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Really, you should watch me watch him.
I have a huge school-girl crush-y grin on my face, my heart starts palpitating and all the Aaahs and Ooohs on the spectrum emit from my mouth.
However, my personal bias aside, there is no denying that he is an excellent actor. No matter what role he's given, he puts in his 11O% and owns it. Unsurprisingly, he does the same in Suspicious Partner. I spent all my time swooning at his adorable actions, fawning at his beautiful face and admiring the way he is able to smoothly deliver so many expressions all at once.
My obsession with him is exactly the reason why I hate giving any drama JCW stars in, a rating less than 8. It makes me feel all sorts of 'disloyal', but unfortunately sometimes you just gotta tell it how it is.
And the 'it' here is the fact that aside from Ji Chang Wook, this show has little to nothing going on for it.
Suspicious Partner starts as a strong, romantic suspense drama but somewhere in between it loses its identity. So much so, that when we're done with it, it fails to properly execute either of the genres.
I want to give credit to the female lead, for she does try and do her best to be quirky but unfortunately, I don't feel much for her. She feels like a support role, at best. There's also the fact that I had to put a lot of effort in getting over her role as the annoying kid Queen Seon Duk, which was a feat in it self 'cause ten years later, her mannerisms are exactly the same as before.
While there is a good dynamic between Ji Wook's Law Team and some hilarious moments between them, nothing really stands out. The sisterhood and bromance has so much potential to be a golden point of the show but unfortunately, it is left untapped.
There is some majorly good acting put out by the antagonist but the show does not develop his character as much as it deserves to be.
The whole crime mystery is dead and very predictable. The second lead romance falls flat and more often than not, the drama stumbles into the realm of utter boredom.
There are some good OST songs here and there but again, there's nothing I would lose sleep over. A lot of questions are given unsatisfactory answers, plot-holes are abundant and so are convenient plot-devices.
The story-line is mediocre, if we're being kind. They use so many ideas from Ji Chang Wook's other shows. Some scenes are copy pasted from The K2, a whole plot-line regarding the heroine's father is taken from Healer and it is all just more of the same ol' same ol' bs.
If it wasn't for JCW, I'm sure I'd rate it even less. And even though I am an eternal fangirl; I love him to the moon and back and I think he is as perfect as always in this show, I will still say that I didn't see him go the extra mile here. This role couldn't have been a challenge for him and because I know that he's an incredibly versatile actor; I'm so ready for him to bring us something phenomenal and better than this.
So over-all I guess it's a good time-pass.
Not too bad, not too good but extremely forgettable.
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First impression: a exploration of desire and the consequences of following it blindly
The opening episodes of Only Friends: Dream On reveal a series that is very aware of its own appeal. Rather than softening the emotional chaos that made the franchise popular, the new season dives even deeper into it. The result is an intense start, filled with tension, provocation, and questionable decisions that always seem on the verge of setting the characters’ relationships on fire. There is a clear enjoyment in watching this game of messy emotions and poorly calculated impulses unfold, and the direction knows exactly how to make the most of that unstable atmosphere.Much of this strength comes from the cast. The chemistry between the actors is the true engine of the narrative, and the camera often relies more on glances, pauses, and teasing than on long stretches of dialogue. The interactions carry a constant energy of attraction and conflict, creating a sense of unpredictability that keeps the viewer engaged. Some pairings thrive on the almost provocative friction between strong personalities, while others build a softer, slower tension. This variety helps prevent the drama from feeling repetitive, even when the story fully embraces its more exaggerated side.
Another strong point lies in how the series treats its characters as flawed people. No one appears entirely right or wrong, and much of the dramatic interest comes precisely from that moral ambiguity. Jealousy, insecurity, and desire are presented with very little filtering, giving the conflicts a raw and spontaneous tone. At the same time, the production maintains an engaging rhythm, balancing moments of intensity with pauses that allow emotions to build before eventually erupting.
On the other hand, the series occasionally stumbles over stylistic habits that attempt to add a level of sophistication that is not always necessary. The cuts to testimonial-style interviews, while intended to provide depth, sometimes interrupt the natural flow of scenes that would stand perfectly well on silence and subtle expressions alone. By over-explaining the characters' internal worlds, the script risks insulting the audience's intelligence, trading organic tension for a structured commentary that feels more like a safety net than a narrative leap.
There is also a slightly risky sense of comfort in the casting. By relying on pairings whose dynamics are already well known to fans, the narrative loses some of the “who will end up with whom” mystery, making the script feel a bit too dependent on the actors’ charisma rather than the unpredictability of the plot. Some musical transitions also feel somewhat dated, with a soundtrack that occasionally tries to dictate the emotional tone more loudly than the performances themselves.
Even so, these details rarely undermine the overall experience. Technical issues in mixing and pacing are easily forgiven thanks to the series’ willingness to present characters who are flawed, possessive, and delightfully human. Only Friends: Dream On does not try to be a philosophical treatise on love, but rather a vibrant exploration of desire and the disastrous consequences of following it blindly.
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I can't believe a cast this good would make a drama this bad.
"When the Stars Gossip" is a high-concept drama with a cast that includes many of my favorite K-drama actors, so why is it so terrible? This "opposites attract" space romance starring two K-drama romance icons, Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho, should be an automatic hit, but instead, I found myself hating it more and more with each episode.Was it really that bad? I consider it a bad sign when you want characters to die just so you can stop the repetitive storyline and put everyone, including the audience, out of their misery. This was surprising since the writer and director are each behind all-time favorite dramas of mine "Jealousy Incarnate" and "It's Okay to Not Be Okay". Those dramas share some of the same cast, and a little of the same quirkiness, but lack two major things... characters and a story that I liked and cared about. Even a cameo from Jo Jung Suk just reminded me how terrible this drama was in comparison. There's also a pretty clear pro-birth slant that is so heavy-handed the drama becomes completely nonsensical to support that theme, instead of building on characters and real relationships.
In this story, Lee Min Ho plays Kong Ryong a non-astronaut OBGYN sent to space as a "tourist". We quickly learn he has a secret task that involves attempting IVF in space for a colleague of his who is desperate to have her deceased husband's baby. Gong Hyo Jin plays Eve Kim the commander of the mission who is by the book and doesn't appreciate having to babysit Ryong even before finding out he's planning to do something that can get them all in major trouble.
Both characters are extremely stubborn, so it becomes a war between her suspicion and his sneakiness, which gets pretty old quickly. Obviously, this is a clear setup for an enemies-turned-lovers scenario, but the problem is that their attraction to each other felt super forced and lacked any chemistry. I think the fruit flies and mice had better chemistry than they did. Add to that their complicated romantic relationships on earth, and the story gets messy, full of triangles and betrayals, but it still feels flat and boring. To avoid spoilers I will leave out the details but it all felt either comically obsessive or very superficial, and the only couple I was even slightly interested in wasn't a main one.
The romance is weak but I think the theme is the real problem with this drama. There is a recurring moral dilemma that comes up several times in the story where a main character rallies for an embryo or a pregnancy to the point of risking their own life and the lives of others. Over and over we are told of the importance of giving life a chance while through a character's selfishness or singlemindedness lives are put at unnecessary risk. This made it very hard for me to empathize with this POV, and it just became more and more annoying every time it came up. Then about 1/3 through the story it became clear where the story would likely end and for some reason, I forced myself to see it through. Why? The actors.
One thing I did like was the community and banter among the space team. I even loved hating Oh Jung Se as Kang Gang Su because I loved seeing him in a mean role. He really is a great actor with an amazing range even if the character was written to be super one-dimensional. I also thought Lee Cho Hee was great as sisters Lee Min A and Lee Donna. I truly believed they were two totally different people. The mothers were great and charming as well. It was mainly the supporting cast that kept me from dropping this drama when watching the same arguments was becoming too much to bear. Unfortunately, their stories are filler and don't get much development or resolution.
Don't even get me started on the stupid lottery ticket!
Would I watch this again? Absolutely not. I barely made it through to the end and once it got to the climax that was supposed to be emotional I felt absolutely nothing but a desire to know if it was really finally over. The ending was predictable, vague, and unsatisfying. The soundtrack was ok, and having moments of space life was cool at times, but there was nothing enjoyable enough to make me want to watch any of this again. You also have to suspend disbelief a lot to get through the action sequences and give up on science actually making sense during other sequences. I would applaud the plot's audacity if that made it more entertaining, but it did not.
I think maybe if the writer had less of an agenda in their storytelling this could have been an interesting observation about motherhood, those who sacrifice for the chance, give up their chance, will never have that chance, or step into the role when needed, but instead it felt like too many of the women characters were given the depth of baby machines in this plot leaving little room for nuance while male characters had god-complexes over making fertility happen no matter what. It's hard not to see this as pro-birth propaganda, especially with a main character named Eve.
Overall, if you’re wondering If I would recommend this drama, I would say abort mission!
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People will love it if they like that sort of thing, even if it's not even the best example of it. But if you're tired of everything about the setup and execution of romcoms then strictly avoid. The worst thing about this show is that it was made in 2017 but feels much older in how regressive it is.
Candy is here in all her incompetent, self-absorbed, whiny victimhood and she falls for Chaebol in all his asshole finery. Candy is a nutritionist, not like that matters either to her or anyone else. Especially not to the writer who seems to have only a vague notion of what nutritionists do for a living. It's just a new way to throw her in the path of Chaebol, with whom she shared a (naturally drunken) one night stand three years before. Can't have anyone thinking she's a slut by letting her choose to sleep with a guy when she's sober.
At the beginning of the show, there was quite a nice connection between these two characters. Both were incompetent losers even if one of them was a rich one. But when the show shifted forward three years, any goodwill from their initial interactions was quickly lost as he uses his position of authority to bully her and she acts like both a martyr and an idiot about it - not necessarily in that order. Episode after episode involved him ordering her to bring him food and then either abusing, insulting or harassing her when she did. She endured, as Candy does, and still liked him even after all of this. Dude must have been amazing in the sack. That's the only explanation.
There's a second female lead in this. I don't even need to tell you about her - you already know. Get a life, old-school second female leads. You're pathetic. There's a thing called feminism. It's well over 100 years old. You might have heard about it. It'll help.
There's also a second male lead. You've met him too. He's perfect and in love with the female lead but at least he never Nice Guys her so he has that going for him. He deserved to be in a better show.
While Asshole Chaebol at least retains a core of vulnerability that allows you to keep some sympathy for him as a character, Candy is endlessly self-absorbed and wedded to victimhood, especially around her mother and the dreaded S.E.X. on account of being a good girl and not one of those sluts.
One of the show's biggest fakeouts revolves around Candy's little brother whom she treats as a burden and refers to as "her dog" so people won't discover the scandalous fact that he exists. These are not her finest moments in a show filled with extremely poor behaviour on her part. One of my chief gripes about romcoms is that they only include sex if they want to do a pregnancy fakeout. I was willing to give the show credit for not going there except - oh no, it went there! Not only did it include it but it executed it in the most annoying, most sexist, and most horrible way possible.
Basically, this show is a quintessential old-school Korean romcom dripping with sexism and misogynism, double standards, nun/whore dichotomies and a female lead who is as annoying as she is useless. Her actions especially in the final episode are teeth grindingly annoying.
Some people who love this kind of thing will no doubt be annoyed by how much I hated this show. I just think it's a shame that shows like this are still being made.
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2What if I am the change I have been waiting for!
When I read the synopsis, I was expecting a love story across parallel timelines with that 'what if' gimmick, but after finishing it, it has left me with a question or realisation that "What if life doesn't change because the world shifts but because you finally stopped standing in your own way?" Well, rude question but valid! This is a story about choice, stagnation, the cost of staying the same and understanding growth frustratingly requires effort.The story starts with Kano Akihito emotionally boxed in. He isn't unlikeable but a very passive person. A person who lets life happen around him instead of actively stepping in. I liked how the drama did a good job at showing how that mindset slowly transitions into quiet dissatisfaction, even though nothing is " wrong" yet nothing feels right.
With the frustration, he has shifted to a new world... his ideal world. The ideal world where Kano is expressive, takes accountability, and doesn't wallow in self-pity and avoidance. I liked how this upgrade was handled. It showed that it doesn't matter whether you are in a different world or were given another chance, unless you reset your habits, every world is the same. I might have taken this whole shift too philosophically than intended lol, but it was refreshing to see a plot where you are not rewarded for enduring but rather noticing yourself and prioritising.
Coming to our other lead Ogami, I enjoyed his character too. We didn't get a detailed POV of him, but he is very observant. At first glance, he is like any other office character we have, who is cold, aloof and calm in a dreading way but as we get to see more of him, he is more like quiet, kind and mature. What I liked about him was how he didn't try to change anyone. He tried helping in Kano in the best way he could. Kano and us realised it late.
Moving to romance, I would say this is not a drama you solely watch for romance. It is definitely present but it is not loud. They really had good chemistry and I liked how Ogami didn't act as a saviour or fixer, just nudged Kano when needed. The tension between them comes less from any dramatic misunderstanding but more from emotional hesitation which felt surprisingly real.
That said, it could have benefited from 2 more episodes because the pacing was a bit uneven for all aspects, whether it is romance or the realisation. Some reflection scenes work well, but a few felt very fast-paced. The last episode felt a little too convenient.
Also, the fantasy aspect of drama is more introspective and unexplored. I would advise holding all the theories after episode 1 because that isn't the focus.
Acting-wise, it was a good performance by both the leads. The expressions were on point and in sync with scenes. Production and cinematography were good and it somehow elevated the watching experience. Lighting choices matched the mood of the scenes. Even though there are not too many outdoor shots, the sets felt lived in, like the office. Special mention to the opening OST. Loved it!
Overall, this was a thoughtful watch, or maybe I went too deep into the rabbit hole because of how relatable the struggles were. This will not drown you in over-the-top melodrama or spoon-feed you fluffy romance, but let you sit with some uncomfortable but well known facts that sometimes the only way out of your miseries is change, not external but internal.
Again, not promising a perfect, not life-altering drama considering the run time, but surprisingly reflective. If you are into this, I would definitely recommend this.
Thank you for reading my review and Merry Christmas! <3
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Then the focus was lost or shall i say shifted. The Dan tae birth secret and uncovering culprit should have and would have made an okay side plot. Instead this thin plot with an unremarkable antagonist (that was transparent and revealed very early on) was stretch to fill many episodes. If they had stared true on the Gong shim path, more on her character development, growth in career and confidence and interactions with both Dan tae and Jun soo this drama would have been better. Instead she became a prop, mostly on the sidelines and only utilise when the writers feel like it.
Overall the storyline is forgettable but i will remember the wig, the brush Gong shim used to brush her teeth and some of the cuter moments of the trio.
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Did We All Watch the Same Drama?
After reading the MDL reviews for Siren’s Kiss, I prepared myself for disappointment. Instead, I found myself completely hooked. At this point, I’m convinced I accidentally watched a different version of the drama—one with a compelling storyline, engaging characters, and an OST that emotionally manipulated me in the best way possible.
The drama kept me invested from start to finish, and the music? Let’s just say my playlist has never recovered. Every time an OST played, my emotions packed their bags and went on a journey.
Sure, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was definitely mine. And honestly, isn’t that what matters most?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10) – One point deducted only because the OST set unrealistically high emotional standards.
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A Korean billionaire romance with potential
Seven episodes in, I'm yet to see what the proposal is or what it has to do with any of the businesses in the show because the contractual relationship doesn't seem to be it considering how it was treated. ABP is also guilty of following several stereotypes and clichés that are now so old that they might as well be outdated. How many times haven't we already watched/read a story of a fake identity/contractual relationship? In how many dramas have we not seen women subtly or unsubtly directly or indirectly taking each other down? Since I've not read the original work this series is based on, I can't say if this typical storytelling is the brainchild of the author or the screenwriter but for the premise it promises, it lacks substance.There is the usual hardworking middle class family of the female lead, her equally crazy and supportive best friend who, refreshingly, has a thing for the second male lead, the charismatic and rich hero who has a tragic past, a sweet and reserved SML who is his best friend and an eccentric grandfather who just wants to hold great grandchildren in his arms. So, the characters are ready, and the foundation is laid but when these are established, there is not much to take the story forward. ABP thus transcends genres in the sense that it jumps from comedy to romance to what is looking to be melo. The point of discontent here is that the story had (still has) potential but instead goes chasing after useless elements.
An unrequited crush who leads the heroine on, his on again-off again girlfriend who is existentially jealous of Shin Ha Ri and a perverted neighbour are plot devices of yesteryears, not 2022. Of course, the men save their women every time and the two women have nothing to talk about other than their suitors or love interests. When this first happened in episode 1, I decided to wait out and hope for some betterment, seeing that it all begins with a blind date, but nothing seems to have improved from then to now. While passing the Bechdel test is not indicative of how well a series does, it is tiring to see women whose entire lives revolve around men, and not themselves. That the original novel has a better reason for Ha Ri agreeing to the contract is just another fact to lament.
BUT the male characters are written well. Their traits are cute, lovable and new. A big plus to ABP's characterisation is their gentleness. How often do we find an old man addicted to dramas so much that he actually sets up alarms and gives a running commentary while watching them? I can totally see Ha Ri's mother and Tae Moo's grandpa hitting it off when they meet. Tae Moo, in turn, maybe an archaeopteryx who for whatever reason puts on a cold and severe look (that looks very put on) but he's actually a big softie who likes to clean Sung Hoon's apartment whenever he's stressed. Then there's this fuzzy fur ball of a Sung Hoon who's just fluff bundled into a human. Nothing much can be said of Ha Ri and Yeong Soo but the food product development team is a delight (pun intended). Music delivers and after a while, the drama is watchable only for its actors.
It's not that ABP is bad. Even though it takes its women for granted, it gives them room to breathe. They make their own decisions, and they initiate the relationships when they are ready. There are no toxic narcissistic overbearing tropes to be found. It's just that ABP fails to utilise its characters, their quirks and a solid foundation of a popular and successful premise.
NOTE: Ratings may vary by the time the drama ends and if, like I'm hoping, the show redeems itself, this review may vary too.
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EDIT: Turns out I was rather wishful. The last two episodes were particularly over the top dramatic, as if no one knew how to end this story. I guess they didn't. The characters don't change and even until the end, remain good on their own, failing in their dynamics with other characters. The plot takes unnecessary turns that are illogical and are not given a proper closure. Min Woo and Yoo Ra remain consistent in how much of a train wreck they are, and their arcs remain meaningless. Tae Moo's past also meanders into a dead end.
There is some pointless last episode drama as well and we see some deviation in characters here- favourite grandpa unusually (but maybe not unexpectedly) turns into a typical mother-in-law and instead of seeing a rosy wedding (which in my opinion would have saved the drama's ending), there is just added frustration. He also never got to meet the owners of the chicken house, and he'd wished his granddaughter would come from a modest family like that in the first episode. *sigh*
Even though it puts a smile on our faces, ABP largely remains a wasted potential, and the lone bright spot remains the Tae Moo- Sung Hoon duo. It makes me want to ask- why are people still writing such shallow plots and why are people still watching them? Most importantly, why is it that people think visuals and kisses can salvage a story? (The high ratings despite everything will probably explain it).
ABP is lighthearted and doesn't take itself seriously at any point. Recommended only for those looking for some sweet mindless romance.
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1This review may contain spoilers
What am I gonna do with my life now ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
MASTERPIECE!!!Great plot. Phenomenal acting. Amazing production. Beautiful OST. A heart-touching, lovely, comforting show. IT'S MINDBLOWING.
I don't know how many times I cried. Their love was so worthy of it all. It was pure, genuine, and most of all, strong.
I am sad that there are only 6 eps after 2 years of waiting. But whatever we were given, it was so well-made. A very satisfying ending.
I read many comments discussing the symbolisms throughout the drama. The apple (snake & Eve), Barth being the temptation, Tanrak being faithful, Creation of Adam, etc. BUT imo, this is more about Barth. I see him as the sheep that lost its way. We know that he was faithful before the incidents that happened in his life, and ep 6 shows how him having his faith & hope back. This was anything better than I imagined. And the flowers and the family photo survivedddd (˃̣̣̥ᯅ˂̣̣̥) I am in tears
I want to thank everyone who made this series happen. I feel so lucky to be able to watch this. Now that it's over, I feel so empty. But I will always come to this show when I miss it. This will always have a special place in my heart.
P.S. Thank you, Aunty Lek ♥
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What did I just watch !
Cinematography was excellent and the eye candy was good.Can someone please tell me what happened to the script ?
It was so ham, I won’t be eating any for months .
The editor, in my opinion had clearly taken some time of work and had the trainee stand in. As for the acting (dare I say it)…….?
Let us just not talk about the crying in each episode. When all is said and done, order a pizza and watch something else.
Someone give me my hours back, I admit , I was a fool.
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All Roads Lead to Chaos
I watched Pull Strings on a whim. I knew practically nothing about it except that Ao Rui Peng was in it, which was enough reason for me to give it a try. I also heard that it was a comedy and that Ao Rui Peng seemed like he was barely acting because Chang Shou was basically himself. After watching it, I can confirm that the rumors were not entirely wrong. Pull Strings is a rather comical, unserious drama that happens to have a plot. It is not exactly a no-brainer because there is an actual story and some interesting ideas underneath all the silliness, but it is definitely a casual and easy watch.The story follows Li Chang Shou, a 30-year-old terminally ill man who dies after falling from his hospital bed and getting hit by the comic books he was reading. He is then reborn as a cultivator inside Primordial Investiture of Deities and finds himself in the Primordial World. His goal in this new life is surprisingly simple: stay alive and stay out of trouble. With a prophecy warning of an impending calamity, Chang Shou decides to play the long game. He keeps a low profile, avoids unnecessary relationships, prepares himself constantly, and relies more on schemes and strategy than brute force. Of course, the universe has other plans. Before long, the man who only wanted to stay out of trouble ends up quietly pulling strings behind the scenes and becoming involved in a much bigger game of power, ambition, karma, and destiny.
The biggest charm of Pull Strings is undoubtedly its comedy. The drama leans heavily into slapstick, silliness, exaggeration, and outright absurdity. My personal taste leans more toward dark, deadpan, witty, and satirical humor, so I would not say I found myself laughing very often. Still, I found the drama entertaining for the most part. It was the kind of show that could be left on when I wanted something light and unserious.
That said, sometimes the comedy tries a little too hard. There were scenes where the joke was pushed so far that it stopped being funny and started pulling me out of the story. Some plot choices had the same problem. The whole vampire situation, for example, felt particularly random in a Primordial World setting. I could suspend my disbelief for a lot of things in this drama, but that one made me wonder where exactly the writers were trying to take me. Something like turning people into puppets or flies, especially considering the demon's abilities, would have felt more fitting to the world.
Ironically, what I found more amusing than the actual comedy was the clash between modern and ancient culture. Chang Shou being a modern person reborn in an ancient cultivation world gave the drama some of its most enjoyable moments. Watching him apply modern ideas in completely inappropriate historical circumstances was genuinely fun. He turns his shoe into something resembling Siri, makes a firefly-shaped phone out of hay straw, and finds all sorts of ways to bring modern concepts into the Primordial World. Those moments felt more naturally funny to me because the humor came from the situation rather than from the drama desperately trying to make a joke. Chang Shou really shines as a fish out of water.
Ao Rui Peng owned this role. Watching Chang Shou felt like watching Ao Rui Peng get dropped into a cultivation drama. His naturally goofy personality fits Chang Shou perfectly, and he manages both the comedic and emotional scenes well. He does not need to force the humor because his expressions and mannerisms already do much of the work.
What I particularly liked about Chang Shou in the beginning was the contradiction within his character. On the surface, he is this seemingly incompetent, overly cautious guy who is constantly trying to avoid trouble and karmic repercussions. Underneath that, however, he is constantly training, preparing, calculating, and making sure he has a backup plan for his backup plan. That combination of cowardice, caution, intelligence, and hidden competence made him surprisingly charming. He was not trying to become the strongest person in the room. He was trying not to die, and somehow ended up becoming one of the smartest and most capable people there. That duality was, to me, the most interesting part of his character.
Unfortunately, I started losing interest when romance and heavier responsibilities became more prominent. I understand that these things are part of Chang Shou's character development and are important to the overall plot, but they did not work particularly well for me. The romance felt distracting and somewhat out of place, especially because the drama had already established such an entertaining character dynamic without needing to lean so heavily into it. What started as a refreshing story about a man trying to survive through careful planning gradually began to feel like another "all in the name of love" story.
I also missed the goofy Chang Shou once the plot became more serious. As the stakes increased, he became increasingly serious and emotional, and that shift made him feel strangely distant. I think the drama could have preserved more of his original personality even during the heavier moments. He could still mourn, struggle, and take things seriously while handling the situation with the same goofy and ridiculous persona we saw earlier. In fact, I think that contrast would have made the emotional scenes even more effective.
The character I actually wanted to see more of was Zhao Gong Min, played by He Wen Jun. This man had one of the funniest comedy styles in the entire drama. His completely straight face while doing the most absurd things was hilarious. There was something about the sheer seriousness with which he approached ridiculous situations that landed much better for me than some of the more exaggerated comedy. Unfortunately, he did not appear nearly enough. Every time he showed up, I found myself wishing the drama would give him more to do.
As a Xianxia comedy, Pull Strings does at least have a proper story. There is a journey, there are conflicts, there are schemes, and there is a larger narrative moving forward. The plot was actually quite interesting in the beginning, and I liked how clear the direction felt. However, somewhere around the second half, the drama started losing me. There were simply too many things happening at once, and the increasing absurdity began competing with the actual story for my attention. It started feeling as though more effort was being put into making things funny than into keeping the narrative focused.
That eventually left me feeling bored, distracted, and detached. The story itself was still there, but there was so much noise surrounding it that I found it increasingly difficult to stay invested. The sudden increase in romantic elements did not help either. What initially felt like a clever and entertaining cultivation comedy gradually became a little too busy for its own good.
Visually, however, the drama is quite pleasant. The scenery is beautiful, and whatever combination of green screen, animation, and 3D rendering they used generally worked well. The environments looked convincing enough and the overall visual quality was good. The weaker point was some of the larger creatures and monsters. Those gigantic sea creatures on the beach, for example, looked noticeably more artificial. It was not exactly disappointing because this is a comedy drama and I was not expecting visual effects on the level of a big-budget fantasy film, but there is certainly room for improvement.
I also liked the costumes. The different characters have distinct colors and styles that reflect their personalities and affiliations, which makes them easier to remember. The OST and background music were similarly fitting. Nothing particularly blew me away, but the music complemented the overall mood of the drama well.
The ending, on the other hand, was a different story. There was simply a lot happening, and the delivery felt rather chaotic. Even having watched several Xianxia dramas, there were still parts of the ending that left me confused. For someone completely new to the genre, I imagine it could be even harder to follow. The ending also clearly leaves the door open for a second season, but rather than making me excited for what comes next, it mostly left me thinking, "Well, that happened."
Overall, Pull Strings was a casual watch for me. I went in with practically zero expectations and ended up with exactly the kind of unserious, goofy Xianxia comedy I was told it would be. I personally prefer darker and more subtle comedy, so the slapstick humor did not always land. To me, the drama was less laugh-out-loud funny and more absurd, silly, and chaotic in an entertaining way. If you want something light, goofy, absurd, and occasionally clever to take your mind off things, Pull Strings can do the job. It is not a drama I would call memorable, but it was certainly a decent way to lighten the mood.
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SUPERFICIAL IDOL PLOT
If you've read mangas and seen various anime or even some J-dramas, this plot wouldn't be anything new for you.It's your typical ' A depressing broken Idol lost singing plot where the most normal/bland MC appears, blooms her life and she goes back to her routine life. That's it. '
Now where this drama loses is, Suzy's character lacks depth.
All she did was make a sad face and smoke cigarettes for 80% of her screen time.
Perhaps that's why they cast her, she fulfilled her character's personality. xD
Everyone else was good.
It was a one-time watch
Oh, I still think the manhwa writer stole this plot from a Japanese manga, usually, Koreans don't write/draw in such a setup.
This was definitely a Japanese idol theme rather than Korean.
For someone who's read and seen numerous J plots such as these, you can easily tell.
They even had a dating simulation scenario till episode 5, which was fun to explore.
You root for one girl and the writer, in the end, tricks us, after all the drama is named ' Doona '
The theme had various elements similar to ' A Star Is Born ' as well.
The SFML was the best character in this drama, played by Ha Young. (The girl is really talented)
She's worth looking forward to, the manhwa writer has focused on her in 2 episodes particularly, and she outshines the FML.
Apart from her, in the end, this drama felt superficial.
Now if you want to drown yourself in melancholy for no reason, and be sad, then you might find this drama a bit to your liking.
But that's superficial, there are many more better plots than these.
My suggestion is to avoid watching this sh8t .
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frustrating but so good to watch
I have become addicted to this drama. I am on ep30 and so frustrated at the misses with each other the ML and FL have, ghe other side stories are also great relationships stories as well...there is a lot of technology terms used but I do not think this hurts the xtory, in fact I have actually learnt some things from it so that's another plus for it.
from a fomsntic perspective having multiple relationships in a drama can be ciffivult but this drama weaves them all together well with making it boring
loving it
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Solomon’s perjury is a dark, gritty drama, taking a realistic spin on the awful, inhumane educational system, the gloomy side of teenagers -bullying as one of the main topics-, the lack of compassion of grown-ups and the general selfishness of people caring only about their lives and nothing more. The drama illustrates a very clear and vivid picture of school system and teenage life not only in Korea per-se but on a world-wide spectrum.
The drama is centered in a high school where a student presumably commits suicide, or did he? The students take things to their own hands and try to find what exactly happened after the disinterest of the adults. Solomon’s perjury primarily focuses on two elements; firstly the unfairness of the educational system and secondly the rough life of adolescents.
We get very close insight on how the educational system works, teachers and professors caring much less than expected about the education of their students, but mostly want to secure their jobs and reputation of their school. Furthermore, not only we understand how private schools work, where equity is sacrificed in the name of money –as everything else-, but also how no adult really cares about justice but essentially for their own profit and well-being.
Furthermore, we see first-hand how the students cope with their cruel reality. Talking about barbaric situations, bullying in school as well as domestic violence take the first wheel here presenting the severe repercussions they have on teenagers. The drama focuses heavily on the brutal reality of students having to take on numerous exams, unceasing pressure to succeed and be perfect as well as endure heartless teachers, problematic classmates and merciless parents. Several strong messages sent here as well targeting domestic violence and bullying most significantly: “violence only breeds violence, but in the end it’s also a choice!”
It was inspiring to see a bunch of 18 year olds caring much more about justice and fairness than people who get paid to do so, showing that kids even in the midst of their beefs are way more lawful than adults.
The drama is quite short and I’d say fast paced. It focuses on 3-4 specific characters trying to solve this case and their personal lives at home. I’d describe Solomon’s Perjury as an ambitious mystery thriller. It had its fair share of twists and it was interesting from start to finish and strong but I can’t say most of it wasn’t predictable. Still very entertaining though.
Having said all that, I can’t deny for a drama wanting to depict something real and significant it went on an increasingly unrealistic route to stay original. While I do appreciate where the writers were coming from and all the serious and important issues they addressed, I can’t deny I raised my eyebrow in front of the way the plot was developed.
The students decide to start their own school trial to solve this case and find the truth. What type of authority this school trial has? Considering students were barely interested in signing the petition to start the trial in the first place the auditorium was awfully packed when the trials started. Suddenly the students cared? We get a bunch of 18 year olds playing court, acting like proper prosecutors and attorneys and actually starting talking like ones. How? Did they stop studying for their high school final exams and picked up some legal books or they’ve watched too many legal dramas?
On top of that they started calling themselves prosecutors, attorneys and judges. You are students accept it! And to top it all off, when this little joke started getting out of hand, attacking teachers ect, the teachers barely did anything as well as the parents. The “judge” who was supposed to be a suppressed kid who only studied was yelling at his mother “take her out of the auditorium” and she just walked out? My mother would have come up to me, slapped me and dragged me out by the ear… I didn’t know if this was a bunch of kids playing court or a legal drama set in a high school somehow. This was all just too much to go with and accept.
What’s more, the seemingly normal, ordinary students started feeling increasingly difficult to relate to, acting like brats with psychological problems or one-dimensional wannabe “prosecutors” who couldn’t keep their emotions at place. At some point I felt the need to scream, y’all need serious psychological support before trying to solve anything. There’s only so much I can blame to troubled characters and abusive parents. 80% of the parents happened to be awful people somehow; just too convenient, a tad too much if you ask me.
In all its questionable nature Solomon’s perjury did leave a strong and memorable impression which is enough for me to recommend to everyone who wants to watch something more serious than usual and is into school dramas and crime mysteries.
Since this is a habitual question I’ll mention it. The drama offers only limited and subtle comic relief, while it has little to no romance, so you’re informed about what you’re getting into.
The acting was pretty satisfying considering I’d never seen any of the actors before this and all of them are very young. However, I can’t say any of the performances was memorable. Still, I’d love to see each of them again in the future nonetheless, especially Jang Dong Yoon who left the strongest impression.
Even in its far-fetched nature Solomon’s Perjury sent a lot of meaningful messages like the fact that we barely know the people around us, but it’s in our hand to acknowledge and appreciate them; the significance of friendship, forgiving ourselves firstly and those who wronged us, the unlimited potential of life and most importantly an extremely strong message of never giving up. No matter how difficult it might be today, there is always a brighter day coming tomorrow. If it’s winter today, just remember spring is coming!
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This review may contain spoilers
Must Watch- One of the best I have seen.
First of all, just. wow. This drama is definitely one of the best dramas since when I first entered the drama world in 2015.Story: I found it really entertaining and suspenseful, and I like the story from my point of view. Again I repeat my point of view, we all have different opinions so don't judge :). I do feel like there were some mistakes in the storyline, but however, the majority was good.
Acting: The cast is very good, definitely gives you like " heroic" vibes, the directors also made the fighting seems VERY realistic.. It is my first time watching the FL drama and I find her acting very natural, definitely will be watching more of her works. And same with ML. As well as the supporting characters, although they might be sometimes a tiny winny bit irritating.
Rewatch Value: Even though I have just seen 12 episodes and I already started to rewatch so definitely 10/10, Update, I just finished the 51 episodes, for sure will be re-watching the series.
Music: I found the music very nice, and one thing very special is it actually RELATES to the drama. Like it will relate the plot, for example, the sword, lyrics.
For sure a must watch
Warning: I gave this a ten mainly because I feel like this can just be a quick drama to watch, and fill your time, but I wound't obsess over it. However I love it in which its nearly perfect that it keeps you busy for days when you are finishing. THIS IS NOT THE DRAMA FOR DETAILS, :D
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