1
3
Epic Setup & VFX, but Soulless Adaptation
➥ TL;DR Review:
Best Bits: Stunning visual effects, solid performances from the cast.
Worst Bits: Everything else. Story, pacing, character depth—meh.
Watch It? Only if you’re killing time or have a soft spot for the actors. Otherwise, skip.
➥ Detailed Review:
I haven’t read the original web novel, so this review is purely based on the movie. My rating is honestly generous - entirely for the visual effects and the sheer effort the cast and crew poured into this otherwise clunky adaptation.
When the movie was first announced, I was hyped. I’m a sucker for stories where characters slip into fictional worlds—think W or Extraordinary You. Plus, it starred my OG K-drama crush, Lee Min Ho. His recent projects haven’t wowed me, but nostalgia’s a powerful thing. Then came Ahn Hyo Seop, one of my absolute faves. I’ve watched him grow from Splash Splash Love to 30 but 17 and of course, the delightful Business Proposal. With a cast like that, how could I not be curious?
I didn’t catch the movie right away, but I kept tabs on the reviews—and they weren’t kind. So by the time I watched it (Oct 2, 2025), my expectations were comfortably low. I was ready for a time-pass flick, nothing more.
And that’s exactly what I got.
The story had potential but felt rushed and undercooked. Honestly, it might’ve worked better as a mini-series. Some character arcs—Dok-ja, Hyeon Seong, Hui Won, Ji Hye—were surprisingly well done given the runtime. Others? Just filler. The emotional beats around teamwork and unity were nice, even heartwarming at times. I mean, who doesn’t want to believe that humanity can come together in a crisis?
But the pacing was all over the place. Exposition was thin, and the ending? It felt like someone hit pause mid-scene and forgot to come back. I kept waiting for a final twist or explanation… and then the credits rolled. The core message—if there was one—was murky at best. I think it was about unity, but that’s me guessing.
Some characters hogged screen time without adding much. The script was weak, and the storytelling didn’t do justice to the world it was trying to build. Someday, I’ll read the original work to cleanse my palate. Because this movie? Left a bitter aftertaste - sadly!
Best Bits: Stunning visual effects, solid performances from the cast.
Worst Bits: Everything else. Story, pacing, character depth—meh.
Watch It? Only if you’re killing time or have a soft spot for the actors. Otherwise, skip.
➥ Detailed Review:
I haven’t read the original web novel, so this review is purely based on the movie. My rating is honestly generous - entirely for the visual effects and the sheer effort the cast and crew poured into this otherwise clunky adaptation.
When the movie was first announced, I was hyped. I’m a sucker for stories where characters slip into fictional worlds—think W or Extraordinary You. Plus, it starred my OG K-drama crush, Lee Min Ho. His recent projects haven’t wowed me, but nostalgia’s a powerful thing. Then came Ahn Hyo Seop, one of my absolute faves. I’ve watched him grow from Splash Splash Love to 30 but 17 and of course, the delightful Business Proposal. With a cast like that, how could I not be curious?
I didn’t catch the movie right away, but I kept tabs on the reviews—and they weren’t kind. So by the time I watched it (Oct 2, 2025), my expectations were comfortably low. I was ready for a time-pass flick, nothing more.
And that’s exactly what I got.
The story had potential but felt rushed and undercooked. Honestly, it might’ve worked better as a mini-series. Some character arcs—Dok-ja, Hyeon Seong, Hui Won, Ji Hye—were surprisingly well done given the runtime. Others? Just filler. The emotional beats around teamwork and unity were nice, even heartwarming at times. I mean, who doesn’t want to believe that humanity can come together in a crisis?
But the pacing was all over the place. Exposition was thin, and the ending? It felt like someone hit pause mid-scene and forgot to come back. I kept waiting for a final twist or explanation… and then the credits rolled. The core message—if there was one—was murky at best. I think it was about unity, but that’s me guessing.
Some characters hogged screen time without adding much. The script was weak, and the storytelling didn’t do justice to the world it was trying to build. Someday, I’ll read the original work to cleanse my palate. Because this movie? Left a bitter aftertaste - sadly!
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