sayratial

This drama started off strong. Episode 1 pulled me in with an intriguing setup, Yeori, a reluctant shaman and glass craftswoman, and Kang Cheol, an Imugi who needs her body to ascend. The tension was there, the atmosphere was moody but engaging, and the characters actually had charisma. Young Kwang as the original Kang Cheol had presence, and even though we lost him early, Sungjae stepped in as Kang Cheol/Yun Gap with such smooth synchronization that I didn’t even mind the transition.

The first few episodes really had me. There was just enough emotional pull with Yeori’s desperation to save Yun Gap, the painful irony of being stuck with someone who looks like the man she loves but isn’t, and the layered tension between her and the Imugi. I loved that Yeori wasn’t written as some superhuman fighter, but she also wasn’t weak. She held her own. The scenes with her helping spirits, especially the rape victim, were emotional and gave her some moral grounding that made her compelling. And the scene where Kang Cheol possessed Yun Gap’s body, leaving behind a ghost version? The acting was so on point I was genuinely impressed.

Let’s talk Bibi. Absolutely hilarious, unhinged, chaotic sibling energy to Kang Cheol. No DNA test needed. I knew the moment he appeared that he was going to die. Side characters with that much personality and power never last. But at least his death made sense. It wasn’t some weak “sacrificing for the leads” moment. It was him trying to prevent Kang Cheol from sacrificing himself, trying to play smart, and still falling into the trap. A tragic death, but fitting for his character. Though his death could've been prevented if any of the three were a bit smarter or faster.

The romance. Usually I hate the whole “immortal loves mortal he’s watched grow up” angle. But here? It made sense. Kang Cheol didn’t start out feeling anything, it wasn’t until he possessed a human body that he started feeling at all. Watching him fall in love like some goofy teenager was honestly adorable. His excitement over Yeori’s confession, buying her shoes she once looked at years ago, giving Yun Gap’s mom a hairpin, it was giving dumb in love Imugi energy and I wasn’t mad about it.

The King. Honestly was a standout. He actually ruled. He wasn’t some cardboard noble with no agency. He fought. He bled. He made decisions. He loved his wife. He had his moments of failure, but he owned them. His scenes with Kang Cheol were often some of the best, especially once he knew who he really was. And the bromance? Legendary. That man hugged, protected, and actually talked sense. More of that in dramas, please.

Now, about the pacing. Around episode 8, I started feeling it. The drag. There were filler moments, scenes that felt like recycled dialogue or slow-motion glances stretched way too long. The writing dipped, the tension started unraveling, and I began questioning if they were just making it up as they went.

Yun Gap comes back and for a hot second, I thought they were going to ruin him. But no, he stayed true to himself and got a proper send-off. The drama made the right choice there.

And then close to the end was a mess. Every character suddenly turned into a brainless statue. Evil right in front of their faces and no one moves. No urgency, no logic, just standing around as if they’re all reading the script together. Queen Park’s death? Unnecessary and frustrating. She deserved better. We all agreed this show could’ve been wrapped up in 10-12 episodes max. Dragged out way too long.

The finale, though? Surprisingly satisfying. Kang Cheol sacrifices himself to defeat the Eight-Foot Spirit, meets the Jade Emperor, and gets a second chance. Not mad at that. Yeori and Kang Cheol get married, have a daughter, and continue their ghost-hunting and glass-making life together with Yun Gap’s mom still being the funniest person around. The tone shifted into a light epilogue and honestly, it worked. It felt like a reward for sitting through the messier middle arcs.

So yeah. This show didn’t need 16 episodes. The writing faltered, the pacing dipped, and there were moments where I was just watching out of obligation. But the characters, the emotional arcs, the Imugi lore, the bond between leads, and that surprisingly good bromance, there was something here. Not perfect, but not bad either.

Started out as a 9. Dropped to a 7.5. Worth a watch if you're in the mood for chaotic romance, spirits, glass art, and a lizard god learning to love.