dramallamareviews

Didn’t Love, Didn’t Hate

A centuries old Gumiho & an urban myth tv show producer. He’s policing unruly supernatural beings while looking for the reincarnation of his first love. She’s searching for the truth of her parents’ disappearance years ago & suspects he might be connected to the mystery. As their lives collide & truths are slowly revealed, will they finally get their HEA?

I watched this years ago & wasn’t really a fan due to the ending of one of the main characters (which I won’t spoil here, iykyk!), but I gave it another watch recently & while I still dislike that part, I enjoyed the show overall the second time through.

It’s a well done story with good pacing + a cast who plays their roles well. The complicated bromance draws you in & the star crossed lovers aspect holds you. The mysteries, both past & present, keep you guessing a bit & add some angst/tension.

And the Leads. Ooh. The Leads have very good chemistry, yummm… 🔥🫠 I enjoyed their transition from suspicious “enemies”, to cautious partners, to tentative friends, to BOOM - “I’d let the world burn for you” lovers. 🫶🏻 I’m glad that, once the mystery of the past was unraveled & both Leads were aware of their history, that any drama between them was done. They were 100% solid & devoted to one another, despite the obstacles between them. They had some big stuff to overcome, but they never hesitated or faltered in their choice to be together.

So while it’s not my favorite drama, it’s still a very good drama that’s worth watching.


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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.4(past),5(present) 💋
- 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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Cherish Your Youth

I held off on watching this drama for quite awhile due to the simple fact that I’m not a fan of love triangles, which this show very much has. I kept seeing snippets of it via social media, though, so I finally caved & pushed play. And while the triangle definitely lowered my rating some, I’m still glad I watched it because I ended up enjoying it more than I expected to.

It tells the story of a quirky college freshman who has no time for extracurricular activities/clubs because she’s solely focused on making money to support herself + her mother & younger brother. So she initially turns down her bestie’s request to join the university cheerleading squad, but when she’s bribed with money if she joins, she quickly signs up. The catch? She must keep it a secret that she’s being paid. She thinks it’ll be easy money… then she officially meets the captain (whom she’s already had some not-so-good encounters with). He’s more serious & mature than her, so their personalities constantly clash. Not to mention that he’s very passionate about the squad, while she’s only in it for as long as it takes to get paid. So the viewers are left with an all too familiar question of: will this duo resolve their issues & misunderstandings so they can have a happy ending or are they destined to be each other’s college-love regret?

As the story plays out it presents the viewers with lots of different things. It has some truly hilarious parts that left me giggling at the chaotic cast. It also had heartwarming moments that remind you how beautiful & precious life is. There are realistically sad moments too that caused my heart to hurt a bit for the characters’ pain. They experience both losses & wins throughout. The plot has enough secrets & mysteries to keep you invested in seeing how it all finally plays out. There are villains & there are heroes, each with a story to tell. We witness the characters’ trauma & how they grow. There’s life-long friends & the birth of new friendships. There’s the angst & excitement of many new loves.

And there’s the underlying message about choosing to chase your dreams no matter the obstacles & not wasting your youth since you only get to live it for a short time.

Now, for the main trio.
- The FL: I found her to be quite unique. I feel like generally girls with her personality & brand of crazy are relegated to side-character status, so it was refreshing to see such a quirky girl as the lead female. I quite enjoyed her as she was a strong young woman who didn’t let others push her around. How she handled her ex? Ha - you go, girl! She was determined to provide a better life for her family so she willingly sacrificed her own happiness to help them, which is both admirable & heartbreaking to watch. She did take this to the extreme & was quite controlling/bossy to both her mother & brother, but her reasoning is later explained & then you just want to give the poor girl a hug. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself, nor to work hard for what she wanted. And while she didn’t enjoy hurting people, she didn’t allow their feelings to manipulate her into doing things she was truly against. Yeah, she frustrated me at times with the triangle drama, but overall I found her to be relatable in her flaws & commendable in her strengths.. 🫶🏻

- The ML: I know some may think differently, but he’s totally green, IMHO. Yes, his hesitation in confessing is frustrating & makes him seem a bit flaky, but when you take into account why he was hesitant, it’s kinda admirable (even while still annoying). He truly wished to protect the FL so he wanted to keep his distance until the danger surrounding the squad could be resolved. I was so happy when he finally allowed himself to follow his heart despite the risks, because he was so good for her. I know he screwed up & reacted poorly towards her a couple times, but again, take into account the why behind his reactions & it all makes sense. PLUS he took responsibility & apologized for messing up, which takes a lot of maturity to do. He was also super cool in his refusal to let her “take the heat” for dating him, her captain, when that camera crew was around. And one of parts that made me absolutely love him is how he handled their “break up”. Honestly, he’s total aces in my book for that (iykyk). 🫠

- The SML: look, I’m just going to be straight up honest here & say that I don’t at all understand the obsession with this character. To me, he’s a total red flag. He’s a very selfish & self-centered guy. (FL’s brother says it best with his response when the SML tries using him to get closer to her. I was totally cheering for the brother in that scene!) For the majority of the drama he’s very obsessive & manipulative, one of the love-rival types who’s just seriously annoying to me. He doesn’t care about the FL’s lack of interest in him or how his actions affect her. After the FL again rejected him, he started dating out of spite which is super unfair to his new gf. That does not say “good guy” to me. Yes, he had his moments where you could see his potential to be better, but he almost always ruined it with his usual immaturity. Until the last episodes, everything he did was selfishly motivated so sorry, not sorry, I just didn’t like him. 🚩

As for the rest of the squad, I’m glad we got to delve into each of their stories a bit. It helped them seem more like real people, rather than just filler side-characters. It also is a great reminder that every single person has a story of their own to tell. While we’re the MC’s of our own life stories, we’re just the side-characters in someone else’s, while they get the MC role. It’s important to remember that the world does not, in fact, revolve around us & our individual lives. 😉

Also, the moms were a total bonus. It was fun to watch them reconnect & navigate through their rivalry, history, & all it brought with it. They were such opposites as parents, but they both unashamedly & completely loved their children. They had their good points & their bad points which just shows that mothers are human too.

One last thing I’ll mention - I have no idea why they’re called a Cheerleading Squad. Maybe it’s just lost in translation? In my country, they’d be labeled a dance team. Which honestly is no big deal & doesn’t take away from the plot at all, I simply mention it because I was really confused in the first several episodes while I waited for them to do some actual cheering. Or at least some stunts in their routines like I expect cheerleaders to do. But there’s absolutely none of that so I’m just throwing that out there so you don’t go in with those same expectations as I did, haha.


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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 : ep.14 💔
- BackTogether : ep.15❤️‍🩹

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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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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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A low-angst, easy watch

A lighthearted & heartwarming story of a bubbly liquor salesperson + the reclusive brewmaster she’s tasked to recruit in order to save her company branch from closing. She’s a woman who never gives up on completing any job she’s given, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. So with her natural take-charge attitude & a desire to save her fellow colleagues’ jobs, she sets out to sign the contract ASAP, not knowing how this one task will alter the course of her life forever…

This is a fresh story in the KDrama world as the usual roles are reversed. Here it’s the FL who’s the former soldier with a tough-girl persona & the physical strength to keep up with/rival all the men around her. Opposite her we have the ML who’s the softer one with his over-developed senses that make him extremely empathetic. They both have reasons for being the way they are &, as their pasts are slowly revealed, the viewers can’t help but to feel for what they’ve each gone through.

Due to the divorce of her parents, the FL was raised by her grandmother. She’s forced to grow up quick in order to not be a burden on this beloved woman. She thrives as a soldier & enjoys the work she does, but when her grandma falls ill & is in need of constant care, the FL puts aside her own dreams & resigns from her post to stay home & care for her cherished family member. She pours everything she has into her new job, making a name for herself because of her determination & grit. She gives it her all because she’s the sole provider now & she’ll do whatever it takes to make her grandma as comfortable as possible. She’s a woman who’s unfamiliar with the “girly” things of life, never having had the time (or the desire) to waste on fashion or makeup. She’s friendly, hardworking, & dependable. She seems to have it all together, but nobody knows that her smile is hiding her inner screams.

Nobody but him, that is.

Our ML has always been different due to his ability to feel other’s emotions. He doesn’t just commiserate with those around him, but rather he actually FEELS their emotions as if they’re his own, making it seem like he can read their minds. His father treated him harshly due to this, not being pleased with a “soft” son, causing him to leave home as soon as he was of age & have limited contact with his family as an adult. He sought a home where he could isolate himself as much as possible &, thankfully, landed in a town that welcomed him & allowed him his peace. And while he does interact with the locals, he wants nothing to do with those outside his close circle. Not because he’s mean or indifferent, but because their emotions overwhelm him. This is shown to us with his first interaction with the FL, which is such an intense & beautifully-done scene.

The way they showed the contrast of the FL’s outer countenance & inner thoughts as seen/felt by the ML was just wonderful (& a great way for the viewers to then know what was happening in future similar scenes.) From the chemistry the actors have from that initial meeting, we (the viewers) know this is going to be a well-done drama. And we’re proven right which each subsequent interaction the Leads have. After that intense scene, we come to comedic moments where she’s trying to win him over & he’s firmly drawing a line of rejection. But even as he’s turning her away, his caring nature shines through in the little things he does for her (iykyk). And as they interact more, her caring nature also gets displayed in the ways she notices the small things & attempts to protect him/make him comfortable (again, iykyk). They’re complete opposites in lots of ways, but the genuine goodness of their hearts is the same.

I enjoyed watching this duo fumble their way into a partnership that was born out of an unexpected friendship. When the whole town is against working with her due to some sabotage attempts from a colleague (who later turns into a great friend, thank goodness!), the ML’s choice to trust her is such a touching scene. All the little ways she proved herself worthy of that trust & all the many ways he continued to choose her over & over laid a great foundation for their relationship to build on & progress from. It’s sweet how confident the FL is in her everyday work life & interactions with others, but how unsettled she gets by the unknown feelings the ML evokes in her. She’s not a touchy feely, girly girl so a lot of what he’s making her feel is foreign to her. I sometimes got a little frustrated at her naivety, but it makes sense in light of her history & lack of any emotional connections like this before.

The ML is a total green flag for her, understanding her confusion & easing her into things. I love the way he begins flirting with her, knowing she likes him even though she herself hasn’t figured it out yet. He’s adorable in his approach with her once he’s able to differentiate his own feelings from those around him (remember, he feels everyone’s emotions as if they’re his own so it can sometimes be confusing for him to know what HE’S actually feeling). That scene where he confirms that he himself likes the FL & it’s not just him experiencing the other guy’s emotions is so cute. ☺️

I admit I couldn’t really relate to the FL in her tough-girl persona, but that’s simply because she’s the complete opposite of me. I have a chronic illness that has affected me all my life so my physical abilities are quite limited, making her achievements vastly different from my own, haha. BUT I did grow to love her character & appreciate her strength. (Note: I’m not a girly-girl either, just to clarify. Makeup, fashion, hair done everyday - I’m too lazy for all that 🤣.) I more resemble the ML in this show. Which is actually what makes the show so fun - it truly is a reversal of the typical roles between men & women! And the actors did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life.

The secondary cast members were great too in their roles. Each one brought a different element to the team, adding a necessary dynamic that helped give heart & soul to the storyline. The love story of the second couple is just as sweet & satisfying as that of our Leads. And the friendship that bloomed between the once-rivals-now-teammates was so fun to watch. Plus, I just have to mention, the whole cast is freakin’ gorgeous so it’s no hardship to watch them on the screen!

Overall, this is a really easy & heartwarming show. There’s not a lot of angst or tension. The characters all stay true to themselves, nobody turning to the dark side for personal gain. There’s no real love-rival drama &, best of all imho, there’s no breakup. That got a bit dicey for a bit, but the Leads handled the situation beautifully. I absolutely adore that, in the midst of the tense could-be fight, the FL says, “there’s no breakup for us.” PSA to all writers - do this more!!! Two adults who can take a step back when emotions are high & admit they need to cool down before continuing the conversation. It’s so mature to simply hit pause when a fight is coming so that things aren’t said & done in the heat of the moment that you later regret. So I really appreciated & admired that the Leads did this - they know they have responsibilities to their employers & colleagues, but they also know they have a responsibility to protect & guard their relationship. So they choose to table the discussion & come back once they both have clearer heads, but not without clarifying that they are NOT breaking up. Kudos!!

This made me laugh, swoon, cry, & cheer so I would definitely recommend it if you’re in the mood for a story that will move your heart from the Leads sweet love. I confess, I didn’t really care much about the work aspect of the story. If that had been all there was, I would’ve dropped this, but the Leads saved the show for me. They had enough chemistry & interactions that I could overlook my boredom of the liquor brewing stuff & the workplace plot line. I came for the story, but I stayed for the Leads. 🩵

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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.9 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- 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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Iffy beginning & happy ending

A super fluffy (& at times cringey) story of a man { Bi Wen Jun } who’s considered “perfect” & a woman { Wu Xuan Yi } who’s… well, not.

The big tropes are all here:
1) Opposites attract - the highly successful, confident, “cold” ML & the friendly FL who’s more timid which hinders her success.

2) the Misunderstanding - she witnesses an incident involving him & judges him unfairly.

3) Controlling parent - despite being an adult, FL’s mom still forces her to the dentist to fix her “flaws”.

4) Love triangle - FL had a one-sided crush on SML for years. SML & ML are friends. ML likes FL, but now SML is back & realizing he does too.

5) the Separation - a plan was set before they got together & now they must be apart. A fight happens, they make up, he goes & she waits for his return.

Honestly, I didn’t really like the FL at first. Her initial treatment of ML didn’t make a good first impression & she was a bit too TSTL at times, imho. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Once she matured some & accurately cluing into the world around her, my opinion started to change. By the time the Leads got together, I liked her for him. And I always liked him for her.

He’s my kind of person. Not open with everyone, he prefers just a few close people which causes others to think he’s aloof. But he treats other all with kindness & patience, even the FL when she’s a brat to him. Not quite sure why he fell for her, but since he helped change her into someone I could stand, I’m thankful he did . 😉

They’re a very solid couple. They don’t let things fester nor get into petty fights. They’re very affectionate with great chemistry & swoon worthy kisses! 🔥🫠 So while the beginning made me really frustrated, I enjoyed it after they finally became a couple.


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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.17 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻
- BreakUp : Nope 💍

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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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Prepare yourself mentally before pushing play!

So there’s an anti-hero who’s taken justice into their own hands. But their way of doing it is crazy. They hold a vote via text messages! I mean think about that - what would your reaction be if you received these kinds of texts?!

So anyways - when the justice system doesn’t properly handle the seriously messed up people in society, this masked “vigilante” lets the people decide their fate instead - let them live or watch them die. Ironically they never seem to quite grasp that in their quest for “justice” they themselves are becoming villains….

As the interest & participation in this Killing Vote grows, the cops become more desperate to catch the culprit(s). Leading the charge are two complete opposites who’ve never gotten along. This duo starts as enemies with very different opinions on the ethics surrounding the investigation. Overtime, though, as they race to stop the killings, they come to form a bond of partnership that gives hints of brewing romantic feelings. (Are we getting a Season 2??)

Amidst all this there’s a known villain character who is completely psychotic. Honestly, the actor deserves an award for undertaking & owning this role. He was hecka creepy & I absolutely hated him which means the actor did his job phenomenally so kudos to him, seriously!

This is a dark & gritty drama that showcases the twisted side of society & how the mob mentality can have such an impact on people. It’s scary how quickly they voted to end a life, as if they weren’t willingly becoming accomplices in a murder. It should never be so easy to sentence someone to death (even if they 100% deserve it)…

The heroes are operating in the grey. The villains are depraved & fully black. The citizens are pulled into the “game” without knowing all the facts.

When given the option to either save or condemn, what would you choose?

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