Zogitt

"This is the Potato Lab. Not a soap opera!" Touché

This review is going to read a bit different. Let's start at the end. EP.12 is the best ep by far. While there are nice moments embedded in the previous 11 eps, the last EP is the real saving grace. Not that it is a gem of an episode but at least it has a purpose.

On paper, the premise is functional. The fish out of water trope is hardly new but the rustic setting is interesting. Our leads are news worthy. The ML's profile is undeniable after his lead role in Attorney Woo. He is still handsome and charismatic in this drama, but his role is totally different. He is a model of self control and icy professionalism. If I'm honest, it hamstrung his acting.

On the other hand, the FL is less well known but she has been in the industry for years including time as an idol in a girl band. She is attractive and has good chemistry with the ML. However, we have the opposite problem. She is personality overload. She dominates every scene and not always in a good way.

This yin yang setup should work a treat if the writer-nim allow the OTP to interact organically. Instead, they are placed in contrived scenarios time and again. There is no doubt who is the OTP but the amount of push backs, misunderstanding and confusion makes watching their journey very draining.

Their situation is not helped by the local community of ahjussi and ahjummas. They always show up when it is least convenient, and they are in your face. Then you have the cadre of "scientists" from the lab. I have not seen them do anything scientific. Their presentations are bumbling more than informative. They stumble from one crisis to another. Yes, they provide some comedic relief but that is because they are reduced to cliché caricatures.

If you thought the OTP failed to launch because of a vile SML then you will be disappointed. There is a SML, but he is a sad and broken man by the time we met him. He tried to interfere, but it was ineffective and largely pointless. The SFL does not interfere with the OTP but her backstory with the SML has huge impact on the FL. Yet their relationship feels contrived. It is there and we sat through their sorry tale. Alas, I felt nothing.

BTW, I’m not going to waste bandwidth on the FL’s brother and her BFF. They are the token 2CP and chew up screentime. Interactions between the various characters are wishy-washy and emotions are painted in board strokes. There are lots of tears and shouting. Lots.

The messy and inconsistent narrative makes the show hard to get into. We might get a nice swoonworthy moment and then it is pushed aside by some self-inflicted issue within minutes. Every weak joke is balanced by a cringey moment that makes you question whether they really live in an alternate universe.

In the end, everything worked out. The ending is more like nice-ever-after rather than HEA. I give thanks that I made it to the end, but I don't know why it took 12 eps to get there. A potato is still a potato. You can just watch the first and last episodes and won't miss much. Sure, it won't make much sense but then again, neither did much of the earlier episodes. At least you get the much needed fan service and "funny" moments in a neat package. Peace.

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Everyone gets their yummy desserts

Not all makjang are made equal and I’m glad that this is a good’un in my book.

Makjang storylines, by definition, are meant to be convoluted and outrageous. While for a shortish 12 eps run, it does traipsed through many tropey plots, it is hardly a witch’s brew. I am pleasantly surprised by how well paced, coherent and logical the script is, well, once you get past the whole cancel death shenanigan.

I’ll be honest, the do-over plot device is old hat by now. Every year, there is a new crop with minor variations. This one started fairly typically. Death by misadventure and (GASP) you wake up and get another chance to get things right or in the FL’s case, exact revenge for many years of pain and suffering in the hands of her family.

There are no shortage of shenanigans, foul deeds, mental as well as physical torments. It is full on and yet it feels manageable, relatable. The A-plot needs the darker tropes to make the story work, but it doesn't take them to the extreme just to earn the torture porn badge.

Once the show established the lowest point in their lives, death will do that to you, it is a steady and engaging climb back to the top. Of course, it is never going to be easy for our leads, but they are quite a power couple. They might not be all loved up from Day 1 but their relationship is refreshingly pure and solid. While the FL thought that she is just using the ML as a stepping stone to archive her goals, the ML has other ideas.

I know that sounds bad but in fact, it is quite the opposite. While the motivation of FL’s initial actions is pure revenge, once she takes greater control of her life and learn more of the truth, their relationship changes and evolves. The show changes focus to healing and getting a second chance at life. That is so much more rewarding to watch than a show that is hellbent on Mutually Assured Destruction.

Another gratifying aspect of the show is while the antagonists knows all the dirty tricks, they are not omnipotent. Their plans are effective, even devastating at times, but our leads are not hapless punching bags. They have their wits about them and they have the measure on the evildoers. The show doesn’t jump feet first into non-sensical plots just to meter out endless pain and sufferings to our OTP.

In terms of acting, it is a definite mixed bag. The highly emotional plots and extreme situations are fertile grounds for overacting. Still, I have seen worse. They are within the realm of “normal” behaviours rather than pantomime grade performances.

In the end, I enjoyed this show very much. More because of the leads' growth and their healing journey than the revenge angle. Also, for a change, I can cheer them on without having to facepalm later because the show threw the kitchen sink at them and make them suffer for no reason other than for our “entertainment”. The last ep is purely fan service and I give thanks. It ties up all the loose ends. All key characters are given their moment in the sun (or in purgatory) so we are not left hanging. It is not award winning stuff but it is a solid production.

For some, this might be a weak example of a makjang but I will take it. There are enough troubles in the world today. I don’t usually rewatch this style of drama but I can make an exception in this case. Peace out.

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Cute, easy to watch rom-com that took the path of least resistance

The start of this show is actually the best part. The premise of an overbearing highflyer who flew too close to the sun, crash and burn to become a lowly live-in caretaker of a share house is interesting.

The fish out of water trope generated a few laughs. The injection of a FL who held a grudge against the ML sounds spicy but that's about as angsty as it got. Yes, there was a bit of payback fun and resultant character growth and healing but it is a tropey rom-com to its core so it is no surprise that the rest of the plotlines follow the well thumbed playbook.

I'm not saying that it is bad, to the contrary, it is quite light and an easy watch. The "problem" is that it doesn't push hard in any direction. The revenge plot is half hearted because the FL is too nice. The SML/SFL are too understanding and they just take the hint and move on. A bit of distraction and that's about it. The romance of the OTP is nice but not particularly passionate. Even the skinship is more coincidental than full on passionate affairs. I normally hate "angst for angst sake" type of writing but this show swings a little too far in the opposite direction.

Naturally, the ML is a changed man by the end of the show and we get the mandatory HEA ending. Totally fine and a bit of fan service but this puts it squarely in the middle of a very crowded space with little to separate it from the rest.
Worth the one time watch but hard to come back for seconds.

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The screenwriters want to teach us what love is but the Show came across as half baked and tedious

The fake marriage trope is now firmly established as a recognised genre and j-drama has done its best to invent a sub-genre whereby the marriage is between two total strangers with little or no preamble.

It can be very interesting and rewarding to see two strangers navigate living as a married couple with all the obligations and expectations from families and society. Finding love is a must and that journey of discovery is usually what sustain us and defines whether the Show succeeds. This show started on the right track but then lost its way in a maze of its own making before eventually finding the exit. The viewer is taken on a protracted run through the maze and it is frustrating when we can see the correct path before us but the protagonists always seemed to take the wrong turns.

The show is billed as a rom-com. There is the usual overacting and it has lots of romance in its plots but most of them seem to circumvent our OTP. It is as if the writers are giving us a tutorial on what true love is with lots of book examples. Unfortunately, the ML must have slept through most of it.

Time and time again, the ML was confronted with "feelings". He would get confused or misunderstood simple signals. At one stage, the FL shouted that she loves him and he replied "that's nice. What's for dinner?" (that is not what he actually said but you get my drift). The problem is that this doesn't happen once but repeatedly. The ML was berated by his friends, family and even his love rival as being dumb, idiotic and clueless. This is a person who works in advertising, well educated and pushing 30. He is not a shut-in. I can accept social awkwardness and inexperience but his behaviour is next level. Yet, at the same time, he has a long time crush on someone so he is not without feelings. While the FL was better represented, she was portraited initially as scatty, impulsive and naïve but at least she knows what love is when it hits her between the eyes. Of course the FL spent much of the show annoyed, disappointed and/or confused.

So with all the tutoring, expositions and observations of other people falling in and out of love over many episodes, you'd think our CP got the gist, right? Nope, not for 90% of the run. Even after multiple "confessions" and the donning of couple's pyjamas they still broke up on the weakest pretence. Forsooth, ye ol' curse of Failure to Communicate! The writers loved to use this device. They would have the actors interrupt other each repeatedly at key moments or an action is totally misunderstood but there is never any clarification. That is painful to watch as it was so obvious and served only to prolong their suffering and ours.

Speaking of love, there seems to be a queue of people who would fall in love with our protagonists pretty much at first sight. Random characters would be introduced for an episode or two, hit on one of the leads and sow confusion and then disappear. Why is this the only way for our protagonists to get any clarity about their feelings?

In terms of chemistry between the leads, there is a bit but there should be a lot more. The pairing just never felt 100% right. The Show tells us again and again that they are perfect for each other but I don't feel it. Friends, yes but soulmates? Kisses are rare and felt wooden. You just don't sense the passion. The herd of unicorns are MIA for this show.

Of course the ending is HEA with hints of multiple pairings. I would have prefer a show that spend a lot more time and energy showing us how the OTP falls in love and work together to sort out problems rather than standing around observing other people's love affairs and then completely botch their own. This is not a DIY car repair video after all.

There are much better examples of this genre such as "Because This Is My First Life" and "Shanai Marriage Honey".

The Show is watchable and there are funny and cute moments but it doesn't balance out the tedious bits. There is next to no re-watch value for me. Peace out.

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Delicious by name, delicious by nature!

At the core of this complex drama is the relationship of three contemporary Chinese women living and working in the same city. They are around 30 years of age and well educated. They were in the same class in high school but their trajectory after school were completely different. What doesn’t change is their very closed sisterly bond.

Each FL seemed to lead a fairly stable if humdrum life. All that changed when covid-19 hit their city. It was a stroke of genius to coincide the start of the drama with a city wide lockdown. Each vignette of their lockdown life will strike a chord with most people. The enforced closeness wore down the veneer of civility and laid bare some home truths. Only then did they realised how they are all trapped in their individual life cycles.

One lead was confronted by her husband's cheating via a very public disclosure. She knew something was amiss but decided to ignore the telltale signs as a way of self preservation. Another realised the boyfriend of several years whom she has "collected" as a milestone in her successful and thoroughly planned out life was someone she doesn't really care for. The last member of the trio had to confront the societal and familial expectation of holding down a boring 9 to 5 job while being labelled a leftover woman. The pressure to get married is relentless.

This all happened very early on in the show, so I won't call this a spoiler. The rest of the show is a skillful piece of writing and acting as the trio try to find a "new" normal after the lockdown. This meant an almost complete realignment of their views and circumstances.

In terms of plot and pacing, it is a delicate dance of interweaving stories and the writer set a cracking pace. With only 20 episodes to play with and a lot of tales to tell, there is very little bloat. The lives of the three female leads pressed on ahead with scant pause for breath. The only time they slow down is when they are together, usually sharing a delicious meal or relaxing at home after work. Their conversation ebbs and flows naturally with an ease that only old friends can sustain. They knew each other so well that they don’t have to lie to each other, and they also knew when one of them is backward in coming forward. It was a joy to see how the writer used their seemingly mundane conversation to tell us their inter thoughts as well as provided a barometer of their emotional states. Some of those scenes are deliciously wicked. ;)

In terms of acting, it is very good all round. There are many characters in this drama. The leads, their ex’s, new love interests, family members, co-workers and more. Good actors filled the key roles but they are not A-listers. Even the young actress playing the daughter of one of the ML is a lively little minx. The writer gifted her with some killer dialogue, and she made the most of it.

There was no shortage of emotional scenes to test their mettle but it is not all gloom and doom. In fact, there are more genuinely funny moments than sad ones. The mood of each episode swings and changes with finesse. The FL's tackled their roles with gusto. It is cathartic to see their characters grow and heal over time.

The CP's have very good chemistry and there is a decent amount of skinship and even racy scenes. The Show did seek out its traditional rom-com root towards the end but it is a bit of fan service and I can't complain.

All in all, the show is very entertaining and rewarding but it is a thought provoking journey. It laid bare a lot of societal issues in present day China which will resonate with its target audience. Hat off to the production team for their commitment to breath life unto a challenging script. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who want something more than the artificially sweetened rom-com clones that are being mass produced right now.

P.S. You must not miss the forth wall breaking moment at the very end of the show. :) What does it signify? A sequel? That would be delicious!

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Cliché rom-com with the memory of a goldfish

First of all, apologies to all my goldfish friends. ;)
I'm ambivalent about this show. On one hand, taken moment by moment, it is light, fluffy and swoon worthy. On the other hand, the script is weak and too tropey, has pacing issues, plot holes big enough to drive through and one dimensional characters. After episode 5 until around ep. 19, I watched the show at 1.5-2x speed. I didn't skip scenes but I can't be bothered to sit through them at normal speed either.
The start of the show is way too fantastical (I didn't say it was fantastic). It all happened at breakneck speed with tropey meet-cute, accidental first kiss, cohabitation, faked illness, falling into each other's arms (repeatedly) all done and dusted by the end of episode 2. It was bordering on non-sensical. By the fifth episode, the OTP was signed, sealed and delivered. What a shame that the show then expanded all its energy on creating road blocks for the CP. Nothing new there but it was done with little finesse. The simple plots were transparent and with the ML's Super Intelligence™, he was always one step ahead of the antagonists. It might be satisfying to watch piecewise but it also reduced any tension to near zero as you knew the ML will win every time.
Speaking of antagonists, it was very claustrophobic. There are about 6 key characters (plus the usual family, best friends and close associates) but they are from just 2 families and they all grew up together and most of them have a crush/unrequited love of some one else in that group. Even with numerous rejections, the circle just goes around and around and nobody takes no for an answer.
Disappointingly, the FL felt muted. Zhao Lu Si has a lot of screen time but her character was not strong and easily manipulated. Normally, she plays the feisty, bubbly FL that throws down the gauntlet to the world but not this time. There are glimpses of that but on the whole, she was overshadowed by the ML and more suffering than dishing it out. She was totally manipulated by the ML in the early episodes, then she became his pretty partner and cheerleader. She has her own achievements but it was small scale by comparison. I think she was underutilised and frankly didn't shine.
I have no doubt many viewers will ship the OTP but my cynical eyes kept seeing the writer's hand in pushing them onto us. Creating those "moments" that will be talked about and shared.
On top of that, there were endless business shenanigans (just within the key players). Once again, very poorly constructed and involved expositions on some wicked machination and magically, the other company's shares will crash. It paints the Chinese business world in pretty grim lights, TBH. Of course, the ML came through (again and again) and made his enemies look stupid (and they were). That is why I mentioned gold fish memory as all these were done in small cycles. Confession/rejection, business gain/loss, family politics, rinse and repeat.
It got better in the last few episodes but the tone is set and it is really just a race to the finish line of closures and CP happiness.
The secondary pairings provided some relieve but they didn't do much more than that. You don't really feel invested in them.
OST was mostly happy tunes and rewatch is not really there unless you want to watch some of the CP highlights. There were some egregious PPL as well.
Like I said before, moment by moment, it is not bad but sadly, the whole is less than the sum of the parts.

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Very sweet rom com dragged down by 2OTP

I really enjoyed this drama for the simple reason that it was not dramatic. That was an odd statement to make, I know. :)
This drama was definitely not attached to reality as it matched up a male god with a slightly older goddess and they lived happily ever after. On top of that, half the show was set in a PC game world. Total fantasy but it was surprisingly good.
This is not the first show with the back drop being a game but this show did it with style. They didn't try to make the game realistic but they used it to set up some crazy scenarios. Think James Bond meets Romancing the Stone. As they technically met online, the meet-cute was done in game and there were many funny and cute moments. Unfortunately, the game scene faded away about mid show. I missed some of that surreal wackiness.

Once they did meet up in real life, the romance really kick started and they were so sweet and cute together. The ML was really forthright with his pursuit of the FL which was refreshing. The show did have its fair share of clichés but I appreciate that they didn't succumb to tropey pressure to break them up. Every time their relationship was tested, they resolved the issues fairly quickly and their relationship grew even stronger. So many lovey-dovey moments and they have a mature approach to skinship. They really acted like a couple in love. Swoon.

What I didn't like was the 2OTP. I understand a second and even a third pairing is the norm but this show just took a strange line with the 2OTP. Yes, they started on the wrong foot and it was definitely more hate than love but I just can't ship this CP. The 2ML was just pathetic. He came across as weak, desperate and somewhat annoying. The 2FL had so much emotional baggage that she could have opened her own storage facility! It literally took them the whole show to get together and a) there was no time left for any sweet moments with them and b) I stop caring a long time ago.

The acting from the OTP was very good. The ML has matured in age and acting ability since his "Rest Your Head on My Shoulder" days. He is handsome and he can act cute so well. No stoney face ML thanks. The FL is a professional singer and that helped to bring a lot of the singing and performance scenes to life. This also contributed to a better than average OST. They really worked on the sound track and lifted the the show. Cinematography was good and interesting, sets and costumes well above average. It was a polished product.

There was a lot of growth, healing and closure so you felt good after watching this. This positivity made it easy to rewatch it for the sweet romance. of the OTP Just fast forward the 2OTP scenes and life will be even sweeter.

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Sweet, refreshing rom-com

What a lovely, refreshing rom-com. It is almost a 9 but for the unnecessary break-up and a messy tail (see later). It is refreshing to see the cool, clever ML doing all the chasing while the FL is clever and bold but a bit clueless when it comes to dating. Not that she is ditzy, just a little innocent and happy-go-lucky. The chemistry of the OTP is very good. Not raw lust, just pure first love from two nice sweet characters. There were genuine LoL moments as well. The scientific approach to dating from the ML is sooo cute, not done for laughs like other dramas but totally in character. There are just so many cute moments during the first 2/3 of the show, it really brings on the feels. That makes the obligatory break up so much harder to take. Especially, when the reason behind the break up was so thin and weak. I'd call it poor writing, to be honest. We don't need that just to have the bitter sweet reunion later on (can't recapture the light tone for several episodes). I can do without the manufactured pain and suffering for our OTP, thank you very much. All the support casts were great. Strong characters and lively banters. One last thing, there are 27 episodes on Viki. The ending at the end of ep. 27 is not the true ending, a bit meh and half baked. The reason is that there is an episode 28 (26 mins long) on Youtube with eng sub which you must watch to conclude the series properly.

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Hard hitting drama that punches above its weight

The start of the show is impactful and really hits you in the feels. There are so much latent angst and comments on our value system. Does winner really take it all?

This show is not for the faint of heart. There are angst and pain on multiple levels, both physical and psychological. It impacts on an individual as well as societal level when it broadens to involves organised crime.

There is a hint of Itaewon Class in this show even though the core subjects are quite different. The David vs Goliath battle is all too real. I must give credit to k-dramas for their ability to make this type of impactful drama without padding it out with meaningless tripes.

This is not an idle boast as acting, writing and direction are all top-notch. Key actors put up wonderful performances. These are demanding roles. Most of them are flawed, damaged, and hurting. The direction is great. It is effective both for the pensive scenes as well as the action scenes. This is rounded out by a script full of textures and nuances. The show’s main theme of healing is universal though. It is not hard for this drama to resonate with its audiences.

To emphasize this point, the show is full of confrontations. Both in and out of the boxing ring. There are lots of metaphors and life lessons to work through as we peel back the layers. Of course, it would be a rare k-drama to do without any romance, and this is no exception. There are several, both past and present but the one between our leads is the most poignant.

While the pacing overall is good and lively, it does slow in the last quarter. The earlier build up to the big fight seem to deflate the closer it got to the actual event. This is to be expected as the show must shift focus to address the match fixing plot. However, the resolution offered feels superficial. Consider the ML is a hapless victim for the bulk of the show, his one-man crusade completely turns the tide and supplants police investigations. It is too fantastic to be believable. Of course, that is not the end of this sorry saga. This is when the show goes all in for the impactful and explosive finale. To say the show hits you in the feels would be like calling Ali just a bruiser.

I really don’t want to spoil the last episode, so I’ll just say go watch it. However, the actual last few minutes feels a bit disjointed. It is as if the ending was changed due to reactions after test screening. Watch it and see if you agree with me and my friend, Love movies. ;)

It is only 12 eps long and it is more than worth your time. Acting, production and OST are all a cut above. Rewatch is possible but I think a highlight reel will be more palatable for me as I need to watch my blood pressure.

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A witches' brew that turned into banana milk

EDIT: My original review was a little rant after watching the first 12 episodes. I have since completed the series. The following is an edited version of my original review plus my final thoughts on the last 4 eps and the Show as a whole.

I start watching this show because of Park Min-young (PMY). I loved her in Secretary Kim and Her Private Life is one of my favourites. Her more recent projects have been a mixed bag.

The first few episodes got me excited. PMY was front and centre showcasing her many talents. The zany plot looks like fun! This could be the PMY starrer I've been waiting for.

However, after the promising start, the plot became quite makjang by mid way and got more so as the show progressed.
Part of the problem is that the FL is a martyr to everyone's cause except her own. She sometimes sends the wrong message to the wrong people unintentionally. She can be very straight talking or very obtuse depending on the script. No wonder we are perplexed by the hole she is digging for herself.

Madam Yoo is an opaque and unsettling character at this point. Her concept of identity and affection is totally warped. She ruined PMY’s life 13 years ago and she seems to be doing it again. It beggars one's mind when you consider the FL is 30 years old.

The 2ML is a man-child. An entitled, low EQ, ill adjusted top star. His idea of love is a crush which turned into an obsession. His earlier actions and behaviours made him unlikeable.

Parachuting the ML’s ex-wife into this witches' brew was the last thing we need. Even after ruining their marriage, she still thinks he has feelings for her, and they deserve a second chance.

I cringed when the Show drops moments of comedy in the midst of piled on angst and horrible machinations. There is an unpleasant and dissonant note to the script.

This is my impressions up to ep.12 and I was considering dropping the show.
Then ep.13 happened.

It is like the writer-nim had an epiphany and realised that the show is heading to story hell and hit the brakes. Within the span of several scenes, the Show has flipped on its axis and gone full rom-com again.

All the funny, sweet and swoon-y bits are back in the show. Almost all the characters are realigned. I don’t mean the usual redemption arc but a full rehabilitation. Madam Yoo became a caring but eccentric lady who was just misunderstood. The 2ML became an obedient son and a top business executive without a trace of his top star baggage. The ML’s ex is now his biggest supporter with no hard feelings. The list goes on. Even the main antagonist is bundled out of the way without making a fuss. It was as if nothing nasty ever happened and no serious repercussions to all concerned.

I’m happy that the OTP’s love line remained sweet and engaging. The ML is no longer deadpan and their growing love filled us with joy. Their skinship is heartfelt and swoon worthy. It won’t be a k-drama if we didn’t have a mini breakup but it didn’t last long and both characters grew from the experience.

The FL’s gay flatmate is sensible and sensitive. Unfortunately, he usually ended up being the punching bag. What really annoyed me though is that he is not allowed to be gay openly, he is in limbo. His sisters still harangue him and his parents considered him their failure. That is until they found out that he might become an idol singer. What kind of message is that? He is still living a lie. There is potential for greater harm to befall him once he is famous.

In the end, this Show is better than Forecast Love but the Show as a whole doesn't sit comfortably with me. The tonal shift and character rehabilitation later in the show was jarring. I’m glad that I didn’t drop the show, but it did leave me with a sour taste that is only partially remedied by the last few episodes and the sweet HEA ending.

As a fan of KMY, I loved her performance but as a jaded drama viewer I am disappointed. Her recent script choices is also concerning.

While the makjang plots took half the show to develop, they literally disappeared with the snap of a finger. Those plots were troubling and uncomfortable to watch but they were there for a reason . . . I hope. Am I short changed? It is good to end on a high note, but the path there feels inelegant and forced.

The production quality is high, but the number of PPL is also high which can be irritating. OST is good. I can’t sit through the whole show again but a swoon-y highlight reel would be nice.

I have increased the show's final score. :)

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Go hard or go home!

On paper, this show should be a slam dunk. Strong cast, interesting premise and high production value are the holy grail of any drama. This is watchable but with caveats.

The cast is the dream team. Top stars and veteran actors formed the core. The problem is that they are mostly one dimensional.

The ML is a human punching bag. He takes a lot of punishment but return them 5 folds. His boyish good looks and winning smile is his trademark. He has a very strong moral compass but he is impulsive to a fault.

The FL is smart and capable but she shows very little emotion and keeps her cards close to her chest, that is until she fell for the ML. Our leads are obviously the OTP. In fact, he has been chasing her for years. It feels a little stilted. They are cute together, I'll grant you that. It is a bittersweet romance.

The 2ML is the brain of the team. He is the FL’s ex but we know very little about their backstory. He plays it straight. The discus thrower is the standard issue gentle giant. The bumbling Captain rounds out the ensemble. He provided most of the slapstick humour. The Olympic Avengers (their words) is assembled but there is not a lot of team building. Their damaged psyche complicate things as well. It is the classic Band of Misfits.

Speaking of bumbling, the commissioner is ineptitude personified. I still have flashbacks about his role in When the Stars Gossip. (Groan)

Unsurprisingly, the antagonist stands out. He has been hiding in plain sight and is the mastermind of a Cartel of Evil (I'm getting MCU vibe). He is cold, calculating, ruthless and remorseless. He looks ordinary but some of his scenes will give you nightmares. Kudos to the actor. His interaction with the team is . . . peculiar. He could and should have taken all of them out and then take a vacay in the Bahamas. I suppose the show must go on . .

The plot is fairly straightforward. Money + Greed = Corruption. Crime pays -> do more crime. Our team are earnest but they are mostly incidental heroes. The police is inept most of the time and is always one step behind. Hence the need for our Band of Misfits.

The production value is undoubtedly high. There are a number of very elaborate fight scenes and chase scenes. They are well choreographed and creatively shot. Mr Tarantino would be proud. In fact, the whole series is somewhat Tarantino-esque.

Such elaborate set pieces work great in a feature length movie. Your senses are overloaded and you hang on for the ride. When you have 16 episodes to fill, the pacing becomes an issue. The extreme highs and lows make the show feels choppy.

This brings us to the pachyderm in the chamber. The violence is egregious. There are lots of graphical violence and many innocent people are hurt in the making of this series. The show double downs on this. The body count rises and the fights gets bigger and bigger as we build towards climax. If you are thinking of recommending this to your genteel granny then don't, just don't.

Violence is no stranger to k-dramas, just look at the popularity of Squid Game. The difference with GB and Squid Game is we know dozens of faceless extras are going to die each ep. In this case, our team are the good guys. When they get beaten up, it is personal and visceral. The sheer amount of it does desensitise us.

Regardless, this show has good bones. It can soar like Icarus but also plumbs the depth of human depravities. It throws a lot of stuff at you from the start. It is like a challenge. "Can you handle this? Are you having fun?!" The show is not interested in the middle ground. Go hard or go home!

The last 2 eps is pure fan service. Our team can do no wrong. All the baddies fall like dominoes, but with extreme prejudice. ;) There are plot holes that a Big White Truck of Doom™ can drive through but who cares.

I'm sure there is an audience out there for this show. It failed to engage me completely and that's on me. The violence is excessive. The plot is surprisingly threadbare once you pare away the window dressing. It will leave you breathless at times but it lacks depth and resonance of the best in class. Peace.

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Team Hanmin female dormitory assemble!!

To hate this show would be like kicking a puppy, but to give it a glowing review would be misleading as well. I'm torn.

I had planned an in-depth review, but having just finished it, I can't do it. Oh the pain!

This show is watchable and has a big heart. Lots of social justice messages. Doing the right thing is noble after all.

I'm going to be blunt, the A-plot really can't sustain 16 X 70 mins eps. Cut the number of episodes or trim it down to 45 mins would be more workable. It did get draggy at times.

The big drawcard is the FL going undercover as a 20-year-old. To be fair, the FL is not one who shies away from challenges. Her titular role as the The Judge from Hell was delicious. This script, however, is probably more pain than gain.

To be fair, the FL gave it her all. There are a lot of sight gags and in-jokes while she is forced to act like a girlie girl. They tried to milk it for all it is worth. Unfortunately, it is a one gag pony.

Similarly, the revenge/business shenanigans could have been sharp and biting. I thought we are finally getting somewhere around ep.9. Even when all the ducklings are lined up and quacking loudly, the show just mills around the water cooler. We have seen it all before. Overbearing chairman, inept/criminal senior staff, slush funds, rigged shareholder meeting, etc.

The ending is "satisfying" as in everything that needs to happen, happened. Everyone got their just dessert. Surprisingly, there is no real romance. Nada, no OTP nor second CP's. At least there is no Big White Truck of Doom™. We give thanks for that.

In the end, this show is not for me, mea culpa. Your mileage will differ. It is not a bad show per se. You will enjoy this more if you are a big fan of the leads. The social justice angle is appealing. Setting the show around the IMF Crisis is interesting. (BTW, Typhoon Family did it better, just saying.) Caveat emptor, chingu. Peace.

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Inception, Chinese style?

When it rains it pours. A while ago we have the BFF to Lover prize fight. Now we have the "embedded world" showdown between this drama and First Night With the Duke. There are obvious similarities but they are also quite different. Let's focus on this show for now.

Dropping a modern boy/girl into a fictitious ancient world is hardly original. Most are based on the fish out of water trope. This series is no different. If anything, this drama never lets us forget that. We are constantly reminded of the link between the worlds. The in-jokes are everywhere. When the FL asked one of the random merchants his name, the reply was NPC A. The FL names their humble abode "Male Lead's Manor". Say no more!

Sure, the FL uses all her wiliness to fit in into the script world, but she also subverts it at every opportunity. She even educates the ML in the minutiae of plot devices and the power of the god like Scriptwriter. ;)

Alright, maybe the reference to Inception is a bit loose but it is not way off base. The title is a giveaway for starters. The ML also questioned whether the FL is part of a higher level script. A story within a story, so to speak. Her present-day reality is no more real than the ancient city surrounding them. Intriguing!

This is clever writing as most shows in this genre have trouble melding the worlds once the main story arc finishes. The lead might wake up from a nap in the dying minutes of the show. S/he then magically runs into the other lead in the present and is gifted the HEA ending. It is usually rushed and contrived. In this case, the ending is sweet and rewarding, but it is consistent with the overarching main plot so there is none of the crash landing back to reality malarkey.

So, does ADWAD deliver? Other than a few minor niggles, absolutely!

The basic plots are as old as time. The cleverness comes from the bending and blending them into Weapons of Mass Diversions.

You just never know when the cliché plot devices will be turned on their heads, and be totally subverted. This is particularly true in the last few eps. When most shows are winding down, this drama shifts up a gear and doubles down on the crazies!

More than once, I sat staring at the screen wondering whether the writer has been smoking a certain type of medicinal herb. The twists come on thick and fast. We recognise them individually, but the totality left me dazed. It twists the dramaverse into a pretzel. The audacity! Did they hire Doctor Strange as a consultant?

However, I think it did trip up a little mid show. It seems to be having too much fun with one particular cliché trope and got a bit carried away. Thankfully, the writer pulled back just in time.

One other minor niggle relates to the plot about the beloved Queen. Once the historical misunderstanding was resolved, the tone changed within minutes. When you consider the ML was castigated for 20 years, it feels . . off. Let bygones be bygones. Kumbaya, anyone?

In terms of acting, our leads are in their element. The romantic Force is strong with them. There is a decent amount of skinship as well, and they feel right. The support cast earned their keep. I’m sure they had a blast making this series.

The production value is consistently high. Most sets are lush and elaborate. Special effects are of good quality. The OST is pumping. It has everything. From classics to pop to hip hop. There was a bit of imbalance in the volume level in the beginning. It was soon corrected.

This show surprised me repeatedly and in a good way. This show is very self aware and indirectly fourth wall breaking. I certainly had more than the odd chuckle. It was a struggle to decide if I should rate it higher. In the end, I have to accept that It is close to, but not perfect. Kudos to everyone involved though. Its subversive nature might cause purists to roll their eyes. I for one, give thanks for this unconventional gem. Peace.

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A solid noona romance with a touch of déjà vu

If I were to blank my mind, then this is a sweet noona romance/healing drama. However, while watching it, I can't escape a sense of déjà vu as I recall another j-drama called Silent as well as Move To Heaven(Korean). Both are excellent but more focused on their main theme. I suppose good storylines are timeless. ;)

Let's start at the beginning. The FL is 10 years older than the ML, but it is not too obvious. The show doesn't call it out specifically as an issue. Most of their friends and family accepted it readily. Our leads do tease each other about it. Quite cute. This adds to their chemistry, and they don’t shy away from skinship either.

The genre bending comes from the ML being deaf since birth. He is well adjusted and does not see himself disabled. In fact, he has a particular insight into human nature which gave his character added depth. It is nice to see our FL making a big effort to integrate into his world. C’est amour, mon ami. ;)

Speaking of romance, it progresses quite quickly. Yes, the meet-cute is forthright. It would be non-PC these days. Many older movies/shows have used this trick to signify the raw attraction between the leads. For what it is worth, it gave their relationship a momentum lacking in similar dramas. In fact, the general pacing of this show is spot on.

Both leads confessed their love for each other within a relatively short span of time. No silly word games while they dance around each other. Drama gods be praised! Our OTP looked at each other intendedly as they signed their simple yet heartfelt confessions. Is it easier to confess in sign language? Interesting.

Of course, nothing is ever that simple in dramaland. We must deal with unrequited love and dark pasts. Old wounds reopened and inner demons braying for attention. Thankfully, the show doesn't weaponise the angst until we beg for mercy. We do see their pain and aggravation as the show progresses.

Acting is solid from the ensemble cast. Kudos to the actors playing deaf roles and to those who learn the sign language just for this show. The support cast is a mix bag of quirky characters so typical to j-dramas. One or two are a bit over the top but the majority are worthy inclusions.

In hindsight, this series didn't go down the rabbit hole as deeply as the other two shows and the medical side is a bit lightweight. It is still a solid presentation. Good effort by the writer-san to incorporated multiple themes into one script. I enjoyed it and I would not hesitate to recommend this to any fan of this genre

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A sagacious revenge tale ruined by the ending

I don’t think anyone would be reading a review of this Show for a precis of the plot by this stage. I shall stick to some key observations and my conclusion.

1. This is the Goldilocks role for Song Joong-ki. The production has to use some serious filtering to make him look like a young man because of his real age. They did well but it did take me out of immersion a few times.

2. The whole soul swapping device is pure fantasy and the Show never bothered to explain its rationale. The Show went to town with the time travel motif as well and left no stone unturned. The ML loves to weaponize historical events as part of his various schemes. It can be entertaining and fun to spot the historical references.

3. The interactions between Do-jun and his grandfather are highlights for me. They are fighters who have a mutual love and respect for each other. The old man accepts the thrown gauntlet from his grandson with glee. We lost that spark when Jin Sr passed and the subterfuges become more grubby and less machiavellian.

4. The romance of our leads is ill conceived. They have little chemistry, and their progress felt laboured and frankly perplexing.
To be fair, the machinations in the early stages are both engaging and clever but it gets old after a while as it is the only game in town.

Like all good things . . . the end cometh for us all! Oh, how cruel are the drama gods!

While the Show’s ending works on a basic level and pulls most of the threads together it also opens up a Pandora's box of contrivances and inexplicable plot holes. Thus exposing some seriously questionable writing.

A) The ending basically undo what the ML has worked tirelessly towards for 17 years. He was at the cusp of claiming total victory and winning back the FL when he was murdered. Why, sweet Petunia, why? Most viewers would expect the show to just keep moving along that well plotted trajectory and use the last episode for some much-needed fan service.

B) How did Hyeon-Woo survives being shot by a hitman at point-blank range, falling down a high cliff and drowning in the pounding surf? Each event can and should be fatal and yet he survived all three. He spends one week in a coma and walks out of the hospital with barely a scar. Is he immortal?

C) Do-jun's timeline and Hyeon-Woo’s is separated by twenty years. Just before Do-jun was killed, both Jin brothers were being investigated for criminal acts. What happened to those investigations? What about Do-jun’s death? Is the FL that incompetent?

D) The aging and de-aging of the main characters are immersion breaking. For instance, by the end of the Show, the FL should be pushing 50 and yet she looks not a day older than when Do-jun was alive.

E) After all the damning revelations, dirty laundry lists and a public hearing at the National Assembly, the whole sorry saga is finally signed and sealed by one 20 years old phone recording. How and why did the young Hyeon-Woo record his call to Director Kim when he was supposed to be in a highly distressed and confused state. Even more incredulously, Kim forgot to hang up the phone and allow the most incriminating statement to be recorded. It is beyond contrived. The audacity is jaw dropping. This is the deal breaker for me.

In hindsight, I can see that they wanted to close the soul swapping loop and it becomes a redemption arc for Hyeon-Woo but what did that achieve? Hyeon-Woo’s family is happy that he is alive and he has his revenge. On the other hand, Do-jun would have achieved the same goal but the ramification of his death is so much worse. The FL became a lonely and bitter workaholic, Do-jun’s family is broken, and the worst part is the conglomerate carries on for another 20 YEARS! How is that a better outcome? I could go on, but you get the picture.

I freely acknowledge that some of the acting is superb. Some can be considered breakout roles. The bulk of the storyline is intricately crafted and engaging but . . .

Reborn Rich could have been one of the best dramas in 2022 which makes it even more baffling why they deviated from the webtoon ending and crash landed within sight of the runway.

One time watch for me. Peace out.

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