A Fun Romance That Will Suck You Right In
If you’re looking for a light story with heavy chemistry, it’s this one. This show was so sweet and heart-warming. So let’s dive into specifics.Pros:
• The leads. The freaking leads. I have seen these two in other dramas, and they never cease to impress. I love both of them, and together they were dynamite. Their chemistry was top notch and absolutely swoon worthy. Kiss scenes that will make you rewind! (This goes for the second couple too. Love the actors in other shows and adored them in this.)
• Great pacing. This story isn’t bogged down with the ridiculous break ups, mean parents, fill in the blank. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a rom com that is fun and adorable, but in the serious moments, the actors shine. Honestly, it’s all executed really well. I was pleasantly surprised.
• Natural development in the romance. The romance in this is also paced perfectly. To be honest, there’s only a short time where they’re not together because they find themselves in a sort of relationship early on. They don’t ball at it. Rather they feel it out and realize it’s worth the risk. Then they communicate and grow together in a beautiful way. And did I mention the chemistry? I’m gonna mention it again. So good.
Cons:
• Subplots. Some of the subplots in the show were very weak. The third couple literally took me forever to invest in. Frankly, I hated both people at the beginning and it took me a while to get over it. But eventually it won me over I guess… but only after a lot of fast-forwarding.
• The villain. She was just plain annoying. I could not stand her. I skipped through a lot of her scenes out of boredom and irritation. Even her redemption arc wasn’t enough to salvage her for me. She was written so poorly.
All in all, it was a fun drama. Maybe it could have had more depth, but, honestly, in a drama like this, you get exactly what you expect.
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Imperfect But Still Enjoyable
I had decided to quit this one at about episode 18 after ploughing through, but I came back and gave it one more try. Honestly, I’m really happy I did. This was far from a perfect drama, but, if you’re willing to work through some slow pacing, it’s a really great watch.Pros:
• CHEMISTRY. Loads of it. The two leads are truly have some of the very best chemistry I’ve ever seen in a drama. It’s up there with some of the most swoon-worthy drama couples. They can’t keep their hands off each other, but it feels so natural as if they just always have to be touching. And the kiss scenes are absolutely phenomenal.
• The main leads in general are great. They are both well-written and we’ll-executed characters. Their acting is next level.
• A well resolved ending. After a lot of weird pacing and annoying tropes, we really do get to see such a sweet and satisfying wind down in the last three episodes even if they have some sad moments. Very beautifully done.
• Finally, an engaging secondary couple that you’ll love, an overall good plot, and an amazing OST.
Cons:
• Pacing. The pacing is really really rough. Frankly, I skipped on and off through lots of episodes, something I try to avoid doing. If I hadn’t, I would have dropped this. It drags and drags, and just when something is about to resolved, they throw in another conflict.
• Unrealistic. You will definitely have to suspend your disbelief in a majority of the medical areas and musical. Things in this show would never fly in the real world. It’s almost bizarre sometimes.
• The supporting cast. Besides our secondary couple and our FL’s parents, honestly, the entire supporting cast is nothing special. A lot of characters annoyed me more than anything else.
• Finally, there’s a few plot holes and a lot of inconsistencies in the show that never really make sense. And the description on Viki isn’t a very good description of the show’s premise.
So there’s my review. Do with it as you well. “Oath of Love” was a good watch with two leads who are to die for and an ending that had me grinning goofily through my tears.
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Just Captivating Enough to Keep You Invested
I truly don’t understand the low ratings. It’s worth the watch for sure. It’s a 30 episode C-Drama, why are people shocked that it has moments when it drags, lol? They all do, haha! But in all seriousness, I think “Love at Night” was charming. The main female lead was amazing. Her character development and her unwavering career-woman vibes set her apart from so many weak-willed C-Drama ladies. And the chemistry between both leads is to die for. This is PACKED with amazing kids scenes that are worth the wait (they get together about the halfway point).Besides that, the secondary romance—could have done without the third one but it was okay—was a whole show of itself. I felt like it succeeded everywhere that “My Fated Boy” fell flat on its face.
The ending is a bit rushed and weird but still a happy one.
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The E-Sports Romance We All Needed
Where do I begin? I was interested in this drama originally just because of “Go Go Squid”, but wow... just wow.The acting is amazing. The pacing is well done. The story? Great. The chemistry between the leads? Great. Honestly, everything is just great.
The struggle of the FL as she tries to make a name for herself in the world of gaming is so inspiring. She has to endure so much to reach the point she does in the finale. And a lot of it is thanks to the support of the ML. They make each other better, and one thing I loved to see was how, when things got really bad towards to end of the show, there wasn’t a ridiculous break up and dramatic distancing themselves. Instead, he fights for her, and their relationship becomes stronger than ever.
And don’t even get me started on the kiss scenes. Oh my goodness. Your heart will flutter, and you’re going to have to rewind to rewatch!
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A Masterpiece but Heartwrenching
A masterpiece of acting and writing. No doubt about it. From beginning till end, this is cinematic gold. No wonder it’s ratings have been through the roof.If you love historical dramas, you can’t miss this one. It fills its episodes with so much history and the unique culture of Joseon. It’s captivating really. I feel like I didn’t just watch something, but I learned too. Not only that, but this captures the intrigue of the court better than most dramas. The plots and betrayals kept you watching each episode in anticipation and fear haha.
The chemistry between the leads is literally unbelievable. There were many moments I had to rewatch scenes. I only wish that she would have truly opened her heart to him.
But, in the spirit of an honest review—and this is simply personal—the final episode left my heart shattered. Doing some research, I found they stayed true to the lives of the two main characters, but I wasn’t emotionally prepared for such a heart-wrenching finale. To be honest, I had to skip through some scenes to keep from bawling. The ending itself was also odd to me, but I will admit that it brings the series to a satisfying end.
My heart couldn’t quite handle the reality of the story. To see her fight his love so long and then to suffer greatly when she finally gives in? That was a sucker punch to the gut.
But, objectively speaking—because I want to write an honest review—even the pain made for an excellent and realistic melodrama. It accurately depicts the struggles of life in the palace, not sugar-coating for the sake of a happy story.
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Great Premise but Failed to Deliver
It has its charms, but ultimately the lovable cast isn’t enough to push this to its full potential.Pros:
• Our main ensemble was spectacular. You fall in love with these characters and root for them to the end. Their acting was good, and their characters were endearing. They all had great chemistry together as well.
• A great premise. The actual story idea is a fresh one and a good one at that. It has potential, and I enjoyed it for something new.
• A heartwarming story of friendship. This is probably one of the strongest factors this drama has going for it. The brotherhood and friendship in this were beautiful to watch.
Cons:
• Pick a genre. Yes, the friendship aspect was well done, but the rest of the show couldn’t decide what it was. Was it an idol drama? Was it suspense? Was it comedy? Was it romance? Ultimately, none of these genres were explored enough to give this show a solid foundation.
• Pacing. Because of the lack of foundation, I found that I ended up getting bogged down halfway through—even though it was only ten episodes. It didn’t have that special something to keep me going. I skipped through and finished only because I loved the characters and wanted to see the finish.
• Personally, I felt like the ending was odd. They “wrapped up” the suspense angle—which was cheesy imo—and then opened the door for another season? Not sure that’s worth it.
As much as I wanted to like it, “CEO-dol Mart” is a no for me. If you want idol drama, try something like “Imitation” or “So, I Married the Anti-Fan”. Check out my drama lists for more recommendations.
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A coming of age drama where you don’t care about anyone coming of age
Do not waste your time. It makes me sad to say it when this drama had so much potential, but, for goodness' sakes, don't waste your time. Unwrapped up plotlines, random subplots, lack of character development--and in general lack of likable characters--this fell so short of what it could have been.The high point for this story is Lee So Rin, the FL; everything else leaves much to be desired. I only finished it because of two reasons. One, I truly expected it to get better because I liked the premise and I'm a fan of these actors. Two, I wanted to see who she ended up with... which we NEVER find out. I'm salty.
Anyway, there are so many other amazing options on Viki for a celebrity romance: "So I Married an Anti-Fan", "Sh**ting Stars", "Imitation", "Midsummer is Full of Love", "Intense Love" and "You Are My Glory"--just to name a few.
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Fresh Take on Time Travel Romance
A solidly written, superbly acted, and overall enjoyable drama.I loved the story line, and our FL, as in every drama she’s in, delivered to perfection. The story was engaging from beginning to end, drawing you in with its mysterious fantasy elements blended with a solid rom-com. I loved the aspect of her finding herself as a woman free to chase her dreams in the new age while still having to unlearn the toxic patriarchal values she had been raised in. It made it incredibly rewarding when her dreams come true in “New Joseon”.
Wasn’t overly impressed with the ML. I found his character pretty dislike for the first six episodes… which is half the drama. But he redeems himself, and I ended up really liking them as a couple.
I also struggled with how the ending played out. Did not love the struggle the Joseon Kang Tae-Ha had to experience, and her unrequited love for him was hard to watch after I fell in love with him in Episode 1. But, in the end, they do give us a happy ending for our couple, and that’s all that matters!
I don’t agree with some of the reviews (personally) that this was the best drama of 2023. However, this one was still a blast. It has excellent chemistry, fresh writing, and a solid cast (both main and supporting). I definitely recommend it!
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A Fresh Plot and Solid Actors
As to be expected, Kim So Hyun has picked another great script and delivered another great performance. “My Lovely Liar” stands out in a year of, in my opinion, slim pickings for dramas.Pros:
• Our leads were just plain excellent. I am a huge KSH fan; the girl just always knocks it out of the park. But this was a new style of character for her. Loved it. Min Hyun, on the other hand, nailed it too. I loved him in “Alchemy of Souls”, and I adored seeing him as a lead. The characters were excellently written and excellently acted.
• A fresh plot that is paced well to keep you wanting more. The mystery kept you guessing till the end, and the romance was dynamic and real. Loved it.
• The romance is adorable. They have the cutest chemistry ever. They look like they just plain love being together. They were unbelievably cute. Not to mention: NO RIDICULOUS BREAKUP. That is always a win.
• Super satisfying ending!!
Cons:
• Overall, except for some exceptions, I felt the supporting cast was pretty weak character wise.
• The first three episodes, in my opinion, are pretty slow and kind of hard to wade through. But I’m glad I did.
• They were together for the last six episodes but we only got two real kisses out of all of those episodes. Would have liked to see their chemistry, which was great, better explored.
Overall, it’s a great watch, one you don’t want to miss. It has romance, mystery, comedy, and more all packed into one show.
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Pros:
• The overall cast and characters were awesome. Each of the people faced real life issues (infertility, eating disorders, sexual assault, deep insecurity, etc), leaving us with some very relatable flawed people. I especially loved our second couple. They were brilliant.
• The drama! This does a great job parodying modern dating shows, and adds lots of flair itself that is almost cheesy but just plain fits 😂. But it also knows how to get serious and deliver a moment that can—and did for me—have you in tears.
• The writing is also pretty good here. I found that, even when I wasn’t vibing with the main leads, the show itself kept me engaged. And it was paced well to the end.
Cons:
• Needed more romance. For a show dedicated to finding love, the leads could have given us more chemistry, and the writers could have given us more moments to actually enjoy them together in a happy way. Also, the second main leads were awesome. I think we deserved at least a kiss!
• Starts slow. The first few episodes won’t probably grip you. But hold on. I was hooked by episode 5.
• Could have had a happier ending. I appreciated the way a lot of loose ends were wrapped up, but I feel like there should have been more of a healing and joyful end to the show. After all the angst—and there is almost too much of it—I was hoping for a cheesy-grin, squealing as I watch it kind of wrap up.
Overall, if you’re looking for a romcom, this one is a good one to spend your time on. After some flops in the drama department, “Love is for Suckers” was a great change of pace.
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A Revenge Story Done Impeccably
Excellent melodrama packed with amazing, amazing, AMAZING acting (like seriously unbelievably good acting). "Why Her" delivers a story of revenge, heart break, trauma, and ultimately overcoming it through love and friendship.I've seen the critiques of Su Jae's character, but the reality is--we have here a compelling, multi-faced, and very broken woman doing her best to protect herself. I remember watching on of the earlier episodes and seeing her scream through the tears that she would rise to the top and make the ones who hurt her pay. In that moment, I thought, "This would be a super compelling villain origin story", but it made an even more compelling origin story for a deeply wounded but strong heroine.
The mysteries, the crime solving, the political thriller aspects, and even the sweet, sweet romance between the leads--they all made a brilliant drama. If you're looking for a really great melodrama, it's this one.
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Switched Identities in the Midst of High School Drama
A web drama with great pacing and good acting?! Seems too good to be true, but this is “User Not Found” through and through. This drama is a coming-of-age story that shows the importance of finding true friendship and remaining true to oneself.It’s a cute, slow-burn romance, yes, but the story is a lot bigger than just a teen romance. It’s the story of a girl who has to learn to be herself, of another girl who desperately needs to heal and believe in friendship again, of a boy who has hidden himself away from the world, and another boy who has to learn that friendship can only come by trust and honesty. The development of these characters is done excellently. Because it has more than the usual 12 ten-minute or so episodes, this web drama actually paces itself well. It pacts a substantial story in its 22 fifteen minute episodes.
If you enjoy high school dramas, “User Not Found” is a must-add to your list.
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Love That Defies All Odds
A beautiful drama with stellar acting on all fronts. I was hesitant to watch this at first, but I couldn’t get away from it. When I finally committed, it was done in two days.The storyline is fresh and well-executed. I feel like every episode was intentional, lacking fillers and tropes. Even when they (mild spoiler) lose their memories temporarily, it didn’t feel like a cop out. It made sense and pushed the plot—and their love—even farther into what was a truly, beautifully-done finale with a very satisfying happy ending.
The two leads were phenomenal together, with excellent physical chemistry and scene chemistry. They truly were perfect for their roles and deliver them perfectly.
Truly a brilliantly executed drama that is a must add to your list.
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Wasted Potential for this One
For the sake of William Chan, who I love, and the start of this drama, which was excellent, I gave it all I have, but I'm dropping this one. I may pick it up again in the future, but I can't seem to force my way through."A Date with the Future", despite its many strengths, falls prey to the C-Drama pitfall of poor pacing. I have never been so disinterested in subplots in my life. Specifically, the third couple's scenes always left me skipping, and the male lead in that pairing is bland both as a character and an actor, plus he's incredibly selfish. Not sure why we were meant to root for him.
The firefighting aspect was excellent, both the plot and the cast of firemen and the super lovable dogs, but 25 episodes in, and I just can't seem to finish. The leads have great chemistry and a great relationship, but even their relationship seems to have hit a plateau. Their characterizations were well done, but the slowness of writing did them a disservice in my opinion.
In general, this type of a show needed some type of driving force, something exciting and gripping, and it just didn't deliver. It's a big bummer, and probably a very unpopular opinion, but there it is.
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Failed to Meet its Potential
I so wanted to love this. But… goodness… I’m dropping it. It’s got potential but failed to rise to it.First of all, The ML is amazing. Song Wei Long blows it out of the water with Jiang Xu. His acting is amazing. Jiang Xu, in many ways, is such a cliche character and yet I love him. He is strong, just, loyal, determined, and gentle with the ones he cares about. He treats the FL with so much respect and tenderness. I adore his character. ALSO BIGGIE HERE… When he discovers ladies trying to mess with FL, he actually holds them immediately accountable… a Cdrama miracle. Addirionally, the supporting cast is good. - Many a good Cdrama have been ruined but a crappy supporting cast. This isn’t the case here. I love the four nobleman friends, the FL’s BFF/cousin, the FL’s dad, etc. Even the antagonists are well acted and well-written.
But those things can’t save this train wreck of messy writing, incoherent plot lines, and an absolutely insufferable female lead.
Bao Sheng En’s acting is underwhelming—if not overtly bad—and leaves much to be desired. Her choice to fall into the Cdrama pitfall of the baby voice (thought we’d outgrown that in Cdramas) here also does her a disservice. Don’t get me started on her actions. She is so oddly written. One on hand, they want you to see her as a strong woman who protects her family. On the other hand, they want to make her a chronic—and I mean CHRONIC—damsel in distress who is literally incapable of getting herself out of situations. When compared to the ML, she falls very short.
This drama falls prey constantly to cliches and tropes that we’ve grown tired of. I literally rolled my eyes so many times in the first ten episodes. The cliches are used as the only thing moving plot forward, leaving the pacing so odd. This show has a strange ability to speed up all the wrong plots and slow down all the wrong plots. It is infuriating.
I love Song Wei Long, but this is the second drama of his this year I’ve had to drop. Save yourself the watch. Go watch “Prisoner of Beauty” instead. It just finished airing and is well worth your time.
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