Eleison

Yeah, it was agony. 😂

And yeah, it does have some darker elements, but the first episode kind of set the tone for that, too, no? In my opinion, the 1st Episode gives you a window into the whole drama. If you still didn't vibe with the drama after that, probably not gonna like the rest. I do wish they had more than just the "Difficult Childhood" tags to tip viewers off about some of the darker elements to the plot. The main tags make it looks so happy and fluffy, haha.

And I don't know why things have gotten all heated over My Demon, either; 🤷‍♀️ I just don't engage it.

I disagree that the "entire" series is about the Kang family problems. If you look carefully, you'll notice that the story is split up pretty evenly amongst the leads' stories as they intertwine. Some episodes emphasize one lead more than the other but across all episodes combined each character is given time. But yeah, maybe decide what you think once you finish. :) Just remember that the synopsis isn't super accurate and that might have given you false expectations of what this drama would be. I came into this drama expecting pretty much what I got and not by going off of the synopsis but off of the screenwriter. I am familiar with this screenwriter's previous dramas, so I knew what I was signing up for, and didn't get disappointed.

Some of us in the comments have tried to periodically post that the synopsis is misleading. The first episode establishes the three main leads (they are listed in the cast list as the three main leads as well). I don't think the screenwriter ever intended this to be a story about someone making it in the entertainment industry. That's the framework and setting, not the point, of the drama. The point is more of a thematic emphasis, about love (not just romantic love), sacrifice and family. Also, Mok Ha's story doesn't make sense without Ki Ho, as he's an integral part of her journey and story. He also becomes a huge part of her getting the limelight she properly deserves, and she would never have had the chance she has now with Ran Joo after getting rescued if he hadn't submitted her music video when they were kids. I think his story is essential and an important part of the plot.

Yes, keep watching! It bothered me, too, but everything turns out okay.

Yes, hopefully she will pluck up the courage to do what needs to be done rather than hide. I still don't think they've really shown her exhaust her options for trying to clear her name yet. It's hard to tell if the controversy is a plot device to get this uber driven woman back to her small hometown so her loveline can make progress, or if they really will incorporate it into her growth arc. 🤷‍♀️ We'll see, I guess!

I haven't seen TW yet, but based on things I've heard and what you asked for, these are a few I could think of. I realized there aren't a lot of low-key Kdramas. 😅 Oh, and Would You Like A Cup Of Coffee is short, very relaxing and sweet (like Once Upon A Small Town).

Enjoy!

Yes, do! It's good!

Maybe try Shooting Stars, Once Upon A Small Town, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, or Cheer Up (2015)?

I was surprised to see how many watchers it has logged. Only 50,000? (Though I suppose it's not shabby either considering it dropped only this year.) I was expecting way more watchers especially considering how long it's been in the trending list.

But you're right, I was floored at how well they stretched this simple love story plot over 25 episodes and didn't lose my interest once. I suppose one reason is because their chemistry really is off-the-charts good. The ML put all aspiring boyfriends/current boyfriends to shame. 😅

I also loved the bit where the ML started to suspect that the FL probably liked him (the confidence of the guy!) and trolled her and flirted her into giving herself away. 😂 That was unique to this drama and so well-played, scripted and acted!

CD was an 8.6 all while airing until recently; a lot of people are enjoying it so hopefully it will go back. :)

I do think the casting choices were a bit poorly chosen at the beginning (they should have had a younger ML for the younger FL scenes), but they make sure it's clear he never feels anything for her but friendship and comeradarie until she's in college, and honestly, I enjoyed the drama much more once she went to college and grew up a bit because there was an unrequited, one-sided, puppy love phase that I wasn't as much of a fan of in the first half.

Yook Sung Jae is ADORABLE in this and the main leads together are so endearing. Love them!

That said, I've figured out I just can't do ghost/afterlife dramas and/or reincarnation-for-the-sake-of-punishment -due-to-sins-from-a-past-life dramas. I can see that dramas like this, Hotel De Luna and Master's Sun are great dramas; they are beautiful specimens of their genre... they're just not my cup of tea.

If you like this genre, however, you'll probably love this! It's similar to Hotel De Luna without the romance and more family focused; in that sense it feels cozier than Hotel De Luna and less lonely.

Wait, did I just read "maybe growing up in America took away his humanity"? Um, I happen to know many lovely people who grew up in America...

It is interesting that you can't find Lee Re's version on Spotify, though (I think I found someone who posted it unofficially somehow, but that's it). I agree that the voices are different, young Mok Ha's and adult Mok Ha's voice just don't sound the same. Lee Re's version is much more strident and confident and bold (dare I say I liked Lee Re's a bit better? 🤫).

It sounds like they might be more your speed. I happen to really like this one, but "to each his own." 😏

Maybe that's it.

Yeah, it's actually really helpful! Sometimes a drama will do well unexpectedly when the writer has nothing else famous (or every now and then a strong writer will write a flop), but for instance, look at these dramas and their screenwriters and you will see patterns of popularity and success:

Kim Eun Sook: The Heirs, Descendents of the Sun, The King: Eternal Monarch, Goblin, The Glory, Secret Garden, Mr. Sunshine.

Park Hye Ryun: Castaway Diva, While You Were Sleeping, I Can Hear Your Voice, Start-Up, Pinocchio, Page Turner, Dream High.

Park Ji Eun: My Love From The Star, The Producers, Legend Of The Blue Sea, Crash Landing On You, etc.

Kang Eun Kyung: Gu Family Book, Dr. Romantic Seasons 1, 2, and 3, etc.

Lee Woo Jung: The Replys, 1994, 1997, and 1988 (and 2 Days and 1 Night reality TV show), Hospital Playlist, Seasons 1 and 2, etc.

Jung Bo Hoon: Racket Boys and Prison Playbook

Kwon Hye Joo: Go Back Couple, Hi Bye Mama, Welcome to Samdalri, etc.

Choi Ah Il (with other collaborators): Mr. Queen, My Demon, etc.

Jin Soo Wan: Moon Embracing The Sun, Kill Me Heal Me, Chicago Typewriter, and Twinkling Watermelon, etc.

Hwang Jin Young: Rebel: Thief Who Stole The People, My Dearest, Part 1 and 2, etc.

Kim Young Hyun: Arthdal Chronicles, Parts 1, 2, and 3 and The Sword of Aramun, Six Flying Dragons, and Tree With Deep Roots, etc.

All the best as you search for new dramas! :)

Oh good! They're all a little different from each other, but each has the same emphasis on a meaningful theme and have adorable, endearing characters you can root for. Start-Up and While You Were Sleeping have the same director as Castaway Diva, so they're beautifully filmed (Start-Up was/is controversial since most people wanted the 2ML to end up with the FL, so be warned, and it also was a bit tougher for me to get through because it's a lot about the destructive nature of lying, even well-intentioned lying; it's hard to watch the fallout when the truth is revealed!). Her older dramas like I Can Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio have lower production value so I think that turns some people off, but the stories are still so interesting that I didn't mind. Dream High is decent, too, (it's fun just to see all the famous actors and singers in it before they became huge (it has Ok Taec Yeon, Kim Soo Hyun, IU, Suzy, etc.)) and Page Turner is super short (3 episodes). I Can Hear Your Voice and While You Were Sleeping are in my top 5 of all time. Anyway, they're good stuff. :) Enjoy!!