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Summary: A complex but not overdone blend of genres including musical, fantasy, comedy, mystery, thriller, and romance in just six episodes! It started out amazing and then fizzled out a bit with a few loose ends. The music was ok to me, not much stood out other than the first song and the duet between the female lead and her sister. The acting, singing, and choreography were great though and each episode did keep me wondering whether or not Ri Eul was the real thing. I also loved the community service message about accepting oneself.
Details: Yoon Ah-yi is the typical tortured soul in a not-so-typical Korean drama, facing unfair treatment or circumstances often by three-fold — all while singing her way through life’s woes. The first episode had me hooked with the fast-paced and whimsical way the show began with none other than a song and dance. The handsome male lead gave off a Johnny Depp like vibe to the character. Later on, I got a familiar feeling that sprinkled essences of “The Prestige” (2006), which also told the dark story of a struggling magician.
A sobering message addressed the societal and parental pressures forced on kids to excel in school and to narrowly focus on their future careers as their only option in life: “…if you don’t meet the set standards, you’re treated like a failure... Just what kind of qualifications are necessary to become a respected adult? I just need to be me.” That was a helpful reminder for me as a trapped (or trapping) adult. Lol. And “I didn’t know before that flowers don’t bloom on a smooth asphalt but on bumpy dirt,” was a beautiful reminder of what good things may blossom if we’re willing to navigate the challenges life brings.
The plot twists were well-timed but the musical parts of the story were weakly introduced thereafter and new elements of storyline were not finished off. For example:
- Was Ri Eul really gifted with supernatural powers and how did he obtain those powers? Did that mean that both Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung were gifted as well? None of that was explained, only focus on a wandering butterfly.
- What does the blue butterfly symbolize? Also an element never explained.
- What happened to the budding love story between Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung? Do they end up dating?
- What happened to Na Il-deung after he made his big life decision at the end?
For the last episode, I was confused as to where the audience for the final song came from. Suddenly, there was this hypnotized and excited crowd cheering on all the characters as if it was a stage play all along. I didn’t get that part. Why didn’t the filmmakers introduce that scenario in the beginning? It felt a bit jarring to the rest of the story.
Overall, I really like this series with its unique and blended storyline.
Details: Yoon Ah-yi is the typical tortured soul in a not-so-typical Korean drama, facing unfair treatment or circumstances often by three-fold — all while singing her way through life’s woes. The first episode had me hooked with the fast-paced and whimsical way the show began with none other than a song and dance. The handsome male lead gave off a Johnny Depp like vibe to the character. Later on, I got a familiar feeling that sprinkled essences of “The Prestige” (2006), which also told the dark story of a struggling magician.
A sobering message addressed the societal and parental pressures forced on kids to excel in school and to narrowly focus on their future careers as their only option in life: “…if you don’t meet the set standards, you’re treated like a failure... Just what kind of qualifications are necessary to become a respected adult? I just need to be me.” That was a helpful reminder for me as a trapped (or trapping) adult. Lol. And “I didn’t know before that flowers don’t bloom on a smooth asphalt but on bumpy dirt,” was a beautiful reminder of what good things may blossom if we’re willing to navigate the challenges life brings.
The plot twists were well-timed but the musical parts of the story were weakly introduced thereafter and new elements of storyline were not finished off. For example:
- Was Ri Eul really gifted with supernatural powers and how did he obtain those powers? Did that mean that both Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung were gifted as well? None of that was explained, only focus on a wandering butterfly.
- What does the blue butterfly symbolize? Also an element never explained.
- What happened to the budding love story between Yoon Ah-yi and Na Il-deung? Do they end up dating?
- What happened to Na Il-deung after he made his big life decision at the end?
For the last episode, I was confused as to where the audience for the final song came from. Suddenly, there was this hypnotized and excited crowd cheering on all the characters as if it was a stage play all along. I didn’t get that part. Why didn’t the filmmakers introduce that scenario in the beginning? It felt a bit jarring to the rest of the story.
Overall, I really like this series with its unique and blended storyline.
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