StrongFL

A cringy script by confused writers

A cringy script by confused writers

What was advertised? An intriguing drama with a strong FL.
What I got? A cringy script with multiple personality disorder.

I love time travel stories and couldn't wait for this drama. Instead of being entertained, I lost 40 hours of my life that I will never get back.

The writers/director/creators of the show couldn’t figure out what the male lead’s character should be. Is he a good guy or a villain? This wasn’t one of those shows where the ML changes from an anti-hero to a hero. His horrible actions seem completely out of character at times, but he’s not presented as a villain. Those actions are excused because supposedly they were a result of how much he loves the FL.

The FL’s actions are also completely out of character at times. She switches from a strong and independent woman to someone willing to be a victim. She’s also a damsel in distress too often.




Spoilers ahead:

The show couldn’t figure out:

(1) Does the ML respect the FL and wait for her consent? Or, is he a predator who is happy to force himself on her? His attempted sexual assault in episode 25 seems completely out of character for someone who says he’ll wait decades for her.
(2) Is the ML a wonderful, supportive, and confident man who cares for women’s rights and is OK with the FL taking the lead? Or, is he a jealous and possessive jerk who wants to literally kill any man who likes her?
(3) Is the FL a strong, brilliant, and independent woman who doesn’t take BS from anyone? Or, does she suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, and talks about having a child with the ML after he tries to sexually assault her?


I went from liking the ML to hating his guts. Until episode 25, he is mostly shown as a supportive partner who respects the choices and intellect of the FL. When she says she needs more time, he says he will wait decades for her. He already has.

In episode 25, he grabs her by the neck and forcefully kisses her. This is not one of those “forced kisses” that are supposedly steamy. She is so repulsed that she claws and leaves scratch marks on his neck to get away. Does this make him stop? Nope. He throws her down and tries to sexually assault her, holding down her arms so she can’t fight back. When she finally manages to get him off her and tells him what a scumbug he is, he suddenly changes his tune–kind of. He forcefully hugs her and tells her he couldn’t help himself because he loves her so much.

Does this make the FL–an independent, brilliant, and proud woman–want to divorce him on the spot? Nope. She accepts his non-apology apology and talks about having children with him. The scene ends with them lying next to each other in what is supposedly a romantic moment where they’re watching the stars together.

It was cringe to the millionth power.

I’m disappointed that Netflix didn’t include a content warning for sexual assault.

I always read tags on MDL and do keyword searches even if I get spoilers because I don’t want to watch abusive behavior passed on as loving or romantic. Alas, nothing came up when I searched for abuse or sexual assault. I’m grateful for the commenter who called out the attempted assault in episode 25, but they used the words forced kiss, so it didn’t come up on my search. In the future, you can bet that “forced kiss” will be one of my keyword searches.

I don’t know about you, but most people watch shows to be entertained–not to feel cringy afterward.

I know my overall reviews round up to 3.5, but the OST and strong performances by some of the actors can’t justify watching this BS. Save yourself 40 hours of your life and find something else. There’s no shortage of content out there.

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Childish FL and overused tropes

I didn't like the way they made the FL's character so childish and annoying. Not to mention, the women in the show tend to be victims or have things happen to them, as opposed to making things happen like the men. There are also too many male characters as opposed to female ones.

Dislike:
—Repetitive use of "will they, won't they?" It was bad enough the first time around, but they repeated this thrice. Old tropes.
—The way the FL’s character is written: she’s super annoying, but that is not the fault of the actress.
—One character hiding things and meddling for the other characters’ “own good,” and then telling the truth for no apparent reason. If they were protecting this character all this time, why the sudden change? So many awful things could have been avoided if he was truthful and forthcoming sooner.
—Conceited ML
—ML character is too tragic.
—Ratio of male to female actors

Like:
—Special effects
—Unexpected reveal for one character



Save your precious time and watch something else. If you’re interested in this genre, I’d recommend “Oh, My Ghost,” the Thai version. I haven’t watched the Korean version.

If you’re looking for supernatural or fantasy dramas, here are some suggestions.
—The Legend of Shen Li
—The Witch’s Diner
—Mystic Pop-Up Bar
—Sell Your Haunted House
—Missing: The Other Side (be prepared to cry)
—Memorist

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Women-hating drama

I really wanted to love this show. I really did. Quite a few people suggested it as a feminist show where women are the central figures who are respected. I thought this show would be original with its premise of a city that is ruled by women. I couldn't have been more wrong.


SPOILERS AHEAD:

What I got instead is caricatures of jealous/scheming/just awful women who behave the same way as misogynist men.

I dropped the show half way through as I couldn't put myself through the repetitive plots, tired old tropes, and boring execution anymore. I read the recap of the rest of the episodes, so my opinion below is not uninformed.

I’m so sick of the trope of the bubbly FL who melts the cold ML’s heart. Abusive behavior and being mistreated should never be tolerated. Why do C and K-Drama FLs have to put up with this crap from the MLs? Couldn’t the ML be nice to begin with?

What was really disgusting was the multiple attempted sexual assault of the FL. Each time, it is excused in stupid ways. One of the times, the ML downright tries to rape her until he sees her crying. Is that supposed to make us think, “Wow, he’s such a nice guy for not raping the FL since she started crying?” WTH!

I’m so sick of these kinds of shows. If I had the time, I’d add tags for Stockholm Syndrome, attempted rape, and other messed-up themes.

Unless you want to feel disgusted, stay clear of this drama.

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Too many cliffhangers and unanswered questions

I wanted to love this season as I gave season one a rating of 9/10. But I just couldn't. There were too many cliffhangers and unanswered questions.

The Bad:

---No resolution against the biggest challenge of this season.
---Unsolved missing cases.
---No mention/dropping of a large conspiracy.
---Unexplained changes in how the ghost village and its residents are allowed to behave -- upending last season's world building.

The Good:
---More screen time for female cast members.
---Mystery and resolution of one of the main characters’ abilities.

Unless you enjoy watching shows with huge cliffhangers and unanswered questions, I’d recommend against watching this season. Season 1, although it has a slight cliffhanger, is still watchable.

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Cringy on and off screen

This is just my opinion and I’m not interested in arguing with anyone about their opinions.

I wish I had known about the pervy actor Hans Zhang. It’s not a secret that he’s a creep in real life. Just do a search for his name and sexual harassment. In one of his other shows, in real life, he sexually harassed the actress playing the female lead. It wasn’t supposed to be a scene where he sexually harasses her. The scene, among others, were so problematic that the show was removed from streaming platforms.

So this doesn’t get marked as a spoiler, I won’t go into why this show was also cringy. Just know that Hans Zhang remains a creep in real life.

I can’t figure out why he is still allowed to keep starring in roles–especially idol roles he looks too old to play. It’s not like he’s a great actor.

I feel sorry for Zhu Xu Dan and the other talents. It’s not their fault they had to work with him. Before you start saying that they could’ve just said no, it’s not easy for non-established actors to just refuse roles.

Save your precious time. Stay away from this show like you’d stay away from Hans Zhang in real life.

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It’s crazy* to believe the poster or trailer

My husband is white and new to K-Dramas. I’m always careful in choosing dramas because it’s a huge time commitment to end up hating the show or feeling cringy. I am even more careful when I choose a show to watch together because I don’t want him to waste his time, also. I thought I did enough research on this show, but I don’t understand the high ratings.

This show seemed so original in the poster and trailer about a mistreated woman/secretary who takes revenge on her abusive boss. Instead, my husband and I had to drop the show because the show is nothing like the poster or trailer.

We dropped the show half way through as we couldn't put ourselves through the torture anymore. I read the recap of the rest of the episodes, so my opinion below is not uninformed.

*I don’t like using the word “crazy” as it’s triggering for people with mental illness. But I’ll have to use this word since it’s in the title of the drama.



SPOILERS AHEAD:

We dropped the show because we got sick of the way the FL was being treated. In the entire show, we get about 60 minutes total of the FL being strong and kick-ass. The rest of the time, she behaves like someone with Stockholm Syndrome who allows herself to be mistreated by people–especially the ML.

I do not understand the appeal of the ML. His supposed brilliance cannot make up for his cruel and narcissistic behavior.

I just couldn’t buy the love in “crazy love.” Why would the FL vacillate from being over her bully boss and being strong to being someone who puts up with his mistreatment repeatedly?

I’m so sick of the trope of the sweet FL who melts the cold ML’s heart. Abusive behavior and being mistreated should never be tolerated. Why do C and K-Drama FLs have to put up with this crap from the MLs? Couldn’t the ML be nice to begin with? I wish the writers would stop being lazy and come up with new material.

Unless you want to feel like you were fooled, skip this drama. Instead, watch any of the original stories below:
The Glory, Mine, Mr. Queen, The Witch’s Diner, I Hear Your Voice, Mystic Pop-Up Bar, Sell Your Haunted House, Stranger & Stranger Season 2, Knight Flower, The Uncanny Counter, Bad and Crazy, Romance Is a Bonus Book, Bring It On: Ghost, or Missing: The Other Side.

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