Shock value fest.
A Frozen Flower definitely tries to do a lot—historical drama, palace intrigue, and steamy romance all rolled into one. It has beautiful cinematography, solid performances from the three main leads, and a messy love triangle? at its core. But does it all come together? Kind of. Misunderstanding, betrayal, consequences follow.Now, the good stuff: The production is top-notch. The costumes, sets, and cinematography are beautiful. The film also doesn’t shy away from it wants to show, tackling sexuality, love, and duty in a way that was pretty bold.
The drama in the story is extra here, some plot points feel repetitive, and the pacing drags in the second half. The steamy scenes were a talking point and feel more like shock value than storytelling.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Drama of Forsaken Fate
I remember finding out this drama through my auntie and the first time I watched this, it was already in the middle part of the story so I had to rewatch from the beginning. Ja Myung Go was an emotional rollercoaster, the kind of historical drama that's filled with conflicts, tragedy and characters you can’t help but get attached to (Park Minyoung's character specifically). While it has its flaws, I still found myself deeply invested and watched it til the end (39 episodes are nothing for a historical drama to be honest).The OST is easily the best part of the series. SNSD Tiffany’s song? Absolutely beautiful. It carries so much emotion and fits the story perfectly (in the POV of Rahee). Even after finishing the series, I still find myself listening to it to this day (a decade later).
Park Min-young was phenomenal in her role as a vilainess Princess Rahee, she really shined. The child actress who played her younger version, Jin Jihee, was just as impressive, If not even more impressive than the adult actors. She brought so much emotion to her scenes that I couldn’t help but feel for her character from the very beginning.
That being said, there were times when it got draggy, and certain episodes felt unnecessarily stretched. The production could have been better, too—some scenes didn’t feel as grand as they should have for such an epic story. But even with these issues, I can’t say I regret watching it. I will always remember the final scene of Princess Rahee, my favourite character.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love Can Be Traumatizing
Snowdrop or 설강화 (sul-kang-hwa) which is a flower that symbolises hope and comfort, is ironically fitting for a title of a drama that is a gripping politics-oriented love story that took me on a neverending emotional rollercoaster ride. Set in 1987, the drama follows the tragic romance of a North Korean spy, Im Sooho and an innocent and pure university student Eun Youngro whose father unbeknownstly a high-ranking South Korean politician. Their fates conjoined when Youngro sheltered Sooho in her university's dormitory attic after finding him lost and wounded inside Dormitory 207 where she and other 3 roommates live. Because of this, a dramatic chain of events that lead to heartbreak and devastation of all parties involved including me and other viewers are set off.From the start, Youngro fell in love deeply with him while Sooho remains emotionally guarded yet we can see that he is tempted. It’s only later that he finally came to terms with his feelings, eventually confessing his feelings through a recording tape.
One of the drama’s strongest aspects is its stellar production and the quality of directing. The cinematography, set design, and overall atmosphere create an immersive story of how university life feels like in the backdrop of 1980s. The acting is top-notch with Jisoo delivering a standout performance despite being a rookie actress and all the veteran actors in the line-up. Jisoo's ability to show raw emotion, especially in intense and sad scenes is amazing. All the dramatic scenes are executed brilliantly, pulling viewers into the story’s tension and sadness of it.
While Snowdrop left a striking impression with all the production and acting, it's not difficult to say it is deeply traumatizing to me. I think I cried with and for Youngjoo in every episode... Also the finale definitely left a lasting impact, making it a difficult to rewatch the drama. I tried to rewatch once and I only could pass the first 20 minutes of the 1st episode. Youngro’s pain and loss are so overwhelming that the drama lingers in my heart a long time after watching the final episode. It’s a bittersweet experience, beautifully made yet emotionally draining.
Overall, Snowdrop is a must-watch for those who appreciate high-quality production and compelling plot, but please be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster ride that will forever stay in your mind.
Was this review helpful to you?
Thank You Yesung
The first time I heard about the drama is because of Yesung who plays one of the sub characters in the drama. I watched it mainly for him but left with having one of my all time favourite K-drama secured.Voice Season 1 is an insanely intense ride from start to finish. The story follows Kang Kwonjoo, a profiler, and in this case related to voice and she can pick up the tiniest sounds, analyse and determine every little details including background noises; uses it to help saving lives (she's a police by the way).
What makes this show appealing is its fresh take on crime-solving method, focusing on sound rather than just chasing suspects through physical forensic evidences. The suspense is insane, every episode had me screaming (in terror). Jang Hyuk and Lee Hana absolutely owned their characters, bringing so much charisma and emotion that I couldn't ignore, this isn't a romance story but the chemistry and charisma from both of them overflows from the beginning to the end. Yesung is also amazing as expected and his scenes are definitely attention-grabbing (maybe I'm biased but it's true that he's an underrated idol actor) - wait til you watch the episode where he acted his heart out, you'll thank me!
Was this review helpful to you?
The Blurred Lines Between Family and Friends
Twinkling Watermelon is a heartwarming slice-of-life drama that blends time travel, music, and story about friendship. It follows a high school student who is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) who has a deep love for music. One day after a fight with his father who doesn't agree with his passion, he stumbles into a mysterious music shop and is transported back in time where he meets a younger version of his father. As he explores the unfamiliar world of meeting the younger version of his parents, he forms a band and tries to change the course of his family’s fate while discovering the power of friendship, love, and self-acceptance.One of the drama’s strongest points is how it portrays the reality of being a deaf person and those around them. Instead of treating it as just a plot device, Twinkling Watermelon dives into the struggles and emotions that come with it. It also shows the challenges of communication, the isolation, and also the beauty of understanding between friends and family.
Another highlight is how well the drama explores friendship and brotherhood. The relationships between the characters, the bandmates, friends, or family—feel genuine and heartwarming. The way they support, fight, and grow together makes the story so good.
Music definitely has a huge role in this drama and it’s one of the things I loved the most. The OSTs in particular are catchy which reminds me again how OST is a vital feature of K-drama.
When it comes to acting, Shin Eunsoo, who plays the younger version of main character's mother is the star. She delivered an incredibly moving and natural performance (irl she is not deaf). Some cast members have scenes where their acting is a bit off, but because the chemistry between the actors is so strong, it’s not that hard to overlook it.
Again, it isn’t a perfect drama, but it’s definitely one that leaves a lasting impact. I just love how the drama managed to make me as If I am a part of the line-up and delved into the growth of the characters. It is definitely worth watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Stars Being The 2nd Leads
Dipped in straightaway for Kim Soeun, left the whimsical pool with both Kim Soeun and her Vampire boyfriend.What makes The Scholar Who Walks the Night standout is its ability to blend historical setting with supernatural horror (yes it is based on a manhwa). The presence of vampires (allegedly) in Joseon era is a refreshing twist. From the dimly lit palaces to the haunting underground Vampire? lairs, the production is hauntingly beautiful. The lore surrounding the vampires, particularly the dynamics between the male lead, the 2nd female lead and the villain, adds an extra spiciness to the plot. Gwi the Vampire isn’t just a mindless monster—he’s a manipulative force of power, thriving in the politics of the palace, making him one of the most iconic K-drama villains, and he is hot as hell.
But where the story shines in world-building, it fails in in the presence of the main leads. The romance between him and the female lead is meant to be the heart of the drama, but instead, it often drags, overshadowed by the much more intense dynamic between Gwi and Hyeryung (2nd female lead). Had the drama given more weight to their relationship, exploring Hyeryung’s tragic fate with greater depth, it could have made for a richer emotional payoff.
Despite this flaw (though it is a major since the leads could not compete with the overflowing chemistry between the 2nd made-up couple), The Scholar Who Walks the Night remains an entertaining watch for those who love historical fantasy with a darker edge. It’s not perfect—the main romance (of the 1st leads) falls flat, and the pacing sometimes stumbles—but the mesmerizing visuals, chilling performances (especially from Lee Soohyuk and Kim Soeun), and the refreshing supernatural take on the Joseon era are something that makes this drama rewatchable. Though, I only keep rewatching the scenes of Gwi and Hyeryung and nothing else and it proves that sometimes, the villains and side characters are the real stars of the show.
Was this review helpful to you?
The Superior Drama High
What’s Up follows a group of aspiring musical theater students as they navigate their dreams, struggles, and personal growth through intense training and fierce competitions they experience at Haneul Arts University, eventually discovering what it truly means to be a star. Each student has a unique story—some pursue their dreams out of passion, while others are shaped by their circumstances—but they all strive to succeed in the entertainment industry.What’s Up is an interesting yer underrated drama that offers a diverse cast, blending a fun number of idol actors that bring extra charm into the story and fresh faces in the acting industry. One of its biggest strengths is how it captures the struggles and growth of aspiring performers, making it a compelling watch for anyone interested in the realities of chasing stardom. However, I can point out that it lacks the charm to stand out as it did not have the flashy marketing of mainstream K-dramas like Dream High or charismatic enough to attract new viewers. Despite that, What’s Up still shines.
Was this review helpful to you?
Tacky Rom-Com
The drama Ho Goo’s Love tries to blend rom-com charm with an emotional depth that is shallow as the pool waters, it also ends up feeling tacky than touching. The drama follows a total pushover Hogoo who met his long-time crush Dohee and the subsequent fallout (pregnancy) and all that happen after they had a night out. While the lead actors are okay-ish at best, the plot relies on weird clichés that kinda drag down the pacing. There are some sweet moments despite the lack of chemistry between the main characters but they get overshadowed by awkward comedic bits and clashes. Overall, Ho Goo’s Love is watchable if you enjoy silly and cringey romance, but it doesn't hold any rewatchable value at least for me.Was this review helpful to you?
Lessons Learned
The Queen's Classroom starring veteran actress Go Hyunjung is a compelling drama that showcases the raw, emotional dynamics of Korean elementary school. Kim Hyanggi, a brilliant actress since she was young delivers a standout performance as the lead, effortlessly capturing the essence of youth but possesses a surprising maturity, different to the rest of her classmates. Go Hyunjung plays the character of a strict teacher who despite her stern and unyielding demeanor, is deeply invested in the growth and development of her students, emotionally and mentally, often using tough love to push her students beyond their limits. While initially coming across as cold and harsh, her actions reveal a strong sense of responsibility and care, shaped by her own experiences and the complex demands of her role as an educator. The other child actors also shine, one of them being Seo Shinae. The plot itself is realistic, offering a portrayal of the struggles, pressures, and growth that come with school life especially among young students. I watched this as an older teenager who could relate to the experiences in the drama and still walked away having learned a lot, especially when it comes to life lessons.Was this review helpful to you?
