Gritty but ultimately disappointing
Not sure whether this was made to shock more than thrill and have us biting our nails. That's how it turned out for me and the shock wasn't, sadly, in a compelling storyline, but the fact it is very different from the vast majority of K-dramas, with sex, nudity, swearing and sex talk.Sadly the sex scenes felt too unnatural and gratuitous in several instances.
I found the plot very disjointed and one particular, very vulnerable, character's actions had me losing all sympathy for her situation and totally lost credibility. Utterly stupid decision making.
The Shamen was.... ??? Really, like, what was her purpose.
The police were a waste of space and screen time; inept and utterly useless.
The actions of supporting characters with the aforementioned vulnerable character in some latter episodes, were frankly unbelievable and totally ruined those scenes for me.
By the end, I was not at all surprised at how weirdly it was left.
The cast were very good (only reason this gets a 6 overall from me), but the story could have been so much more.
I would not watch this again.
Was this review helpful to you?
What a refreshing, well written, excellently directed, fabulously paced and realistic programme this is.
It is not at all sentimental, but feels very real and believable ; from the interactions of the main friends and their colleagues and families, to the patients, their problems and the anxiousness of their guardians. There is no overacting, no perfect scenarios, no obvious clichés, but plenty of laughs, some tears and frustrations.
Real doctors, nurses and carers should watch this too, as it portrays the care patients should get, as when they don't, it isn't washed over, but shown honestly and discussed.
The cast has been perfectly chosen and their relationships are very believable and honest.
I cared about all of them, felt invested in every episode and became quickly addicted.
This one of those dramas that stands out, because it is underpinned by talent from every angle; not by special effects, emphasis on gore, over-the-top fight scenes, power crazy CEOs and mistreated characters.
The struggles, tough decisions, stress and bonds of friendship that are played out, are like a breath of fresh air.
I simply cannot wait for 2021 and series 2, and I cannot possibly recommend this drama enough. Simply FABULOUS! Watch it, or lose out ?
Was this review helpful to you?
So disappointingly irritating.
Nice idea, but just way too childishly executed for me.The LF's character is far too irritating and the direction (or acting) is frustrating. She never gets to the point and there's far too much of her just talking, lamenting and noisily complaining ~ all unconvincingly.
The mother shouts and gets so physical, a lot, which also got on my nerves.
Scenes don't flow smoothly and I just couldn't get engaged with the story or characters at all, dropping at ep3.
The cat itself is gorgeous, but the voice they chose, just didn't suit it at all. A smooth, crooning, dignified style of voice would have worked better, rather than one more suited to an old streetwise moggy!
The LM is an actor I like and have seen in other, good dramas, where he has acted well, but he couldn't save this, unfortunately.
Just not for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Superb fantasy, thrills and feels!
I absolutely love this drama, from a fabulous cast, where not one was a weak link (including all the great supporting/small parts cast), to great writing and direction.Jung So-min is wonderful as the strong soul (Nakdu) in a weak body (Mu Deok), with a great dialect to boot. Lee Jae-wook partners her perfectly and keeps his character just the right side of entitled, a little resentful and rebellious; without being irritating at all.
Go Yun-jung was also gripping as the actual Naksu and a character I really liked as her story unfolded. Mistreated, lied to and manipulated to become a deadly assassin.
Arin, as Jin Cho-yeon, was suitably spoilt and brattish, but her character matured a fair bit as the drama played out. I was very pleased with one aspect of her character's life, as I liked the character concerned.
I loved Hwang Min Hyun as Seo Yul, too ~ I was really torn about his character... if/when you watch, you might see why.
Some of my favourite interactions were actually between Naksu (as Mu Deok) and the Prince, Go Won (Shin Seung-Ho). She knew exactly how to handle him, but it was most enjoyable when she pushed her luck! He definitely has a (large) soft spot for her.
The pace of this drama is exactly how I like it; there are action scenes, light hearted banter and amusing moments, sadness and intrigue. Whilst main characters talk, ponder and reflect, it never felt slow or drawn out to me. In more complex plots, knowing where a character's actions are coming from and what motivates them, all add to understanding the story.
There are flashbacks, but well timed and enhancing the plot, rather than confusing it, which can sometimes happen.
The music fits well too, without overpowering scenes or being mismatched. I absolutely love Car, The Garden's song, 'Scars Leave Beautiful Trace'.
I love fantasy, romance and action, with humour to balance. Whilst the romance side is relatively low key, it is there and, for me, the level fits perfectly within the story.
A lot of people have complained and written unpleasant things about Jung So-min not being the lead in S2.... I find this both annoying and weird.
I am a very big fan of JSM ~ but she has not been replaced, or written out, so why the backlash?
Her actual character was never Naksu, but Mu Deok, whose body Naksu inhabited for S1.
If Jang Uk fell in love with Naksu for her personality and drive, then he does not love the body, but the soul.
If the actresses switching again is necessary for the story to continue and to be plausible, then so be it.
The actresses returning to their original characters, was always going to be a possibility.
I admit I shall miss JSM in the LFM role, but, I am excited for the story's conclusion and hope it is a huge success for the entire cast and crew.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thrilling
A film that builds and gains momentum with every scene.I found the plot a little different, with some surprises. Through 'Dorothy', the relationships and personalities of the crew aboard The Victory develop and grow.
It's witty, action packed, emotional and very entertaining.
I loved the diverse nationalities of the cast and different languages, which sounded very natural; often a rarity in Korean productions ~ not one to watch dubbed. Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu and the wonderful little Park Ye-rin are excellent, as are the supporting actors bringing wonderful characters to life.
Excellent sfx, filming and direction give this a proper big budget feel.
Great viewing and worth watching more than once!
Was this review helpful to you?
Kept my interest through all 40eps.
July 2026.Following a change to the intended of her arranged marriage, our FL joins a household living under a shadow. Both she and her new husband have more in common than they realise, and this is gradually revealed.
I loved this drama, and it is quite different to a lot of similar recent releases from China.
Trust issues were a constant challenge, and there were a few too many times when both lead characters made things far harder than they needed to be.
I always say C-dramas are hard to beat for lavish sets, costumes, and amazing martial arts and battle scenes; because it's true.
This drama has a more gentle pace; there is still bloodshed, and some very emotional scenes, but it's also one of the few costume dramas to include mental trauma, its affects, and to address them.
I loved the cast and didn't get bored with the storyline. Nice mix of characters, with peripheral supporting character storylines included. I watched as it aired, and looked forward to every episode.
Was this review helpful to you?
Loved it!
June 2026.What a great FL character, and I thought ZY was perfect in the part.
She spends a lot of time disguised as a man, and whilst she didn't overdo it, managed somehow to pull it off, so it didn't feel totally ridiculous, although unless a statuesque, depp voiced actress is available, it will always need imagination!
RC was also perfect as the General; he has great screen presence. I felt the character carried a certain amount of guilt, besides a lot of hate toward another character, whom he believed to be party to the death of his father.
These two characters are bound and seem destined to fight for justice together; although it's less than a smooth journey.
I loved so many of the supporting characters; the camaraderie of their army life, and the mutual respect and love that grew between the leads, even when so much, so often, was stacked against them.
I was do disappointed in one character I liked, because they appeared to gracefully take a back seat, only to succumb to their jealousy and desire for power and standing.
The pace and flow of this drama, made the episodes melt away.
Whilst not the longest, a battle towards the drama's climax, was one of the bloodiest and most visceral I've seen. Excellently acted and filmed.
The ending did not feel rushed and I didn't find it disappointing at all.
I would happily watch this again and recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Loved the OST.
June 2026.I found this fantasy drama quite entertaining; it has funny and also moving content.
Main cast members take on multiple roles however, which I sometimes found confusing.
Characters hidden without being aware, diversions, deceit, betrayal, and stand-ins... a lot is packed into the story.
There are Nine-tailed Foxes, dragons, snakes, and butterfly demons... it's quite the menagerie! A very attractive cast.
Sometimes it was drawn out, but a more than decent watch overall.
Was this review helpful to you?
Complex main characters, slow pace.
April 2026.I had high hopes for this drama, as I love Jin-young's acting. I actually thought both leads gave good performances, as both characters were incredibly complex, and with reason.
This will definitely not be for everyone, and I imagine it splitting opinion quite widely, just like 'My Liberation Notes' did (which I didn't enjoy).
I thought this was well written; there were no real extremes in the story, and it felt quite true to life, in terms of the ordinariness of the every day.
The ML character has, what feels like, the weight of the world resting on him ~ he feels overwhelming responsibility for his family, seeing himself as the most able provider.
He is often withdrawn, doesn't say unnecessary things, and doesn't talk about how he feels, to anyone.
The FL character also feels similarly about family responsibility, but for very different reasons. She is somewhat more outgoing, but at the same time has no friends.
The two connect whilst nearing the end of High School, sharing a study space, and become close friends. They seem drawn together and provide one another with often unspoken comfort.
The pace may be crippling for some, and the story at times stagnant. I personally felt that fit. They were healing slowly and beginning to think of themselves more ~ Eun-A was definitely a shining light for Tae-so; and Tae-seo a rock and guiding light, for Eun-A
At this point I liked her character; quirky and quite focussed. However, some actions towards an adult female character earlier in the story, especially when coupled with later behaviour as an adult, made her seem an incredibly selfish character, to me, byvthe end of the drama She put herself first, and I got the distinct impression she was desperate for a way out of her young adult life, which she was successful in getting ~ again through someone else's guidance and involvement.
The two grow apart, as happens, with college/Uni and maturing. They reconnect later, and it's from this point I really grew to dislike Eun-A. I felt she used people, from beginning to end~ maybe it wasn't intentional, but the feelings of others were secondary to her, from where I was sitting, it was mostly about her own aspirations, and needs. Yet she allowed herself to be pushed around in work settings. Infuriating.
The ending, I thought, was fitting.
Made me want nothing but love for Tae-seo in his future, and for Eun-A to grow up and think of others, as well as herself.
If you don't mind an at times snail pace, with a contemplative focus, you might like this. I didn't dislke it at all, but watched alongside others, as it aired, which I think helped. Not one I could binge, nor would I revisit it.
Was this review helpful to you?
OK, but not a memorable story.
April 2026.I watched this as it aired ~ definitely not one I could binge watch, and tbh, it hasn't been memorable.
I didn't dislike it, but I wasn't wowed either.
Nice cast, and an interesting twist on the usual Gumiho stories.
I found the second Gumiho's storyline (and character), to be weak and somewhat pointless to an extent.
I didn't find anything particularly funny, moving, or gripping.
Not bad, certainly not perfect, but worth a look, perhaps as a filler.
Was this review helpful to you?
.....mostly, is the answer.
April 2026.I enjoyed this drama overall with a good cast and characters.
There were aspects of the plot not to my taste, mainly parts I felt dragged, or weren't convincing, and seemed somehow out of place.
It also got quickly wrapped up, and the storyline around the ex, I found bizarre for a number of reasons (not to be confused with "I didn't understand it" ☺️).
Nice locations, and I liked it more than didn't,
Was this review helpful to you?
Worth a look.
Feb 2026I admit I watched purely as a fan of LJW, although the story did intrigue me.
The story is centred on happenings within the leads' families, and also between the lead characters themselves, which shapes their future.
We are also introduced to friends and work colleagues, as well as family, as the story unfolds.
I got a bit confused at one point, as there is a lot of going back to various points in time, as key events are recounted when reminiscing (for both positive and negative reasons).
I found the FL character really annoying in the early episodes, but she did mellow, and grew on me.
I thought a key aspect of the story, in terms of her relationship with the 'distance brother', was somewhat overdone, and it frustrated me.
Other characters were ok; the distance brother's female colleague was yawningly predictable ~ a plot line that has been overused, and is frankly outdated.
I liked the lawyer, Seo-hyuk, too, who was pretty cool and knew when to back off gracefully.
I akso liked their friends, couple O Seung-taek and I Seul, but was very disappointed in how their plot line was handled ~ it made it seem like disability is not something able-bodied people should, or rather could, live with.
It actually angered me. I felt like the drama was making a statement about physically able people having to make too great a sacrifice, to love someone disabled.
That might be the case for some, but given how too many dramas show S.Koreans' attitudes to any disability as far less than in a favourable light, it would have been refreshing to see a mixed relationship of that type, portrayed as strong and successful.
Certain aspects of the plot got dragged out, whilst others might gave been made more of. There were some very emotional moments, as well.
Overall it was a decent watch, and I love LJW's acting ~ he can captivate me enough to keep me interested in most stories, although this one did manage that alone.
I liked his chemistry with CSE, and neither the actress nor her portrayal of the FL character, were the norm.
Not disappointed I watched it, at all, but probably not one I'd revisit.
Was this review helpful to you?
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.
Was this review helpful to you?
Pace too slow and unlikeable characters
Aug 2019I really like the cast in this drama, but not the characters...
Jung Hae In (love him), Han Ji Min and Kim Joon Han are leads. A lovely child actor in it too, Ha Yi An, as Yoo Eun Woo.
It centres around characters Ji-min and Joon-han re-evaluating their stagnant, long-term relationship, when the former meets Hae-in's character, who unsettles her and changes her feelings towards her boyfriend.
Of course her relationship also has to have further problems in the form of her overbearing, repulsive father, and his boss, the wealthy father of... yep, her boyfriend.
This is a slow paced, simmering drama that I felt tries to address certain stigmas.
The acting was good, but I struggled with the pace at times and, as usual, how disgusting behaviour seems to be, pretty much, acceptable.
I neither hated nor liked it, but would never watch it again.
I do love Jung Hae-in's acting - he has a knack for making his characters very real and believable. Without him I'd have loathed it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not what it seems
Feb 2025I think many who dislike scary dramas, might be put off by the first couple of episodes, and that would be a crying shame.
Early on, even I (who loves horror stories, dramas and films), found it very spooky, with some gripping, tense scenes. However, as the story and characters reveal themselves, it becomes so, so much more; and less scary.
Anyone who can't handle the hide-behind-the-pillow bits, 'gently' use the ffwd!
I often found this drama so very touching. It was a surprise ~ emotional, and very tender.
We see how the different characters, drawn to the Light Shop, located down a dark and forebidding alley, find themselves there. Some are drawn, others led.
It is not always an easy watch. There is a little humour, but it isn't a funny drama, or fluffy, or upbeat, or fast paced. It is very human, so well acted by a terrific cast. I couldn't stop, watching in one go. There is a pretty good twist of sorts, which didn't completely surprise me, as I had my suspicions.
It felt left open for a S2, but I read the story concluded within the 8 eps (it's based on a webtoon), and I can get that. Those who do what they do, be it offering direction, protecting, or policing; will continue to do so.
It's an oddly comforting watch, in a strange kind of way, and I was engrossed from start to end. It won't be for everyone though.
Was this review helpful to you?
