Heart Fluttering, Youthful, and Fun
Definitely didn't expect to fall in love with this show and it's characters. The storyline may seem very common, but what set this apart is the flow of the story, the portrayal of the actors, and the growth of the characters.The character growth of almost everyone in the series is such a journey. It was a rollercoaster to watch the leads mature and slowly change for their betterment through the trials they've faced.
The challenges that the leads faced- together with the support of good friends, made this series so much better. It highlighted the phrase, no man is an island. It showed that with the right people in your life, even difficult situations become bearable, and passing through these difficulties with someone makes it less lonely and burdensome.
I also loved the growth in the aspect of love and relationships. I loved seeing the characters grow and slowly show maturity and more trust in their respective relationships. It highlighted that in all relationships trials do come, but what's important is to not give up on each other and to also not sacrifice yourself in the process of love. Growth should come from both ends.
Overall, a great drama that'll definitely make watchers feel good and giddy with the romance and discoveries of youth.
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Out of this world.
The concept of this drama is already out of this world. So to be able to enjoy it thoroughly, logic should be thrown out.This was an enjoyable drama nonetheless. Though it had some issues in it that are sensitive and should've been reviewed before published (ie. drugging, miscarriage, attempted sexual harassement, attempted murder, and kidnapping).
Character growth in this series is also very confusing. While some characters are already written pretty nicely (second female lead / stepsister), the female lead's character seemed lacking. Her character attitude and personality just seemed totally unstable. How she was written amongst all other things disrupted the flow of the story- which became another downfall of this drama. Maybe if the story focused less on some of the diabolical schemes and more on the story cohesiveness, even if this was an out of the world series, it would've been a more put together.
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Could've Been Better
The story is bearable but could've been improved. It's basically a light take on trials married couples go through. I like the acting the two leads showed, they somewhat gave justice to how married life is in a cute way- mostly during the first half...What didn't seat right to me was the cheating and how the other woman even had the audacity to lecture the wife and act all wife material during a certain event. I'm also annoyed at how the husband didn't even seem guilty for doing what he did. That major part of the story was just shoved under the rug when it seemed like one of the most important aspects of the movie.
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A very fitting title!
I rarely watch time travel dramas, but from the trailer of this alone, I already got so hooked. I couldn't stop that I binged all episodes in one sitting. Plus, I really love how mature it is. I like how the script and the actions that the drama had isn't the typical play-safe ones in K-Drama.While there are lapses in the story, I guess that's something that can't be helped given the nature of the drama. I just wished that they learned more toward the end and kinda limited or stopped time traveling altogether... I felt that it was already too risky given what happened during the last episodes and that doing it again mostly for material wants is just too shallow of a reason. Admittedly, the last few minutes of the ending were the weak point of the story. It could've been better if the future they had was even a tad more mature than how they initially started. I think the growth part kinda dwindled here. But trust me when I say that character growth is very prevalent in this story, just minus the last three minutes of the drama. Viewers will definitely see growth unfold through each episode.
Overall, I loved this drama. I would definitely rewatch this when I want the feels. Because this definitely gave the feels when it comes to the different types of love and friendship. It's realistically refreshing and heartbreaking. You'll definitely get what I mean when you start watching.
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Camaraderie, Growth, and Fun!
I can't believe I waited so long to watch this! This is such a light and fun drama to watch with lots of camaraderie amongst boys turning into men. The journey was light but with impact. It didn't skimp on showing that while these men were roughened, they also had fun in the process and learned to build camaraderie. I truly didn't expect to be so immersed into something with politics involved. But a story written rightly can really change a persons mind and perspective. So kudos to the writers!I also appreciated that the romance wasn't the central point of the show. Yes, it did serve it's purpose, but it wasn't the main point of the show. It focused on the transformation of elite boys to toughened men, and of them learning to care, protect, and love their people and country. Of them coming out of their protective shells and being true men. It's also growth of almost all characters that was rightly done that made the story even more amazing!
Honestly, this is such a great drama to watch, a true gem!
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Saving Grace: The Chemistry
Honestly, while the story seemed all over the place, it was still surprisingly engrossing to watch. I just wish the writers were able to fix the continuity of the story; it would have made such a difference and could have helped in making this web drama amazing.The chemistry between the main leads is already there. Their sweet interactions just have a certain spark that can't be faked. I just hoped that the growth of the male lead was explained more clearly, it would have made their story much more engrossing.
Also, I find the ending quite confusing... While I understand this may have been a low budget web drama, I truly believe that some editing on the storyline, would have made everything way better.
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Sweet and Binge Worthy
I started this drama with no expectation at all, surprisingly, it actually captured my interest, and soon enough I was hooked and was binged watching it until 4 AM.Props to this drama, as I truly admired and respect how it didn't just focus on a singular kind of love. It's not just about the romance between two people; it also showed the love between and for family members, love for friends, and love for the masses/people around.
While the story isn't perfect and there is quite a big plot hole towards the end, the main essence and message of the story still wasn't lost and still gave an acceptable cap to the story.
Other Reasons to Love the drama:
The main leads Hou Chi and Shi Xia are just too adorable! The growth in their characters as the episodes progress is truly worth looking forward to and watching. What started as an awkward relationship turned into such a sweet cotton candy kind of relationship. I can't just stop rooting for them. Plus, can we just give some props to how great the acting of Hou Chi was. The way he was able to carry that poker and innocent face just helped in making the story so much more gripping.
The sibling relationship of Shi Xia and Shi Dong was also given great justice. I loved how they were able to resolve something that has traumatized Shi Xia for such a long time. I also loved how until the end, it was proven that even if Shi Dong is a bit weird in showing it, he truly loves and cares for his sister.
The relationship between Sect Leader/Owner and his Children. While I kinda fast-forwarded this part, this is actually one of the main storylines in the drama, and I must say, it was embedded quite ingeniously. What I appreciate the most in this aspect of the story is how it highlighted a parent's love for their children more than anything else.
What I Find Lacking:
The Ending... The continuation of everyone's life from the xianxia world to the modern world is quite confusing and abrupt. How did Hou Chi survive and how was he able to send Shi Xia and Shi Dong back to the modern world, at the same time transporting himself as well? What is his life in the modern world like? Why is it that only he and Shi Xia remember the other world, but Shi Dong doesn't? There isn't a whole lot of explanation, I think that adding one more episode to clear this up would have made the drama perfect.
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A different and yet enjoyable take on Magical Realism
The way the story is written is the perfect definition of having a different take on magical realism. The story is well written and enjoyable, it was only the ending that fell quite short for me... It would have been better if the conclusion is somewhat clearer than what was shown. The distinction or line between the virtual world and reality, while quite clear in the beginning, became very much muddy in the end. The "magical" realism aspect could've been more developed. The actors did justice to their roles, and that's why I wish the writers could've made the ending better. It would've also been better if the female lead's "reality" was given a proper explanation- a what happens after entering the VR kind of explanation. But still, this drama was light, fun, and entertaining to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Could've Been Good
This drama was supposed to be a light one with touches of romance and comedy. That was initially the case towards the first half of it, as the drama progressed, it became darker. It became a stark contrast of how it originally started. While I did enjoy watching it, I truly think that towards the end it became excessively bloody and angsty. Honestly, the saving grace of this drama was the surprise ending and the character growth that the female lead showed towards the end. The leads in this drama did well in their acting, I feel that the weak point is actually the story.Was this review helpful to you?
A treat!
Beautifully written.A second chance to live, love, and conquer.
I love how straightforward both the main characters are in their second life. They were able to instantly resolve all the drama and tensions during their past life which then made them great allies and partners in the current life.
I also love how everything unfolded in the end. How secret enemies from their past life became their strongest allies in the current one. It’s beautifully written in a way that reminds us that once one changes their outlook and stance in life, another set of future becomes available.
This is also way different from other historical and political dramas as the main focus here revolves around the court politics and little to none about the common folk.
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A Healing Journey
I loved the main point that this drama sends to its viewers...It’s okay to fall down, it’s okay to take time and heal, it’s okay not to be okay, but it’s also important to know when it’s time to start again and to accept that starting again means starting slow and starting from within.
The romance was a great added bonus to the storyline, especially because the leads have great chemistry. But even without the added romance, they were able to portray and send the message properly- it was still a win.
I would say that everything about this drama was well executed. The support system of fmc is just top notch. I think that the mother and uncles role in this drama should also be given a proper salute. The way they tried is enough to help a person. It’s enough to let the fmc know she’s not alone and she has her family to help her through.
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Chemistry on fire!
verything was perfect in this series.The chemistry was on fire that the angst and longing look so natural.
Storywise, I loved it! I love the backstory that the male main character has and had. It made his character so easy to root for. There was so much that happened to him, I love how he was able to rise through it all.
And the love. My goodness. The love and loyalty they have for each other is just so top notched. How she doesn’t flinch from all the underground dealings his been doing. She’s been with him through almost all of it. I’m sadden by the fact that he made a decision for her that challenged their relationship once again. Communication was one of the problems they suffer as a couple, thankfully, they were able to slowly fix it towards their third chance together.
Truly love this series! The lost of sleep was totally worth it.
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the story wasn’t truly about the mean lead
This started out heavy.But the premise was good so I held on to it.
But as it progressed it got dumb.
15 years of being stuck in an island with noone who tried looking for her aside from the male lead who masked his search in a different tactic.
15 years of a family pretending to be a family they’re not to escape an abusive father and husband. When they could’ve easily reported him especially during the present time. When he was more active in harrassing them again.
Then there’s the issue with the past super star, her company shares, her lack of singing capability, her ex prodigee and more… To be honest, the series seemed to focus more on her story than the journey of the main character… So there’s that.
The drama was tackling too many things at once that the story of the actual main lead was not really present. It was just her being caught in the middle of two different group of people and their issues.
Nowhere in the drama did we give her any closure on the abuse she suffered during childhood and the isolation she experienced for 15 years. I mean these issues alone should have been addressed. Especially here getting back to civilization wherein she could have easily been scammed.
Honestly, I think they could have made this into an 8 or 10 episode drama. 10 is even extending it. But yeah, this was a clear miss for me.
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Heartwarming and Bingeworthy
This is such a fun and lighthearted show with so much heart. ;)I loved how the growth of everyone in the series was shown from the main characters to the supporting ones, everyone showed growth.
The interactions between the doctors, nurses, and patients were all heartwarming to watch too. A great reminded to not take them for granted.
The romance in this series is just my cup of tea. It’s grumpy x sunshine and I love just how perfectly portrayed it was! I love how when the situation called for it, we saw how Dr Devil really loved Sakura. All those moments were so heartwarming I just want to repeat those multiple times.
Basically, this is truly such a feel good show that I’ll definitely rewatch again, again, and again!
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Hilarious, Refreshing, Heartwarming
I surprisingly really adored and liked this drama.I loved how it highligted growth, friendship, and perserverance.
The romance was cute. Especially during the first few episodes. Their interactions were pure comedy!
I also loved how both main characters are from two different main fields and both have shown struggle, progress, and success in each field. It highlighted how they were able to thrive in their fields independently.
My gripe that didn’t make this drama a full 10 stars isn’t about the separation they encountered. It was how the male lead acted during the female characters trying time. While he did help, I think what he failed to realize was that she needed him there with him, than him being away, quiet, but secretly trying to help with resources. I get what the show was implying. But it also came from the female main characters mouth that “she’d rather have him with her than have the approval of everyone else”. So yeah… I personally just feel like, she was always there for him, but when she needed him the most, he wasn’t fully there.
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