StrongFL

Fun ride from the beginning to the end

This was such a fun drama! I loved, loved, loved a show where the FL is physically stronger than the ML and can actually pick him up!

Although I don't speak the language and must use subtitles, I still laughed out loud. The acting plus the sound effects were brilliant! The comedic timing was amazing.

One of my only complaints was the second male lead suddenly becoming evil and acting out of character in the last few episodes. They try to redeem him, but it still felt out of place.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this. Do yourself a favor and watch this fun ride.

Rewatch value: High.

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Highly entertaining

I didn't expect to like this show as much as I did. I was cautious with the MDL synopsis. I've experienced the bait & switch too many times when a show claims to have strong female characters--who suddenly become damsels in distress and start losing brain cells so the male lead/s can play saviors. In Glory, the FL remains strong and smart from the beginning to the end. She even outmaneuvers the ML at times. She is comfortable in her skin and with her sexuality. It was incredibly refreshing to have strong female characters who are not one-dimensional of only being the jealous schemer/angry hot head/other tropes in c-dramas. Quite a few of the women that you love to hate in the beginning of the show have great character arcs. You end up liking and respecting them by the end. I highly recommend it.

Rewatch value: 10/10.

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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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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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