A Makjang that features Park Hyung Sik as a grey character? Okay I'm in!
All hail Park Hyung Sik for single-handedly carrying this drama through. I saw this immediately after Bong Soon, so you can understand why I absolutely fell head over heels in love with a long, black-haired PHS.I saw the first episode, and I thought this was another version of Song Joong Ki's Reborn Rich. The vibe of both dramas is similar, but this is a little different. The first couple of episodes, when the context is being set up, are absolutely brilliant. It seems like the drama was bogged down by its own expectations. It built a plan so huge and vast that, as the story proceeded, it wasn't able to achieve the scale that it wanted to. The characters are essentially all sad characters; everyone is powerless, but everyone is also a schemer, and at the end, no one really gets to have the last laugh. The battle between Seo Dongju and Yeom Jangseon was brilliant, and it made me want to root for Seo Dongju, even though I knew that he wasn't the nicest guy out there. So points to the writer for making a flawed character memorable enough that you want to see what stunt he's going to pull next. Apart from them, there wasn't any character memorable enough. The chairman was a cunning character, but again, not a nice guy. He had his preferences and biases, gave no shit to the women in the house, and was only interested in using people to his interests. I really did not understand the logic behind why Seo Dongju (who is so particular about whom to support and how to do it) decided to stick to Chairman Cha even after all the mistreatment. The writers portrayed it as if SDJ REEAAALLLYYY wanted to work for the chairman, because the Chairman is the best boss ever. That just made no sense at all.
The second tiff that I have with the drama is with Heo Ildo's character. I kinda understand where his intentions were coming from, but still, the way they portrayed him as this villainous character in the beginning, the redemption arc towards the end felt forced.
The final tiff that I have with this series is the romance part of it. For two people who are shown to be SO PASSIONATE in the beginning, they shouldn't be able to keep their hands away from each other, especially if both are living in the same house. But their romance just fizzles away, and the FL just becomes a cardboard cutout emotional support therapist for the ML.
The series had the potential to write many powerful female characters, but they all ended up receiving cardboard cutout treatments... such a wasted opportunity. Furthermore, several characters like the Administrator, the Hacker girl, Cheon Guho, or even Madam Pi, were just random people thrown here and there without any backstory or explanations. I would've personally loved a backstory of Cheon Guho and why he chose to stick by Yeom Jangseon through everything.
But the OST was good, and so was Park Hyung Sik. He was the reason why I watched the whole thing in 2 days straight and persevered through the dragging episodes from 8-12 (didn't see the point of dragging out a subplot for so long, they could've just ended it quicker). His hairstyle deserves another essay, and so does his wardrobe. His stylist needs a raise. And his acting was both cute and evil, the 미친놈 (mi-chin-nom) smile with the demented eyes was ON POINT.
Overall, it was quite an interesting take on the makjang genre (based on the few that I've watched) in the first couple of episodes. But it suffered the curse of the mid-series boredom and picked up pace only at the 11-12th episode or so. But by then, it was too trope-y to be excited over anything. The treatment of the series was also VERY manhwa-inspired. I actually thought that this was an adaptation of a manhwa, but it apparently is not. Either way, its a decent one time watch. Watch it for our Hyungsik-a <3
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MY FAVOURITE-EST SHOWS OF ALL TIMES
This is hands down my favourite kdramas of all time. I became a Kdrama addict because of this series. I keep coming back to this kdrama over and over again, because I am absolutely, completely in love with the characters and their stories and their transformative journeys over the years. "Who is Dal mi going to be with finally" was the question that legit plagued me till the 13th episode. And I love it that even after becoming big, Nam Do san was still the dorky introvert that he was depicted to be in the first episode. I agree that Han Ji Pyeong's reasoning behind not pursuing Dal mi was a little weak, but its okay... It felt as if Han Ji Pyeong realised it himself that he doesn't stand a chance next to Nam Do San. But all the flaws aside, CAN WE TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE NAM JOO HYUK IN THIS DRAMA? THE BEST DORK EVER. He was so cute and dorky and introverted, I truly did not understand how it was not apparent to every viewer right from episode one that he's The One. And I loved it that the writers moved away from the childhood lovers cliche to bring in a stranger into the mix, and make him the love interest of the lady, because THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE. The chances of childhood crushes coming to life is close to nil, and it doesn't make sense to keep egging it on. The most beautiful thing about this drama was Ji Pyeong's relationship with Dal-mi's Halmeoni. I vouched for their relationship way more than any love interest shown in the series, tbh. Also the OST is so lovely, I've been listening to it on repeat. Overall, I love this drama, and this is perhaps the only kdrama that I've rewatched, and also the only drama that receives a 10 on 10 for me. Of course, there are flaws to this drama, but given the pivotal role this kdrama has played in my life (I spent the next 6 months of my life just binge-watching kdramas EVERY DAY nonstop), I think it deserves a 10 just for introducing me to the world of kdramas.Was this review helpful to you?
This Drama is ALL THE GOOD FEELS
I don't know what it was about this drama, but it just called out to me. And I drifted towards it like a siren song... just soaking and absorbing all the good feelings that this drama had to provide. This reminded me, once again, why I come back to K-dramas again and again and again to energize myself.The premise of the story was pretty simple. A city person escapes to a small town to escape from her life and her work and meets kindred souls in the small town, all of whom help each other heal.
The FL, Kim Seolhyun, is a normal 9 to 5 working lady in Seoul, but due to various circumstances, feels drained out and numbed out by life. That's how she lands up in Angok. Then we have the ML, Im Siwan, who has his personal inner demons to fight, and he's working as a librarian in Angok. There are other characters from the coastal town, each with their own stories and struggles. The characters are well fleshed out, and each character had their own trajectories to follow, which was so well done. The pace of the story was rightfully slow to encapsulate the easygoing pace of the town and the life of the FL.
The romance between the lead pair was also lovely and mature to watch. There were no over-the-top, exaggerated romantic gestures, no corny lines, nothing strange either. What made the romance even better was the representation of introverted characters. Both the lead characters were shown as introverts who would rather sit in comfortable silence next to each other than make bold gestures of love and go out on extremely ACTIVE dates. For an introvert, a date that is a bucket list of things to do is a NIGHTMARE (Speaking as a fellow introvert). The writers understood that pain so well, so here we have dates that are quiet, peaceful, and just spending time together in silence. HEAVENLY!
The subplots were a little extra, but that much drama is permissible. Otherwise, it would run the risk of being too boring. The music was soothing to the ears, nothing great to write home about, but not harsh and jarring either.
Coming to the actors now... I am officially in love with Im Siwan. I watched his Run On earlier and had heard of his performance in Hell is for Other People, but with Summer Strike, I am totally sold. That guy is so adorable and has the most beautiful and expressive eyes. Kim Seolhyun also did a beautiful job. Her character demanded her to be a quiet and laidback person, which she delivered. I personally could not relate to the sisterly bond between Seolhyun's Yeoreum and Shin Eun Soo's Bom, it felt a little too giggly and happy. But in times of distress, their support for each other felt pretty real. So that's okay, I guess.
But can I take a moment here to hail all praises to the writers of the webtoon/show for depicting the ML in the story as A Ph.D. RESEARCHER?! THANK YOU for showing research/ a researcher with all his frustrations and anxieties regarding work. WE GOT REPRESENTED FINALLY (cries happy tears)!
As I said earlier, there's nothing grand in this drama, it's the small things happening here and there that are the proper show-stealers. And these small realizations verbalized through Seolhyun's monologues in the background are what make the drama so worthwhile. Hearing the most relatable life facts stated in a drama like this left me with wispy eyes and a smile on my face even after this drama ended.
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Visually Stunning Drama That Leaves you Craving for More
I started watching this because I thought it'll be like another Love Between Fairy and Devil. But I was proved quite wrong.Pros-
Bai Lu. She was a dream to watch. She was able to express the different nuances to her role so beautifully. And I was so glad that her character wasn't those over-the-top cutesy, loud and whiny female characters who are busier acting the kawai damsel in distress than actually doing something about her situation. This was one character who took charge at every incarnation she had, and I loved it.
Tantai Jin. His character arc was beautiful to watch. From being an evil Devil God to transforming into a "nicer" person to being a considerate Devil God, his narrative was very well executed.
Acting and Cast. Ye Bin Chang was this brilliantly flawed character, and the actress did a really good job at playing this delicate "flower of evil" kinda role. The other actors were also pretty good in their roles.
The worldbuilding. In one word, it was STUNNING. Generally Xianxia dramas pay a lot of attention to the graphics and everything, but the fantasy world was so real and believable, absolute feast for the eyes. The costumes, the set designs, the VFX, and even the fancy flying fight sequences and all, were quite well executed. This experience was made for a big screen, I feel. The OST was also quite good. It's still stuck in my head.
Cons-
Luo Yun Xi as the Male Lead. Honestly, I didn't like him in the first watch, but maybe a rewatch after sometime might change my opinion. In my opinion, he was TOO THIN. I get it that one aspect of his character demanded him to be sickly and thin, but for me, his stick figure thin body just stood out like a sore thumb. And his long, flowy costumes didn't work for him either, made him look thinner. I was SORELY missing Dylan Wang in this regard, because he looked like a BOMB as the Devil in LBFAD. Even his acting felt a bit wooden to me in parts, but maybe that's his character's demand. Again, hoping that a rewatch might change my opinions.
Editing. It was choppy in parts, sometimes the scenes would just transition from one to the next without any connection between the two. Quite irritating that was. Also, the additional villains were just stupid and unnecessary.
Ending. I do not like dramas that do not provide closure at the end. AND THIS WAS ONE SUCH DRAMA WITHOUT ANY CLOSURE. I legit went back to search if there are extra episodes after the 40th one, because THE ENDING WAS SO INCOMPLETE. I get it about sad endings and all that, but keeping it open ended without any explanations and so abrupt was just ANNOYING.
Overall, the lead couple's love story and their chemistry was what shone the best in this series. This made me watch Love is Sweet, because I was vouching for them so much. Although I didn't like the look of Lui Yun Xi in this drama, I loved his character. But Dylan Wang will still be my favorite Devil. Give it a watch, it is a decent one.
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