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Skip it if you have a chance!
What a mess this drama is! I don’t even know where to begin. I liked the idea behind it, even the trailer was convincing. But, when it came to finally watching it... Such a wasted potential! Most of the time, it seems like the story is going on; however, nothing is really happening. The only reason I watched it till the end is that it’s only 8 episodes. And teasing us with the 2nd season of this chaos - they really have guts...What pissed me off the most is why the introduction of the 12 Angels is in ep 8? Why not start the drama with this? Not to mention, the introduction wasn’t proper cause until the very end, I was still confused who represents which animal. Why make it complicated?
The cast is doing everything they can, but it’s just some dirty work to try and make them carry the whole show on their backs. Seems like the production forgot that, beside famous actors, they also have to focus on the script and production.
Also, I don’t get the point of a non-verbal character being a foreigner. The other actors having to say her lines was so annoying. It looks like Regina Lei is there just to grab some of the Taiwanese audience so that the producers earn extra cash. If you’re hiring a foreigner, at least give them the opportunity to act! Just awful, awful money grab I see here. (This is in no way hate towards Regina, but is it really worth the effort if you're just gonna say literally one word?).
I would say fight scenes were ok, but they were not. I enjoyed Ogwi vs Samin, but the rest looked very fake. Like it's really been a while since I saw fights that bad. And in Korean dramas? Where the standard is usually quite high?
And poor PHS - he was supposed to look like a real badass not like a Temu version of it. They made him look so old. The makeup was awfully unflattering, not to mention they made his face whit but forgot about the neck... It was so bad I feel like I need to avenge him.
I'm tired of writing what's wrong with this drama, but I'm struggling to find any positives... I really can't rate it more than 4/10. And this is me being nice.
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It's really not that bad
The beginning was mediocre to me; however, by the time of the cooking competition with Ming’s chefs, my eyes were glued to the screen. And they stayed that way till the very end. I’ve read that it’s basically ‘Masterchef’ - that’s kind of true. It’s a must-watch for all the foodies out there; you will enjoy it. Still, if we’re talking cooking dramas in 2025, I think ‘Tastefully Yours’ beats it.I liked the comedy. Food-tasting scenes were so funny; the special effects is what really got me. As for the romance - well, I guess there’s truth to the saying ‘The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.’ The effect Ji Yeong had on the cold, tyrant King was quite powerful. Adding to this scheming, the integral part of historical dramas, and everything turns out rather decent.
The cast? Just unbelievable. Yoona does not disappoint - that’s a given. Lee Chae Min did well as a loving tyrant also. The villains were extremely despicable. But let's be honest - Je San was kinda dumb with all his plans. And the kitchen staff was so precious and wholesome, especially in the end when they decided to fight for the King. How can you not love them?
I must say, the ending pissed me off though. There should be at least one more episode showing how Yi Heon was able to travel in time and then find Ji Yeong. I don't know, but 'it's a secret' doesn't cut it out for me. Seems like the producers got a bit lazy with that.
There were also quite a few small plot things that were ridiculous. For example, giving chocolates to an elder with mental illness hoping she will regain sanity in 2 minutes and will tell everyone the truth? LOL Or at the very beginning when Ji Yeong was taking part in the cooking competition, all the best chefs and they are all heavily criticized by the judges while Ji Yeong gets ONLY compliments? Come on, be for real...
Overall, I enjoyed this drama and there's a chance I will rewatch it one day.
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Worth watching!!
This was the best drama I've watched in a veeeery long time. To be honest, this is certainly Park Seo Joon's best role so far. Alongside with great acting, I feel like he really fits the character of this not-so-serious businessman with a heroic side hidden somewhere deep down. Truly outstanding, even made me shed a tear in the last episode.Han So Hee also did a good job, and so did the rest of the cast. All of them definitely deserve a praise.
I'm glad this was only 10 episodes because that way it didn't get boring halfway as most of dramas do. The plot was full of suspense and action-packed, really had me sitting on pins and needles. Although, I must admit the romance was quite weak - there wasn't a real story to it, ML and FL just suddenly fell in love with each other. However, it's better the romance was weak and the rest of the storyline was good than the other way round.
Visual/special effects were superb, I especially enjoyed the fire after the bombing. As for OST, I'm in a fix - FOREVER by SUHO is a cool song, but in my opinion, it doesn't really fit this particular drama. Time by Baek A, on the other hand, fits perfectly.
One thing that really stuck with me is when in ep 2, ML used the expression "내 스타일대로". Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but to me it doesn't seem like something people in 1945 would say?
Overall, strong 10/10, would highly recommend. Had a great time watching it and can't wait for Season 2.
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This drama is not bad, but it's also nothing special
A rom-com set in a small, bit shabby gym and shows the struggles of its members and trainers. While the setting alone is interesting, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a romance. If you’re looking for a lighthearted comedy to watch, then go for it, but be aware that the romance starts towards the very end of the drama, really.When I read the plot summary, I honestly thought the FL would be severely overweight, like 100+ kg. So, I was surprised that that’s not the case; she just had a few additional kgs. That is to say, her transformation wasn’t as apparent as Alex’s for example.
The characters are quirky, sometimes even unhinged, but definitely likeable. The goodbye party in the last episode was so endearing - you can certainly grow attached to the gym squad.
The comedy was strong; I had a few moments where I really burst out laughing. However, sometimes the drama was trying too hard to be funny to the point I was cringing. What annoyed me the most tho, is that I still don’t know how much Hyeon Jung weighed when he was born. And the weird no-contact between FL and ML in the last episode. Do phones and Internet not exist anymore??
I liked the OST as well as the overall message of the drama. Overall, it was more of an average watch just to kill some time for me. I don’t think I will be rewatching it in the future.
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