Suki

The acting was so good that I almost believed this to be a masterpiece. But it tired me out by halfway. I wish there had been more depth, more facets to the characters. At the end, good, actually no, even phenomenal acting can only get you so far.

I get the motives, I get the back stories, but I never felt like we were moving beyond that. And somehow, everyone was going along with that. I did read some comments where the end does bring some twists and greater drama. But to get there, I can't imagine going through 4 more episodes of copy paste manipulation that everyyyyone seems to be falling for because it serves their own purposes.

It's dark, it's twisted, and yes there are such people in real life, so I didn't really have an issue with that. Like I said, the story felt too two-dimensional.

I binged the first seven episodes straight thinking nothing could go wrong now. But the last one brought the thrill down quite a few notches. I knew we would get one incarnation as the mother for sure, and it was necessary too. Since I Jae had more or less, still not understood what this was all about - regretting his actions and repenting for them. That includes not valuing his own life, not realizing and holding onto the good things in his life, and most of all - causing such deep pain to his loved ones.

I understand that living his mother's life as his 12th made the most sense, since that gave him and us the chance to see him live out the full life without being killed unnaturally. But the way it ended just felt wrong.

Not just because everything was undone, all that we went through as an audience was also conveniently put aside. I can think of a couple of alternate ends that would still convey the same message but in much better manner.

The writers could have either given more time for the viewers to understand what going back really meant. Did he retain all his memories? Did he do anything about Park Tae U? Or Jeong Gyu Cheol? Did Ji Su survive? Now if someone says that Ji Su was meant to die and I Jae is simply supposed to cherish the next year or so that he has left with her - that is plain cruel. I would accept it, if only I Jae did not have the reincarnation memories, otherwise it would be plain cruel. Second, if he did not retain his memories, whyyy would he not jump off again in the first place? This is simply too messy!

Instead, they could have given him a new chance at a new life. Reincarnate his soul. Send him back as a son to his mom. Show a quick montage of him growing up and getting a job, meeting Ji Su along the way. You know what would have been better? Showing the different lives that those 11 people he reincarnated as crossing paths with him. I don't understand why this was so difficult!

Anyways, as you might have understood, it's not the entire show that I disliked, only the ending. The show was spectacular in it's concept and execution too. The actors are phenomenal in every frame. Lee Do Hyun and Oh Seung Jae were mesmerizing, Kim Jae Wook was magentic - I loved the way each actor had their own way of playing I Jae.

Overall Rating (Part1&2): 8.5

If I'm being very honest, I wouldn't have continued to watch this if Lee Jun Ki hadn't been cast as Eunseom/Saya. If there is an actor who can bring this show back to life, it was him and let me tell you that not only did the show take a breath again, it thrived. The man has such a magnetic screen presence that you wish he wasn't just playing twins but triplets or quadraplets just to be able to watch more of his work. And although I was sliiightly skeptical of Shin Se Kyung as Tanya because I absolutely loved Kim Ji Won as her, SSK fit very well into the mantle, adding her own charm too.

Apart from the evident quality drop in the production, I'm more than happy about the way this was written and executed. The story never lost it's pace, even when the tug of war for Arthdal dragged a little bit too much, but that's expected from a story this vast with so many key players in the game. I'm definitely down for the next season, I really hope this reaches a qider audience and the makers get a better chance of creating something even better.

The most oppa of all oppas! 😂 *bows* I nodded my head like a bobblehead with each line you wrote, PERFECT review ✨

Considering how I binged the show, I can't say I disliked it at all. It did leave a lot to imagination, and hence feels a little all over the place during the last couple of episodes. The story was worth 16 episodes in my opinion. To pace out the timelines, the subplots, the events in general. The back and forth between the present and past got chaotic towards the end, making me feel like I was watching the show on fast forward suddenly. But then would I have kept watching if it was 16episodes long? We'll never know.

Add to that the slew of plotholes, and we have a finale that fizzles out in comparison to the first 3 quarters of the drama. You have to sit and think back on the details to get the answers, for they are there. Everything was said and done, just in a super hurry.

Having said all that, I still enjoyed the drama very much. The performances, the chemistry between the leads, the thrill, the subject - everything was quite refreshing. A few of the topics they touched on were quite realistic (although many weren't) and could be food for thought, like being too caught up in the online world. But who am I to say it's unrealistic, if the recent trends were showcased a few years ago, they'd be pretty unrealistic too. Anyway, I digress, the drama - definitely a must watch.

Glad you felt that way! Hope you loved the movie as much as I do :))

So glad I watched this in one go after the second part released. Binge watched a kdrama after so long 😭 And what a fulfilling end, I don't remember the last time I felt such immense satisfaction after watching a revenge drama. Good revenge dramas are so far and off 🥺

Also, I need a new drama with Song Hye Kyo and Jung Sung Il. And when I say I need it, I mean I DESPARATELY need to see those two add onto the chemistry I saw in this show. Don't get me wrong, I love Lee Do Hyun, and as far as the show was concerned even his character's chemistry with Dong Eun.

But halfway through the show, I was praying for a twist of plot where these two end up together somehow. AGGHHH I held my breath when they where in the elevator, I felt giddy when Da Yeong said he wants Dong Eun's happiness too. And all this because of the way Jung Sung Il potrayed tbe complex character of Ha Do Yeong! Please kdrama gods, answer my sincere prayers 😭

Oh this sums it up so well! It's almost like a kid is taught to think of right and wrong, and then they don't really grasp the concept of grey. In his highly morale point of view of the world that he wants to keep Ji Won in - he doesn't understand how his actions could be counterproductive. His brain tries to justify each action as something that is done to protect Ji Won in the best he can.

God, the depth of each character in this show is CRAZY. Will I ever be over it? 🥺

I just rewatched it and I completely agree! I didn't think it was possible for me to like it any more but thank God I was wrong! I appreciated the writing, the acting, the directing and the music so much more! This drama is going to be in top 5 for a long long time. Nothing seems to top it :/

I get where you're coming from I guess since I've watched this twice now and this gets me everytime as well. There's always a confusion I sense when I try to pin Hyun Soo's character. But in my opinion, I think that is absolutely intentional. Because this man is supposed to be unaware of 'normal' human emotions. He's not meant to understand what Ji Won truly has been doing for both of them, the amount of trust, love and support she has been showering him with. He knows that in theory and tries to do what he thinks is good for her without grabbing the essence of those emotions.

Also, I think that it's a beautiful detail that in his head, as long as Ji Won wasn't aware of who he was, he was calculative, cold and shrewd in his plans. As soon as he found out that there wasn't anything left to hide from her, he basically dropped his guard I think, and began showing a more emotional side of himself. Which again, is a *chefs kiss* detail because that is a sign that he is capable of being human and showing human emotions and making human mistakes. Hence the frustration we feel as viewers because we got so used to seeing this brainiac master manipulater that seeing him make this.. Human errors feels odd.

Hyun Soo's character I think is made up of so many layers that are so intricately woven in the story. I hope what I'm saying makes more sense by the time you finish the show :D This show for me has been writing, directing and acting at its finest. I will be happily looking for other shows that could top the list for me, but at this point of time, I doubt it.

Finally mustered the patience to watch this as I knew from the promo and clips that it would be frustrating. And it was. Nevertheless, it was so real. I hate to admit it, but it was. I pulled my hair countless times, mostly because I could understand where the actions and dilemma of the FL came from. Jae On wasn't a bad bad guy, he was just.. A real person. They're out there, breaking hearts. They're not evil, they just don't understand emotions and people with the empathy as others would. I had hoped that this would be a happy end for NaBi and JaeOn because god knows I couldn't have handled another teary end for Song Kang. As for the character development.. it was quite real too in my opinion. He acknowledged and tried to convey his real emotions, in the last 2-3 episodes, however childishly, but he did. I think if NaBi hadn't been burnt as many times as she had been, she would have been more open to accepting the change JaeOn was trying to show. But again, it was needed that they both went to the ends of the roads to realize how deep their affection for each other ran. It was definitely a refreshing watch. If a show can make you feel frustrated, angry, giddy, happy or sad for the characters, that points to a good script right? Slightly better writing for the second half of the show would have propelled this to 8.5+ for sure. Nevertheless, I still liked the show quite a lot!

This was such a surprise 😂 Tiny in comparison to the hour long episodes, but I loved the storyline, in some ways it was better than the usually paced and lengthed dramas, but in some portions I do wish there would be more depth. But again, loved the premise! The change in the goblin with acquisition of each emotion was fun, novel and interesting to watch. Maybe if written and acted well, I wouldn't mind watching a 16 episode on the same plotline! As for this, enjoyed the performances of the leads! Will look forward to more of their works.

I am watching it on Viki (has complete eng subs) if that helps 😊

Going through the comments, I think the major factor some people fail to see is that the number of people who've watched this show is so less in comparison to the other commercially popular shows. It's basic maths people. Look up averages. This doesn't make your favorite show any less good (entirely your opinion btw), and certainly doesn't give you a right to call the current rating as "a bit too much".

There is a reason the people who've watched this rated it this high. It spoke to them. It is the same way anyone would rate a show they've watched.

Questioning the credibility or calling this overrated is entirely one's own opinion, and they have the freedom to have it. But please don't spread the negativity or ask people why they cried so much/why they rated it this high/why they found it so special when you couldn't, it kind of tarnishes all that this show stands for :)

Once an eel, always an eel! ? Welcome to the club ❤️? And I envy youu! I still remember the feeling of watching his works for the first time, ah the absolute joy! I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time ?

I loved everything about the show, and would have tucked it in with the all time favorites too. To be honest, I'm still torn. I don't know whether to smile or cry. I'd been bawling until the last five minutes and then it felt like someone threw ice cold water on me, but in a good way, if that makes sense. I've never been more conflicted about the way a show ended! But please, do give the show a chance! The actors have all done a wonderful job. And having said that, I've decided - I'm going to forget about the last few minutes and remember the show fondly through and through

I absolutely agree with you! I'm only scared that the kind of response it got in national ratings might affect the channel's decision for a second season :(

Haha, he is very stalk-worthy! That's what I love about him, he makes you feel every emotion so effortlessly. His charms are irresistible! Yeah, it must be difficult to live normally when every action of yours is so closely monitored by everyone. But I'm sure he will do the best that he can! :))

Awh! I'm sure you'll get a chance to meet him someday! <3 I'm just hoping I can do the same.. It would be one of the most memorable experiences for me!

Absolutely agree with you on that! :D