mngpanda

Enjoyed the first season sm, can’t wait for this.

ok seated

This one looks like a big production, and Jang Hyuk is back.

Best comment from Knetz: The biggest villain of this drama is not Pyo, its the writer XD

Usually actors only got scripts for the first 4-6 episodes when they receive an offer, so the script quality for the remaining episodes couldn't be guaranteed, the risk is even higher if it's an original story by a rookie writer like this one. It's rare for a top actor like LJH to star in two consecutive projects by new writers. He may be one of the few who truly supports original stories and newbies, but as a viewer who considers him a trustworthy actor, I'd much rather he choose scripts adapted from novels/ webtoon, or original works by experienced screenwriters. There are good works by rookie writers, but it all depends on luck.

The only kdrama sequel I've been waiting for, yay!

A Shop for Killers Season 2 YES! The 2026 lineup is more impressive than that of Netflix.

He is a great actor, want to see him more

yeah the tuk tuk, photo drop and courtroom scenes were like a 'low budget comedy' with nonsense all over the place XD and then ML's sudden confession without build up and not logical while he did it on the way of rescuing Majin.

Yes they better focus on whatever they are good at : slice-of-life, relationship and characters development (but ML s/b strengthened).  The Thailand arc unfortunately exposed further the weakness in writing intensive plot twist and business narratives. As some others aldy commented, it's more appropriate for the writer to depict actual business issues in a trading co. during IMF rather than a series of over dramatic/ unrealistic problems and solutions. The tone will be more consistent with a realistic slice of life story in earlier episodes.  Hopefully they will improve pacing starting next episode, otherwise the finale will be rushed.

I am okay with constant failure and struggles in a coming of age story, and even can accept only a final win at the end. Just the process of achieving it gotta be interesting and engaging. The writer was poor at writing plot twist in business hurdles.

Whoever suggested the recasting of FL deserved a pay rise.

Good for him. Maybe he will take more OTT and movie project going forward. It's hard to have well written weekend dramas these days, taste of viewers changed and only makjang, dramatic or family/ marriage issue dramas could get high ratings.

A safe choice for him as a comeback to Chungmuro.

Viewers who are not into romance could skip the whole Thailand part.

Second half of Ep10 seems back on right storytelling after they returned to Korea. But the Thailand arc (ep8-mid ep10) fell short, a filler to me.

The writer is new but PD did have notable work like Fight for my way and Mine for which she got Baeksang nominations. I think earlier episodes were generally solid, most recent complains come from the Thailand arc. Since it's just half way, I will still keep watching before making a conclusion

Yeah we all know LJH is a romance master but doesn't mean he has to act like a love puppy in every drama he takes. They can still keep the romance subtle, slow burn like in early episodes but no idea why they suddenly changed to a romcom vibe in Thailand. That being said, I think episodes before Thailand arc were generally solid. So far I'm just disappointed with the latest episode, same as you I've expected Majin case could be wrapped up shortly but it dragged alot without interesting plot. It quite common for kdrama to insert few filler episodes like this in 2nd half of the run tho, so I will still invest few episodes before making a conclusion.

Couldn't agree more. Imagine if the writer is Park Jae Bum (Good manager, Vincenzo) and the director is Cashero PD Lee Chang Min (Agency, one my favorite single protagonist business drama), the business plot would be much more compelling with charming male characters. Then the rating will be definitely go up up up. I definitely like to have good slice of life in a coming of age drama, but here the balance is not well placed. Also seems like PD wanted to showcase different facet of LJH but she should consider whether it is fit, like what's the point of portraying ML like a love struck in Thailand arc rather than a CEO handling business? It worked in a Romcom like KTL but didn't fit here.

Agreed. The director and the writer were great in capturing slice of life and character development (esp female characters), but the business plot was not well written enough, and sometimes quite loose and dragged. it is bearable but not great. Also i feel the writer is very ambitious to integrate multi genre in one drama, so the mood transition between exciting scenes and slice of life wasn't smooth at times.