kimchi_zu2on

I can totally agree with a lot of the points that you made for this episode.

I think this ep and ep7 was when I started to not be on board with the main couple's romance as much. I've been fine with it up to ep6 but now it just feels super rushed and unnatural; I'm starting to prefer LG & JTE on their own or with other characters rather than with each other. I honestly blame the writing for this because LMH & KGE's off-screen chemistry actually seems really cute.

I'm much more invested in JY's & ES's relationship with Nari/SA than the main couple. I find their chemistry much stronger and more swoon-worthy.

Speaking of, WDH absolutely steals the show for me; I love JY & ES and their interactions so much. It's great that they finally bring natural and good comedic relief.

Thank goodness we finally get to start seeing the backstory/depth to these characters; although very very late in the game I must say. But better late than never I guess? SJ is killing the game; I loved that ending with LG, JY & SJ (which I'm gonna refer to as the holy trinity of this show now lol, with ES ofc).

Like you, I'm still lukewarm with Luna but I have hope and potential in her character (please write her to be a solid character).

The product placements annoy me so much lol. I understand it's a high budget drama and these companies are bankrolling it but it's still so excessive.

honestly though, the dream team

Definitely; thank goodness the pacing has started to pick up a little but it's very easy for them to go in the wrong direction right now. They have a lot to do to make up for obsessive amount of filler scenes, but I really hope the second half isn't rushed and doesn't make any sense. Things are confusing as is.

Highlight of the episode was definitely Jo Yeong & Eun Seop's scenes; WDH's duality is seriously insane.

I'm more confused than ever though; whenever it seems like I'm about to get answers to a plot point, 100 more questions arise.

Also I'm not sure I like how they're introducing and tying so many different characters to the plot line; it seems like it's gonna get real messy real fast if the execution isn't right.

Ugh ikr. He literally makes me so uncomfortable and upset bc wth bro she’s not an object??? I’m also really annoyed at how she keeps letting it slide too.

I totally agree with you. I think the reason why it's just not hitting the spot for me is because I can't fully connect with it. I can't completely connect with both the characters and the storyline so it always feels like something is missing. The cinematography is gorgeous and its actors are amazing but there's a weak connection.

^^Now for specifics...
- I hope that entire battleship situation between Corea & Japan serves a bigger purpose in the plot than just to show the king & kingdom's power. I liked this scene bc LMH & WDH looked so cool, the CGI was better, and it was an actual intense scene (which has been lacking in this drama). But I'm not sure how this scene actually serves a purpose in the overall plot as of now (pls tell me your thoughts!).
- JTE's missing ID is strange & I have 2 theories. The first being that obviously someone stole it as Lady Noh suspected. But the second has something to do with how two of the same things can't necessarily exist in the same timeline (if that makes any sense?). I could be thinking too deep into this though.
- Finally, JTE realizes that the recording from the burner phone is from Corea. This realization is finally going to get the gears to the plot moving (hopefully).
- Yeong is starting to crack down on Luna & her connection to JTE so I'm excited to see how they play this out (judging from the previews, Luna is finally going to be introduced next week).
- We got the tiniest glimpse of LL but it was quite crucial. He not only made his way to Nari's cafe, but also ran into Eun Seop & we're shown that just like LG, he also gets a burning scar whenever thunder strike (but on his face). So at least there's consistency in that aspect.
- So I guess everyone has a doppelganger? The only thing I'm confused about is what relation do the doppelgangers have to each other? For a lot of the characters, their doppelgangers seem to be their opposites (fortunate & successful in one world and poor & struggling in the other). But it's also not completely consistent because when JTE went to visit her colleagues in Corea, they were still police officers, seemingly living in the same situation/status. So is there going to be a connection or is it going to be completely random?

Overall, better episode than yesterday, still obviously lacking in many areas but I really hope the pace picks up and it gets more action-packed next week (I keep telling myself this every week & I'm not sure if it's good that I'm hopeful or disappointing because I want something better and stronger every week).

I think that episode 6 is quite a lot better than episode 5 in terms of explanation for certain things and forming a connection to the actual storyline and plot. We finally delved a little more into our main players but I still think the supporting cast can do a lot more, and their talents aren't being fully utilized, which is a shame because they're all such strong actors.

I'm noticing a trend that Saturday's episodes are always better than Friday's, which I guess is good but I wish both episodes were strong. Judging from next week's previews, things will hopefully pick up a lot (and I say hopefully because my judgment on the previews has always been sort of a let down for me).

Overall, some of my questions were answered but a lot more have also arisen. The writing, editing, and directing all could be stronger and the pace could also pick up now considering we're heading to the halfway mark, so I really hope it will.

LOL it reminded me of IT too. And I also thought about how they could breathe if that’s what he actually said!! I can’t understand Korean so I’m relying on subtitles but that was a bit confusing to me. How does that work? It could also be writer’s mistake as she might not have thought it through.

^^Just wanted to put my general thoughts out there first before jumping into specifics.

- First thing that was super confusing about ep5 was when LG & JTE were in what I assume is an inter-dimensional place with the balloon. It definitely took me a sec to get that they were not in Corea. Again, this is totally on editing because why would you place that scene there?? It doesn't fit into the timeline of the ep at all. Also the CGI could've definitely been better with this scene (the background was gorgeous but it looked fake imo).
- The kiss came out of nowhere?? I think their chemistry is good, could be stronger, but that kiss wasn't necessary given that moment. Btw, if anyone has watched BTS clips, I feel that their chemistry is so much stronger and more fun behind the camera.
- The scene where JTE & KSJ walked past each other in the same place but in two different worlds was also confusing. I only processed it after the fact. I get what they were trying to do but it should've been executed in a better way.
- I wish there were more scenes with Lee Rim, our villain. He is obviously a huge part of the plot and story but I can't help but feel that we've only been getting glimpses of him here and there. I get that they might want to keep him a mystery, but when he's basically the only villain and makes up over half of the plot (which btw, idek know what the plot is anymore), you have got to show him more in order for us to understand the story. I also just wanna say that LJJ portrays Lee Rim so well & his acting is absolutely phenomenal.
- I hope they use the Prime Minister more & don't waste her character and the actress's potential. I feel like she can play a really crucial part and capture the audience's attention, or she can be wasted screentime.
- Also like the PM, I also hope they don't waste WDH's potential because he's an incredible actor and has so much screen presence. I'm literally more captivated by him than LMH and he has much less screentime than LMH, and this is coming from someone who's a huge fan of both/

I truly expected a lot more from ep5... I thought the show was finally going to pick up judging from last week, but ep5 still didn't hit the spot for me. Firstly, the writing is honestly a step down from Kim Eun Sook's previous works (I mean her mind is powerful and I'm rarely left unsatisfied with her works so I'm not really sure what happened here). But even though the writing isn't comparable to most of her past works, it's still okay and I can enjoy it. The thing that's really really not doing it for me is the directing and editing, it's seriously confusing and so hard to follow. I still haven't been able to connect and truly be invested in any of the characters yet, which is a little frustrating considering this is already the 5th episode. There are also quite a bit of filler scenes, which I really hope they end up serving an actual purpose to the plot instead of just being there to fill up time. I feel like the directors and editors do actually have good content in their hands, but they're just not utilizing it to the show's full potential (I could also totally be wrong). One of my biggest worries for this drama is that the last few weeks will be rushed and the plot and storyline will get really messy due to the fact that there had been barely any development in the current eps (and we're heading into the halfway mark!)

But for the things I do enjoy about ep5 and the show in general:
- Woo Do Hwan is INCREDIBLE. His presence is so strong and I'm quite happy that he finally got more scenes (and lines!!! they finally utilized his acting potential instead of just making him stand around for the past few eps). He's honestly one of the reasons I'm able to find enjoyment in watching this show.
- The OSTs!! I love the OSTs so much and I personally think they're all amazing. With that being said though, once again, I'm disappointed with the editing and how the OSTs have barely been used at all, save for the very end of each episode. I can't help but think about all the scenes they could've used the OSTs in to make them connect with viewers more.
- The acting. I honestly have no complaints with any of the actors and I think they're all doing amazing with what they've got. I don't feel like it's their fault at all as to why I haven't been able to connect with the characters; I think the acting is great but the choppy and rushed editing with some of the questionable dialogues isn't doing much for me. I know people have their opinions and the acting in the drama but this is just my personal opinion.

Does anyone think this poster looks exactly like the one for Fight For My Way (kdrama)???

I have to be honest, I’m a big fan of Lee Min Ho & Woo Do Hwan so I liked the first 4 eps. However, there’s something about it that’s just not hitting the spot for me. I enjoyed what I watched but I definitely expected more, with better execution. I feel like as much as the cinematography is gorgeous, the directing and editing is really just not doing it for me. It’s hard to become invested in the characters or even understand them because of how rushed and choppy the introductions were. I feel like there was also major wasted opportunity for a few characters (Jo Yeong, Eun-Seop, the PM). With that being said though, I’m really glad it finally started to pick up & am hoping that the upcoming weeks will really deliver. Because in my opinion, Kim Eun Sook rarely disappoints, the cast is literally amazing, and this show really has a lot going for it so I’m hoping it will deliver starting from now.

I really got to take a moment to praise Eunwoo's acting on ep7, especially the part while he was confronting his dad about his mom, I honestly thought he portrayed the hurt, betrayal, anger, and confusion that Kyungsuk was feeling quite well. Really enjoying the drama and all of its characters so far.

In a way, I would say yes, they did change quite a lot, but the whole concept and storyline is still very similar. And I wouldn't necessarily say the changes they made were bad or drastic, it was just things like how certain characters met or interacted, and how certain situations played out a little bit differently(but although I have to say I'm not a huge fan of Kyungsuk's interaction with his mom here, they changed it a little too much for my liking.) But there are other parts that followed through almost without any difference. All in all though, I would personally recommend since I am a big fan of the webtoon myself and I find this drama to be a good watch so far, and I would say the three main leads in the drama(Mirae, Kyungsuk, and Sooah) stick very close to their nature in the webtoon, I find the characters' personalities and views on things pretty much the same from the webtoon.