Zogitt

A do-over that managed to be different yet samey

Do-over seems to be the A-plot du jour nowadays. Contemporary, costume, Korean, Chinese, everybody is doing it.

This one starts a bit differently. Both leads are in a dark and troubling place in their lives. You'd think given their backstories it would be unlikely for them to be friends, let alone lovers. Well, stay tuned because the writer pulled a rabbit out of the hat with this one.

I'm not going to spoil it for you so let's just say both went back in time but only the FL retained the memory of her past life. She sets out to protect herself by not repeating her mistakes and tries her best to be independent. At first, she kept running into obstacles which pushes her back onto the same path but over time, she realised that she can influence events and bit by bit, her destiny and those around her began to change.

This is where the show shone the brightest. The first half of this show is clever and engaging. Our leads are given room to flex their acting muscles. They have good chemistry and we can ship them easily. Their growth and changing fortunes is very gratifying to watch. It was fun to watch their mating dance and navigate the various challenges but most importantly, falling hard for each other over time. Swoon!

It pains me to say this but as soon as they are official, the writer took a vacation. The pace dropped off; plots milled around the watercooler as well. Lots of things are happening but it falls under two categories. 1) We swoon while watching our OTP play house. 2) We groan while we are spoon-fed tropey palace intrigue shenanigans.

Not only are the antagonist not doing much hiding in shadows, they talk endlessly about their nefarious plots. I would have no problem if they were clever and devilish, but it all comes down to who should be king, who is backstabbing whom and when is the best time to act. The antagonist waited, the protagonist waited and we waited.

The pace did pick up in the last few eps. At one stage, I though they were going to hit us with the Angst Train but after 1 or 2 eps, everyone just went home. Yes, they literally went back to their estate and got some R&R. It was surreal especially after the torture scene!

The pace changed again towards the end, it is a bit unsettling to be honest. It is dramatic at times and impactful in the Final Confrontation way but I can’t help but feel the scenes are on rails.

That is awkward as the show have many positives up to the halfway mark but then the pacing, storytelling and character developments lost momentum. The game of thrones stuff is predictable and tropey. It is still very watchable but I missed that spark of originality at the beginning of the series.

The last ep is mostly fan service. All the loose threads are tied up with pink bows. The show cruises to a HEA ending as expected. It is sweet and wholesome. I can’t complain. The positives do outweigh the negatives. Peace.

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Unexpectedly bland

My expectation of this series is fairly low after reading the synopsis, but I didn’t expect it to be so samey and boring.

The premise of the show is the proposed marriage alliance between the princess of a smaller kingdom to the prince of an aggressive neighbouring state. Of course, there is the usual mistrust and misunderstanding. The enemy-to-lover tropey is front and centre.

There is nothing new with this set up. It has been done many times before. The problem is compounded by the cast lacking depth/skill and the script being too tropey to give the show a boost.

You soon realise the script brought little new to the table. All the usual tropes are lined up like little ducklings. It is serviceable but hardly engaging. As expected, the romance of the leads is the primary focus. Other than the usual push-pull and misunderstandings, there is not a lot to write home about. There is also an inherent problem with their characterisation. The show can do with stronger individual traits but they mostly play with a straight bat.

The typical palace intrigue and petty second leads provide the bulk of the angst. It is mostly run-of-the-mill power plays from rival princelings and their scheming wives. Similarly, the second leads are only there because the playbook said so. Our leads have nothing to fear from those quarters.

There is a 2CP but their progress is initially fraught. I know this sounds odd but there is more skinship than I expected but they are fairly wooden. There is a bit of fan service towards the end. However, the ending is oddly untidy and feels rushed.

In terms of acting, the FL did ok. Her role of a sassy princess offers few challenges. The ML mastered the nonchalant stance and the cheeky smile but he is not very convincing as a king-in-waiting.

On the other side of the ledger, the production quality is acceptable. This is hardly surprising as production companies can churn out costume dramas with ease these days. It is practically an industry. The flip side is a tedious sameness unless the production is S class. Sadly, this one sits firmly in the middle of the pack. Not only are the costumes and sets generic in look and feel, the distinction between the two kingdoms is minimal. They’d call each other barbarians but, in most aspects, they are almost identical aesthetically.

In the end, there is little to recommend this show. It is inoffensive and mildly entertaining. It is hardly a must-see unless you are a fan of the leads. It is a classic filler and I'm thankful that it is 24 and not 40 eps.

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More of the same with odd stumbles

I, like many fans, were looking forward to S2 with great expectations. It pains me to make the next statement. I like aspects of S2 but I don’t love it in totality. It improved on some bits, kept a lot of "what is not broken" but also created some new problems.

On the positive side, the ML has matured into his role even though technically no time has passed between Seasons. He does look very thin in some scenes which is concerning. He is no longer a young buck who needs rescuing all the time. The ML has become a real player in the power game. It is great to see him go toe-to-toe with his foes and even some of his mentors. The downside to this is that he is given even more screen time to the detriment of other actors. This diluting of some character interactions really hurt elements of the original story.

I’m glad to see some storylines are still engaging. However, it is not all good news. There are stumbles in the narrative that left me scratching my head. Such as the whole episode devoted to selling Treasury Bonds. It fits into the overall narrative, but it feels like the cart pushing the horse. It is odd.

This also includes the exaggerated use of comedic elements. Some actors overact for cheap laughs which feels incongruous. The worse offender is the use of the yodelling song. Why? It is so jarring.

If S1 has a big cast, S2's is downright bloated. Most of the returning characters resumed their old roles but with developing plots, there are changes. It was quite a neat revelation at the end of S1 when the 2nd prince was revealed to be the hidden antagonist. He was intriguing in S1 but now he feels a bit lame once he openly challenges the ML.

Speaking of expanded cast, Several characters from S1 took on more prominent roles. Rou Rou is definitely one of them. Her role changed substantially. However, I’m not sure about her training to use the Ultimate Weapon. Is that a breech too far?

Another one is Ye Ling Er. Gina Jin took over this role. I'm not 100% sold on her visual and the "changed" characterisation. There is even a hint of a tragic love line brewing. I'm not sure I'm onboard with this but we shall see.

As expected, the story becomes more convoluted as schemes and counter schemes are minted. This does slow down the overall pacing noticeably. The revelation of the link between Xian and the Emperor certainly stirred up a lot of high emotions and opened old wounds. Nothing was resolved by the end of S2 so it is up to the writer to tie in the game of throne plots with the underlying sci-fi theme.

Speaking of ending, I’m happy that we don't have another cliffhanger. It was surprisingly positive and even a little cheeky. Maybe this is because S3 is already in the works so we don't need to force the issue. However, the last few eps did feel a little out of sorts for me. The "invention" of a banking system and the three workshops plot feels a bit awkward. The Ming family storyline is disturbing. It feels ham-fisted though. We become numbed when the body count of faceless victims balloons.

Production quality is decent but a bit inconsistent. There are silly mistakes which should be caught in post production. I know, they must maintain continuity, but you'd think improvement would be universal after 5 years plus a bigger budget.

I certainly enjoyed the drama, but it is not a slam dunk for me. There are some striking visuals and more depth to some plots but at the same time, not every subplot fires. Ditto some roles feels watered down or sidelined. May be there are too many cooks in the kitchen. That is a typical malaise of palace/political dramas. In the end, I'm happy to have watched S2 but I'm not blown away.

Finally, the elephant in the room. There are rumbling from netizens that the adaptation is drifting further and further away from the source novel as the series progresses. I don’t have a strong opinion on this, but it could explain some of the plots, characters and pacing issues.

Bring on Season 3!

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Who said found footage doesn’t work?

I tend to watch coming-of-age dramas in bursts then I'd swear I'll never watch another one! I must be in my manic phase when I watched 3 such dramas recently . . . in a row.

Let’s focus on this show for now. Our leads are 16 years old high school students when we meet them. Typically, such shows would cover the period leading up to the all prevailing college entrance exams and some would go beyond that. This show walks the same well-trodden path. What sets this apart is a well written script that contains all the usual tropes, but it uses them rather than being subsumed by them.

On top of that, the leads played their roles well and they infused a certain warmth and je ne sais quoi to their story. The FL is in her elements. Her spunky personality and infectious smile make her so lovable. She takes no prisoners when it comes to dealing with love rivals, but she'd let her suitors down gently.

The pacing of the show is nice and steady. This is helped by a shortish 24 episodes run. There is little need for mindless filler subplots. However, I would venture to say that they probably spend too much time in their early years. Two third of the show is taken up with the first 2 years of their senior high school. The critical Gao Kao year is greatly compressed. Ditto their college years. The first year did get some attention but then it largely skips ahead to their college graduation. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with this because their school related plots are quite constrained as some topics are simply too taboo for the censors. They can finally explore their relationship to the full after they left school.

Acting overall is solid from the ensemble cast. The 2CP is well matched but they are a bit awkward around each other until they finally confessed their feelings and change status from friends to lovers. Overall, the show is very cute and sweet. The FL's parents are gems. The ML's more problematic but they do change for the better later on.

As I mentioned before, most of the plots are well written with one exception. When the FL worked as an intern, she was taken to a banquet for a big client. The setup is the classic honey trap with the pretty young thing sitting next to the middle-aged client. Of course, he starts to get handsy. This is nothing new to c-dramas and many nasty subplots start from there. Luckily, she managed to excuse herself but her manager later sent her a text saying that she is in the wrong and should self-reflect on her mistake.

Ok, I’m not a prude but in a show full of positive messages about youths and new horizons, this stood out like a sore thumb. How can a young intern be at fault when she is a victim of harassment? Should she have seduced the client instead?! This just served to propagate the horrid cliché. I understand that it allows the ML to play hero and comes to her rescue but the payoff is not worth it, IMHO.

Nevertheless, I still consider this to be a superior show. The positives far outweigh the negatives. I can recommend this show wholeheartedly. OST is nice and catchy. Rewatch will not be a chore.

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Great start, nice middle, disappointing tail

This Show’s premise is hardly original. The FL is a sweet, kind country girl who was thrust into the limelight and more or less onto the lap of a hard as nails CEO. Of course, the enemy to lover progression is guaranteed. What set this Show apart is the chemistry of the leads. Their early interactions are a bit slapstick in nature and their comedic timing is good. They are so cute together which makes it easy to ship them. The melting of the ice king is a delight to watch if somewhat predictable. The innocent yet strong FL easily endeared herself to us.

The story is angst light for the most part. The support cast is not bad. The grandpa is all-seeing and sage like. The gaggle of company secretaries is largely used for light comedic relieve but they are surprisingly effective in that role. They are also the primary cheerleaders for our OTP. The 2CP has a rougher romantic journey and their meet-cute is good but it also included a big plot hole that is never explained. The antagonists are one dimensional and more irritating than dangerous. It provides just enough distraction to reduce the sugar content below WHO standard.

To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by this show as it tells a simple story well and everything just clicks in the early to mid stages. The romance is the primary focus, and the leads are interesting enough for us to care for them. It will not win any awards but it is definitely better than the typical turn-key productions.

Much to my chagrin, the Show seems to have lost its way towards the end. It is kind of functional but in my eyes, it is shambolic and dubious in its delivery. Trouble started soon after we find out that the younger brother isn’t actually in love with the FL. I'm glad that they didn't throw in the ubiquitous breakup, but we are not out of the woods.

The problem starts to pile up once he decided to really go rogue and try to take over the company by backstabbing all and sundry. We'd have a decent chance to resolve the brothers' problem calmly and logically but the Show just went all in.

Once the escalation starts, the narrative logic starts to unravel. This is not helped by the one-note behaviour of the antagonists. The SFL is single-minded and immature. The business rival is a joke. The uncle is an annoying bit player and so one dimensional. There is no growth in any of the second tier characters.

Awkawrdly, the grandpa just sat back and look on disapprovingly. He should have some reserve power both as the chairman of the corporation as well as the head of the clan. He did the talk but not the walk. It is a very unusual turn of event for a head of a family/business in a c-drama.

Then so much time is wasted on looking for a cure of his condition. Most of those scenes are just paddings. I had to rewatch bits when he said that the FL has cured him. How? I didn't see her doing anything substantial. I watched that scene twice. All he said was that he needed to know that he won't be abandoned again. QED, the FL is the cure. Hmmm, the grandpa didn't abandon him and his brother is his shadow. I am baffled. Not to mention that it is not even psychobabble grade stuff. It is more like a minor lightbulb moment. Is that it? Is it true love or the sex? My PhD is riding on this thesis.

To add salt to the injury, the final boardroom showdown is so contrived and jokingly undramatic. The younger brother then just ran home and sulk. That’s one heck of an evil mastermind.

The whole segment about the visting master is largely filler. It is a bit of fan service and it would have worked better if they ejected the back-stabbing brother subplot and kept the narrative light and breezy. Then it would be some harmless, irrelevant fun. Now it is a bit cringey and awkward to be honest. The brother going with the master as his new student isn't a big surprise because that does round out his surprise visit and starts the brother’s redemption arc. The problem I have is the inconsistency in the narrative. The first scene, after a 3 years’ time skip, is the brother being a dick and won't help a girl in the village. Why? Then the next scene he is now the nicest “barefoot” doctor saving the same girl’s life. My head is spinning. Is he good or bad?
It is as if the writer couldn't put up a decent ending for the show and it got worked on by a committee, resulting in many drafts and more revisions. The last few episodes just feel kooky and shambolic. I was really enjoying the show for the most part but I ended up being disappointed in the end. Why does that sounds like a c-drama curse?

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Ordinary show about ordinary people suffering extraordinarily

Sea change and tree change are popular themes of recent dramas. Lying flat is now popular amongst the young as a way of escaping the rat race. I assume the writer-nim wanted to explore these themes and Summer Strike was born.

The combination of those two themes can lead to some interesting scenarios but the writer/director tried too hard to break from the clichés by making the Show gritty and true to life. It meant that we are presented with a parade of difficult, belligerent characters who lives in a dull and rundown seaside village. Add physical/domestic violence, bullying, murders and all manners of societal ills and we have a place that tourists will choose to avoid. Yes, as the show progresses, some of the locals will show their true colours and they are not a bad bunch but most of them are still taciturn.

So rather than the show hooking us with fun in the sun, we ended up with a morbid fascination on how low can the FL go. Of course, it will not hit rock bottom, this is not Eve after all, but the first few episodes are not recommended viewing for anyone suffering from depressions. Even after the FL’s life start to turn around and she made new friends in the village, the focus simply moved to the complicated lives of the villagers. There are not a lot of unicorns frolicking around that village, that's for sure. There are certainly progress amongst the melodramas, but it is a mixed bag of pros and cons.

Typical of this type of shows, there is a turning point where the writer-nim realised that they have gone far enough with the pain and suffering and needs a way out. While she did a decent job turning the ship around, the resolution seems contrived and expeditious. The FL is once again the key to unravelling a years old mystery.

The last episode is pure fan service with the writer-nim regaling us with the theme of the show. The unicorns are finally let out and they milled around uncertainly for quite awhile. This is because the way the Show handles relationship is very ambiguous. The OTP is obviously attracted to each other, but we get the BFF vibe most of the time. It was literally in the dying minute of the Show when we get the confirmation that they have finally move up a pay grade. Even then, there is next to no skinship. The relationship between the librarian and the shopkeeper with the cute son is even more muddled. The SFL pointedly asked him several times whether she should move to Seoul, and he kept deflecting it or resorted to the “Go! Go! See if I care” cliché replies. Why? It was painful to watch the poor man suffer. Surprisingly, it is the senior high schooler couple who is much more forthright with their relationship. It isn’t smooth sailing for them neither (nothing in this show is ever easy) but at least we know where they stand.

There are some high impact and emotional scenes which the actors did well enough. It is the more mundane scenes that I find lack energy. Both the leads are trying to keep a low profile in the community which didn’t help the energy level whatsoever. The ML is very handsome, and he can certainly act cute but I find him a bit stiff when it comes to really emotional scenes.

The OST is unobtrusive to the point that I can’t recall any of the tunes. It is a one-time watch for me.

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Inoffensive Chinese Mills and Boon

With 16, 25mins episodes there is not a lot of air-time to play with. The issue here is not the length of the show but the number of tropes and clichés the writer tries to stuff into the script. It is a cookie cutter show with the lot.

Being a rom-com to its core, we are served a smorgasbord of romances. The OTP is preordained from the first minutes. The main plot then focuses on the inability of the ML to confess to the FL. It is frustrating to watch as EVERYONE knows he loves her and tries to help. Nobody is working against them, other than the ML’s inner demons. After drunken kisses, aborted confessions and many other tropey tell-tales, we only get the true confession at the end of ep.12. I rate this 1 "sigh of relief" out of 10.

The 2OTP is the typical noona romance with the obligatory drunken tryst and birthing a super clingy 2ML. The 3OTP is only there to park the SFL somewhere out of the OTP’s way. They all have their CP moments. Sometimes they are cute and occasionally swoon-y. Their progress is on rails and their chemistry is questionable. I’m too jaded to ship them unreservedly.
The token antagonist is one-note and transparent. He appears when the Show needed a bit of angst, advanced the plot and promptly exits stage right. The trials of the ML's shop are unrealistic. If they are the #1 dessert shop in the city, I’ll return my mail-order MBA. ;)

On the positive side, I do like how the ML creates desserts that mirrors his feelings. The young kid is cute and not in your face which I’m eternally grateful. He has some of the better scenes.

Another “positive” is how inoffensive the Show is, but this is a double-edged sword. For instance, there is a SML who might have spiced things up, but he is rejected offhand by the FL. He took it on his chin and is SO understanding. No fuss, no try-harder. This means the whole subplot is a non-event and the SML is instantly forgettable. Ditto the FL’s parents. OMG, they are so sweet and understanding! Yes, they get excited once in a while and can be a little shouty but when the crunch comes, they are saints. Not a whiff of drama from that quarter. I’m getting a tooth decay just typing this paragraph. ;)

As you can imagine, the budget for the Show is limited and it shows. The production value is ok but feels a bit bland. There are only a handful of sets, and they get a workout. OST is ok but they pump up the volume on the love songs as soon as a hint of romance is on screen.

Acting ranges from amateurish to workmanlike. Nothing offensive but no breakouts either.

I was once in a walking tour of Paris. We walked for hours and visited many landmarks. However, we were not allowed to go inside any of them. We got the iconic photos of the Notre Dame and more. It was all about the facades and ticking boxes. Would I do it again? Non, merci. This is how I feel after watching this show. Peace out.

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Pantomime, Korean style

From time to time, I’ve made remake like “your mileage will differ” in my reviews and it applies doubly to this Show.
The reason being the Show amps up certain aspects of various genres like a pantomime. It has over the top characters, barely there plots, questionable logic and even a dose of magic/superpowers. Yes, it is a mashup that can do your head in, or it can be a lot of fun. It really depends on what you are looking for and your tolerance of this style of production.

Without spoilers, it is a fish out of water type tale with both leads finding out what life is like outside of their respective "bubbles”, and what bubbles they are! One is a superstar with a troubled upbringing and a basic distrust and distain for people while the other is a country bumkin (their words) who lives on a tiny island lost in time (the 80/90’s).

Of course, romance is a foregone conclusion once the initial push-pull is over. It is this romantic thread that tied the show together. Without it, it is just a bunch of weird subplots, standing jokes and crass humour. Because of this. the storylines and cast of characters probably will resonate much more with the local audience rather than an international one. Speaking of the cast, some of the roles are so exaggerated that they are caricatures. I’m sure the older cast members had a blast playing those roles. I almost half expecting them to break the fourth wall and give us a wink. Both leads put in solid performances.

My only real gripe (other than the overuse of toilet humour) is the application of the misunderstanding/noble idiot trope around the 2/3 mark. It was the only real angst in an otherwise swoon-y love line. It was resolved satisfactorily within a couple of episodes, but it felt heavy-handed while it runs its course.

Production and OST are both fine. Rewatch is possible but a liberal application of the skip button is probably a good idea when it comes to some of the banalities and silly side plots. The last episode is worthy of a rewatch.

In the end, it is a harmless and mostly enjoyable romp for me. Some may love and laud it while others will disagree strongly. Individual taste will be the ultimate test in this case and (wait for it....) your mileage will differ. :D

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Light rom-com to bring a smile to your face

This show is the distilled essence of a rom-com packaged in neat bite size instalments. It doesn't have a convoluted plot but a reasonably fleshed out story. It covered most rom-com tropes but the fast pace doesn't allow the tropes to linger and turn sour. Twelve 15-16 minutes episodes doesn't give you a lot of time to present a story and it is light weight fluff but it never pretended to be serious drama in the first place. The story moved along at pace and the editing is tight. Not much time is wasted. The OTP has awesome chemistry, both are lovely on screen. Their confession will bring you joy, their romantic scenes are swoon worthy. Support actors are good, they did their job to move the plot along. You don't need to wear rose coloured glasses but it is pointless to compare it to a masterpiece. Judge it for what it is. All in all, totally rewatchable and it will only take you a lazy afternoon to binge the whole show. Highly recommended!

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Surprisingly paint by numbers

I started to write this review but then have to add a large addendum due to a lightbulb moment. Please bear with me.

First thing first, the review. I like this show very much. The cold female boss and the warm, competent male assistant flips the old trope. It follows the trend set by Queen of Tears.

I like the OTP and I like the growth of their relationship. They are a good looking pair and have nice chemistry. There are some skinship and several swoon worthy moments that I'd like to bottle and sell.

It is refreshing that they don't need marriage/cohabitation to seal the deal. Most of the side characters are not annoying. The 2CP did drag their feet for too long but they are harmless. Both production value and OST are solid.

On the negative side, the antagonist is spiteful but her true motivation is never made clear. She is an annoying, one dimensional character. A loaded gun to be wield by the writer-nim at will. Ditto the Chairman. He is the classic manipulative father personified and of course, he has a redemption arc.

Ok, review done. You can stop reading now. Ha! Not so fast, chingu. This is where I start to question my own rumination in the cold light of day. After mulling over this, I made the following observations.

On the surface, this show ticks a lot of boxes. However, if we dig a little deeper I found the plot and writing rather clinical. To wit, lots of tropes are harmed while making this show. The script is well structured so that it is not immediately obvious. Each Ying does has its Yang. More than once I predicted what is going to happen next which is a little disconcerting. The show also plays it safe. Nothing is pushed to their limits. Most emotional strings are pulled at 7/8th strength. We know the character is hurting but it never becomes excruciating and resolution is a couple of scenes away.

I know other show does the same but I was surprised by my own "gotcha!" moment. I still enjoyed the show very much hence the high score but it just felt surprisingly paint by numbers once you peel back the gloss. It could have been more original.

Butchering the standard disclaimer; these are my personal views yada yada. Peace.

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Peak romantic escapism

I’ll be honest, this series has me in two minds. There is the critical side of me that see the contrived, cliche plots and then there is the romance drama tragic that lapped up all the swoon-y moments and happily frolicked with the unicorns. It is a tug of war at times but in the end, the drama tragic won and the critic was banished to the naughty corner.

The premise of the plot is the classic BFF to lover trope. Of course, it is a bumpy ride for our besotted leads or it won't be a k-drama. However, it is also less angsty than I expected. It is pretty smooth sailing on the Love Boat for our OTP once they sorted out their feelings. The angst largely comes from the second leads and the parents. Interestingly, they are not the usual annoying, controlling parents. They are decent folks, but the show put them at loggerheads due to some misunderstanding just to create tension and serve up some distraction.

As I mentioned before, the A-plot is quite simple if we pare back the extraneous side plots. What is left is a sweet OTP romance and an engaging 2CP. I'm happy to see the OTP is rock solid after their confession. However, the 2CP is on far shakier grounds. When you throw in a cute little girl into the mix, I’m shipping them big time.

I’m not saying that the OTP is boring. Where the OTP excelled is their chemistry. I think the acting experience of our two senior leads shows. Their interactions feel natural and believable. Their skinship is more passionate as well. The 2CP has their moments but they are a bit awkward around each other most of the time. Not that I’m complaining but there is a clear winner if you put them side by side.

If I release my inner critic, the show would be about 7.5. It is perfectly watchable if you want something that is angst lite and uncomplicated. On the other hand, if I morph into the Romance Drama Tragic™, then it is an easy 8.5 (9 if you only rate the last 4 eps). You just need to filter out (skip) the noises and focus on the swoon worthy moments, especially during the second half. If I were to rewatch this, I’d start at the end of ep.11 and be a couch potato for the next few hours unto the happy end. I'll have to skip forward a few times but that's par for the course.

Speaking of the ending, it is very sweet but not quite sugar overload and less formulaic than expected. Everyone, and I mean everyone, gets a happy ending. There are minor twists, but the main plot stays the course.

One odd thing though. The budding romance of the FL’s brother and the ML’s coworker. They are obviously the 3CP but somehow their timing seems off. 10 months of close interaction and he doesn’t get the hint that the girl is into him?! I’ll just put it down to an odd slip by the writer-nim.

This show is a guilty pleasure for me. Maybe you will enjoy it too.

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A wild ride which ends surprisingly timidly

Behind the glitz and glam of the Japanese entertainment industry there lies a dark underbelly. Host clubs have been known to use predatory practices on their female clients. Those clients can rack up huge debts in the name of supporting their favourite host. New Japanese law aims to counter this has been enacted recently.

Maybe it is this high-profile change that sow the seed of this drama. Our ML works as a host in a popular club. The amount of money being spent by "princesses" are staggering. We bear witness to some disturbing fallouts. Into this nefarious world bravely walked our FL.

Our FL is 35 years old and the pressure on her to get married is immense. She is inexperienced in love, but I won't say she is totally naïve. To be fair, she has a strict upbringing and leads a sheltered life as a teacher in a catholic girl school. Her value system is quite binary. There are not many grey areas in her life. You can imagine her discomfort when she was forced to visit a host club when one of her students became obsessed with the ML. She is totally out of her comfort zone.

What sordid tales are contained within those walls? There is an opportunity to make some hard-hitting dramas. Yet, by the halfway mark, we know there won’t be any serious exposé on the Host Club industry.

While I'm a little disappointed by the missed opportunity, I can't complain too much as the focus on our leads highlights some serious talents. Not only is our ML's appearance striking, he is also a singer and model in RL. He is perfect for the role.

Similarly, our female lead IS the meek and strait-laced teacher. She is not a particularly good teacher, yet she never gives up trying. She found a new purpose while teaching the dyslexic ML. Their growing attraction is relatable.

This drama doesn't hide the fact that the A-plot is tropey. Their meet-cute is essentially Opposite Attracts writ large. With a bonus serving of Good Girl/Bad Boy to seal the deal. Our leads projected enough sincerity to make it work.

In essence, this show looks at relationships from two opposing ends. On the one hand, we have the loveless social contract, akin to a lifetime of role playing. While on the other hand, we have pretended ones where a female engage a handsome host to live out a fantasy, billable by the minute. Neither one is ideal, but they are symptomatic of our time.

We find our FL faced with just such a stark choice. Will she accept a loveless but stable life like her mum or will she rebel? As expected, this leads to much soul searching and eventual growth for all. It is their journey we are buying into.

Is the drama perfect? Not quite. There are some minor pacing and narrative issues. However, my one real gripe is how the show bends over backwards to land the happy ending for everyone.

To wit, the show makes sure we understand the hosts are honest people just doing a job. The two timing SML plays cupid for our leads. Owner of the club is a kind, fatherly figure under his gangster facade. The FL’s old fashion, control freak of a father only wants to sing, I mean retire and be a house husband. Oprah Winfrey will be proud as the show dishes out redemptions like free trips to Australia.

The last couple of eps is a surprising wild ride. They packed some big highs and deep lows. Our leads really bring out their A-game. Their romance blossomed and then wilted. It is hardly an easy cruise to the finish.

The actual ending was a bit rushed and feels contrived. Maybe they ran out of time. At least, the writer-san didn't leave us dangling. The last scene with the FL calling out the ML for writing the word LOVE incorrectly is delicious. They then practise writing it over and over in the sand until the whole area is covered by LOVE. How poetic! Just wish there is more fan service.

In the end, I can't recommend this show unreservedly because there are caveats. If you have read this far then I implore you to sample a few eps and judge for yourself. You can do worse, chingu. Peace.

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James Bond has nothing to fear

I am confused. This series started as a kind of action comedy, but it got dark quickly. Then it yo-yos all over the place. There is a bit of romance, schoolyard drama, slapsticks and some well choreographed action sequences. This series is a jack-of-all trades but master of none.

A lot of that comes down to its setting. A prestigious school is a challenging ecosystem. We have all the standard bullying and schoolyard tropes. However, they are only half-hearted attempts. More done to show off the righteousness of the ML and his good looks. That's fine but here lies the second problem. The ML is over 30 in RL. Sure, in earlier scenes, he can just about pull off looking like a late teen. Lighting, camera angle and some filter magic helps. However, the further the show progresses, the older he looked. It really makes it hard to suspend my disbelief at times.

Then you have the spy drama. Oh boy, what dramas! I don't know what's the reputation of the Korean NIS but most of their agents seems to be incompetent or corrupt. It is not a good look. Even the good guys are not much more than cannon fodder for the slapstick routines. They are ineffective or have to be rescued by the ML. Sure, they have their moments, but it is few and far between.

However, the biggest problem for me is the antagonist. She swings between manic to evil to delusional and back again. She definitely descended into insanity towards the end, but we are told that she has been running that school for over 20 years. How is that possible? She is no educator even though she thinks she has the vision. She seems to have many “friends” in high places under her thumb but why don't they betray her when she is out of control? It can't be loyalty. Is it blackmail? Greed? She seems to get away with literal murder, yet she can feel straitjacketed at times. There is a logical gap between who she is, what she wants and how much power she appears to wield. The show seems to have a very laissez faire altitude regarding this.

If that is not enough, the school principal is a murderous thug who has been loyal to her family for 40 years. It is one thing to be a figurehead, but this is a high-profile school for the elite. You might be able to fool people for a year or two, but this is a whole generation!

If they are relying on the teachers to deliver, then I'm even more confused. Sure, the FL is conscientious, but not the majority. The head teacher is a buffoon.

Essentially, this drama is a mesh up of different genres. Plots start and run on for a bit. Just when you think you know what is going on, it would abruptly change tack. Such tonal shifts can be jarring and unsettling.

If you think the plot is messy, it overflows to the acting. It is a large ensemble but most of the roles are one dimensional. The younger actors fulfil the typical school drama roles with ease but there is little depth to their characters.

I already mentioned the NIS mob but some are seasoned actors and they are forced to clown around as the script demands it. It can be very cringey. I can't unsee the agents fighting like ahjummas.

Our leads turned in solid performances but hampered by the writing. They tried their best but it is a no-win fight. I really appreciate the ML giving us his all as this is his comeback role after enlistment. Good luck to him!

There are so many issues with the antagonist role that I kept asking how, what and why. She did her best but the script is not helping.

We finally have some clarity in the last couple of eps. This means all those mystifying subplots are tied off with pink bows. Not every resolution makes sense though. There is peace in the classroom. Enemies are now friends. The school carries on as if nothing happened, even though it went to hell and back. Punishments are dished out to our transgressors. The OTP’s romance is fated and basically on rail. It is a shame that the chemistry is weak. It is nice, yes, that's the word.

The only way I managed to sit through it all is by switching off my brain, all of it. The many plot holes, oddities and inconsistencies just sail by. It is not unwatchable but a rewatch? You jest.

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A decade late is still better than never

I'm sure there are doctoral thesis based on this drama. Not to mention thousands of reviews online so let's not go down that well trodden path.

I'll just share some thoughts with readers who managed to miss this 11 years old gem. Yes, 🫵🏻!

Let's start with the easy bit. JUST GO WATCH IT!

Now the tough bit. This show is full of triggers. Child abuse, abandonment, mental illness, extreme violence, suicide, etc, etc. It really is not for everyone. You have been warned.

Still reading? Good. This is an amazing story, made with love by some of the best actors of our generation. Sure, some of them were just starting their careers, but there is no hiding their talents. As I told a chingu, it is like trainspotting for drama tragics. :)

The story is complicated and might even shock you. When all are revealed, it makes perfect sense. Until then, there are quite a bit of flashbacks to a certain event and from different perspectives. There are misunderstandings and red herrings so don't assume you got it and switch off.

The FL is personality+. Loud and fast talking. This is sort of her signature style. Think of this role as the prototype. However, she is more than that, much more. You will laugh and cry with her in time.

One thing that is front and centre is the ML's acting. This is his show. He played 7 different roles. They are all radically different from each other. He is all in with his commitment.

I thought Yoo Yeon-seok did well when he played multiple roles in Phantom Lawyer, but this is next level. Heck, next, next level. The ML is in different characters for many scenes, some lasting almost an entire ep. You will grow to love (or hate) some of them.

Team Do Hyeon and Team Se Gi is a thing even after a decade. It will hit you hard when we have to say goodbye to them.

Speaking of tears, this show is sort of a tear jerker. Not in the traditional dam bursting sense though. The clever writing will ambush you. Little touches and fragments of dialogue will hit you in the feels when you are least expected.

Finally, don't binge it, chingu. It is tempting, I know. It is a tough watch, both in terms of emotional weight and the amount of details you need to absorb. Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a race. ;)

So, what are you waiting for? Go forth and immerse yourself in this masterpiece. A decade late is still better than never. 👍🏻 Peace.

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Whodunit? Who cares

J-dramas are full of quirky and off kilter characters and plots. This one is an odd mix but not in the usual way. Nothing outrageous or controversial. It just doesn't sit comfortably within any particular genre.

This drama draws us in with an autumnal romance between our leads. It was supposed to be love at first sight, yet it felt contrived considering their personalities and circumstances. Ask no questions, chingu. I am intrigued though. Will their whirlwind romance blossom?

Things get complicated when we are introduced to the FL's family. They are an odd bunch. Each have their own foibles. At least they are friendly and welcome him into their fold. Yet, something feels amiss. An unspoken presence lurks around the edge of their congenial gatherings.

We soon learnt that the FL's boyfriend died mysteriously 15 years ago. It was ruled an accident. Yet, one of the officer investigating was not convinced. He pushed to have the case reopened after all these years. He has his own reasons which I shall not elaborate further. As this is a murder mystery, I'll try my best not to spoil it for you.

If I'm being honest, I don't feel the mystery plot is well constructed. The writer-san drip feed us titbits of information and lead us down the garden path a few times. It is functional, but lacks the intricacies of a top tier crime friction.

Discounting a random killer, there are only 2 or 3 people who could have done the deed, we are literally running out of suspects. Fine, we can overlook the wobbly narrative if the romance is something special. Alas, I find this wanting as well.

While our leads would declare their love for each other from time to time, I'm not convinced. I even started to suspect the FL is using the old honey trap to get the ML involved as he is a high-profile lawyer. IMHO, it would have made more sense that way. I was perplexed. Is it really true love?

Here lies the problem with this series. It seems to think by throwing in the odd red herring and a bunch of eccentric characters, it can glow up an ordinary murder plot. It is a paper thin facade.

When we have the final reveal, I was not surprised. There are literally no other options. It was Occam's Razor after all. Having said that, there is a minor twist towards the end which was delicious.

Personally, I'd have preferred a stronger whodunit or a more swoon-y love story. What we got is a grab bag of eccentric characters pushing and pulling in their own orbits. I get the messages about family ties and freedom of choice, but the show took its time delivering them.

We got there in the end. I'm not sure the destination is worth the journey. Given the decent performances and on par production, this is a shame. Peace.

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