If it's any consolation, I enjoy your reviews of poorly constructed dramas. They're more entertaining than all of the manufactured angst, noble idiocy, and sudden-onset stupidity of previously competent characters in many dramas.
"And thank God there was no unnecessary noble idiocy or endless misunderstanding between them." That's almost enough to interest me into watching, but the drama has a "melodrama" tag. Is it too heavy and angst-filled? I can't take that right now. I'm looking for a romcom with no tears.
"I genuinely do not understand why K-dramas are still so obsessed with forced separations." Why is it necessary, other than for manufactured angst and to prolong the drama, to have the couple split up right after they get together? I don't understand it, either. After all the turmoil the couple puts the viewers through, it would be nice to see them thrive in a new life together.
Isn't it funny that viewers often KNOW a character wouldn't act or speak in a certain way? It immediately throws me out of a drama when a brave character acts cowardly or a shy one speaks up. There are times people act contrary to their personalities, but there has to be a good reason for this. Other than furthering the drama!
One thing that took some adjustment to when I started watching Asian dramas was how drastically the tone would change from comedy to darkness. Even rom/coms have murders! But it is jarring when a drama takes a sharp departure in tone.
What a disappointment for everyone expecting Ji An to come out fighting in season two. It was a highly questionable choice to eliminate the Big Bad from the earlier season; the viewers wanted Ji An and Jin Man to team up to take Bale down. That was the whole purpose of a second season I wanted to see.
I despise offscreen action as much as time skips—it's lazy writing.
Thanks for the review. I was lamenting cancelling Disney+, and this makes me feel better!
It's good to hear Esther Yu got to act in a more mature role. I like her, and I think she's capable of far more than playing an overgrown child. I'd love to see her really show her range.
So for what it's worth I agree with a lot of this review but I did find the characters likable and deeply sympathetic.…
Thanks for your input. I reread the synopsis and I see in the comments it concerns dyslexia, so it's back on my list. I'm inevitably drawn to brain issues and challenges.
You gave it a 9, so I'm definitely interested! I actually started it once, but after about half to three-quarters…
It's a darker drama, and I can see where the first episode is a bit off-putting with the modern introduction and then we're thrown into the past without knowing what was happening. It certainly doesn't spoon-feed anyone! Maybe that's what I appreciated. I didn't know what was occurring and who the characters were. There's no big info dump to catch the viewer up. We're given bits and pieces of the story as the FL recalls them. I rarely re-watch a drama, but this is one that I think would reveal more the second time around. And that cast!
Anticipation can often cause a letdown. Going in with no or low expectations often allows for a pleasant surprise. I don't generally watch the latest dramas if there's too much buzz. If everyone thinks it's great, I'm likely to end up wondering why!
I can't get invested in a drama where there aren't plausible reasons for the characters' actions. I want to know their motivations, and I want them to act and react within those parameters.
ACK, I didn't watch it during my Disney intro period, and and your review makes me want to now that my subscription has ended! Isn't that the way of life? I'm sure they'll have another intro offer, and then I'll catch up on the dramas that had new seasons come out right after I dropped Disney.
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Why is it necessary, other than for manufactured angst and to prolong the drama, to have the couple split up right after they get together? I don't understand it, either. After all the turmoil the couple puts the viewers through, it would be nice to see them thrive in a new life together.
Isn't it funny that viewers often KNOW a character wouldn't act or speak in a certain way? It immediately throws me out of a drama when a brave character acts cowardly or a shy one speaks up. There are times people act contrary to their personalities, but there has to be a good reason for this. Other than furthering the drama!
I despise offscreen action as much as time skips—it's lazy writing.
Thanks for the review. I was lamenting cancelling Disney+, and this makes me feel better!
I have VoS on my to-watch list. Both Hou Ming Hao and Tian Jia Rui have such pretty eyes.
That ending hurt, though.
I can't get invested in a drama where there aren't plausible reasons for the characters' actions. I want to know their motivations, and I want them to act and react within those parameters.