17
50
8
I was embarrassed for the girl when even she wasn't !!!
In the first ep - I was really uncomfortable by the FL because she was hell bent on embarrassing herself and that doesn't really make it likable generally but man she did win my heart with the same - and before the guy was in love with her I was !!!This was my first Philippines drama and I am so looking forward to them ! -
The chemistry is top notch and the characters make you fall in love ! - it's just a beautiful ride full of unnecessary cliche's but put together with a lot of love -the basic plot line- girl falling for a person then chasing him left and right only to make him fall in love and live her cinderalla romance but the clock is always ticking !
The good part -
- FL cries without reserve and tho madly in love she asks the right questions every time we need her to - which really makes up a character for me !
- and the girl gang which was too much to handle are no better - it's like a dumb people squad where they all are just aware of each other's nonsense and still so into it that it kind of drags you along in their fun !
- The ML is hot AF!!!! and a whole green flag character except for some secretive cherry on top , he has an interesting friends circle too - which is pretty useless bec they never help on time - would delay discussing imp stuff as if waiting for the world to end but tell just in time to save it from exploding!
the bad -
- kio - ML's cousin i thought he'd be some sort of wingmen but sadly he got no use ! - so did FL's bestie !
- ML's mother was so much of a nuisance but her change of heart is pretty quick - too quick to even see !
- The misunderstandings are so so repetitive that when you have come across a few eps of build up you expect something out of that sorting convo but sadly that never happens !
-The whole roommate arc had a messed up timeline - makes no sense what so ever !
overall I enjoyed the show and given I finished it in one go ! - I sure fell in love with the main leads ! Do try it in case you are trying to get over a slump like me !
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My last memory - I want it to be you !
So I didn't really expect it to be this likable - ep 2 and i was shedding tears that tissues couldn't wipe - but when you start from the highest point there's no way up and I guess that's what went wrong with the show !The first half was well cut, top notch ideas and execution, the kind that creates a yearning for more - for the 16 eps to stretch till infinity but I guess the makers took this feeling otherwise. The second half is pretty much set in a different tone which is draggy and feels like a failed attempt of recreating the original one because the directions the story was progressing in didn't support that at all.
The storyline does try to answer the questions it had previously put forward but the things that couldn't possibly be explained were called miracles ...which is such a lazy choice as if I was just watching it with all my interest for it to be called a miracle. And then suddenly the plot shifts conveniently towards their romance with the villains waiting till the couple is all done with their lovey dovey, like really !!!
Not that the story wasn't well cooked but that it did taste foul before it was even cooked ! - The lead pair didn't have what we call chemistry, it was never butterflies and more often just were too awkward to even sit and watch. There romance was like spilled ink on a masterpiece. There was no mention of the villain (whom they apparently took as villain) in the initial eps but later they just take it so obviously that it's almost like taking the audience as a dumb kid who'll be fed with medicine in the name of molten chocolate.
The last few eps still manage to keep you hooked and somewhat bring it back on track - was I terribly disappointed with the events in the last episode - yes, did it make sense - no, did I see it coming - yes!
The side characters are consistently well written and are so relatable that even if you guess their plotline you still want to have them on screen, living it(pun intended) !
So as to sum up the show ruined itself with the romance but the bromance is what kept me going along with the very interesting and heart warming stories that made me cry rivers and oceans.
With ep 2 as my by far the most favorite one in all the ghost stories I have ever seen, this show is worth a shot if you can ignore or skim through the romance and like ghost stories and afterlife transitions!
-- spoiler -- would have been so nice if it was the police spirit helping him out of netherworld instead of twin- someone who shouldn't exist should have been done by someone who ceased to exist as well !-- also how is he carrying that sword if nothing is allowed in afterlife ? -- spoiler end ! --
The overall backdrop of the show is a marvel itself and I'd suggest watching it for there's so much to miss out on ! and not to get your hopes up would be my advice for you all.
Also tho I am in love with the ost they play it fucking everywhere ...like people be crying lalala people be happy lalalala evil spirit be winning lalala ....at one point you'll be like WHAT THE FUCK !!
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"Dr. Romantic" Kim’s younger self in "Descendants of the Sun" universe !!
Alright, let me just say this - I loved the drama. It was entertaining from start to finish - quirky, unhinged, and genuinely fun to watch. But, as someone who's spent way too much time in drama land, I have to admit, there's plenty to critique.Because, surprise, surprise - another drama following "the recipe."Get a godly doctor back from overseas, preferably with a tragic backstory involving trauma patients, plop him into an almost non-existent trauma center, and let him butt heads with the higher-ups. Add a loyal resident at his beck and call, sprinkle in some life-saving moments, throw in the obligatory "trauma god" transformation, and voila - a drama that feels like reheated leftovers.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the whole "golden hour saves lives" message and the commentary on how budget cuts cost lives. Really, I do. But do I need yet another drama to hammer it into my skull for the 789,678th time? Apparently, Netflix thinks I do. Because, clearly, if we didn’t get it after the first 12,673 attempts, we must need the message reinforced again.
At this point, it’s painfully obvious Netflix is just milking the classic K-dramas we all love, but hey, throw in some scenic shots and flashy budgets, and suddenly it’s a "masterpiece." Except it’s not. It’s just what happens when there’s nothing else to compare it to. The sheer lack of competition makes it feel brilliant when, in reality, it’s just... not. And as a viewer, that’s the real tragedy here.
So, of course, it has its merits - gorgeous doctors with personalities so distinct they might as well come with their own theme songs, one-liners sharp enough to make Twitter jealous, sitcom-level energy, heartwarming patient backstories, and sizzling lead chemistry. That’s the twist, folks! Everything else? A finely-tuned nostalgia factory working overtime.
And sure, some parts of the story were as logical as treating a heart attack with aspirin, but who cares? It entertained, didn’t it? Baek Kang Hyeok wasn’t just a doctor - he was a walking Marvel origin story, performing impossible feats with a scalpel like it was a superpower. Over-the-top? Definitely. Unrealistic? Absolutely. But let’s not pretend we weren’t here for the drama and the dazzle anyway.
To wrap it up, this show isn’t exactly redefining the genre, but it sure knows how to keep you entertained. It’s got all the familiar tropes, larger-than-life characters, over-the-top drama, and just enough emotional pull to make you stay hooked. If you’re here for a guilty pleasure with high stakes and lots of flair, this one’s got you covered. Realism? Not so much. But who needs that when the drama’s this juicy? - with all the eps out, all at once lol !
okay so just to say it out loud ...I don't deny that they did a good job ....but in terms of storyline they could have done so much better...what I have a problem with is the fact that if you look closely then this could be very well pulled off by kdramas in 2016 ...or if not by 2018 definitely....in 2025 idk why but watching this drama feels like we did not progress much...which leaves me sad as a viewer when seen from a broader perspective.
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Is “Check Out the Event” worth checking out ??
Well I’ll leave you to decide if you wish to watch the drama or not ...also as you see I am writing this review so of course I’ll assist you in the decision making process (that goes only if you read further ...lol)
Okiee so it’s a simple after breakup story where the FL after getting dumped asks ML to visit jeju island with her since they had won a couple competition and she requires some time so she can get a closure for their 5yr long relationship. At the trip they meet 2 other couples and a tour guide (SML) each of them having their own short story ...one of which was really touching.
First of all lemme just break it to you the reason why ML wants to break up with her is quite a stupid one ….like seriously stupid !! (but his actions somewhere always made me feel that he loved her ….he did)
As for FL her actions were sometimes a bit unreasonable and cringy (while you ask for reason ..you don’t even allow them to speak )...but it’s not that I find her unreasonable overall ...of course I can see why she’s clinging on to ML ...it’s not like a 5 year long relationship can end with just a few words ...and I’d find myself more surprised if she did not cling on ...it’s love ..you can’t just let go like this …(keep up the fight ...our ML is quite handsome to just give up like this ...lol)
The drama is just 4 ep ...so I have tried to analyze it that way only ...cuz after watching so many long dramas you obviously expect everything related to every character even side characters ..but practically it’s not possible for a 4 ep drama to have it all ...as for what they give is in these 4 eps is really good ….the story is centered around leads and they have most of the screen time but it’s not like the side stories weren’t well written or gave a feeling that they weren’t important …they contributed to the drama in a quite beautiful way.( I wish older couple had more screen time …)
I do not have much to mention for there's just this small plotline and everything revolves around it ...but I think the point that writer is trying to make is ….trust ,communication and transparency are important in a relationship …not having these can ruin it ...bring you to the point there’s no going back from. Keeping things from your loved ones ...assuming you are protecting them from hardship ...I don’t think that’s how love should be ...you endure it together ...you share happy and sad times together ...you go through everything together ...that’s what relationships are for … It’s more about being together.... than just staying together…!
(sometimes the drama feels like it’s going round and round in circles ...but it’s actually what I like about it ...they have this same conversation time and again ....cuz neither of them wants it to end …so it could be either you find it beautiful or frustrating ...depends)
As for the ending ….I like the way they end and give a small closure to all the stories ...and I liked the closure for the second couples stories more than the main couple ...
It had amazing cinematography and ost ...acting was decent …some good dialogues ...overall worth a try if you ask me. And pls don’t expect out of the world stuff in just 4 eps ...be realistic ...I am sure you’d enjoy it !!
And here maybe I am bribing you to watch it ...some amazing dialogues from the drama …
“You have always, invariably, without fail, meant hope to me.”
“This is how we live , being loved and loving ….hoping that the person in front of us doesn’t change their feelings.”
“Sometimes sad, sometimes longing and sometimes looking forward to the time to come ....as if you were given homework of life from the moment you were born ….you solve it by being whole hearted in your way.”
"I never thought there would be nothing left of me just because you left."
“I think it was only after we broke up I realized I was loved ….I think it was only after we broke up that I learned how to love.”
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JUST SOMETHING YOU SHOULDN'T WASTE YOUR TIME ON !!!
to sum up in a few words ..this drama is a perfect example of how something that had potential of being a masterpiece could so easily be converted to trash ....even if you have nothing better to do still don't watch it ...just find something to do instead of watching this potential crap ....okay we are done warning now it's time to tell you what's with my ratings ....
if i hated this show why did i put up with it till the end ? why didn't i drop it if it was so bad ...
it's not like i wanted to do social work by finishing it and telling you not to watch it ...no i am not that good of a human , neither do want to be ...quite frankly i did not spend entire 40 mins on any episode ....it's more like i couldn't ..i skipped through ...i watched it on higher speed ...just to figure out why anyone would rate it a 10/10 or even a 9/10
but then i couldn't find my answer ...if you are intrested go try yourself ....cuz if someone want's to jump in fire who am i to stop them , it's your choice !!!!
i am basically here to rant out ...so if you are in join me ...if not no issues ...
the show started of well not to mention the FL was annoying since ep1 (but that's just my opinion on her other people don't agree and i get it ) i was in for the first 6-7 ep's after that everything started to go flat ...it's still okay and then i don't really remember where this started to get on my nerves
the biggest reason for my disappointment is the logic ..oh well quite frankly it doesn't exist in the first place ...you don't believe me ...i'll explain
but before that .....our ML from any angle what so ever doesn't look like a mafia boss ...trust me he looks more like someone kidnapped by mafia gang a victim to be precise when he should be looking like an assailant
the mafia gang members 20-30 of them can't even seem to get close to ML , if you are training them then dude get a new instructor ..and if you are hiring them then dude you need to change the company ...they are just of no use if they lose to a person who's already hurt how do they even call themselves mafia gang members , just think about your personal security as well ....okay you say that our male lead is well trained not anyone can fight against him ..fine then let's talk about the FL ...
the FL she's just dumb ...i don't get it why she uses her brain in useless situations and then at a time when she should use it actually she just turns it off ..like okay brain cells take a nap now ...no need to work the ML will work his ass off and come save us so just chill ...okay you wanna argue that she's a kind sole ...let me tell you being kind is one thing being stupid is another ...
and trust me she's stupid ....being brave and ending up in new trouble that's just what she does in whole 24 ep drama ...oh wait there's more
display of affection when bullets are flying across ...okay you can say that what if they die by being shot ..shouldn't they hug and bid goodbye ...oh well quite frankly it wouldn't be needed as long as they don't waste time hugging and displaying their affection and instead try dodging bullets ... okay i get that you love each other but isn't being alive more important
the second couple they were neither good nor bad ..just the typical ones found in every c -drama you can enjoy them somewhere else ...
the story as a whole was just a mess and the last 4 ep's just a bigger mess each one of them trying to create a new record by beating the previous one....like i really wanted to ask the writer ... why to start with some new trope when you don't have time to finish it ..just creating useless trouble for yourselves ...and then they made the viewers suffer for 24 eps just to come up with that ending ...oh as if i am dying to know wheather the ML is alive or not ..no buddy no ... you have already brought me to a point where i don't care as to who lives and who dies even if it is the ML , FL or the entire cast ....
there was nothing new or i'd say there was no suspense which you won't able to guess if you use a little bit of sense
so this show is just pure trash....nothing but the waste of a potential story ...by involving a not so fitting cast , useless drama and ill-timed romance ...to be true at times you might feel that it would get better but sorry to break it to you it doesn't ...
just don't bother investing your time in this and go watch literally anything else ....
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it's short and worth the time it takes !!
I don't think many people have watched this one ...and I think I wouldn't have either if it wasn't just 16 eps ...the plot is nothing more than what's mentioned in the synopsis ...so I don't think there is more for me to add ...!!so jumping directly to the que - do I rec it ? yes I do
REASONS :
it's short ..lol ...
SML's daughter is just too too good ....adorable , cute and got some great lines ..!!
nothing is annoying or draggy ...so you won't need to skip much ...and me being someone who has befriended fast forward button this one is definitely gonna get the credit for making me stay away from skipping scenes...!!
the story line is simple but has got a lot to do with flash backs ...which I don't actually look for ...but then as I already mentioned I wasn't into skipping this time so you don't need to mind that a lot ...!!
the FL wasn't stupid ...(that's imp) and the leads trusted each other ...wow rare combination ...!! lol
the ending was really predictable and that got it down to 8 otherwise I would have rated it higher for sure ...!!
both couples had some great chemistry and they fit well, so casting I think was on point .
They did give proper time for things that actually needed time at the same time keeping it short and this is what makes it a worth watch ....do give it a try for sure you won't be disappointed if you already know that the ending is gonna be predictable.
and in a short time 16 eps 30 mins each, you get some good laugh (SFL and SML's daughter) a great friendship ( FL and SFL , ML and SML) a cute, smart and witty character (SML's daughter ) and 2 great couples ...!!
all in all I didn’t expect I would like it so much! ...so I am quite happy that I gave it a try !!
I hope you enjoy watching this one ... give it a try !!
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Ghosts can’t match humans even when it comes down to being evil !!
So great shaman Ga Doo Shim ...presents you a ride in the world of a teenager shaman...set in a highschool ( free of serious bullies ….and full of ghosts) is a decent attempt at being a horror drama …okay if you are in for scary stuff ...then pls expect disappointment ….but if you get scared even at the slightest ...well then why in the world choose to watch this ….A perfect binge watch material with 12 eps and 20 mins run time ...compact writing and great cast ...this show is all in to be a worth watch which I can say it is .
Few illogical stuff scattered here and there ( I am gonna mention at the end for people who finished cuz it could be a potential spoiler ...but I got to rant for sake of my mental peace)
The story in a nutshell ...is about a high school student Doo Shim with shaman abilities but no interest in shamanism and her potential husband or love interest at present Woo Soo (this romance angle I tell you ...they got to drop it everywhere as if dramas can’t exist on friendship ..but it’s not the time to complain) and their fight against evil.
Character development was given quite less time overall and most of it was just about the FL ….which I appreciate ...at least someone got it to an extent ...than having all of them failing together just for the sake of equal division ( good decision)
ML was just a typical romance driven character (in my opinion)...he did not have much character depth or development ...but to be honest that does dwell well with the drama because it was obviously supposed to be more about FL.
The side characters were just doing their jobs without being out of the place …(much appreciated)
The small but important roles like that of grandmother, mother, principal, good ghost(Hyun Soo) all were really good ofcourse the respective actors nailed it ...as expected from them.
The whole point of grades and pressure on the students even after being the main point sadly felt underdeveloped ...and that’s what I assume is the result of less runtime. Can’t really blame anyone for that cuz they did do the best possible with what was given.
Overall the things presented were worth it ...no plot holes, great pacing ...an okay reason for a villain to be evil ( if you need me to play a critic here ...then it wasn’t really creative but then the rest of the thing put together makes it work. )
With moments that make your heart flutter ( you saw me complaining about romance now what’s with this ...I wish romance wasn’t there but who said I did not enjoy it), this one definitely makes a mark because of the leads.
As always ...time for my fav dialogues …(this time it’s -meaningful lines with reference to the drama and life in general)
I had forgotten that, I have to deal with more than just evil spirits. (told yaa humans are more scary)
I had forgotten that there's someone on my side.
I can’t see the future no shaman can ..if they claim they do it’s a lie but I trust you ...I believe you, will live a long and happy life.
Don’t worry, all is well ...everything will be fine. (repeat it for yourself every time there's trouble)
if you are wondering whether to try it or not....then I'd say go for it ...it's worth your time !!
Here spoiler and rant alert …
ref to ep 10 ......
come on seriously she worked hard to get the lowest score and failed in doing that ....like if you want to get the lowest score then you don't make guesses that are likely to be right ...you make guesses that are sure to be wrong ....it's a simple option elimination game ....
dramaland problems ...they are failing in failing ....wow ....and here we are ...working our ass off to pass but still fail
now that's actually something I can't get over ...dropping the rating by half star for this illogical stuff ...that's written just to make things work and they call it a twist ...sorry but that’s quite impractical and something to laugh at !!
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Becoming normal , I've come too far for that !!! - JCW
To begin this review let's all raise and stand in praise of all the actors (JCW oppa especially )!!The show belongs to it's actors and it's definitely one of the best career performance by everyone !
SYNOPSIS - JCW oppa sneaks undercover in a gang to trace the origins of a drug cartel and in the process becomes someone who he fails to recognize aswell.
Chaos unwind and soon everything is shattered to pieces. With a strong narrative
ACTING and CAST -
OMGGGGGG!!!!!!!! 200/100 performance ...
This by far is the best acting I have seen in any Kdrama and mind you even tho I haven't recieved my first time watcher badge I got a lot under my sleeve. JCW'S eyes speak for him his face is too expressive to be normal ...hence the headline lol".
ACTION AND VISUALS -
I would just say that it was too realistic and way believable bec even when you feel like this can not be happening it actually works bec you just get so immersed in their expressions. Visuals ...umm JCW oppa looks smoking hot and I didn't bother about other visuals lol .
WHY MUST YOU WATCH -
The story line has a soul of it's own even tho it's not a very new kinda story line but the plot is gripping enough and no useless side characters distract you all the time. Everything in the narrative serves a purpose which unfolds beautifully.
The show touches the darker side of human emotions and the ending brings a sense of satisfaction that is unmatched.
The most realistic ending the best of acting and a good narrative that maybe predictable but is definitely interesting and full of raw action sequences and swoon worthy JCW oppa is what this show offers.
MY FEELINGS AS A VIEWER-
As a critique I could easily say that the show is not new to drama world and stories like these are more often than not brought to the screen for spy dramas. Infiltrating in an gang is a very common drama-land phenomenon. But this show has a lot of emotions at stake. By the end you do not side with good or bad because the line that creates that distinction really just blurs out and that's what makes this an interesting watch !
----SPOLIER ALERT ---
For those who have already finished I got a few things to talk about.
I read a comment that said that "The biggest difference between ki chul & Eui Jung VS that of Joonmo & BIBi relation was that, in Joonmoo & Bibi relationship Joonomo never accepted her love but Eui Jung was somewhere looking for that love she did have a chance with." - To quote some examples Joonmo never said any affirmative words to Bibi and always had a wall up front every time they met. which even Bibi pointed out in the course of the show. While Eui Jung literally fell for him and tried to change him as a person through her love. By the end she became negligent of Joonmo's emotions and only cared about Ki Chul she did not do it to fulfil her husband's mission but rather wanted her love to walk the right path.
Ki Chul's character was a very fine written sketch where he constantly had this dilemma of who to trust and who to choose. He made decisions with his heart and brain and the way that the switch from heart to brain happened was so natural to me that I could easily see that things weren't his fault.
Joonmo's dilemma and pain that he went through was so evident in JCW's acting which I shall call shear brilliance. The way he felt when he couldn't be there for Eui Jung's mom's funeral the way he reacted to murder before him. the way he looked when he killed people trying to protect Eui Jung and the dialogue - "there's someone I want to protect in my heart". was a literal treat to eyes. !!!
I shall applaud Im Sae Mi for giving life to Eui Jung as she literally had us all in the process of falling for Ki chul ...bec even when we know she's not true to her husband and his cause she was true to herself and her love. Till date I have never liked a disloyal character but ig we have an exception now.
The side characters and BIBI have literally worked as good as the main cast ...Kudos to them !
but the Detective's role felt rather random and forced. His obsession with Ki chul was too much and he wasn't handled well by the writers but his story ended well ...
Music wasn't really the most memorable but it didn't become a bother so I'd give decent points to it !
OVERALL - MUST WATCH FOR JCW FANS AND PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE GOOD ACTING !
ps . the name of the show didn't really fit tho !
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tries to be everything and fails at being itself ; cliche edition!
This is gonna be a short review - (is what I am hoping) before starting to sing about my disappointment !ＮＯ ＤＩＲＥＣＴ ＳＰＯＩＬＥＲＳ
The start was fun and that's about it - it wasn't good or perfect but just was my taste - i loved the petty bickering and I still care for you but imma make a fool of you and then i don't remember when they move to the lovey dovey stuff but I am sure that's where everything went WRONG ...! It is a perfect example of a drama that I knew would never get better, yet I still stuck with it till the very end for the love of humanity ig (clown face emoji)
first of all them assuming that the translation industry is so significant - I am sorry but it's too asumptious to be real !
then the ML being able to do all the things like magic ... he's good at AI okay, he's good with medicine ? he creates scents ? wtf ??? - like he's the company all by himself ...?? no specializations no departments ...he's touring the translators themselves ...don't they have work ? Also don't they have hot secretaries ?
Also the only problem ML's company faces in this 36 hour boredom is media articles and public opinion....like tf....no effort what so ever was put in even thinking about anything else.
the only practical bg is given to wei tian - someone who works hard is striving to be in the industry and someone who will never make it to upper management, a true friend , also the casting is top notch there ! - he's literally the guy they want him to be !
the side characters are too cliche, stereotypical and forgettable to even just be bare min likable and their plot line is like all over the place - be it the cousin or the sml which I believe moved on in the blink of an eye ! - oh what pretty love is ! - and when does the cousin have a change of heart and nature ! everyone here seems to be having a switch - press it and they become someone else !
I think the director is wasting too much time on everything except the things that actually matter - the ml and fl share a lot of screen time with side characters that seem to have a very stupid story line themselves and no time is given for the misunderstandings that drives people apart for 30 fucking years ! Then there are random twists in the story that should have made the characters seem more complex, but it just made the story more of a hot mess.
The last 4 eps did try to be more engaging than the whole second half but tbh I do not like the ending the ML is not even interested in how the FL is feeling and he's just so full of himself to think that the solution he is trying to use to help FL is the only thing that should or can be done. Like dude talk to her that's also a great option you didn't give a fuck about. And the end - I am not even disappointed bec what did I even expect. I could maybe increase a 0.5 rating but I don't want to bother doing so!
---
Overall, I feel pretty comfortable telling people to skip this one because they have no idea themselves about what they wanted to create !
PS. There was a lot that was pretty unlikable but I did not hate the show ! - i do not care about the ending bec ik it's gonna be what everyone knows it's gonna be.
- only likable part was machine v/s human translation ! - which was lost as soon as the romance kicked in !
Watch for the leads or as a side show ! - nothing much to miss out on !
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An okayish attempt of mixing too many genres ....or maybe it was just a political drama
Times starts as a fantasy plot where a daughter is trying to save her dad with the help of another reporter who’s also connected to them indirectly …..the first 4 eps were really to my liking …the thrill of changing the past and creating a new future keeps you hooked.And then suddenly the writer changes from fantasy to politics….even though the change doesn’t feel forced, it feels a tad bit abrupt. For the next few episodes, it feels quite draggy and heavy ….all due to the sudden shift to politics and journalism. Slowly you adjust to it turning to a political mess and then you are again abruptly handed a change of perspective for I appreciate the idea of having the focus on only ML or FL at a time and giving them time to develop as individual characters who you grow affectionate towards; which is quite rare in drama land to see... but again if it wasn’t that abrupt. I would like to see something of this sort happening again where different narratives are given equal importance.
The actors did a great job knowing that they did not shoot together for most of the time ...they managed to bring us really good chemistry ….and no romance angle could be seen as perks of the show ….
To be honest, I don’t know what went so wrong ...it did have me hooked in the initial eps even after the introduction of politics as the main narrative ….though I am not a big fan of the genre in itself I still did want to continue the show ….but towards the end, I found myself uninterested in everything ...neither the characters seemed appealing nor did the storyline felt surprising... everything was down to okay ..yaa that was supposed to happen what next ….oh are we finally done ...good then let’s go watch something more interesting now.
It did have good points ….it felt quite realistic at times even after being a fantasy ….for it raises questions that you won’t be able to find answers to ...for everyone wishes to change the world ..to turn it into a better place but when you actually hold the power does the wish remain same ….? Is saving a life at the cost of another life right ? There exists a right answer but when it’s up to you to decide is the choice that simple ….let me not hype you so much when it’s not that great or maybe let me leave you to decide ….
In short, the drama had potential ...in terms of writing and the actors could have shined more if not for the plot that sadly dragged everything down even after having so many fresh moments and creative ideas ….
It wasn’t a waste of my time but I expect more from an OCN “thriller” ….but do give it a try for if you love political stuff as for fantasy and other things just watch the first 4 eps or find another show…that might be all I wish to say about the drama I hope you enjoy watching.
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In a defected world - Defects need to be reconsidered!
I didn’t even plan to watch this. I just glanced at the poster, got curious, and before I knew it, I’d burned through all eight episodes like I owed the show money.The premise? A casual little nightmare - a shady underground operation playing god with DNA, engineering “perfect” children and selling them off to whoever can pay, no matter how shady they are. If a kid doesn’t meet expectations, they get returned like faulty merchandise. Some are deemed “unsellable” from the start and quietly disposed of. And then there are the “defects” - the ones who slip through the cracks and survive against the odds. Only, these defects aren’t going quietly. They’re coming back swinging.
It’s equal parts messed-up and magnetic - the kind of story that makes you mutter, “What the hell?” but keeps you glued to the screen anyway. I went in curious. I came out obsessed (iykyk).
Storyline and screenplay-wise, the aesthetics were mostly on point - sleek, clean, and confident. Mostly. But there was so much more to explore. Each defect’s backstory had enough weight to carry an entire episode, yet they got rushed through in minutes. If they’d built those arcs properly, we’d have been frothing for the villains’ downfall.
And speaking of revenge - where was the grit? The plans were so vague it all felt like a casual stroll. This is supposed to be survival hell, not a Sunday picnic. I wanted to feel that nail-biting tension, the walk-on-eggshells kind of fear.
The villains? They stayed cartoonishly mean until they suddenly… weren’t. That’s not exactly the consistent threat the opening episodes promised. Pick a lane.
What did land for me was the bond between the defects - watching them navigate their own trauma while helping the new ones carry theirs. That raw, everyday resilience? I’d have loved way more of it instead of a revenge arc that felt like it was sprinting to meet a deadline. But then I loved this too anyway ....
Bottom line: Eight episodes weren’t enough for a premise with this much potential. It could have been brutal, layered, unforgettable. But even with the rushed arcs and missed chances, I was hooked from start to finish. Flaws and all, I loved every second.
Everyone acted on point for most of the bit and I will forgive them for when they did not because I did finish this in a day so brownie points for keeping me hooked!
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maybe coincidence ....maybe fate
Instead of running away from something, why not look at it as running towards something else? Did I, deep-dive, into philosophy after watching this? Well, I’m not sure, but that's the thought I had while watching...The drama is not perfect....it need not be ....also if you are complaining about too many coincidences happening....driving it far from reality ....then I have to remind you that it's a drama also this was already mentioned in the synopsis...
Tho there were some elements I skipped through ....but I do that all the time ....so you need not worry ....the drama isn't draggy ...and you won't have any trouble keeping up with its timeline .....
Some stories aren't about a beautiful ending ....it's more about the journey to the end .....it's the same here ... There are multiple stories....which explore many different aspects.... and all of them beautiful in their own way .....talk of dreams....they say you have to work hard ...is it enough to just work hard ...? At times you need to make some decisions you don't want, to keep doing what you love ....is it wrong to do so ...? Is planning the next time being insincere about today's goodbyes....? Is it too late to do what you want...??
The drama talks about all these questions, it looks at things differently and tags you along in the same.....that's what makes it special....every character is uniquely flawed that's what makes them more human and easy to relate to .... just like how people you meet in life have an influence on you the characters influence each other as well ....helping each other deal with problems is maybe a process of finding solace in the world where we're all alone and together at the same time .....
I enjoyed the side characters as much as I enjoyed the main characters....for everyone had their own decision and everyone dealt with the consequences that follow....just like everyone else they'll have to face it ....they are just deciding when and how.... it might look like they were running away but that's not it ...when you look at their side of the story you'll find that they were just trying to make things work for them ...
For people who are still wondering if you should try it or not ....I'd suggest you, try it cuz it has something for everyone...
And here maybe I am bribing you to watch it ....with my favorite quotes from the drama
"You just have to trust yourself, the world will fall for it too..."
"The fact that we can smile at small hopes is the greatest joy..."
"To have the opportunity to be together next time is such a precious thing…
To be able to smile comfortably and talk about the past
To be able to endure today and tomorrow thanks to the person by your side.... having all this is such a blessing"
And at last, lemme tell you that they have shot at really beautiful places...so you're about to be blessed with some beautiful scenery .....and a lot of mixed emotions .....
For me, it was a good experience watching this .....I hope you enjoy the show as much as I did .....and for that you’ll have to try it …..which I hope you do …!!
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This review may contain spoilers
let's live happily now !!
so there are already a lot of reviews for this drama so then why am i writing another ...you can assume i have a lot of time to kill ...so this is gonna be a long review...if you want it short then i'd probably say the synopsis is all you can tell about the drama everything else is just a spoiler ...this show actually has no story but it makes a hell lot of sense ....go watch it don't waste your time reading reviews ...this show is juat so pefectly done that i could even justify his wife's affair ...it doesn't have a central story line or nothing more than what you read in synopsis ...but then after every episode you want to know what's next , what more can you explore with such a narrow plot ...by the end you can connect all the dots and almost everything that happens makes sense ...i don't know if i'll call it a happy or sad ending ...cuz not everything can be described as either balck or white ...the cast was on point , dialogues i think that's what the drama is about ...
it's not something that will keep you at the edge of your seat but it's something that will leave you yearning for more ...
i'll brief you (just in case you want to know a bit of details )...SPOILERS AHEAD....
Ji An our FL is a murderer she behaves coldly to everyone around because she doesn't want to be a burden or be hurt by anyone , she doesn't like two faced people and mostly spends her time alone working part time jobs in order to repay lee kwang ll whose father is the one whom she killed ...the story passes by as the ML and FL's characters get more involved after the bribery incident and things come to the point where she starts working for joon young (ceo) and ends up tapping ML's phone following his life everyday ...as the story unfolds you get to know why the characters are doing what they are doing ...
it's a heartfelt story ...be ready to shed tears as there are great lines coming your way that are going to hit you hard ...
the story is basically about bright side of ordinary people ...it's close to reality where cold behavior of characters makes you feel warm ...even the side stories do a great job as a matter of fact
as to now why is it a 9/10 and not 10/10
I am not a very patient person ...i skip scenes whenever i feel like ...as to i did that with this drama as well ...i wasn't able to connect to park gi hoon's character that was to the point i started avoiding him on screen ...
at some point in the middle of the drama i started to wonder why am i still hooked on to them ...i don't know why even till the end but other than that i think i don't have any issues ..and i'd also add that i have never had such a satisfactory ending for any show yet ..it's just the perfect closure to a masterpiece
the show brings in real emotions ..tells you what it truly means to be a family ...i am happy that it doesn't create any unnecessary bonds and does not create a definition for relationships ...the characters always stay in limits but reach out beyond limits ....as a matter of fact human emotions will always remain complex and the show potray's it beautifully ...
the show leaves you wondering if you know everything about the person you claim to know ...do you really know what's going on in the life of people close to you , the people who are a part of your everyday life ...it tells you not to judge anyone and asks you to go and reevaluate your relations , address your fault , communicate and to hang on cuz things will get better .
There are lines that i just want to hear on repeat a 1000 times as in the emotion they hold just makes them shine and makes us value them and not just look at them as a mere collection of words
i'll quote some of them ..."the feeling that i am not the only one rolling forward " ..... "no matter what i am subjected to it doesn't matter as long as my family doesn't know "...the kindest words i have ever heard him say are " want me to buy anything on my way home? " ......" you are the only person who helped me more than 4 times " and all the small interactions between Ji An and her grandmother ...
so as to sum it up this show stands up to it's ratings maybe it deserves more ....keeping aside the regular cliches and bringing us our own everyday life is what this show is about ...it's gonna make you cry along with the characters and you'll empathize with them , you'll feel happy when they do ...
tip : just skip the scenes in the first few ep's if you don't like the pacing ...don't give up on the show as a whole ..it's a good journey marching towards the end ...this has a whole different vibe something of it's own don't expect anything and dive in ...you'll learn to swim with tears in your eyes and a smile on your face ...and remember it's the story you are in for ..it's the characters try to feel them ...you'll have a better experience !!
it's not a must watch but it's definitely a worth watch ....
i don't rewatch shows and i won't say i'd rewatch this but if someday i rewatch something then it would probably be this one ...
forgive me if i went a bit overboard cuz this is my first review ....i hope you enjoy the show as much as i did !! have a good time ...
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In the Hierarchy of kdramas this will not have a memorable spot !
I mean who didn't sign up for the eye candies and tbh we all know we loved it somewhere ....then the thinking brain comes into play and maybe just maybe ruins your watch experience because well -- we all need a plot ( and it can't be just hot oppas) !The plot was all over the place or maybe non existent-- we can say a highly westernized drama like elite gets a kdrama touch and again Netflix saves the day with it's visual appeal but for how long will they dwell on such script-less dramas !?
story -- just like always we have a teen drama where everyone is pretending to be an adult ! -- a rich lifestyle and parties traded with mental health and freedom and there comes a variable -- a literally poor one this time ! it's not a revenge story of a poor puppy in the realm of rich brats knocking them down it's a damsel in distress romance and by the end very much a "MORAL SCIENCE " lecture !
So let me tell you my expectations with this and then we'll progress to how disappointed I was with this !
I was looking forward to having a visually stunning and planned nerve-racking revenge plot that will go down in the books-- a romance that shatters the foundation of this well build school and all it's riches !
but in turn --
This show stands out as a perfect example of DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER ! -- while in the initial stages the show is very promising of all your expectations it falls flat on it's face by the end ! -- the mystery the villains the chemistry the storyline everything !
I would have appreciated if background for characters was explored in depth-- like he's not just the always happy guy , she's not the always untouchable queen and the perfect prince or so and so ! - i wanted to know them for who they are and not just what the world knows of them it kind of weakened their role and made them superficial !
What I liked -- the actors ! -- all of them give their best ! all the eye candies perfectly in place even to the side characters !
WHAT I DID NOT LIKE -- (oh hell we have a list) --
THE CONFUSION -- They should tell me who do I root for, the writers themselves got confused mid way about their final ship !
THE FRIENDSHIP -- either shallow or deep -- there's not supposed to be an in-between -- cuz there is no in-between !
THE VILLAINS -- even tho i was disappointed by the story -- their acting disappointed me even more !
THE REVEALS -- even if there was a strong build up that had my attention -- they revealed it in the dumbest and most convenient way possible !
THE MOTIVES -- it was just so weird for everything to be that predictable and illogical by all means !
THE TEENS -- man never for a moment they behaved their age (and i don't mean the parties !)
THE END -- They did not have to have me so uninterested in the ending and make it so over the top !
THE MAIN CHARACTERS -- (I'll put it in a spoiler tag comment )!
Overall this is the drama that you normally dote on -- if western, so i can't say I am disappointed but then if you are a kdrama fan then you don't look forward to western touch I mean I would love more netflix productions and high budget hyped shows with the most amazing cinematography but ones that do have substance !
Please watch it -- do not look for a plot -- just enjoy the ride you have in front of you -- do not get your hopes up due to initial eps ...I am hoping you'll love it if you follow this !!!
my fav line --
"I want to protect him even if it means to give up all I have - I want to protect him because he's all I have" !
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Damsel in distress who apparently knows revenge
"My whole life was put in front of me like an album and I did not have even one memory I wanted to hold on to. I am going to change that ! "I am writing this review without watching the end because I wanted it to be about how I enjoyed and not about how it ended.
To me this genre is not one I frequently visit. I just started it because my curiosity got the better of me and then oppa being oppa you just start with one and then - just one more ep and I'll sleep ...just one more and here we are.
Let me first brief you about the not so unique revenge plot - so we have a damsel in distress who gets a chance to turn back into time and redefine who she is to not just herself but the world. She is aided by our prince who apparently is head over heels for her- for no good reason but I guess we'll all just nevermind that. lol
So the plot is pretty simple our FL is the ideal for all the wives who have been cheated on - with a fantasy twist.
(to spoil the fantasy twist is ML's role model ... epitome of goodness "chaebol family" lol)
what I like about this show is that it has a pace and quite bravely answers all the questions it puts forward and a great cast that performs steadily well throughout the journey.
There's a lot this show offers - A FL willing to change. Yes this good girl all her life now wants revenge and she knows what it means.
A chaebol family that you wish to be a part of . - I just love how ML'S mother reacts to the news everytime - watch out if you are yet to visit the show.
A paced revenge with all the answers. And a couple that shine on the screen with no annoying or screen time wasting side characters.!
OVERALL THIS WAS A VERY ENGAGING WATCH !
I love how everything is crafted between small moments and how everything is given a reason. I know that this show is not a new storyline but it has a new execution a great one. The chemistry stands out and so do the dialogues. The relations stand out and so does the drama. I hope you all try it once...to me this was a worth watch even tho the production is small it does not have a lot of runtime but the show does well in terms of what it has to offer. It does not mean to stand apart in terms of bringing something new to dramaland. IT JUST WANTS TO BE A GREAT ORDINARY DRAMA and it did try it's best!
since this was the first time I went through this type of a drama I made notes of how I felt after every ep.
@1 - The FL SUCKS ! - get her a brain!
@2 and @3- I like how this is going! She's been hurt and now she will lead the hunt. THE CHEMISTRYYYY UFFF!
This is a dreamy revenge in all aspects possible lol.
Could the ML be anymore sweet ? omfg they both just ..awww ufff oh yay !
@4 - We know what is going on but do we...this is going predictable is it really just this.
@5- I love how she tries to be an example and in the process gets herself destroyed as i may put due to lack of words... she looks like a brave warrior paving a new way of looking at things !
@6 and @7 - I knew no one dies in dramaland lol ...eps were just sweet and heart warming !
@8 and @9 - At least listen to her ...omfg you all be literally trusting the wrong people blindly ...like wtf !
@10 - it's not time yet ...so we don't have to worry lol ....idk i am just guessing ..the 2 eps won't be ml plotting revenge they can't be right !
@11- She lied as well come on ...but i get it she's been lied all her life I don't want to blame her but she lied as well ...you both just sort it out. A relationship takes two !!!!
oh hello why can't you come ..why call him ....aaaaa not this pls this is too cliche !!!
@12 - They have it too easy. I am happy with how the drama went. But the climax ...I would have preferred more intense!
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER -
I wasn't enraged anytime throughout ...I'd have liked that !
the character development arc for FL could have been better.- she still has a long way to go
the villains could have had brain. it was too one sided!
the ex bf arc....like legit ...the hell .
the romance could have been a side plot, here it seems like the main plot.
IDK why he loves her ....but I hope i did.
MY FAV SECTION - DIALOGUES !!!
This show has some amazing writing - i love a lot of lines ...imma drop a few here -
"I had to go through all of that for no reason ! "
"What kind of home one grows up in determines who they are. "
"This is unlike you .
- you don't get to decide what being myself is."
" you look like this is the last time, like someone trying to get the most out of it. "
"you work hard at everything. When I see you I want to cheer you on. "
"Being normal is the hardest thing for me.
I've never lived like that before. I never will."
"use me as much as you want. coming from you I'll take it all. "
To conclude I loved my time feeling everything around this drama and liked all it had to offer. It does deserve a spot in your watchlist for it is exactly what it claims to be - an extraordinary everyday watch!
thank you for reading !
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