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Switched Worlds, Swoony Leads: A Bumpy Yet Charming Portal Fantasy Drama
I'm a big fan of fantasy dramas where characters fall into alternate universes - "Portal Fantasy". Right from the first episode of "The First Night with the Duke", I was reminded of personal favorites like "Mr. Queen" and "Splash Splash Love" - which dive into historical world; also "Extraordinary You" and "W: Two Worlds", both rooted in manhwa/webtoon storytelling. These four are among my all-time favorite dramas, so my expectations for this one were understandably high along with the fact that it was 12 episodes, which is now my favorite drama-length. And for the most part, the drama delivered on the expectations, and hence it is worth a watch. Let me break it down:
➥ Story & Pace:
The first two episodes were outright hilarious, but episode 3 felt underwhelming, prompting me to put the drama on hold. Thankfully, when I resumed at episode 4, the story took off brilliantly—blending mystery, politics, action, romance, and comedy into a compelling ride that kept me hooked week after week. The momentum continued strong until episode 10, where pacing dipped and the storyline became slightly convoluted. While these slower moments were important for narrative resolution, they felt dull compared to the high-energy beginning. Still, the drama wraps up with a satisfying, happy ending—exactly what fans of this genre crave.
➥ Acting:
Special credit goes to the main leads—both of whom are idol-turned-actors. Honestly, I was surprised by how well they performed. I’ve followed their music careers, and acting-wise, this is only the second project I’ve seen from each. The male lead previously starred in Heartbeat, which I found pretty disappointing, and the female lead was in Love and Leashes, one of my absolute favorite films. In this drama, they’ve both delivered commendable performances. The female lead shines as a spirited, courageous, and funny character, while the male lead plays the classic tsundere, heroic, charming and funny. Their chemistry was electric, and watching their romantic arc unfold was truly delightful.
The antagonists—ranging from jealous admirers to competitive rivals—were handled well. Each was explored with nuance and got fitting resolutions, whether sweet or bitter. Secondary characters also played their roles effectively, supporting the main leads and enriching the story as a whole.
➥ Music, Direction, Effects, Costumes: are all great as expected of production of this scale.
➥ Overall:
I recommend watching this, just be prepared for a few uneven episodes along an otherwise smooth and entertaining journey. While the plot itself isn’t groundbreaking or unpredictable, strong performances, engaging romance, and a lively mix of action and humor make it absolutely worth your time.
➥ Story & Pace:
The first two episodes were outright hilarious, but episode 3 felt underwhelming, prompting me to put the drama on hold. Thankfully, when I resumed at episode 4, the story took off brilliantly—blending mystery, politics, action, romance, and comedy into a compelling ride that kept me hooked week after week. The momentum continued strong until episode 10, where pacing dipped and the storyline became slightly convoluted. While these slower moments were important for narrative resolution, they felt dull compared to the high-energy beginning. Still, the drama wraps up with a satisfying, happy ending—exactly what fans of this genre crave.
➥ Acting:
Special credit goes to the main leads—both of whom are idol-turned-actors. Honestly, I was surprised by how well they performed. I’ve followed their music careers, and acting-wise, this is only the second project I’ve seen from each. The male lead previously starred in Heartbeat, which I found pretty disappointing, and the female lead was in Love and Leashes, one of my absolute favorite films. In this drama, they’ve both delivered commendable performances. The female lead shines as a spirited, courageous, and funny character, while the male lead plays the classic tsundere, heroic, charming and funny. Their chemistry was electric, and watching their romantic arc unfold was truly delightful.
The antagonists—ranging from jealous admirers to competitive rivals—were handled well. Each was explored with nuance and got fitting resolutions, whether sweet or bitter. Secondary characters also played their roles effectively, supporting the main leads and enriching the story as a whole.
➥ Music, Direction, Effects, Costumes: are all great as expected of production of this scale.
➥ Overall:
I recommend watching this, just be prepared for a few uneven episodes along an otherwise smooth and entertaining journey. While the plot itself isn’t groundbreaking or unpredictable, strong performances, engaging romance, and a lively mix of action and humor make it absolutely worth your time.
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