast is pretty good. Tight meticulous plotting. Everything about it feels cinematic.

No cliffhangers. Yes, it ends quite well.
There are rumours of a S2.

Are you asking if this is a complete story? Yes, it is.

Personally I don't find the romances that compelling in this show. And to be honest I didn't really care for the inclusion of Pei Xujin initially. There's something a bit off-putting about the way she went after Lu Lingfeng that put him in a predicament. But I think they wanted a woman on the team with artistic expertise and she sort of calmed down after they got to Nanzhou. Whether I like it or not, she is used in the narrative very specifically also for Lu Lingfeng's character development. I certainly agree that both women didn't need to be romantic interests for them to be included as members of the team.
All that said, I found the women less and less objectionable as the show progressed.

Don't I know it! :D

I don't think the show was underrated because of the fillers. I think it was always underrated because the cast aren't big name celebrities.