dramallamareviews

Poignant & Inspiring

Okay, this is another short review simply because I don’t want to give many spoilers! This is a must watch drama, imho, and I think you should see it for the first time without any preconceived notions or expectations. I could gush about the characters and my favorite scenes and the storyline, etc. But I think it’s best to push play with your brain as a blank slate and just let this precious drama write itself for you… {now, if after watching it you want to come back and chat with me about it, feel free ‘cause I’m always ready for some drama-talk! 😉}

This is such a poignant story that shows that the ways we treat people impacts and affects their lives. Through many ups and downs, the main trio form beautiful bonds of friendship with one another. They begin to look past their misjudgments and labels of each other and learn to truly see the person beneath the masks worn for the world. They come to fully trust and depend on one another, which is just so beautiful to witness. Seeing their struggles and triumphs is inspiring, the way they refuse to stay down when life throws its punches but rather get back up every time. This one made me cry at their pain and smile at their happiness.

Interwoven throughout is the sweet love story of the Leads, which is something I encourage you not to miss. Watch this. I don’t know how you’d regret doing so!

“You’re already perfect. You’re the only one who doesn’t know that.”

“When you have a nightmare, all you have to do is wake up. It’s not real. And I’m right here next to 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.7 💋
- Together : ep.6 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 🫶🏻

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Enjoyed More than Expected!

An arrogant ace lawyer suffering from a centuries-old curse + a lonely low-ranking civil servant who comes into possession of the cure he needs. Can they work together well enough to break the curse?

I held off on watching this because of the OW drama with the ML’s g/f (who is hecka annoying, delulu, & toxic), but now I’m kicking myself for not watching it sooner because holy wowza - the Leads totes make all the drama worth it! 😍

Some of the tropes between them:
- professional lives (he’s a top dog while she’s bottom of the totem pole)
- incompatible “social status” (he’s from a prominent & rich family while she’s orphaned & poor)
- opposite personalities (he’s apathetic; she’s friendly)
- He’s dating her HS bully (who lied so he treats FL coldly for it)
- She’s crushing on SML (who rejects her then pursues her)
Throw in a curse they’re not sure they believe in, past lives neither remembers, workplace shenanigans, + a psychotic k!ller & they’ve got a LOT to deal with. 😱

The Leads have amazing chemistry & I loved their chaotic journey! The ML is hilarious with his love-spell actions, he made me laugh so much. The FL is precious with her attempts to make friends & just do her job well, despite all the opposition. And them together? Woo buddy - the heat! 🔥🫠

Every longing glance. Every brush of their hands. Every “accidental” touch. Every hug. And every.single.kiss! The Leads sucked me in with every scene & I adore them for 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.7💋
- Together : ep.11 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: ep.13 (sorta) 💔
- BackTogether : ep.14 ❤️‍🩹

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Sweet yet Angsty

When a pharmacist & single father has a chance meeting with a librarian, they start seeing love & relationships in a brand new light.

Thoughts I had while watching this:
- Clingy, obsessive exes are incredibly annoying. Trying to control/sabotage someone isn’t love, it’s just stupid pride.
- Yes, we should be grateful to our parents for raising us, but that doesn’t mean we owe them our lives. They’re our parents, not our masters.
- Single parents are no less deserving of happiness & love than anyone else. Their children aren’t a “flaw”, nor are the parents “damaged goods”.
- Yes, break ups can be unilateral decisions. It doesn’t matter if the other person wants it or not, justified reasoning or not.
- Love is worth fighting for. It’s worth taking the risk. Not the fake stuff so often portrayed, but real, true, abiding love <— that love is worth it all.

This drama had sweet moments, painful moments, frustrating moments, & victorious moments. Some characters needed punches to the face, while others deserved all the hugs. 💗

Look up the lyrics for the OST - they really fit the drama —> “We Could Still be Happy” by Rachael Yamagata <— loved this song!

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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.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope 💖

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Slow Means Slooooooooow

A bookshop owner reunites with his former classmate (& crush) when she returns to their hometown after growing tired of the city & numb in her career as a cellist. Will his calm personality help soothe her past hurts or will she refuse to allow her heart to heal?

Okay, look - I wanted to like this so bad! I love the lead actors & I truly enjoy so many of the supporting cast as well. They’re all extremely talented individuals who deserve applause for their hard work. My rating of this drama isn’t at all meant as a bash against any of them! I simply could not get into the story.

I think it all just moved too slow for me. I’m not opposed to a slow burn romance, so that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the way the whole plot unraveled, their walking that was more meandering, & how even the way they spoke felt more drawn out than usual. And I know it was all intentional, the story unfolded this was at this specific pace for a reason. But I kept getting confused because of the timeline jumps - like we’d be in the “present” one moment, but then seeing a scene from earlier in the day that lead to that “present” moment. It was all just very jumbled to me so that lessened my ability to enjoy it too. And I take responsibility for that because I’m sure the problem lies with me, not the drama, haha.

So though it took me a really long time to finish it because I just couldn’t connect with any of it, I don’t want to discourage you from giving it a shot because it could be one of your new favs! Like I said, the cast are all talented & I think they did their roles justice in this drama as well. And the Leads have really good chemistry. Again, I’m sure the problem is with me, so don’t skip this drama just because I couldn’t get into it! 🤪 Not every drama is for each of us. Some are a hit & others are a miss. That’s why I’ll forever be grateful to all the writers, directors, actors, & everyone else who works so hard to continue making new dramas for us fans to devour & enjoy!

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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 : ep.15 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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A Fateful Encounter

Brought together by fate, a woman who seemingly has everything & a younger man who seems to have nothing decide to give up an ordinary life to be together. Will the world allow their love to blossom?

The Leads have a chance encounter while in Cuba (such a meet-cute!) They share a magical time together, where moments become memories neither will ever forget. He’s immediately smitten & wants more time with her, but real life calls them both back home. Unbeknownst to either of them, their lives are about to collide once again in Korea when the ML gets hired on in a company under the FL’s leadership.

Honestly, there’s a lot of potential for drama-trauma in this show. There are so.many.people who believe their opinions should dictate how the Leads live their lives, constantly trying to manipulate & control the main protagonists. And OhEmGee, such toxic mother’s (except the ML’s)!! 😡 I legit wanted to scream at them. They made me so irritated that I actually started skimming through their scenes just to preserve my sanity….

But oh, the Leads…🫠 Their interactions are so precious & wholesome that they made up for all the icky stuff surrounding them (& Manager Nam - loved him!)

The ML is so pure & devoted in his total adoration & pursuit of the FL. Their age difference concerns her, as well as her status as a divorcee - she fights their connection due to feeling unworthy of him. But he steadily & sweetly breaks through all her barriers & shows her a love that heals & soothes. And she in turn protects & encourages him at every turn. Their romance is so beautiful & their chemistry can melt your screen! 🔥

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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.6 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : ep.15 💔
- BackTogether : ep.16 ❤️‍🩹

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“I Create Opportunities Even in Hellish Situations”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sort of “Meh” for Me

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

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

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

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

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

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Not For Me…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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Warm, Fluffy, Sweet, & Funny

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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Beautiful Found Family

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

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

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

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

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

Which means the writers inevitably split them up…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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Watch to form your own opinion!

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

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

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

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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Who is the Replica?

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

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

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

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

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

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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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Twists abound on this journey…

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

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

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

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

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


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-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-


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

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Do you know who you can trust?

Go into this prepared to completely love the Leads, to enjoy their friends, to absolutely loathe the bullies, & to have mixed feelings about a few others.

A girl trying to figure out the truth behind her twin brother’s supposed suic!de & a boy grappling with the news that he’s terminally ill. They’re both strong individuals who haven’t had easy lives, but how much weight can they handle before they inevitably break under the pressure?

This unlikely duo is about to find out that, even when the world seems to be caving in, having just one person whom you can completely trust in can make a huge difference. And by focusing on being that person for each other, they begin to experience a lessening of the weight of their own sorrow.

This is a gritty story of the dark side of high school. There’s so much hurt & heartache beneath the surface, while the students are just trying to survive & make it to graduation. And while it will make you ache at the pain these youth face daily, it’s not all dark & twisted…

Out of the suffering they’re both facing, a deep bond is formed between the Leads. The unexpected connection helps them endure the pain of living. And in each other they find solace & strength.

Their chemistry is amazing, especially since this isn’t a romance drama. But their words & actions show a deep love for one another that leaps off the screen. 🔥🫠

Their group of friends (& all the stories those teens bring to the story) are such an integral part of the plot. This drama is both the hurt & the cure…

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