Zogitt

Oh how close to being great

Oh how I wanted to give this show 10/10 but it just can't stick to the fun stuff that was the initial promise. For the first 20 or so episodes, it is a funny, happy gender bending rom-com but then in the middle stretch, it become a darker melodrama filled with court intrigues (2 kingdoms' worth!) and endless scheming and plotting. Not saying that it was bad writing per se but it totally sidelined the OTP and you only get the occasional scenes with them. I can understand that the writers needed to fill 60 episodes but that is so typical a problem with c-dramas, the mid show drag is real when the original story line runs out of steam and new plots are grafted on to keep things moving. The show does pick up towards the end but you can't recapture the earlier vibes. I would have much preferred the show to focus on the OTP and take them on more adventures and allow them to form a partnership that was always hinted at but never fully realised. If they did that, I can easily sit through 60 episodes, no problem. On the plus side, the acting is great all round and the fight scenes are good. The OTP is terrific. There were some issues with the OST earlier on but it was ok towards the end. I would definitely recommend it but if the exposition and cliché scheming gets too much then the fast forward button is recommended.

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Great acting, story and sharp dialogues lifted this above the rest

This show has been a sleeper for me for some time. "Not another rom-com", methinks. I then saw some very positive reviews and took my chance.

How glad I am. It is truly amazing! The acting is great, but the writing is the real star. It is both tropey and original at the same time. There are so much content in this show that some of the subplots could have powered a standard 16 episode drama. All the stories move along in their own space and intersect when required with no problem.

This is an ensemble show from start to finish. You start with 4, 5 main characters and then more are introduced over time. They are not just throw away characters either. They are fleshed out with their own back stories, goals and motivations.

Pacing is spot on. When one plot takes a breather, the next one arrives right on cue and maintains the momentum. You just don't know when it will be funny or sad but you will never be bored.

The first episode is probably hardest to watch because so much happened but also explained so much of the show's dynamic relationships. At the end of that hour, you would have been shocked, laughed, cried, or in need of a hug. You are all in or you might as well cut your loses.

As this show is about the k-drama world, it can get very meta and almost fourth wall breaking. There are so many references to other popular drama series and in-jokes. It is like doing a pop quiz to test your drama knowledge. ;)

While the standard is uniformly high for all the eps, the last one is a gem. It really took the whole idea to town. In one scene the director and writer sat down to a script review and talked about how their show should end and what should happen to the characters. They are speculating on what their viewers want to see. Are they talking about us?!

Kudos to the writer-nim for keeping the storyline real. There are no magical happy ending(s) but there are positive developments. Some might led to a happy ending but we can't be sure.

Each key characters are highlighted so we have a sense of closure. It might not be the tropey happy endings we crave, but it is more realistic.

One final thought, as a non-Korean speaker, I have to pay close attention to the dialogues. A lot are elevated verbal jostling at full speed. I am running to catch up. This is NOT a dinner time drama, by any means. You have been warned. Peace.

P.S. Don't miss the episode about farting and in-jokes about PPL.

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Decent drama but you have seen it all before

When we talk about trends we normally talk about observations over a span of time. Hence, we must be in the Year of the BFF to Lover trope. So far this year we have Love Next Door, You Are My Lover Friends and now this. That's a K/C/J-drama trifecta and we are not even halfway through the year.

So, does this show wins the race? No, I'm afraid not. LND is still #1. YAMLF is just a nose ahead but for different reasons. What this show has on its side is a shorter run and tighter focus. A simple telling of a slice-of-life drama. They pretty much launches straight into the A-plot and we watched the OTP's relationship develop over time with all its ups and downs. There are nice swoonworthy moments, decent amount of skinship and they are not overly prudish. Everything we wanted to see are there.

Obviously, it can't be all rainbows and unicorns. They must deal with cohabitation issues as well as misunderstandings and the usual work/life challenges. In terms of acting, the ML is totally in love and he radiates that in every scene. On the other hand, the FL is less readable in the beginning, so typical of this genre. Support cast is solid if uninspired.

Is it watchable? Sure. The plot is decent and the delivery is competent. There are no huge shocks nor genre bending moments. It is a solid retelling of the old chestnut. Your mileage will differ depending on your expectations. Peace.

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Please don't judge the book by its cover.

This j-drama reminded me of Kojinsa Arimasu. Both shows have a seemingly controversial plot device and a strong "what-if" element. While Kojinsa Arimasu is about instantaneous sex change and its ramifications, this drama is built upon the idea of spiritual possession.

While reincarnation/possession is standard trope for xianxia dramas, it is rare for a j-drama to use this as the A-plot.

To wit, a loving wife and mother died in a tragic accident in her 40's. One day, a 10 yo girl shows up at their family home and proclaims to be her. This is a major shock to her husband and daughter as they have been in purgatory for the past 10 years. They exist but are not really living. Every day is a trial, and they suffer in silence.

Where it gets controversial is the interaction between the 10 yo girl and the 52 yo man. Is it automatically paedophilia? Even the show calls this out as people voice their confusion about their relationship. I know it looks bad initially but if you get past the early episodes, you will see that there is much more to this and their relationship is purely platonic.

Fundamentally, the show is about love, family, healing and closure. Yes, when the family reunites, the first thought they have is "everything is back to normal". They even wrote a pledge to get marry when the FL turns 18 (the ML will be 60 then). This is reinforced by the fact that the FL now lives in a "broken" family where her single mom is struggling to stay afloat and to care for her. It is a stark contrast to the loving family she left behind in her past life.

While it was wonderful to share memories and support each other (the scenes between mother and daughter is particularly poignant), they have moved on. They just don't recognise it . . yet.

The drama took its time to show us this new reality. Of course, there is an instant connection between our protagonist, but it is complicated and grows more so every day. This is partly due to the confusion in whether to see her as a pre-teen girl or a middle-aged woman. Living two parallel lives is a challenge for all concerned. This hits the ML particularly hard.

While the theme is thought provoking and impactful, the script is not without flaws. Some side plots and characters feel tacked on. They probably leaned a little too heavily on the fantasy side towards the end. Acting by our leads is good though. The young girl actor is a standout. The rest is more of a mixed bag but serviceable. It is still a good series as far as I'm concerned.

This is the ultimate "what-if". Would we want more time with our loved ones if given a chance? Do we have regrets, words left unspoken? Our protagonist has that opportunity, and they made the most of it. It is thought provoking, poignant and bittersweet. It will fill you with warmth and appreciation if you can see past the “controversy”.

There will be laughter and tears. Please don't judge the book by its cover.

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Everyone loves Fan Xian

I’m late to the party and I apologise for this. JoY slipped past me when it was released in 2019. With season 2 coming, I though, it is time to take the plunge.

Seeing that there are dozens of reviews, I don’t see much point in breaking down the series in the usual way. I’ll just shares some thoughts and my expectations for the new season.

I know this will be heresy to some, but the show didn’t hook me at first. I did binge watched it and really enjoyed the series in the end. However, it was more due to perseverance than the classic “unmissable from the first scene!” vibe. In hindsight, I think there are several reasons but chiefly, the show was always meant to have more than 1 season so the first 46 eps are just a long way to set up the overarching main plot. I can see a parallel with The Fellowship of the Ring. That movie was a little unfocused and stilted compared to the rest of the LoTR series too and for a good reason.

Another aspect is that the ML is a bit annoying at first. Those were the days when you are literally asking for a beating just by looking at an official the wrong way and yet the ML is so cocksure that he is thumbing his nose at all and sundry and he gets away with it. It all make sense later on but it didn’t leave a great first impression.

This leads us to the next point; the ML really leads a charmed life. He can pull off crazy stints and “lucky” escapes. It might be fun to watch but when you consider the seriousness of the various plots, it does feel a bit flippant. This also runs contrary to the notion that the ML is smart, resourceful and strong but then he’d get “rescued” repeatedly.

I am happy to see the love line between Xian and Wan’er being so sweet and straightforward. It could have been so messy like in many other costume dramas. Small blessing, I suppose. However, in a nod to the classic martial arts novels of the last century, almost every eligible bachelorette is falling in love with Fan Xian. I can certainly see the attraction and he will need a big stick to fend them off in S2.

The OST is nice, especially the main themes. However, the show does have this habit of using some zany, jazzy music to signal a funny scene. It is a valid technique but it is more suited to a modern sitcom than an historical drama. It can be quite jarring at times.

In the end, there are plots within plots and secrets hiding more secrets so I’m not surprised that it will take over 100 eps to see it to conclusion. It is looking promising for the next season and if the production value and acting is maintained (more likely to be surpassed) then it should be an even bigger hit. The heightened expectations will ensure that.

All in all, it was worth the hype. Not quite the best costume drama I have ever watched but it certainly sets up the next season nicely. The unveiling story left me with more questions than answers. Bring on season 2!

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All hail Honey Lee!

There is no doubt that this show is a Honey Lee starrer. She carried the show from start to finish. It is described as a historical comedy, and it would have worked better if they leave out the political intrigue. Please allow me to explain.

Lee Hanee is all singing and all dancing in this series. Her comedic timing is spot on. She is very animated and dominate most scenes. She is a refreshing take to the typical Joseon female roles. Mr Queen is another show which has a similarly lively FL. I’m totally onboard with her adventures.

The introduction of the ML added some spice to the preceding. At first it was a love-hate relationship, but it soon swings towards love-love. It was lovely to watch them dance around each other initially and then dance in sync in the later episodes. However, there is next to no skinship. Very proper, indeed.

Unfortunately, revelation of a political plot started many years ago did the show no favours. I understand the event was pivotal, but its revelation is very convoluted. While the viewers soon work out the basic plot, our leads are led down the garden path multiple times. We must sit back and wait for the show to catch up. The original fun adventures of the FL grind to a halt and the romance plot also suffers. I won’t mind if the political intrigue was novel and impactful, but it boils down to the cover-up of a heinous crime.

As I watched the story unfold, I can't help but ask why it took so long for the final act to begin? 15 years is a long time. Seriously, the FL suffers daily under the thumb of a domineering mother-in-law but she never falters. I get that she lives in hope that her brother is still alive but it feels laboured.

Another thing that boggled my mind is the boldness of Left State Minister. I get that he is the classic courtly antagonist but they usually have strong backing from other officials and possibly aligned with some dynastic family. Yet, other than some faceless lackeys, he seemed to be just a self-righteous lone wolf. He confronted the King again and again and thumbs his nose with impunity. Where is his power base? There are several expositions in the final chapter, but it feels like the cart is pushing the horse. Yes, it closed out the narrative, but it feels ham-fisted and self-serving. I'm also surprised that none of the evil-doers are sentenced to death. This is very lenient for Joseon justice.

As if to reinforce my view, the introduction of the FL’s husband is a breath of fresh air. It really added some much-needed levity to the increasingly depressing proceedings. I have strong second lead syndrome.

As I mentioned before, the FL is the star of the show and her acting abilities are on full display. The ML is handsome and a good match. All the performances are solid. Some of the support characters are a bit cartoon-y which feels a bit jarring when the going gets tough for all concerned.

I really wish they focus more on the romance and comedy side and give the political subplot a lighter touch. The writer-nim seems to have a two way bet but still lost by a nose.

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The Show squandered a promising start and then flat-lined

The Show has a promising start. The pairing of a chubby fallen top star with a CEO with prosopagnosia is mixing the tropes but the FL made up as a chubby girl is quite convincing and promise an interesting twist. The ML is handsome and seems to have good chemistry with the FL. The first few episodes was engaging. She plays the hapless character with a deft hand, and it is quite entertaining to watch. The ML’s face blindness seems a bit tagged on, and not very convincing. I’m not happy about it but I'll let that through for now.

Unfortunately, around the halfway mark, the show gave up on the original premise and becomes a tropey rom-com and not a good one at that.

The FL is thin and beautiful again which sends all the wrong messages. The ML is still a brute who hit first, think later. He has minimal growth throughout the show and if his fist doesn’t solve the problem then money will. It was the timeless rich man’s solution. If he can’t decide what jewellery to buy for the FL then he would just buy the whole shop. Time and again, the FL told him she wants to make her own way in the entertainment industry and yet he kept manipulating her career. He was called out by the FL several times, but he went on doing it, much to her (and mine) frustration.

The plot is not helped by one dimensional antagonists whose scheming are rudimentary to say the least but quite annoying. Once again, the antagonist are called out or caught red-handed but they just keep coming back for more. The chemistry between the leads also seems to wax and wane as the Show progresses. It is odd but by now the script is so full of lazy writing that I'm just drumming my fingers waiting for the next cliche to land. Am I surprised that ML’s prosopagnosia disappeared mid show as if it never happened, not really. Consistency be damned!

The Show has/had its moments and it is not the worse show ever. I just can’t help but feel that the Show squandered a good opportunity to do something different. I would have preferred it to take on a challenge and give a good hard go and come out second best than win the race to be second last. It is sad to see the Show taking the easy way out and turn to banality to fill the void.

Rewatch? You jest. Peace out.

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This show is tasty but high GI

In a recent review I mentioned how sometimes you miss the simple yet organic romance storyline. Maybe I jinxed myself.
The premise of this show is quite straightforward. Supposed chance meeting leads a pair of initial enemies to become lovers. This is spiced up by a parallel storyline about a romance that is sparked inside a wuxia computer game. Being a fairly tropey show, I won't waste much time recounting its various plots but I'll table a few observations.

First of all, this show has a laser focus on our OTP. This is a double-edged sword. Obviously, the love line between our leads takes precedence and there is a decent amount of swoon worthy moments. Skinship is adequate but lacks real passion. On the flipside, this hyper focus on main CP means that some secondary CP's storylines feel adrift and underdone. This is especially noticable towards the end when those subplots seem to fade away and then leap forward.

Secondly, the use of the computer game is well integrated. The crossover between the two worlds actually works quite well. The wuxia setting allowed the show to entertain us with some fantastical sets and cosplays. The fight scenes add some flashy effects and ubiqious stints. The Show explores the current trend of adding romantic functions in-game so that players can form “romantic” relationships and even hold virtual weddings. While the concept is not new, some games have created a whole sub-genre around this. The obvious problem here is that if the viewer is not into gaming, then this is all unwelcome distractions and probably quite confusing and tedious.

Thirdly, the Show leans into the urban fairy-tale genre and is low angst. There are occasional troubles and the SFL/ML does stir things up a bit, but nothing is more than a storm in a teacup. It makes it easy to ship the OTP, but it also makes the show too fluffy for my taste. Even though it is set in the ofttimes stilted world of show business, our leads always pushes through and goes from strength to strength. Every box is ticked, and we get the happiest of HEA ending but their growth doesn't feel organic and thus not really memorable. The writer also double down on the fate card. It is unnecessary and amped up the contrivance.

Finally, I love some of the platonic relationships between the characters. The bromances and the sibling relationship are so nice. There is the ubiquitous gender mix-ups with player's in-game characters which generated some mirth. On the negative side are the player griefings and the cattiness of some showbiz characters. These are par for the course but they are somewhat diluted and are not as impactful as they should be. More like rumblings than real thunders.

If you consider this show to be an idol drama then the acting on the whole is not bad. The FL did better than the ML, but they are a good looking and cute couple, job done. Most of the support cast earned their keeps. The production value is quite high with elaborate sets (a little over the top at times), and a wardrobe budget to match which resulted in some beautiful visuals.
This is where I find myself with a conundrum. Normally, I’d highly recommend such a show when compared to the usual roster of angst filled c-dramas. However, with the recent releases like Meet Yourself and Hi Venus, I have no choice but to set the bar higher. So if you are after a light weight, fluffy urban fairy-tale then this will suit you to a T.

As for me, I quite enjoyed the Show while I watched it but in hindsight, it feels like a meal of tasty but high GI food. It is easy to digest, gives you a quick sugar high, but you will feel hungry an hours later. Peace out.

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A light meal that is not very satisfying

6 short episodes makes this a nice and easy watch. It does sacrifices a nuanced narrative for a fast pace.

The show is set in a suburban udon chain restaurant which is famous for their fast, no-frills but tasty noodle dishes. As you'd expect from this setting, there is a food porn angle. However, it can only be considered to be B-grade as the menu is limited. To be fair, there are mouth-watering moments and you have to appreciate the training and commitment from the staff. Thank you for your good work today!

Speaking of the staff, they are hardworking and more than a little stressed. They seem to exist in a world just one hiccup away from a total meltdown. Into that volatile mix is airdropped a new manager who has no prior restaurant experience. He is handsome and charming to a fault. Let the mayhem begin!

With such a short run, we are basically given a set of cliché characters, the inexperienced but idealistic new boss, the impulsive young punk, the hardworking powerhouse who is taken for granted, etc. The result is a mix of workplace dramedy, found family and the fish out of water trope. There is no romance involved so don't bother looking for it.

Each episode usually focuses on one of the team members and explore their backstory a little bit more and pushes the plot along. Don’t get too excited though, those exposés are skin deep. We just see a little bit more of their life after work. More like an extra line in their bio's. They have their share of relationship and familial issues, but they are presented in very broad strokes. Sometimes those challenges will spill into their workplace and the team will come together to tackle them. As expected, each resolution brings them a little closer as a team. Sometimes the end result is heart-warming and rewarding, while other times it is irrelevant and farmed for laughs. Unfortunately, most of those subplots are simple and fairly tropey. Serviceable but hardly original. This is a common observation of the script, it doesn’t stray too far from the tropes. It can feel predictable and a bit flat at times.

The acting is fine and engaging most of the time. Characterisation is larger than life and lacks subtlety. The support cast is actually quite good. Even though most of them only have bit parts, they do splash more colours onto the canvas.
The ending is as happy as you'd expect and it is a bit trite and oddly kitsch.

I want to score it higher, but the show doesn't push any boundaries nor reach any real heights. Relying too much on a parade of tropey or cringey moments is a cheap trick in my book.

It is charming at times, certainly entertaining and easy to watch but lacks any real substance. A large bowl of Kitsune udon is more satisfying.

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Plot hijinks, body snatcher style

I like short form c-dramas but not all such dramas are created equal. Some writers and directors have cracked the code to produce a rollicking fun ride while others just come across as cheap and nasty. This show is somewhere in the middle. There is a workable central story, but the delivery is problematic.

We start with the FL being magically transported into a costume drama and she has to play a role until she return to the present. We are not told how or why this happens. Each time she dies, the loop resets and she start all over again. This device can work a treat and the show certainly milk it for some laughs early on. However, it doesn't last. Once the story enters the rom-com phase, we start to see cracks in the narrative, and it becomes a lot less inventive.

Part of the appeal of a short drama is that the script is tighter, and the narrative is more focused. The flip side to that is a show can also wander down the garden path for too long, thinking it has plenty of time only to have to wrap everything up in a rush and leave zombie threads behind. Unfortunately, this show is heading in that direction. It feels like the original displacement idea kick started the project, but the bulk of the show ends up being the typical palace intrigue/enemy-to-lover trope. There is barely a hint of the FL being from the 21st century. There are the odd throwaway lines but that's about it. The FL certainly doesn't use her modern knowledge to gain an advantage. The FL is also surprisingly accepting of her fate and settles right into court life without efforts. There is little outward signs of initial shock nor confusion which is baffling.

I waited for the plot to twist to give some raison d’etre for the FL’s role but I must have missed it when I blinked. Yes, she is supposed to be the daughter of an influential general but why is she marked for death, repeatedly? There are mumblings about inner court power struggles, but it feels like the usual catch-all explanation. How does that fit into the original displacement plot or is it the other way around? It is like watching one plot being subsumed by another, body snatcher style.

Motivation is key to explain actions and we are given plenty but they don't gel together, it is more like motivation du scène.
To further complicate things, the usual inner court shenanigans are on full display and often push the main plot aside. All that manoeuvring make the proceedings very busy but yielded little. The show finally cuts to the chase and the OTP falls in love as mandated by the drama gods. The process is contrived and quite predictable. This is not helped by the weak chemistry of the leads. The show tried to tick all the boxes to convince us that they are fated but the show also put in subplots that will definitely push them apart. The script is a bit bipolar in that regard. That is a pitfall of a short drama, you still have to get the job done but you have to do it more creatively or it will be just like flipping through a playbook of tropes.

The leads did a passable job on the acting front. The support cast is a mix bag as you would expect with limited time and budget. Speaking of limited budget, this is reflected in the production value as well. It ranges from decent to questionable. Which bring us to the final point. It is a dubious decision to make this a court drama. The palace intrigue angle is old school and the tropey subplots are easy pickings but of questionable merits. The palace setting also necessitate more elaborate sets and fancier costumes. Monies which could have been spend more wisely.

The ending feels rushed and doesn’t gel with me. It is no surprised that she went back to the real world but is this a zero-sum game? What does it achieves? Who is the man at the final scene? Is he the King or the actor and why would he remember her? It is the tropey HEA ending we had to have but doesn’t deserve.

In the end, the show is short and watchable. There are fun and swoon-y moments. The bigger issues of inconsistent behaviours, muddled motivations and a somewhat wasted fish out of water setup kept it from reaching any real heights. The sleight-of-hand escape in the end is a cop out in my book. I needed some strong rose tinted glasses to enjoy this show. Peace out.

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Cinderella raises again, Mod Joseon© style.

This show started well. Feels like a bit of fast paced romp and the FL is a dynamo. A couple of tropey meet-cutes later and we are well on our way to a love triangle. The fact that the competing ML's are handsome is a definite bonus.

The first few episodes certainly lives up to the premise and it was loud and whacky with a good dose of irrelevancy. There is a mysterious dark plot involving the usual palace intrigue (is there any other type?).

I realised we have a bit of a problem around the half way mark though. We seemed to have run out of story. There has been confessions, kisses, murders and rejections. The antagonists are already known, and their motivation made obvious. Umm, that is supposed to happen later, right?

What we ended up with is a draggy middle. The love line got complicated but not in a good way. The antagonists play merry hell with our leads, but it is the same plot going around and around. It is watchable because the writer-nim planted swoon worthy moments here and there so that we are given little sugar hits. Even so, it doesn't totally distract us from some awkward narrative. The inconsistent tone and pacing makes the Show feel out of sort. It is now leaning much more towards a melodrama than before. Rose tinted glasses are firmly in place.

The energy level does pick up somewhat towards the end. The queen selection process is interesting if a bit stilted. Finally, the main plot reach its conclusion. There was not a lot of surprises, but the resolution is satisfying.

Soon enough, the HEA ending slots into place, and we give thanks. Speaking of the ending, the final episode is total fan service. It was high-jinks all the way. No holds barred. It was so kooky that at one point, the show include scenes shot tiktok style and employed various modern motifs. That is most unexpected and immersion breaking. Some might think that the show has "lost the plot". It is entertaining if you roll with it but it is also a little jarring and breaks stride from much that went before. The ending is certainly filled with feel good moments. It is hard not to spark joy after watching that. :)

In terms of acting, the FL carried the Show. She is the focal point and she gave us her all. The ML's are mostly in her support. They do have the occasional dramatic or heartfelt scenes which are appreciated.

Consider the show is only 12 episodes long, I was hoping for a more intricate and novel plot. There are odd flashes of originality but the bulk of it is based on yet another retelling of the Cinderella trope. It is entertaining and watchable but it fails to reached its full potential.

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A decent healing drama that feels arbitrary at times until the big reveal

The premise of this Show is centred on the FL who just started work as a funeral director. She suddenly began to see the spirit of the dead under her care and can interact with them. There are some caveats but that is not important right now. The first apparition who appears before the FL happens to be the younger brother of the ML and he asked her for help. In most cases, this is the general structure of subplots. Various ghosts will ask the FL to help them to fulfil a final task on their behalf. Sometimes, the task is quite elaborate and comes with a touching backstory while others seem to be an afterthought that the Show squeezes in just before the credit rolls. There doesn't appear to be any obvious link between the various tasks.

As the story progresses, a central plot begins to take shape which linked some of the threads together, but it was not until the last episode that the writer-nim gave us the grand reveal that ties everything together. The Show is quite melodramatic, and I would seriously doubt anyone can sit through all 16 episodes without being affected at least once. The writer-nim really toy with our emotions in the last episode but a more astute viewer might see this as a cynical exercise to heighten the melodrama. (I’m trying to keep this spoiler free so please bear with me.)

In hindsight the hiding of the connections between the various threads did the show a disservice because while the impact of the final reveal is significant, we get the “Now I get it!” moment once and it is over. Ergo, the middle section of the show can feel a little adrift. The love line of the leads is certainly front and centre during this section. You might also start to wonder why all these apparitions appear before the FL and only her.

Speaking of the love line of the OTP, it is nice and serviceable. There is a bit of skinship, and they have a decent amount of chemistry, but it is not amazing. Their relationship is pretty much on rails. After saying that, the 2OTP’s romance is even weaker. They are an odd pairing and is mostly used as light comedic relief.

I think that is the key weakness of the show. While the idea of helping ghosts to fulfil their last wishes is reasonably novel and rewarding, the execution is a bit uneven. The Show really comes together once we find out the raison d’etre but that is almost too late. The romances, healing and growth of the leads are mostly predetermined. It is nice and rewarding to watch as it unfolds, but the Show can feels like a scrapbook of highlights but also a fair bit of standard fillers.

In terms of acting, it is generally good. The leads earned their keeps. The poor FL has certainly been put through the emotional spin cycle a few times. There are lots of cameos and the veteran actors can really deliver the goods. In fact, most of the senior support cast are superior to other shows.

In the end, it was a decent, watchable show. It tried to be clever with the causality plot, but it only partially succeeded. It is most likely an one-time watch for me.

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Watchable rom-com that is short and sweet

There is not a great deal to be said about this drama. I enjoyed it and you know what they say about hindsight . . .

Pros are a short run, decent cast, decent pace. Nothing offensive about the plot. Some swoon worthy moments and some sexy time scenes that are more than the token hands entwining. No stupid last minute break-up or evil ex's.

Cons are questionable OTP chemistry, plot holes, too much push-pull with the 2OTP. The 2FL/ML seems to exist purely to provide a source of angst and their motivation is inconsistent.

HEA ending was never in doubt. It was just the right length for the simple plot. Given its short run time, I can overlook some of its issues. A decent watch between major releases.

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A tropey show that was stretched to the limit

This Show started fine. The meet-cute was functional and the first few episodes motoring along setting up the relationship between all the characters. However, this is when cracks start to appear. First of all, this Show is tropey. It has all the cliché situations lined up one after another. Many shows are tropey, but this Show was rolling in them and make it too predictable. Secondly, the pacing is slow and got slower as the Show progressed. It is a classic case of stretching a thin plot to fill up as many episodes as possible. Honestly, you can half the episode count, and it will be a much better show.

The Show is, unsurprisingly, split into two main themes, the various romances and business shenanigans centred around the "hostile" takeover of the hotel managed/owned by the ML and his sister. On the business side, everything was focused on the hotel. It would have been decent if there was some clever business manoeuvring but it mostly came down to dirty tricks and back stabbing. It was good that the leads were shown to be able to stay one step ahead of the schemes but it went on for the entire length of the show and the plot was definitely wearing thin. On top of that, the obsessive behaviour by the antagonist was never fully explained. Was it revenge or spite?

On the romance side, the chemistry of the OTP is not particularly strong. There is a bit of skinship, but the kisses shot from afar looked staged and the closeup ones are awkward. There were the usual push-pull and then it just coasted along until we were served the longest non-breakup breakup that went on for too many episodes. It was draggy to say the least. The FL certainly did most of the heavy lifting in this relationship. Honestly, the 2OTP’s love line was actually cuter and more engaging. Sad to say that there was barely any skinship with the second CP.

Acting wise, it is a mixed bag. The ML’s sister was given a lot of screen time and she has mental health issues, but her storyline seemed muddled and darts all over the place. Sometimes she is normal while other times she was out of control. I understand that it is symptomatic of certain type of mental illness, but the problem is that the actress portraying that role is not up to the task. Her delivery is either flat or over the top, there is little nuisance to her acting and made her character unrelatable. Yes, she needs help (which was not given) but the script needs help too. On the other hand, the ML was just flat for the bulk of the Show. At first, he was the aloof GM of a luxury hotel so you can say that he is in character, but as time goes by, you can sense that he is really not giving 100%. Maybe because the role is not challenging or maybe he was typecasted, he was just going through the motion. It was workmanlike but hardly inspired. Thankfully, both the FL and the 2ML did a much better job and are more engaging.

The Show is watchable if you don't mind the draggy pace and simplistic story. There are nice moments, but it was just too long and the thin plot cannot sustain it and only served to exposed all the shortcomings of a mediocre show. I didn't drop the Show but I watch a good portion of it at 1.5x speed which is about the right pace for me. Not a rewatch.

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A likeable youth sports romance that is big on R but small on S

As OTP goes, they have hit the jackpot with this pairing. Both are good actors and their chemistry was great. The height difference is bonus for some viewers but at least it is not so exaggerated that the FL gets a crooked neck just trying to look the ML in the eyes. 

I'm particularly happy for the ML as he has been the "best man" in several dramas and now it is his turn to shine and show us what he can do in the lead role.

While on the whole, the show was good and enjoyable, it is not all sunshine and unicorns either. First of all, the show was slow in pacing. There was little doubt that the OTP were the chosen ones but there was a lot of push-pull and denial, mostly from the FL, and this went on for two third of the show. Several times during that long lead up to the confession, there were opportunities to just say the magic words and seal the deal but each time they (or individually) would push back and shout "we are only friends!" Even though they were practically confessing a minute ago. It slowed down the whole proceeding and extending the show by several episodes (probably by design). With no serious love triangles in sight and growing impatient from all involved, it was frustrating to watch and doesn't give us much rewards for hanging on.

The unicorns finally came out to play after the confession and you can almost feel the collective sigh of relief and everything just looks so much brighter and happier. Even subplots that threaten the leads sporting careers felt less threatening as we can see how supportive and loving the leads are to each other and you can really get behind them. I suppose one of the reason for the "go slow" in the early parts is that they were supposed to be elite athletes in figure skating and speed skating respectively. So some time and efforts were devoted to setting up that storyline and all the trials and tribulations that entails. The only problem is that both leads can skate but they are not even within shouting distance of an elite athlete. So lots of trickery were used to try to convince us otherwise. Cropping the shots strategically, a bit of CGI on doubles' faces, wide shots and moving rigs/platforms for action close-ups were used. Some were passable while others almost laughable. That plus the drawn out romance really made the first half a slow dance on ice.

With the focus largely on their developing romance, the sports aspect is given a more superficial treatment. Yes, lots of training scenes but they felt like b-rolls. There are lots of repetition but not a lot of details and tactics. Just do it, do more and try harder. It is even worse for the figure skating. A lot of the time the coach is just there to video the skating on his phone. Where is the choreography? Where is the review/critique/technical discussions? Just shouting "good/push harder" on the side line is not coaching. So if you are into figure skating or speed skating then this show will make you groan but otherwise, the sports are just backdrops and take up screen time between the romantic bits. It is ok but please don't look too closely.

There is a 2OTP and they are cute and sweet but they definitely played second fiddle to the leads.

In general, the writing is very text book youth drama. There are no shocking twists, there are ups and downs with their careers, friendships and love lives but every setbacks leads to breakthroughs. Old wounds will resurface but everything will be resolved in the end. Every dark cloud have a silver lining just about summed it up.

OST is nice and cheerful. You won't be humming anything afterwards but that's not the point. Rewatch is similar, it is a nice and easy watch but there are few highlights that will make you want to watch again and again.

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