Zogitt

Growth is good, growth nurtured by love is even better!

Let's be honest, this show is not going to win any drama awards and there are some story telling issues but I gave this show a high score because it is true to its own narrative. I consider that a nice touch as a lot of c/t-drama starts off with one narrative and ends up with a different genre unless they pull it all back in the dying moment of the show. That can be disconcerting, to say the least.
Being a youth focused show, the plot is centred around life at school and university with a "... 3 years later" time skip in the end to tie things up and give everyone closure. The OTP were cute together and have good chemistry. The FL can be a bit annoying as she talks too fast and too much and was tomboyish but that's her character. The most important thing is that both of them are flawed (unlike some other youth drama where one half is amazing and the other is hopeless). In their case, the sum of the whole is literally far greater than their individual merits, they knew it and talked about it regularly.
As I mentioned before, the writers held firm to that narrative. There were minor misunderstandings or challenges to their pairing but they exist only for each other and their faith and trust in each other was unshakable (well, 90% of the time ;)). From that bond came a great deal of growth, both personal as well as in their careers. Even when the ML (handsome and smart) grew out of his shell, he only had eyes for the FL. He never waver for one moment. The FL is also totally into the ML but her character flaws make her tough on the outside but fragile on the inside so there were some initial doubts. However, his presence anchored her being and smoothed her rough edges. In turn, her love and support allow him to overcome his social phobia and lead a successful life. Both achieved a great deal more than if they'd never met.
As you would expect in such a drama, there was little angst. They resolved their issues quickly and what enemies they had, did limited damage and most saw the evil of their ways and made amends. Some even became fast friends! Teachers were all positive influences and only want to see them succeed. Lots of feels in those formative years.
What was a bit annoying was the 2OTP. Their failed attempts at having a romantic relationship was painful to watch, especially when it dragged on for 25 episodes. Why was the 2ML so thick and blinded to the feelings of the 2FL is beyond me. When he did "discover" his feelings, it just seemed to be a bit too convenient. It was like nothing was there one minute and then after seeing the 2FL with another dude (whom he more or less pushed into 2FL's lap), he just said he thinks he likes her after all, did a 180 degrees and chased her aggressively. Really? What miracle water did he drink (PPL in-joke)? Anyway, that paved the way for some cute 2OTP moments for the last few episodes. Even with all the pairings, there is limited skinship. A few kisses towards the end of the show but there were lots more failed attempts and pull backs.
One last observation, in this type of drama, the elderly actors tends to be the screen stealers (either for good or evil) but in this case, the FL's younger (half) brother (~10 years old?) was a gem. He was wise beyond his age and his acting was sooo good and on point.
In the end, it was happy endings all round. Every loose ends tied up with pink bows. It was a drama that you won't recall many highs or lows but will remember with a feeling of fondness and a bit of wistfulness. Life is not meant to be easy but for a little while, the world was a better place where two imperfect characters became a perfect whole.

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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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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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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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Let the spirit guide you

K-drama runs on tropes and a reliable one is the interaction between spirits and humans. This usually takes the form of a human who has to help wandering ghosts to fulfil their last wish and/or get justice for them. These can span the full spectrum from horror to farce.

Most are decent, some are better than others. They all try to tug at your heartstring at some point regardless of their base genre. This one is no different.

What set this apart is Yoo Yeon Seok. He plays the titular role with gusto. I have to say the initial set-up is not particularly convincing. There is no rhyme or reason why he should gain the ability to communicate with ghosts. He is the Chosen One™, I suppose . .

As expected, there is a string of ghostly "clients". It is an eclectic mix. There doesn't appear to be any overriding cosmic reason why they should get the golden ticket. The only link is the shaman's sindang which is now the ML's office.

The cases are largely independent and last about 2 eps each except for the last one. That ghost is the raison d'être of the show.

It'll be too easy to give the plot away so don't ask. Let's just say if you watch this from the beginning, the puzzle pieces are all there. If I'm honest, this is probably its Achilles heel. The show is on a well marked highway once the wheels start turning.

The show does a good job splicing scenes of the ghost and the ML together so that there is a lot more intimacy between them compared to the usual "deliver the letter" type of wish fulfilment. It is a clever motif.

I was fully engaged and I'd rank it as one of the better shows of 2026. I might even score it higher if it ended a little better. EP.16 is still good. I just feel the plot was on cruise control. That episode is also very sentimental. I'm sure some viewers will shed tears while others will reach for their insulin pen!

One thing that did bug me is our OTP's loveline. It dragged on for too long. It is very cute when we finally got the fan service, but why can't we get it sooner and more of it? That left me fuming rather than swooning.

BTW, there are a few loose ends that are never addressed, such as the fate of the shaman. It might be inconsequential in the bigger scheme of things. It does feel untidy.

In the end, I enjoyed this series, warts and all. The production quality is good and the OST is fine.

Rewatch is possible if you are a fan of the leads. A swoon-y romance would have made a rewatch painless. Such is life! Peace.

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What starts with a murder and ends with a singalong?

Taken as a whole, it is a decent rom-com. However, if we look closer, we soon find cracks.

The show starts quite angsty with a hint of an exposé on the idol industry and (toxic) fandom. An unexpected murder hints at darker motives and conspiracies. Any sign of cuteness evaporated.

As it stands, the law and order subplot is laughable. There is little suspense. The revelation of whodunit towards the end has little impact. The inept police investigation and the "corrupt" prosecution process are groan worthy. They seems to have never heard of forensics. No finger printing, no DNA tests, blood splatters? It is borderline criminal negligence. Are Koreans numb to plots making a mockery of their police and judicial system?

Just to rib salt into the wound, most of the real detective work are done by the protagonist. Good on them, but that's cold comforts.

It is obvious that most of the subplots are there to push our leads together. The breadcrumbs all leads to their eventual HEA ending.

I'm not surprised that the last ep is largely fan service, but I was taken aback by how little substance there is. Did the writer-nim took an early vacay and left it to the intern to wrap things up?

In terms of acting, most actors are in their element. The support cast is largely from central casting. Our leads do look good together. They have chemistry and some nice skinship. Pretty much par for the course.

As a run-of-the-mill rom-com, it is fine. I enjoyed it. Fans of our leads will rejoice. Their romance is nice and cute. Just don't expect a serious crime thriller or any heavy hitting social commentaries.

It feels like an odd choice to start so heavy handedly and then reduce it to a fluffy romp by systematically paving over the darker elements with unicorn pastures. In the end, the rom-com bits are tropey and predictable. The rest feels half baked and tacked on. It is not a bad show, just a little underdone. I like the FL so the show gets an extra 0.5. ;)

One and done. Enough said. Peace.

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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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Messy, inconsistent drama that was exhausting to watch

Firstly, I dropped this show after 20 episodes and this is my impressions up to that point. I might be swimming against the tide but this is my honest opinion.

Secondly, I wanted this show to succeed. I was enticed by the synopsis and the idea of a more realistic FL in a sea of pretty clones.

To be fair, the first few episodes do deliver. It was zany and breaks the mould of a typical historical drama. The FL is certainly full of vivacity and largely worked without a filter which is good. However, as a whole, it is poorly written and executed. Some of the acting is patchy and the Show suffers from an identity crisis.

I know this is harsh but I exhausted myself trying to like it and this is why;

1) It doesn’t really have a plot up to this point. The ML doesn't want to be a puppet king and the FL wants to be accepted and loved. That’s nice but the story telling is messy and contrived. This is back-of-a-napkin writing with time wasting fillers.

2) The FL didn’t become a better/proper Queen but more or less browbeat the court into submission. I don’t mind that the FL is unconventional, I welcome it but her plot is just a series of cliché trials or watch her steamroll through everything else. I was looking forward to her growth in statue and abilities so that she can be the rightful Queen. So far, she is turning the palace into her whacky playground (square dancing anyone?). It's fun for a bit but where's the growth after 20 hours? Similarly, the ML has shown little aptitude of being a good king. He could have been a typical scion from any costume drama. He has the visual but not the gravitas unless you count being stony faced.

3) Very few of the secondary characters behave consistently. You have to question their personality or even their IQ.

4) Mel Brooks once said, “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into a sewer and die.” That resonated with me as I wrote this. Most of the Show’s humour is bold and loud but there is little witticism nor nuances. To be fair, the FL has good comedic timing and an expressive face, so she did a lot of the heavy lifting. This also means that we expect something "funny" every time she is on screen. That’s a lot to ask of one character to sustain for 36 episodes. Most of the support casts are just cannon fodder during slapstick routines.

5) The OTP will fall in love and have a HEA ending, the drama gods have spoken. The show created every cliché situation to throw them together. Nevertheless, and it pains me to say this, there is little chemistry between the two. Kiss scene felt flat. There are dream sequences, piggyback race, they behaved like lovesick puppies and on it goes. Unfortunately, just like some of the comedy, it doesn’t always stick the landing.

6) I know the Show is not historically accurate, but it is an awkward mash-up. There is little chance of immersion due to constant hints of modernity. The costumes are a hotchpotch of styles/epochs and some have distinctly Japanese feel. The palace protocol goes from overbearing to non-existent. Want the royal couple to have a cat fight in the middle of the palace, sure, why not! Ditto the tone of the show swings from moment to moment. It spans genres with no firm grasp of any of them.

The sad thing is that the potentials are there. The production quality is generally good, the sets are lush, costumes are rich. No doubt the FL was giving us her all. But . . .

In the end, quirky is good, funny is good, support diversity is very good, but good components still need a decent script and good directions to tie them together. We need plots that are meaningful and characters you’d care for and want to ship. Alas, this show is like trying to herd sheep with a cat.

I don’t hate the show. I just feel exhausted from trying too hard to like it. I am dropping this for now so that I can clear my head. Peace out.

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Sisters united will never be defeated!

If I'm honest, this series feels same-y after a couple of eps. Our leads face challenges, but there is a disconnect as their world is quite different from our mundane reality. It is just as well the playing field is a lot more level than expected. This is largely due to a strong cast and a good script.

Is this show perfect? No, there are issues. When it is good, it is very good though.

Several factors are at play here. First and fore most, the relationship of our female leads are complicated. Most shows would either forge an unbreakable bond between strangers brought together under extreme circumstances or they are sworn sisters with long and storied history. Our writers forgot to read the memo. ;)

The 1FL (screenwriter) and 2FL (society wife) met in college and became firm friends. They fell out several years later and only reconnected recently. When we met them, they are guarded around each other and are more like frenemies than BFF's.

The 3FL (actress) is a late addition. The 2FL befriended her because her husband is hitting on her. As the saying goes, keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . ;) However, true friendship evolved over time once the initial misunderstanding is cleared up.

As sisters by different mothers, they show their true colours when trouble comes knocking. I can never forget the scene when the 2FL rushed to comfort the 1FL the same day she suffered a devastating personal tragedy. That's good storytelling.

Secondly, the 1FL likes to break the 4th wall by addressing us directly. It is delivered quite naturally and is well integrated into the narrative. Thankfully, the writers don't abuse this.

Finally, most of the male leads are flawed (surprise!). The 2ML, in particular, is a piece of work. He can't stop chasing skirts and yet he roleplays the good father/husband with consummate skill. Consider they married for love, his son is cute as a button and his wife is beautiful and in her prime while being an asset to his business, his actions left me cold.

On the other hand, the 1ML is nowhere near as bad. He has commitment phobia and he is called "Mr. Red Flag" by female acquaintances as he moves from one casual fling to another even as he approaches four decades of existence.

The only exception is 1ML-2 (I won't call him 3ML as that implies he is tied to the 3FL. He arrived on the scene after the 1FL broke up with the original 1ML.) He is a handsome and righteous young man. He is 9 years younger than our 1FL though. She wasn't looking for a noona romance and pushed back quite hard. He is not a happy camper.

My biggest issue with this drama is probably the tropey themes on display. We have quite a collection. Infidelity, commitment issues, abuse of power, predatory behaviours and the list goes on. I know they are drama staples. I can't shake the feeling of deja vu.

Let's move onto some positives. Our FL's have depth. The 1FL is a screenwriter which gives her insights into human natures. She also knows how to lay a cunning trap when one is called for. Talking about occupational hazard!

The 2FL is pigeon holed into a supportive wife/mother role, but she is no fool. Michelle Chen backs it up with some fine performance. There are scenes that will resonate with many.

The 3FL is probably the weaker link. While she is mentally strong, she has to play a meek girl while she is looking for a toe hold. The underbelly of the entertainment industry is coal black. Unfortunately, her experience is more illustrative than illuminating.

Thankfully, our FL's are not defenceless wall flowers. When they are backed into a corner, the claws do come out and they are sharp and possibly dipped in poison.

I also appreciate the honest and often cutting dialogue. Our ensemble of experienced actors delivered them with panache.

In the end, this series surprised me. What I assumed to be a straight forward female centric drama turns out to be a lot more "entertaining".

The bonds between our FL's are intricate and defies simple labels. The male leads' antics spiced up the story. Their sisterhood are often tested. It will bend, but it will not break. When the chips are down, you know who you'd call. ;)

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Your favourite band reformed after years . . . but as a cover band?!

If you read comments about this show you will see the following reframe again and again. "I loved the first season, but . . "

Yeah, I am one of them. If you read my original review from 2021, you will see how I raved about it and gave it a 9. It was well deserved as it was like a breath of fresh air. It was low budget, a bit rough around the edges, but it was visionary and the show delivered.

I was excited when I found out there will be a S2 and the same actors are reprising their roles! Hallelujah! While the beginning of the second season looks promising, the longer I watched, the more despondent I became.

Don't get me wrong. It is not a bad show. Quite to the contrary. All the actors have matured, and the production has been given a decent budget which is put to good use. These are all good things. Any first-time viewer will have little to complain about. What triggered me goes deeper than that.

I hate to say this; the show is now just another historical melodrama. What happened to the fresh ideas and chemistry between the couples? It is like watching power couples going through their daily grind. High power, high stress, but not very relatable.

The FL is now the imperial coroner, huzzah! She is good at her job too. The ML is the respected head of the justice department. Their good friends are still there and doing important job. Both couples have been married for 3 years. It would be great if this is a quick recap before another grand adventure.

What we got instead is what I would call "a storm in a giant teacup". There is so much happening, yet it is centred on just one main plot involving a key set of “actors”. There is a lot of scheming and plotting but the antagonists are known and their motives are cliché. We watch their ghastly shenanigans unfold and then watch our leads try to solve the puzzles methodically. It sounds good on paper, right?

While our leads act well, their characters are no longer fresh. Firstly, their roles are now set in stone. Secondly, there is none of the original "will they, won't they" dynamics. They are married couples now. There is a distinct lack of skinship as well. Sure, they are loved up, but there is not a lot of intimacy. See my reference to power couples.

Thirdly, we have the crime solving. It is well crafted and mapped out with great care. I can't help but feel they went a bit overboard though. It is like a Bermuda Triangle of tropey subplots.

Never in the field of Chinese costume drama has so much happened to so few. This could have been their finest hours. (Sigh)

I'm not saying it doesn't work. We do see glimpses of its former glory in the last few eps. As a whole, it is . . predictable. It is as if your favourite band reformed after years . . . but as a cover band! :(

In the end, I don't dislike this show. It is a solid outing. I'm glad that I get to see the next phase of their lives. The bigger budget certainly gives the show a more polished look. I'm thankful that there are no break-ups nor Big White Chariot of Doom™. I just can't help but feel let down by the safe route they took.

Maybe it does mirror reality. The excitement of a new romance fades and is replaced by married life weighed down by mortgage stress and school runs. Peace.

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Revenge best served vertically

I'm going to start with a confession. This is my first vertical format mobile-first drama. It is certainly an eye-opener. Very watchable but also a little unsettling. ;)

As a regular consumer of "normal" long form dramas, 60-100+ tiny eps is mind boggling. How does it even work? Once you discover one, you will see them everywhere.

Let's focus on this drama for now. It is fast, brash and entertaining. Eps flash by with no intros or outros. Some are no more than 1 scene long. Even longer ones are only 2- or 3-minutes max. It is perfect for the daily commute or when you wait for your decaf soy latte.

A breakneck pace is necessary when the run-time is measured in minutes. It makes the pacing of a regular 40 eps drama feels glacial.

The production value is decidedly patchy though. It can go from decent to laughable. Some backgrounds are blurred. It feels like they were done in post-production. It is probably just as well as the overall budget must be limited. The least we see, the better.

In terms of acting, our leads are the highlight. The key support actors are ok. The rest is a mixed bag. I won't be surprised if they rounded up some members of the local drama club as extras.

The ML has a hint of Xu Kai about him, and he dominates most scenes. The FL acted her heart out and the camera is kind to her. Our OTP have oodles of chemistry and are not shy of skinship. Plenty of passionate kisses and more. The first few eps set the scene.

This pairs well with the vertical format. As it always has a sharp focus on the subject of interest. It is almost voyeuristic. There are few wide shots and no panning ones. Everything is tightly framed. This is their way to maximise the feels. A phone screen is surprisingly well suited for that purpose.

This brings us to the elephant in the room. While the pacing is fast and furious, the script and direction has to run to catch up. There are quite a few WTF moments when the script seemed to have gone rogue. You just have to roll with it. If you like your show tight and logical then you will groan. I share your pain. ;)

The revenge story is decent, but it is as old as time. There are plot holes, inconsistencies and continuity issues. To fully enjoy this drama, you really need to switch off your frontal lobe. Ask no questions, chingu.

In the end, I appreciate the need for this new format. I suppose it is more evolution than revolution. TikTok showed us where such short-form videos fit into our daily routine, the rest is inevitable.

Is it for me? I'm still fence sitting. It is a mix of TikTok, Mills & Boon and manhua. Love, desire, confrontation and revenge will be on high rotation. I won't mind sampling a few more. It is a form of fast food. You will be hungry soon after the last scene fades to black. Peace.

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Romantic historical fantasy done right!

Let me first preface this missive. I stumbled onto this show years ago. It was time before MDL and OCD review writing. I loved this show back then, but I lost it in the mist of time until a friend reminded me. (Thx @Nelly) This is not so much a review but a very belated ode to a diamond in the rough.

As a 2 hours long mini-series, it is not going to win any awards. It is probably shot in a backlot similar to the Hengdian Studios in China. It is well made but with an eye on the budget. The cast is mostly young. The production certainly punching above its weight and delivered onto us something truly special.

In Act 1, Scene 1, we find the FL in a situation familiar to many youth drama watchers. The FL is 19 and KSAT is nigh. She is aimless and despondent. Her life after KSAT is less than promising. Her mother loves her but communication broke down long ago.

When she was magically transported back to the Joseon dynasty circa 1440's. It was fight or flight from the start. At first, she survived by her wits but ends up turning the table. She discovered new motivations, made friends and even found love from an unexpected quarter. It is transformative.

Alright, let's be honest. The show plays hard and fast with history. While the key players are famous historical figures, the details and their interactions are pure fiction. Ask no questions. ;)

In that sense, the show is a rollicking romp, Joseon style. When it is fast, it is furious. When it is slow, it is reflective. I cheer on our leads as they tackle big issues. I swoon and squeal at the romantic scenes, I berated the drama gods for being so unfair to our OTP. It is quite a ride.

So many tropes are packed into such a short run-time. Thankfully, they are dealt with expeditiously. There are many highs and lows for our young leads. When you consider the drama was released in 2015, they are already talented and shows much potentials. As a matter of fact, our leads will reunite in a new drama aimed at the second half of 2025. Yay!

Is it perfect? I'd be lying if I said yes but that’s not the point. It was chef kiss for me, and that’s all that matters. I enjoyed this show immensely. I wish I can say the same for most dramas I watched in 2025. Maybe if it was 16 eps, I’d be more critical. (Moi? Citical?!)

You can just call me shallow, and leave me alone to rewatch it again. Peace!

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Short and sweet

Let's be frank. This show is basically a feature length movie chopped up into 24 bite sized episodes.

As expected, it is a low budget production. Limited sets and a small cast. However, because of its backstory, the actors are well turned out, and some of the settings are quite swanky. Our OTP certainly made a handsome couple.

As a drama set in the Republican era, there is surprisingly little political intrigue. Nay a spy to be found and the Sino Japanese War is a mere phantom menace. To be honest, other than some styling and cars they used, it could have been set in the modern era. Actually, not having modern amenities help with the plot development. ;)

Within that frame of reference, this series is surprisingly entertaining. It is fast paced and well told. There is little time for twists and turns. What intrigue there is, is quite transparent and explained away within a few scenes.

This drama is largely focused on the romance of our leads and their chemistry is undeniable. In fact, for such a short drama, its skinship quotient would put many standard length c-dramas to shame. It is still relatively tame by western standard but it certainly does not shy away from sex and violence.

As I mentioned before, the plot is straightforward. Revenge, business shenanigans and romance dominated. There is also a bonus dash of comedy. With such a short runtime, you just have to accept the plot holes and gaps in narrative logic. It doesn't matter in the bigger scheme of things. Think of it as a stage play. Each act is bracketed and well signposted. It is surprisingly coherent.

Acting is fine, par for the course. The support cast can be a bit hammy at times but nothing outrageous. The show largely focuses on our leads and rightly so. They carry the show. It is fun to watch their flirtatious acts. Thankfully, no fake kisses or camera tricks when the going gets steamy.

Overall, it is a short and sweet drama of little consequences. Perfect for a weekend binge. Peace.

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She is a real contender

Sports centric drama is popular for good reasons. We all like to cheer on our favourite team and if they are the underdog, all the better.

In that sense, this show doesn't try to change the status quo. I suppose the old saying "don't fix what is not broken" applies. The slight deviation is the FL is now the one with the potential. We watch her journey into the world of boxing. From rank noob to becoming a pro. It doesn't mean the ML is not involved. It is just that his arc starts from a different angle and he has his own challenges that severely tested his mettle. He is weighted down by a dark past and a lot of self loathing.

If our leads' trials and tribulations are not enough to keep your interest, the show seals the deal by doubling down on their romance. It is hardly plain sailing though. Lots of misunderstandings right from the start, hence the title. Once they confirmed their feelings, their relationship is very sweet and tender. Thankfully, with only 10 eps to play with, it didn't drag on for too long. They even managed to squeeze in a break-up but fear not, it is for the greater good. ;)

Thankfully, most support characters are engaging and have distinct personalities. This makes their scenes pop. There is a lot of wisdom and wistfulness in their lives. They are not fodder for the mill.

Coincidentally, this brings us to the unfortunate case of the SML. He is a good man but just can't hold a candle to the "bad boy" ML. He deserves a happy ending which the show hinted at in the last scenes.

Ultimately, this type of show is all about the feels and their cup runneth over. Even the antagonists are not evil for evil sake. Sure, they have their "twisted" reasons for doing harm but they also deserve a chance at redemption.

Even with a small budget and a short runtime, this punches above its weight. Sure, there are the odd cliche subplots but what drama doesn't have them? The tight script deserves a special mention though. The writer-san kept us guessing up to the dying minutes. With all the twist and turns, nothing can be taken for granted. It is quite a ride! I'll add this to my rewatch list. Peace.

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A pleasant, transient show

While a lot of j-dramas weaponise quirkiness, this drama toys with the idea. Sure, there is a hint of idiosyncrasy, it is a j-drama after all. The ML is a minimalist, while the FL is a rising Instagram influencer but neither of them are extreme examples. It is like someone googled the term and they workshopped it. The show also goes out of its way to tell us why they are like that as if we might think that it is some kind of psychosis.

Ultimately, it is more about our leads realigning themselves and meeting in the middle. That's amore, baby! ;)

It is not all plain sailing though. The ML's bumbling approach to romance is awkward to say the least. He would say one thing and acts in a different way and vice versa. The FL was one confused puppy for half the show. 

When the handsome and debonair SML shows up, things start to get more interesting but even then, the writer-san used a light touch so there are meaningful looks and wistfulness but not a lot of real angst. That is a shame because the SML is a nice guy who deserves a fair go. He just got his timing all wrong. It did drive the ML into some decisive actions and cements his relationship with the FL. 

Speaking of relationship, this show is low key propaganda. In a share house of 5, there are two weddings and one reconciliation. That reads better than any Japanese official statistics! BTW, the 2CP is an odd couple but they are cute. Just wish they have more air time.

If you think that sounds a bit tropey, you are not wrong. It is easy to watch and easy to digest. All the actors earn their keep. It is a solid production and has a pleasant OST. It just feels a bit . . . "been there, done that". Peace.

P.S. love the bonus food porn. I want that curry recipe!

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