Was it worth the hype ( one of 2026 most anticipated dramas)
Like many people, I had been waiting for this drama since it was announced. I’m a fan of Kim Seon-ho, and I’ve always enjoyed the Hong Sisters’ dramas—from their iconic early works like My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho to underrated ones such as The Master’s Sun and Hwayugi. Their most recent drama, Alchemy of Souls, was incredible, so naturally my expectations were high. I was also curious to see them try a different genre.
Story
I went into this drama expecting a rom-com, or at least something with more comedy, since the Hong Sisters are known for their hilarious moments. That wasn’t really the case here. While there were a few funny scenes, nothing stood out enough to be memorable. That was my first disappointment.
Although I enjoy melodramas, this one felt like the characters were constantly going in circles, especially in the dialogue. It’s hard to explain, but it felt like I understood what the writers were trying to do,yet it just wasn’t landing emotionally. Visually, everything was stunning: the cinematography, the actors, the atmosphere. However, it often felt like the drama was trying too hard to be “poetic,” without the story having the depth to fully support that tone.
Characters
The acting was undeniably strong. However, when it comes to Kim Seon-ho’s character, I was a bit disappointed. I usually love his roles, but here, aside from speaking multiple languages, there wasn’t much that made his character stand out. That said, he still did an excellent job with what he was given. ( he didn't have those charming vibes as usual)
As for Go Yoon-jung, she was fantastic. I haven’t seen much of her previous work, but this drama made me appreciate her more as an actress. Still, I think the writers wanted her character to be deeply touching, and for me, it didn’t quite work. I understood her trauma, but the way it was portrayed felt fragmented and underdeveloped. Personifying her mental struggles was a good idea, but it wasn’t taken far enough. Dramas like It’s Okay, That’s Love handled similar themes much more effectively. Here, it felt more like an attempt to create a “cool” character,somewhat reminiscent of Wednesday Addams,rather than offering a nuanced and impactful portrayal of her inner struggles.
Conclusion
Overall, I didn’t dislike this drama. It was an enjoyable watch and visually beautiful, but not particularly memorable. Slow-paced melodramas are difficult to execute well; this one was decent, but not groundbreaking. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have watched it if it weren’t for my interest in the actors.
Story
I went into this drama expecting a rom-com, or at least something with more comedy, since the Hong Sisters are known for their hilarious moments. That wasn’t really the case here. While there were a few funny scenes, nothing stood out enough to be memorable. That was my first disappointment.
Although I enjoy melodramas, this one felt like the characters were constantly going in circles, especially in the dialogue. It’s hard to explain, but it felt like I understood what the writers were trying to do,yet it just wasn’t landing emotionally. Visually, everything was stunning: the cinematography, the actors, the atmosphere. However, it often felt like the drama was trying too hard to be “poetic,” without the story having the depth to fully support that tone.
Characters
The acting was undeniably strong. However, when it comes to Kim Seon-ho’s character, I was a bit disappointed. I usually love his roles, but here, aside from speaking multiple languages, there wasn’t much that made his character stand out. That said, he still did an excellent job with what he was given. ( he didn't have those charming vibes as usual)
As for Go Yoon-jung, she was fantastic. I haven’t seen much of her previous work, but this drama made me appreciate her more as an actress. Still, I think the writers wanted her character to be deeply touching, and for me, it didn’t quite work. I understood her trauma, but the way it was portrayed felt fragmented and underdeveloped. Personifying her mental struggles was a good idea, but it wasn’t taken far enough. Dramas like It’s Okay, That’s Love handled similar themes much more effectively. Here, it felt more like an attempt to create a “cool” character,somewhat reminiscent of Wednesday Addams,rather than offering a nuanced and impactful portrayal of her inner struggles.
Conclusion
Overall, I didn’t dislike this drama. It was an enjoyable watch and visually beautiful, but not particularly memorable. Slow-paced melodramas are difficult to execute well; this one was decent, but not groundbreaking. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have watched it if it weren’t for my interest in the actors.
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