Set in pre-war Japan, this was a charming, feel-good and wholesome romantic story with two couples; awkward leads who grew into companions slowly through communication and supporting one another, and witty, bantering leads who were able to drop their defences and find acceptance with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful underrated gem. Time well spent :) Highly recommended for all!
I dislike generalizing but in the recent years I've realised that it's not a South Korean drama if there isn't…
Plot points that were ignored / forgotten / done badly -
1. There was a lot that was not explored about Hee Sung. First of all, his comatose state wasn't explained well. Secondly, how he came to be the ML's father's accomplice was not explained either. His psychopathic tendencies were not well fleshed out either. And then randomly when the mum was trying to kill him, he woke up?!
2. Ji Won's past - given the focus of the show was on marriage. I am surprised it was all about the ML's past and the FL's unwavering support. What about her past? Didn't fake MIL mention in Episode 1 or 2 that Ji Won's father was a criminal and that's why she disliked her? Why was that never brought up again? That would have been such an interesting addition explaining her empathy for the ML or her feelings when she found out about him.
3. The last victim being alive - I am not sure if I still understand the purpose of that subplot. Why was Hee Sung so interested and excited by the thought of her being alive? Clearly it was a convenient plot device the writer used initially to have ML's identity be revealed and then againt o stretch the plot.
4. The ML was repeatedly said to be someone without emotions. But at no point in the drama did I feel that way.. neither in the past, nor in the present. Let's ignore the present since he is supposed to have changed. But in the past, be it in his youth or be it in the scenes with Ji Won, he came across as pretty normal, pretty functional, and pretty expressive. His dialogue that he doesn't understand came across as mere lip service. Also for someone with no emotions, why did he choose to marry the FL in the first place? Really poor depiction of ASPD.
5. Moo Jin was probably the character I disliked the most in this drama. The writer showed him as a friend to the siblings till the last episode but I never saw him as a friend. He conveniently stuck to them for his own benefit; to the sister because he lusted after her (not love) and to the ML initially for the sake of having news and then to please the sister. At every opportunity, he was quick to suspect the ML, was cowardly and just because he liked the sister, he ignored that she killed and wanted to pin it all on the ML. Nothing wrong with being selfish (all of us are) but it's the fact that his character wasn't called out for it. Hae Su did try to call him out but then that was sidelined because she liked him. I am glad she understood better and left for overseas.
6. The amnesia - WHY?! Just why did the writer have to waste an entire episode on this amnesia plot? After all they went through together fighting for their love and each other, shouldn't the writer have shown an episode of them finally breathing, being happy, and reflecting on everything that happened.. but no they had to waste time like this and ruin the story. When will SK writers learn that the way you end a story is crucial and a bad ending has the ability to ruin a drama. I lowered my score because of the bad last episode.
7. The kid - I feel like they almost forgot that they had a kid in the 2nd half. So many decisions were made without considering the safety of the kid, or without really showing them spending time with the kid. I kept wondering where she was that too such a small kid that probably needs a lot more care, and time. Even in the last episode, they just fixed it in the last minute with the kid going on her usual routine 'I love you dad' and all smiles. Pretty bogus. Good parenting isn't all about smiles and saying I love you a million times. It's about being there for your kid and understanding what your kid needs. They were probably good partners for each other, but sucked as parents. Not sure what the kid even added to the plot, except some cuteness.
8. The ending for the fake parents - always so convenient to have the character go crazy.. it didn't make sense because he was pretty functional for over a decade even after what his son did. And the worst, he sat comfortably on the hospital bed, while his wife was rotting in jail?! Not to say that she wasn't guilty, but she at least had some conscience. Both of them should have received similar punishments or him worse. I did like the fact that there was some warmth between the ML and the fake mother. You could tell she had a slight fondness for him and Eun Ha.
I feel the writer played it safe by making the ML innocent. It would be way more interesting if he was actually a criminal - that would really push the boundaries of the relationship and make it more compelling. But oh well, that's not a critique. Just an opinion.
I dislike generalizing but in the recent years I've realised that it's not a South Korean drama if there isn't idiocacy or unnecessary plot twist added to the last / last few episodes. This was decent and the last 2 episodes happened. I'd rather they have ended it in the 15th episode then the stupidity and drag that was the finale. Last episode aside, this was an addictive rollercoaster of all that is marriage. The lies, the deception, the love, the companionship, the trust, the ups-and-downs; so well-acted and so natural. Their love story was beautiful without being overtly dramatic or cheesy. On the thriller / suspense front, I appreciated how the central players were introduced from the start and while the plot twists were believable to an extent, there were clear plotholes and omissions that were not well explained and crafted. All in all, I enjoyed this for for the leads and their marriage which was the main focus. The acting was stellar, as expected. Of course if I have to factor in the 9.1 rating on this site, I don't think the drama is worthy of that high a rating because it wasn't as perfect in other aspects.
The plot cannot be any more simpler than this. FL loves ML enough to be happy with his shadow, while ML wants more than that. Finally in the last episode, they have sex and they live happily ever after. I don't recommend this if you're actually looking for a proper love story to watch. There are better romance mini-dramas out there to watch. ML was an eye candy though XD
Just watched the first episode and it did not grab me at all. Does the pace pick up? Should I continue? Or if…
If it didn't grab you in the first episode, then it's not for you. The first episode pretty much sets the tone for the drama (at least till halfway since I am also currently watching).
This started off so strong with the Wuthering Heights re-telling and then few episodes in, it's as though they changed writers with subplots sidelining the agency of the leads' characters and development only to make the tragedy greater. Not to mention, the FL was absolutely bland and badly-casted with no purpose other than looking pretty and shuttling between both male leads. Where was her personality and agency? Can someone please enlighten me why they were both obsessed with her? Lee Soo Hyuk's character was also largely underdeveloped. Jang Ki Young did his best but midway, his character, too, became confusing. All in all, what began as a tale of passionate love, longing and rivalry between 3 leads (pre-reincarnation) was watered down to a story of weak characters wrought by tragedy with little agency.
I found myself pretty engaged throughout this drama. I don't think it was a bad drama per se, it just needed to be longer, and to end better; the first half could have focused on the past (like the drama did) and the second half or last quarter on the present. An episode more would have done wonders. Unfortunately, the present was never quite addressed, and that killed the potential this had to be a thought-provoking and moving drama.
Overall, it was a flawed premise with a flawed execution that focused too much on showing the same flashbacks from different perspectives, albeit that didn't actually add anything substantial to the story or our understanding of the characters. I won't question the ML's obsession or fascination with the FL but his research was rather flawed. Why the fixation on the 'witch' label? Just because others said so? Why did he not even consider other possibilities right from the start or even when it was becoming clear that she had to do with the injuries or deaths. He also did not have to face the danger to prove his point. Why did he not let the FL on, on his plan? The FL had zero agency and was shown to simply accept her fate, and never do anything to question why or to try to fix things. She simply hid all the way till the end. For a show called 'The Witch' I found out nothing about the FL or her personality other than her daily routine. Don't get me started on the 'love' between the leads in the last episode - it was too abrupt. Inserting himself as the last variable and having her find him wasn't testament to her love - at most it was obligation or curiousity. To be honest, I doubted his love for her too because he never knew her. The leads barely had 5 scenes in the entire drama. He simply watched / stalked her, and became curious about her. I feel that his sacrifice came from his hero complex, rather than love. Similar questions for the detective and the FL's friend - was there a need for that angle to be insterted? And the worst part, till the end - the question as to why was never even answered.
It is an incomplete story and I don't recommend it, but then it's one-of-a-kind and doesn't deserve all the hate either.
I started it on flight too and fell asleep at least twice HAHADid you enjoy it? I dropped it about 20 or 30 mins…
GIRLLLLLLLLL I took the flight on 31st too! WHAT IN THE WORLD We could have been on the same flight THAT IS CRAZYYYYYY I took another flight from SFO back to Singapore. I mostly stay in Singapore now. My family's in Houston so I spend a good quarter of the year there.
3 
8 
1 
1 
1 
A really beautiful and feel-good lakorn.
Highly recommended for all!
https://kisskh.at/list/LQJEl7R3
If you're looking specifically for the historical genre, you can try these:
https://kisskh.at/list/4aBmema1
Feel free to reach out if you're looking for something specific :)
1. There was a lot that was not explored about Hee Sung. First of all, his comatose state wasn't explained well. Secondly, how he came to be the ML's father's accomplice was not explained either. His psychopathic tendencies were not well fleshed out either. And then randomly when the mum was trying to kill him, he woke up?!
2. Ji Won's past - given the focus of the show was on marriage. I am surprised it was all about the ML's past and the FL's unwavering support. What about her past? Didn't fake MIL mention in Episode 1 or 2 that Ji Won's father was a criminal and that's why she disliked her? Why was that never brought up again? That would have been such an interesting addition explaining her empathy for the ML or her feelings when she found out about him.
3. The last victim being alive - I am not sure if I still understand the purpose of that subplot. Why was Hee Sung so interested and excited by the thought of her being alive? Clearly it was a convenient plot device the writer used initially to have ML's identity be revealed and then againt o stretch the plot.
4. The ML was repeatedly said to be someone without emotions. But at no point in the drama did I feel that way.. neither in the past, nor in the present. Let's ignore the present since he is supposed to have changed. But in the past, be it in his youth or be it in the scenes with Ji Won, he came across as pretty normal, pretty functional, and pretty expressive. His dialogue that he doesn't understand came across as mere lip service. Also for someone with no emotions, why did he choose to marry the FL in the first place? Really poor depiction of ASPD.
5. Moo Jin was probably the character I disliked the most in this drama. The writer showed him as a friend to the siblings till the last episode but I never saw him as a friend. He conveniently stuck to them for his own benefit; to the sister because he lusted after her (not love) and to the ML initially for the sake of having news and then to please the sister. At every opportunity, he was quick to suspect the ML, was cowardly and just because he liked the sister, he ignored that she killed and wanted to pin it all on the ML. Nothing wrong with being selfish (all of us are) but it's the fact that his character wasn't called out for it. Hae Su did try to call him out but then that was sidelined because she liked him. I am glad she understood better and left for overseas.
6. The amnesia - WHY?! Just why did the writer have to waste an entire episode on this amnesia plot? After all they went through together fighting for their love and each other, shouldn't the writer have shown an episode of them finally breathing, being happy, and reflecting on everything that happened.. but no they had to waste time like this and ruin the story. When will SK writers learn that the way you end a story is crucial and a bad ending has the ability to ruin a drama. I lowered my score because of the bad last episode.
7. The kid - I feel like they almost forgot that they had a kid in the 2nd half. So many decisions were made without considering the safety of the kid, or without really showing them spending time with the kid. I kept wondering where she was that too such a small kid that probably needs a lot more care, and time. Even in the last episode, they just fixed it in the last minute with the kid going on her usual routine 'I love you dad' and all smiles. Pretty bogus. Good parenting isn't all about smiles and saying I love you a million times. It's about being there for your kid and understanding what your kid needs. They were probably good partners for each other, but sucked as parents. Not sure what the kid even added to the plot, except some cuteness.
8. The ending for the fake parents - always so convenient to have the character go crazy.. it didn't make sense because he was pretty functional for over a decade even after what his son did. And the worst, he sat comfortably on the hospital bed, while his wife was rotting in jail?! Not to say that she wasn't guilty, but she at least had some conscience. Both of them should have received similar punishments or him worse. I did like the fact that there was some warmth between the ML and the fake mother. You could tell she had a slight fondness for him and Eun Ha.
I feel the writer played it safe by making the ML innocent. It would be way more interesting if he was actually a criminal - that would really push the boundaries of the relationship and make it more compelling. But oh well, that's not a critique. Just an opinion.
Last episode aside, this was an addictive rollercoaster of all that is marriage. The lies, the deception, the love, the companionship, the trust, the ups-and-downs; so well-acted and so natural. Their love story was beautiful without being overtly dramatic or cheesy. On the thriller / suspense front, I appreciated how the central players were introduced from the start and while the plot twists were believable to an extent, there were clear plotholes and omissions that were not well explained and crafted.
All in all, I enjoyed this for for the leads and their marriage which was the main focus. The acting was stellar, as expected. Of course if I have to factor in the 9.1 rating on this site, I don't think the drama is worthy of that high a rating because it wasn't as perfect in other aspects.
As long as you did your best, it's okay. Exams are not the be it and end all.
You got this :)
You can try the following stellar dramas:
Bump off Lover
Zeni Geba
MARS
Byakuyako
All in all, what began as a tale of passionate love, longing and rivalry between 3 leads (pre-reincarnation) was watered down to a story of weak characters wrought by tragedy with little agency.
Overall, it was a flawed premise with a flawed execution that focused too much on showing the same flashbacks from different perspectives, albeit that didn't actually add anything substantial to the story or our understanding of the characters. I won't question the ML's obsession or fascination with the FL but his research was rather flawed. Why the fixation on the 'witch' label? Just because others said so? Why did he not even consider other possibilities right from the start or even when it was becoming clear that she had to do with the injuries or deaths. He also did not have to face the danger to prove his point. Why did he not let the FL on, on his plan? The FL had zero agency and was shown to simply accept her fate, and never do anything to question why or to try to fix things. She simply hid all the way till the end. For a show called 'The Witch' I found out nothing about the FL or her personality other than her daily routine. Don't get me started on the 'love' between the leads in the last episode - it was too abrupt. Inserting himself as the last variable and having her find him wasn't testament to her love - at most it was obligation or curiousity. To be honest, I doubted his love for her too because he never knew her. The leads barely had 5 scenes in the entire drama. He simply watched / stalked her, and became curious about her. I feel that his sacrifice came from his hero complex, rather than love. Similar questions for the detective and the FL's friend - was there a need for that angle to be insterted? And the worst part, till the end - the question as to why was never even answered.
It is an incomplete story and I don't recommend it, but then it's one-of-a-kind and doesn't deserve all the hate either.
WHAT IN THE WORLD
We could have been on the same flight
THAT IS CRAZYYYYYY
I took another flight from SFO back to Singapore. I mostly stay in Singapore now. My family's in Houston so I spend a good quarter of the year there.
I watched it on the flight from IAH-SFO too OMG
I took the flight a week back. What about you?
Bread of Happiness
April Story
Sabishibindo
Kamome Diner
Mother Water
Some dramas, amongst the many, with a similar vibe:
Aruku Hito
Beach Boys
Bread, Soup and Cat Weather
Grace no Rireki
Bokura wa Kiseki de Dekite Iru