'Head over heels' for JUST FOR THE FIRST HALF
This drama started off so strong. Mixture of Romcom x Fantasy x Horror. In the world of ML saving the damsel in distress, this drama was such a breath of fresh air with FL wanting to save the ML in a whole superhero style shamanism. First Half of the show was a strong 9/10 but second Half unfortunately was ??????/10.The premise of the show : The FL is a high schooler who is also a shaman in disguise. She falls in flat for the guy who is destined to die in 21 days and takes it upon herself to save him. The story follows her chaotic adventures to save him while trying to keep her identity hidden. Not only is the FL character super adorable and badass at the same time, the trio's (SML-ML-FL) friendship was adorable. The SML was an (almost) green flag which would make you root for him, not in terms of relationship but in terms of bromance. The highschool/saving aspect of it, really was giving me Lovely Runner vibes.
Unfortunately not all good things last. The show lost the plot in last 2 episodes, almost like a fever dream. THE STORY WAS FILLED WITH SO MANY PLOT HOLES THAT I LOST THE COUNT. I wished either they kept it at 16 episode or that they spent decent time on the story line. THIS DRAMA HAD POTENTIAL TO BE THE DRAMA OF THIS YEAR, Disappointed to see such a good foundation of a show, lose in such a brutal way due to rushed ending.
If you’re looking for something that mixes humor, heart, and a bit of the supernatural, this drama is a good one time watch (just forget the last few episodes exist)
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Watch the show - But just for the second leads next door!!!
Love Next Door started off strong with its realistic portrayal of burnout, sickness, family struggles, particularly the pressure faced by the eldest child—especially when she’s a girl. It really hit home for me, as I could relate to the cultural expectations and emotional weight that comes with those roles. FL is someone who constantly strives to be perfect for her parents, never allowing herself to make mistakes or ask for help even when she's sick, pushing herself to a breaking point, that really felt seeing my own reflection in this aspect of her. But it lost it's charm along the way for me.What I loved : *SECOND LEADS*. A strong female second lead and such a supporting soul male second lead. Their storyline had depth and the slow-burn friendship to romance? Goals. I was more invested in their story than the main leads, not even gonna lie. Throw in the adorable kid, and you get a heartwarming mix that makes you smile every time they’re on screen. Chef's kiss.
What really sucked : The show did lose some of its charm in the later episodes. The constant arguments felt forced, and I found myself fast-forwarding through parts just to get to the good stuff. The emotional investment in the show started to wane. Also, I just couldn’t vibe with FL’s mom—her character felt a bit too frustrating and hard to connect with.
Overall, Love Next Door had a solid start, and the second leads were the highlight of the show for me. But unfortunately, the later episodes took a toll on my enjoyment. It’s definitely worth the watch if you’re in it for the childhood bffs to lovers troupe, slow-burn relationship, discovering your dream and family dynamics, but don’t expect the charm to hold up throughout. It has it's highs and lows.
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This review may contain spoilers
What’s Right with Secretary Kim? Almost everything except ...
What I liked : Our office romcom queen Park Min Young, the office shenanigans perfectly uplifting the humor, the supporting cast with their own storylines, progressive rich guy's family (without the typical 'protesting cliche against marrying into not the same financial status'). The first half of the drama is especially fun, with plenty of light-hearted moments that balance the sweet romance and comedic timings.That said, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite sit well with me. First, the main lead's constant denial of their childhood connection got a bit repetitive and felt like it was dragged out unnecessarily. It’s like, we get it—just admit it already! The controlling jealousy of the main lead also felt a bit too much at times. I mean, the guy couldn’t even give his gf five minutes to talk to his brother, who she thought she had a childhood connection with, without dropping in and grabbing her. It wasn't endearing jealousy but rather borderline suffocating if this is normalized in society. I also wished FL's sisters had more developing arc besides feeling bad for her sister and accepting the guy into their family.
Despite these bumps and cliches, the drama is still a fun, engaging watch, especially if you're a fan of the office romance trope or if you are a newbie entering the kdramaland.
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This review may contain spoilers
What I really loved about You Drive Me Crazy were the emotions and chemistry between the leads. The female lead’s acting in particular stood out—she brought so much depth and authenticity to her character. I also appreciated that the timeline wasn’t rushed, allowing the story to unfold more naturally.However, the storyline itself feels a bit average—best friends sleep together, get awkward, and then realize they’re in love. While the plot might be familiar and predictable, the execution by the cast and crew elevated it. They made the most of the material, and the acting really carried the show.
All in all, it’s a cute, one-time watch that gives you those warm, feel-good moments without expecting anything groundbreaking. Perfect for a cozy, light binge.
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Badass & Goofy main course with the side of "Nightmare storyline"
When I started Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, I wasn't entirely sure what I was in for—and by the end of it, I still wasn't! The drama does a bizarre balancing act, combining quirky rom-com, superhero tropes, and a disturbing murder mystery into one whirlwind of a show. The result? A wild ride that leaves you questioning whether you’ve watched a feel-good love story or something that belongs on a psychological thriller list.Let's start with the good : The characters. The lead, Do Bong Soon, is an absolute powerhouse—strong, quirky, and totally lovable. The male lead, Ahn Min Hyuk, is a breath of fresh air, supporting her without trying to change her, which makes their relationship genuinely endearing. The supporting characters, including the gangster crew and Bong Soon’s best friend, bring extra charm and comic relief.
That said, the show falters when it delves into its murder mystery plot. The darker, trauma-filled storyline feels out of place and creates a weird tonal clash with the rest of the show. Also, the cliché love triangle? Not a fan—it feels like unnecessary drama that takes away from the fun vibe.
Final thoughts: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is a mixed bag. If you’re here for a charming love story, superhero-esque moments, and lighthearted comedy, you'll find a lot to enjoy. But if you're more into psychological thrillers or anything that’s cohesive from start to finish, the crime mystery part might just make you want to scream for all the wrong reasons. Still, the ride itself is worth it if you're okay with a few weird detours along the way.
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Would watching this drama be your "best mistake"? Probably not
Best Mistake starts off strong, drawing you in with a decent pace, but quickly loses its charm as it unfolds. The show had a lot of potential but ended up feeling like just another ordinary teen rom-com. Nothing really stood out to me—no fresh angles or memorable moments.I wasn’t a fan of the ‘change for the one you like’ trope, or how it seemed like every guy around was suddenly falling for the female lead. It felt a bit too predictable and cliché.
That said, if you're looking for something to have on in the background for a one-time watch, it's fine. But don’t expect anything groundbreaking or unique.
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In the world of damsel in distress, the badass FL is a breath of fresh air (well almost)
In a landscape flooded with past lives, murder mysteries, and childhood trauma-filled rom-coms, Love to Hate You is a breath of fresh air. If you're tired of the typical damsel-in-distress tropes, this drama gives you a badass female lead who takes no prisoners and actually makes you want to root for her—not just in romance, but in life. Finally, a leading lady who’s strong, smart, and doesn’t need saving!The premise is fantastic, and the show does a great job of balancing pure chemistry and comedy between the leads, creating that perfect rom-com energy. Really loved the fake dating plot. It’s lighthearted, entertaining, and hits every checkpoint of the classic trope with style and charm.
However, not everything is perfect. The whole ‘justifying dating around’ and the constant misogynistic undertones felt a little too heavy-handed. It kind of detracted from the otherwise strong, progressive vibe the show was going for and that took away all the woke points the story was trying to gain. Also, the second lead’s storyline didn’t do much for me. It lacked the depth that could’ve made it a truly compelling subplot, and at times, made me use the "fast forward" option like a ninja when they had screentime, which I'm usually not a fan of.
I would've loved to see more depth to the characters. For example, FL issues with men probably originated from her father’s treatment to her mother, The male lead’s issues with women seemed to stem from his mother/ex but they did not seem to deep dive on it. Same with FL's friend's character as well FL's mother's character, I wished their character had a development arc of being independent/separated from her husband.
But overall, Love to Hate You nails what it’s supposed to do—fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and a badass heroine in a short 10 episode length which works out well for them!
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Mr Queen - LITERAL QUEEN OF ALL K-DRAMAS!!!
Mr. Queen is a drama that had everything going for it—a unique premise, a strong cast, and a perfect balance of humor, romance, and political intrigue. But what really sets it apart is the outstanding performance of the female lead - Shin Hye Sun.She completely steals the show. Her portrayal of Kim So-yong, the modern-day chef trapped in the body of a Joseon queen, is pure brilliance. Seriously, everything about her performance is a chef’s kiss. It’s not just the big moments; it’s in the little things—like the way she sits, the way she walks, from the moment she steps into the show, her comedic timing is on point, and She literally makes every scene her own, and I honestly can’t imagine anyone else in that role. It’s one of those performances where you can’t stop watching because she makes even the smallest moments feel hilarious and authentic.
I enjoyed the scenes by the King too, his arc made me really root for him in the most hilarious way. Aside from the leads, the supporting cast also did an incredible job of bringing the palace setting to life especially Court Lady Choi's character. There are so many layers to the political intrigue in the show, and the secondary characters add depth and drama that keeps the story interesting without overshadowing the main plot.
In the end, Mr. Queen is a near-perfect mix of laughs, romance, and historical drama. The only downside I’d mention is that it occasionally takes some unexpected tonal shifts that might not be for everyone. And the ending. given the premise of the show, I believe there would've never been a perfect ending. With gender swapping and time travel, there would always be people rooting for the opposite. So that's the only downside I feel for a 9.5/10 show. But overall, the series is definitely worth the watch, especially if you’re a fan of clever humor and strong female leads. AND IT'S A SHOW YOU'LL REGRET IF YOU NEVER WATCH. HAND'S DOWN.
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