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When 2007 Kdrama Vibes Meet 2025
Honestly, this kdrama was both cute and enjoyable to follow, offering a rather light form of entertainment. At the same time, it attempted to touch on weightier themes such as sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry, systemic corruption, and the challenges faced by older professionals who often find themselves sidelined despite once having a brilliant career. However, these topics were only superficially addressed, most likely because the drama had too few episodes to properly explore them while juggling multiple subplots.One of the highlights was seeing veteran actors in a project of this nature. Their experience brought a certain maturity to the performances, but what stood out most was the sense of ease and enjoyment they radiated. The BTS footage included in the finale underscored this, but even on screen their performances carried a lightness that suggested they were not only working but genuinely HAVING FUN.
The chemistry between Uhm Jung Hwa and Song Seung Heon deserves special mention. Their interactions felt organic and fluid, making the relationship between Lim Se Ra and Detective Dokgo Cheol both believable and touching. Even with the 25 year gap during which the characters had not seen each other, the drama managed to convincingly convey the affection and admiration they still held for one another after all this time (and through all this time).
As for the storyline, it was consistently engaging, though not without its flaws. I was surprised to see some viewers raising questions that had already been addressed early on (for example, whether the protagonist had lost her memory for 25 years... When the first two episodes had clearly established that it was her second accident). Such oversights show that while the drama doesn't demand intense attention, it does reward viewers who follow closely.
As a whole, My Troublesome Star works well as entertainment and carries a nostalgic tone reminiscent of the kdramas of the late 2000s. However, it should be noted that this "old-school" vibe also brings with it certain drawbacks. The drama reproduces outdated stereotypes that feel out of place in today's landscape, such as presenting curly hair and darker skin tones negatively. While these choices may reflect cultural attitudes still prevalent in Korean Society, they remain disappointing, especially when other global industries have moved forward in challenging such portrayals.
In conclusion, My Troublesome Star is far from flawless, but it offers a charming, nostalgic experience for viewers who long for the feel of 2007–2010 kdramas. What the narrative lacks is more than compensated for by uniformly strong performances, with both veterans and newcomers leaving a mark.
Rating: 7.5/10 – recommended.
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A Raw and Heartfelt Journey
This drama made me cry a lot, ngl. Its story is both beautiful and deeply touching. However, I have to say, when a certain actor started showing up in later episodes, I just wanted to fast-forward through his scenes. I also wish they had focused more on Eun Myeong, and there were moments when Geum Myeong’s behavior frustrated me. That said, it’s understandable — her parents spoiled her a lot, and it showed.The first two arcs were absolutely incredible, but towards the end, the story felt a bit stuck in time, lacking the same creativity and depth. It was pretty obvious that they just recreated the same romance for Geum Myeong based on her parents' love story, which I found a little disappointing.
This kdrama isn’t a fairy tale: it’s raw, real, and human. That’s why, despite my reservations, I still gave it a high score. The main and supporting actors (let me ignore that one actor for now) were phenomenal, and I loved how every single character served a real purpose in the story, even if we didn’t realize it until 10 episodes later.
I highly recommend this kdrama to anyone ready to cry and experience life in its most unfiltered form through art.
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We could've had it all
The drama started off strong: the premise was solid, the characters were promising. But somewhere along the way, it lost its spark. And I blame the tired, overused ex boyfriend storyline. Sure, many romantic clichés rely on this trope, but it shouldn't have dominated the drama the way it did. Two short scenes, maybe twenty minutes max, would’ve been more than enough — and far more palatable than a brooding ex pleading to get back together.Let’s not even get into his subplot, which turned out to be completely pointless, since it was never addressed again. A narrative dead end.
I’m still not sure which character lost their footing more: Beom-woo or Yeonju. But something stopped clicking along the way. For a 10 episode drama, they really should’ve invested more time in developing both characters (individually and as a couple) instead of wasting screen time on the ex.
The mother-as-the-villain plot had real potential. It could have been amazing, if we had gotten enough screen time to explore it! What is happening with K-dramas lately? We need to go back to 16 episode formats. The villain ended up feeling cartoonish and shallow, like someone with too much time and no real motive.
The acting, however, was great. You could tell Kang Haneul poured himself into the role. Go Minsi was a pleasant surprise, I’d never seen her in anything before, but she held her own beautifully. The supporting cast also did a fantastic job and helped hold the story together, despite the limited screen time.
The ending felt rushed and oddly Disney esque, and not in a good way. It lacked time, depth, and focus on the core storylines. Still, the performances were strong, and the OST was pleasant, so not all was lost.
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S-Line's Finale Did NOT Eat (✨and That's Okay✨)
The premise of the kdrama was strong, and I genuinely had fun and felt excited during the early episodes. However, I felt that the final episode, especially toward the end, veered into slightly silly territory. Certain plot points and scenes could have been addressed in a more effective manner. I'm not particularly fond of open endings, but at least the last scene provided a slight boost to the overall conclusion. In all honesty, the kdrama might have benefited from two additional episodes with a revised subplot to better explain the "s-lines".Overall, it remains a fairly intriguing kdrama that serves as a good way to pass the time.
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Creio que a maioria que assistiu The Penthouse, conseguia visualizar facilmente o próximo cenário da trama, mas jamais acreditava 100% que o imaginado aconteceria, pois era ficcional até demais (bem fic), só pra no final.... REALMENTE acontecer. O público acabou ficando tão acostumado com essas reviravoltas, que a escritora e o diretor acabaram usando deste artificio para nos surpreender DE VERDADE com a finale, que foi muito bonita e significativa.
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Big Feels, Bigger Twists (Freaks Shouldn't Have Power)
It's honestly fascinating that in today's world, with everything going on, we got a kdrama like Tempest, one that basically shows how dangerous it is when “freaks” hold power. For me, the drama often felt like a mirror of our own reality, highlighting just how destructive it can be when weapons fall into the wrong hands.The plot was strong. The pacing? Yeah, sometimes a little slow, but never to the point of being boring, EVERY single episode left me wanting to click next. Jun Ji Hyun has mentioned she's always admired Kang Dong Won, so I can only imagine what a dream it was for her to act alongside him in something this good. Their chemistry was flawless, and honestly, they need to team up again. The entire cast delivered too; no character felt wasted, whether they had a big role or a small one.
Seo Mun Ju was such a competent character in everything she set out to do, even in her own suffering. Strong, sharp, and straightforward, Jun Ji Hyun played her with so much grace and nuance. At times, I almost believed she really could bring world peace. Baek San Ho, meanwhile, was absolutely fascinating (Calm down, I love Seo Mun Ju as much him loves her): layered, complex, and unwavering in his devotion to Seo Mun Ju. His final scene with Madam President only deepened that complexity.
Political storyline >> Aside from a couple of generalizations, I thought the political side of the story was really good. And honestly, just look at the news around us, and you'll get exactly where the characters' motivations came from.
Romance >> The drama never promised romance, but somehow it delivered. The moments were short, yes, but full of meaning and chemistry. Definitely unexpected, but definitely WORTH IT.
The Finale >> I wasn't disappointed at all. For weeks I'd been convinced the drama would keep us on edge, making us believe until the very last second that our anti-hero, Baek San Ho, was doomed to die. But he didn't, that open door on the ship basically screamed that he was still alive. His final moment, alone in the desert, looking at Polaris while burying Seo Mun Ju's necklace where he always dreamed of taking her, was deeply symbolic. To me, it was him putting his own happiness to rest (or keeping it safe) while letting her move forward. Realistically, their romance could never work with him alive beside her while she's running for president and fighting for peace. And he knew that. So he sacrificed it (I'm guessing here).
Conclusion >> I really think Tempest was a unique kdrama, with great acting, powerful scenes, and a storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat every single week. Loved it.
90/100
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