This review may contain spoilers
One of the most boring k dramas with an incredible cast
Most of you will have tuned in to this show because of the FL. She's still Weightlifting Fairy in our eyes. Sadly, you shouldn't expect the same kind of magic with this drama. There is virtually no chemistry between the leads. Absolutely none. There are numerous support roles and so many of them find love near the end of the series. Every single one of them, despite some of them being boring themselves or having limited screen time, still manage to have more synergy than the leads. It's bizarre, especially because I'm a huge fan of the FL.
That aside, that isn't even the biggest problem. It's the format of the story. Rather than simple coherency, the plot revolves around a love/hate relationship between the leads that is told through different timelines. The problem is that the episodes and scenes jump between different time stamps with very little acknowledgment that it does so. Only when they did a flashback to their time in the same university did I really understand what was going on. Other times I couldn't for the life of me tell if it was the present or the past. I don't know why the writers chose this format. Never confuse your audience. I thought maybe the subtitles weren't working so I watched some episodes again on a different network and it was virtually the same. So the episodes never let you know when they dive into the past. Even if you watch closely, it's really hard to understand just what the heck is going on.
The problems continue when they change the timeline of events. The ML goes on a trip to Africa for a year in the beginning. He's been away from the woman he loves (even though he treats her like dirt) for a long time. In a flashback scene, we find that it's because he was arguing with his head of PR, who just so happens to walk in front of the press while doing so. And the head of the PR is none other than the female lead. Several episodes later, they literally retcon the Africa trip explanation and reveal that it was actually because of his close friend who committed suicide. This person was also a rising actor who was extremely integral to the characters, but the backstory is so flimsy that it's hard to feel the sentiment we're expected to feel.
Not done confusing the audience, another scene happens that explains that all three of them were close. Both the leads and this mysterious actor who passed away early on. Why does that matter? Because based on the timeline of events, the male lead had actually been avoiding the FL lead throughout this timeline. He admits it himself and saying that he never really had friends or dated, so being mean to her was the only reasonable reaction at the time. Again this doesn't explain how the three of them were so close in that scene. So if you're as confused as I am reading this review, imagine watching it.
I'll try to be positive though. The show does explore the harmful effects of the media and the expectations of celebrities living careful lives. They touch on hateful fans, prejudice, and harassment. All of that is fine, but it's a very cookie-cutter version of what could and does happen in reality. It plays it safe, and the show suffers losing what could have been a wonderful topic that addresses the serious matters and the harmful effects on Korean society.
In the end, the producers and the writers decided to avoid a serious drama. And we are left with a light-hearted comedy that never hits its stride. The last 4 episodes were exhausting to get through. And trust me, most of you will feel the same. But if you still see the FL as Weightlifting Fairy and you enjoy seeing her regardless, you might just find something worthwhile here. Sadly, you'd be better off watching almost anything else.
That aside, that isn't even the biggest problem. It's the format of the story. Rather than simple coherency, the plot revolves around a love/hate relationship between the leads that is told through different timelines. The problem is that the episodes and scenes jump between different time stamps with very little acknowledgment that it does so. Only when they did a flashback to their time in the same university did I really understand what was going on. Other times I couldn't for the life of me tell if it was the present or the past. I don't know why the writers chose this format. Never confuse your audience. I thought maybe the subtitles weren't working so I watched some episodes again on a different network and it was virtually the same. So the episodes never let you know when they dive into the past. Even if you watch closely, it's really hard to understand just what the heck is going on.
The problems continue when they change the timeline of events. The ML goes on a trip to Africa for a year in the beginning. He's been away from the woman he loves (even though he treats her like dirt) for a long time. In a flashback scene, we find that it's because he was arguing with his head of PR, who just so happens to walk in front of the press while doing so. And the head of the PR is none other than the female lead. Several episodes later, they literally retcon the Africa trip explanation and reveal that it was actually because of his close friend who committed suicide. This person was also a rising actor who was extremely integral to the characters, but the backstory is so flimsy that it's hard to feel the sentiment we're expected to feel.
Not done confusing the audience, another scene happens that explains that all three of them were close. Both the leads and this mysterious actor who passed away early on. Why does that matter? Because based on the timeline of events, the male lead had actually been avoiding the FL lead throughout this timeline. He admits it himself and saying that he never really had friends or dated, so being mean to her was the only reasonable reaction at the time. Again this doesn't explain how the three of them were so close in that scene. So if you're as confused as I am reading this review, imagine watching it.
I'll try to be positive though. The show does explore the harmful effects of the media and the expectations of celebrities living careful lives. They touch on hateful fans, prejudice, and harassment. All of that is fine, but it's a very cookie-cutter version of what could and does happen in reality. It plays it safe, and the show suffers losing what could have been a wonderful topic that addresses the serious matters and the harmful effects on Korean society.
In the end, the producers and the writers decided to avoid a serious drama. And we are left with a light-hearted comedy that never hits its stride. The last 4 episodes were exhausting to get through. And trust me, most of you will feel the same. But if you still see the FL as Weightlifting Fairy and you enjoy seeing her regardless, you might just find something worthwhile here. Sadly, you'd be better off watching almost anything else.
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