launev

just finished this and have to say - one of the better shorts out there - definitely worth the watch.
good chemistry with the leads
a smart and funny FL who is actually helpful/strategic
Good communication between them
Good pace with the story and it doesnt feel like any missing pieces - which is usually what happens with shorts.
Makeup artist went a little crazy with the lipstick and eyeshadow on the ML - but, that's a minor thing. As well as the glossy lipstick on the FL that always looked like it was mostly rubbed off - I just wanted to give her a hanky and tell her to wipe her lips the whole drama - lol!
Loved the ML's costumes. Not a big fan of the over flowey, pastel pink FL's costumes
And my god, just about threw up with the room that looked like a pink pastel crayon exploded in it (just cannot stand this color - so, thats just me)
Give it a go - I think you will like it

finished it, but a bit of a chore.
its not often that I criticize a ML for not knowing how ti kiss - but these two were just the worst.
usually its theFL who just doesnt move - but it was both of them here - lordy was that awful. it didnt help that they didnt have a lot of chemistry.
cant say I was that impressed with actress playing the FL - did not like the character so it didn't help that the actress playing her was not that great either. And, my god, if you aregoing to have scenes where the FL is supposed to be able to dance seductively - at least get an actress who can dance - just sayin'
Had not seen the ML before - he was ok - looked good with the white hair though!
storyline was a hot mess and you basically get the story on rinse and repeat in the second half - multiple times - total filler - which is a lot for as short.
ambiguous ending - like, if I have to go read discussion thread to figure out what the hell was going in - then its just poorly done.

😂😂

Didnt hate it, but didnt love it either. Was just kind of ok. Good filler if you are waiting for something else - but dont have any high expectations.
The whole bracelet thing was a fail - introduce this idea and then completely drop - it was the only thing that was kind of interesting and different about the plot - poor decision from the writers/directors. Cause, really, it was the only thing that made the FL character have any value to the story.
While I thought the actress for the FL was fine - the character was poorly written. A girl who grew up on the streets, yet has no street sense. She gets introduced as a charlatan (which would require knowing how to read people) and, yet, she is horrible at it - cant read a room or the people around her save her life. Why they insist on always making this kind of character be overly virtuous and sweet- when, really, she would have had more of an edge to her (which would have been more interesting) - otherwise, she was kind of boring and stupid (like, dumb as rocks stupid sometimes).
ML was typical cold, tsundre character - which the actor did well. Could have done without all the heavy eye makeup on him - it was just weird.
Typical rushed ending that was a bit unsatisfying.
Redeeming of characters that should never be redeemed.
Killing off beloved characters for no reason
The usual cdrama silliness.

I am shocked to see that the screenwriter for this was a woman - causes, seriously - this was a such a male point of view and clearly someone who has issues with women and anger. But, I am guessing this has more to do with the director than the screenwriter.
Dont get me wrong - she gets some payback - but not nearly to the level that equates to the abuse, humiliation and torture he puts her through for three years (not to mention the abuse, torture and humiliation he lets his wife do to her) - it was abhorrent.
And, as usual with cdramas - all due to misunderstanding, not communicating, making wrong assumptions based on heresay, serious anger management issues (by pretty much all the main characters) in an effort to create drama/angst - there are just better ways to do this then to romanticize this kind of behavior.
Rushed ending - like, seriously, nothing about Lady Kun who is basically the one who orchestrated it all. Did enjoy the throat stab at the end show - man did he deserve that!

Not too bad as shorts go - usual plot holes, not so great direction, low production value - the usual
Leads were ok - chemistry was just so-so. But at least you have tow actors who can actually kiss - no dead-fish kissing here! But, not sure thats enough to save it.
Once again, disappointed in a poorly written FL character. She is an archaeology student and yet, not that smart. Spends waaaayy too much time drunk. She was better towards the end.
I also hate when they write these where they insist on the FL having to be in every scene. It just makes no sense in too many places. And then it's just annoying cause she comes across as super-clingy and a control freak - this need to have to know everything in the moment it happens just irritates me to no end.
Villain was just pathetic
usual messy, rushed ending
That being said - I would say - add this your filler list if you need something quick and easy to watch while waiting on other things.

This has such great potential - but just didnt get there in the end.
I think the biggest flaw was the FL character
She is introduced as trained assassin - but loses almost fight she is in, completely irrational most of the time - spends a better part of the 1st half just running around screaming that she is going to kill people - yet never even gets close and really kind of stupid most of the time (I know she lost her dad at a young age, but there is no reason that she wouldn't have been able to read by this time). I also couldn't take her seriously as a trained assassin when as soon as she opening her mouth - this childish voice came out and she ran around acting like a bratty teenager - it just didnt track with someone who has been trained to kill.
Villains all get off pretty easy
usual, stupid, rushed ending.
That being said - I have seen worse shorts and its not a bad filler - just be prepared to be annoyed by the FL and unsatisfied with the last few episodes.

just finished this and mostly is just - WTF was that! Such a hot mess of a story. As usual with shorts - bad editing made it worse.
The story had potential - but just executed poorly.
I liked all the actors - but the leads didn't have a ton of chemistry (and can I just say- the usual problem of a FL actress that doesn't know how to kiss - moves her head, but not her lips - it was weird)
I am also - always amazed at how proficient cdrama lovers are at reproduction - sex once and bam - there's a baby! Which, of course, she doesnt tell him about.
Could have done without the whole second romance with the brother and slave girl - just so not necessary to the story and they spent way too much time on her in the end. And when she was on screen - just wanted to smack her - she was the epitome of base trauma/stockhom syndrome girl - mistaking kindness for love - just made me ill.
HATED the ending - no consequences, whatsoever for the Dad, who is basically the one responsible for his son turning out that way. They do the usual - he begs forgiveness on his deathbed nonsense.
Then there is the whole idea of the ML wanting to take responsibility for his brothers horrendous actions - like, seriously - you all need to learn about personal responsibility - NONE of what he did was the ML's fault. The very idea that because you didn't 'teach' him well made him this way, instead of the fact that your Dad, the palace life, and his own choices did this - is absurd. One is not responsible for others actions.

same - had to go back multiple times - clearly an editing issue - case there is nothing there to show why he went blind

I know its a short and that can cause ALL sorts of eating issues and choppy storyline - but this was one was particalaruy bad - just jumped to much and left waaayy too many plot holes. Ending is a mess and dont even get me started that the 2FL gets offsScott free - absolutely NO consequences for anything she did. And can we be done with the spoiled, rich girl who likes the guy - who has absolutely no interest in them, then can't take rejection and does all sorts of horrible things, Its a tired old trope. Same goes for the 2ML who gets obsessed with the FL after one meeting. Just makes me roll my eyes.
Another FL character that was kind of ridiculous - what is it with this revenge thing - instead of trying to actually figure out what happen - goes right to - I am going to destroy this whole family -which, of course, is always the problem that she has got the story completely wrong - and, instead of finding out the truth first - she causes ALL sorts of problems - it makes my head hurt. cdramas have a real thing with blame first, punish first AND then find out what really happens later.
Really only watching this for ML

this had potential and then just didnt get there.
ML was good, FL was just ok (she is not my favorite and she needs to work on her kissing skills)
What lost me the most though was all the abusive relationship shit that is romanticized here.
FFS - he basally rapes her, sexually assaults her multiple times, throat chokes her multiple times - all under the guise of being the bad guy to not give himself away, trying to scare her off so she leaves, etc..
On the flip side - she tries to kill him multiple times, poisons him, tries to use her feminine wiles to get him to do shit ( I say try, because it just came across as creepy and not seductive at all)
So, yeah - if you like highly toxic romances that they then try to turn into some romance for the ages crap - this may be for you.
I also just hate this kind of FL character - not that bright, ragefull the point hat she can't use her brain (you would think after 5yrs - she could have some sense of rationality), easily manipulated, constantly making really bad decisions - just wanted to slap her through out of this.
I mean, common - you lover stabs you and you dont think there is something fishy about that, no desire to find out why - just right to rage and I want to kill you! Girl has some serious anger management issues.
Another crap Enid/=last episode - the usual rushed ending with a TON of plot holes.

One of those dramas that I realized half-way through was just not made for me. While I enjoyed watching SWL and ARP (who I thought carried the show) - the rest of it was just kind of 'meh' for me. The story just didnt grab me and I honestly didnt really care by the end.
They kind of lost me early on with the whole evil clam - it was just beyond silly. I mean it had me laughing cause it was so ridiculous and I am not sure that is what they were going for. To then move on to the whole Bigfoot monster - I was just rolling my eyes at this point and this is when I realized that I was clearly not the audience for this drama.
I was also a bit thrown by the FL at the beginning, cause I couldn't quite tell what they were going for here - she felt like a teenager and I was shocked to find out she is actually older than the ML - cause I thought she was only like 20 yrs old. I dont know if the VoiceOver is her actual voice (and while I was glad it was a baby-voice) - it just didnt seem to fit and made her feel way younger.
There were other weird VoiceOver issues all the way through - the worst being the VoiceOver for the female villain towards the end - not even close! and why they have her speaking English made NO sense.
This character was also a bit inconsistent - they bring her on as this amazing fighter - then she is constantly having to get saved/rescued. And dont even get me started on the whole split personality story line - just done so poorly.
Then there was her adopted mom - who, at the end of the day is kind of responsible for this (along with so many other things). in typical asian mom fashion - she tries to get her daughter to just eat the guilt and move on instead of actually helping her deal with the trauma she just endured.
The Mr Kun character also didnt work for me - he is supposed to be the 'expert' and yet, is never the one to really figure the important stuff out - he really is just a plot-ploy character.
I also really hate it when they feel the need to throw in a romance, but then dont actually do anything with it. It was kind of weird - while definitely some chemistry (SWL and his smoldery eyes will get you every time) - the FL was kind of stiff on this front. It just wasn't necessary to the story.
ok - gonna stop there, cause I could write a novel about all the things that were wrong with this script - which really just reinforces that I am not the audience for this.

Didnt love, but didnt hate it.
Mainly a script problem and not so great FL character.
Script just doesnt flow well - not a bad idea - but it is messy - this could just be due to it being a short and bad editing - not sure.
FL character - just had had it with her about half-way through and by the end - just did not care. I am not sure what they were going of with this character - beyond just a love interest. She had no depth, didnt really do much - usually this character would have a job of some sort - or being that she is the daughter of a general - be int he military - but, nope - she just hangs around all day. They introduce her as someone who can fight (kind of), get archery skills and is often talked about how she grew up in military camps with her dad - but, apparently - she learned nothing from this. Horrible strategist, constantly had to be rescued - got caught EVERY time she went sleuthing - EVERY TIME!. Acted on impulse without thinking through anything - and it always turned out horrible and usually injury to the ML. And then she does the noble sacrifice thing (which I hated because she basically just discounted/ignored all his sacrifices and pain he went through to save her) - now, it works out in the end (cause its a drama) - but she just wanted to do what she wanted and didnt care about the rest. She just was not the brightest bulb on the tree
The actress who played her was ok - but not much depth there either - she basically spent the entire drama with this terse look on her face the whole time.
Chemistry with leads was good - but horrible relationship - they didn't tell each other anything when they should and she kept running off doing stupid shit. She totally lost me when they do the obligatory separation arc - which was fine - but she was unnecessarily cruel.
Could have done without the Huan Yan character - mostly, she just didn't really add anything to the story - kind of like an annoying fly buzzing around. Although I was also very unsatisfied with her ending - it was too easy.
ML really carries this show - does a great job - hope he does more of this.

Just a hot, hot mess - and I know that some folks like the toxic, push-pull romance stories - but this really did cross the line with the multiple graping (not just once, but multiple times) - when you you move into physical, sexual violence - there is no coming back from that.
That is on the script writer (whoever wrote this has some SERIOUS issue to work out)
Beyond on that- just some really horrible inconsistent main characters, horrible 2ml
Just not worth it,

not too bad for a short - quick and easy, Chemistry is good with the leads. Villains were little over the top - but typical villains. Give it go - you will probably like it.

Another one of those dramas that I had hopes for and then was just disappointed. Didnt hate it, but didnt love it either. Started off interesting - especially that parts where the Imugi discovers the world in a human body.
The actor who plays the ML does a fantastic job playing the duel personalities.
The actor who plays the King really stole the show
Did not like the FL character (nor the actress playing the character - just not a lot of range - basically had the same look on her ace the entire show). The character was so milquetoast. No depth there at all. I found her to be completely uninteresting after a few episodes.
Chemistry with leads was not that good.
Gap's mom was wonderful
Bromance with King and Gang Cheol was the best

Yeah, its definitely a cdrama thing - i find it very odd and distracting. You are telling me a character is a certain age and then cast an actor/actress that is waaayy older than that - the visual doesnt match. I can mostly let it go - but sometimes its just too obvious 😊

Lordy, cant even get through the first episode

well this is just a trashy hot mess - but kind of fun to watch.
its the usual problem with shorts that it kind of jumps alot and huge plot holes due to editing down to make it a short - so, you just kind of have to go with it
2 of the most sadistic mothers (Li and Lin - boy howdy are they just cruel and vicious)
good chemistry with leads - but its also weird cause of the whole sibling (albeit misunderstanding) thing- they really danced around with the whole incest thing - so that was awkward.
If you like shorts - it's not horrible, good filler while. you wait for something else you want to watch.

This will be one of those drams that you will recommend to people who are just getting started with cdramas - a really good one, - done well, good story, great relationships with leads, paces well, beautiful costumes - just such a joy to watch.
One of THE best enemies to lovers tropes out there.
Chemistry for the leads was OFF.THE.CHARTS! Writers take note - this is how it is done.
I am generally not of fan of the huge height difference obsessions that cdramas have - but this one worked for me (for the first time ever). I think what made it work is that she isn't childish. Usually when they do this - they try to make the FL all cutesy and perky- which usually just comes across as childish. Manman was none of those things - I and I LOVED it. She was fierce and intelligent - but with this quiet determination. Her presence matched the physical presence of the ML. They really did fit so well together.
As a couple - they were both so complex - there was depth here. Both struggling with family grudge, familial discord, political intrigue all while discovering they have feelings that they both feel they shouldn't have (especially the ML). You really get to watch as they untangle all this, learn to communicate, learn to trust and ultimately to be in love. It was beautifully done.
Now - here are my very minor annoyance.
Lady Yulou and her birth mark - would have like a little more backstory on this - it just isn't flushed out enough.
Didnt much care for Liu Yan character - he almost wasn't evil enough - just kind a pathetic guy who had daddy issues.
What happened to Bi Zhi and Da Qiao child - it was just unclear
What happens with Wei Lang was just unnecessary
as usual - a rushed ending - this always make me kind of laugh - its like they totally forget along they way how they are going to wrap it up - so focused on building the story and then, oh crap - we only have 1 episodes to tie it all up and it never feels satisfying. But, I have seen much worse and doesnt detract from this at all.