This review may contain spoilers
A difficult topic handled lightly — or maybe a bit too lightly?
When I started this series, I was expecting something completely different: a calm rom-com with pretty scenery. And, to be fair, I did get that — partially. But the writers decided to throw in a little “bonus” in the form of ... Spoiler alert!
... serious mental health issues.
In general, I think addressing such topics is a good thing and helps break taboos around them. However, in this series it all felt far too light. The female lead doesn’t struggle with minor issues that can be magically cured by love and emotional support — she has a personality disorder. Multiple personality disorder is not something that just goes away.
I understand the idea of destigmatizing mental illness, but one visit to a psychiatrist does not solve everything. The heroine says that, following the Japanese psychiatrist’s advice, she continued treatment, had an MRI, talked to a doctor… and was basically told that nothing can be done and she just has to live with it. Did I understand that correctly? No treatment, just deal with it?
Another issue appears in episode 6 — a conversation between the leads that I honestly didn’t understand. Why do they break up despite mutual confessions of love? Overall, the chemistry between them is great, the male lead is adorable, and the female lead is stunning — her beauty and acting already captivated me in Alchemy of Souls. The characters themselves are great, but the story sometimes simply doesn’t make sense.
The ending is also… strange.
All in all, I’m a bit disappointed. Instead of the rom-com I was waiting for, I got something closer to It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. Some of the heroine’s behaviors are genuinely dangerous (like giving sleeping pills), and nothing is done about it — which I found confusing.
On the plus side: as mentioned before, the acting of both main and supporting characters is very good, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
... serious mental health issues.
In general, I think addressing such topics is a good thing and helps break taboos around them. However, in this series it all felt far too light. The female lead doesn’t struggle with minor issues that can be magically cured by love and emotional support — she has a personality disorder. Multiple personality disorder is not something that just goes away.
I understand the idea of destigmatizing mental illness, but one visit to a psychiatrist does not solve everything. The heroine says that, following the Japanese psychiatrist’s advice, she continued treatment, had an MRI, talked to a doctor… and was basically told that nothing can be done and she just has to live with it. Did I understand that correctly? No treatment, just deal with it?
Another issue appears in episode 6 — a conversation between the leads that I honestly didn’t understand. Why do they break up despite mutual confessions of love? Overall, the chemistry between them is great, the male lead is adorable, and the female lead is stunning — her beauty and acting already captivated me in Alchemy of Souls. The characters themselves are great, but the story sometimes simply doesn’t make sense.
The ending is also… strange.
All in all, I’m a bit disappointed. Instead of the rom-com I was waiting for, I got something closer to It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. Some of the heroine’s behaviors are genuinely dangerous (like giving sleeping pills), and nothing is done about it — which I found confusing.
On the plus side: as mentioned before, the acting of both main and supporting characters is very good, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
Was this review helpful to you?
