Pleasantly Unexpected
I stumbled upon this drama quite unexpectedly and honestly, after the first episode, rather by the end of the first episode was ready to drop it. But then, almost as a second thought I went on to watch episode 2 and then 3 and after that was hooked onto the drama. Although there are some expected coincidences that look manufactured and at times, the ML despite being a superstar is able to roam around freely almost without anyone noticing, what has endeared to me the most is the performances. The ML has excellent comic timing and is actually a very good actor--given that the lead actor plays an actor who has average acting skills early on in the drama and who evolves as an actor over the course of the drama. There is one scene particularly when he compares his performances in his earlier films/shows and enacts before his girlfriend how he should have done that scene or how he would do it now. There are 3 layers of acting involved here--one the actor who plays the ML, two the ML who is playing a lead (betrayed lover, police officer, etc.) in some movie/drama that is shown on screen, and three the ML who is comparing his performances on screen with performances before his girlfriend (the FL). Besides there are several other scenes of the characters that are actors acting on screen which gives an element of metanarrative to the narrative of the drama.
Apart from performances, the character of the supportive father of the FL is a relatively unconventional role; someone who would not believe his daughter's ex-boyfriend despite him being a favourite student of his.
And then, the writing. It may not appear at first glance but this show has some intelligent writing going on. Especially with the dialogues--that are hilarious and heartfelt.
The biggest weakness of the drama to me is the 1D villains.though the twist of the female villain character towards the end is unexpected and one feels bad for her. The male antagonist does not seem to have any major subtext and his villainy seems more of a plot device for the ML to shine.
One last thing, i found it particularly interesting that it was the SML and the SFL whose story had a greater arc (and possibility of arc of) evolution than the ML and FL. But, this again, I found a pleasant departure as in many cases there was a strong possibility that the story arc of the second leads would be the main plot and that of the main leads would be the secondary plot. In any case, the two second leads are almost treated at par (in terms of screen time and space) as the two leads. The SML even had a back story that made the union of the SML and SFL even more heartfelt. The bond among all the 5 characters--the ML, FL, SML,SFL and the Manager is beautiful and feels real and organic.
Overall, to me this was a good show, an enjoyable one--of course with some tropes and cliches and a 1D villain--despite the main plot being paper thin. After the 3rd episode especially there was not a dull moment in the show. All actors acted their parts well and this show has good rewatch value.
Apart from performances, the character of the supportive father of the FL is a relatively unconventional role; someone who would not believe his daughter's ex-boyfriend despite him being a favourite student of his.
And then, the writing. It may not appear at first glance but this show has some intelligent writing going on. Especially with the dialogues--that are hilarious and heartfelt.
The biggest weakness of the drama to me is the 1D villains.though the twist of the female villain character towards the end is unexpected and one feels bad for her. The male antagonist does not seem to have any major subtext and his villainy seems more of a plot device for the ML to shine.
One last thing, i found it particularly interesting that it was the SML and the SFL whose story had a greater arc (and possibility of arc of) evolution than the ML and FL. But, this again, I found a pleasant departure as in many cases there was a strong possibility that the story arc of the second leads would be the main plot and that of the main leads would be the secondary plot. In any case, the two second leads are almost treated at par (in terms of screen time and space) as the two leads. The SML even had a back story that made the union of the SML and SFL even more heartfelt. The bond among all the 5 characters--the ML, FL, SML,SFL and the Manager is beautiful and feels real and organic.
Overall, to me this was a good show, an enjoyable one--of course with some tropes and cliches and a 1D villain--despite the main plot being paper thin. After the 3rd episode especially there was not a dull moment in the show. All actors acted their parts well and this show has good rewatch value.
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