This review may contain spoilers
Underwhelming
EDITED: [REVIEW] A Disappointing Yet Memorable Ride: My Thoughts After RewatchingI finally got to rewatch the series, and honestly, my opinion hasn’t changed. It still feels underwhelming and didn’t quite live up to the excitement it promised.
The Strong Start That Didn't Last
The first three episodes were gripping — great pacing, strong buildup, and enough tension to keep you wanting more. But after that, things started to unravel. The plot lost momentum and fell into predictable revenge-drama clichés.
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1. The “Too Easy” Path for the Protagonist
Everything suddenly became too convenient for DH. People appeared left and right to help her — no real struggle, no real fallback plan. That made me wonder: What was her original strategy?
She spent over a decade planning revenge, yet the execution relied too heavily on unexpected allies. What if they hadn’t shown up?
I’m still waiting for a revenge drama where the lead has a solid, well-thought-out plan that doesn't rely on sudden plot devices or savior side characters.
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2. Screaming and Hysteria Everywhere
At one point, almost every character was screaming and acting hysterical. One or two characters? Fine. But when it becomes a trend, it loses impact and becomes exhausting to watch.
What really baffled me was how powerful, composed villains suddenly turned into clueless wrecks. Instead of fighting back or outwitting the protagonist, they panicked. Their only move? Humiliate DH by using her mother. That’s it. That’s their big counterattack?
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3. Emotional Breakdown... But Why?
Near the end, these villains — who lived shamelessly for years — suddenly broke down. Lee Sa Ra’s descent into drug addiction felt abrupt. PYJ’s unraveling also came out of nowhere.
I would’ve preferred to see them punished with their minds intact — fully aware of the consequences. That would have made the revenge more satisfying.
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A Scene That Didn’t Sit Right
One scene I strongly disliked was Lee Sa Ra’s scandal. She was drugged, and yet the way they exposed her was framed as if she deserved public shame. That crossed a line. She was a victim in that moment — and the show shouldn’t have treated it like justice.
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The Unnecessary Shaman (Yes, That Happened)
Don’t even get me started on the shaman subplot. Completely unnecessary.
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No Sparks in the Romance
The romance angle? Flat. There was no chemistry between the leads. It felt forced and disconnected from the main narrative.
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It Could Have Ended Sooner
Honestly, the series could have wrapped up in five episodes. The second half dragged. Flashbacks were used to stretch time, not to add value.
That scene of DE leaving the school, finally smiling — that should’ve been the ending. Everything that followed just felt like filler.
Also, what’s with the “everyone secretly knows each other” twist? It made the story feel small and too coincidental.
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The “Avenger Team” Ending
I had high hopes for the assistant’s character arc. I thought she’d seek a new life for herself or her daughter. But instead, she joined the revenge squad?
As for JYJ, I expected him to walk away from his father’s killer — a man too far gone to feel guilt. Sometimes, the best revenge is healing. Being happy is a kind of revenge, too. And yet, the show went with a cliché “Let’s build an avenger team!” ending.
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The Most Powerful Scene
If there’s one moment that stayed with me, it’s DE’s scenes with her mother.
She didn’t cry in front of her bullies. She didn’t cry over the past. But when her own mother tried to destroy her — that’s when she broke.
That betrayal hurt more than anything.
I understood her when she said she was glad her mother never changed. If her mother had shown even a bit of warmth, DE would’ve had to process and possibly forgive. But knowing she never cared made it easier to let go.
She was done — and in that moment, you could feel it.
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Final Thoughts
While the story had its flaws, the cast delivered incredible performances — especially the actors who portrayed the villains. They carried the show with their intensity and depth.
🟨 Rating: 4/10
Disappointing in execution, but memorable for its early tension and complex characters.
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OVERLY HYPE
I had been looking forward to this drama for quite some time, primarily because I am a fan of the main leads. The initial trailers were also quite intriguing and raised my expectations.While the cinematography is visually appealing, in my opinion, it does not align well with the tone and theme of the drama. It felt mismatched and somewhat out of place.
As for the plot, it began with promise but quickly became underwhelming. I found it increasingly difficult to stay engaged as each episode progressed. The storyline became overly convoluted, with too many subplots and unnecessary additions that detracted from the central narrative.
It would have been far more effective had the writers focused on developing the relationship between the main characters. Their romantic arc felt inconsistent and poorly explained. They fell in love, their marriage deteriorated, the male lead began to resent the female lead—he even appeared pleased at the news of her terminal illness—yet, without any meaningful development, he suddenly could not live without her. This abrupt shift lacked depth and credibility. A clearer exploration of how their relationship soured would have added much-needed emotional weight.
Moreover, the female lead was difficult to empathize with, and truthfully, most of the characters were unlikable. As is often the case in many K-dramas, the issue of emotional neglect from parents was resolved far too easily. A simple apology seemed to erase years of emotional damage, which felt unconvincing and rushed.
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This review may contain spoilers
Surprisingly good
[Review after Episode 4 – will edit when the series ends]I started watching this because it reminded me of Miss Ripley, Inventing Anna, and Gone Girl—and I’m always into stories like these.
The story has kept me on edge from the beginning.
Anna is far from perfect. She made many mistakes—some of which could’ve been avoided if she had just used her head. I understand how she fell for her teacher; she was young and easily manipulated by someone older. But her second love interest frustrated me so much. It felt like she was too easy to get. They barely interacted, and just because he asked her for a walk, she agreed—and then quickly accepted his kiss, too.
I feel so sorry for her parents, especially her father, who worked hard to support her while she didn’t seem to care. She followed her emotions, chasing after love and piling up lies—until those lies caught up with her.
I liked seeing her start to change after her father’s death, but eventually, she transformed into this con artist "Anna."
One thing I really appreciated was how the drama clearly shows the timeline of events. It makes sense that, in the earlier years, it was easier to get away with lies—technology wasn’t as advanced back then. Even the way people believed she was rich just because of her elegance (despite her wearing fakes) felt believable for that time period.
As the years passed and technology improved, it became harder for her to keep up the facade, which added to the tension.
The entire drama feels like a silent movie in tone—minimalistic but never boring. This is, by far, Suzy’s best acting performance. She looks effortlessly charming in this role.
The cast, even the minor ones, did a great job. The cinematography is also superb.
Edit:
One thing I didn’t like that much was the music—especially toward the end. It didn’t quite fit the tone of the scenes.
But overall, I still love this drama, and I think I’ll rewatch it again someday.
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Would be better without romance
I watched this because of Ren Allen and I saw some teasers on Youtube and thought his character seems refreshing and he looks hotter.The idea of a childish or immature young man getting interested in being a firefighter to save people and start to be passionate about it is what I was expecting to see.
It was good when the focus was only about firefighters but then it started to focus on romance... which honestly speaking isn't all that interested and just plain cringey.
There was no chemistry between the Main couple, Ren tried his best but the FL was just.... too cold... not really a good actress.
It's sad because Ren looks like he really had fun filming this drama.
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This series is overflowing with an extreme feminist narrative—portraying women solely as victims of their time, constantly needing to fight men for their place.
My main issue lies in how they depicted the female lead—very much like how HOTD portrayed Rhaenyra. She’s written as a flawless victim, a "good woman" who can do no wrong, with her flaws excused as products of circumstance. But the real women these characters are based on were far more complex. They were strong, ambitious, and capable of being selfish or ruthless in pursuit of power.
It would have been much more compelling if the show had stayed true to the real Queen Woo—who held power not just because of her family but also because of her own cunning and ambition. She was, from another point of view, a villainess—but she won and kept her power until the end. That kind of female lead would have made for a far more interesting story.
As for the casting, it's generally solid. However, I don’t think the female lead stood out as much as the rest of the cast. The actress tends to have the same expression in all her roles, regardless of her character's personality. Her face often feels blank—even though she's undeniably beautiful, especially with her sharp features. But over time, you start to notice the lack of emotional depth in her performance.
I’ve watched many Korean historical dramas, even the older ones, so I wasn’t too shocked by the explicit scenes. These types of dramas often include sex scenes that feel unnecessary or awkward anyway.
Overall, it’s not terrible—but the plot isn't particularly compelling. The storytelling tries too hard at times and often falls flat. I blame this on poor writing, not the actors, who generally did their best with the material they were given.
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This review may contain spoilers
Changed my rating again after the last episode
EDITED:⚠️ May contain spoilers ⚠️
I changed my rating to 5/10 because I can no longer take how cheesy and ridiculous the story has become.
I hate how they pitted two women against each other over a man—as if he’s some grand prize. For more than 10 episodes, all we see are two women plotting against each other just to win a man.
La El's revenge was supposed to be about what happened to her family. Her hatred should have been her driving force—so strong that she wouldn't care about anything else except her revenge. Yet the story ends up focusing more on her love triangle with the chairman, completely overshadowing the original premise.
And to justify La El’s actions, they made Sora (the wife who supposedly loved her husband so much) cheat on him—so now it’s “okay” because “she cheated too”? That’s weak writing.
La El’s revenge should have been directed at Sora’s father—the true mastermind, someone who’s supposed to be fearsome and cruel. But instead, all he does is scold his daughter. No schemes, no counterattacks, no investigations—absolutely nothing. Just empty threats.
I really don’t get why the focus was on winning over the chairman. As if making him fall in love would somehow destroy the real villains?
Now, if a plot twist reveals that the chairman was behind it all along and is the true mastermind—that would be interesting. But even that wouldn’t fix the many ridiculous plot holes throughout the series.
That said, the cast did a great job. The cinematography was excellent. And honestly, Seo Ye-Ji is carrying this drama. Her performance is the only reason I kept watching—she’s like a band-aid over a messy, inconsistent plot.
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Edited:
I changed my rating again—from 8 to 5, and now finally dropped it to 3/10 after the last episode.
I can’t believe how this series turned out. It started really strong, got painfully draggy in the middle, and ended in complete disappointment.
I don’t understand why the writers pushed the love story between La El and the chairman when it made no sense and they had zero chemistry. I wasn’t even expecting La El to end up with anyone romantically, but this pairing felt forced. At this point, I’m wondering if things would’ve been different had they cast a different actor for the chairman.
What really frustrated me is how the long-awaited revenge ended up going nowhere. It’s as if the writers wanted La El to come off as this brilliant avenger—but had no idea how to actually write that arc.
What a waste.
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This review may contain spoilers
I was initially hesitant to watch this drama due to its length—70 episodes felt quite overwhelming. However, with quarantine leaving me with little to do, I eventually decided to give it a try.In my opinion, the drama is somewhat overrated. I did not find anything particularly exceptional about it, and much of the storyline felt unrealistic. Viewers who prefer more grounded and traditional narratives may find this series lacking.
I did enjoy the first quarter of the show, particularly the early scenes where YL stood up to the bullying seamstresses. Unfortunately, the plot soon became increasingly implausible—especially the way she frequently spoke back to the emperor without facing any real consequences. The level of plot armor surrounding WYL was excessive, and the story began to feel repetitive and tedious.
In terms of performance, I found the lead actress unconvincing. Many of her scenes came across as cringeworthy, and I struggled to feel any emotional connection to the characters.
That said, the costume design was impressive and one of the few redeeming qualities of the show.
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I don't really get the hype
I initially watched the drama when it began airing but eventually lost interest and stopped. However, after it started gaining attention, I decided to give it another try to see if the storyline would improve — unfortunately, it did not.Park Eun-Bin delivered a commendable performance in her role. However, I found there to be a lack of chemistry between her and the male lead. Frankly, I believe the drama would have been more effective without a romantic subplot — or at the very least, the romance should not have been introduced so early in the series. Nonetheless, the production seemed intent on including those uncomfortable "mukbang" (kissing) scenes.
I found these scenes unsettling, as the male lead came across as a groomer, seemingly teaching the innocent female character things inappropriately.
By the twelfth episode, it felt as though the story was going nowhere, leaving me disappointed.
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This review may contain spoilers
Intense!!
It's been a long time since I’ve been hooked on a Song Hye Kyo drama.The plot actually reminds me a lot of Seo Ye Ji’s last drama Eve—with the female lead seeking revenge against the rich and powerful, trying to catch the attention of the villain’s husband, becoming a teacher at their daughter’s school, the daughter having emotional issues, the villain having an affair, and the FL having a man who is deeply in love with her and supports her revenge. The only difference? This one is written so much better—less screaming and much more refined.
Each episode is intense, exciting, and genuinely unpredictable.
Of course, there are still some plot holes—especially with the female lead obviously having plot armor. Realistically speaking, if these people were as powerful as portrayed, couldn’t they have just had her killed?
I’m also relieved there was no affair between SHK and the villain’s husband.
But honestly, I’m still wondering if the villain’s husband is truly a kind man—or if he’s hiding something darker. I hope he stays good.
One thing I really appreciate is that SHK didn’t rely on filters or excessive makeup to hide her natural lines. She was criticized for that in her previous dramas, but here, we can see her real face—and I absolutely love that.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say I’m not a big fan of the OST or music scoring. It’s not terrible, just not memorable—but it didn’t ruin the experience either.
I seriously cannot wait for the next season!
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Deserved more views
A Surprising Portrait of Love and AmbitionFilm Review
I initially had no intention of watching this film, as the promotional materials did little to spark interest. However, a short clip I stumbled upon on TikTok changed my mind—and to my surprise, the film delivered far more than expected.
Julia’s portrayal of Candy, a low-class prostitute, was initially unconvincing—she looked far too polished and expensive for the role. It raised questions: why isn’t she working in high-end venues? Even Candy, at one point, questions her worth, subtly acknowledging the dissonance between her image and her circumstances. This self-awareness added depth to her character and made her story even more intriguing.
The film successfully humanizes Candy, framing her not as a one-dimensional figure, but as a woman shaped by poverty and survival. Her materialism is not vanity but strategy—an aspiration to escape hardship. It’s made clear that she doesn’t enjoy her work, but sees no other viable path toward a better life. This stands in stark contrast to Toto, a man content with simple pleasures and limited means.
While both characters love each other, the film explores the painful truth that love alone is not always enough. Candy wants more from life, and she is transparent about that. Toto, meanwhile, is emotionally stagnant, unable—or unwilling—to meet her halfway. His infatuation with her seems driven more by desire and fantasy than a genuine interest in who she truly is.
The dynamic between them is ultimately unsustainable. Much like the faulty lightbulb in their shared home—described by Toto as needing adjustment—their relationship flickers but never fully works. Despite their best efforts to adapt, their conflicting values lead to inevitable heartbreak.
What makes the film compelling is not just the tragic love story, but how it charts the characters' personal growth. Both Candy and Toto come to terms with who they are and what they truly want. In the end, it’s not just about what they lost—but what they learned.
Julia deserves praise for embracing such a bold, nuanced role with confidence. Though I expected the film to rely on provocative content, it instead focuses on emotional storytelling. The only notable drawback is the unnecessary use of profanity, especially from Toto, which felt inconsistent with his character. Emotional intensity doesn’t always require harsh language—and this is something many Filipino films could benefit from reconsidering.
In all, the film is a brief yet impactful portrayal of mismatched love, hard choices, and self-realization. It asks a difficult but honest question: when love and life pull in opposite directions, which one do you follow?
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I often saw this drama in recommendations but avoided it at first since I’m not really into BL. Still, the overwhelming popularity made me curious, so I finally gave it a try.
Honestly, I wouldn't call it a masterpiece like many others do. The story has its flaws, the action scenes weren’t great, and the first few episodes were confusing and boring. I almost dropped it early on, but what kept me intrigued was Wei Wuxian’s (WWX) past—which was briefly teased in Episode 1.
I ended up watching the special episodes first (since they were shorter), and I was hooked. The long flashback arc was the highlight for me. It was so compelling that I kept rewatching those episodes again and again. I even read the novel just to see how it compared.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t bring myself to rewatch the episodes that came after the flashback. The writing started to fall apart, the plot felt scattered, and many scenes felt like pure fan service. It just didn’t hit the same.
Honestly, I wish the entire series had focused on WWX’s backstory. Those 30 episodes alone were enough to carry the show and could’ve stood on their own—even as a full-length movie. Despite some flaws, they were solid and emotionally impactful.
Acting-wise, the leads did a good job. Xiao Zhan had both great and average moments. His early portrayal of the playful WWX felt a bit forced, but he truly shined during the siege and rebellion arc—his performance captured WWX’s pain, rage, and despair incredibly well.
Wang Yibo also delivered as Lan Zhan (LZ). His role was tough—very few lines and minimal emotion—but he managed to make it work. Still, I eventually lost interest in LZ since WWX completely stole the spotlight.
I appreciated the added focus on the senior sister and the siblings' relationship. It helped deepen WWX’s emotional motivations. I also liked Wen Qing’s added scenes. While some disliked her expanded role, I think it helped make her and her clan feel more human. Their tragic end hit harder because of it.
Overall, I genuinely enjoyed about 30 episodes of this drama—so much that I rewatched them multiple times. I’m glad I gave it a shot, even if I didn’t love everything.
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It was interesting how the writer tried to blend different genres: medical, time travel, historical, and romantic-comedy. But as the story went on, I couldn't help but feel that it lost its direction. It felt like the writer didn’t know what to focus on. Was it meant to be a medical drama? A time-travel mystery? Or a romance?
At first, the focus was clearly on Heo Im and Yeon Kyung as doctors, showing their passion for their work and their desire to help people. That part was compelling. I’ve seen a lot of people complain about the “slow” romantic development between the leads — and I absolutely agree. Nearly halfway through the series, and there was still barely anything between them. Then, out of nowhere, the writer suddenly shifted focus to their romance, and when that happened, the story became cheesy, messy, and lost all the depth and mystery it originally had.
That once slow-burn romance suddenly bloomed too fast, and the story revolved solely around their love. Everything else — the mysteries, the supporting characters, and even the medical themes — got pushed aside. The other characters were basically forgotten and treated like extras, which was a huge letdown.
And the ending... They had a chance to save the show with a strong, meaningful conclusion. But no — they went for another overly cheesy ending. It’s really disappointing, especially coming from something associated with Kim Nam Gil. Definitely not what I expected.
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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.
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This review may contain spoilers
Slow pacing, flat characters, and just okay executionThis drama only has 6 episodes, but it felt like I was watching a 100-episode series. The pacing was painfully slow, and I honestly wanted to skip through a lot of scenes. It only started to get better in the last two episodes.
The CGI and action scenes were okay—very animated in style. Maybe my standards are just higher after watching Alchemy of Souls, but this one didn’t give me that “wow” factor.
The overall cinematography and tone felt dull, and while the story had potential, the execution was lacking. Something just felt missing.
I’m a longtime fan of Kim Nam Gil (since QSD), but this character didn’t suit him. He spent most of the time brooding and frowning—typical tragic backstory type, but not very compelling.
As for Lee Da Hee, I liked her in I Hear Your Voice, but this role didn’t work for her. Her character was the most boring in the whole drama. The constant hair-fixing, failed “girl boss” moments, and awkward comedic scenes made it hard to watch.
Surprisingly, Eun Woo stood out. I’m not a fan of his previous works, but he fits this priest role really well. The whole “handsome priest” setup with those sexy shots was clearly intentional, and it worked. He reminded me of the ML from the manhwa Black Winter.
I won’t rewatch this, but it wasn’t bad enough for me to drop either. I’m curious how Season 2 will go—hopefully with better pacing and stronger character development.
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This review may contain spoilers
Just done watching the movie. At first I thought this movie will be more about the military prostitutes and their sufferings then it turned out to be a story about the male lead's journey or experiences while in service. So it was a bit disappointing that we really didn't get much into the girls... the only one that I actually felt sympathy for was Jiao... you can see how she was "broken" by what happened to her.There are lots of things in the story that wasn't really clear for me. Example was Tun Shan's memory of the shepher girl after he killed Jian. The girl looked a lot like Jian, why was she the last or the first person that came to mind after he killed Jian? Was it because Jian looked a lot like her which is the reason why he fell for Jian? or why he liked Jian? Or was that girl Jian herself?
I wasn't really that interested with Nini... she's too sophisticated a lot of times... and I couldn't really feel her character.
There are lots of parts that I thought was boring and wanted to skip. I think the best part of this movie was the end, when Pao started questioning about his actions on his "what ifs" because honestly speaking, there were lots of things that I questioned regarding his actions so it's good to see that even he himself questioend them and never forced to gave the viewers an answer.
For me this movie is more like a coming-of-age movie.
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