dramallamareviews

Enemies to Lovers Trope Done PERFECTLY!

How would I describe this drama?

Fabulous. Wonderful. Amazing.
Fan-freakin’-tastic! 🙌🏻

I absolutely adore this show - 938275/10 stars for me. Seriously, from the first scene to the last, I.was.obsessed! They immediately pulled me in with the first scene - the lighting of the hooded ML {😍} with the FL’s voiceover asking what kind of person he is. They had me from that moment on & I eagerly waited for each new episode so I could continue following this duo’s journey. Then, after the very last scene faded to black, I went back to ep.1 & started once more. I wanted to experience the depth of their love & witness every heartfelt conversation again (there are so many that I loved!) 💕

Dramas like this are why I began watching foreign shows in the first place. Not this specific genre, but the storyline, the maturity, the relationships… the chemistry! 🔥 Every interaction between the Leads is filled with such emotion - whether it be anger, confusion, longing, attraction, respect, jealousy, remorse, happiness, guilt, joy, heartbreak, or love - the cast did such a phenomenal job in their roles that I forgot I was watching a fictional story & instead got so immersed in the story that I felt like I was experiencing all the highs & lows right alongside them. And THAT is what makes a show truly great, imho. So mega kudos to everyone involved, both those in front of the camera & those behind the scenes, for doing such a remarkable job. 👏🏻

I could gush & rave about this show all day. It’s just.that.good!! Do yourself a huge favor & push play - you won’t regret watching this dynamic duo & their addictive journey from I-loathe-your-entire-family enemies to I’d-let-the-world-burn-for-you lovers. 🫶🏻🫠

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‼️ SPOILERS OF SOME OF MY FAV MOMENTS/SCENES INCOMING!! STOP READING NOW IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW!! YOU’VE BEEN WARNED! 😉‼️

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Note: you can insert all the 🫠💕👏🏻🔥😍🫶🏻 emojis in your mind because if I include them myself they’ll be in every line!

EP.4 - him running through arrows to protect her. Then the piggyback ride. SWOON!
EP.5-6 - his rage at her being left outside the city gates, riding to her rescue, & carrying her home. This MAN!
EP.9 - her comforting him as he clings to her in the dark. This WOMAN!
EP.10 - the difference in how he treats the delulu hussy v. the FL after being drugged.
EP.11 - her speaking up for him against his mom & his reaction when he overhears.
EP.14 - him immediately defending her against all accusers over the sabotaged rice.
EP.17 - the head massage, the unintentional cuddling in sleep, the rescue from the runaway carriage, the hug of relief… *sigh*
EP.19 - his men’s scheme to “lose” the FL going awry & the ML’s worried reaction.
EP.20 - their sincere confessions!
EP.21 - him immediately explaining when he realizes she misunderstands about the other female. THIS is how it should be!
EP.22 - the celebratory ceremony that totes seemed like a redo of the wedding. Her drunk scene, hahaha!
EP.23 - Him: “If the two families ever have a dispute, will you stand by my side?” Her: “I’m standing by your side now, aren’t I?” The whole convo was so sweet!
EP.24 - the FL masterfully unraveling the lady’s lies.
EP.25 - the beautiful chat under the stars. “Do you want to be my true wife?” “After everything we’ve been through, am I not your true wife to you?” All the swoons!
EP.27 - ML’s whole reaction to his cousin’s painting. And his apology to FL.
EP.28 - Him exacting justice against the villainess for her wickedness. Don’t mess with his wife!
EP.29 - the goodness of him allowing her grandfather’s memorial tablet, them performing the wedding night rituals, & the yummy kisses that are interrupted by the heartbreaking fight & feelings of betrayal with no immediate resolution.
EP.30 - his trust in her, despite the fight. Her refusal to fail him & all she does to make sure he wins. His fight scenes; her standing alone against the enemy forces.
EP.31 - his reaction to learning all she did to help him from afar & his desperate race to reach her. Their reunion. The beautiful apology - “I’ve never doubted your love for me & you’re not allowed to doubt mine.”
EP.32 - him kowtowing to her father. Later reassuring her, “I’ll gladly be your shield & spear.” THE MELT-YOUR-SCREEN & MAKE-YOU-BLUSH LOVE SCENE!
EP.33 - their absolute joy over being pregnant.
EP.34 - the heartbreak & devastation. Oh my heart aches for them….
EP.35 - their reassurance to one another that neither blames the other. Them loyal to one another, always.
EP.36 - the bittersweet scenes that allow us to see everyone living peacefully & happy, despite the people-shaped holes.

Feel free to share your favorite moments/scenes with me too!! 😁

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-⬇️ MY USUAL TYPE OF 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.23/29 💋
- Together : ep.5/21 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Contract Marriage Becomes True Love

Can a contract marriage turn real? As us drama lovers know, the answer is YES!

What can you expect from this drama?
- ML dominating the well choreographed fight scenes
- Several scheming, greedy, villainous characters
- Loyal servants who are more like family members
- FL frequently misunderstanding the ML
- Familial drama, both the good & bad kind
- A contractual marriage that never felt “fake”
- Political espionage & backstabbing
- Fun bromances & sismances
- Sweet flirting & yummy kisses between Leads
- Multiple side love stories that flow with the overall plot
- Scenes that’ll make you laugh & others that’ll make you cry
- A main couple who fights for justice together against all odds

I loved the ML. L.O.V.E.D. Loved. He was such a great character with so many layers. He seamlessly switched between his intense, tough-guy public persona & his playful, teasing persona with his closest friends & the FL. He’s extremely smart, very caring, 100% loyal, deeply protective, & to-his-core honorable. And let’s not forget suuuuuper talented when it comes to his fighting skills. 🔥

Sadly, I wasn’t as impressed with the FL {character, NOT the actress!!} I found her to be quite childish, honestly. Which confused me at times because she’s so smart & mature at other times that it felt like she was two different people in some scenes. So while she did have her good qualities (loyal to her loved ones, not afraid to stand for what’s right, willing to work for her goals) & showed decent character growth, she acted petty, judgmental, jealous, & self-righteous too often for my tastes.

She made it hard for me to really love this story, but the ML made it impossible for me to hate. And the duo does have some really cute & sweet moments together. They’re a good team when they work together to bring the villains to light & get justice for those they’ve wronged. And they definitely aren’t lacking in the chemistry department!! 🫠

So while this drama won’t be added to my “love it!” list, it was still an enjoyable show that I’m glad I watched. Don’t let my opinions stop you from watching it & deciding for yourself, though. Just because it’s not one of my new favs doesn’t mean it won’t be one of yours! 🤗


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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.14 💋
- Together : ep.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💖

Read More

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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Such a Gem!

An independent woman and the younger man who’s loved her all his life…possibly even before birth. Will she ever see him as more than the son of her parents’ best friends?

The ML is just… adorable & swoon worthy! He never falters in his pursuit of the FL. He doesn’t give up when she shies away out of fear, he doesn’t get swayed by others’ opinions. He adjusts to her pace when he realizes he’s being too much, too soon. He never hesitates to put love rivals firmly in their place, leaving no room for misunderstandings. His choice is her - always, forever. She’s his ultimate - his BAE 💞

And his goodness wins him a love to be envied by everyone around.

When the FL allows herself to follow her heart into his arms, they’re a duo that can overcome anything life throws their way. They’re both strong on their own, but together, they’re unbreakable. 🫠

If you haven’t watched this yet, I definitely recommend it if you’re wanting a sweet love story without any drama trauma. Also, the OST is really good - looooove when the ML “sings” 😍

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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.14💋
- Together : ep.14 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

Read More

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 💖

Read More

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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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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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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Fantasy, Mystery, Comedy, & Romance

A Korean emperor from a parallel world + a head-strong detective with whom he shares a mysterious connection…

I admit that I didn’t really like this drama the first time I watched it. I’m not really sure why because there’s nothing wrong with it. Perhaps I was just in the wrong mood for the genre? I truly can’t remember the reason. After experiencing Woo Do Hwan’s amazing acting in the drama, “Mad Dog”, I gave this show another shot. (*WDH plays dual roles as the ML’s head bodyguard/friend/confidant & the FL’s friend. He deserves serious recognition for his talent!*) And upon watching it again, I really enjoyed it! The acting is great (as expected from the talented cast!), the storyline is solid & keeps the viewers’ attention, & the pacing is well done. I didn’t skip through a lot of boring parts or endless “filler” scenes. So while my original opinion of this drama was rather low, I’ve since changed my mind & now love to rewatch it.

Now for the review.

For me, the FL is a bit off putting at first with her tough girl persona (perhaps that’s why I didn’t enjoy watching it the first time?) Her initial treatment of the ML annoyed me, though it does make sense that she thinks he’s a wacko. For her, nothing he said made sense or seemed credible. It’s understandable that she thinks he’s a conman. I get all that, but it still bothered me, haha. BUT I did come to appreciate this part of her character. She’s very independent, smart, & brave. She’s willing to make hard choices & sacrifices to protect her friends & family. She’s a modern day warrior when it comes to her loved ones. And when her love extends to include the ML, her inner beauty really shines through because of how determined she is to fight for their love. She’s not just a sideline observer - she’s right in the thick of things, fighting alongside her man (though not always physically as they’re often in different worlds.) She’s no weak & simpering ninny, which is always refreshing to watch. And her toughness only makes it that much sweeter to witness when she softens with only the ML.

As for the ML, I liked him from the start. He’s charming, witty, & engaging. He gives off this carefree attitude towards life, but he’s never careLESS with his duties or the feelings of others. He’s a rare gem when it comes to those who hold power - he’s a leader who genuinely cares for his people. He treats others with kindness & respect while still maintaining his authority. Even those he knows are scheming, he remains respectful even as he’s putting them in their place & reminding them who’s in charge (yeah, I’m talking about you, evil lady.) He’s by no means a pushover or weak leader. He’s on the front lines when his country’s under attack & he spends his life, unknown to the masses, protecting them from an unknown threat. He places the peoples needs before his wants, often sacrificing his own happiness for the good of the country…until it comes to the FL. Her, he won’t give up. When they meet, he’s all in - first to unravel the mystery surrounding their connection (the writer’s did a fantastic job with this portion of the story, imho) & then because he’s absolutely smitten with her.

The plot of the story is really good. There’s the fantasy aspect with existence of the parallel worlds & the scenes where the ML is traveling through time. There’s the mystery component surrounding the ML having the FL’s police issued badge - why was it in the pocket of the one who saved him at his father’s murder scene when he was a child? There’s comedy thrown in to lighten the heavy. And there’s romance - such pure, deep, enviable romance *sigh*.

I loved these Leads together. They have wonderful onscreen chemistry that makes all their interactions believable. They’re so good together & I was rooting for them to get their HEA, scared the fantasy aspect would separate them in the end. They so deserve to be happy after all they go through to be together. The ways they both fight for their love made me swoon so much. Him traveling through time to reach her? Swoon. Her reaction each time he came back to her? Swoon. Their intense reunion after she’s kidnapped to his world (my favorite scene, btw)? SWOON! They’re such a power couple & writing this is making me want to watch their story all over again. If you haven’t yet watched it, stop reading our reviews & just push play already!

Also, the bromance is hecka cute. I loved all the interactions between Lee Min Ho (ML) & Woo Do Hwan (SML). Sometimes the Leads & support characters don’t always mesh that well, but these 2 guys have great chemistry that really adds a lot to the success of the drama. So kudos to them!

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

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Such a great rom-com!

We meet a narcissistic executive { Park Seo Joon } who rarely acknowledges the people around him because he’s so self-absorbed. He’s become successful in large part due to his capable secretary { Park Min Young } who’s worked diligently over the past 9 years. But when she informs him of her intent to resign so she can focus on herself, hilarity ensues. He’s determined to keep her by his side & she’s just as set on leaving. Who will win this battle of wills when hearts become involved?

I absolutely love this. The quirky coworkers/friends, their families, the bromance… And then we have the Leads.

The ML & his *AURA* (iykyk) is hilarious! 😂 I love his self-confidence that makes him such an amusing fool. It’s good he never loses that belief in his own awesomeness.🙃 And his unwavering pursuit of the FL is swoon worthy. He goes all out to win her affection & I rooted for him 100%.

The FL is just as spectacular & the perfect balance to his oddities. But she’s got her own brand of crazy which is so fun to watch. They compliment each other so well! I loved her strength. She was respectful & stayed kind with the ML even when he was not so nice to her (though he was never intentionally cruel, just clueless!) And I love how she comes to appreciate his many quirks.

They have a beautiful love story born from a childhood bond (seriously, their past connection? One of the best I’ve seen!) Their chemistry makes me melt.🔥🫠 They’re wholly devoted - a wonderful OTP who give all the feels. 💕
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The things I always want to know 😉…
- F(r)K : 8 💋
- 2G : 8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BU : Nope 💍

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Lovers of Music & Each Other

A passionate aspiring musician joins the leading Chinese entertainment industry as an assistant to a popular & unruly idol. They have a rough start due to some misunderstandings, leading to an unpleasant work environment. Will these opposites ever find a way to coexist in peace?

I wasn’t a big fan of the FL at first due to her huge crush on the SML, as well as her unfair judgments of the ML. Once she began to change, though, I came to really like her. She became the ML’s biggest supporter & fiercest protector. She always did what was best for him, even at the risk to her own career. She was a loyal friend & an honest colleague.

I loved the ML, despite his faults. He was arrogant & entitled due to his upbringing, so add his fame to the mix & he was convinced he’s all that. Seeing him grow as a human being under the FL’s influence was very satisfying. Under all the bluster, he’s just a guy who’s passionate about music & chasing his dream. And her. He becomes very focused on her. Protecting her, pursuing her, & loving her fully. 🫠

There’s a lot of character growth. They don’t stay the same people they were at the beginning. They mature, both as individuals & in their professions. It’s full of life’s moments: funny, sad, sweet, & inspiring. There’s drama - with friends, with families, with love rivals, & with competitive colleagues.

And amidst it all is a boy & a girl slowly falling in love. 💕

*Note: I watched this before knowing that the ML was a then-member of the kpop group, EXO. His musical talent is really shown in this 👏🏻

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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.30 💋
- Together : ep.42 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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Came for him; stayed for them

He’s a highly trained special ops soldier framed for murder and on the run who’s just been hired as a bodyguard for a presidential candidate’s wife.
She’s the illegitimate daughter of that same presidential hopeful who was stashed away in a convent to be kept a secret after her mom was murdered.

When their worlds collide, will it be their downfall or their salvation?

I love the bond that develops between the strong, jaded Alpha ML and the sweet, traumatized FL. They’re complete opposites who fit perfectly together. He protects her from the world; she soothes his troubled soul.

Witnessing the lengths he’ll go to to uncover the truth and protect her is so swoon worthy. Watching her blossom under his care and find her inner strength is beautiful. They’re surrounded by danger and unknown threats, yet find a peace and calmness when with each other - it’s a great portrayal of love blooming in dark circumstances.

The plot and pacing were well done. I was intrigued by all the serious and “big picture” aspects while being addicted to all the sweet and intimate moments between the Leads.

Their chemistry is wonderful. I was rooting for them from their first encounter (and whoaaaa, what a first-meet story!) I’ve rewatched this multiple times because they’re just.that.good together! Be prepared to melt from all the feels… 🫠

[[random opinion: I’ve seen multiple comments of fans who think the ML and the villainess should’ve been the main couple and I just gotta say I do NOT agree. Kind of blows my mind that there’s a whole fandom for those two, haha 🤯]]

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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.10 💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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Revenge + Love Done Right

He is a wealthy tycoon.
She is a naive painter.
They appear fine, but they both carry deep wounds inflicted by family.

When she’s sent back in time after a tragic accident, will them teaming up help her exact her revenge? By helping her, will he find relief from his burdens as well?

So revenge dramas aren’t usually my genre but this was so good! I absolutely loved it & highly recommend it. The plot & pacing kept me engaged the whole time.

The Leads chemistry is chemistrying from the first moment she approaches him for help. Watching their story unfold & their bond deepen is so satisfying. And their love blooming made me smile so much!

The ML is a whole green forest. His every action is for the FL’s good. He’s always there to support, encourage, & protect her. He’s the swoon worthy lead us watchers adore. His love is so pure & the ways it helps heal her is perfect.

The FL’s growth is beautiful. Her transformation from timid & naive to bold & confident is girl-crush worthy. Her learning to trust the ML & falling in love with him is such a delight.

Seeing the villains, who are truly wretched, get what they deserve is such a sweet victory. It’s the perfect ending that this beautiful couple deserves after all they endured to get there.


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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : ep.6 💋
- Together : ep.7 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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Viva la Vida

Want a feel good drama that highlights the importance of family & shows the lengths a child will go to for the sake of their parents (in a non-toxic way)? Watch this! It portrays these aspects beautifully with an abundance of heart & humor. 🩵

The ML has the responsibility to help his deaf parents & younger brother communicate with the world. This leaves him little time to focus on himself. When he discovers a talent for playing music, a fire is lit within. Then an accident happens &, burdened with guilt, he puts his dreams aside & focuses on his family. But his love for the guitar never dies, so he performs in secret with a hidden identity.

Drama happens, his father demands he quits, they fight… & the ML is magically transported back in time. He meets his dad as a teen who can HEAR & believes that his purpose in being there is to stop whatever caused his dad’s hearing loss from happening. Cue all sorts of hilarity from this chaotic duo!

Then he meets his mom too & just… *sigh*. Their relationship is so sweet. The ways he protects her & his efforts to better her life are so loving. The cast did such a great job showing that, before becoming adults with responsibilities, our parents were once teens with hopes & dreams too. 🩷

And the whole aspect of his parents falling in love? Precious! This is a really good drama. The music, friendships, familial bonds, & dual love stories are so fun! 🫶🏻

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The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : MC - ep.10, SC - ep.14💋
- Together : Both Couples - ep.13 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope

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