Reviews

If you want to watch a romance comedy drama with some thrills then this is a must. The storyline doesn't get boring in the middle or you won't have to worry about the acting quality since everyone that showed up nailed it. It has great OST that match with the story and the ending is what you'd expect that is not disappointing.

Each episodes contains Goo Chan Sung trying to help the ghost go in peace while Man Weol unexpectedly ending up helping him through his persistent. The chemistry between the two grows as Chan Sung persistently work his way through Man Weol's heart. There is a lot of special guest coming in throughout many episodes, but even the surprises will make your heart go wild.

Overall, I give it a 10 star (not for exaggeration) but it had a great flow of story, great actors/actresses, and also OST!

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Did i read the same manga that the screenwriter ??

First i'm totally aware what "adapted a writed material" means ! Chnage need to make for the viewers to clearly watch what was written beforehand

So here my title and question : Did the screenwriter had read the same manga as me ? Because except their job, the place and theirs names so many change had make that the story doesn't even respect the essence of the manga

Surely the manga wasn't full of angst and more a slowburning love story but here to create something they think was more attractable for the audience they add dramas : exes, stupids break up, intrusive coworker

At some point they make the exploit to bring down one of the main character to the point he had less screentime and interesing story than the created side character !!!

Because let me be clear here : Sakae ex lover doesn't appear in the manga, not even sure he was mentioned ! Same with Soga ex wife she is only mentioned to explain why Soga is low self-esteem (because she want kid and Soga is sterile)

I really don't understand how you read a manga with likeable character and you make the exploit to write a serie where none of them is likeable anymore ?

I understand the need to adapt sometimes the serie is even better that the book (Not me for example) but sadly not here

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Through the course of this drama, I have felt so many emotions. Sometimes all of them in just one episode. I have felt sadness, regret, love, betrayal, anger. I have laughed and I have cussed people out. Even now, as I’m writing this review two days later, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this drama.

Firstly, I would like to express that this drama is not for the faintest of hearts. Especially if you are someone like me who detests polygamy.

You may say, “Well every historical drama has harem! It was the norm then.”

I will say, Ofcourse I do understand. Harems are to be expected in a historical drama. Especially one that surrounds Royalty.

The difference is here is that there are two types of harem dramas.

One, where the Male lead already has an established harem when the female lead walks into his life, and the female lead is the last addition in his harem because he’s fallen in ‘love’ with her (Example: Oh My General).

And two, where the Male lead loves the female lead but keeps on marrying more concubines and having sexual relations with them whilst saying that he loves the female lead (Example: Rule The World, this drama. )


There is a very prominent difference in these two types of dramas. An undeniable difference not everyone can build a tolerance to or endure.

I, personally, have a heart too weak to endure such pain. I can not.

Please watch according to your tolerance level and preference :)


Adding on, exclusive of the first point, I am quite fond of the this drama. That is the only reason why despite of being so hurt with the Male lead’s “situation/actions” I kept on watching till the end. The actors all did a wonderful job, especially the female lead.

Can I express just how much pain I felt when I saw her smiling through her pain and acting as if seeing the Male lead getting his other wife pregnant or marrying more women wasn’t hurting her ? I probably can’t fathom such a situation without tearing up. She was that good. She was very good.

I suppose that is why I’ve been able to hold such a soft spot for this drama. Initially I was so upset I rated the drama as 7/10. Then it went up to 7.5/10. For the past two days I refused to change rating but I can’t help it. Now, it’s 8/10.

Despite the apparent change that they must have had to do due to the time-travel ban, the story flowed smoothly and everything (except the stupid harem angle) seemed to have a purpose.

If there had been a different circumstance. Without so much marrying of the Male lead and the pregnancies of his wives — I may have given this a 9.5/10.

I can’t help but lament, out of all the men who loved her. I wish she had been with Cuyen. I wish.

I also wish we could have seen her future writer self get with the publishing company’s president/director dude at the end, instead of the side by side laughing fade to black thing they did.

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To Match Her Freak

A Splendid Match is the kind of drama that knows exactly what it is from the very beginning. The premise itself is nothing groundbreaking. A noblewoman returns home, several men orbit around her life, and viewers are left waiting to see who ultimately becomes her “perfect match.” The answer is obvious almost immediately, but surprisingly, that never becomes a weakness. This drama is not interested in asking who gets the girl. It asks how two people become worthy of each other, and that distinction is what makes the story work.

Gu Jin Zhao grows up exiled from her own family because of an old prophecy, yet instead of becoming bitter or fragile, she returns sharper, louder, and completely unapologetic about who she is. Raised with love by her grandmother rather than suffocated by aristocratic rules, Jin Zhao carries herself with a confidence that unsettles polite society. She refuses to indulge nonsense, refuses to tolerate injustice, and settles accounts immediately whenever she is wronged. Ren Min captures both her youthful charm and fiery stubbornness perfectly. Every time Jin Zhao stands up for herself, I found myself silently cheering like a proud sister watching family drama unfold at dinner.

What I appreciated most is that the story never turns Jin Zhao into a heroine waiting to be chosen. In true amor fati fashion, she embraces the life handed to her and bends it into something that belongs entirely to her. Marriage, for her, is not survival or social strategy. It is recognition. She wants someone who sees her fully without asking her to shrink, and among all four potential matches, only Chen Yan Yun truly understands that.

I am one of the minorities who liked how the narrative took time exploring Jin Zhao’s dynamic with every man in her life. While the male lead lacked (romantic) screentime in the earlier episodes, I thought the structure made sense. The first half focuses heavily on Jin Zhao and Ye Xian’s chaotic friendship, while the latter half gradually shifts toward Yan Yun and Jin Zhao’s partnership. It creates a natural emotional progression instead of rushing directly into romance.

Chen Yan Yun is, without question, her splendid match. Mature, wise, reliable, and quietly affectionate, he feels like the rare male lead who understands that loving a strong woman does not mean taming her. Ci Sha portrays him perfectly. The actor embodies the mature, manly, and reliable allure of his character. Chen Yan Yun never asks Jin Zhao to compromise herself for his comfort. Instead, he protects the space where she can continue being exactly who she is. Their relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and admiration, which makes their romance feel deeply satisfying even within a fairly cliché setup. He may navigate political disasters effortlessly, but love clearly short-circuits his brain, and honestly, that made him even more charming.

Once they got married, this drama practically turned into a romantic buffet. The kisses, the hugs, the mirrored gestures, the teasing intimacy, everything delivered maximum flutter damage. I also appreciate that the production committed fully to their chemistry instead of hiding every kiss behind curtains, sleeves, candles, or strategically placed furniture like some historical dramas love to do. Their romance feels passionate because both characters themselves are passionate people. The physical affection supports the fiery nature of their relationship instead of existing purely for fanservice.

One of the strongest parts of the writing comes from how the drama handles emotional conflict after marriage. When Chen Yan Yun discovers the history between Jin Zhao and Chen Xuan Qing, the story wisely avoids the easy route of one dramatic argument followed by instant reconciliation. Instead, it lets Yan Yun sit with the discomfort. Of course it would hurt knowing your wife once actively pursued someone else, especially when that someone is your own nephew. The added realization that they may have ended up together had he not intervened makes the situation even more complicated. What made the arc work for me is that the drama allows Yan Yun to spiral through those ugly “what if” thoughts instead of pretending mature people instantly process emotions rationally. And true to Jin Zhao’s character, she refuses to lose herself trying to soothe him. Her “I won’t indulge him” line felt completely consistent with who she is. She loves deeply, but she refuses to abandon her own dignity in the process.

Ironically, Chen Xuan Qing’s storyline only further proves why he and Jin Zhao were never meant to be. He may have been her first love, but he fundamentally lacks the courage and conviction needed to stand beside someone like her. Jin Zhao is drawn to his worldview and gentleness, yet in the end, he mostly awakens her protective instincts rather than standing as her equal. When forced to choose between safety and love, he chooses himself. That decision defines his entire character.

I honestly think the writers did Xuan Qing dirty toward the second half. His character practically takes a full tragic opera turn into pathetic lovesick territory. Zuo Ye portrayed his restrained misery very well, but the writing reduces him into someone consumed entirely by resentment. It is understandable for him to feel jealous of Yan Yun and out of place with the Chen family, but at some point his bitterness becomes exhausting because the Chen family genuinely treated him with sincerity from the beginning. The drama wanted emotional collapse, and boy, did it commit to it.

On the other hand, Ye Xian ended up becoming one of the most interesting characters in the drama for me. At first, he is basically a spoiled manchild wrapped in pretty robes and family pressure. Winwin embodied that mischievous youthful energy perfectly while still hinting at the burden beneath it all. His relationship with Jin Zhao works wonderfully as friendship because they are too similar. Putting them together romantically would be like throwing two fireworks into the same box and hoping the house survives. They bicker, annoy each other, protect each other, and genuinely care deeply, but they would absolutely self-destruct as lovers.

Episode 28 genuinely hurt. The wedding procession crossing paths with the funeral procession was one of the strongest scenes in the entire drama. While Jin Zhao and Yan Yun move toward happiness, Ye Xian stands there grieving the loss of his own love story. The way he lowered his gaze and stepped aside felt devastatingly mature. It was acceptance, resignation, and heartbreak all folded into one quiet moment. That scene alone deserves applause.

I also appreciated Ye Xian’s eventual growth. Watching him choose responsibility over obsession was satisfying because it finally felt like he matured beyond simply chasing Jin Zhao. Him addressing Yan Yun as Jin Zhao’s “fujun” carried more emotional weight than any dramatic speech could have. At the same time, the battlefield storyline constantly filled me with dread because it felt less like heroism and more like a beautifully wrapped suicide mission. Yes, from a character perspective, it makes sense. A man with limited years left would rather burn brightly on the battlefield than fade slowly in bed. But emotionally, it still hurt to watch.

The scene where Yan Yun carried Ye Xian’s body covered by the Ye flag genuinely left me speechless. Alongside the wedding versus funeral procession, it became one of the most memorable moments in the drama for me. Jin Zhao’s devastation afterward also landed emotionally, even if some of the screaming leaned slightly too theatrical for my taste.

As for the rest of the cast, the ensemble adds so much charm to the viewing experience. The sidekicks bring excellent comedic timing, especially Chen Yan Yun’s sidekick compete over who can gather information faster. Unfortunately for him, nobody gathers gossip faster than women. The Ji family was largely lovable aside from one permanently irritated aunt, while most members of the Gu family existed solely to test my blood pressure. The Chen family sat somewhere in between chaos and sincerity, though I appreciated that many of the women in the household remained reasonable and supportive.

The overall atmosphere strangely reminded me of Bridgerton mixed with a classic chick flick romcom. The “searching for the perfect match” narrative, the playful romantic energy, and even parts of the soundtrack carried that same exciting first-love feeling. The production quality is admittedly inconsistent at times. Certain shots and color grading occasionally look a bit cheap or overly template-like, but the emotional core of the story remains strong enough that I stopped caring after a while.

My biggest issue ultimately comes from the ending. After all the suffering, heartbreak, political turmoil, and emotional growth, I desperately wanted one final peaceful moment for the main couple. A quiet meal together, stargazing, attending a festival, literally anything warm and comforting. Instead, the drama fully commits to its fire symbolism until the very end. I understand the intention. Jin Zhao and Yan Yun are intense people who love fiercely and burn brightly together. Still, after everything they endured, I wanted softness. I wanted peace. I wanted my splendid ending.

Even so, I genuinely enjoyed A Splendid Match. It is a cliché done right. The plot may follow familiar beats, but the sincerity of the characters, the emotional storytelling, and the chemistry between the leads make it incredibly engaging. Despite an ending that left me emotionally robbed, the journey itself was entertaining enough to make me laugh, cry, scream internally, and grow attached to nearly everyone along the way. Sometimes that alone is enough to make a drama worth remembering.

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This started off okay. It was your typical Taiwanese office romcom. However, you start to realize that there is very little plot. The office related drama was incredibly boring to watch and the second half dragged so badly that it was a struggle not to drop this series. Not to mention, the ending was highly disappointing. This was a waste of Marcus Chang's talent. I couldn't stand the female lead. Let's just say the only reason I continued to watch is because I shipped the second male lead with the first! Yes, it did have some 'cute' and funny moments, but it was only good enough to keep me interested in the beginning. Overall, this was a waste of time by the time you get to the end.

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As a fan of the previous Japanese version, in all this version is quite a decent remake - and for those who have not watched the original, you for sure will enjoy it much more than I did.

Story- It was pretty much similar to the original, however they were changes made to the story (some which I enjoyed, and some I disliked). This drama's biggest flaw was possibly the length of the drama, it was a little too long for my taste. It was exciting for the first half, but then sizzled out towards the end.

Acting/Cast - No complaints for the acting. Everyone acted well given the script these actors were given.

Music - Honestly I don't remember any of the sound tracks, aside from the instrumental where problems arise.

Rewatch Value - Would I watch it again? Having watched both versions, No.

Overall it's a decent drama, you'll love it if having not watched the original.

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expect to discover the paths, challenges, regrets, pain, burden of an realistic relationship

not to be so biased about this drama, even if many people hated it, but it was a pretty good watch. It's not everyone's type of drama to look forward into, from the beginning the drama has so much potential. Describes how realistic relationships represents about temptations, regrets, challenges, and burden represents their relationships especially the ml and fml. So, I'll try to explain how this drama ended pretty well, but an expected open-ending. Especially why I rated it a 9 out of 10. It must be given a try.

Story and Plot:
So, the story talks about the colleague workers, starting how Ha Sang Soo started to fall in love with An Soo Young from how he entered to work in Nara Bank's Yeongpo branch. The story of how he ended up falling in love with Soo Young, the challenges from handling his work and his love life during the time he was falling in love with her. Up until they had unexpected consequences between the both of them, started to draw other's paths from having a relationship that they challenge to forget themselves from the way they looked at each other romantically. Park Mi Kyung, a college schoolmate of Ha Sang Soo, where she entered to the bank as a worker and falls in love with him until Sang Soo decided to work this relationship and how it would made him forget Soo Young. As well as Soo Young, who ended up with Jung Jong Hyun, a security chief who works at the same branch with them of how he confessed that she liked her. Then she decided to have the relationship and how she could get their relationship. That's how the story started to get messy, the path they decided to go with, the regrets coming in when they started to do what they decided to do, which is forgetting themselves from how Sang Soo and Soo Young developed misunderstandings and feelings of affection. Now with the story, i got a little spoiled from social media platforms, especially on tiktok, then I decided to go with the flow of this drama, with lots of expectations and guesses. Lots of twists, ups and downs, but then the sotry was realistic and fortunate.

Well, the plot seems to tell us about their background story of the characters, how the characters portrayed the story. When the moment I was reading the plot, the word "scandalous office romance" tells the drama well enough. but not that really noir and dark, not the other kdramas that I known. So here, the story and the plot was okay for me.

OST and Cinematography:
So, I'm so excited to type this part of my note/comment since the ost and cinematography gave so much atmosphere of every scenes. Before I forget, shoutout to the osts that gave the feels, Dice Game and Shadow Love. Gosh these two top osts from this drama gave it all! From intense scenes and cliffhangs from the ending of some episodes made me think twice that I should watch it asap! Overall for this area, a good editing and great timing with the osts playing each scenes that could bring me to the feels.

Character and Casts:
Well well well, here I am and I have so much to say with this area. Yoo Yeon Seok as Ha Sang Soo, hmmm it's my first time seeing him in my existence of being a kdrama fan, but he was so good for this role. I don't even know why kdrama land made him not receive any good roles for him like this, but actually he was so attractive with his role. With his character, hmm Sang Soo was pretty annoying tbh, but I get it how he wants to get into the way he want to live his life to be with Soo Young, and then he shaped his life between his working life and love life. How he managed to make decisions related to any part of his life, especially involving to each main characters of the story. phew I loved him from the beginning, ehem the actor I mean hahaha i fell in love with his looks :')) gotta look fro bts scenes after this. Now, with Moon Ga Young as An Soo Young, well with less emotions her character made me confused, because its like she made Sang Soo's life complicated, and she made the first move to make him confused and keeps on lying at him just to get away from his life and try to forget the things Sang Soo did and say to Soo Young. buuuut, in the later part, I get to like the way she decides regarding with her life plans. As well as Sang Soo :')) they were too good for each other. Moon Ga Young has a great role for this drama, but I guess she needs to make an impression for her next drama roles or like a new type of character that I might like her more as an actress. She has a little bit of potential tbh, and she is a promising actress after watching her from find me in your memory last year. Now i'll go with Geum Sae Rok as Park Mi Kyung, well her character was too greedy and selfish, craving for love and passion from Sang Soo, since she fell in love with him since their college days. She was really annoying, but gave me a decision to like her due to character development. As an actress, I saw her from Class of Lies, well no offense, i was not really rooting for her but then youth of may to her role, she gets so much better until the 3rd time with this drama, she got great roles. Not to forget to mention, she was a pretty good one. Last but not the least, Jung Ga Ram as Jung Jong Hyun, well the character was too much expectations from Soo Young, to their relationship to be specific. The way he handles his life tells me that he was such a jerk. Like he's more the asshole than the ml tbh haha. Soo Young deserve so much better other than him but I also felt bad at the same time because of how she gets pity with his future plans. Not with the actor, he was pretty good from love alarm 1 and 2, he also got the good role as well. Overall, the casts must have the great script to be developed, so that I'll have no intention to hate some of them, but all of the casts were good, with character developments made it better.


Overall, this drama was pretty good, but not to mention how the script was quite bad written. Some episodes especially the last few episodes were dragging. But with the story, even if I was never been involved with any relationship (still single from the day I was born haha), I could sense and feel the pain they had, from their temptations to trial and errors of having an relationship that must never happen, crossing paths, and regrets that changed their entire lives. They made me cry, honestly Sang Soo and Soo Young's relationship, I got wasted for the both of them, huhuhu wished it was a good ending in the other universe but again, a open ending to expect.
Good for binge watch, but not good for beginners, it needs patience and understanding. Great for time kill, especially the last eps were quite long.

Now on the brighter side, looking forward to the casts next projects!! Yoo Yeon Seok and Moon Ga Young, had so much chemistryyyy!!! rooting for the main casts other future roles!!!

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I was very curious about this drama, I wanted to see the real life story about one of the most famous women in Chinese history, about a woman who while she lived was called smart and virtuous, kind and modest, about a woman who was helpful in maintaining the piece in whole palace and harem, I also liked the trailer-it looked awesome plus I am a sucker for any Chinese historical drama 100%, especially when it's about one of the most interesting period in history, personally one of my favourite periods is Han Dynasty. ;)

But in the end I was expecting more, not from the angle of acting, that was really great, but from the angle of characters development and palace intrigues.

This drama has the weakest Emperor ever, he made me cringe so many times, I really didn't like him at all. even when he was smart, he was stupid. Cause he believed everyone and every time he questioned the trust in people whom he should trust, every time it was with some evidences, with so many talks, I was so tired from all that.
Although I'm not that much knowledgeable about Emperor Wu of Han, I know that he was one of the most important and greatest rulers and in this drama his portrayal was too weak and it seemed like he achieved everything most of the times with the help of Empress, Wei Qing or Duan Hong, either the truth or not, I didn't like him in this drama.
On the other hand his sister the Princess was the best and she is for sure the best side character ever, so brave, intelligent, always speaks her mind, good, loyal and at the same scary and kind, a true woman who would survive anything and she did suffer and experienced many sad things but still she was standing so proudly and confident until the end. I have only full admiration for woman like that.
Empress was at times too unrealistic, I mean I know that she was modest and always wanting to keep piece in her clan but it's really impossible for someone to be that kind and good, putting others in front of her and always willing to sacrifice herself, too much in the palace where everyone just waiting to stab you in the back, especially all those concubines. But she was in one thing worthy of full respect, how she protected her brother and childhood friend, how she easily was willing to give up her own life to help them and protect them, she was too kind and naive sometimes but when they were in question, she was a lioness.
The best characters in this drama beside the princess were Empress's brother who was the best general I've seen, the guy was so smart, courageous, brave, skilled in fights, the best warrior and a real soldier but his love for the Empress was something the most powerful, I always fall for siblings and bond between them and this one has to be one of the strongest and most wonderful ones, they made me smile and sad so many times.; and their childhood friend Duan Hong- if you ask me, I would kick that Emperor and run away with Duan, he was such a perfect guy for her and although too much in love, he never insisted or revealed his feeling, he was loyal to the Emperor like his most trustworthy man.
What has really bothered me were the very first episodes, they rushed so much, how they even could fall in love with each other only after one look and I'm sorry for the spoiler but not one single kiss in historical drama with romance in the middle all of it?! Just too illogical and stupid, so I simply couldn't feel the main couple at all.

All in all, this drama would be great if only they didn't rush with so many things and if Empress was little more realistic and more like a woman with real feelings. As for the costumes- stunning, one of the best costumes dramas, the production was very good, it looks like an expensive drama with high budget and sceneries were astonishing. I've enjoyed in music, many beautiful sounds through the whole drama and those melodies fitted just fine.
There are a lot worse dramas than this one and lot better ones but as from my point of view I did like it cause there were some characters who really have won me over and made me fall for them plus I would like to see more high budget dramas like this one, everything looked so real. If you love Chinese history, great costumes, good acting than I think this drama is for you.

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My hate-to-like relationship with drama.

Disclaimer: It's a fictional story and totally unrealistic. 'A reporter becomes anti-fan of superstar and somehow they end up living under the same roof.' It is a summary. Can you imagine this happening in real life? NO. So turn off your brain, be aware of tropes and cliches.

Firstly this drama was made back in 2018, so it's been 3 years It's a really long time since taking consideration of the entertainment industry. It might be not up to date or have some technical issue, so take it into consideration.

I guess you might get an idea from the headline of the review that it wasn't a pleasant start for me... to the point I hated it and was on the verge of dropping it, then it suddenly picked up out of nowhere and I actually started to enjoy it.

I'll start with explaining my initial hate towards it. First of all none of the characters were even likable, even leads. ML I didn't like him at all he was a kinda jerk in the start pretentious and mean. Talking about FL there wasn't anything I should dislike but her character was just so pitiful. In the initial episodes, there didn't seem much relationship growth or any unique thing happening with the story...

Then it becomes more interesting and fun. It took time for me to actually like ML, but I ended up adoring him. The chemistry between ML and FL is really great, it happens with me that I lose interest when leads get together but this being an exception here, coz they become totally different, cuties and story dynamics had a change.

Now talking about the second lead of the drama... it's the most annoying part of the drama. Their characters are poorly written and one-dimensional, as SML has no work other than ruining life or plotting against ML, SFL she actually didn't have her own character or personality where she can fit, her decisions were vague and abrupt. Both second leads are just so toxic.

There are some unnecessary parts, characters aren't dimensional, a bit cringe and embarrassing moments (Where I was having second-hand embarrassment)... 1-2 bad/sad episodes, rushed ending, but the story didn't drag, and it's a good thing. I would have liked it more if they had more OSTs.

If you like fluff then give it try, don't think or expect too much... I guarantee it'll sure make you smile.

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I watched this movie probably a year ago but decided to write a review since there aren't too many here so perhaps mine will give a prospective watcher something to ponder over.

I picked this one up because I liked Bae Yong Jun in Winter Sonata and Hotelier. This is an artistic movie about forbidden love, morals, betrayals and friendship. It reminds me so much of Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood in "The Bridges of Madison County" or Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung in "In the Mood for Love".

There is hardly any dialogue; the pace is methodical and purposefully slow, subtle background music, and flashbacks but excellent acting by the two leads and very restraint directing.

This movie is all about the little things; the gazes, the touches, the unspoken words, the guilt and the what ifs.

The love scenes were tastefully done and actually quite beautiful. The music plays a secondary but important role to set the mood but there isn't something that is memorable that I would download to my playlist.

Is it a re-watch? Not likely given the abundance of choices we all have before us. But if you can appreciate its artistic value and do not expect a heart wrenching melo, or cute romantic plots then this may be worth your time.

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This movie was really something. I enjoyed watching it so much that I will make sure to watch it again.
I really liked the story and how original it was. How many dramas/movies have you seen where a girl accidentally calls the wrong person and has phone sex? I know I haven't seen any of that sort.
The acting was very professional. I honestly don't know how they can act some of those scenes with a straight face. It shows how much they take this seriously.
The music was pretty good and the main actor has a really good voice. I have seen him in a few dramas and never knew he could sing.
There are a bit of graphic scenes so don't watch this with any kids around. If you are a kid, don't let your parents catch you haha.
I really think you will enjoy this movie like I did. If you are debating on watching it, just give in. It is too great of a movie to pass up.

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Well I can tell you that you certainly won't be bored while watching this series!



From the very beginning you are rooting for Jang Geum, our heroine. And a heroine of her time is something she truly was!

She faces every problem with a strong will and pure heart, she is a true fighter in the sense that she never gives up.



I recommend this drama to anyone who likes historical dramas that also contain drama, a well developed plot and a broad cast of characters that will make you laugh, cry, be infuriated and much, much more!!!



I hope that anyone considering this series will give it a go because anyone who doesn't watch this will have missed a great show!!



It will always be warmly recommended by me and I hope others will feel the magic of this show as well...

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I’ll start by saying this..., Pandora is a movie that definitely surprised me! To be honest I was “in” purely for the cast because the synopsis did not sell itself to me, I've seen similar themed movies so it didn't feel original and I still say it's not "original" per-se. However it's the emotional ride that counts here!

Story:
As I've already have mentioned it probably won't be new to some of you as similar themes have been done before maybe not a Korean movie but it's still not “brand new”. However the way it was delivered, the emotional journey you go through while watching it makes it one of the most quality story lines for such types of movies I've seen thus far. I did not expect to get all emotional while watching this, I can assure of that, but things just don't always turn out they way you expect them to do.

Pandora story is told in a way that would get you attached to the characters very fast!! This is just beyond wonderful because normally it takes a whole drama with 16 ep+ for me to get attached to the characters (that is if I get attached at all). Somehow in Pandora, you can relate to the characters and feel them, which is what makes it a very emotional ride without being a tearjerker or tire you down with emotional scenes on purpose. In fact, this is what I loved about the plot, it not trying to be over the top or play the emotion game. The writer has managed to keep things in tact without draining you with all the tragic events. Pandora story pretty much mastered the love, friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, neighbors, heroic acts, dirty politicians... all in one plot which is over 2 hours without tiring me.

Acting:
Kim Nam Gil: He is the main reason why I decided to go all the way to the cinema in the cold harsh winter and watch this movie, which didn't appeal to me at first. If you are reading this review and have never seen anything for this man I earnestly ask you to pls hunt his profile down and WATCH HIM! Simply because there are no words that could be said, enough to compliment this amazing actor. He has yet again embraced me with his impressive beyond words performance but this time with a Jeolla Satturi accent! This is my first time watching him preform this accent and he's one of the best K-actors who perfectly mastered it to the point that I had to remind myself that it is truly KNG! His performance didn't just move me, it moved the whole audience in the theater, and the whole hall was crying in tears and crying in heart. Amazing heartfelt sincerity that broke my heart into pieces.

Jeong Jin Yeong: This man owned the first half of the movie! I've had the pleasure of seeing this actor before but I was even more delighted to see him here because what he showed me here is on a whole different level. He is my favorite character from start to end, loved Pyeong Seob with all my heart! Such a courageous, righteous, wonderful character played by this wonderful mister.

Han Joo Hyun: What a wonderful surprise! I've seen this girl twice but never like in Pandora. This movie has to be her breakthrough! When I was watching her I couldn't resist falling for her, her character is my 2nd favorite but how Joo Hyun played it is just too precious. The whole time I was so impressed I couldn't avoid my girl-crush. She stood her ground as a new talent among these giant actors! Bravo!

As for the rest of the cast I honestly loved them all, Kim Myung Min, Lee Kyeong Yeong, Kim Young-Ae what a stellar cast!

Re-watch
I don't really re-watch things (except for few exceptions), and in my opinion even for those who do re-watch I don't think it's the type of movie that you'd want re-watch.

Overall
**Although I would love to say this is a movie for everyone, but it would be wiser to say that it's a movie for those who don't mind bloody scenes. The story isn't aggressive but "nuclear power plant" is involved so scenes of injuries are bound to happen, just a warning ahead for those who hate the sight of blood.

Compelling emotional story, high quality direction and production, and finally stellar cast. I’d love to state all the points I loved about it but I tried not to give anything away so I will conclude my review in one sentence, “try not to miss Panodra” :)

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