It was very subtle, but it was there. Many people who watch this genre often don't want romance in their dramas…
Yes, these are good points. I guess I figure romance doesn't always have to look the same or be manifested the same in order for it to be present in some fashion (kind of how bromance can feel romantic, like in Devil Judge, withiut anything ever being said or communicated between the leads), and in this it worked for me though it definitely won't satisfy anyone expecting--or watching mostly for--romance. I wonder, does MDL have slight romance or light romance tags? I'm trying to think if I've seen them before. If it does, "slight romance" would be a much more appropriate tag, I think.
I don't think I have anything concrete to cite regarding your request, and it's been so long since I saw this so I'd have to rewatch before I could even remember specific scenes, but here's what I wrote in a comment from months and months ago that is my impression of the romance piece or lack thereof:
"It has romance but it doesn't distract from the main plot. I can see why people said the leads had no chemistry, but I think it's because the romance shows more as a deep admiration and companionship that grows between the leads as they work tirelessly to save people and improve everyone's future. That's why we see no lovey-dovey behavior in this; it would have immediately given the drama a different feel and tone, and shifted the emphasis from its main focus. There is another romance in this story that actually sometimes becomes more of a focus than the one between the main leads."
I just remember thinking, where would they have inserted a well-developed romance line into the beats and rhythm of the plot?
If you love good romance don't watch this.The romance was very sudden without proper progression and the only…
It was very subtle, but it was there. Many people who watch this genre often don't want romance in their dramas at all, so they would probably throw a fit if they were expecting zero romance and got the hints and undertones found here. You only have to read a few comments to discover that the romance is not super overt.
Enjoyed it very much! Though the ending was a little bittersweet for me. Does Season 2 explain the last minute of Episode 16?
I think my favorite parts were what Yeon did after the Hell of Knives (or whatever it was called, something like that) and when he went into the Darkness to save a certain beloved character.
I loved that there was no, "I can't be with you!" due to noble idiocy for more than an episode. Ah, so refreshing! And when Ji Ah said she was willing to give up her memory of Yeon to save him, I thought, "Oh no, not that. No amnesia trope, please!" Thank goodness the fortune-teller didn't take her up on that.
The kings of the underworld are horrible, and the rules of this world are cruel and terrible. The afterlife rulers of Korean drama folklore are rigid killjoys who make the stupidest rules imaginable. 😂
They didn't quite address the problematic actions of Ki Yu Ri and Lee Rang to my expectations; they did some pretty awful things but seemed to get a pass as the story progressed because they are gumihos and they're expected to be largely indifferent to human life (then what happened to Shin Gu? He was the sweetest gumiho ever! Was he just a gumiho anomaly?). Definitely cheapened the value of the lives that were lost, in a way I wasn't a huge fan of (also with the plague in the last few episodes), so, few gripes, but enjoyable overall!
Also, Gu Shin Ju is such a sweetie. What a great friend! I love how compassionate and gentle he is. Darling!
All the characters on Team Yeon are awesome; the only characters who feel like plot devices and devoid of development are Ji Ah's parents. They make the story feel kind of plasticky, and they were dealt with the most poorly of all the characters.
Lee Yeon and Lee Rang are giving me major Thor and Loki vibes. Though I think Lee Rang is a bit more attached/close to Yeon than Loki is to Thor.
Also, I get lots of Goblin vibes. Maybe not quite as iconic, and Episodes 12, 13 and 14 felt a bit filler (they at least showed the characters exhausting their options for saving Ji Ah and Yeon), but still interesting and solid. While I get a sense for what will happen in a large scale/arc, the details are keeping me guessing. The Korean folklore and fairytale piece is also super fun (wish I knew more), but also a bit creepy and dark at times; it's my only issue with this so far. Almost done with it!
That's cool, very few people (especially celebrities) don't have it.
Of course; that, too. :) But people (especially online) can also be super toxic, and fan love is surface-level anyway. I think it's smart of him. Fame is overated! This way he can also avoid the gross fans ("sasaengs," I think they're called?). :)
Play such an amazing villain, too like even from the beginning you had no idea lol
While it was airing mostly everyone in the comments was on the right track about him being the villain pretty early on, because he had a small role at first but was listed as a main character. Kind of gave it away! If someone watched it without looking at the cast list, then yeah, they might be surprised. :)
That's cool, very few people (especially celebrities) don't have it.
Oh, I see, well, I admire people who aren't afraid of the FOMO they'll experience by not having it, especially celebrities. :) But, that said, I understand why you'd be annoyed!
I enjoyed this drama. If you want something light and funny, this one is definitely the ONE.
The humor is definitely over-the-top (though also genuinely funny at times), but if you're used to Kdrama humor and have watched a decent number of older ones, this is still highly enjoyable despite some of the things that haven't aged well. There is something cozy about many old Kdramas that endears me to them!
I wondered if the laugh is the actor who played the ML's real laugh. He was in another drama and actually had a similar laugh (called Beautiful Mind or something like that?). Or maybe it's just what he's famous for so he brings it back for callbacks to other roles and for laughs? 😂 🤷♀️
I haven't watched this, just lurking in the comments for now, but did or does the ML where the tell-tale patterned, loose-fitting button down shirts the gangsters always wear in Kdramas? I always get a kick out of how you can tell who the gangsters and detectives are in Kdramas by what they're wearing. 😂
I don't think I have anything concrete to cite regarding your request, and it's been so long since I saw this so I'd have to rewatch before I could even remember specific scenes, but here's what I wrote in a comment from months and months ago that is my impression of the romance piece or lack thereof:
"It has romance but it doesn't distract from the main plot. I can see why people said the leads had no chemistry, but I think it's because the romance shows more as a deep admiration and companionship that grows between the leads as they work tirelessly to save people and improve everyone's future. That's why we see no lovey-dovey behavior in this; it would have immediately given the drama a different feel and tone, and shifted the emphasis from its main focus. There is another romance in this story that actually sometimes becomes more of a focus than the one between the main leads."
I just remember thinking, where would they have inserted a well-developed romance line into the beats and rhythm of the plot?
I think my favorite parts were what Yeon did after the Hell of Knives (or whatever it was called, something like that) and when he went into the Darkness to save a certain beloved character.
I loved that there was no, "I can't be with you!" due to noble idiocy for more than an episode. Ah, so refreshing! And when Ji Ah said she was willing to give up her memory of Yeon to save him, I thought, "Oh no, not that. No amnesia trope, please!" Thank goodness the fortune-teller didn't take her up on that.
The kings of the underworld are horrible, and the rules of this world are cruel and terrible. The afterlife rulers of Korean drama folklore are rigid killjoys who make the stupidest rules imaginable. 😂
They didn't quite address the problematic actions of Ki Yu Ri and Lee Rang to my expectations; they did some pretty awful things but seemed to get a pass as the story progressed because they are gumihos and they're expected to be largely indifferent to human life (then what happened to Shin Gu? He was the sweetest gumiho ever! Was he just a gumiho anomaly?). Definitely cheapened the value of the lives that were lost, in a way I wasn't a huge fan of (also with the plague in the last few episodes), so, few gripes, but enjoyable overall!
All the characters on Team Yeon are awesome; the only characters who feel like plot devices and devoid of development are Ji Ah's parents. They make the story feel kind of plasticky, and they were dealt with the most poorly of all the characters.
Also, I get lots of Goblin vibes. Maybe not quite as iconic, and Episodes 12, 13 and 14 felt a bit filler (they at least showed the characters exhausting their options for saving Ji Ah and Yeon), but still interesting and solid. While I get a sense for what will happen in a large scale/arc, the details are keeping me guessing. The Korean folklore and fairytale piece is also super fun (wish I knew more), but also a bit creepy and dark at times; it's my only issue with this so far. Almost done with it!
I wondered if the laugh is the actor who played the ML's real laugh. He was in another drama and actually had a similar laugh (called Beautiful Mind or something like that?). Or maybe it's just what he's famous for so he brings it back for callbacks to other roles and for laughs? 😂 🤷♀️