Zogitt

‘Tis the season where Yu Mi discovers Yu ME

This season starts where S1 left off. In S1, Yumi was a supportive girlfriend and a good mid-tier manager, but she has hit the doldrum on both fronts.

It was no surprise that Yumi was once again looking for love and it seemed to be going swimmingly until the tropes took over. The big plot development in this season is how Yumi discovered self-love and becomes more assertive, a risk taker and is more focused. While this leads to some positive character growth, it also meant that she became more obstinate and, to a degree, self-sabotaging.

This change in focus also altered the feel of the Show. Yes, when the love line is in full swing, it was sweet and swoon worthy but that didn’t last. What replaced it was an air of melancholy. There are ripples of heightened emotions along the way, but it never reached the same heights as in S1. Everything felt muted and there is a strong sense of role playing when it comes to the romance. There seems to be a lack of passion.

Of course, the cells are the glue that held the show together and allow the writer-nim a chance to go off piste with the action. They are cute as ever and have loads of personalities. However, if you remove the animations, what is left is a fairly tropey plot and to be honest, a bit meh. It ticked all the boxes but there is little we haven’t seen before.

On top of the OTP, there are two other pairings. They are cute and provided some distraction while Yumi is beavering away at work. They were almost more fun to watch than our main CP. Acting is fine and felt comfortable with a bit of quirkiness when needed.

Now the elephant in the room. The ending is a total teaser. It left the plot dangling mid scene. There have been persistent rumours that there will be NO season 3 but this ending is shouting the exact opposite. There have been a lot of early chatter about possible endings as followers of the webtoon knew who is the chosen one. So what is going on? It also begs the question why is the Show only 14 episodes long when a normal 16 eps would have given the Show enough time to wrap things up if there is no S3. There will be a huge uproar and backlash if the Show ends like this. There is no news regarding S3 at the time of writing.

In the end, Yumi 2 was enjoyable and watchable but not as good as S1. The cell animations patched over a fairly ho-hum script and carries it over the line. As my friend @Love movies famously said, “I wish it were more yummy!!”. Peace out.

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It captured the meh

As with many sageuk dramas, the setting, pageantry and historical references hook us in. The plot and characters sustain it. Unfortunately, this series is patchy in the last two and its quality suffers.

The first few episodes are nicely done. The idea of the FL being a baduk master is novel, but it has its own narrative issues. Regardless, it set up the meet-cute of the OTP. We are left with no doubt that the romance of our leads is the corner stone of this drama. This is problem #1.

As with many Korean court dramas, the FL ended up having to cross-dress just to get access to the ML. The FL is just not convincing as a man. It also hamstrings her performance. There are moments of animation but it mostly feels wooden.

Unsurprisingly, the main theme is standard issue palace intrigue. There are the odd twists, but they are mere ripples in a mill pond. All the classic courtly characters are there. Both good and evil. The veteran actors turn in solid performances but this is bread and butter for them.

The run-of-the-mill political shenanigans is problem #2. We run through several backstabbing plots as expected. Each time we arrive at a flashpoint we’d get our hopes up. Is this the turning point? Will we see some major realignment? Alas, after each bump, the show would settle back to a long period of doldrum.

Other than the romance and political maneuvers, we must contend with a simmering revenge plot. Unfortunately, this has issues as well. So much time and energy have been devoted to this but at the 11th hour, the protagonist found out that it is all a misunderstanding. We knew this all along so . . . Doh.

Obviously, the evil characters are going to get their comeuppance. However, just like the muddled revenge plots, the righting of such wrongs took its sweet time. Everyone knows who they are but other than much gnashing of teeth, not a great deal happens and then everything happened. By then, I'm past caring.

As I mentioned before, romance of the leads is key. However, their chemistry is questionable. Their skinship mostly leaves me cold. Their first kiss is good but I challenge anyone to feel excited after watching their last kiss in the finale. Go on, watch it and tell me I'm wrong. I double dare you!

Thankfully, the acting of the ML steadied the ship. He was 10 times more animated than the FL and his acting is next level. However, he can't compensate for every shortcomings of this drama.

In the end, the series is watchable but there is nothing new. There are the odd highlights. The ending is a bit ponderous. You’d think an HEA ending is a given. Not so fast, chingu. It is as if the writer is having a bet each way. I have no idea why you'd do that at this late stage. It does reflect on the drama as a whole.

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Maudlin, depressing, heartwarming and uplifting. Wait! That's just the trailer.

It took a bit of effort to start writing this because I'm in two minds about this drama.

I suppose we might as well start from the beginning. The FL played identical twins with different personalities. Both are in a bad place when the show starts. One is labelled a no-hoper just marking time in her hometown while the other is the breadwinner working in Seoul. The fact that she suffers every day at her coveted government job is kept a secret. An existential crisis caused the twins to switch identities.

I’m just going to declare outright that I’m a fan of PBY so two roles in one show is twice the goodness. Bring it on! :)

This series starts promisingly. The show literally doubled down on the fish out of water trope. We see their struggles and how their lives diverge as they grow up. For a single parent family in a country town, their struggle is real. This is also the ground zero of resentment and preconceptions.

As the drama progresses, we watch the twins discover each other's world. One twin would think that the other is living the best life. You can sense their initial resentment and growing confusion as they find out it was not all beer and skittles. There are moments of lightheartedness and small wins, but the daily grind is relentless. There is an unshakable sense of despondency and weariness.

I'm glad to report that PBY came through again. She delivered both roles adroitly. The young actress playing the teenage version also did well. The MLs and most of the support cast are solid actors. Some of the scenes involving the veteran actors are heart-rending. My issues is not with the acting nor production value, but with the pacing and how some of the narratives are handled.

While the first third of the show is engaging and set up the main theme well, the pacing for the middle third is languid and circumspect. Pot boilers are everywhere, and they are set to simmer.

They faced challenges in the workplace and in the friend zone. We are also treated to historical misunderstandings from different perspectives delivered via many flashbacks. I can understand if this is something horrid and unforgivable, but it was almost trivial once the truth came out. It was a life changing moment for our OTP but it feels overblown.

BTW, can someone please drop the Communication Breakdown trope down a deep hole, pretty please? Our twin sleeps next to each other and the ML is their next-door neighbour. A few choice words would have cleared everything up. It was not resolved for 10 YEARS! I get it as a story element but it is definitely head scratching. I suppose the show would be 6 eps instead of 12. (Laugh/cry/facepalm)

Speaking of EP’s, the length of each episode is LONG. We are talking telemovie length. In that sense, the total runtime is on par with a typical 16 eps run. It can be a challenge to sit through one of the bleaker ep. I won't be surprised if a casual viewer throws in the towel. That would be a mistake because the last third of the show is so much better.

The growth in the characters are rewarding and uplifting. It more than compensates for the nadirs. Not only is our OTP in a happy place but there are gains on many fronts. Lots of fan service and rewarding moments packed into the final hours. Huzzah!

Sadly, it is not all rainbows and unicorns. There's a tearjerker twist which signifies a conclusion, releases and new beginnings. Have tissues handy.

Lastly. we have the unresolved 2CP. Granted they look ready to launch but we are left dangling. Enough with the meaningful gazes! Is it too much to ask, dear writer-nim, to grant us one last "seal it with a kiss" scene? We beseech thee!

In the end, this is one show that the sum is greater than its parts. It helps if you FF some of the more draggy bits. Have faith, this show does deliver. I won’t rewatch the whole drama but the last third will be an easy binge for me.

Always remember, “Yesterday is over. Tomorrow is yet to come. Today is yet unknown.” Peace.

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A 3 acts play that pits business shenanigans against true love

If I'm being honest, this show gives me Queen of Tears vibe. Not that they share any significant DNA, but they both have traffic stars and are very high profile. At least for me, both failed to shine their brightest.

Our ML is THE Bachelor but remains out of reach to most bachelorettes. That is because his mother is the classic queen bee who vets all his girlfriends and chases them away when they are deemed unsuitable. Her cadre of "friends" turns this into a blood sport.

On the other hand, FL's life was a daily grind. She works diligently but has little to show for it. I'm sure many Chinese Gen Z'ers can relate to that. Her sad upbringing made her insecure. She craves security and she will do anything to get it. She basically lied through her teeth to create a persona to capture the ML and allow her to fit into his world. She plans and plots meticulously.

However, this is a very rickety house of cards. She kept running into people (including her real parents and sister) who knows her past. Such lax writing is almost a trademark of this drama. You can't paint her as clever and resourceful, yet dooms her plans with one obvious flaw. It doesn't make sense.

Her life seems to be perfect once she marries the ML. ZLS is beautiful. She is styled exquisitely. Fast cars and luxury are in abundance. It is quintessential the Lifestyle of the Nouveau Riche. Behind all the glitz and glam, a sense of dread is building. Will their love blossom?

Unfortunately, the house of cards comes crashing down in due course. It was nuclear. All the masks are ripped off, pretences burnt away. It was toxic and confronting.

ZLS really brought her A-game for this important pivot. Emotions ran high. The symbolic cleansing of her make-ups signifies the dropping of all her pretenses.

Act 2 begins with a fresh start. Our FL threw away everything she worked so hard to attain. It was a Bowerbird's hoard after all. She starts small and works with the same drive and dedication as before. Except, she will no longer compromise on her principles. It was a trying and testing time.

In the meantime, the ML realised he made a grave mistake. He thought the FL is happy to sell her soul for fame and fortune. It was a bitter pill for such an egotist to swallow.

I'm not going to spoil it, but it took the ML 16 eps to win back the FL. It was fun to watch the ML eat humble pie, but it was draggy in parts. They could have shorten it by removing some of the business side plots.

Then Act 3 hit us, literally. I’m not going to mince words. It is pure dog blood. Ye gods, it was a tsunami of angst. No one is spared. It is mind numbing. Not to mention with less than 4 eps to go, the clock is ticking.

Sure enough, most of the angst bombs fizzled out. This brings me back to my earlier point about lazy writing. The antagonist are hardly subtle nor original. His lackeys are borderline incompetent. They left themselves wide open to counter attack. Resolutions come at pace, but are contrived.

To pad out the straightforward story we have many business ventures. If we cut them out, we could save 10 eps. At one stage, they spend some time at a place called Gubei Town. It was meant to be an historical town famous for their arts and crafts going back hundreds of years. A quick google will tell you Gubei was built from 2010-2014 just outside of Beijing. It is basically a tourist attraction.

BTW, there is a 2CP and a half-hearted 3CP. Maybe it is the way they are written, but they don't have much traction compared to our main leads.

In the end, the show is decent. The production value is high. Instead of food porn, we get fashion parades. ZLS absolutely owns her role. More power to her!

From my perspective, Act 2 is the heart of this show. The ending is sweet but predictable. We don't need all the excess baggage in Act 3.

I don't get the hype though. Yes, our leads have good chemistry, their romance is sweet. We have passionate skinship and the A-plot is serviceable. It is a good c-drama. Just not quite the best of 2025. Peace.

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It is only logical

Using a savant as the lead of a drama is nothing new. They are both a source of interesting characters as well as pitfalls. One false step and you will be seen as making fun of someone with a disability. This show handles this aspect reasonably well but not faultlessly.

As expected, our FL is not a personable doctor but a diagnostic genius. She is clueless about handling people. She literally has a cheat sheet on how to interact with patients. Some of her interpretations of those pointers can be cringey yet endearing. Her very deliberate staged smile is a sight to behold!

This is where her trusted nurse sidekick and new assistant doctor comes in handy. They are her calming influence, boundary setter, as well as moderator to round off some of her sharper edges.

Initially, I thought it would be just mysterious medical cases where the diagnosis eluded the attending doctors. The first episode was largely that and if I’m honest, a bit boring. There are too many jargons and obscure medical conditions. I suppose it does set the scene and introduced all the characters. However, everything shifted up a gear in the next episode.

She ends up being drawn into more dramatic cases, some involving the police. Most of these happened either in her hospital or another medical facility. She would either stumble onto a mystery or be called in. That's the through line.

Other staff involved are often nonplussed and resent her intrusion. Her blunt approach and off kilter personality rubs people the wrong way. Her actions often challenges the status quo. It is ML’s full-time job just keeping her from flying off the handle.

Now let’s talk about the bread and butter stuff. Acting is on par for a j-drama of this length and decent production quality. There is always going to be some overacting for a show in this genre. The FL did her best to stay in character. I don't know if it is a realistic portrayal, but she throws herself into the role. There is a surprising amount of physical comedy.

Overall, it is quite watchable, but don't dig too deep. Most cases conclude within one episode. This is no singularly focused, intricately crafted whodunit. Each case is logical once she solves the puzzle, but she held most of the cards. She would do a final reveal and pulls all the dangling threads together. It is good enough for the general audience.

Now, the big question, will there be a second season? Nothing is official, but the foundation is laid for a continuing series. There is a budding romance. Her staffs are loyal; the department is finally on solid footing. Given the series is based on a 13 volume manga series, there is no lack of source material. There is even a 12 eps anime series released this year. The question is whether there is a will (and viewership) to make it happen.

In the end, I won't say this is an unmissable drama. I did enjoy my time with it. Rewatch is unlikely as once the mysteries are solved, there is little to sustain your interest. Peace.

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Juicy gossips dressed up as a show

I must admit I was drawn to this show by the initial premise of a strong FL who overcomes personal tragedy as well as business challenges to make a fresh start for herself and her newfound family. A solid premise if I say so myself.

The FL inherited 4 brothers-in-law’s when she married her beau. Potentially, it is a gold mine of subplots and characters. That is certainly true, and, in that regard, Oprah Winfrey would be proud. There are 6 CP's, multiple weddings as well as babies by the end of the show! On the other side of the ledger, there are troublesome ex-wives and a persistent antagonist. They also get the Oprah treatment when it comes to redemption. Everyone wins.

As the show went on for over half a year, I don't think there is much point in going through all the twists and turns. I'll keep things relatively high level.

Let's be honest. This show is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. It is sort of makjang, part-time rom-com and certainly melodramatic. Many clichés and tropes are hurt in the making of this drama. However, it doesn't push any boundaries. The bubbling cauldron is full of ingredients, but the flavour is muted.

This becomes increasingly evident as the series progresses. I was baffled at first and then I had an epiphany. This is a weekend drama designed to be viewed by a multi-generational audience. There are many situations and themes that a mature audience will be familiar with. This show is safe to share with your grandma. She might tsk-tsk here and there but she is more likely to be wearing a knowing smile.

On top of that, all the CP are pre-ordained. Sure, there are the usual push-pulls. You can put money on the pairings, and no bookmakers will accept the bet. It is that obvious.

This is the same with most of the side plots. They are old tropes. There are the odd angsty bits, but resolution is never far away. Everything just plods along.

What doesn't move along is the progress of the 1OTP. They are forever dancing around each other. Even when they are finally dating, they are still awkward around each other. Jane Austen would call this "having an understanding". In many ways, this show is timelessness.

With so many characters and subplots, there are lots going on, but they are tame. One CP did have a one-night stand, but they are the thorniest pairing. Everyone else is prim and proper.

This raises the fundamental question. Is this show for you?

Do you prefer to be hit by angst bombs? Or would you prefer something mellower? Do you want one or two fiery, passionate love stories or many low-key ones? Final question; cute babies or cute dogs? Answer me! 😉

In the end, this is an easy, undemanding watch. I just don't think I'm their target audience. The sunk-cost fallacy kept me watching but diminishing return is real. In hindsight, I would have preferred to have access to all eps from the start. Having to wait week after week for the next release is definitely a con for me.

The show does deliver on its premise, and the acting is solid. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into something bland and predictable. I don't vibe with it and that is on me.

BTW, The ending is beyond sweet. It is sugar overload and should come with a health warning. At least it left no stone unturned.

My suggestion is read reviews. Sample a few episodes before jumping in for the long haul. Caveat emptor, chingu.

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Greed is bad/Saving lives is GOOD

On the surface, this show ticked all the boxes, and it is a definite must-watch of 2025. I'm not a medico so I'm not going to say that the show is realistic, or some procedure is wrong. I see it purely as entertainment. However, it is oddly disquieting for me in parts. Please allow me to explain.

The medical emergency genre is hardly new. There are many fine examples, both from Korea as well as western productions. What usually set them apart is the impactful stories, nail-biting suspense of a life in balance and the human drama which unfolds as the team work to deny Charon his coin. The medics and patients alike are flawed but intriguing.

This drama has these qualities in spades. The ML is handsome and charismatic. He is caustic, masterful, dedicated and will not suffer fools. He gathered a young team around him as he fights to save lives in a hostile environment. Growth in the team is a must. We are hooked from the start.

This is where I find the script testing my patience from time to time. When it is focused on the Trauma Centre and its band of misfits, it is wonderful. It is often an exhilarating white-knuckle ride. Kudos to the production team.

On the other hand, pointless side plots centred around the Chief and the hospital Director leaves me cold. They have antagonist written on their foreheads. Their sole purpose is to look pompous and throw the ML under a bus. It is petty vendetta, pure and simple. I can accept it if it was a significant historical grievance, but it is not. For the Chief and his lackeys, it is simply because the ML is seen as an upstart who is not part of the Club and refused to kowtow to the establishment. The Director is worse, it is all about money and making a profit. It paints the Korean hospital system in a poor light.

OMG, they are so tropey! The whole office politics based on seniority and connection is beyond old school, but we are talking about the doctor's creed. They literally shout to the world that they are out to get the ML. Maybe it belies its Navel visual novel root. It is effective but hardly subtle. It is low hanging fruit for the writer-nim but it takes the shine off the awesome storytelling. Such simplistic handling of strategic plot developments is jarring when the next scene could be a do-or-die struggle between the ML's skill and tiny movements of a dagger’s edge.

To be fair, it is not all bad news on that front. We do get the odd redemption but it can still feel clumsy. It is more like karma slapping the antagonist in the face, hard, then pulls his pants down while laughing. Sure, it works, but I don't feel there is a mutual understanding. More like a death bed conversion.

Hence, if I were to rate the show purely on the acting, production values, OST and the A-plot then it is a 10/10. However, I must deduct 1 point for the oh-so predictable antagonist and their shallow mechanisation. It is still a top pick but I'm thankful that I can FF the aggravating bits.

P.S. I read reports that this series is designed to have a S2 and 3. Netflix, don't fail us now!

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It’s not ok to be just ok

I'm just going to say it up front. Dear Hyeri is not good. Watchable but it could be so much better. It starts well but the middle was muddled, and the ending was sweet but uninspired. It is not quite bait and switch but at times, it comes close.

Let's take a step back. Mental health as the main focus of a k-dramas is rare. There are several good examples but it is mostly used as a plot device to provide the pro/antagonist with an excuse.

In this case, our FL's Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) was front and centre and forms a very compelling narrative. It allows Shin Hye-sun to showcase her acting abilities. While the first few episodes were, to be honest, confusing and counterintuitive, it is engaging and draws us into a troubled and fascinating world.

The odd thing is that once the FL addresses her condition, the show begins to falter. In part, this is due to the focus shifting from the FL towards the 2 male leads. Don’t get me wrong. Both actors are handsome, and the older ML has the acting credential. The problem lies with the script. Both characters are flawed, especially the 1ML. He dated the FL for 8 years and then dumped her 4 years ago. The excuse was vague and unsubstantiated. He loves the FL and yet hurt her deeply and is a key reason why she developed DID. He is totally clueless about her feelings. It makes him looks like a self centred tool.

In the mean time, the 2ML fells in love with the split personality of the FL. That is all well and good but how he behaves after the FL came out with the DID diagnosis is harder to accept. Both ML’s have their redemption arc but it felt contrived and self serving.

In fact, the script completely changed its tone at around the 2/3 mark. Effectively, we have the first 1/3 being very focused on the mental state of the FL. The second 1/3 has some kind of self-discovery plus flash backs to the start of several key events which path the way to the here and now. The last 1/3 seems to belong to a different show. Eh?

Yes, the revelations and expositions along the way did clear up some of the misunderstanding, but it also highlights how bad the 1ML was. Yet, as soon as they are back together (literally within 1 scene), everything was forgiven and forgotten which I find jarring. They behave like teenagers in love from then on. The show inserted more flashbacks to their happier times and it only reinforced how much the FL loves the ML and how heartless/clueless he was.

Even now, I don’t fully understand his rationale for the break-up. We are told that he doesn’t want to hurt the FL and decides to carry the burden all by himself. Is he talking about his found family? That is BS because the dysfunctional family we were shown doesn’t match up with the present day one. Since the breakup, the horrible grannies become loveable eccentrics. In fact, the FL handled them with ease and they welcomed her into their fold with nary a complain. So, what is this burden the ML is talking about? He also said that he will never marry but he proposed. What gives? This is a gap of 4 years, not 40.

If you watch the last 2 eps separately, it is a very sweet and swoon-y rom-com but when you combine it with the rest, it becomes a confusing mess. This series has potential to be original and groundbreaking but took the easy path in the end.

I suppose the writer-nim wanted to end the show with a conventional HEA ending, but it made the earlier plot largely superfluous. Thought provoking ideas about mental health, love and lost are pushed aside by the stampede of unicorns or reduced to greeting card trite in the end.

It would have been a brave choice to allow the DID plot to run its course. The ending might be unpredictable but I'd take that over the pedestrian and overly sweet one we got. The only other show in recent memory that has a similar course change was Love in Contract with PMY. In that series, the change saved the show. I’m not so sure this time around.

Finally, while the production value is good and the OST decent, the support cast is an odd mix. There are many good-looking actors involved but most of their roles are either shallow, weird and/or unlikeable. I honestly think that one or two of them needs psychiatric help more than the FL. Peace.

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The show was carried by the leads but the weak plots and problematic script is hard to ignore

This is a sports-centric rom-com. The chemistry of the leads helped to push this Show past the finish line but only just.

I can understand a lot of sports have been used as subject matter in c-dramas so finding something novel is a challenge. So air pistol shooting is about as exotic as it gets. On the surface, the Show did a reasonable job in making the sport engaging and the people involved as well. There is still a big gap to fill and a lot of that responsibility fell on the leads and they did the best they can. They are a good looking couple and they are sweet, loving and devoted to each other. My concern here is that the FL has been in several shows playing similar roles. I do worry about over exposure and typecasting.

It would be good if the 2OTP can pull their own weight but the script had them pushing and pulling in every direction for the longest time. The 3OTP was set up to fail. It was a counterpoint to the sweetness of the OTP but it was done in such a low key and passionless way that you have to wonder why the Show bothered.

Sadly, 40 episodes based on this sport and the CP's chemistry was a bridge too far for the writer, a 30 episodes run would have been more realistic and yield a tighter drama. To draw out the episode count and kept our "interest", the writer resorted to a lot of old tropes and angsty unproductive sub-plots.

Scripting issues are most evident when we were drip fed pieces of information on a key historical event, I assume the plan is for the writer to give us the grand reveal at the time of his choosing. The viewers are supposed to be intrigued and hungry for more but honestly, the plot was fairly thin so once a few pieces fell into place, there is not a lot left to the imagination. It became awkward when the viewers worked out the secret before the protagonists and we are left tapping our fingers waiting for the show to catch up! It was less of a mystery and more like a marathon.

There is the usual ensemble casts of competing teams and coaches and most were hired straight from central casting. Bulk of the angsts were generated by the win-at-all-cost attitude of the competitors. This meant dirty tricks and outright cheating. I hope Chinese sports are not like that in real life. This plot was even used in an international competition. Is that necessary? It paints a fairly grim picture of the sport. The other antagonist was the older male predator type. It was old school before the turn of the century. The way the show handled this cliché storyline was poor and feed into the misguided trope that speaking out will extract a higher price on the victim. This is a tired and questionable message for this day and age. Needless to say, good triumphs in the end but the resolution was long time coming and felt weak and contrived. After suffering through many episodes of their hapless scheming and loathsome acts, it came down to a few sentences of denouncement and "official" sanctions.

The potential is there for the show to hit a 10.9 but the weak plots and problematic script dragged it down. It was a one time watch. Peace out.

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Easy to watch rom-com that is big on COM but not always hit the mark

The show had an interesting concept. Instead of the usual computer game competition and using the game as a back drop for a modern day story. The show started in the present but moved pretty much the entire show into a fictional historical game world. The FL was tasked to rescue the ML from that virtual world as he was trapped there but he didn't realise that his whole world was inside a computer.
There were some clever use of the fact that the FL was fully aware that she was inside a game so it was very much fourth wall breaking and self aware. Some scenes were quite funny and clever with translation of modern idiom or technologies into the ancient "game" world. Unfortunately, there was a lack of consistency. Sometimes the jokes came in thick and fast but then it might have a complete shift in tone and became a standard melodramatic historical drama. It then flip and became self aware again. Scenes were included that didn't make much sense plot wise and there were definitely plot holes and head scratching moments.
I would have prefer to see the FL use her modern knowledge to solve problems and truly influence that world rather than mostly just go with the flow as another character. On the plus side, she was given a +10 martial arts skill bonus which led to some funny set pieces. Speaking of the FL, there was a lot of overacting. I don't know why but she sometimes looked great in period costumes but in other times, she looked mousy. Once in awhile she also did this silly penguin walk which I find jarring. Was she told to do that by the director?
The ML was fine, standard stoic male lead type. Decent skinship and chemistry with the FL. The 2OTP was surprisingly draggy. They almost behaved like the normal OTP which I suppose made sense as the OTP was already a couple so some of that push-pull duty went to the 2OTP. The 3OTP was quite awkward especially the role of Jenny Zeng's character. Her character arc was poorly written in my opinion, especially the last 1/3 of the show.
The OST was ok. Some catchy tunes. Rewatch value is low. The story telling was a bit messy and the funny scenes will lose most of their impact on a rewatch.
While the show wasn't draggy per se, I think there just wasn't enough material to last 30 episodes. Maybe 20ish episodes will allow a tighter rein on the main plot and cut out some of the more melodramatic elements that did not sit well with the overall feel of the show. A filler between better shows.

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Never give in! Hwaiting!

This is a quality drama, that I can attest. I wish I can say it is a fun watch for me as well. This is both its strength and its weakness.

Firstly, this show is all about Lee Jun Ho. He is ably assisted by Kim Min Ha. Their chemistry is nice and sweet. There is no doubt who carried the show though. The ML made it watchable even when the going gets tough. LJH seldom disappoints and he brought his A-game to this party.

Secondly, this drama did a great job portraying the so-called IMF Crisis circa 1997-2001. They did well to replicate the look and feel of the era. The A-plot is strongly focused on the fallout of that economic crisis and its impact on Koreans. It is not all gloom and doom but those are harsh years.

We watch the ML and his team struggle. It is not just your typical daily grind. We are talking about extinction level events. This gets even more complicated when you factor in the antagonist's machinations.

Speaking of the antagonist, the father and son duo are somewhat overblown. You’d think they are criminal masterminds. Not so, at least not going by textbook definitions. The father is a shrewd businessman, and he is willing to play dirty to get what he wants. His son is worse as he is a vain, spoiled brat who has some serious anger and daddy issues. I know it is dog-eat-dog out there, but they are singularly focused on the destruction of Typhoon Trading.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't find it a fun watch. The ML and his team worked their collective butts off. They have small wins, but their joy always turns to dismay before the end credit rolls. It is unrelenting.

Your level of enjoyment will depend on expectations and forbearance. The ML helps the medicine go down, but it is still a bitter pill.

As expected, this test the ensemble cast's mantle. The senior cast did well. There is depth to most characters. Having said that, the 2CP storyline does feel a little tacked on. They are a nice CP, but their romance has very little to do with the A-plot.

This presents me with a conundrum. It is a variation of the form over function argument. While I can appreciate many aspects of this quality production. I would be lying if I say I look forward to each episode with relish. Time and again, I groan inwardly as the same "how low can it go" formula is repeated. Not only is it depressing, but it also makes the progression quite predictable. Thankfully, after several iterations, we finally reached the end game.

I'm not go to spoil the ending. Let’s just say it followed the well worn path. While the last ep is probably the most enjoyable in the series, it also feels a little disassociated from the rest. There is certainly a marked shift in tone.

Reluctantly, I have decided to deduct 1 point from my score. I need to balance the style vs enjoyment equation. This is a thought-provoking show. A show that will stay with me for some time, yet it will not be in my rewatch list. Peace.

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Queen of (fake) smiles meets King of hearts

I have been low-key following Kim Se-jeong since her Uncanny Counters days and then her breakout role in Business Proposal. She has certainly been kept busy with starring roles ever since. To be honest, a couple of them are cash grabs by production companies while others are earnest attempt to recreate the magic of BP. However, none of them have the recipe for the special sauce.

This one started promisingly. KSJ was given a strong role and she literally came out fighting (hwaiting!). Our OTP ticked all the boxes but it is a weird chemistry. It is like watching a commercial for Chinese herbal medicine. You know the one where they have the voice-over to tell you that this concoction will reduce your inner heat? Well, the ML is that personified. It is very nice to have a boyfriend that truly gets you but it is something else if all you do is cry together or meditate to gain inner peace. What about unbridled lust?! OBTW, there is a bit of skinship but other than a couple of nice kisses, it is all rated PG.

The 2CP is cute and they try to shoulder some of the load. They do occasionally steal the scene but they need more heat as well. There are glimmers of hope but in the end, they are just mirages.

Once you put that in perspective, the rest of the show is just your typical backstabbing business shenanigans and standard village mischief. Bumbling village head meets loud and nosy ajummas. All done with workman like efficiency but nothing too angsty to disturb your karma.

The ending is sugar overload. Oprah Winfrey would be proud. My teeth are aching just thinking about it. And that, chingu, is the fundamental problem with this show. You are not sure if you have watched a drama or attended a wellness retreat.

I did enjoy the show but I probably won't remember it in weeks to come. That is a shame as the cast did their best and the plot is decent. Good enough to be above average but that's a mighty crowded place.

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What's sex? Love is all you need

I had high hopes for this drama. Ok, it is a slow burn in the first half while all the characters are introduced, and we find out how their lives are intertwined. The main plot focused on two sexless marriages and the impact on the relationship of our 4 leads.

It is not unusual for a Japanese drama to take an awkward situation and drill down and come up with something uniquely insightful. This show has a hint of that while tackling the role of sex, intimacy, communication and trust in a committed relationship.

The show does pick up it's pace in the second half and it was reaching a crescendo towards the end when it seems to hit the brakes and the show feels oddly moribund.

Let us backtrack a bit. The show is largely about two marriages and they are both on the rocks because of, at first glance, the same problem. A lack of intimacy and poor communication that created an icy atmosphere and lots of stilted moments. This is not help by one dimensional characters. Their relationships spiral ever downward in a low grade poisonous and self destructive way. They seem to spend the bulk of the time apologising perfunctorily to each other. Timidity, sullenness, frustration and detachment are the four horsemen of this drama.

The show appears to be postulating two types of marriage breakdowns. Both pass through a awkward sexless phase. However, in one case, the love between them is stone dead while the other is a complex dance of false promises, poor communication and selfishness but the flame of love still flickers under the dung heap. There is a lot of penned up emotions and subsurface angst. They have an almost affair, actual infidelity but also attempts to patch things up but the dice is casted, and we are heading to a seemingly obvious conclusion.

It would be too much to ask for a HEA ending, but the last episode feels flat. After a year apart, the FL crumbles and mended her relationship with her ex-husband with little preamble. The second ML is forced to play the Noble Idiot card and walk away empty handed.

We are not told if she accepts the status quo as the new norm or all her grievances were addressed. It seems to come down to the old Love Conquers All trope.

The show put forward a number of questions but ends up walked away without answering them earnestly. We get hints that resolves have been weakened, expectations realigned. It feels like a bet each way. It is insipid and provides little service to its fans. Do we really need 11 episodes to tell this sorry tale?

In terms of acting, all the leads did fine. OST is nice. I could find no valid reason to rewatch this.

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This show is like a box of chocolates . . diet starts tomorrow

Let's start with the caveats. ;)

Firstly, this is a rom-com with a capital R. Comes with a free pair of rose tinted glasses. Secondly, mental health issues covered are just plot devices. No deep diving here. Thirdly, there are lots of triggers due to all the flawed characters and their baggage.

If you are still reading . . good, let's begin.

This rom-com is packed to the rafters with subplots. For starters, there are 4 main tropes running in parallel. Enemy to lover, business shenanigans, a variation of germaphobia plus scopophobia. One is enough to power a regular drama, let alone four!

As expected, our OTP starts off on the wrong foot, but they will become each other's salvation. It is literally given away by the name of the chocolate emporium they work in. In turn, each EP is based on a piece of chocolate in their famed assortment box. They form vignette of stories which come together in the end.

Considering the short runtime, the pacing is fast and furious. It can feel breathless at times. Amazingly, there is order to the chaos. This is largely due to the show having a very clear focus on two things. Chocolates and chocolates. Oops, I mean chocolates and the OTP.

Our leads have phobias which made their lives a daily obstacle course. That is until their fateful meeting. Things got even more complicated, but in a good way.

Their romance is a slow burn, but heartfelt. Surprisingly swoon-y without being sickeningly sweet. They spent so much time bickering only to realise how much they meant to each other.

It was confusing at times. It shouldn't work, but it does. Treat it like an urban fairytale and it starts to make sense. Ask no questions, chingu.

Thankfully, the show is not just about dealing with mental health issues. They also go on road trips to beautiful sites, (those apricot blossoms and lavender fields!) and drop by instafamous destinations. They are unabashed Visit Japan 2025 promos. The show weaved them cleverly into the plot so I won't complain. It beats seeing a pile of brand X juices in the fridge.

This show is not for everyone. The A-plot is fantastical. It is also very sentimental. The adage "You reap what you sow" is at its core. Many of the subplots are there just to reinforce this point.

The acting from the ensemble cast is good. Very Japanese. The ML is handsome and stoic. The FL has the more challenging role. She did a bang up job. I also love how the FL mumbles the odd choice Korean word when he annoys her. Kawaī. BTW, I can't believe she is 38 years old. In many scenes, she can pass for much younger.

There is good chemistry between our leads and skinship that doesn't look fake. But wait! There is more! We have a 2CP which is well written and has depth. I can ship them, no problem. Hwaiting!

For me, this is a lovely little romp and you should judge it as such. It moves so fast that you just hang on for the ride. Disengage your frontal lobe and double the pleasure! Perfect length for a weekend binge. It has a place on my rewatch list. Peace.

P.S. Don't miss the cameos from two top stars at the very end of the drama.

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Spiderman will have a hard time with this tangled web

Like some other high profile k-dramas of late, I'm in two minds about this show. On the one hand, it totally nailed the romance. It was a slow burn in the beginning but when they jumpstart their relationship it is a sizzler! It hits you in the feels from all directions.

I think they hit the jackpot when they selected the leads for this drama. They really acted their hearts out. Bravo! Their chemistry will keep you warm in the depth of winter. I won't spoil the story because it has a nice twist early on but it has its flaws.

I know you are expecting this as I mentioned my reservations about high profile k-dramas. Namely the A-plot is very manipulative. It is like a piece of art that has been crafted specifically to be seen from a certain angle. If you look from the side then the illusion is broken.

To wit, the show has the ML protecting the FL by taking her away from her dysfunctional family but then spent 3 years treating her like a pariah. I accept his eventual explanation but Korean writers have problems with timescale. When 1 month will do, they'd go for 1 year. In this case we went for a grandslam. Why 3 whole years? Most prison sentences are shorter than that! 3 months is more reasonable. Why labour the point.

When you are dealing with years, other factors comes into play like resentment, despondency and resignation. So he took the FL from an abusive and unloving home and put her into a cold and unloving home for over 1000 days. Yay...?

You can sense the writer-nim micromanaging the plot to be as impactful as possible. Ditto the timing and backstory of the antagonist. Hey, don't looking too closely. This is ART, dammit!

The writer-nim then hit us with the angst bomb. No trope was spared. The mess those families are in will keep a team of therapists employed for years. I know it is part of the overarching plot but it can be overwhelming when twist begot more twists. Secrets are like nesting dolls. You just become numb.

The worse part is after all the pain and suffering, the ML repeated the same mistake. He disappeared for 6 months to punish himself while disregarding the FL's feelings. Of course, she finds herself in a dark, dark place and being tormented continually. Her life effectively grinds to a halt. Is he selfish or clueless? Neither label puts him in a good light.

The heart fluttering scenes after their reunion are major highlights but it is like being given a candy after having to drink a bitter draft.

BTW, I find the made up Argen plot poorly done. It is awkward and unnecessary. I can also see a storm brewing over the fictitious war where 2 thinly disguised middle eastern countries took some Koreans hostage. What is the point of that? It was on screen for 20 seconds but it will haunt them for a long time.

I have no doubt this series will be a huge hit and for good reasons. However, I'm not 100% onboard. There are lots to like but there are also bits that left me cold. On balance, I enjoyed the show and I would have no problem watching a highlight reel of the OTP's romance. That is definitely the glue that held the show together. I would have scored this higher if it is more focused on that. As it stands, it is a potboiler in needs of a script doctor's deft ministration. Peace.

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