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Slightly overhyped but I get it
Having had a brief experience with bullying and the street life, this is a pretty straightforward depiction of two people from two different walks of life finding a bond. Also having seen many variations of series and movies that revolve around bullying, this one is relatively watered-down. Maybe it has something to do with censorship or maybe it would just require a lot more episodes to really dive into the different perspectives of all the individuals at play from the parents to the teachers to the various backstories of the bully and her followers. But for those who haven't experienced much outside of their standard environment, this would be a good and to-the-point type of story.It is disturbing of course how just recently in 2025, the bullies of a 14-year old in Sichuan Province, China in real-time seemed to have taken pointers from the ones in this movie. Despite the efforts of what the movie was trying to portray, the resulting punishments were just as minimal.
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One of the best depictions for women
Finally a series with some substance that makes me want to go back and downgrade the scores on other recently viewed series.Foremost, huge kudos for bringing one of the best depictions of an emotionally independent woman I've come across so far. This is a huge gripe of mine as many other series try to convince you of what defines an independent woman, but they send her an abundance of unappreciated support and/or has her continually being rescued by a man. It was refreshing to see representation of a woman who isn't expecting to be saved by others even in dire situations and a man who isn't constantly trying to save her. Although she still had the fortune of him having her back, it was realistically something that was necessary in order for her to reach certain levels of success. I tend to avoid romance-heavy dramas but this was one that instigated forgotten longings. They chose the perfect cast for their respective roles and the chemistry with the lead couple is just great.
I also appreciate how they delved into the mentality of women who has had cultural norms beaten so hard into them that even when fortune smiles upon them, it doesn't heal the deep damage of feeling unworthy. This is also when the female lead develops character growth from realizing that choices which seem obvious to her, caused her to fail to notice that not all women had the same type of mentality or desire.
The plot has too much going on for me to touch on everything in this review but it highlights the many issues one comes across through the different stages of starting a business, maintaining it, and growing it (especially as a woman). The male lead is a very interesting character, particularly with his role in the political scenery. There is a good enough balance of events occurring that the 32 episodes just flew by despite minimal action scenes or over-dramatization.
The score was kicked down a notch because there was just a sprinkle of drag in certain scenes, minor hiccups in plot transitions, and the last few episodes felt rushed. But highly recommended for those who enjoy good dialogue over flashiness. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, and I self-reflected. Crossing fingers on the follow-through with the sequel.
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Good combination of tropes
Is this another poor woman/rich man baseline? Yes.Are there many unrealistic coincidental occurrences where there are even doppelgangers? Yes.
Are our leads almost perfect in everything they do and unattainably idealist? Yes.
Does the leads looks exactly the same despite a decade in passing of time? Yes.
Is the plot unique to others? Not really.
BUT... the chemistry the cast exhibits mostly overrides all of the above. This was a very fun series that does well with not leaning too heavily into any theme (politics, legal, romance, humor, etc.) in particular, which created a really good balance for any easy watch. It also does a good job with moving the plot forward in a condensed format. There are tearjerker moments early on and the story could have been ended by around episode six.
I also came in thinking this was going lean mostly towards resolving multiple legal cases in Joseon. While it is an importance aspect of the series, it's really just straightforward cases sprinkled in, with a lean toward the overall main culprit.
This type of series has a bit of everything for those with different genre preferences as long as you can get over the initial "not another one of these..." thought process. And as a slight spoiler, it was quite humorous to see the slight role reversal where the man is the graceful dancer (don't think I've ever seen this in any other historical series before) and the woman is more of the brute. Kudos to the cast.
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Heavy
Stumbled across this series after Under the Microscope because of Stephy Qi, and she didn't disappoint.This is a mostly fictionalized story around Guiguzi since there is no hard evidence around these actual ancient texts. This has the highlights and the flaws of how older series were styled. There is a heavy-hand of dramatics but because the actors and dialogue are good, it is successful in drawing you into the story. But with it also comes with some overly drawn out and long-winded scenes. This a heavy plot with an abundance of schemes, politics, and unhappiness but it affirms the beginning turbulence with the warring states. It also shows how generational leadership can cause great downfalls, the reasons for citizens to overthrow rulers, and the difficulties and sacrifices required to implement drastic reforms.
Also as with some older series, wasn't a huge fan of the female characters (not because of their acting skills). Women had limited rights so can't expect a heroine in every drama but the females were hypocritical and just weren't very likeable. The slave woman also irked me quite a bit because she depicted such a realistic side of greed. She was saved from torture and potential death and then was freed by her benefactor but decided to immediately bring her lover into the picture? She would have known her benefactor had more than just a master/slave interest in her. If she remained a slave, she likely would have never been able to marry her lover anyway. But with such a new concept of freedom, she thought it was feasible for her to just pick up and walk off with her fiance unscathed?
The camera work here was a little shaky but the actions scenes are better than most because there's no "slow-motion" or CG work to it. The costumes lean just very slightly toward cheesy in the beginning with the claws and masks. Nevertheless, I think it's still worth a watch if you're in the mood for a more solemn series. Despite the journey of many twists and turns, it was done quite well compared to many others in this genre.
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Worth a watch
Avoided the series for a while because the plot didn't sound too intriguing for only 14 episodes but it was pleasantly entertaining.The narrative is centered around peeling back the mystery behind the ML (Shuai Jia Mo) and his family history but ironically, other than his special mathematical abilities, he was the dullest character for me. His disabilities and facial expressions aren't consistent (to the point where I was waiting for an a-ha moment). But it doesn't really deter overall since they don't try too hard to explain it.
What really makes the series great is all of the other characters and supports. The actors did a fantastic job really bringing out those personalities and there was solid chemistry between them. So much so that I found myself looking up what other dramas they've starred in. The unraveling of the mysteries was complex enough to be interesting while being presented in a straight-forward flow. The comedic layer was fun, heart-warming, and really helped step this series up a notch.
I do wish they delved a little more into the backgrounds of the other leads, particular with the sibling duo. And while the ending was satisfying, it also would have been nice if they prolonged it a little more for that extra bit of satisfaction.
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Short but fun
The overall setting itself is not unique when it comes to a genius ML who just happens to know how to do everything, is good-looking, and has a no-nonsense personality. But despite this recipe having been overdone many times, this was still fun to watch thanks to the great cast and chemistry.I'm not in the medical field so it isn't my place to opine on the details in this aspect. But as with many other series of this kind, all the events are over-dramatized. Although dare I say that politics and greed are not dramatized in the sense of how citizens suffer within the healthcare system.
Overall, this one would have done better with more episodes for a better buildup on character connections but still worth the watch if you're not in the mood to commit.
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An easy watch
This series has vibes from The Fiery Priest and Diary of a Prosecutor with a lower plot grade, but still worthwhile for those days when you just need something easy but entertaining to watch.Expect a steady flow of over-dramatization with a soft current of serious undertones and lots of fun. They did a great job with presenting the main points of the plot despite it being less than realistic. It should be appreciated that this balance is quite hard to accomplish. The main characters had great charisma with one another and the personalities of the supporting cast is not always predictable.
I do wish they beefed up more character developments which may have helped with the plot flow. But nevertheless, this is one of those series that isn't meant to be over analyzed. Just kick back and enjoy the ride.
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Underrated
Whenever I come across a lengthier series that keeps my interest from beginning to end, it's always difficult to summarize without giving away spoilers. But dare I say that this series is (almost) better than one of my highest rated series so far, The Story of Minglan.Foremost, the ML and FL were pretty much a perfect cast and all the supporting actors did a fantastic job. As a viewer who favors watching women in truly independent roles and surpassing adversity, the FL and her character did not disappoint. The ML who is meant to be mostly expressionless for his character somehow managed to still be very convincing with his soft and hard roles switches. And while the romance in the series isn't quite as passionate as the couple on Minglan, it is equally as strong in a gentle and steady way.
For a 40-episode series, there is very minimal lag in the plot and it takes the time to really draw you in to many of the characters. There is also that added extra special layer of humor injections along the way that really balances out many of the events.
The only two minor nits I have is that the relationships and interactions with the imperial court felt a bit muddled but this really wasn't the main focus for the series anyway. The ending also felt slightly rushed but it didn't prevent the smiling on my end as they still managed to do pretty well with wrapping it all up.
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Long-winded but sweet
Foremost, it took a few initial episodes to get a bit more drawn in to the plot. Then while the interactions between the realms, families, and friendships developed pretty well, it became too long-winded and I spent a significant amount of time speeding it up. There are some sections that were binge-worthy and other sections that felt unnecessary. But it should be said that it was at least overall good enough to spend that fast-forwarding effort to complete the series.Some additional words of description in addition to the title would be humorous, touching, and corny. I also agree with some of the other reviewers that the ML/FL development was nowhere as interesting as the secondary ML/FL. While I usually prefer the stronger female personalities, the feisty FL fell short of her gentle but tough sister in this one. If you're looking for a casual watch that doesn't require your full attention, this is a good one to try.
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Stockholm syndrome
*Minor Disclosures*The series felt like watching a storyteller telling the story in a monotone voice. It doesn't trigger much emotions but it's still interesting enough to listen to. While the basis of women kidnapping for wives was very intriguing for me (as it still happens in our current world), unfortunately the plot was a bit all over the place and repetitive at that. The dialogue wasn't done very well and the life transitioning of our ML and FL also wasn't very natural. There are scattering plot holes and scenes that didn't make common sense.
However, the romance between the ML and FL was very sweet and there is an interesting plot twist that you sort of see coming. The character with the most growth is Lee Dae Yeop who became my favorite over time. The most annoying character was the ML's mother. For someone who's that thick and ignorant, she definitely was one who wouldn't have been able to help her family when they were wrongfully accused. But unfortunately, her character is terribly realistic as some people who've suffered tend to only see themselves as victims and are hypocritical with their own actions.
Overall, it was one I watched very casually while doing chores. If you're looking for a series that you don't need to take too seriously, this is one of them.
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Straightforward
With only 12 episodes, the series does a good job with its pacing and overall wrap-up. It's one with a relatively serious undertone that is lightened with comedic interactions. So this isn't a plot that is super intricate and isn't meant to be taken apart by plot holes or analytical rhetoric. It is a fun comedy-drama with equal parts of both that is an easy watch.The cast is great with many recognizable faces but I was mainly interested in Lee Ha Nee, won me over from Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People and The Fiery Priest. She does not disappoint here and I'm looking forward to seeing her in many more future series. There is also good chemistry between all of the characters.
If you need a break from overly political and very dramatized scenes from historical pieces, highly recommend this one.
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Memorable
This a great casual watch with a unique take in the historical genre with a focus on how clothing impacts the palace dynamics. It's likely deserving of a higher score but unfortunately it's a story that really requires far more than movie-length time to blossom. This is the only reason for the lower score.It's definitely one I'd recommend for those who enjoy this genre as the acting was great, the plot was straightforward but also not predictable, and of course, the costumes were gorgeous. It hits all the spots for minimal investment and I do hope they one day decide to create a series with a similar feel around royal tailors.
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Ditto to the title
A heart-warming series that revolve around four young police officers with varying personalities being trained by the old-school. The slice of life genre is usually never my initial go-to but I do appreciate ones like this. An overall great cast of actors and a nicely paced character development of the four fledglings. Though idealistic, it offers a nice insight to the every day work of officers in smaller towns and how it impacts their humanity and home life.The setting is based around a smaller town but they still encounter some heavier crimes which levels up the plot a bit. The realistic "Karens" they encounter will have you appreciating what officers need to deal with. My favorite character in the series is the police chief or the "king of face-changing" lol. He is the type of leader every organization out there needs.
Despite this being 38 episodes, it was an easy and fun watch without too much lag time surprisingly. The only minor areas of criticism on my end is the dramatization of the people in the town exploding into applause unrealistically and how the pacing toward the latter half felt just slightly prolonged with certain scenes which caused the ending to feel rushed. Nevertheless, they could have made another 38 episodes and I would have gladly continued to watch.
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Alas, the binge
*Minor spoilers*Being a big fan of The Story of Ming Lan, this series definitely gave off a similar vibe when it comes to the complexity of a multiple-wives household and being blanketed by a strong romance. And as I always tend to mention, not a big fan of the romance genre but this was another one that I couldn't help but to fall for.
While the romance here was just as fun and idealistic as TSML, I love that they wrote in a "realistic" rift that occurred between the couple in this one- one that had me in steady tears for quite a few scenes and episodes. The FL/ML had great chemistry and both were strong characters, though not as savvy and cunning as the two in TSML. The schemes between the women were pretty standard form but were still more interesting than the ones you come across in some palace dramas. The series also does a good job tastefully highlighting the perspectives of each woman, reminding us how difficult it was for women to live through an era where the only available weapon of survival really was through the art of manipulation, forcing women to have to work against one another.
The series has minimal actions scenes and mainly focuses on the couple's romantic evolution and the dealings within the different households. There is an underlying political conspiracy to work through which helped keep the overall plot together. And although the plot itself wasn't the strongest with some holes and some repetitiveness, it was still one that had me binging episodes in an unhealthy way.
If you are a fan of TSML, I'm pretty sure you'd find this one enjoyable. And in an era where monogamy is morally preferred, who knew I'd be rooting for a ML who already had a wife and multiple concubines in-place prior to meeting the FL?
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Average
Foremost, I love the concept of the plot particularly because of women who were deemed to die just because of their husbands (due to dumb traditions) banning together into a formidable group. The ML dressing as a female to infiltrate them was also quite fun. But a few negatives brought the score down for me:- While the romance between the FL/ML was sweet, there was just too much focus on it at the most inappropriate times. When there's a serious situation occurring that involves life and death or when a loved one is in a dire situation, it's hard to stomach a relatively quick scene switch to the two of them lightheartedly flirting or the amount of times the FL needs saving.
- The plot started becoming increasingly muddled toward the middle of the series and the plot holes are real. And various situations (as with many other series) were "conveniently" coincidental which takes away from the realism.
- A light nit is the amount of time that has passed through the course of the series but apparently, the FL's hair that was cut off early on never seemed to grow.
However, most of the actors were fantastic so it helped with balancing out some of the flaws. And despite some plot flow issues, they were still able to tug at the audience's heart strings. The twist at the end was great but the final scene felt like a forced joyful ending.
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