I was loving it up until episode 7, and then I noticed myself skipping ahead. The more I skipped, the weirder the drama's world seemed when I stopped. The dialogues felt more nonsensical than whimsical and creative, and Do Ra Mi taking over was exhausting. Although the actors were lovely, so well-cast and charming, as were the postcard-like scenes they inhabited - I simply couldn't with the writing. Whereas there were definitely interesting and inspired moments, it started to feel overly pretentious and difficult after a while. Perhaps, had I given the show time and watched more slowly, I would have enjoyed it more. As it is, dropped at episode 10. I can see how and why the show is liked and popular but the Hong sisters' writing simply isn't my cup of tea, no matter how pretty the picture.
I really enjoyed the poetic, existential energy of this film: the tender human hearts set against the cold, unyielding stage of life, the love, the friendship and the awkward dancing. There was never going to be a happy ending to this, of course, but the ending was done very creatively and tenderly. Good one, 9/10.
On episode 5, and have been skipping a lot. The drama is very pretty, everyone is very pretty, but it's just so flat! If it were a dessert, it would be cotton candy: sweet, light and insubstantial. There's no spice whatsoever. There's a lot to engage the eye but no food for thought nor emotion. The concept is very fun but it didn't get developed at all. As for the acting, I think it's a good drama for Jisoo because it shows off her strengths and hides any acting flaws that may be there quite nicely; there's no depth here to "drown" in acting-wise. However, it's a bit of a waste of Seo In Guk's dramatic chops. Is this show just light and sweet or is it simply a shiny empty shell? After 5 episodes, I'm leaning towards the latter.
I made it all the way to the last episode - but then, after the "10 years later" scene on the rooftop, I couldn't anymore. The dialogue between our couple made no sense to me and I cringed too hard to keep watching. You could feel how awkward and uncomfortable the actors were delivering the romantic lines of their happy ending. In my opinion, this drama simply didn't come together, like a poorly prepared dish. Maybe the "recipe" was wonky, maybe the execution was - probably, both. The characters were potentially interesting but they just didn't get to shine at all - except for Palmiho, who was lovely. 6/10 for me: weirdly watchable but ultimately just not good.
With a little bit more work, the script could have made sense. With better pacing and coherence, that script could have worked. As things stand, I'm heading into the finale ready for the absolute dumpster fire of a rushed and messy ending this one promises to deliver. Let's go!
I think, one word I would use to describe this drama is "quality": it's a well-written, well-paced and very well executed drama. While I was watching To My Beloved Thief, I trusted the writers, the director and the actors to deliver an experience which would not make me roll my eyes, question the creators' - nor my own - sanity or wonder why I was even wasting my time watching kdramas anymore. It's a solid show that doesn't overreach in terms of depth and emotion but delivers exactly what you want from a sageuk,. Special props to the creators of this drama for taking their time and being thoughtful with the ending. So many dramas these days rush the ending, leave loose ends everywhere or just throw a sad ending at the audience in a last ditch effort to make an emotional impact. Not To My Beloved Theif. It delivered a brilliant and deeply satisfying ending to a quality story. Thank you for the good time, drama!
I wasn't impressed with the first two episodes last week; episode 3, however, was good enough to keep me watching, and episode 4 was great! The plot, the pacing, the themes and the chemistry between the gumiho and her human client - it all came together very nicely. I hope the drama keeps it up until the end. Excited for next week!
I love it so far, body swap and all! The plot, the acting, the pacing - everything is working so far. Honestly, if they can keep it up, it's going to be a drama for the books. Please, drama, stay good. I know it's an impossible wish that very few dramas have been able to grant viewers, but a girl can dream...
The pre-Q4 little game - wrestling and jumping - made team Australia more over-confident than ever. It convinced them, before the real Q4 started, that they didn't need a strategy: they were just so strong that nobody could touch them. They went all-in on the battle ropes, leaving NO room for error. We know how that played out... Don't get me wrong, I think Katelin, Alex and Dom are all amazing athletes and absolutely have a chance of getting through their part of Q4, but it won't be easy to push 1200 kg without a heavyweight. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I think the little pre-Q4 game was designed for this: to make team Australian take their position at the top for granted - and put it at risk.
So much fun! Loving all the teams, especially Japan and Mongolia - strong, chill, humble. This season has literally just started, but I just want to say: Netflix, get us more seasons of Physical, please! It's awesome!
This is a very solid drama. In my opinion, it went a bit overboard on the emotions at times, lingering a little too long on the pain, really rubbing it in, squeezing out those tears - but it was still tastefully done. I would have rated it 9.5 had it not been for the last minute. What happened there? Why? Giving it a 9: short, impactful, touching, with an excellent story to tell through great acting, totally worth the watch.
I'm struggling to root for the FL: if she weren't a K-drama caricature but a real person instead, nobody would find her selfishness and lack of consideration for the ML sweet nor charming. She put the man who had done nothing but help her in a very precarious position, legally and with his family. She didn't think, at all, before she decided to grab that prize, at any cost, to anyone. A businesswoman who doesn't read the contract before she signs it, implicating herself and a kind, innocent passer-by, in fraud? How is this supposed to be attractive when it shows a complete lack of intelligence and integrity? I love the actors, and think the ML's character is a wonderful "hogu", but the FL's character is a big, big red flag.
It would have made more sense to me had it been titled "Habibi, Come to Dubai", tagged as sponsored and released as a long promotional video for Dubai rather than a drama. As is, I barely got through the first episode and started skipping from the middle of the second one because of the cringey dialogue and caricatures for characters. Maybe, it gets better down the line... I'm not curious, though. Just a personal opinion, obviously. Not for me. Dropped.
I was so excited to watch this! After the first episode, however, I'm left wondering how it is possible that not a single character - out of a lineup with potential for insane charisma - managed to leave an impression on me? Even O Gwi's appearance fell flat. I'll absolutely still watch for evil PHS but... yeah... way less taken in by the drama than I'd hoped I would be.
The first episode was well made, I thought; the visuals and costumes are stunning. I liked the female lead, and the male lead is pulling it off so far - although, I feel that a seasoned on-screen psychopath like the originally cast Park Sung Hoon would have had more of a presence. What I didn't love was the repetitiveness of the bickering between the tyrant and his future chef. You're an actor. You're a ghost. You're crazy. No, you are. For a good 30 minutes. That's just lazy writing. I also find it not just a little problematic that the character the drama is dealing with is one of - and arguably THE - worst tyrant in Joseon history. I hope that him having childhood trauma, and growing up into a very handsome man doesn't become sufficient grounds for turning him a misunderstood martyr and an undercover great guy. That would be rude. But hey, this is fiction, and I'm watching to see how the drama is going to humanise and romanticise Yeonsagun for us. Looking forward to the second episode!
For me, it was brilliant up to episode 9. Then, the writer started to hurry and throw everything but the kitchen sink at the audience. If you've been watching kdramas for a while, like me, you were probably prepared for that to happen but still disappointed. Episodes 10 and 11 gave me whiplash as common sense was entering and exiting the screen like Bong Su would Gyeon U's body. The drama had too much story and not enough reserve to edit itself - perhaps, because the writer is new. Still, I liked how deeply and bravely the drama dug into Korean shamanism, showing a rarely seen aspect of the culture. I adored Choo Young Woo's and Cho Yi Hyun's tender and heartfelt portrayals of the main characters. And, above all, I respected the writer for remembering themselves and what kind of drama they were making - and sticking the ending. Yes, sure, it was rushed, but it was how a drama like that should have ended, in my opinion: with oh-so-well-deserved happiness, peace and love.
The character of the queen is absolutely magnificent, beautifully written into a world worthy of her love, power and integrity, and played to perfection by Kim Hye Su. Finally, a real queen, a real woman, on screen! Thank you, writers!
If you're considering watching this, just ignore the current rating. The first two episodes were solid and had all the ingredients of a well-paced show with heart. An 8.5 for me so far.
Perhaps, had I given the show time and watched more slowly, I would have enjoyed it more. As it is, dropped at episode 10. I can see how and why the show is liked and popular but the Hong sisters' writing simply isn't my cup of tea, no matter how pretty the picture.
As for the acting, I think it's a good drama for Jisoo because it shows off her strengths and hides any acting flaws that may be there quite nicely; there's no depth here to "drown" in acting-wise. However, it's a bit of a waste of Seo In Guk's dramatic chops.
Is this show just light and sweet or is it simply a shiny empty shell? After 5 episodes, I'm leaning towards the latter.
In my opinion, this drama simply didn't come together, like a poorly prepared dish. Maybe the "recipe" was wonky, maybe the execution was - probably, both. The characters were potentially interesting but they just didn't get to shine at all - except for Palmiho, who was lovely.
6/10 for me: weirdly watchable but ultimately just not good.
Thank you for the good time, drama!
It convinced them, before the real Q4 started, that they didn't need a strategy: they were just so strong that nobody could touch them. They went all-in on the battle ropes, leaving NO room for error. We know how that played out...
Don't get me wrong, I think Katelin, Alex and Dom are all amazing athletes and absolutely have a chance of getting through their part of Q4, but it won't be easy to push 1200 kg without a heavyweight.
Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I think the little pre-Q4 game was designed for this: to make team Australian take their position at the top for granted - and put it at risk.
Loving all the teams, especially Japan and Mongolia - strong, chill, humble. This season has literally just started, but I just want to say: Netflix, get us more seasons of Physical, please! It's awesome!
Giving it a 9: short, impactful, touching, with an excellent story to tell through great acting, totally worth the watch.
I love the actors, and think the ML's character is a wonderful "hogu", but the FL's character is a big, big red flag.
Just a personal opinion, obviously. Not for me. Dropped.
I'll absolutely still watch for evil PHS but... yeah... way less taken in by the drama than I'd hoped I would be.
What I didn't love was the repetitiveness of the bickering between the tyrant and his future chef. You're an actor. You're a ghost. You're crazy. No, you are. For a good 30 minutes. That's just lazy writing.
I also find it not just a little problematic that the character the drama is dealing with is one of - and arguably THE - worst tyrant in Joseon history. I hope that him having childhood trauma, and growing up into a very handsome man doesn't become sufficient grounds for turning him a misunderstood martyr and an undercover great guy. That would be rude. But hey, this is fiction, and I'm watching to see how the drama is going to humanise and romanticise Yeonsagun for us. Looking forward to the second episode!
If you've been watching kdramas for a while, like me, you were probably prepared for that to happen but still disappointed. Episodes 10 and 11 gave me whiplash as common sense was entering and exiting the screen like Bong Su would Gyeon U's body. The drama had too much story and not enough reserve to edit itself - perhaps, because the writer is new.
Still, I liked how deeply and bravely the drama dug into Korean shamanism, showing a rarely seen aspect of the culture. I adored Choo Young Woo's and Cho Yi Hyun's tender and heartfelt portrayals of the main characters. And, above all, I respected the writer for remembering themselves and what kind of drama they were making - and sticking the ending. Yes, sure, it was rushed, but it was how a drama like that should have ended, in my opinion: with oh-so-well-deserved happiness, peace and love.
Finally, a real queen, a real woman, on screen! Thank you, writers!