dramallamareviews

Hibernating King Claims His Crown

This is a super fluffy, cutesy (at times cringey), easy watch for when you’re not in the mood for something heavy or that requires a lot of brainpower. I liked what I read in the synopsis for it as I find snowboarding enjoyable to watch, plus I enjoy both the lead actors so I was excited to watch this as it aired. And while it didn’t quite meet my expectations, I still found it entertaining & liked it for the most part. {{And let me say right away that I know nothing about the validity of the snowboarding aspect. I don’t participate in the sport myself nor have any knowledge of its different “styles” or whatnot.}}

I found our Leads to be really cute together. Their relationship progressed much faster than I expected but I heard the drama got like 10-15eps cut off so it then made sense to me why things moved at the rate they did. And it’s not that they became a couple right away, I was just surprised at how early they claimed one another without making it official. It didn’t at all bother me, though, since I actually prefer when they get together early on so we get lots of eps with them as a couple. 😉

The ML was once a top competitor in professional snowboarding, but an injury caused his early retirement. He could’ve continued competing, but his parents were terrified of another tragedy happening to him like it did to his younger sister, so to ease their worries he chose to retire. He can’t fully let go of his passion, though, so he travels between different cities as a local coach with his fellow boarders & friends. His experience & talents make him almost god-like on the slopes, earning him a well deserved reputation as the best. He appears content & adjusted to his new life, but he secretly still dreams of participating in the Olympics one day.

And while he’s going through the motions from day-to-day, a girl crashes into his world, lighting up his life & reigniting his passion…

There’s an incident that causes the ML to be a bit “cold” towards the FL initially, but he’s still extremely protective of her, which I really enjoyed. His words were saying one thing, but his actions were saying another. Rest assured, he’s never cruel to her, he just picks on her & teases her a lot, but never maliciously. He has a crush on her from moment one, so despite his plans to make things a bit rough on her, he never fully follows through since he cares about her.

For the FL’s part, she has no idea that her new snowboarding coach is her idol & the inspiration for her latest comic idea, so there’s a little bit of that hidden identity trope if you’re a a fan of that. I don’t usually like it, but this one got cleared up fairly quickly so I didn’t mind. She’s a very optimistic, bubbly, friendly girl who just wants to be allowed to chase her dream & live her life how she wants. Only her best friend knows the pain her smile hides. Despite her parents’ disapproval & lack of support, she remains dedicated to following her own path. When a scandal breaks out & she’s framed, resulting in the loss of her pen name & job, she’s disheartened & unsure what to do next. Then she sees a clip of a snowboarder performing incredible tricks & she’s encouraged to keep moving forward. To do that, she books a trip to the slopes to gather material for her new comic. Unknowingly putting herself on a path to meet a man who’s going to change her life in so many ways…

Like I said, I think this duo is super cute together. Their interactions were both comical & endearing. I smiled a lot at their antics, from their initial trading of sarcastic comments to their mutual attraction & flirtations. They have a lot of funny & memorable scenes throughout the whole drama. Some of my favs are:
- The switch from the green turtle to pink. IYKYK. 🐢
- Him being her “uber” down the slopes. Their positions, her sheer joy, his continued glances to check on her… 🫠
- The whole hospital scene: her expressions, him cradling her head, the adorable piggyback ride 🫶🏻
- Unexpectedly meeting at his home. The surprise that quickly turns to delight. 💖
- The landslide & all that followed. Her frantic search, their relieved hug, their mutual care & support. ✅
- The confession. Their happiness was so believable & I couldn’t stop grinning. And the kiss!! 💋
- Their first meeting after the breakup. I was so happy to finally have them back on the screen together again! 🙌🏻
- The make up scene. The apologies. Choosing to face the obstacles together. Him trusting that who he was, right then, was already good enough for her. ❤️‍🩹
-Their mutual successes. Their hard work being recognized & rewarded. Their efforts paying off & their pure joy at accomplishing their dreams. 🏆
- The whole proposal fiasco. Oh my goodness, the poor man was trying so hard & it was not going well!! But then it finally happened & wow - it was beautiful & so perfect for them! 💕

Since I mentioned their breakup in that list let me just say that those episodes are where the show took a drop for me. Not simply because of the breakup, though I always prefer my couples to not do that, but because it felt so out of character for the ML to make that choice. And while I do sorta understand where he was coming from, I don’t understand why they had to officially break up. They weren’t talking about marriage right then anyways, so why couldn’t he continue to prove himself to her parents while staying by her side, ya know? The breakup just didn’t make sense.

And speaking of her parents - ick. I did NOT like her mother. What a controlling & judgmental woman. The dad was initially fine, but once he decided to confront the ML alone he was on my “dislike” list. Yes, their actions are all explained later & “reasoned away” but, for me personally, they never redeemed themselves enough after the way they initially looked down on the ML. Just… no.

As for the support cast:
- the ML’s fellow snowboarders are aces. I liked all of them. I appreciated that there were no love rivals in the bunch, just supportive friends who always had the ML’s (& FL’s by association) back.
- the FL’s colleagues. I liked the ones who were loyal, but I do not at all understand the welcoming back of the one who betrayed them. I understand she was in a difficult position, but guess what - so were the others. She’s the only one who made horrible choices. I’m okay with them forgiving her, but for them to trust her so fully & quickly again? Seemed a bit unrealistic to me.
- The FL’s bestie. I had mixed feelings about her. I liked her relationship with the FL, but her personality outside of that was a bit off putting. Especially the way she treated the ML’s friend. She was very dismissive of his feelings after their fling (that he didn’t realize was just a fling) which was very unattractive to me.
- The male love rival. Whoa was he super annoying at first. I’ve said it before & I know I’ll say it again, but seriously - are people really that delulu?? FL was so obviously not interested in him & he was so incredibly obtuse to her rejections. BUT he totally endeared himself to me in the way he handled finding out about the FL & ML. He didn’t rant or try to sabotage them, but rather went off by himself to grieve. When he returned, he was kind & supportive, accepting the ML’s position as her boyfriend & vowing that he’d only see the FL as a little sister from then on. So while I initially found him completely dislikable, in the end he was a welcome member to the friends group.
- The ML’s sister. Utterly adorable & inspiring. Despite the tragedy she endured, she remained an optimistic & happy girl. And her relationship with the ML’s old teammate was so cute. On the one hand that guy was irritating because of his constant attempts to beat the ML, but on the other hand he was absolutely precious in his interactions with his girlfriend.

So my enjoyment dropped due to the breakup drama, overall I did really enjoy this drama. I know I’ll rewatch it again & simply skip those painful episodes.

I’ll finish my review with this since I know there’s been a lot of haters - if you don’t like the FL actresses voice or when she acts cutesy/“babyish”, then just skip this drama. Don’t watch it just to hate on her. 1) she’s doing her job. 2) it’s not our place to call her fake since we only know her virtually. And 3) most importantly, she’s a human with feelings so hearing/reading malicious comments must hurt her just like it does the rest of us.
While I’m saying this specifically about Esther Yu right now, it applies to all celebrities. Why do we build these stars up just to watch them burn out? Must we raise them so high just to tear them down? One would think, aafter all the tragic suic!des, we’d learn to stop being so cruel…

Sorry, but I find it sad when viewers share harsh opinions with no care as to how it affects the actors/actresses. 😔

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.13💋
- Together : ep.13 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.17 💔
- BackTogether : ep.22❤️‍🩹

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From First Crush to Forever Love

Hello, Beautiful Shades of Green 💚

Green Male & Female Lead.
Green Brother. Green Parents.
Green Friends. Green Roommates.

A cast of characters that you’d want by your side IRL. No rivalries, messy triangles, or petty jealousies. Just genuinely good people who make our Leads’ story more endearing.

At a young age the FL { Zhao Lusi } meets and quickly falls for the ML { Chen Zhe Yuan}, her older brother’s best friend. They share many beautiful moments together, but devastation comes when she overhears a rumor that he now has a girlfriend, leading her to cut off contact with him to heal her heartbreak.

They’re reunited while she’s in college and, as he experiences how much she’s grown up, the ML falls fast and deep. Unaware that she’s loved him for years, he sets out to win her heart.

And he captures the viewers’ as well *sigh*. The movie date. His honesty. Him attending her class. The birthday surprises. The roller skating date. Adjusting to her pace. The camping “trip”.

The comforting hugs. The protection. The hand holding. The flirting. The caring actions. The intense gazes. The sweet kisses. All.the.love! 💞✨

Their chemistry is so natural & believable. They’ll make you swoon, sigh, laugh, & tear up. They’re just so… good!

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-S P O I L E R S B E L O W-


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The things I always want to know…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.17💋
- Together : ep.17 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Mostly Good w/ a Little Not

A rookie lawyer becomes roommates with her new hard-to-please boss. Will their landlord/tenant relationship help or hinder their work at the law firm?

I really enjoyed the majority of this show. The Leads had super cute chemistry with their enemies-to-lovers trope. It was fun watching them bond & grow closer, learning to appreciate their differences instead of continuing to see them as hindrances, both in the workplace & in their home life. They were both highly motivated in their careers, not afraid to put in the effort needed to achieve their goals/dreams. They were each confident in their abilities, but also able to recognize their mistakes & learn from them (after some character growth, of course 😉.)

Some likes:
- When ML stands up for FL against that disgusting client. Him asking her which hand the creep had touched her with, then proceeding to hurt that hand? Swoon! I love me a protective ML!
- Their adorable roommate interactions. So many funny & cute moments between them as they learn to live together.
- Their office romance. Their secret looks & hidden meetings add a fun dynamic to the workplace, that’s for sure!
- The FL’s drunken confession that leads to their colleagues learning of their relationship.
- Their sweet chemistry. From their initial awkwardness in going from friends to more to their confidence in their affections, this duo is cute to watch.

But the last quarter of the drama went downhill for me. The FL started to annoy me as she was suddenly acting out-of-character, imho. The choices she started making just felt off to me, as if she was a totally different girl from the initial strong & confident woman we initially met her as. It got irritating enough that I started to skip lots of scenes in hopes of her getting back to normal.

Some dislikes:
- The toxic female colleague/love rival. Whyyyyy are some women (& men) so delulu?! Like, honey - he is just not into you. Grow up & move on. Why lower yourself to such petty tricks & manipulations, thinking that’s gonna win their affection??
- The FL’s sudden shift in character. I don’t want to say more than that as it’ll lead to too many spoilers.
- How long the FL’s weirdness lasted. Enough said.
- Both sets of parents were extremely immature & hecka annoying. Do adults (let alone parents of adult children) really act like this?! 😵‍💫🤯

Overall, though, I did enjoy this drama so I’m by no means suggesting you skip it. And, as always, your opinion may be way different than mine & this could be a new favorite for you!


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.27💋
- Together : ep.23 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💖

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A Beautiful, Uncomplicated, & Healing Love

If you’re in the mood for a drama with low angst & sweet romance, I recommend giving this drama a chance. This is an easy watch that won’t cause your heart lots of trauma. 😉 It reminds us that, even when things seem impossible or too overwhelming, there’s always hope. That we can overcome each obstacle step by step, one day at a time. That our value is not determined by someone else’s opinion of us. That before we can appropriately love someone else, we need to first learn to love ourselves. That we have the right to live our lives & pursue our dreams just like everyone else. That we shouldn’t waste our energy & efforts on someone who only gives us the scraps of their time & affection.
It reminds us that true, deep, & abiding love does exist. And it just might show up when we least expect it, but exactly when we need it. ❤️‍🩹

The Leads -

The ML: Here’s another wonderful man to add to our growing pile under the title, “GREEN”. He’s a kind & dedicated doctor in the field of TCM. The loss of his mother to cancer when he was younger had a huge impact on him choosing to pursue this career path over modern medicine, creating more friction between him & his distant father. Thankfully, he’s always had his beloved grandfather (also a TCM doctor) to help fill the void he feels from his parents’ absence.
He’s immediately intrigued by the FL when they meet by chance & eagerly anticipates her follow up appointments. His care for her is so instinctive & genuine, both as her doctor & then later as a man who likes/loves her. He’s always gentle & patient with her, even when she’s being difficult. He speaks to her kindly & even when he teases her, it’s never with any hint of cruelty. He only ever wants the best for her. He’s hurt & confused when she rejects his confession, but still shows his depth of goodness & caring for her in their following interactions. And when he’s given renewed hope that she may reciprocate his feelings, he makes it known to her that he’s willing to wait while she focuses on her healing, never pressuring her to hurry up. His love for her is selfless & he embodies the statement of “he healed something he never broke.”
And the way he protects her from her ex? Swoon! We as the viewers get to see the contrasts between the two men immediately, while it takes the FL longer to really open her eyes to all their differences. But that moment, when the ML steps between her & her ex when he has the audacity to show up to her family home? Ooh buddy! Their differences are SHINING in that moment & it makes her ex look a gazillion times worse & I.loved.it!!!
Okay, okay. Sorry. Enough about the ML’s awesomeness!

The FL: I admit, she took me a bit longer to warm up to just cause I couldn’t relate to her at first. Her actions & choices frustrated me at times because her ex treated her like crap but she just took it. She was very weak in the beginning of the show (which I know was to help show her character growth & journey of healing) so I admit I wasn’t her biggest fan at the start. It’s not that I disliked her as such, I just didn’t connect with her in the initial episodes. She had a valid reason for why she was struggling - her boyfriend was NOT a nice person to her, the poor thing. I wanted to hug her & tell her she deserved so much better than to be treated like that! Her true strength shines through in the moments where, despite all the hard stuff she’s silently enduring, she remains a very kind, loyal, hardworking, & upbeat person. She has goals & dreams that she’s making plans to pursue, but she’s weighed down by the expectations & harsh treatment from her ex. He’s very demeaning towards her & belittles her career, so she has self-esteem issues & suffers from extreme insomnia. Which is how she crosses paths with the ML - she’s tried so much stuff & nothing’s helped so her parents urge her to try TCM. And thus their story begins.
I enjoyed watching her interact with the ML. It was such a sweet contrast to her interactions with her ex (who doesn’t become an official ex for a few episodes, fyi.) I often found myself wondering if she was aware of how much happier she was in the ML’s presence than she was with the guy who professed to love her. And I know she was going abroad so she didn’t want to enter a relationship right before leaving (especially since her last long-distance relationship went so horribly) but I still wanted to be like, “girl - when you meet a man this GREEN, you grab hold of that hand he’s extending & never let go!!” Hahaha!
I appreciated how much character growth she had. She went from being emotionally/mentally “weak” to a woman who was confident in herself & completely secure in her relationship. She suffered a lot but she worked hard & overcame her PTSD. And while she still made some choices I wanted to shake her for {{in the scene after the ex’s press conference, I was literally yelling at my screen for her to stop looking his way & to break the eye contact because whyyyyy give him any “leverage” to use against you?! Bleh}} I came to really like her character. The way she openly & proudly loves the ML was so good to see after all he did to win her heart. When she eventually accepts her feelings & allows herself to be with him, they make you feel this great relief at them finally being together. And how sweet they are!

Them: Together, they’re precious. They’re openly affectionate & spend every moment together that they can. They’re playful & flirtatious, while also being each other’s source of encouragement & support when they encounter hard things. They’re a very healthy couple whose adoration of one another is very apparent. Also, they have some great chemistry that will make you melt so be prepared.🔥🫠
One of my favorite & most memorable lines comes from the ML’s proposal - “If you give me your life’s time, I’ll give you my life’s love.” Swoon!!! We also learn why the drama is called “The Best Thing” in their wedding vows, when they each declare that “Loving you is the best thing I’ve ever done.” So sweet! They’re definitely a couple with tons of scenes that you can rewatch over & over.
Oh! And the flowers!! I loved how many different varieties & colors were shown, but then when we learn the significance of the flowers he was always seeing her with & learned the real impact they had on him?? PERFECTION!!

The Plot & Pacing -
The storyline was good. A journey of healing the mind & body, while also healing the heart. It’s mostly lighthearted, though it does include some heavier topics too. There’s a lot of references to TCM treatments/remedies that were interesting to learn. I’m not familiar with TCM, though, so I can’t comment on the accuracy of the info given. I personally prefer more natural/homeopathic type “medicine” so these scenes & snippets didn’t bore me. I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at times, with a few episodes not really having anything happening beyond the cast interacting. It didn’t bother me, though, as I really enjoyed watching our Leads interact.

Support Characters -
FL’s Besties: I never had any complaints with the male of their trio, but the female bothered me at times. She had quite a few childish/immature/petty moments, which is never attractive, imho. Those two are the secondary couple, & the male definitely saved that relationship for me.
ML’s Coworkers: The guys cracked me up, while at the same time I kept questioning if it’s normal for colleagues to feel entitled to every bit of information surrounding your private life?! The female intern didn’t bug me too much until she made the way wrong decision to confront the FL (and let me also say that the way the ML handled that whole situation? *Chef’s Kiss* It just made him even greener!).
FL’s Parents: I was a bit concerned they were gonna be the typical controlling & psychotic type, but that thankfully eased off after the first several episodes. I really came to like them both & they ways they loved one another, as well as their daughter. And their 100% acceptance & approval of the ML definitely didn’t hurt things!
ML’s Grandpa: He’s so precious! I love how he never forced his opinions on the ML. He treated him as the adult he was & trusted his grandson to make his own choices regarding his personal life. He was never anything but supportive, proving to be his grandson’s number one fan.

Watching this drama was an enjoyable way to spend the required hours. While it may not be life-changing, it’s entertaining & sweet. And so pretty - the cinematography is so well done with wonderful colors & lighting. 💚

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.12💋
- Together : ep.18 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💘

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Masterfully Done!

A rookie detective & an aspiring actress. They were each other’s first love. Now reunited as adults, can they finally be together?

This show will forever hold a piece of my heart. I was immediately hooked & I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. I often return to rewatch them fall in love because they’re just so perfect for one another. The story is beautifully told with the pacing of the past & present mixing, the raw emotions in each scene, & the unforgettable & irreplaceable bond the Leads share. ❤️‍🩹

This show tugs at the heart. Our Leads experienced a horrific event as teens: his father murdered her parents in front of her, but he arrived in time to save her from the same fate. He chose her over any familial loyalty & protected her by having his father arrested. In the aftermath, they’re separated & kept apart because everyone blames him for the sins of his father. Everyone except her.

But a victim & the criminal’s child can never be together. … or can they?

When they meet by chance again years later, the sparks of their long ago bond are once more fanned to flames. They fight the pull due to the feelings & expectations of those close to them, as well as from a desire to protect one another from society’s ridicule. But their bond proves too strong to ignore so they ultimately choose to follow their hearts & finally allow themselves to be with the one they love.

The ML’s constant devotion to & protection of the FL is perfection! 🔥🫠 His strength of character makes him a man amongst boys. He’s the knight with dented armor from all the battles he’s engaged in, but he’s still standing & continuing to fight for what’s right. He’s faced constant prejudice & bullying/attacks from those who don’t know the full story. He’s had very few people take his side even though he never did anything wrong. He does his best to be an upright citizen & quietly prove he’s nothing like his father. But when the FL comes under attack, he vows to protect her at any cost. He’ll stand between her & any threat, no matter who that means he’s standing against. *so much swooning!*

The FL is absolutely perfect for him. While she understands the reasons for the distance between them, she’s never forgotten him. She once told him to come to her if it ever got too hard & she meant it. She has such a big heart, filled with a pure love for the ML. She always trusts him in every situation they encounter & she’s never once blamed him for what his father did. This fact is so refreshing to witness & makes her totally girl-crush worthy! 🫶🏻 People often mistake her as weak & naive due to her kindness, but she’s got this quiet strength about her that they’re overlooking. It begins to shine through, though, when she refuses to walk away from the ML again & proudly stands by his side.

These Leads are phenomenal together. Truly one of my favorite kdrama couples. They’ve managed to stay such good people even as they struggle with the lasting effects of that horrific night. They don’t take on a victim mentality & they’re determined to not be defined by what happened back then. The villains never want to let good people live in peace, though, so they’ve still got demons to conquer. And together, that’s exactly what they do. ❤️‍🔥

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.21 💋
- Together : ep.21 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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“I Create Opportunities Even in Hellish Situations”

A struggling student is determined to improve his grades despite his track record & inability to successfully study. To overcome this “flaw”, he forms a study group at his new school. But the school hierarchy isn’t okay with this new change, so the ML finds himself constantly having to defend & protect his new friends from the countless bullies. Thankfully, what he lacks in an ability to study he makes up for with his dynamite fighting skills. Look out, suckas, there’s a new her in class!

This is a really well-made drama. From the story, to the special effects, to the cast - it was all very well done. The pacing is good as it’s constantly moving the plot forward without much time to “slack”. Only having 10 episodes keeps it from dragging in the middle or relying on lots of filler scenes. Something’s always happening or about to happen so it keeps the viewers’ focus. And the fight scenes are just… whoa. I won’t even attempt to do them justice with my messy review, you just need to witness the awesomeness of the scenes for yourself.

Be warned this is bloody & gory. They don’t pull their punches (pun intended 😉). This drama is filled with fight scene after incredible fight scene. It’s dark & disturbing because it’s realistic in the horrors of HS (though I sincerely hope no HS is as bad as this fictional one!) It delves into the horrific world of bullying & how much damage it can cause. It tells the heartbreaking stories of so many youth who don’t necessarily want to be bad, they’re simply trying to survive & made the wrong choices. I loved seeing so many of the bully figures redeem themselves in the end - proving that sometimes people just need a chance to change & someone to show them the way while believing in them to succeed (like the ML & the wonderful teacher do here).

Alongside the gritty, though, is the geeky & cheesy to shed some light & bring some balance. It’s heartwarming & freakin’ hilarious because the ML is so totally clueless about everything that you can’t help but adore him. Kudos to Hwang Min Hyun for bringing this role to life so spectacularly! And, honestly, a round of applause for the rest of the cast too because they all did phenomenal in their respective roles. Villains, heroes, & grey characters alike! 👏🏻

The study group’s motto (taken from the ML) is:
“I create opportunities even in hellish situations”

They live up to this standard. Their perseverance & determination in the face of such huge adversity is admirable. The teamwork & bonds of friendship that develop are a joy to behold, not just between the initial five, but those outside the study group as well. The teacher is included in this, too, as she fights to protect her students & seek justice for her late mentor. {And can I just say that the scenes of the students protecting her are freakin’ awesome?!}

All it takes is one single person to make a change. One small spark to start a flame. One small ripple to create a wave.

Evil can’t be left to rule the masses - these students are brave enough to stand in its way. And I heard there’s a confirmed 2nd season so I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them next….

*****As a complete side note: this cast is overflowing with gorgeousness so if the spectacular fight scenes & wonderful storyline don’t do it for you, then the amazing eye candy will 🫠*****

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Sort of “Meh” for Me

When an online novelist makes a wish in a Fairy pool for “an unforgettable love” she’s shocked when her story’s villain appears! Despite her attempts to avoid him, he easily finds her & threatens her into taking care of him. But unfortunately for him, her wish came with a special bonus - anytime she needs help, he’s teleported to her side to protect her. Which gives us both humorous & heartwarming scenes…

I was super excited for this drama when it aired, but I’m sorry to say it didn’t meet my expectations (don’t hate me!) I don’t want my dislikes to at all dissuade others from watching it, though, so I’ll keep this extremely brief. Plus, I never want to bash or downplay the hard work & efforts of everyone involved in the drama making process (cast, directors, writers, set designers, hair & costume, producers, etc.) Just because I didn’t particularly enjoy it does NOT mean it’s a bad drama. It simply means it’s not the drama for me. But all the glowing reviews prove that others have a far different opinion than mine, which is perfectly alright. We’re all allowed to enjoy (or not enjoy as the case may be) whichever dramas we want.

Honestly, the premise of the story was good & the cast all did their characters justice. I think my problem may have been that I’d just fallen in love with the ML’s character from another one of his dramas, “Our Secret”, which is such a beautiful coming-of-age story. He gave that character such life & had fantastic chemistry with his FL co-star that it’s still one of my favorite high school age cdramas (you can check out my review of it if you’d like!) And I just didn’t feel that same kind of chemistry or connection between the Leads of this drama. BUT I know tonnnnnnns of other drama fans disagree & think this duo did awesome together so you’ll have to decide for yourself. 😉

This definitely has its funny moments. And it’s sweet moments. It also has some sad & heartbreaking moments. Which all leads to a beautiful & satisfying happy ending for the Leads - one they very much deserve.

So again - don’t let my low rating stop you from watching it because Mr. Bad could end up being one of your go-to favorites!

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Not For Me…

I hate to say it but this drama goes in the dislike pile for me. I wanted to like it so bad & I really tried, but I just could not get into it. BUT I do not at all want to dissuade you from watching it because you may absolutely love it like many other viewers do. I’ve read other reviews of those who share how great they think it is. My review is simply my opinion - you’re free to watch it & form an opinion of your own! 😉

For me, if I don’t find at least something about one or both of the Leads to be attractive then the drama’s gonna be a flop for me. (*And I’m not talking about just physical appearance because this cast is full of beautiful people!*) Sadly, that was the case with this show. I found both Leads to be rather immature/childish, more so the FL in this case.

The FL is kinda supposed to be this like… crusader against injustices against women, using her fists of fury on the icky men of the world. She’s a lawyer though so shouldn’t she know the law regarding physical violence? I think this was supposed to be a more feminist rom-com, but it missed the mark at times. Like how, in the big upheaval & drama, things got “smoothed out” when a man defended her against the bullying/attacks. Sweet gesture? Of course! But it kinda ruins the whole feminist thing by having a man save the day… right? And she didn’t really show much character growth in learning her lesson after all the times her fists got her in trouble. Use your words - that’s what lawyers do! So she kinda seemed like a split personality at times or something. Because surely someone who went to law school & passed the exams & is now an active lawyer actually KNOWS the law…right??

To me, her dating attitude/motto seems to be along the lines of, “they do it (cheating, lying, betraying, etc.), so I’ll do it to them first.” She comes onto the scene while having a one-night stand & cheating on her ex. Um… so NOT attractive to me, I don’t care if it’s a form of revenge or not. Just dump the loser & move on, don’t jeopardize your health or mental well-being!! Nobody is worth that kind of reaction. The next unattractive thing she does, imho, is when she sets out to destroy the ML after she witnesses him with a young female & completely misjudges the situation. And yet, I’m supposed to believe after seeing all these ridiculous choices & snap-judgements of hers that she’s a super smart, competent lawyer?! Hard pass ‘cause that didn’t jive for me at all. So she made a horrible first impression on me that she was never truly able to redeem herself from in my eyes.

I didn’t really dislike the ML, but I didn’t really care for him either. I found him more likable than the FL, but nothing about him really grabbed me, ya know? He has quirks from past trauma that cause people to misunderstand him which brings some humor to the scenes. And he’s all Mr. Cool & Popular superstar, so watching him get humbled & experience some character growth was mildly entertaining. He also has a really funny bromance with his bestie - they had more chemistry for me than the Leads, haha.

It wasn’t all horrible. The Leads did share some really cute & sweet moments. And they had some pretty decent chemistry. There’s also some really humorous moments. These things just weren’t quite enough to make up for the things I disliked, though.

PLEASE NOTE: The opinions I’ve shared are based solely on the show’s characters NOT the actors themselves. My comments are not meant to bash any of the hard work of anyone involved in creating the show. I respect, admire, & applaud the various talents of all who helped bring this story to life - the cast, writers, stylists, directors, producers, translators, etc.!

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.5💋
- Together : ep.8👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.10💔
- BackTogether : ep.10❤️‍🩹

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Warm, Fluffy, Sweet, & Funny

When a drunken mishap causes a scandal between two university students, will their scheme to save their reputations succeed or will it just cause more misunderstandings?

The ML is considered a genius student both academically & athletically (this actor as a simmer is f-i-n-e, fine!). He’s the guy all the girls want, but he’s not interested in dating. Girls aren’t even on his radar - he’s too focused on achieving his goals to waste time on such trivial things. He comes across as distant & emotionally closed off, as geniuses often do. Of course, he’s actually a very kind & caring person, which is slowly proven as the show plays on.

The FL is a bright & bubbly girl who can be a bit timid at times. She’s working towards a medical degree while also chasing another dream - the dream of finally being a CC with her childhood bestie. Believing he feels the same, she’s shocked & heartbroken when it’s not her he wants to date, but rather her other best friend - the third member of their high school trio. Feeling betrayed by their relationship, she gets drunk to dull the pain, which ends in the aforementioned scandal with the ML.

The duo decides to fake date (a trope I admittedly love!) in hopes of stopping all the gossip that’s flying around campus about them. As they try to convince their classmates that their feelings are real, these opposites discover that they may not dislike each other quite as much as they first assumed. In fact, the more time they spend “dating”, the deeper their mutual feelings of affection grow. Can they clear up the misunderstandings between them, eliminate the annoying love rivals, & finally confess their feelings, turning their fake relationship into a real one? It’s drama land so of course the answer is yes!

I found myself both amused & frustrated while watching their story unfold. I laughed at several scenes due to their silly antics but I also wanted to smack them both at times for not just being honest with one another when the opportunity arose. I don’t like when people make love so complicated - I just want them to confess & be together for the majority of the show {{a GREAT example of this is the couple from “Love Me, Love My Voice”. I absolutely adore that duo & their immediate connection & confessions. PSA, Writers - more please!!!}}.

Overall, I did enjoy this drama. I admit, though, that I skipped a few scenes due to the cringey cheesiness. I get serious second hand embarrassment that I can’t stand to watch scenes where the characters are making absolute fools of themselves. 😜

The Leads are super cute together & their journey from enemies, to frenemies, to friends, to lovers is a sweet story to witness. They have a great bond of a beautiful love that doesn’t bend or break. They bravely face all the obstacles together (long-distance & extended separation), growing as individuals & as a couple. They have a very healthy relationship full of mutual encouragement, support, & trust. They’re both 100% devoted & loyal to the other.

And they have great chemistry, too, which ALWAYS raises my enjoyment of a show. They’re openly affectionate & flirtatious, with lots of safe skinship & yummy kiss scenes. 🫠

For me, there’s nothing really noteworthy about the secondary characters. Which is no shade or reflection on the cast! They each played their role well, I simply wasn’t invested in them like I was the Leads (which is usually the case for me so it didn’t affect my rating.)

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.19 💋
- Together : ep.18 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Beautiful Found Family

Let me start by saying I love both the original Chinese story (Go Ahead) & the Korean adaptation. Both casts did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life. Each version has strong points & flaws. Some people struggled with just how much the two dramas are alike, but that wasn’t an issue for me. They’re the same story so I was expecting that, it didn’t bother me at all. If you think it’d be a problem for you, this is my advice - don’t watch them back to back. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The story is both heartbreaking & heartwarming at the same time. It shows how deeply members of your family can hurt you, but also how family can be the ones to heal you. It also beautifully portrays that some families are connected by blood, while others are made by choice. At the heart of the story we have our beloved sibling trio: the two boys who’ve been abandoned by their mothers & the girl being raised by her widowed father.

One boy is goofy, athletic, & out-going. He hides the pain from his mother’s abandonment with a smile. He’s constantly reminded by outsiders that he’d better behave ‘cause the father could get rid of him at any time (whyyy do people say such cruel things?!) His aunt keeps track of what they “owe” the girl’s father for raising him & promises the boy will pay him back when he’s grown (something the father neither expects nor wants). This all makes a deep impression on the SML’s psyche, affecting his life choices as an adult. The betrayal of his mother & being the only non-bio child of the trio causes him to doubt that he’s equal to the other two in the father’s hearts.

The other boy (my bias in both versions!) is more mature, studious, & a loner. His younger sister died when he was a little kid which resulted in the fracturing of his mother’s mental state. She blames him for the tragedy since he was the only one home at the time of the accident (um, hello, lady - where the heck were you?!?) She files for divorce & abandons him to his father (who never blamed him, fyi). This all causes the ML to draw into himself. He slowly bonds with his “siblings”, but he keeps a wall between him & everyone else. He hides how much he’s still affected by his mother’s cruelty. He works hard to achieve his goals while trying to keep the other two in line (which is quite the task!)

The little girl is sassy & adorable. It’s always been just her & her dad until the arrival of the two boys. One she is not at all impressed with while the other she instantly claims. Eventually she accepts the SML & finally wins over the ML so she feels her world is complete. She grows up sheltered & adored. She’s optimistic with a bubbly personality which helps soothe her brothers’ wounds. She adores them both but their popularity is a thorn in her side. Her attempts to make their admirers leave her alone provide us with some of the best scenes! She’s confident that she’ll always have these two by her side.

Which means the writers inevitably split them up…

The SML’s biological father appears to claim him & take him abroad. The ML’s toxic mother returns with her young daughter, expecting him to leave with them. The trio’s lives are thrown into chaos. The fathers try to guide the boys the best they can even while their own hearts hurt. The FL is desperate for them to stay with her. And despite their desire to remain by her side, the boys are forced to go with those who came & destroyed their peaceful lives. Cue the tears as our beloved trio is ripped apart…

10yrs passes quickly for the viewers & the three once again fill our screen together. Their reunion isn’t happy,though, as the FL treats them coldly for staying away so long. But her love for them doesn’t allow her to stay distant for long. The strength of their bond is proven as they quickly fall back into their friendship & sibling camaraderie. The trio is as they always were, best friends & beloved siblings. But the ML isn’t content for things stay this way & now we gotta cue all the happy girl squeals ‘cause OhEmGee - the chemistry!!! 🔥🫠

Look, I love the alpha male/CEO trope as much as the next girl, but there’s just something about watching a stoic & quiet guy like this one be utterly focused on his female that really gets to me. I love when there’s that connection between the Leads that could never be replicated with someone else - it has to be her for him & vice versa. And not in a toxically possessive/controlling style, but rather because they understand each other in a way that no one else ever could, deepening their bond to unmatchable depths. They need one another just as much as they want each other, if that makes sense? The way this plays out in this drama is like catnip to me!

IMHO, the ML slayed in this role. His facial expressions, gaze, & pitch of his voice - it all worked perfectly to bring life to this precious character. (The fact that the actor is gorgeous doesn’t hurt!) He’s my favorite of the three (though I love the others too!) because he’s so soothing & pleasant to watch. I love the life & color the others bring to the screen, but it’s the ML’s steadiness & calm demeanor that most attracts me.

I adore the way he eases the FL into a different dynamic between them. He’s so careful with her, knowing she’ll need time to adjust going from a sibling type relationship to lovers. And there’s nothing creepy about them developing feelings for one another so I won’t focus on that because it’s a total non-issue. This duo is absolute perfection from their first interaction as kids. I’m not really sure who falls for the other first since they’ve always been special to one another. It’s simply that the ML becomes aware of his feelings first while the FL is too naive to realize what she feels for this boy she grew up with.

Their interactions are so precious. I love all the scenes we get with them being a couple & the way their lifelong bond shines through. Their protection & genuine care of one another is so sweet. How they both handle the initial shock & opposition from their family is admirable. And when the FL defends & claims the ML in front of his mother at the hospital - that scene is perfection & you can see the adoration in their eyes. Absolutely beautiful! 💜

I like the way the shift in their relationship ultimately settles into place with the SML, too. So good! It allows a more mature side to be seen in him. Speaking of which, the scene where he confronts the ML over the sleeping pills is so emotionally impactful. Such depth of emotions in that scene!! The actors deserve recognition for their portrayal of these characters! 🩵

Since I’m talking about the SML, I must also mention the adorable SFL. He’s completely clueless that she’s always had a crush on him, not the ML, which leads to some comedic moments throughout the show. But when she accidentally blurts out her confession he’s forced to face her feelings for him, but also his feelings for her. When he realizes he likes her too & claims her after the basketball game? Swoon! They’re so cute together!! This is one thing I love more in this version - he gets a love of his own instead of thinking he likes the FL. And the SFL doesn’t spend any time crushing on the ML (meaning no fight over him with the FL, yay!)

Another thing I like better in this story is the ML’s little sister. In the CDrama she’s a total brat. She does grow & mature but the majority of the time she’s unlikable. But in the KDrama she’s sweet from the start. This was a refreshing change from the original.

One of the best things that remains true in both versions is the pure awesomeness of the father duo. They’re such a non-gay married couple, haha!! They’re total opposites who’ve formed a bond while raising their kids together. Their friendship is precious & the love they share for all three kids is fierce. They don’t treat their biological child any differently than the others - to them, all three are their kids & that’s that. All the hearts, thumbs-up, & kudos for these two. They’re a beloved father pair in the drama world for a reason!

So despite some flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this drama & highly recommend it if you want to experience the beauty of a family who genuinely loves one another through all the good & bad times of life. 💖

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.11 💋
- Together : ep.12 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Wasted Potential

This drama had the potential to be fully cute with the story of their childhood friendship & the complete adoration the ML has for the FL. There’s the typical misunderstanding that they had to resolve & the journey they had to take to become friends again before lovers. Then there’s the stuff they face as a couple, testing their bond. And for the most part, I enjoyed their relationship. They were very affectionate, had an obvious bond, and shared yummy kisses.

Generally I don’t like to really focus on the things I didn’t like about a drama because I don’t want to take away from the hard work everyone put into making it. But there are some things with this one that really, truly annoyed me & significantly impacted my enjoyment/rating:

1) I couldn’t relate to the FL. The way she completely cut the ML out of her life was brutal. They’d grown up together & were super close, but after ONE situation where she gets mega embarrassed & feels betrayed, she doesn’t allow him a chance to explain what happened. She just transfers schools & leaves him behind. THEN when she later finds out that he created an online identity to stay in her life & HELP HER, she again lashes out at him, blames him, & counts it as another betrayal. Like girl - what’s so special about you that only your feelings & opinions matter?? Why doesn’t she ever stop to think about how all this is affecting him? Her victim mentality just really bothered me.

2a) The FL’s continued friendship with the male love rival. IMO, it’s not okay to remain close friends with him after he’s made his interest very clear, to both her & the ML. His constant interference in their healthy relationship is NOT what a true friend would do. [[**Note that I said “healthy”. If he’d been trying to get the FL out of an abusive or volatile relationship, that is a completely different scenario!!**]] Whyyyy did she allow him to stick around her, even being okay with traveling abroad with him (though for different reasons)?? It’s like telling the ML that he doesn’t matter enough for her to distance herself from other guys who are intent on stealing her away. Boundaries, girl - boundaries!!

2b) And also, this dude is soooo obnoxious, obsessive, & toxic, imho. He drove me nuts with his refusal to accept the Leads’ relationship & move the heck on. He legit saw them making out in the airport & said it was just a goodbye between friends. 😳😱🤯 Hello, dude, thy name is delusional! There were scenes where I thought he was finally gonna accept reality but nope, he clung to his foolishness until the end. Ugh!

Honestly, the ML character saved this show from being a total waste for me. I would’ve added it to my DNF pile if not for him. If he hadn’t been such a cute green flag who brought out a likable side of the FL, I would’ve rated this even lower. But, as friends & lovers, they’re really cute together. They’re a very solid couple who just need to cut out toxic people.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
First(real)Kiss : ep.9
Together : ep.14
BreakUp : Nope

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Watch to form your own opinion!

The sweet & cheerful FL finds the ML after he’s been in an accident. After helping him to the hospital, she ends up taking responsibility for him when he seemingly doesn’t remember who he is or what happened to him. Taking pity on the helpless guy, she takes him home with her until they can figure out a solution. Unbeknownst to her, however, he remembers everything & is just biding his time to reveal that he survived the attack.

If you like the following tropes, then you may enjoy this drama:
- hidden identity
- childhood connection
- first love
- toxic love rivals
- familial drama
- workplace romance
- cohabitation
- light mystery
- unbreakable love

For me, I like some of these tropes & dislike some of them too. Maybe because of that, this drama was more of a miss for me. It’s not horrible, I just didn’t really enjoy it so I won’t say much in this review. I don’t at all want to belittle the hard work & efforts of all who were involved in the creation of the drama. My personal opinion is in no way meant to be a slur against any of them! And don’t let my low ratings stop you from watching it - you may actually love it!!

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.5 💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy this!

The first female pro player & the renown team captain. Can they learn to work together to win the championship… and love?

This was one of my very first Chinese dramas years ago. I kept seeing clips of it on YouTube & those little snippets drew me in. I knew absolutely nothing about esports (still don’t beyond what’s portrayed in dramas, tbh) but I still loved this show! It’s become one of my go-to feel good shows when I need a brain cleanse from drama trauma. The camaraderie & friendships are so fun. The team’s hard work & determination to win is heartwarming. And the underlying message of chasing your dreams no matter the obstacles you face is inspiring.

Of course, there’s the relationship between the Leads as well, duhhhh! *wink, wink*
They have a rocky start due to a misunderstanding & some preconceived ideas about each other (typical trope). As that fades, though, we’re left with the beauty that is them falling in love so deep that nothing comes between them. The outside world tries to rip them apart & claim it’s wrong for them to be together, but they just hold on tight & refuse to break.

Individually they’re both strong characters. The ML carries the weight of his team as their captain. He’s a more serious player due to his position, talent, & age. He comes across as cold & aloof, but he’s actually a very kind & playful person (though that side is generally only shown to the FL). The FL has lots of eyes on her as she joins this well-established & high-performance team. There are those just waiting to see her fail, ‘cause surely a girl can’t hack it in the boy’s world *insert eye roll here, please*.. She’s determined to prove them all wrong.

Together, as teammates, they have a mutual understanding & respect for one another’s talents. They work hard with the others to make their dreams a success, learning & growing as players. They stay true to themselves & remain resolute in their beliefs. They face each match with a determination to win.

Together, as lovers, they’re precious. I love how the ML always protects the FL (even when they didn’t really know each other yet.) The deeper he falls for her, the more protective he becomes. It’s not one-sided, though. She’s just as determined to protect him too, physically & mentally. When keyboard warriors attack her for being with him, it’s his reputation she’s more concerned with. At the same time, when the public strongly voices their objections, he unapologetically tells them their opinions don’t matter. I love this!

They have really great chemistry together that we get to witness in lots of scenes. Their first eye contact. Him comforting her after a loss. The drunk piggyback ride. The non-date dates. Taking care of each other when they’re sick. Their gaming interactions. The confession. The bus rides. The hand holding, hugs, & flirting. The yummy kisses. Their interactions are so cute, which makes me keep coming back & rewatching.

If you haven’t watched it yet, I say give it a shot even if you’re not a gamer. I’m not either & it didn’t at all lessen my enjoyment of this series.

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.23 💋
- Together : ep.21 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Who is the Replica?

This is both a dark & light watch. The plot of the FL not having her memories & the ML being her bodyguard with secrets adds some drama & tension, while the Leads’ chemistry brings the swoons & heart flutters. I love when a couple only has eyes for each other throughout the whole show. It’s a true “you’re the only one for me” coupling & I’m a huge fan of that.

The FL is going through a lot & isn’t quite sure who to trust, but even when it seems like the ML betrayed her, she never actually loses faith in him. She’s a strong woman in a very confusing situation. She’s trying to connect all the dots & piece her memories back together, determined to uncover the truth of who she really is. All while quickly & completely falling for her mysterious bodyguard.

As for the ML - the way he’s devoted to protecting her, physically & emotionally, is so perfect. 🫠 He knows there’s more going on then he’s aware of & he’s determined to keep her safe while helping her find the truth. Yes, he’s got a hidden agenda, but he never for a moment puts that above the safety or well-being of the woman he’s completely fallen for.

They’re a truly great couple who prove that, no matter what, love is always worth it! The trust they have in one another is well deserved as neither would ever do anything to sabotage the other. As the ML proves with the way he handles the SFL’s advances & flirtations. I love when the Leads put others in their place, leaving no doubt as to who they love & where the “love rivals” fit (or don’t fit) in the equation.

If you haven’t watched “Mysterious Love” yet, I recommend seeing that too. It was the Leads’ first drama together. The storylines don’t connect, but the main cast are almost all the same so it sorta feels like a duo set. You can watch one without the other, though, & still understand everything. 👍🏻 It’s just really great to see them on screen together again!

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.6 💋
- Together : ep.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Twists abound on this journey…

A boy with the power to sense other people’s secrets with a simple touch. A girl who will do anything to hide a traumatic secret. Both dealing with past traumas in their own ways. What happens when these complete opposites meet & their worlds collide?

I really enjoyed the relationships in this show. The ML { Jin Young } & the FL { Shin Ye Eun } have great chemistry & share a wonderful bond. It’s a unique situation due to the ML’s abilities, but they navigate it well. I mean, think about it - you’re falling in love with this great person but you have this huge secret you’re not ready to share because of how others who know the truth have treated you in the past. But this person you’re falling for will be able to know all about it with a simple touch between you. Would you have the courage to continue to fall for them?
And from the other perspective, you know the person you’ve fallen for is holding back from you due to a secret - a secret you could discover just by a mere touch. Would you be patient enough to wait for them to tell you while continuing to stay by their side? They hit a few snags along the way, but I think they handle this whole situation rather well.
Watching them grow closer as they work to solve the case is a journey I liked witnessing.

The second couple,( ML’s best friend + FL’s best friend, both since high school I believe) are a nice bonus. Him { Noh Jong Hyun } with her { Go Youn Jung } son is absolutely precious. What a total green flag!! 💚

I also liked the bromance between the ML & SML { Kim Kwon } so the ending was bittersweet, imho. I don’t want to give too much away, though, so I’ll leave it at that & let you make your own judgments 🤭

The Leads get their HEA so that helps make up for any lingering feelings of drama trauma I felt 💕


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss :ep.8💋
- Together : ep.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼
- BreakUp : Almost, but no 😅

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