Eleison

But hasn't he been a main part of the storyline since Episode 1?

Got it! There were things in the first three episodes I liked well enough, but I wasn't convinced. Once I got to Episode 4 and beyond, I was hooked.

This gives me vibes of a Kdrama version of an Oscar grab.

I was not a fan of Inspector Koo at all (though it was the drama and character I didn't particularly like, the actress was fine) and am not usually big into makjangs, though I do like music stories. I will keep an eye on this page to see what people say. 😏

After reading more comments below, I think I answered my own question...

Does this drama land in the makjang realm?

I liked this about Under The Queen's Umbrella. Not only did we get a super cool queen with compassion and wisdom (which is rare for a historical drama), she kept every person (be it a crafty minister or crazy queen dowager) on their toes the entire drama. It WAS so satisfying.

I'm seeing good things about this one but I'm not sure it's my thing. Gonna wait until it ends to get the full picture, I think.

Also, sometimes what feels illogical in a Kdrama is meant to feel so because it will end up being explained or revealed later at a key or impactful moment if you're patient and observant. This Kdrama style gives the story a unique feel, since the most enlightening elements of the story, then, are not released to the viewer in a linear manner. If the Kdrama is helmed by a good writer, they will dispel the confusion they create by the end, not deepen it. 🤣

Yeah, true in some sense for sure! Though I would say there is definitely a "logic" to the way Kdrama-land operates (since the better Kdramas employ better logic than the poorly written ones), but it's not sound logic in the real world (that's true of most TV and movies, though, it just varies by type and genre, wouldn't you say?). My term for it is "artificial realism." 😏

Mok Ha and Ran Joo do fight, but I think it might be Ran Joo doing it to push Mok Ha away because she's afraid Mok Ha won't move on until she gets the albums sold and so will miss this window of opportunity? But it might be a real fight; that's how the episode ends, so it's a cliffhanger. But the preview seemed to show them working together again so somehow it gets resolved? But previews can be deceiving.

I haven't seen critique of CJH's acting so much as people struggling with his character. His character has displayed a lot of subtlety as an ML that can get easily missed or can be lost on a more nonchalant viewer and overshadowed by Woo Hak's bright, cheery and louder personality. Bo Geol is moodier and pricklier. Also, Bo Geol maybe feels a bit more jaded and world-weary than Woo Hak, and because Woo Hak's character is so endearing, I think people prefer Woo Hak's more cheerful personality. In Episode 7 I think CJH knocked it out of the park, but then in Episode 8 we see less of him again. I just think, too, people maybe want to see more of him with Mok Ha (and maybe even just more of him in general) to feel like they can fully root for his character? These are just some of my theories. Because it's such a short drama, she's had to trim things down (normally her dramas have been 16-20 episode dramas), so maybe that's part of it? I'm still really enjoying it, and while I could do with more Bo Geol and less Ran Joo personally, it makes the scenes with him extra special because they're beautiful and meaningful when they do happen. There is no fluff or filler when Mok Ha and Bo Geol are together. :)

I liked Go Back Couple but Hi Bye, Mama looked too sad so I haven't seen it. This one looks fun, but I might wait until it's done airing! I couldn't wait with Castaway Diva but this one I might be able to hold out for...

Whoa, this cast list is insane--where'd they get the money to feature all these actors?

I don't think it's super romantic yet, especially on her side, but Episodes 7 and 8 really upped the romance/chemistry on HIS side (though I personally think they have more romantic chemistry/tension than Mok Ha and Woo Hak; they just feel like good friends). We'll see in what way Mok Ha reciprocates Ki Ho's feelings as the episodes close out the series... This screenwriter doesn't usually have as many cutesy romantic scenes as other Kdrama screenwriters anyway, though While You Were Sleeping was a bit of an exception. That drama really delivered on the sweet romantic scenes. 😏

I agree, they have such high standards for their Korean actors and then their non-Korean actors are frequently dreadful at whatever language they're supposed to be speaking instead AND at acting. 😂 I've heard it's because they can't/aren't able to get actors from the actors' unions in the U.S. so they get what's left...

Oh, the actress! Got it. :)

Ran Joo is married? ??? Where did you hear that? 🤔

Love these insights! Relationships and community ALWAYS work better than a system. People make mistakes and fail, but systems (made by flawed people) are inherently going to let us down. With a community that loves us, there's a chance for restoration, and a safety net to catch us when we become too fragile to keep going alone. :) I wish the production quality was better because it's so incredibly written and acted. Just a gem of a drama!

While the age gap is a little wide for me between the leads, I love that not only does this drama have a clear theme woven throughout the drama, it's also a beautiful theme. It highlights how love (not just romantic love, but selfless, unconditional love) can empower someone to do what is right, even when it's difficult to do so.

It depends on your taste but if you've seen and liked I Can Hear Your Voice, Pinochio, Page Turner, While You Were Sleeping or Start-Up, then you'll like this one. It's by the same screenwriter and in my opinion she does some of the best writing in the industry. If you like the first two episodes, you'll probably like the whole thing! Give it a shot! (Or you can wait two more weekends and you can watch it all at once, since there are still 4 episodes that haven't aired.)

I know all dramas are in some way fantastical. I guess I can enter into the kind of fantasy in Kdramas because they feel a bit more grounded than Cdramas I've seen. They've felt like pure and utter escapism. I've visited Korea and I felt dramas actually taught me a lot about the rhythms of Korean life and much of what I saw/experienced, felt familiar. But I think China would not feel that familiar based on its portrayal in dramas. Just a hunch, though! I could be wrong. 🤷‍♀️

And yes, I was actually really surprised how good HL and WIFTY were. I also watched Love Like A Galaxy and was also surprised at how good it was. I did start with all the 9.1 and 9.2 rated dramas so... yeah, whoops. Now I have a high bar. 🤦‍♀️ I tried a few others but couldn't get into them. I'll look at those you mentioned sometime!

Huh, interesting!