lianavine

Has a similar vibe to some CLASSIC Hollywood films

I found this show through a clip on tiktok and was surprised when I saw on here that it hadn't gained much attention from people. Nevertheless, I started watching it since the premise was interested and boy oh boy, it didn't let me down.

It's definitely not like anything I've watched before. The pacing has to be quite rushed since the episodes are short and there's only so much you can fit into 4 hours but the story was gripping and exciting.

PROS:
- I really like the naming of Gyeo-ul and Yeo-reum to signify Winter and Summer (just a nice little addition)
- Great cast
- The characters are very unique and makes the story that much more entertaining. I find it so fascinating when two crazy people fall in love and work together in their craziness. Kind of like a 'there's someone for all of us out there'?
- The scene where Gyeo-ul speaks a couple rushed lines in English was really impressive. I haven't seen many actors speak their English lines in a convincing way but Park Se Wan's acting here really stood out.
- The way they managed to incorporate some humour amongst all of the intense scenes was, at least on my part, very appreciated
- They filmed it according to an MA15+ rating and didn't try to soften the plot to fit a wider audience.
- The fight scenes had great choreography.
- The soundtrack is amazing and I love it when they put a completely different soundtrack over a scene. E.g. The scene where Gyeo-ul and Yeo-reum shoot the guy and the soft 'oooh ooh' with like a 60s tune plays over it. It gives me Kill BIll vibes.

CONS:
- Some minor plot holes. E.g The scene where Gyeo-ul and Yeo-reum get attacked by a teacher. How did the teacher work at the school if he's part of the assassin school or association? How did he not recognise Gyeo-ul at school? The teacher really just came out of nowhere and was suddenly an assassin which didn't make sense.
- The pacing felt a little rushed and I definitely think the show could have been done over a few more episodes just so the viewer has a better understanding of the story and the characters.
- I guess this counts as a plot hole but I was kind of annoyed how the cop was a better shot than the assassins. Like... weren't they trained for years to kill? Why do they keep missing?

Overall, this was genuinely entertaining and would recommend!

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Strong Start - Weak Middle - Strong End

I wrote this review when we were in the middle of the Ming cook-off and I wasn't sure if they could redeem it. But quite honestly, the last few episodes were perfect! They wrapped up the story line well and I love a happy ending. Bit confused though how he is in the future. Like was he reincarnated with his memories? Or was he sent to the future with her? If so, how did he adjust on his own so quickly and so well that he was dressed in fancy clothes? I guess we'll leave it to the imagination.

Original rating 8/12 episodes watched: 6.5/10
New rating FINISHED: 8/10

The good:
- It's really funny and quite clever as well. Obviously the writers know a lot about cooking and the Joseon period to know what recipes she would be able to make and how she would need to change them
- The romance in the first few episodes were so cute
- The acting is great
- Love the side characters and in the first few episodes it really felt like they were adding a lot to the plot

The bad:
- Genuinely... what is with this 4 episode long cooking battle. When I finished the most recent episode (episode 8) I genuinely needed to remind myself how we got here. What is happening to the King's revenge plot? We haven't seen FL and her bestie talk at all recently and we keep getting like 2 second clips on what the evil queen is plotting but really it's not anything, she's just seething about what they're doing. This wouldn't matter if it was one or two episodes, BUT 4 out of 12?!?!
- Kind of feels like the writers wanted to show off how much they know about cooking??

The confusing:
- I get that they are trying to make cooking a central point in the plot but it's kind of unconvincing how they're going about it. Sorry but who has ever had a cook off to decide which nation would be providing more in a trade agreement.
- Why are the Ming chefs also martial artists? Who has the time to perfect cooking and also perfect their fighting?

I really think I could have just ignored the bad and confusing parts if this damn cooking battle didn't take over the entire show but alas, here we are.

They're going to need a miracle for me to bring my rating up.

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Good, Almost Great

I was really excited for this drama and started watching as soon as it hit Netflix. It hooked me from the start with its unique premise, but by the end I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing—though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what.

The acting was phenomenal across the board, and the concept itself was both original and intriguing. A psychopath bound to a genie through three wishes is unlike anything I’ve seen in K-drama storytelling. I also want to acknowledge the discourse around the incorporation of Arabic culture and religious elements. Personally, I think it’s important to keep in mind that this is fiction. Just as countless works draw on biblical themes for inspiration without being seen as disrespectful, this show used mythology and belief as a creative backdrop. For me, it didn’t feel offensive but rather inventive.

The way the immortal kid's story was revealed was handled brilliantly. We meet him early on, but it’s only later that the pieces fall into place, which made the payoff that much stronger. And the third wish, her choice to gain humanity for just one day was beautiful in concept. Watching her finally feel emotions she’d been numb to all her life created a striking, poignant scene.

That said, the emotional execution didn’t fully land for me. While the one-day wish should have been the ultimate cathartic moment, it somehow felt flat in the larger scheme of things. She dies of sadness, only to return as a genie granting wishes, which didn't give me the closure I think it was attempting to give.

The supporting storylines also left me unsatisfied. Her mother never showed guilt for abandoning her. Aside from a few moments of grief, the world seemed to move on from her death too quickly. And the ending where she’s back with the male lead who is once again working at a cabbage farm, and she is still showing little emotion, just didn’t fit the dramatic build-up of everything that came before. It was anticlimactic compared to the weighty themes the show had explored.

Despite its flaws, I still think this drama deserves praise. It told a story outside the usual K-drama tropes, and the cast delivered fantastic performances that carried the script. The originality alone sets it apart, even if the final execution didn’t quite deliver the emotional punch I was expecting.

Overall, I’d give it an 8.5/10—a bold, creative drama with standout moments, but one that doesn’t quite live up to its full potential.

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Sweet Like Chocolate

I stumbled upon this drama right after it dropped on Netflix and ended up binging the entire thing in one day.

The story begins with two beautifully flawed leads - one who struggles with severe social anxiety and can’t make eye contact, and another who can’t physically touch others due to past trauma. When they meet, they discover that they can do the things they normally can’t when they’re around each other. What follows is a tender, awkward, and deeply human exploration of healing as they “practice” touch and eye contact together in hopes of overcoming their fears.

As the series unfolds, we see them bond while trying to save a struggling chocolatier shop. Through improving recipes and spreading small moments of happiness through chocolate, they also learn to open their hearts. The symbolism of chocolate, something both sweet and bittersweet, fits the tone of the show perfectly.

If I had one wish for the ending, it would be to see a bit more visible growth in their healing journey during the time jump. The conclusion felt fitting and sincere, but it might have carried more emotional weight if we saw them confronting their fears publicly—showing how they’ve helped each other grow beyond the safety of their shared bubble. After all, the show’s core message was about finding comfort and courage through connection.

That said, this drama is a gentle, heartfelt watch that really sneaks up on you emotionally. It’s not flashy or groundbreaking, but it radiates warmth. The chemistry between the leads, the soft emotional beats, and the overall atmosphere make it a perfect comfort drama - something to curl up with on a rainy day when you just want to feel something tender.

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Meh...

I think this drama had a lot of potential but it failed on so many aspect. I think for one, the ML didn't really have any charm or charisma that made me fall for him. Usually you get viewers invested in a drama because you feel a part of their story and living through the emotions with them but with this drama I didn't understand the leads at all.
The ML properly smiled for the first time in the last episode and throughout the rest, even though it was supposed to be this whole 'I have past relationship trauma so I'd rather not feel at all' theme, it was boring to watch. The FL was likable at first and I could understand the decisions she was making but when she decided to leave and divorce him, then proceed to not speak to him for months just because she wanted to 'find herself' or 'be sure of what she feels' I was honestly pissed. Like, good for you but then don't come back, lie down in the bed he's sleeping in and tell him "I'm sorry, I love you"... like no? You left because you were only thinking of yourself and obviously only thought of yourself. I feel like the way the script was written just did the leads dirty. The story was more enjoyable when it was in the supporting character's love stories. Gotta give it a low rating for that...

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One of The BEST

Starting this show, I didn't really set any expectations but as I watched each episode every week, my expectation for the show grew because every episode blew me away. Everything was just right- the comedy, the romance, the cases, representing disability etc. Everything was balanced to a T and I would argue that it's one of the best shows to come out in the last decade.

Were there things that I would prefer were done differently? Yes. Would you disagree with those things? Maybe. Where they left the show and how they decided to go about closing it up, was actually pretty smart. I don't think the drama of everyone finding out Woo Young Woo is Tea Su Mi's daughter is necessary but personally, I would have ate it up lmao. Either way, the story didn't need it and in reality, it was the best outcome.

That being said, I believe there is A LOT of room for a second season to work with. They could explore Young Woo and Jun-Oh's relationship more (including Young Woo's dad getting to know him). They could go into Young Woo and her brother's relationship. They could go further into Young Woo possibly leading a few new hires and see how they react to her disability compared to the first season where she was under scrutiny by her colleagues and higher-up attorneys. Even if they don't expand into a second season, this show was a phenomenal watch from start to finish and I will definitely be watching it again in the future.

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A Boring Mess...

I really wanted to like this show but unfortunately it failed to achieve what it was going for from the start. If they focused more on telling one story from A to B, maybe the show would have been better but it ended up jumping through so many loops and plot twists that it was just not satisfying to watch.

The romance - this was really rushed in the beginning and I didn't feel like their relationship had any substance. Why does he like her? I get that she has been reading about him for years and could have fallen in love with his character but it doesn't explain how within 2 episodes, Kang Chul went from comparing her to a stray dog to all of a sudden liking her as well.

The plot - there are so many points when I thought 'this really wasn't necessary'. Yeon Joo going to jail and Kang Chul shooting her dad etc. etc. It didn't add to the story or serve a purpose except to lead into the next thing. I really think they could have cut out half of the bullsh*t and focused on the foundation of the story more.

All in all, I wouldn't watch it again and can't say that I genuinely enjoyed it either.

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I hate to love it

I am absolutely livid at how this show ended. This was one of the best love stories I've seen in a kdrama in ages. I haven't felt so captured by the two lead's emotions and the story as I did in Twenty-Five-Twenty-One and it hurt when you find out that they didn't end up together. The actors and story did such a good job in making the viewer believe in love and then they rip it out from underneath you. I've set the rewatch value at such a low rating because I don't think I can put myself through that kind of pain again. Like I avoid these types of painful situations in my own life for a REASON. I'M TOO WEAK AND WILL NEED TIME TO RECOVER AFTER WATCHING THIS.

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ALMOST perfect but too good not to have a 10/10

I really enjoyed this drama for many reasons. Whilst I think their portrayal of deaf people could have been better (e.g. usually deaf people still make sounds and especially someone that lost their hearing later in life could still speak on occasion) I do agree they went with the most respectful route. Had they tried to imitate the way deaf people speak, I feel that it may have come across as offensive as the actors are not actually deaf.

I also think the ending was rushed. I was excited when it was mentioned in ep 14 that they would be returning to 2023 soon becuase i thought that would mean we would get at least a full episode of when they're thrown back into their new timeline. But alas, we got maybe 20 minutes where they rushed going through how the world looks now. What I think could have made this new timeline so much more impactful is if they showed a little memory flash of Eun Gyeol's new memories from this new timeline so he knew what had changed.

The ending was just very open and I would have preferred for it to have come together more clearly.

That being said, this was amazing. The characters, their struggles, their relationships... It was so special and I cried a lot in the last ep. And because of that, I can't not give it a 10/10.

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I rarely give 10/10s across the board but this IS A 10!

Wow... Just wow. I mean, really this show just has it all. An amazing plot, characters that you either want to hug or kill, impeccably choreographed fight scenes, multiple scenes that give you physical reactions, i could go on...

The acting in this is so good that you feel the threat behind each word and you can almost see into their heads on what they're thinking. And the soundtrack was also so well chosen and made this even more enjoyable (no real repetitive songs like some kdramas (not that this is a bad thing but sometimes you get sick of it as the episodes go by hahaha)).

I really don't want to spoil anything for those thinking of watching it but if you need a sign to dive into it, please take this as that sign. This is now one of my top 5s and I'm probably going to give it another rewatch straight away tbh.

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A lot of mistakes but also very emotional

There were definitely some parts of this show that could have used a second and third opinion. The multiple jumps through time actually just created loopholes and unnecessarily dragged on the show. I think it actually would have done a lot better with just 2 jumps or at least if they just focused on the two main goals of her not getting in that accident, and him not unaliving himself. Instead we got a murder plot that dragged on and then ended really randomly, we got multiple deaths.... like please.

BUT THEN... The romance and the acting was amazing. I felt real heartache for both characters, but especially for Ryu Sun Jae. I loved his character and the way he loves her. It's just so wholesome and it crushed me when they tried to reverse that in Ep.13. I don't know if my hormones are out of whack but I for sure cried a few times.

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BRIEF review on likes and dislikes

I watched this drama for the first time in 2025, so I kept in mind that it originally came out 13 years ago and naturally might not hold up to the same standard as newer releases.

The Positives
The overall concept and plot really drew me in. A crown prince and three of his royal subjects are transported into the modern day to solve the mystery of the princess’s murder—that setup is instantly intriguing. Their clumsy attempts to adjust to the future were hilarious, and I appreciated that the show didn’t rush their adaptation. Unlike in other dramas where characters seem to adjust overnight, the slow, messy process here felt more believable.

The OST was another highlight. By the end, I was singing along—seriously, that main vocalist had an incredible voice. And the drama carried that nostalgic, feel-good energy that’s so distinct in older K-dramas. The classic melodrama style—with its slow-mos, replay shots, and dramatic flair—definitely gave it charm.

The Negatives
Now, onto the parts that frustrated me. My biggest issue was with the crown prince’s acting. When he was playing his “present” self, he did well, but whenever he slipped into his Joseon-era voice, it grated on me. Every line was delivered at the same loud, flat pitch, to the point where I started skipping those scenes. I’ve watched plenty of sageuks (historical dramas), and I’ve never had this problem with other actors, which made it stand out even more here.

The ending was also a huge letdown. The evil sister essentially got away with everything—her toxic behavior was swept under the rug just because she donated part of her liver. No real consequences, no satisfying payoff. Her entire arc left me frustrated.

Then there were the three royal subjects. They had so much potential, and the show set them up as if they’d be crucial to unraveling the mystery. Instead, their roles were sidelined, and they never contributed meaningfully to the resolution. It felt like wasted characters.

Final Thoughts
While the premise was strong and the drama had its nostalgic, fun moments, the weak execution and lack of payoff dragged it down. If you’re looking for a solid time-travel drama, I honestly wouldn’t recommend this one—it doesn’t make the most of its setup, and the ending leaves you more annoyed than satisfied.

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Good but Missing Something

I genuinely enjoyed Our Unwritten Soeul, but I often found myself pressing the skip button during slower scenes that dragged on. The drama struggled to strike a balance between being a heartfelt exploration of mental health and an uplifting romantic story. In trying to do both, it didn’t fully succeed at either.

The premise itself—twin sisters switching places when one becomes mentally and emotionally exhausted—was strong and had the potential to deliver a powerful narrative. Unfortunately, it felt underdeveloped. While Mi-Rae’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment had moments of resonance, the drama lacked a clear end goal. The revenge arc that seemed promising at first fizzled out, becoming almost irrelevant in the final episodes, which made the ending feel anticlimactic.

The romance subplot was another missed opportunity. Both love stories had their moments, but they never quite rose above mediocrity. The relationships felt serviceable rather than moving, leaving little emotional impact once the credits rolled.

Overall, the show seemed to scatter its focus. Instead of fully fleshing out one compelling thread—whether that be the mental health struggles, the revenge story, or the romance—it spread itself too thin. As a result, it ended without a strong sense of completion or satisfaction.

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Definitely Good but Still Has It's Faults

I really liked this drama but maybe compared to the other ratings on here, it looks like I didn't hahaha. I definitely think it deserves a high rating but I personally don't think it was an overall 10/10.

The Story:
This was really good and jam-packed with drama! I loved every second of the 'Healer' scenes and found everyone's backstory really fascinating. I definitely think there were a couple unclosed plot points and that they ended up sacrificing a satisfying end with a whoooole lot of build up. Plus, I don't know if I just wasn't paying attention but I swear Yeong-Sin's mother found out that Yeong-Sin is Ji-An really suddenly and, again, it was so anticlimactic for all the build up that was there. Also, I'm curious as to what exactly happened from when Kim Mun-Sik found Yeong-Sin and when he decided to abandon her again? ALSO - what was that scene where she was hiding in a closet and someone came up to her with like a bat or something??? There was just so much story that I think the writers forgot to clear everything up. As I got to the last 10 minutes of Ep20 I had to double check it was the last episode because it just didn't feel like it.

The Characters:
Absolutely love love love the characters and everyone played such an important part in making this show the hit that it is. I definitely think the writers can thank the actors for the high ratings!

Again, overall I the enjoyability of the show deserves an 8.5 but there were a lot of points which I would have liked more clarification on and a lot of points that I don't think were necessary for the development of the main plot.

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This is the new STANDARD

I wasn't 100% sure what my overall rating would be but as I was ticking off all the marks, I realised that everything was near perfection and deserves a 8.5.

The music in this show was incredibly diverse and although I appreciate Thai artists being used in Thai shows, the fact that they used English music kind of made it a deeper experience for me. I guess you don't realise how much the lyrics of a song makes a difference when it plays in the background. You unintentionally relate those lyrics to what is happening in the moment. For this reason, the music was a 9.5/10.

The acting and plot was phenomenal and original. There wasn't a boring moment in this show and it really hit all the right markers.

The scene where Yok is doing a nude portrait of Dan is one of my favourite scenes in the show. It was so vulnerable and really set this precedent for BLs to follow. Instead of it focusing on steamy scenes and desires, this show actually showed a deeper meaning which was perfectly worded when Dan said 'I feel like I'm confessing my sins'. 10/10.

Also, the relationship between White and Sean was so naturally introduced. No confusion in what they were feeling, no regret or worry. They just accepted it as naturally as one should accept feelings for another. They didn't hide it from anyone and were so open to what they were feeling. Also, I love that both of them made sure eachother wanted the same thing. Basically, I love the CONSENT.

Great representation of the qommunity (get it.. haha queer community... qommun... anyways you get it). We had some beautiful raindbow flags in some scenes which I love <3

However, it wouldn't be a fair review if I didn't touch on the negatives...
I was a little disappointed with how they reintroduced Black into the story once he woke up. He kind of left the gang after he woke up which just doesn't make sense since he's the one that started it. If anything, I would have liked him to see that what White had done was working better than his plan but it was a little disappointing how he then continued on his own.

The ending was a little disappointing as well. They spent the entire show trying to take down Tawi but in the end, all of their efforts seemed to just be a symbol for society to stand up. We didn't have an epic scene where Tawi got taken in by police which I was looking forward to.

Also, I didn't fully understand why Dan all of a sudden changed his mind and went to arrest them. Like I get that someone powerful told him that he needs to step in line but AS IF that would be enough to scrap all your efforts and the effort of someone you supposedly love.

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