One of the best Philippine drama
Review: First 20 Episodes of [Title of Drama]
(Note: Will update once the series concludes.)
I don’t usually watch Philippine dramas, as many tend to follow repetitive plots and suffer from excessive episode counts. Most start strong during the pilot week but quickly become draggy due to never-ending extensions. However, a teaser I came across on Facebook sparked my curiosity—and now, I’m unexpectedly hooked.
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Story
As someone who enjoys manhuas with isekai themes, this drama instantly piqued my interest. While the story isn’t flawless—some plot points feel shallow—it remains engaging enough to keep me watching.
One issue I had was the professor’s reason for sending Klay into the novel. While her student did cheat, the logic of using magical punishment as a lesson in the importance of history felt excessive. Klay questioned the relevance of the subject to her course—a fair point—but the professor responded like a tyrant, using an extreme method to prove his point. Though it led to growth and learning, I wish the premise had been framed differently.
Another concern is Klay’s lack of basic historical awareness. One doesn’t need to be a history buff to understand that past societies had different laws, values, and cultural norms—especially when these are taught throughout school. Yet even twenty episodes in, Klay shows little grasp of the timeline she’s in. Her behavior—such as debating human rights with the Guardia Civil in English—feels unrealistic. Most people would act more cautiously in an unfamiliar time and place. Still, her comedic moments bring levity, and I hope her character sees stronger development as the series progresses.
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Characterization
What the drama does exceptionally well is breathe life into the characters. While I didn’t feel much connection to them in the novel, the series made me understand why many were frustrated by El Fili’s ending.
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Casting & Performances
The casting is excellent.
Barbie Forteza brings vibrancy to a potentially heavy storyline, while Dennis Trillo is undeniably charismatic as Ibarra. The chemistry between them is palpable—it practically jumps off the screen.
On the other hand, the chemistry between Dennis and Julie Anne seems more subdued, though that might reflect the old-fashioned dynamic of their characters. Klay and Fidel also share a cute spark, though I personally don’t ship them—Fidel nearly hitting her was a red flag. Any act of violence, even implied, is unacceptable and should not be romanticized.
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Production Quality
The cinematography is strong, and the period costumes and sets are commendable. The production team deserves praise for the visual and technical quality of the show.
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Final Thoughts
I sincerely hope this series avoids the typical pitfalls of Filipino dramas—unnecessary extensions, overused tropes, and watered-down storytelling. It has great potential, and it would be a shame to see it lose its way.
Edit:
I’ve adjusted my rating to 6/10 due to disappointment with the latter episodes. Still, I remain curious to see how the story concludes.
(Note: Will update once the series concludes.)
I don’t usually watch Philippine dramas, as many tend to follow repetitive plots and suffer from excessive episode counts. Most start strong during the pilot week but quickly become draggy due to never-ending extensions. However, a teaser I came across on Facebook sparked my curiosity—and now, I’m unexpectedly hooked.
---
Story
As someone who enjoys manhuas with isekai themes, this drama instantly piqued my interest. While the story isn’t flawless—some plot points feel shallow—it remains engaging enough to keep me watching.
One issue I had was the professor’s reason for sending Klay into the novel. While her student did cheat, the logic of using magical punishment as a lesson in the importance of history felt excessive. Klay questioned the relevance of the subject to her course—a fair point—but the professor responded like a tyrant, using an extreme method to prove his point. Though it led to growth and learning, I wish the premise had been framed differently.
Another concern is Klay’s lack of basic historical awareness. One doesn’t need to be a history buff to understand that past societies had different laws, values, and cultural norms—especially when these are taught throughout school. Yet even twenty episodes in, Klay shows little grasp of the timeline she’s in. Her behavior—such as debating human rights with the Guardia Civil in English—feels unrealistic. Most people would act more cautiously in an unfamiliar time and place. Still, her comedic moments bring levity, and I hope her character sees stronger development as the series progresses.
---
Characterization
What the drama does exceptionally well is breathe life into the characters. While I didn’t feel much connection to them in the novel, the series made me understand why many were frustrated by El Fili’s ending.
---
Casting & Performances
The casting is excellent.
Barbie Forteza brings vibrancy to a potentially heavy storyline, while Dennis Trillo is undeniably charismatic as Ibarra. The chemistry between them is palpable—it practically jumps off the screen.
On the other hand, the chemistry between Dennis and Julie Anne seems more subdued, though that might reflect the old-fashioned dynamic of their characters. Klay and Fidel also share a cute spark, though I personally don’t ship them—Fidel nearly hitting her was a red flag. Any act of violence, even implied, is unacceptable and should not be romanticized.
---
Production Quality
The cinematography is strong, and the period costumes and sets are commendable. The production team deserves praise for the visual and technical quality of the show.
---
Final Thoughts
I sincerely hope this series avoids the typical pitfalls of Filipino dramas—unnecessary extensions, overused tropes, and watered-down storytelling. It has great potential, and it would be a shame to see it lose its way.
Edit:
I’ve adjusted my rating to 6/10 due to disappointment with the latter episodes. Still, I remain curious to see how the story concludes.
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