nono

Me! Though I'm only on ep 15 right now of this one, the general premise aside, theres a lot of differences for me to enjoy both on their own. However it IS slow to me, I have it playing in the background and found myself fastforwarding some scenes still.

- this one feels less makjang and more sugary
- I didn't get 2nd lead syndrome like I did w/ the Kdrama one
- lots of sweet and healthy relationship moments so far after they get together
- the dynamic between the couple is different. feels like older guy/younger girl (imagine early 30s w/ early 20s) to me which I actually really dig! In the kdrama they seemed mentally the same age
- ngl I thought the kdrama male lead had funny expressions but I didn't like him as a character. this one though I really like all in all
- has 2 side couples which are cute

Unfortunately I haven't watched many since I usually look into plot details/if they have a happy ending/etc. before starting and that dissuades me from starting a lot 😖 But I do have some!

Alchemy of Souls
This is a very recent kdrama that I'd say is closest to Who Rules The World and matches what I like in it. It is a bit more serious/darker in tone though, but I think many aspects are similar. The leads are soulmates, but they're pretty good at communicating what they feel/misunderstandings are resolved easily from what I remember. They're overpowered, but entertaining to watch. The "love rival" exists but is completely a non-issue, it gets solved quickly (she even get her own happy ending, and it's super cute!). Everyone who's bad in the story is clearly relegated to those roles so we don't have to feel compassion for them, and rightfully get what they deserve.

Two actresses play the female lead bc of body swap concept early on, and her appearance changes back in Part II. I struggled seeing the chemistry in Part I, but both leads are great actors and the action, special effects, story had me hooked. It paid off since the chemistry in Part II is absolutely there and most importantly, they get their happy end and the acting is solid from everyone! Even if it did drag a bit, it's short enough to finish and was satisfying :)

100 Days My Prince
The Crown Prince falls in love with a commoner and is married to the Crown Princess, but they've got nothing going on. In fact the princess hates him/does scheme against him because she loves someone else. Tbh I can't even remember the ending but it is a happy one. I didn't see much chemistry between the leads but my bf really loved it so we watched to the end, it's very cute all in all!

Handsome Siblings
I watched this to focus on the main lead/the story. We don't meet his love interest until near the end, but even for those few episodes, their dynamic is perfect. The story was more focused on the romance between his brother and his friend.

Up until some point, he did have feelings for the friend, but it was never a big deal and they made up bc the power of friendship. It has a happy ending for both couples and the story, and I was very satisfied.

Someone did try to meddle, but it was nipped in the bud by both leads, and was a complete non-issue :) It didn't even take a full episode. Their relationship is healthier than in modern day romcoms i s2g

This is one of the shows you had to have watched while it was airing to appreciate/enjoy it. It had me and my bf on the edge of our seat every week. The sisters are 100% idiotic and the plot is super makjang, I would have probably dropped this 3 eps in if I started it only after it fully aired.

However the thrill and dopamine each week was extremely satisfying whether we were impressed at whatever happened or gawking at stupidity, and the chemistry between the leads was fire. As an airing show, it 100% had our attention each episode. Even if I will never rewatch it again :')

Yeah! I came in without expectations and was delightfully surprised. I'm 30 episodes in now and I'm actually a little sad there's only 10 left.

I love the chemistry too! The scenes and their interactions are just so easy and fun to watch, and perfect for their roles.

I'm really enjoying it as well! I hardly pick up Cdramas because there's usually a (sometimes forced) element of angst, whether it's star-crossed lovers like Prince of Lan Ling or a wicked meddling love interest like Princess Weiyoung.

I'm just here for a good time and I think the main leads' characters (the most green flag relationship I've seen since Handsome Siblings & Legend of the Condor Heroes) carry the show for me. I don't mind the plot because it always gives the leads some chance to interact and when they do it heals my heart haha. It's super pure and wholesome.

Happy open ending, and he's a good guy! :')

I loved the guessing game and I hardly ever watch on-air kdramas. It was like watching Knives Out as an episodic series, you never know what to expect. I think many probably came in expecting the tone to be serious or hold deep introspective meaning when it's more like "what's going to happen next?!" and came out disappointed :(

Yesss this!! They were losing a lot of won every second they waste, and he was even being urged by his men to get out of the car quickly, but he stayed to explain to her question about trust and in that moment was raw/vulnerable (or at least the most honest he has been throughout the series). I love whatever these two have going on more than the couplings in 90% of the romcoms (not that they can be compared haha) 😢

Yes!! I kept thinking about "game changer" "everywhere you go you change the atmosphere" when In Joo was portrayed as normal as heck, and I was like... This drama has one flaw and it is incorrect characterization/oddly cheesy lines. I'm taken aback in a good way that there's an answer for it.

Also we can't forget about Sang Ah's brother who read Monte Cristo when Do Il tried to find the ledgers! I wonder what his involvement is? He must have played in with Sang Ah's plans to give In Joo the ledgers...

And now I'm wondering at what point Do Il started getting plans of his own to betray Jae Sang and Sang Ah? How early or how late on? He knew Sang Ah's personality, and Su Im (who is clearly sided with the husband) accused Do Il of working alongside the wife fairly recently (like 2 eps ago at the part where he said he was having a fling). I have so many questions 😭🤌

Oh my god this would explain a good number of my questions haha, thank you. I'm like how would Do Il know where to find her? And what would explain the bricks??

i came in expecting no romance but the way choi do il looks at injoo every on-screen moment gives me so much mixed signals that I've been feeding off of the crumbs I've been thrown. i've never seen so much skinship initiated by a guy in a kdrama like this. i still have no idea if there's any romance

it's not super heavy imo, and very engaging! i'd watch the first two eps and see how you like it - i couldnt look away from the screen. don't expect the plot to be realistic and you'll have a good time (it reminds me of the movies Knives Out or Bullet Train w/ less action)

I waited months to see Lee Dami and Choi Woosik in this drama as a pair, but am beginning to enjoy the dynamic between Mr. Jang and Yeonsu :(( Truly i don't know how tff send help