dramallamareviews

Fight for Justice w/ Heart & Humor

A “gangster lawyer” who doesn’t trust the law & isn’t adverse to using his fists + a young lawyer that believes the law is sacred who got her license suspended for hitting a judge. Together, can these unlikely allies bring down the most powerful people in the city?

This is such a stellar drama, imo. The story flows well without any major plot holes or inconsistencies to confuse/irritate the viewers. The pacing is also well executed - things keep moving right along without a lot of unnecessary filler scenes. I think all of the cast did really well, both the good guys & the villains were very believable in their roles. And, of course, the Leads did fantastic!

I know romance wasn’t the focus of the drama, but their chemistry is so good that their love story couldn’t not be a focus, ya know? I love when that happens!

The ML’s protection of the FL made me swoon so many times. I mean… gah, this man! When the baddies kidnapped her for ransom & he rescued her? Swoon. That scene when she’s being held at knife point & he grabs it with his bare hand? Swoon! The whole backstory of why he sought her out (in essence making his whole life about protecting her)? SWOON!!! Seriously, I loved the whole revenge plot & watching them go up against the corrupt officials & slowly unravel their web of deceit, but I totally adore this drama because of the Leads’ relationship. 🫠🫠

Don’t think the FL is some damsel in distress type, though, because she most definitely is not! Girl knows how to stand on her own two feet & take on the villains too, it’s just that she’s not trained in fighting like the ML is. Her strength shines through in her ability to overcome all the shocking truths thrown her way & continue to fight for justice against all odds. She has some serious girl-crush moments for me. Her foundation of what she believed to be true her whole life is shaken & dismantled, but she refuses to crumble. Instead, she shows her bravery & courage in standing against those trying to manipulate & use her, determined to get justice for those who’ve been wronged by these horribly disgusting people.

Where they start with distrust & dislike due to the FL being unaware of all that’s happening behind the scenes, she quickly comes to realize that the ML is worthy of her trust & respect. I loved watching their bond form & mature, both as colleagues & friends. They make a dynamic duo with a hilarious crew of crazies backing them up. (Seriously - their team made me laugh so many times, which brought levity to the heavy moments the drama served us.)

Even without the romance, their bond is deep. But once they cross from friends to lovers, their bond becomes unbreakable. Which is proven when others seek to break them apart - some for selfish reasons, others with good intentions. And even though the ML takes a step back out of respect to a request made by her parent in order to protect the FL, she knows deep down that something more is going on & chooses to trust him, despite how much it hurts. Which is why I don’t classify it as a real break up (watch it & you’ll understand my reasoning.) This duo is honestly one of my favorite couples in this genre, as is this show. If you haven’t watched it, you’re missing out, imho.

Lawless Lawyer in a very small nutshell has:
- Great action scenes.
- Suspense & tension.
- Plot twists & turns.
- Believable storyline.
- Evil & corrupt villains.
- Stellar heroes/heroine.
- Beautiful family bonds.
- Loyal friendships.
- Both humor & intensity.
- Ultimate Happy Ending 💖

If you like these things, then I highly recommend you give this drama a shot.


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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.6 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : I don’t count it as one, so no 💖

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Heart, Laughter, & Happy Ever After

When society deems them mere sidekicks in life due to their lack of connections & not having esteemed backgrounds, will these four besties have the courage to instead take the roles of the main characters in their own lives?

If you’re looking for a rom-com where the “com” is actually funny, then this is a definite must watch. These characters are hilarious, especially the main duo. Their interactions & comedic moments had me full out laughing several times. Their banter & witty comebacks are just so well done! And kudos to both actors because they have amazing presence & stellar command of their facial expressions which adds a TON of humor to this drama.

I loved the ML. He wasn’t perfect & he made some really ill-advised decisions regarding his ex-girlfriend in the past (who is totes delulu, btw), but he’s such a green flag guy. He’s loyal to his friends, super protective of the FL, & wants to make the people he loves proud. Does he screw up? Oh yes, but so do the rest of us. He’s very puppy like until it comes to someone hurting the FL - then he transforms into an alpha wolf who will take anyone down. And while he was okay letting the FL boss him around at times, when it came to serious matters, he totally stepped up & took the lead. Which is definitely my kind of ML so I was totally invested in his story.

The FL was a bit harder for me to like. She’s a very bossy & I’m-always-right type of person which aren’t attractive qualities to me. I didn’t want her to be a simpering ninny, don’t get me wrong. That’s not attractive either. I just think you can be a tough girl without being arrogant. Now, having said that, she did have her good qualities too. She was also very loyal to & protective of her friends, like the ML. While she may pick on them, she never allowed others to do so. She’s a hard-worker, clueless in love, & quite quirky. And though she’s used to being the “boss” of their four member squad, when the ML would take over in important moments, she always willing followed his lead. (And please note: anything I didn’t like about her, is all about the character, NOT the actress. This review is in no way meant to throw shade on Kim JiWon - she’s incredibly talented.)

The other two besties add a lot to the story with their lifelong love that suddenly hits a rough patch. They both show great character growth as they experience life after their relationship ends. Navigating what that looks like is tough, especially since the ML wants the FL back, but she’s determined to no longer be taken for granted. I think this is a good message lots of couples need to be reminded of - it’s easy to take our partners & the many things they do for us for granted the longer we’re together, simply because things become routine & expected. We have to be intentional in continuing to appreciate what our significant other does for us, as well as making the effort to make sure they know how grateful we are for their presence in our lives.

I enjoyed the bond the four managed to maintain since childhood. The ways they know each other so well & how that allows them to be comfortable & authentic with one another is a precious thing. Friendships like theirs are hard to come by. They’re funny & heartwarming with all their crazy antics & cute memories they share.

Then, obviously, we have the Leads & their journey as they go from best friends to lovers. This was not a smooth path for them as they both had insecurities from past failed relationships, as well as fears of ruining their friendship by confessing. Neither of them want to lose the bond they share so they take quite a bit to work up the courage to take a chance & hope the other feels the same. And, y’all - the confession scene is so totallyyyyy worth the wait! When the ML finally puts his delulu ex in her place & chases after the FL? Swoon. But THEN! That kiss!!! SWOOOOON!! 🔥🫠

I LOVED them together. They’re adorably awkward as they figure out their new dynamic as lovers. They fumble a bit, but they totally make up for it with all their affectionate scenes & yummy kisses. The bond of their friendship really shines through as they become more, allowing them to connect as boyfriend/girlfriend on a level that takes other couples a long time to achieve. Be prepared to laugh, swoon, & feel all the feels as this duo loves without holding anything back.

And now that I’ve shared the good points, I simply must share the portion of the drama that significantly lowered my enjoyment & rating.

**Warning: Mini Rant & MILD SPOILERS Incoming**
If I was given the chance to change only one thing about this drama, I’d choose to nix the point where the FL gives the ML the ultimatum to either quit the fighting or she’d break up with him. Yes, it’s natural for her to be so concerned with his well-being that she wants him to quit. However, her making him choose between his dream & her was selfish, IMO. I get that it hurt her so much to see him hurt (I’d be devastated if that had happened to my guy!) But it’s not like his dreams were a big surprise to her - hello, they’d been besties their whole lives. So for her to suddenly make him choose, even though I know it was because she was scared he’d be permanently injured, was a horrible move. Then for her to actually follow through on breaking up with him, even knowing he wasn’t able to go back to being just friends with her? I just hated the whole thing. I think this could have been done in a healthier way & still been realistic. Not everybody splits when things get tough. WHY must we normalize breaking up when things are no longer smooth & easy?!

Giving ultimatums is not love, it’s manipulation. Her demand was unfair, despite that it was coming from a place of genuine worry for him. It would be acceptable if he was just getting into fights with random people out of anger or a need to prove his manhood, but that’s not the case here - he fights professionally. It’s his job, his dream. Asking him to quit was like asking an author to stop writing; a ballerina to stop dancing; a soldier to stop protecting; an artist to stop creating; a musician to stop playing; an athlete to stop competing; a first-responder to stop rescuing; a journalist to stop reporting; a doctor to stop treating; an actor to stop performing, etc. He got into the ring because it was his passion. This wasn’t news to her. He was a top athlete in his youth who dreamt of being a national athlete one day,

After all the blood, sweat, & tears he’d poured into making his dream a reality it was really sucky for her to tell him to quit. It honestly made me angry. He deserved better than to have the person he loved the most make such a demand of him. He was determined not to let the fear of getting injured & permanently losing his hearing hold him back from pursuing his dream. She should’ve stood by his side & supported him as he prepared for the biggest fight of his career rather than trying to cut his wings due to her fears. I don’t hate her or think she’s an evil person, but I truly cannot relate to her in this instance.

Okay, rant over. I’ll move on. I don’t want my incredibly high level of annoyance at that one plot point to make you think I hated the whole story or discourage you from watching the drama! It truly is a good show with a very talented cast who have wonderful onscreen chemistry. The bonds of friendship, the struggles of being who you want to be versus who society deems you to be, the workplace dynamics, the many different familial issues - it all comes together to tell a good story.

And the love of the Leads. They truly are so cute together & incredibly funny. They have a bond that’s so deep that, even when it’s “broke off”, it’s never actually broken. The love & care they have for one another is the kind that could never die. So while their separation was heartbreaking to witness, their reconciliation was so sweet.


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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.10💋
- Together : ep.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.15 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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Don’t Miss Out on This Drama!

This is beauty & tragedy & redemption & pain all wrapped up in an unexpected love between two hurting people - a tender & raw story that’s just waiting for those of us willing to witness this duo’s journey of heartbreak & healing.

I went into this not knowing what to expect, but if I’d had any expectations, this would have far exceeded them. I was so captivated by the story, immediately drawn in by the snippets of what these characters had endured. I binged all the episodes because I simply had to know how their story ended. The cast did a wonderful job in their roles & drew me in so well that I couldn’t walk away until I knew if they would all be okay.

I can’t even imagine experiencing what these people have gone through. Not just the main Leads, but the others connected to the horrible tragedy as well. The drama starts off in the past, showing us where all the pain began - the collapse of a mall structure. A collapse that happened while our Leads were inside, burying them in the rubble. Since they were near each other when it happened they were able to find each other in the dark (though as adults, the FL doesn’t recognize him as the boy who helped keep her sane amidst the terror.) And while they were lucky to be rescued hours later, they each had loved ones who didn’t survive. They went to the mall as innocent young teens, but they left with wounds that would haunt them for years to come. Their hearts broke, their families fractured, & their lives changed in an instant.

Now, a new construction project is starting at the site of the building collapse. Coincidentally, our two survivors are hired to help in separate departments (nobody knows they were there that day.) They may have survived the tragedy back then, but can they survive the onslaught of memories their new tasks evoke?

“Beauty from ashes” is an apt descriptive phrase for the journey of these Leads. The tragedy they both experienced in their youth has had long lasting effects for each of them, both mentally & physically. They’re doing their best just to survive each day & stay standing. Seeing their fight to not simply give up is inspiring.

In the FL we find a quiet strength. She’s bearing the weight of guilt for surviving when her beloved younger sister didn’t. She believes her parents wished it was the other way around, so she does all she can to be “perfect” for them - living for both her sister & herself. The girls were complete opposites, though, so she never feels as if she can quite reach the mark in her mother’s eyes. Despite having her own career, she still helps her mother run their family business since her mother has become an alcoholic to help cope with the loss of her youngest daughter. The FL is admirable in this because, though she’s not treated well, she never walks away from her family. She’s quiet & timid, but hard-working & loyal. She doesn’t want to be part of the project, but then agrees because she wants to make sure it’s done right this time so nobody else has to endure the heartbreak her family has suffered. So she keeps it a secret from her parents & undertakes the burden of facing the past to help protect others’ future.

In the ML, we find a severely angry & tortured man. He’s rough & jaded, argumentative & combative. He carries the emotional wounds like the FL, but he also has tremendous physical pain as a reminder too. Whereas she escaped relatively pain free physically, he endured those hours they were buried with a piece of rebar pierced through his leg. Though “healed” now, the damage will never fully go away. After getting released from the hospital as a teen, he was immediately tasked with taking on the heavy financial debts of his family (this ties to the tragedy.) He takes a loan from dangerous people, then takes on any & all jobs to pay it all off while providing for his younger sister. She misunderstands him, though, so their relationship is distant as adults. When we witness everything the ML’s been forced to endure, his anger is understandable. Despite everything he’s gone through & the tough facade he presents to the outside world, he’s actually a genuinely good guy. He continues to work hard to provide for his sister; he’s protective & kind to his mentally impaired best friend; he cares for the women in his life (one like a grandma, the other an older sister). When he’s hired on to the new construction site, he’s determined to keep a close watch to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself… & he’s not afraid to make his voice heard when he sees anything fishy.

My heart ached for this duo’s pain & I wanted to shout for joy at every small victory they achieved. I was rooting for them every step of the way. The friendship, support, & love they find in one another is so satisfying to witness. They have a connection right from the start (and can I just say - wowwww. The way they meet as adults is so intense but a really perfect fit for their story.) They’re immediately curious about one another, even before the ML realizes who she is. Once he discovers she was the one buried with him, he wrestles with whether to make her aware or not - he doesn’t want to cause her more pain but he also desperately wants her to know it was him who was with her (‘cause their bond started forming while they were together in the dark.) I thought this was a really beautiful way to show the depth of his care & concern for her. He chooses to protect her rather than serve himself, showing a lack of selfishness on his part (though of course I too wanted the FL to know about their connection!) And even though the FL doesn’t have the knowledge of their past together, she’s still drawn to him in a way that I truly loved seeing. They have such a great chemistry that you just have to watch the drama to understand. It’s deep & tangible & consuming & just… everything. 🫠

There’s so much going on throughout the show. You can’t skip anything or you may miss something vital to the plot. The side stories matter & the support characters are all important. Then again, it’s all so captivating that I didn’t find myself wanting to skip any scenes anyways.

Don’t expect this to be a light, easy watch. It’s far from it. Maybe even have some tissues ready. Don’t skip it, though, because this is a truly beautiful story of healing from the trauma without forgetting the lessons learned through the pain. 💔❤️‍🩹


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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.12 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Sort of but not really 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Be Kind to Yourself

If you go into this expecting some grand storyline I’m afraid you might be disappointed.. But if you’re just wanting to spend some time watching a simple & low-angst story of two innocent introverts falling in love & helping each other heal from past wounds then you may enjoy this drama. Also, the Leads are both extremely attractive so if nothing else, your eyes will enjoy beholding their beauty for a few hours. 😉 And I know they’ve both gotten lots of negative reviews for their acting so let me just say - don’t hate. Like the drama or don’t, that’s completely fine. But there’s no need to spread negativity & spew verbal filth. Cause hey, guess what? They’re HUMAN just like you & words hurt them too!

Onto the review…

So this is the story of a girl who’s endured years of bullying due to her physical appearance. She’s the object of ridicule for the simple fact that she doesn’t meet the standards of pretty (we never see her original face, fyi.) After years of verbal abuse from her classmates she’s become extremely self-conscious & isolates herself from everyone but her best friend. Once high school ends, she convinces her mom to go against her father’s wishes & secretly gets cosmetic surgery done in the hopes of stopping any further ridicule from her peers when she starts college.

She soon discovers that, though she’s happy with the surgery’s results, the threat of it being discovered that she’s not a “natural beauty” terrifies her. So despite making a huge change to her outward appearance, her insecurities remain the same as before, ‘causing her to continue being extremely self-conscious. This allows others to take advantage of her & manipulate/bully her - she lacks the confidence needed to stand up for herself. She’s so overly concerned about what others think of her that she never stops to consider what she thinks about herself.

Enter the delightfully yummy ML. Though they attended the same middle school, they weren’t really friends. He stayed to himself & she assumed nobody wanted to be around her. They had very few interactions, but he was always kinds to her. He’s got wounds of his own he’s dealing with, though, due to the fallout of his parents’ divorce. When their paths cross again at college, they fall into an unexpected friendship. Though he still likes to keep to himself, appearing aloof & uninterested in those around him, it doesn’t stop him from always stepping in to help her when she’s being treated unfairly. He’s always quick to defend her, befriend her, & protect her. Which, of course, makes him a total green flag that us viewers can safely fall for! 💚

I admit I did get frustrated with the FL for her continued naivety where the toxic fake “friend” was concerned & her complete lack of spine in just being herself. She was such a kind person with a genuinely good heart. She was loyal to her friends, always willing to help those in need, & an all-around nice person. I just wanted her to see herself clearly sooner, ya know? Her constant rejection of the ML drove me crazy because just… whyyyy?!? Which subsequently made me adore the ML all that much more for his continued attempts to help her see her value & worth. Such a great guy, both as a friend & potential suitor. Girl, just give in! Heehee.

Now, I did like her more once she admitted her feelings for the ML & finally gave into his pursuit. The ways he helped her become more confident in herself & secure in his feelings for her are so precious. And though she struggles to make their relationship public for various reasons, I love that, once she took that step, she never looked back - she openly claimed him & was proud to have everyone know it. They’re so awkwardly cute that, even though this isn’t some masterpiece drama, I still found myself enjoying them.

The overall message I got from the story is this - love yourself.. Overly simplified, but true. Be someone you’d want to be friends with. Focus on your inner self just as much (if not more) as you do your outward appearance. Understand that looks aren’t everything - you can have a beautiful figure but a horrible personality & that will make you an ugly person. At the end of the day it’s who you ARE that’s most important, not how you look. >>> The drama also portrays the impact bullying can have on a person, as well as how destructive negative thinking patterns can be to our lives when we obsess over what others think of us. While their opinions can hurt us, it’s up to us to determine how deeply we allow the impact to control us. We can adopt a victim mentality or we can choose to overcome. The battle isn’t easy, but the victory is well worth 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.15 💋
- Together : ep.12 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💖

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A sweet & easy watch

This is the story of two modern day adults who aren’t interested in the marriage their families have arranged for them (& really, how many of us would be okay being pushed into something as intimate & serious as that?!) Despite having never met, they dislike each other for the simple reason that they’re the spouse being forced upon them. They’re determined to get their families to break off the agreement, but this beautiful actress & handsome doctor are about to learn that fate has an intense love in store for them…

Because of her fame, the FL is used to being the center of attention & having lots of male suitors. Her career often makes her the subject of rumors, though, so she’s never been able to form a real connection with any love interest. So while she excels in the art of flirting, she’s never actually had a boyfriend before. When she ends up as a patient of the ML, she’s immediately attracted to him (not knowing he’s the arranged mate she’s been avoiding meeting). She begins pursuing him, but to no avail. Eventually his continued rejections ‘cause her to feel hurt enough that she walks away to heal her emotional wounds, unaware that she’s already begun to enter the ML’s heart.

For the ML’s part, he’s a genius doctor from a wealthy family. He’s never been interested in any of the many women who flock around him, nor can he be bothered to give his attention to anything outside his field of interest. He’s a perfectionist who just wants to be left alone so he can do his job well without any outside distractions or interferences. His personality often causes others to assume he’s cold & indifferent, which is why he seems so unmoved by the FL’s advances while in the hospital. At first he’s simply focused on his job as her attending physician, then he’s suspicious of her intentions. But underneath his aloof exterior lies the heart of a good man who is, in fact, being affected by the FL’s not-so-sly flirtations (which is proven by the ways he shows up to care for & protect her after she’s no longer his patient).

Overall I did enjoy this drama, but there are 2 things that kept me from rating it higher. Let me say just a little bit about those after stating that this is in NO WAY meant as a slur against the actors. I think the cast all did a good job in the roles they were given & I don’t at all mean to cast shade on their hard work in filming this drama.

First, I wasn’t a fan of the FL’s games with the ML. I never like these storylines because it’s not amusing to me to watch someone treat another persons emotions/hearts like it’s a game. It always feels so callous & cruel to me, leaving a sense of unease about that character. I prefer people be open & honest, rather than playing mind games with one another. If the FL had done that it would’ve saved them so.much.drama because most of their misunderstandings & squabbles were caused by her childish refusal to just be real with the ML about her feelings.

Second, the ML’s younger sister was incredibly annoying. To the point where I actually skipped the Leads’ first date scene because I just couldn’t stand how the sister kept interfering. That girl needed a swift kick in the tushy, for real. Whyyy would she be so immature & petty, trying to break up her brother’s relationship out of some stupid rivalry/jealousy? And then, what, all is forgiven because they distract her with her male idol? I just didn’t like that whole scenario, but whatever. She does become more bearable once she takes her nose out of the Leads’ business & stays out of their relationship.

Like I said, though, overall I did like this drama. The Leads have really good onscreen chemistry so their flirting & playfulness is super fun to watch. Once they finally get together, they’re a really solid couple (which actually makes their breakup seem out of character for them with everything they’ve gone through to be together.) I love their reunion scene after that storm, where he’s all worried & then there she is, climbing out of the wagon all muddy & drenched. If you’ve seen the show, you know what I’m talking about. It’s one of the most iconic scenes of the drama for a reason!

Anywho, if you’re in the mood to watch a somewhat clueless girl fumble her way into the heart of the much sought after male, then give this show a try. It’s got the usual things like love rivals, workplace sabotage, secondary couple love story, solid friendships, cohabitation, some push-&-pull between the Leads, low-key angst, & a sweet/fluffy romance that will have you smiling at their scenes.


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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.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.22 💔
- BackTogether : ep.23 ❤️‍🩹

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Low Angst & Sweet Romance

I’ve said this before but historical dramas aren’t my normal genre of choice. I had recently watched another of Tian XiWei’s (FL1) dramas, “First Love”, & enjoyed it enough to watch more of her works. The synopsis of this one caught my attention & so I gave it a shot. It’s a pretty easy watch that I enjoyed. It’s got it’s fluffy moments, some great action sequences, laughter-inducing scenes, an element of uncovering & stopping the villain’s schemes, & the sweet love stories of two couples who were destined to be together.

The whole thing is set into motion when two powerful families from the same county plan weddings for their daughters on the same day. It’s definitely done in a competitive way as both are vying to be “top dog”. But that very competitiveness is what leads to the big mix up - by putting their girls in matching wedding attire & matching carriages, it’s no wonder that the girl’s get swapped around in the end.

Neither girl wants their arranged marriage, but they’re good girls who’ve been taught to submit to the will of their elders. That in no way means they’re weak, though. These girls both have their own degrees of strength that’s about to be put to the test. And the grooms have no idea what beautiful chaos is headed their way. 😆

The brides: FL1 (Tian XiWei) grew up with a martial arts instructor as her father. This led to her being a tomboy with great fighting skills. Anything the boys can do, she can do better. She’s outspoken, independent, & not at all familiar or talented in the arts the ladies of her day are supposed to train in. Her skills end up being a great asset in her marriage, though.
FL2 is a meek girl who rarely speaks up. She’s been raised to be submissive & genteel, a true lady of her time. But through her love of learning & her constant seeking of knowledge, she’s become a genius in many subjects. This is later shown when she tackles the world of medical aid for frontline soldiers, something she’d never imagined herself doing.

The grooms: ML1 is a seemingly sickly young man who spends his days indoors to help manage his health. In reality, though, it’s all a show for his family because someone wants to eliminate him due to his position as heir. He’s determined to expose the villain & protect his family from further calamity, hoping his arranged bride will help with his cover.
ML2 is a fierce warrior for the Emperor. He’s a leader of his battalion, quick-witted & a great strategist. He has no time for a marriage nor a desire for a wife. Familial duty demands he step up, though, so he allows the marriage to happen, never intending to have a real relationship with the bride. He’s focused on serving his country & protecting the people.

When the girl’s accidentally get switched after seeking shelter from a storm, much drama (& hilarity) ensues. They both have to hide their identities from their grooms & everyone else (FL2 even has to go so far as to hide her gender!) They each end up with only one other person knowing who they truly are (FL1’s maid & FL2’s “mentor”), which is a blessing for them since that person becomes their strongest ally & source of help as they navigate how to deal with this unexpected event. It truly seems as if they ended up at the wrong place as the girl with a warrior’s training ends up in a “home wife” role, while the gentle girl ends up in an army camp. Both duos seem ill-matched & doomed for failure, but fate seems to know better…

The Leads were a pleasure to watch. All four were wise, loyal, & kind-hearted people. Though there were initial misunderstandings due to the bride mix up, they all quickly came to care for their partner. I appreciated that the writer didn’t draw out their “animosity” scenes for too long. By ep.8 everything was out in the open & they were happy with the spouse fate gave them.

The storyline moved at a good pace. It wasn’t perfect & there were things I wish were done a bit differently, but overall I liked the plot. The support characters were an enjoyable addition with very few being annoying. I appreciated how the couples handled each obstacle as a team, recognizing the villains’ schemes & not succumbing to their sabotage attempts. In the MC’s case, I mean this particularly for when the “childhood sweetheart” character arrived to cause mayhem. I liked how the ML made sure to clear up any possible misunderstandings & assure his wife that she’s the only one he’ll ever love. In the SC’s case, I mean this for when the marriage decree came from the emperor & then later was enforced by the empress. The couple stayed true to their vows, even if it caused them to lose everything (including their lives). Seeing both couples so obviously & openly devoted to one another for 2/3’s of the show was a great relief. No messy breakups or separations for these lovers - they were devoted the whole way through. It was also beautiful how the grooms appreciated the brides for the women they were, never trying to change them or mold them into anyone else. They gave the women the freedom to be themselves, something both women longed for but had never fully experienced. And this earned the men the love of a lifetime - these wives would willingly stand by their sides to fight for their love.

So in conclusion, this is a sweet & easy watch where both couples shine with their chemistry & adoration of one another. 💖

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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 : MC - ep.8, SC - ep.10 💋
- Together : MC - ep.8, SC - ep.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 🫶🏻

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Some bad, but mostly All Good!

The FL quits her job at an IT firm after being shamed for reporting sexual harassment. She becomes an entrepreneur, learning to navigate all the ups & downs. She accepts the financial investment of a powerful CEO who happens to be a college classmate she hasn’t seen in 10yrs. As they work together, their bond deepens & romantic sparks fly. Will they find love amidst the attempts to sabotage them?

This isn’t a fluffy drama. It focuses on starting a business, finding your niche, dealing with rivals, & earning your place. But there’s humor, sweetness, & love too!

I adore the female besties. They never fight, have stupid jealous fits, or make catty remarks. They have the friendship where they compliment one another’s gowns & fix each other’s crowns. 👑 They’re strong women chasing their dreams & finding love along the way.

Now for the Leads… they (of course) had a communication misunderstanding which lead to them having no contact for the past decade. That made a negative impact on their opinions of each other, but neither of them use it as some excuse to vilify or torment the other.

The ML is aces & I love him. He liked the FL in college, but duty took him away before he could confess. He’s never forgotten her, though. He’s devastated when he learns she’s in a long term relationship, but after their painful & unexpected breakup, he gives her time to heal & move on before confessing.

He’s still very attentive & does all he can to be with her, though. Him waiting to confess does not mean he isn’t slowly & subtly pursuing her. And when Ms. Delulu tries cr@p, he shuts her down quick. I LOVE how he cut ties with her - a true “mess with my woman & I’ll mess back” type. 🫠 I swear I could just gush about him for awhile!

The FL is just as great. She goes through a LOT but it all makes her stronger. Through all the sly & underhanded attempts to foil her business’ success, to the personal heartbreak she experiences, & with all the new things she’s needing to adapt to & learn in this new career path she’s chosen - girl is a total boss & never lets anything give her a victim mentality. With every setback & hardship she faces, she perseveres & proves herself worthy of recognition for all her hard work. She truly grows to be the ML’s equal in the corporate world. And her affection for him is precious. She’s intent on never doing anything that’d harm him, neither professionally or personally.

Okay, having said all that, I do feel I should point out a few issues I had -
1) Whyyyyy would she go to her exes wedding? Not only that, he’s marrying one of her previous best friends! Totally broke the girl code there. Neither of them were honest with the FL about it, they just expected her to accept it after they were already together. And she did! I just didn’t like that. Wish them well if you must, but boundaries, girl!
2) Communicate! Their heartbreak could’ve been less harsh if they’d just been honest with one another. ML should’ve come clean about the business stuff before they started dating. FL should’ve spoken to him rather than breaking into his safe (especially since what prompted that was words from people she KNOWS want to hurt her.)
3) Act your age. Be mad & hurt & all the things, but don’t let it make you stupid. After all you’ve done to grow your business (not to mention all the hard work of your colleagues!) don’t make rash decisions in the heat of the moment as payback against your partner. Honestly, her decision didn’t damage him, it damaged her. And he totally saved her butt in it too by getting her business back from their rivals. Why do people turn to the known “villains” in those moments? Can we say petty & childish?!
4) Wardrobe. It really bugged me how much skin the FL had to show. Is that normal in China, for business women to wear what amounts to a shirt to the office? Can they not cover their legs or wear longer skirts/dresses? I always feel like they’re being made to use their bodies to help advance their careers, as if their brains aren’t enough. Can we like, stop normalizing that, please?! The guys are in multiple layered suits. If they can succeed while being fully clothed, don’t ya think women can too? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Okay. Done with my rant, haha! That list made it seem like I don’t actually like this drama but that’s so not true. I LOVED it!! I know others have different opinions & I’m completely fine with that. And it’s totally cool if you think differently too! 😉

Back to the Leads. I honestly love them. They’re perfect together, despite their mistakes. They both learn & grow from that experience, recognizing the things they did wrong & determining to do better in the future. When they come back together, they have an added layer of maturity to them, as well as a new level of devotion for & cherishing of one another. They’ve experienced what it’s like to be apart & they know it’s not something they ever want to face again so they put in the effort needed to maintain a healthy relationship. The ways they love, support, & protect one another are total couple goals. 💚 The ending is sweet yet leaves an ache. Definitely watch a bonus episode! It’s a HEA, but it’s THE END & I’m simply not ready to let them go yet…

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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.22 💋
- Together : ep.24 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.31 💔
- BackTogether : ep.36 ❤️‍🩹

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Humorous with lots of heart!

When her boyfriend of 15 years breaks up with her unexpectedly, the FL hires the ML as her personal trainer to help get back in shape & turn her life around.

Even though she doesn’t fit society’s {warped} definition of beautiful, the FL remains confident & true to herself. Though she has moments of feeling discouraged because of the negativity around her, she never lets that keep her down. It was really nice to watch a show where the woman knows her worth & doesn’t let anyone push her around. It’s a powerful message that many need to hear.

I liked how the ML didn’t go easy on her, but rather encouraged her to {safely} push her limits. And when he saw her tenacity & drive to succeed, he began seeing her in a whole new light. He never cared about her size, only ever her health. The situations he’d put her in because of his job were quite humorous (but I know if I was in the FL’s shoes I’d have died of embarrassment 🫣)!

Through their journey to get her healthy & their cohabitation to keep her safe, they develop a strong base for their relationship to be built on. Once they become a them, they’re so adorable. Their chemistry is so natural & easy right from the start, I immediately shipped them.

We see them both be each other’s strength. When his old injuries & disease flare up, she’s there to encourage him that he can handle the pain & keep moving forward. When she’s struggling to kick bad habits & overcome health issues, he’s there to keep her on track & remind her she’s worth it. Where one is lacking, the other steps in & helps cover the slack. It’s such a beautiful portrayal of a couple who are truly partners in all things. There’s some real emotional scenes that produce all the feels so be prepared to swoon & get your heartstrings tugged.

Bonus: the bromance is wonderful & worth watching just for them. The “big brother” they’d follow anywhere, the sweet “middle brother” who’s a professional fighter, & the quirky “little brother” who’s constantly speaking in Kenglish (Korean + English) - I loved them so much! And how they include the FL in their tight circle of 3 (now 4) is just *chef’s kiss* 🫠

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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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What you think makes you unloveable is the very thing I love about you…

A love story between an airline director & a top actress who are each doing their best to live with & conceal unusual phenomena. He suffers from prosopagnosia, while every month she transforms into someone else for a week.

I love these Leads. Truly. The way they both handle their individual struggles without allowing it to control their lives is inspiring. They’re both at the top of their respective fields & nobody has any idea about what they’re living with each moment (except for those they’ve allowed to know.) Remarkable.

They start off on shaky ground with their feelings closer to hatred for one another, but even so, they automatically protect the other’s secrets (even before they realize there are secrets to be kept). I laughed at their antics, wanted to slap them for their missteps, & rooted for them with each scene they drew me into.

Once their truths are revealed to each other, their protection of one another becomes that much more intense. The ML had me swooning over his love for his woman so much! And the FL had so many “you go, girl!” moments that made me cheer for her so hard. Seriously, as individuals & as a couple, these two rock! And it really makes you ponder the depths of love - would you stay with your partner if they couldn’t recognize your face? would you still love your partner, no matter their outward appearance?

The ending beach scene with her walking towards him in so many different forms = perfection *chef’ kiss*. Seriously one of the greatest moments of the drama & such a perfect ending.

Major bonus: the friends in both Leads’ lives rock! 💖

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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 : ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.15 💍

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Will love take flight?

He just wants to be ordinary. She’s anything but. It’s a rough start for these polar opposites, but as they interact more at work, can they become friends… & let love take flight?

This is a beautiful story about a man with a disability learning to accept himself & allow the woman he loves close enough to love him back.

The ML has always protected the FL, even before they officially meet. The scene of the first time he did it? Amazing! And all the times he protects her throughout the rest of the drama just make me love him so much! He’s so worth my swoons!

Even when he’s irritated with her at work he always steps in & helps her. There’s just something about her that draws him in which causes him much confusion.

For the FL, she’s intrigued by him. He seems like a walking contradiction to her with how he’s pulling her in one moment only to push her away later. But even as he confuses her, she’s drawn to him (& so am I!)

I enjoyed this look inside what it’s like to work in an airport. It was interesting & not something I’d thought of before.

The Leads are super cute together. I loved watching them go from being leery of each other to becoming one another’s person - the one they value, trust, & love above all others. They’re forced to go through a lot of hard stuff so I’m glad they got the ending they deserved. 💜💚

And, I won’t give much detail, but the whole portrayal of living with a disability & trying to hide it to protect yourself - I feel it was really nicely done. I also appreciate how they showed how it can be for both the one who has the disability & for the one who loves them. It brings struggles to each person, that’s just a fact. But disabilities in no way render a person unworthy of love so I’m glad they showed that message accurately.

As a HUGE bonus, we see Rowoon as the SML & Nam Da Reum as the young ML.🩵


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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.16 💋
- Together : ep.22 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ? 😅

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The pain & the cure

A beautiful story of helping someone heal in the way they need to, not the way you want them to. It’s both the pain & the cure.

This ended up being different than I was expecting from reading the synopsis. A lot deeper & heavier than I anticipated, but I adjusted to it quickly & was drawn into their story.

The ending is rushed & I heard it’s ‘cause it was intended to have 16eps but got cut to 12 so some important things are missing BUT it’s a HEA so it’s saved from being a total waste.

The FL is an inspiring character. Though she’s had a really hard life with no real home to speak of since she was orphaned, she isn’t jaded or closed off from others. She remains an optimistic & hopeful person, believing everything happens for a reason even if she may not yet understand the “why” of it. She’s a kind & hardworking woman who finds enjoyment in her work, especially when it brings the ML into her orbit. One look & she’s smitten. The more she learns of his story, the more intrigued she becomes. Girl falls & she falls fast.

The ML, however, takes some time to allow his feelings to get involved due to past traumas. He fell in love with his childhood friend & has held a torch for her ever since, despite her getting married & cutting off contact with him (I believe at her husband’s insistence.) He’s attracted to the FL, but he doesn’t want to acknowledge it or he’ll have to face that he needs to move on & let his past go. He’s not cruel, just sort of closed off. But he slowly begins to heal & open his heart to the connection he & the FL share.

As they spend time together while working & growing closer, they find that two different halves really can make a whole. I enjoyed their interactions so much. Sometimes they made me ache at the hardships they’ve endured. Other times they made me swoon at their total loveliness together. They really are a precious couple & I wish we’d gotten more of them.

The support characters added a lot to the story. Some their stories are just…wow. I really recommend this if you’re in the mood for something not fluffy & over-the-top tropey. It has all the dynamics we love in a kdrama without being too OTT.


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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.10 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ? 😅

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Contract Marriage Turns Real?

Full of tropes & a bit cringey at times, I did still find some enjoyment in this. It definitely gets better once the Leads acknowledge their feelings.

A contractual marriage between the cold, “male god” professor { Wei Zhe Ming } and his calm, sunny student { Xu Ruo Han }.

Due to outsiders that cause misunderstandings, these Leads experience some unnecessary drama, imho. However, neither of them ever have eyes for anyone else {despite what the love rivals may believe!} As they navigate their fake relationship, the feelings become more and more real… until nothing feels fake anymore.

They’re a really cute couple once they’re on the same page about making their marriage real. I was rooting for them the whole time. I love their awkward innocence that leads to humorous moments. I like what they bring out in each other & the bond they develop. They have good chemistry, as “enemies” then reluctant partners, as student & professor, & finally as friends turned lovers.

This is a sweet love story with a guaranteed HEA & no real drama trauma so if that’s what you’re in the mood for, give this one a chance.

PS - FL’s drawings are a fun bonus!

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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.7/17 💋
- Together : ep.17 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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Conspiracies. Secrets. Growth. Love. A lot is happening at the Police Uni.!

Just jumping right in..

The ML { Daniel Kang } is a rule follower who doesn’t rock the boat. Aside from his best friend, he’s a loner who seems aloof & cold to others. He’s following in his father’s footsteps & is only focused on graduating at the top. This means not challenging the way things go or questioning authority. But he’s about to meet someone who changes his thinking.

The FL { Chae Soo Bin } is a lively & friendly girl who followed her crush to Uni. in hopes of winning his affection. But as the days pass she finds her heart leading her in another direction. With every hardship she faces, it’s the ML who’s always there to help/comfort her & he quickly becomes a friend she relies on.

I loved the Leads. They’re such a wholesome couple. Witnessing their love blossom amidst hard stuff [ bullying, corruption, rivalries, & de@th of loved ones] was so beautiful. It brought light to their dark moments & gave them hope when life was overwhelming. They have such a solid relationship that nothing could ever make them walk away from one another. ❤️‍🩹

And their chemistry is so good! They have lots of steamy kisses that make your heart flutter! 🔥🫠

The secondary characters who form a friend squad with the Leads add to the story, not detract from it. With their presence comes drama, but that makes it more realistic. They made me laugh & they broke my heart (when you see the scene you’ll know EXACTLY what I’m referring to!). They believed that justice should always win & that nobody should be above the law. While they didn’t always get the results they wanted, they never gave up or quit trying to unveil the truth. I really liked the bond they formed & how they grew to be so loyal to one another.

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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 : Nope 💖

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Cue the Laughter!

A brilliantly unconventional & blunt trauma surgeon with a mysterious past takes over a struggling emergency department despite a myriad of protests from fellow department leaders. He recruits a rookie to be his protege (though said young doctor isn’t so sure he wasn’t to switch departments…) Along with a fierce nurse & a coolheaded anesthesiologist this newly formed trauma team tackles numerous cases while navigating the endless battle of hospital politics.

Oh.My.Gosh - I am kicking myself for not watching this sooner!! This action packed medical-comedy doesn’t take itself too seriously, leading to some unrealistic but hilarious scenarios even while shedding light on some very real-life issues within the medical world (example: patients dy!ng due to treatment costs).

In a humorous way, this gave a great comparison between doctors who are more concerned with their status in society & our heroes of the story who are solely focused on every patient with fierce determination & genuine dedication. The world desperately needs more doctors who see the patient in front of them as someone worthy of their help rather than letting dollar signs decide who gets treated!

I’m looking forward to seeing what seasons 2 & 3 hold in store for this team! Hoping Netflix releases them in the not-too distant future 🤞🏻

Advice? Push play & prepare to laugh!

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Don’t Miss Out on This Gem!

Identical twins - whose similarities end with their looks - swap identities & embark on a journey to rediscover the point of living.

One’s a former athlete while the other’s a corporate perfectionist. When they try to live as each other, will their contrasting personalities lead to doom or will their shaky bond ultimately save them?

Park Bo Young absolutely slayed in her dual roles 🫶🏻 She infused each sister with such depth & feeling, allowing the viewers to truly believe she was two different people. Her talents were not wasted with this script!

While thinking of how to accurately describe this drama, these 4 words immediately came to mind:
Poignant.
Healing.
Beautiful.
Profound.

It’s filled with numerous quotable lines & life lessons about being kind to yourself, not judging what you don’t know, that communication is vital, & the importance of family. This is a drama that you need to pay attention to lest you miss out on it’s important messages. It will make you think about your own life while causing you to feel for everything these characters go through (not just the sisters, but their love interests too!)

The unfolding of everyone’s backstories happens at a good pace, allowing us time to connect with the character right where they are in each moment. The layers of emotions surrounding the familial bond is both weighty & healing, showing how big of an impact a difference in treatment can have on one’s psyche. The love stories are a major focal point (ones I loved & rooted for) but never take the main focus away from this story ultimately being about the twins’ individual journeys to inner healing. Major kudos to the writers, each cast member, & everyone else for making this such a stellar production!

Some of my favorite quotes are:

- “Was this thrown away because it deflated? Or did it deflate because it was thrown away? Am I living like this because of the way I am? Or am I like this because of the way I live?”
- “When a lie comes to light, everyone feels awful, regardless of whose lie it is.”
- “It wasn’t until I lived as someone else that I realized my worst enemy was myself.”
- “No matter how pathetic or messy it looks, anything you do to survive is brave.”
- “For so long, I was harder on myself than anyone else. … So why do I end up attacking myself in the moments I most need to protect myself?”
- “People who have issues always take their issues with them wherever they go.”
- “We don’t know everything, do we? And if you don’t know the full story, it’s better to keep quiet sometimes.”
- “I couldn’t do anything about the pain, but I could choose not to cry.”
- “People who get swayed by gossip don’t care about the truth anyway.”
- “What felt natural to us seemed flawed to the rest of the world.”

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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.8 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.11 💔
- BackTogether : ep.11 ❤️‍🩹

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