Pleasantly Surprised
I was concerned by the bad reviews and as the show went on, I became more confused about people's complaints. This drama is one of the few I haven't had to drag myself through to finish. It was genuinely fun to watch every scene, no parts where I wished it would just hurry up (which I usually find myself doing a lot).I really enjoyed the humor and the show's ability to slip in between heavy, serious moments and hilarious slapstick-esque comedy (one actor in particular was just BUILT for physical comedy and he DELIVERS). I read reviews about the genre seeming inconsistent and jarringly so, so I kept anticipating a shift in tone, but it was rather consistent to me.
I also read complaints about the leads' relationship, some people saying they didn't have chemistry. I'm VERY confused about this one. I don't know if the meaning of the word chemistry has changed recently (as some words DO change over time), but the leads had very good, very real vibes. I suppose a lot of it may require reading into, but it's a pretty natural amount of interpretation. This couple reminds me a lot of one of my favorite couples: Se Gye and Do Jae from The Beauty Inside. I think if you liked that drama, this one is also great (though I will say the writing is not quite as good here).
My overall favorite aspect of the show is all of the characters. They all appeared to be necessary and were on screen for an appropriate amount of time (I didn't get tired of seeing them). There were so many interesting relationships between main and supporting characters. If anyone is bothered by any actor's shorter screen time, consider if they NEEDED to be in the show more, or if you just wanted to see them more because you liked them/thought they were attractive.
There are downsides, mainly being some plot points that aren't fully fleshed out. I don't care too much about how they wrote the serial killer. Actual serial killers tend to be pretty shallow and dumb so I think they did a good job making one this interesting. I was able to predict most of what happened, but it was more based on pattern recognition in writing style rather than actual plot clues (not in a bad way at all; I was still surprised, in a way).
The plot points that aren't fully explored are generally the ones that, in real life, often have unsatisfying outcomes, so I can excuse it by saying the writers were being realistic. There were, of course, moments that felt very shoe-horned, but not horribly, just plot aspects meant to help wrap up the story. Honestly, my biggest pet peeve about legal dramas nowadays, and that this one unfortunately falls prey to, is outdated law practices. There's a factor of the case that irks me because it doesn't actually have plot consequences, but they insist on inserting it for no effect. Korean law reversed this statute in 2015, long before this show, and so it shouldn't have even been mentioned. It doesn't change the outcome in any way. It's just kind of there to annoy people who KNOW it isn't in place anymore.
I'm an avid rewatcher, and I think this show has great rewatch ability just for the comedy. I found myself often taking screenshots to send to people because the scenes were just too funny, and they don't lose value after the show is over. I highly recommend watching.
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Great Potential
I go back to watch this one every once in a while, always forgetting that it's kind of mediocre. It has a great setup and I love the idea but it isn't carried out well. I like the FL okay and even the villain keeps my interest (because it's a great twist) but the ML in modern day gets on my nerves. I really don't like how it's brushed over that he tries to choke the FL out over a misunderstanding. The historic couple is romantic but modern day couple are so unsuited for each other. The ML honestly should have gotten stuck with his fiancée and the FL should find someone else, even if she didn't want to be with that guy friend.Was this review helpful to you?
I had fun.
You can't just put him in a sweater and call him a twink. I remember what he looks like shirtless. I remember the baps.This show has a very intense plot subject that got maybe 20% of its work done. There already wasn't enough run-time for them to really flesh out this plot, and on top of that, they are constantly planting little seeds of plots that don't go anywhere (unless these are references of some sort I'm not getting), like one scene near the end with the RA guy. I thought I was going to get more information. Or I expected more "signs" and whatnot related to their destinies or about the past. That said. I knew what to expect from this type of show out of Taiwan, very dramatic for no reason, and I eat it up.
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Watched Through 3 Times
I was a huge fan of the manga but this show is basically just roughly following the plot of it. This isn't inherently bad, as I GREATLY enjoyed the show, but the characters are entirely different. Isumi-kun in the manga was very tsundere and brash, whereas live-action Isumi-kun is, though rough and boyish, very babygirl (and it gives me life). I was incredibly impressed with some of the acting, particularly for Isumi-kun (Koki) but also his friends and the junior from his club. It's an incredibly soothing show to watch, imo, but I also knew what would happen for the most part. I do, however, have my gripes.I don't know why, but I don't like Amasawa-san. His character in the manga is also a bit bland (the story mostly being about Isumi and his feelings) but I think adapting that to live-action is rough without making them annoying. Amasawa is annoying in this. I think I just don't like his face for some reason. I don't know why. I normally base my feelings about someone's appearances more on their personality, but I think the fact that Amasawa-san is stupidly oblivious and doesn't have much of a chance to endear himself as a human being, I think he just looks really stupid to me. Police uniforms also, unfortunately, give me the ick. I'm sorry Tawada Hideya, I'm sure you're wonderful.
Overall, I still love this show, largely due to Tanaka Koki's performance as Isumi-kun. I can't believe he was also in One Room Angel playing a very different character. The show is very funny and sweet and cute. Also, Isumi's clothes are to die for. I will be watching again once it's had time to rest in my brain <3
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Incredibly entertaining, then not
I'll try to keep spoilers vague, but I'm going to say right out the gate: halfway through episode 22 and on are a complete disaster. This isn't even a case of "I didn't like the ending" but that the ending is objectively bad. Plenty of terrible things I HATE happened before that point, but this was where the writers realized they didn't know how to resolve their plot. It was extremely lazy writing, which I admit shows its face throughout the show in some ways (the full dynamic of whatever the hell the Wang family was up to with the 2nd Prince, for example, was never really explained). My big beef with this is that I really don't understand how the FL can be so extremely clever and strategic only to suddenly become stupid and careless.A large part of why the ending is so terrible is because everything leading up to it was so GOOD. This is one of the most entertaining C-dramas I've ever watched. I LOVED how the FL was portrayed up until the very end where she became a dumbass who suddenly couldn't grasp any situation she was in (even though she's spent her entire life being hyper-vigilant).
I also don't know why they decided to add in pointless tragedies? None of the people who died at the end were this stupid. The deaths before episode 22 were also unwanted but they at least served a purpose to the story. The others didn't do anything but summon another LOUD round of one of the show's only two songs.
All this said, I will probably watch the show again at another time. Next time, I'll just stop before it goes downhill. I should talk a bit about the perks.
- The Characters: There are so many good characters, sweet ones and stupid ones and kind ones. While they aren't all super complex, they're almost all quite loveable or sympathetic. Second male lead syndrome is a bit painful in this one.
- The Flirting: Constant. It's fantastic, sweet, and hilarious to watch everybody flirt.
- (Some) Acting: Some acting in the show isn't SUPER great but the really important scenes are beautifully done. The lead actress in particular is really incredible and melding with her character. The ML's face is usually hard to read unless he's comfortable in the scene which I think is very endearing (I love scary faces worn by people who are super sweet and doting).
If you like this show, I would recommend My Uncanny Destiny for a semi-similar plot with a lot more satisfaction. I definitely feel like watching that after watching this. These shows' endings are like night and day.
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Quick, Fun Time Filler
Another repeat rewatch of mine despite its intense shortcomings. The writing is not great and the acting is worse, but the raw plot points are fun and you get to see cute nail art. 80% of why I watch this is for the end when she has to choose between the two guys, because I find it so funny (her reasoning, i mean; because one will be alive long enough to be with her after the first one dies of old age, wtf). The characters seem to only fit in three categories, being mean, dumb, or lacking any personality at all. The FL is just a self-insert novelist, strong y/n wattpad vibes. It's an easy watch despite some heavy subject matter. It isn't delved into, much.Was this review helpful to you?
