Lead acting was good
Not a bad watch and Kim Min Jae rarely disappoints.His character here is arrogant (but I felt this was often a front for feeling inferior), very business savvy, but lacks the social skills, sophistication and knowledge of art to fit in amongst Dali's peers, co-workers and gallery connections. He does, however, have the money.
I am not sure what the drama was trying to be, because it's not a fluffy romance, not quite a detective story (although it would have made a good thriller) and not a true comedy.
Ep1 was amusing and humour is used through the show, but it's needed.
There is bullying, physical and mental abuse by parents, drug addiction, coercion, threat, a huge dose of snobbishness and more than one psychopathic character.
Moo Hak often seemed to revert to gangster behaviour when he felt humiliated or out of his depth. The response to it was...... nothing.
Dali infuriated me at times ~ the character could have been co much more. I think they were going for kind of ethereal, graceful, yet strong, but incredibly patient, demure and sophisticated.
The behaviour of some characters (the worst were all family members) was, frankly, sick inducing at times.
The ending wrapped it all up fairly neatly, but it's definitely not one I'd watch again.
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Not dreadful but not great
Nice cast, bit slow at times, some wit and overall an ok watch, but...Totally unrealistic, like really! The stuff the police, never mind students, get away with, is hilarious. I mean, ok it's not a documentary and entertainment = poetic licence, but there really needs to be a bit more credibility to so many of the scenes.
Half of what they all get up to would mean zero chance of their weird evidence standing up in any court.
I thought irritating and OTT character, Baek Hee, was a step too far ~ she made me roll my eyes once too often and I didn't find her at all funny.
The camaraderie between the friends was nice and how Dong-man and Sun-ho became closer was too, but the romance was dull and chemistry between actors Jung Jin-young and Krystal Jung was not cooking at all; his acting was quite charming and sweet, but I found her very stiff.
The supporting characters were quite amusing, but none really stood out for me.
I felt the plot dragged on, becoming quite dull; there wasn't much feeling of threat and even though they tried to introduce a selection of guilty looking characters in the latter episodes, it wasn't enough to make me that interested, or bothered.
It has some nice moments and overall is fine as a filler, or dip-in-and-out-of drama, but it's not memorable and not one I'd watch again.
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Hugely irritating characters
I quite enjoyed the first couple of episodes, which piqued my interest. Sadly I quickly found myself greatly disliking many of the characters.Indecisive, selfish, wet, self absorbed, delusional and contradictory.
I was only bothered about 2; Do-hyeok and Gyu-hyun.
Jae-eon was like his butterflies and Na-bi.... well, what can I say.
I also found their art class unreal. The piece Na-bi worked on, for the entire series, hardly changed and yet could be reproduced virtually overnight.
Made a change to have a lesbian couple feature though, rather than a gay one, although Oh-bitna drove me nuts.
Not one I'd watch again.
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It doesn't have masses of blood, blockbuster style action scenes or romance, but it does have more than its share of shocking moments, an intelligent script, some laughs and what I found to be a gripping story.
I loved the characters; proper villains and a blurring of what makes a good detective. Tested friendships and what seems, at times, blind loyalty from some.
Dong Shik and Joo Won are polar opposites and neither trusts the other at all, for varying reasons that are slowly brought to light as the story grows. They have to work together though and so a relationship of trust/mistrust yo-yos with each episode.
The tragedies in several cast members' pasts are also uncovered and these link characters together in unexpected ways.
Almost everyone looks guilty at some point and the way in which key crime scenes are shown in multiple scenarios, to fit a given character's statement, is brilliant. It also makes it way harder to decide who's done exactly what.
Shin Ha Kyun is excellent in his portrayal of Dong-shik, veering from warm and funny, to maniacal in an instant. His whole face changes when he smiles, but the next minute he can look very scary!
Yeo Jin-goo gives a very understated performance of a character repressing a lot of his thoughts and feelings; no over acting here, thankfully!
The entire cast were great. I particularly felt for Jung Je, such a tormented character, so well played by Choi Dae-hoon. There are some really sycophantic, nasty and loathsome, as well as sweet, caring and strong, characters in this.
A great story with a solid ending.
Oh and I loved the trailing violin music, Bibi's 'Timeless' and gritty song, 'The Night' from Choi Baek-ho; perfect soundtrack.
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Too drawn out
I thought the 2 leads, Zhu Yi Long and Bai Yu, were so good ~ their acting portrayed the characters' attraction to one another really well; the eyes can say it all.Lots of very diverse characters, action, emotion and different worlds, making for entertaining viewing.
I did have trouble sticking with it though, as it just went on too long for me. The last few episodes were amongst the best of all and saved the drama, to my mind. The emotion from the leads was heart felt and definitely confirmed that Shen Wei and Yunlan loved each other, and there was nothing 'brotherly' about it.
It is a great shame that China feels any sexuality other than straight, is abhorrent. Lines don't need to be crossed, but as with straight romance dramas, they aught to portray love as love. Just what are they so scared of?
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What let down a potentially great thriller were the times it slid into being ridiculous. From how clean people and their clothes were, to characters wandering around on their own once a killer was potentially back. The amount of beatings some could take, together with surviving drowning whilst badly wounded, on more than one occasion, was eye rolling.
I liked the resilient character of the main female too, who was also pretty independent and capable.
There is also the usual shady prosecution service, most of whom are more interested in finding the path to increasing their position and wealth, than to the actual guilty party.
We find out who the real culprit is, but trying to prove it is difficult and the cat and mouse episodes are very watchable.
If only they'd kept that momentum going, instead of including some very lazy scenes instead.
The end of the final episode was just bizarre and I have no idea why it was included. It was almost like the ending to a children's story, where the kids are told the moral of the tale, although how a mass murderer got to be included was beyond me.
The deaths of several characters was often brought up, but one in particular was noticeable by their absence. It wasn't until that odd last scene, that they suddenly got a mention. Months stranded, months back and episodes later, it was like a quick add-on; "Oh and we won't stop searching for xxxx".
If you can forgive these shortcomings (which to be honest I could), then it's not a bad watch.
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Not only the monsters are bad
This is a great drama I've already watched twice.The main and supporting cast all give excellent performances, including the children.
The effects of living in an environment where society has broken down leads to very different behaviours for the characters, as they really need to pull together in order to survive. The changing opinions and morals of some, as it becomes apparent no one is safe from infection, makes for many characters developing with each episode.
Our human establishment is yet again to blame for messing with things that shouldn't be and fearing everything different. Tarring everyone exposed, with the same brush, can also be seen as the way in which so many laid blame after the outbreak of Covid. Lessons never seem to be learned, as this has and will, happen time and time again.
The pace is a mix of slow burning, menacing and violent. It isn't a particularly happy watch, but there are many touching moments.
The soundtrack is excellent too.
I believe Netflix are waiting for ratings stats before committing to series 2 and I so hope it goes ahead, otherwise the ending is less than pleasing; that would be my only complaint.
I LOVED it.
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Enjoyable
So whilst this wouldn't win any awards, it mixes comedy with drama and I didn't greatly dislike anything about it.The cast are very good and the story, whilst bending what's anything near plausible at times, is still a decent watch.
If accepted for what it is, a piece of light entertainment, with romance, silliness, surprise guest roles, lots of clichés and some mild threat, then it really can be enjoyed.
I did feel the King was a little hard done by, but it was neatly tied up at the end. Really not that bad a watch.
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Disturbing
First off, great cast and very good acting. I'm a big Woo Do Hwan fan, but all the leads wete excellent, as were supporting cast.I found the first few episodes quite disturbing and not an easy watch. I really hate bullies and those that treat physical disabilities as though that makes a person less or stupid.
S.Korea is so often portrayed as a country where those with power, position and/or money, can get away with just about anything. This drama is no different in that respect.
The friendships that are tested and the struggles to "do the right thing" are well portrayed... blood is often thicker than water, as they say.
The story got a bit far fetched at times, but the tension and feelings of threat were well written, directed and acted.
It would need a long time before I'd watch this again, mainly because of now knowing what happens.
I kind of enjoyed it, but watching was also unpleasant at times. Means it's a well made programme though.
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The storyline at the start of the drama got completely lost. The plot suffered due to this as well, with Fighter & Tutor's episodes completely overshadowing Zon & Saifah's.
That aside, the stories were good, especially F&T's, which felt quite realistic.
Sometimes the actors didn't seem entirely comfortable in their roles (a little wooden), but that may have been due to the series' problems or lack of direction. The last ep felt very rushed. Such a shame, as would otherwise have been a 10 rating for everything!
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Enjoyable.
Aug 2025.Overall an enjoyable watch, although I thought Seon-chaek's hair when in period costume, was weird at the front ~ it always looked messy. For some reason, once seen.... 😬
Some very irritating characters. OTY was his usual cool self, and his character was one I felt a lot of sympathy for. It felt a bit like he cruised this part though, as compared to some of his other roles, it wasn't exactly challenging. That isn't to say he wasn't good in this... I don't think I've ever seen him act badly, in any drama ~ even weakly written ones (he's often carried them).
Another character, that I'd rather have seen get some kind of punishment for their actions, again got off with no reprisals, which always irks me. Another mean character was at least a WYSIWYG ~ rarely bothering to conceal it!
Nice ending.
I doubt I'd watch this again, but I never considered dropping it. It made me laugh as well, which I like!
Worth a look.
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More like superheroes
June 2025An academically challenged student, meets his old tutor now teaching at his school, and decides to set up a Study Group. The biggest challenge isn't his lack of an academic brain though, but the fact his school is better known for fighting, with rankings amongst students for that, and not test results.
Added to the mix is a bullying hierarchy, run by a vile, obnoxious student with a powerful father.
This drama somehow manages to balance a lot of violence, with humour, the warmth of growing friendships, and characters changing the course of their lives.
It's incredibly infuriating at times, for all the usual reasons, and is totally OTT and fantastical, in terms of the fight scenes, and just what goes on in the school.
Aspects reminded me of Class of Lies.
Hwang Min-hyun makes a perfectly believable high schooler. He does seem to be a casting favourite for characters that are reserved, thoughtful, sometimes awkward, yet strong, resilient and loyal.
Considering just how violent this is, it surprised me that there's still a significant feel-good element to it. A biggish surprise, sadness, hurt, anger, all the emotions associated with the subject matter, this story has it all.
The fact it was often so outrageous is possibly what enabled me to not be turned off by the bullying. More true-to-life and I would have dropped it, I think. It's what puts me off trying Weak Hero.
This borders on superhero territory though, with what characters are able to withstand. Female characters are tough and reslient, too. One in particular goes through a subtly amusing transformation.
It had me glued and I found it surprisingly entertaining. I'd have liked more on the outcome around awful characters, Pi Han-ui and Ma Min-hwan, but it seems there might be a S2.
The character I most wanted to see messed up?... Ma Min Hwan (played by Baek Seo Hoo). Very charismatic ~ more so than Pi Han-ui, I thought, but a complete psycho. The fact his bright, smiling appearance, was totally out of synch with his cruel nature, made him scarier.
Actor Yoo In-soo was reunited with Hwang Min-hyun, but back in a thug/delinquent role again. I prefer the different side seen to his acting, in Alchemy of Souls (he was bleach-blond Park Dang-gu). I hope he gets more options to play personalities like that character had.
Prrhaps there's a message in this drama somewhere, but if there is, it's pretty much drowned out by the often gruesome fighting.
The OST was OK, but I was not keen on the main song, Backpacker, which I personally found too repetitive.
I'd be happy to watch this again.
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Lost its way
June 2025Epic fantasy story of survival, revenge, love, hate, abuse, and eveything in-between, plus travelling in time, and dream worlds.
A sumptuous watch, with very good CGI, costumes, makeup and sets. A beautiful cast too and plenty of characters.
It started well and got straight into things, laying the plot's foundations. It is quite bloody at times; I don't think I've ever seen characters cough up blood (something cultivators do when their energy, or qi, is damaged, or they over-exert themselves) as much, in one drama, in my life!
Unfortunately, it started to stall for me. The flip between different incarnations of the main characters when in different lives, was somewhat clumsily handled. This confused me at times, although I did find my attention flagging, so perhaps that's my fault.
Whilst strong, focussed and undeniably beautiful, given her remit, I found the attitude of the FL character (Li Su Su / Ye Xi Wu, played by Bai Lu) to her 'target', character Tantai Jin (Luo Yun Xi), really frustrating.
After travelling back in time, she ends up as his wife; a nasty, malicious character, in a miserable marriage. It has to be assumed they looked the same, as no reference was made to this. She is nothing like that person, and so her behaviour towards him and others is very different. This is blamed on good old memory loss.
On the one hand she's thinking that he could be prevented from turning into a devil, or rather the Demon King, and on the other, it's that she has to kill him. The story see-saws back and forth on this, and that irritated me.
Given Tantai Jin's backstory, it didn't surprise me he lacked emotion and a moral compass, one day becoming the revenge driven Demon King. As his wife has 'changed', however, he very slowly begins to see and respond to her differently, as she treats him better. It gives hope he could be saved if nurtured.
However, instead of building on this, and even though she sees the hell, poor conditions, humiliation, and abuse he's lived with since being a child, she has almost zero empathy. It was startling. I disliked her character immensely at those times.
We then get this same roller-coaster of hate/love/kill/save, throughout the drama. Almost all his evil reactions stem from her poor choices, lack of communication, and deception.
Key nasty characters (and there are more than a few), get listened to and have influence, time and again. It's infuriating. The capacity of some characters to forgive, is both unfulfilling and utterly misplaced. One in particular, regardless of her atrocious crimes, ends up walking about and back in the thick of things, like nothing happened.... in more than one of her guises!
There is a lot of tragedy, but I only got really moved in episodes depicting Tantai Jin's early life; his mistreatment and his numerous betrayals by people he trusted.
That's the main reason Li Su Su / Ye Xi Wu's character didn't add up. She could have changed him, but instead fuelled his mistrust, jealousy (caused by that mistrust) and evil thoughts, by lying to and deceiving him, so many times. She does make a sacrifice, but even then, her poor handling of it all later, ruins it.
We end up kind of back where we started, but earlier in that time. Sadly, past mistakes are not learned from, nothing from tge oast is shared, as Li Su Su stays silent, and we get an ending that I thought predictable. Certainly not satisfying.
I enjoyed a lot of it, but will be perfectly honest in that it was one of my favourite C-drama actors, Luo Yun Xi, that kept me invested. I find him stunning to watch, as he has great screen presence and rarely, if ever, overacts.
At certain times I found the soundtrack too loud, swamping the dialogue. If I didn't watch with subtitles, it would have spoiled my viewing.
This drama could have been brilliant, but sadly fell short due to the poor writing. It is still worth a look though, as it's otherwise wonderfully put together, with a great cast and commanding characters.
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Fun and sometimes touching
June 2025A pretty entertaining watch and pure fantasy, with a fairytale-like element.
A hidden realm, mystery, deception, animal/people hybrids (beasts), and of course, love. Overcoming fear of those who look and are different, can be interpreted into real life (the real monsters are people). Don't judge a book by its cover.
I liked the cast, characters (some I loved, some just irritated me), sets and whilst some of the 'beasts' were cute, the makeup for them was a little amateur, in comparison to other dramas. The werewolf's ears were just weird, I have to say!
Wang Lu Qing, as 'Cat' attendant to the Princess, Hong Xiu, was really good. If she doesn't own cats I'd be surprised 😸
Not at all bad for a bit of fun, some tragedy, and romance.
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Hide the Soju
June 2025I enjoyed this far more than I didn't. It wasn't the usual sageuk that concentrates solely on inner Palace politics, although that is present to a degree.
It's all about a long period of prohibition, which is still becoming tougher, with alcohol even being banned from memorial rites.
This, of course, sees the manufacture of illegal alcohol (as in the drama's title), on the rise, with one main producer monopolising the market, by violent means, should anyone encroach on their turf.
Enter Nam Yeong (wonderfully played, as always, by Yoo Seung Ho), being added to a Palace department tasked with seeking out and locking up the Moonshiners.
He ends up intertwined in the life of Kang Ro-seo (Lee Hye-ri), a former Noble brought down in life by a tragic event.
Lots of colourful, nasty, annoying, funny, deceptive, and insidious characters. Casting directors really need to mix it up though, as do actors, otherwise their mere presence will often give things away.
I am not a fan of Lee Hye-ri ~ hard to pinpoint why, there's just something I'm not keen on; but I thought she was good in this, and represented her character well.
Loved the Prince, who was layered like an onion, and handled being stuck between a rock and a hard place pretty well! Some witty moments whenever he was around.
Plenty of guessing, as the reasons for the alcohol ban continuing for so long, are slowly revealed, together with a much darker association.
The women in this are feisty, with none being particularly weak. A foppish character is actually anything but, and they all provide an overall immersive watch.
Occasionally the story went on a bit, with the usual flashbacks that are at times repeated too often.
It kept me entertained enough though, and it had 2 favourite actors in the lead, which always helps through less riveting scenes!
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