Passable
Jeon Yeo Been is an amazing actress, the switch between Min Ju and Ju Hee is amazing so much so that I was able to recognize which character she was just by her eyes. Ahn Hyo Seop was good especially in Episode 11.overall story is meh, but the characters are good ( sometimes). The first 2 episodes are snoozefest, it gets better in the middle but starts going down when they start explaining their time travel mechanics, as there are numerous plot holes and a bunch of unnecessary stuff. Still the ending message was good alingwith the final plot twist.
Ok watch. Don't really recommend it. Watch it if you're a fan of Jeon Yeo Been.
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"Dear Hongrang": A Gorgeous Mess of Myths, Murder, and Missed Opportunities
*Dear Hongrang* is a visually elegant historical K-drama that ambitiously blends elements of romance, mystery, psychological tension, and political intrigue. At its best, it creates a haunting atmosphere with stylized visuals, strong performances, and an intriguing setup. However, despite its rich themes and dramatic potential, the series ultimately falters under weak execution and a reluctance to embrace the darkness it flirts with.
The drama begins with a compelling premise involving a long-missing family member, layered court secrets, and a growing sense of danger tied to royal corruption. Alongside this is a slowly developing romantic thread between the two main leads, whose emotional bond is evident but arrives late and feels rushed. The chemistry is there, and in moments it works beautifully, but the love story often feels like it's competing with — rather than complementing — the show's more sinister core.
Narratively, *Dear Hongrang* struggles with tonal consistency. It introduces disturbing and powerful themes — including systemic abuse and loss of identity — but repeatedly pulls back just as it reaches the edge of real emotional or thematic impact. This hesitation leaves the story feeling sanitized, especially in scenes that clearly gesture toward deeper psychological or physical trauma but avoid confronting it directly. The result is a show that promises more than it delivers.
In terms of character development, the drama shines most with its antagonist and supporting roles. One of the most compelling character arcs belongs to the second male lead, who gradually shifts from a loyal protector to something far more complicated. His transformation feels earned and is one of the few emotionally satisfying elements of the series. Meanwhile, the central female lead starts off with purpose and strength but is eventually reduced to a more passive, reactionary role. Despite her emotional depth, she rarely influences the plot in meaningful ways.
The family dynamics, particularly within the Sim and Min households, are introduced with intensity but left underexplored. Motivations for key conflicts remain vague, and several major character resolutions — while fitting — feel unearned due to lack of buildup. Subplots like secret organizations, cave-dwelling allies, and personal vendettas are briefly touched on and then discarded without proper closure.
That said, the technical achievements of *Dear Hongrang* are undeniable. The cinematography is striking, especially in low-light sequences. Lighting and staging are used effectively to create a moody, immersive world. The action scenes, while sometimes theatrical, are choreographed with flair and confidence. Sound design is another highlight, with atmospheric music and tension-building silence used to full effect. The only letdown in production design is the costume work, which often feels too safe and underwhelming for a historical series of this scale.
In the end, *Dear Hongrang* is a show full of potential — one that sets the stage for something powerful and dark, only to back away from its own narrative risks. It’s haunting to look at and momentarily engaging, but ultimately leaves you wishing it had gone further, deeper, and bolder.
Thanks for reading ✨️
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Close to being a masterpiece
The show had an interesting premise, the Gwangju uprising, which is so intriguing it'll require a few Google searches to fully understand what and why this was important. For that an A+ to the show great way to spread awareness. Acting by the cast, fantastic, even the child actors were great. Specially Lee Do Hyun, the guy can is just amazing...his love for Go Min Si's character was very evident, and heartwarming, traumatic events were beautifully shown by him as well as the funny and quipped scenes, just awesome. Go Min Si was good but not on par with Lee Do Hyun, the chemistry from her side lacked and often required the story to show an alternate perspective through which the audience was made to realise that she did love the ML(-0.5). Then there are the SML and SFL who are just if not to create problems are just there for the sake of being there. The show introduces us to the uprising via SFL who seems the most distant from the cause, you never learn her motivation for the protest and only cause more problems in the main characters life unknowingly and the SML would have been tolerable if stayed as the oblivious moron but he too out of jealousy ended up creating more problems like ffs they are more annoying than the Villain of the show.(-1)The show probably wanted to make people realise how innocent people who had nothing to do with the Uprising were caught in the crossfire but they shouldn't have then made it a core characteristic of the SFL, because by the end of the show that's how anyone will know her.
Had a lot of potential though, the show started a lot of good story points which were either never addressed or were just brought to the conclusion very easily, one such point was the FL and SFL with the past trauma they had.
Its a good experience anyway, tells the viewers about the brutality under the military that South Korea had to go through in 1980, the number of people who died meaningless deaths and how that even now they will not have to face justice because that's how the real world is.
sorry for the long rant. Thanks for reading. See you later😁✌️
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Head Over Heels: A Strong Start That Trips at the Finish Line
Head Over Heels sets itself up as a rare blend — a coming-of-age tale wrapped in supernatural horror, layered with romance and comedy. For the first two-thirds of its 12-episode run, it holds that promise with both hands. The premise is intriguing, the world-building is immersive, and the visual style is consistently high-quality. By the midpoint, I was convinced I was watching something special.The series opens with a solid narrative hook: shamanistic traditions, family history, and the intertwining fates of characters who feel genuinely alive. The male lead, tasked with playing two distinct characters, delivers a phenomenal performance. His effortless shifts in tone, voice, and body language make you forget it’s the same actor. The female lead, though slightly less seamless in her dual-role moments, still charms completely — her comedic beats are endearing rather than grating, and her vulnerability invites you to root for her.
The supporting cast also starts strong. The second male lead and the friends have arcs with potential, and the villainess enters with the perfect mix of chaos and purpose. She isn’t evil for the sake of evil — her motivations are layered, her presence magnetic.
For the first two arcs, the tone is tight and balanced: horror elements weave naturally into the romance, while comedy slips in as a light counterbalance. The explanations of shamanistic practices are detailed without being overbearing, adding richness to the world.
Then comes the shift. Around episode 10, the story pivots hard into melodrama. The horror is abandoned, the pacing begins to drag, and the emotional impact of a major death is dulled by endless foreshadowing. Side characters who deserved closure simply… vanish. The second male lead is reduced to a househusband and exits without us ever learning his future. The friends are sidelined into irrelevance. The villainess, previously a force of chaos, switches sides abruptly and disappears without consequences — a resolution that feels like a disservice to both the character and the audience.
The final stretch is still watchable, buoyed by strong performances and cinematography, but the momentum from the earlier arcs is gone. The story no longer builds toward a satisfying crescendo; instead, it drifts to a stop. You’re left feeling that all the ingredients for greatness were there, but the recipe wasn’t followed through to the end.
Still, Head Over Heels remains an enjoyable watch overall. The acting is top-notch, the visuals never falter, and for 12 hours, it offers a world you can sink into. It’s just hard not to think about what it could have been had the final act matched the brilliance of the first.
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The side couple was not really good, loved the main couple more and would've liked if they spent more wholesome and light hearted moments.
OST is good and compliments the story well.
Amazing use of Visual FX, really brought life to the fairy-tales.
All in all, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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A romcom that's gonna make you feel
Nothing lasts forever, everything is momentary. This series taught me to grow tf up. That love has many ways of showing itself. And even if you're apart love persists.Characters are endearing and eventhough the end is a little tragic I was able to understand everyone's perspectives which is mind blowing work done by the writers of the show.
This show made me laugh, cry, feel all through the run of 16 episodes.
Highly recommended to everyone who love a good romance and slice of life with a pinch of sports drama.
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