Reviews

A Love That Heals: A Drama That Teaches Us to Choose Ourselves

To the Moon and Back is one of those rare gems in the world of drama — a series that stays with you long after the credits roll, leaving a lasting imprint on your heart. It’s the kind of show that mixes laughter, tears, and introspection in the most seamless and natural way, taking viewers on an emotional rollercoaster that’s both rewarding and deeply moving. From the very first episode to the final scene, this drama manages to captivate, heal, and inspire in a way that’s so authentic, it’s impossible not to fall in love with it.

The Story: A Beautiful Journey of Love, Family, and Self-Discovery

The plot centers around Penneung, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, who, despite his success, is emotionally repressed and suffocated by his father’s controlling influence. He’s lived a life dictated by expectations and the desire to please others. In contrast, Mata, an illustrator raised by a vibrant and loving family of drag queens, is the embodiment of freedom, kindness, and acceptance. Their meeting — which starts off in a hilarious misunderstanding with a Halloween cake — sparks a connection that is as unexpected as it is profound. What follows is a beautifully developed relationship between these two opposites, as they help each other heal, grow, and become the best versions of themselves.

The journey they embark on isn’t just a romance; it’s an exploration of self-love, healing from past wounds, and learning to accept both yourself and those around you. Every moment in the show is purposeful — every gesture, every word, and every silence speaks volumes about the emotional depth the characters are experiencing. The show does not shy away from the darker aspects of life — the trauma, the family struggles, and the painful journeys — but it handles these themes with sensitivity, humor, and grace, making the process of healing both uplifting and touching.

Characters: Deep, Multifaceted, and Real

The cast of To the Moon and Back is nothing short of spectacular, with each character bringing their own unique charm and complexity to the story.

Mata (played by Toey) is, without a doubt, one of the most memorable female leads in recent drama history. She is not loud, overdramatic, or flawed in the typical ways we often see in rom-coms. Instead, Mata is a beacon of light — cheerful, caring, and incredibly kind. What sets her apart is her ability to love without judgment, to accept people for who they are, and to create a space where others can grow. Toey’s performance is nothing short of brilliant — it’s clear that Mata was made for her, and she brings the character to life with such authenticity that it’s impossible to imagine anyone else playing her. Mata’s warmth and generosity are palpable, and watching her support Penneung as he learns to embrace his true self is incredibly inspiring.

Penneung (played by James Ji) brings a quiet strength to his role, which is perfectly complemented by Mata’s radiant energy. His character is someone who has been emotionally stunted by his upbringing, and watching him open up and transform over the course of the series is a beautiful journey. James Ji’s portrayal is effortlessly natural — there are moments when you forget you’re watching a character, and it feels like you’re simply seeing him in his truest form. He brings a soft yet deeply emotional vulnerability to Penneung, and that makes his character arc one of the most touching in the drama. The chemistry between Mata and Penneung is undeniable — it’s the kind of relationship that feels organic, built on mutual respect, understanding, and growth.

Supporting characters, like Father Grace and Aunt Vee, elevate the story in such meaningful ways. Father Grace, with his unconditional love for Mata, is the pillar of strength and wisdom in the story. His teachings about love, kindness, and honesty have shaped Mata into the person she is, and his presence in the series brings so much warmth and depth. Aunt Vee, too, plays an important role in shaping Mata’s worldview, and their family dynamic is truly something special. The Cage gang, with their lively and fun personalities, adds another layer of love and support to the narrative, proving that family isn’t just about blood — it’s about love, care, and acceptance.

Themes & Messages: Healing, Growth, and Love Without Judgment

The beauty of To the Moon and Back lies in its ability to tackle heavy themes with grace and sensitivity. It addresses issues like mental health, self-acceptance, family dynamics, and love without judgment in such a way that it feels like a warm hug for the soul. The drama showcases the importance of being true to oneself and supporting others in their own journey of self-discovery. The characters are not just navigating love but also the pain and scars from their past. As they heal and grow, so does their love — it becomes stronger, more honest, and more supportive. This drama teaches us that true love isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing each other’s flaws and strengths and growing together.

The show also highlights the power of found families. Mata’s relationship with her unconventional family is a prime example of this. Despite being rejected by society, they continue to support and uplift each other, proving that love and support can come from unexpected places. Similarly, Penneung’s journey with Mata and her family shows how love can help heal even the deepest wounds, and how being surrounded by the right people can help you find the courage to embrace who you truly are.

One of the most powerful lines in the drama — “I love Mata because she gave me strength to choose me” — encapsulates the core message of the show. It’s a reminder that love should empower you to choose yourself, to be the best version of who you are, and to never settle for anything less than what you deserve.

Cinematography & OST: Beauty in Every Frame

The cinematography in To the Moon and Back is stunning, with each frame carefully crafted to highlight the emotional depth of the story. The warm tones, the soft lighting, and the beautiful locations all contribute to the calming and soothing atmosphere of the series. The visuals perfectly complement the gentle pace of the drama, enhancing the emotional experience.

The OST is another standout feature. The music flows seamlessly with the story, elevating the emotional moments without overwhelming them. Yindi, in particular, is a song that perfectly captures the essence of the drama — soft, melodic, and full of heart. The music never feels out of place, but rather enhances the intimacy of the relationships and the emotional arcs of the characters. It’s one of those soundtracks that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching, making it even harder to let go of the world of To the Moon and Back.

Final Thoughts: A Drama That Heals and Inspires

In conclusion, To the Moon and Back is more than just a drama; it’s a beautiful reminder of the power of love, growth, and self-acceptance. It teaches us that love isn’t just about being in a relationship; it’s about growing as individuals, supporting each other through the highs and lows, and embracing who we are, flaws and all. The acting, the writing, the themes, and the cinematography all come together to create a work of art that resonates deeply with viewers. It’s not just about romance — it’s about healing, finding peace within yourself, and being surrounded by people who love and accept you for who you truly are.

This drama has made me laugh, cry, and reflect on what it means to love and be loved. It’s one of those shows that stays with you, leaving a lasting impression long after you’ve finished watching. If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to start from episode 1 right now. You won’t regret it. It’s a journey worth taking, one that will fill you with warmth, joy, and a renewed sense of love and acceptance.

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Great Pacing, Excellent Acting, Smart + Badass FL

Completed - 11/29/2021

"The Story of Yanxi" is one of those dramas that are universally praised and one should definitely check out if you enjoy historical dramas, esp. a fan of harem. I hesitated because it's 70-episode long, and the fear that it's going to drag prevented me from watching this for a long time. I am also not a big fan of harem. However, I am pleased to inform you that it has great pacing and it's not draggy at all. At times, I feel like some events actually resolve rather too quickly.

I recommend this drama for those who enjoy:
1) Historical dramas, esp. with real historical figures
2) Harem - concubines fighting for the emperor's affection and power
3) Strong and Smart characters
4) Qing Dynasty, esp. if you don't mind the bald hairstyle - took me a little bit to get used to it.
5) Revenge and Scheming

Plot - The big overall plot is about FL's investigation and seeking revenge for her sister's death. Through her journey of revenge, she entered the Forbidden City and caused all kinds of trouble. Since the drama is based on real historical figures, if you want spoilers, you can go to Wikipedia and find out what happened to most of the characters. I did look it up and though I was somewhat spoiled on some things, I also find comfort in knowing. There are many events and schemes throughout the drama by many characters. Because of this, the drama does not feel draggy at all. It's one thing after another.

Wei Ying Luo (FL)/Wu Jin Yan - This is my first drama of Wu Jin Yan's. For some reason (and it's very personal), I have a hard time liking her portrayal of Ying Luo. Ying Luo is everyone's favorite heroine. She is smart, funny, brave, loyal, cunning and ruthless. She's a strong badass character that doesn't back off and won't forget how you treat her, good or bad. But in the beginning, I found Wu Jin Yan overacted a little bit when she's intentionally trying to act cute or innocent. But once the character matured, I believed in her much more.

Ying Luo + Fu Heng Romance - This first love is sweet and loyal. Who doesn't want a man like Fu Heng. He is the ideal, dream man who is handsome, gentle, caring and understanding. Ying Luo and Fu Heng are soulmates. They understand each other and know how to support each other silently. However, I don't think there are enough scenes between the two in the beginning to make me believe that Fu Heng has fallen so madly in love with Ying Luo.

Ying Luo + Emperor Romance - This romance is much more interesting, from enemies-to-lovers, and I feel a lot more chemistry between these two, than Ying Luo with Fu Heng. I enjoy their arguments and threats. They are very similar people and match very well intellectually. They understand each other's actions and unspoken words.

Ying Luo + Empress Rong Yin Sismance - What a lovely sismance these two women have. They are so different, yet they are able to form such a strong bond. With a drama full of scheming between women, it's so nice to see a healthy and wonderful female friendship/mentorship between these two. Empress Rong Yin is one of my favorite characters and one of the saddest.

Acting - Definitely amazing acting all around. The "villains" are great and grey. You hate them (looking at you Yuan Chun Wang) but you also feel for them because they all have a background stories that are heartbreaking. I am not a big fan of the harem, so all the cat fights aren't my cup of tea, but I still enjoy this drama, and it's due to the acting of everyone. Each concubine has her own distinct personality and that makes it easier to distinguish who's who.

Production - big time production with beautiful Qing costumes for male and female characters. It did take me a little bit to get used to the bald hairdos of the guys, and not everyone looks good with it. Luckily, I do find our two male leads (Nie Yuan and Xu Kai) look quite handsome with the Qing style. The women have beautiful costumes, jewelry and accessories. The sets look grand and real. I am no historian, so I don't know whether everything is historically accurate, but I enjoy the visuals.

Other Observations:
1) Xu Kai - one of his earlier dramas. He did well enough, but not as good as compared to the veterans.
2) I've seen Charmaine Sheh in HK dramas when I was young. Wow..her acting has come a long way. She's amazing in this drama.
3) I've seen Qin Lan in "Rational Life" and found her absolutely stunning. She's beautiful here as well and such great acting. Very different compared to Charmaine Sheh but just as good.
4) I found Yuan Chun Wang (played by Wang Mao Lei) really creepy, like stalker-ish creepy especially his evil voice.

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Certainly this drama has become quite dear to me!

Saiai is the first drama I have seen this year. It was an amazing series. Very entertaining and emotional. The drama revolves around many themes. The English title of the drama is 'dearest', one of the main themes of the drama is how much a person can sacrifice something for a person who is very dear to them. The story is well written, though it had a few inconsistencies, it still managed to keep me at the edge of my seat till the last moment. Every episode is narrated by different characters in the show.
The three main characters were very intriguing. Yuriko, Kouhei and Iura-san have given a very good and promising performance. Special mention to Takahashi Fumiya as Yuu and Tanaka Minami as Tachibana Shiori. I loved them here.
The music is wonderful as well, the ending theme gives me chills at the end of every episode.
Its not surprising that saiai was produced by the same director behind jdramas like MIU404 and Unnatural. All of them were interesting, emotional and amazing character driven dramas. Definitely a must watch for all jdrama fans!

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Ghosted.

Breaking the Shadows (乌云之上) follows rookie cop Lin Jiajia (Ding Guansen) as he teams up with the hardened Han Qing (Sun Li) to solve a grisly dismemberment case. Their partnership starts icy——Han Qing remains haunted by the disappearance of her former partner Zhong Wei during a narcotics investigation, and she bristles at Jiajia’s presence as an unwelcome replacement. When clues emerge that Zhong Wei is still alive but has deliberately ghosted them, Han Qing starts to connect his disappearance with their current case. They discover potential links between the dismemberment case and Zhong Wei's drug case. She slowly warms to Jiajia after noticing his similarities with Zhong Wei in both methodology and temperament and she comes to respect his insights.

Where the series succeeds is in its performances, particularly Sun Li’s nuanced portrayal of Han Qing. She deftly captures the detective’s steely professionalism and the quiet desperation beneath it, making her eventual emotional unraveling one of the narrative’s few genuine highlights. The strong supporting cast, including Ding Guansen, Li Xiaoran and Luo Jin in a frustratingly limited role, also elevates the material with multi-faceted portrayals.

Unfortunately, the storytelling never matches the cast’s efforts. The plot unfolds in a linear fashion, leaning heavily on foreshadowing that robs the reveal of any real tension. While the mystery behind Zhong Wei’s disappearance provides some early intrigue, the resolution lands with predictable thud rather than a satisfying payoff.

Overall this drama is a passable time-filler for genre enthusiasts. Sun Li’s performance and a handful of gripping sequences keep it watchable, but its hardly essential viewing. A very average 7/10—engaging enough in the moment, but unlikely to linger in memory.

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Just a filler drama

The plot revolves around the romance between a hotel trainee and the boss. I was expecting stories about customers and everyday encounters of trainees but that was minimal. It was mainly around the couple. The first half was good - cute and fluffy. The second half was tiring - annoying unreasonable characters and the FL being over dramatic. The drama lacks plot but compensates by fluff (but I've seen better fluff).
The acting is very average. I like Eden Zhao and he's the reason I got through. But apart from that the other characters were not well developed. The FL was very unreasonable at times, which was hard to watch.
It's an okay watch. I would recommend this only if you're in between dramas, and need a light hearted -no plot- kind of watch. The direction had some issues. The scenes felt like clips put together at times. Made you doubt if you've missed a scene in between.
Plus Point : Fluffy. Cute and non-toxic ML. Never gets very angsty.
Negative points: Only focused on main characters and other characters (though plenty) were under-developed. Too many cliches.

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Don't watch without watching drama

I just finished watching the movie and I want to point out that it's important to watch the drama first, otherwise the movie won't make much sense. What I enjoyed the least about the movie is that they left out the most important and interesting parts of the drama, which made the movie more boring and confusing. It's okay if they want to focus on the love story, but they shouldn't just include boring scenes, especially for those who have seen the drama. For instance, in the drama, there was a significant shared moment between the characters when the male lead carried the female lead after she was drunk and they walked to their base talking. Also, there was a skipped part before the movie where they had a shared little date, which would have been interesting to see. Additionally, there was a part where he asked if they could give it a try, but they skipped the part when she responded to him and they started dating. There were many other interesting parts that were skipped, such as after they started dating when they went on a date to the movies and he got a little angry. The movie only showed a little bit of what happened. Lastly, the movie also missed the part when one of the characters found out they were dating in the rain when they kissed. Instead, it jumped to a scene where they were in their rooms talking on the phone.

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meh. I hate that they made a big deal over HER (stopped before it was too late and when she was super vulnerable) indiscretion when he was a cheatin' asshole. MEH. That ruined it for me and honestly I hate it when the original couple stays together after the hell his "mistake" put them through. I would have rather her ending up with ANY of the other guys in the show. ICK. I gotta say that chick was a crazy one though. YIKES. Until the very end she was creepily stalking and ruining lives.
I'm also of the super firm belief that basically 0 relationships will ever be the same after a cheat. There is NO way you wouldn't have some sort of worry in the back of your mind that it wouldn't happen again. Does he smell like perfume? Was he really late just because of traffic? Business trips? noooooope. Once that trust is broken it may be glued back together, but the crack will always remain. And the relationship with be fragile as a result of that crack.

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This drama was widely popular after it aired and continued in that vain for a long time, and deservedly so. This was only my second ever drama. Since then I have seen many, but this one maintains a very special place in my hearts and to this day remains one of my eternal favourites. I am not Korean, so prior to this drama I was not particularly a fan of Rain or anything, so not swayed at the time by that bias. Having seen the drama, now mosty definitely a fan. This drama is a fanatstic template for what all easy going, romantic fluffy dramas should follow. It has a simple plot yet interesting premise, a capable and adorable cast and very good music. It is full of sweet moments, mixed it with the funny and the neccessay angst. My only complaint would be that the pacing seemed to drop near the end , as it geared up for its climax and the ending not as amazing as it could have been. This compliants are not unique to this drama but is a common place in most asian dramas and is now to be expected. The dramas major strenght is its characters..you genuinely like them and become interested in thier development, and they are very well portrayed. Rain and Song Hye Kyo have very good chemistry, which adds greatly to the drama and is a strong support to the plot. The supporting characters are exactly what they need to be. The second male lead is strong and charismatic and seems a very capable alternative, which is essential to futhering the love triangle. The others add either tension or comedy, both of which add to the viewers enjoyment.All in all, I would strongly recommend this drama, for an easy heartfelt watch, to make you laugh, to cry and the want to scream at the main lead a couple of times out of fustration..all in good fun.Oh an an excellent soundtrack.

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Male Actor Playing a Transgender Woman

This movie was so cute and sweet, but as a queer person I can't help but hate the fact that a cisgender male is playing a physically transitioned transgender woman.
I understand that it's sometimes difficult to cast trans actors, but in that case, they should have hired a cisgender woman to play Rinko. Despite the hidden transphobia in the casting of Rinko, Ikuta Toma did do an amazing job portraying her.
As often LGBTQ+ films do, this movie is no fail to the trope of trying to show queer people they can't have happy endings.

All it's faults aside, this movie is an incredible, understated, gem. I'd recommend anyone to watch it, and look further into the lives of trans people, and the everyday struggles of passive aggressive discrimination we face.

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Feelings rehashed

And just like the original 50 episode version, I was left saddened and unmotivated after this viewing. It's like certain dramas, when they're done, just leave this gaping hole in your life because they went on and had this huge impact on you- this drama did that to me.
This was nice to watch after completing the OG a couple months ago and still feeling a little empty inside. Of course with this story being as popular as it is, there are many ways to continue to get my LWJ and WWX fix but still, the live action was just so... *le sigh* There are just no words.
I get that they had to cut a lot of the story because this was more about the mains but unless you're seen the OG then this version is obviously really incomplete. The bright side though is a lot of added scenes that weren't in the drama can be seen here.
Obviously I highly recommend this but watch the original first.

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So Bad but So Good; I watch this drama not for the plot but the male lead.

"I fell in love with the most dangerous man, why can't I let go?"

The lyrics above definitely describes my feelings about the male lead in this drama. His character is indeed portrayed to be a typical "Dangerous Man" that is mysterious, dark, intense, and toxic. Ngl, if it's in a real life, he would've been canceled because he's such a red flag 😭. However in this drama, despite the toxicity, the male lead is also very charismatic, good looking, charming and intriguing that you can't help but fall in love with him. It's all thanks to the actor who has successfully delivered the character to be that attractive. His acting is top notch and is totally on point. I can say the male lead and the actor are the best part of this drama.

One more thing that I like about this drama is the romance between the male lead and female lead. They have great chemistry and there are a lot of steamy kisses. I read some comments saying they don't like the female lead character because she's clingy but I think I have different opinion about this one. Yes, the female lead is clingy and looks weak but she's not a passive person. She made the first move to pursue the male lead, confessed her feeling first, comforted the male lead and she always ensured the male lead that he wasn't alone. The female lead gave the male lead the sense of security and he could find solace in her. I think their characters complete each other.

As for the story, this drama obviously has many flaws. To be honest it has so much potential but unfortunately the writing is weak that there are many loopholes in the plot. I suggest you not to use your brain when you're watching this drama and you can ignore all the non-sense things.

Overall, I think this drama is not perfect but it's still worth to watch and I totally enjoy watching it despite all the flaws. As for rewatch value, I think there's possibility that I might rewatch it again only for the male lead (lol). However, if you're typical a so called "woke" person or if you're looking for a solid plot, this drama isn't for you.

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I picked up this drama, because I wanted something light and fluffy. My Little Lover isn't anything mind blowing but it is sooo enjoyable. I was surprised myself at how much i liked this drama, because I am super picky. I am going to briefly introduce the pros and cons of this show.

Advantages:
*The cast. Actors in this drama are very young and their acting skills aren't magnificent but they are more than good and the fact that the characters and actors ages mach which is rare makes it more realistic.
*Nakagawa Taishi's acting skills are pretty good but there were some moments where I just wanted to clap, because he expressed the emotions perfectly. Actors in KDramas are always like angels fallen from the sky, unrealistically beautiful, but Minami was like a cute classmate, still very handsome, but more relatable, more human. His character was realistic and just so close to heart.
*Horikiri is a character that actually has some personality. Only after watching this drama did I notice that in a lot of dramas the main female lead has no hobby, nothing she likes and it just feels like the girl exists so she could create a romantic relationship with the main female lead. Chiyomi Horikiri is a character that has actual hobbies, ambitions like a real human being.
*The supporting roles weren't left out. Sure they couldn't get a lot of screen time, because the show is short, but every character had at least one scene where they personality developed.
*Pleasantly surprised that I didn't hate the second girl who was trying to get Minami's heart, Nomura. Sure she was a little bit bitchy, but never did I hate her, actually I kind of liked her.
*In the aspect that the main character lead is shrunk down to a tiny person the story is pretty original.
*That one kissing scene that made my heart beat like crazy. You'll know what I am talking about when you watch this drama. That's why i love JDrama's, because the kissing scenes actually have some feelings of intimacy.
*It isn't supposed to be a comedy, but the situations the main characters got themselves into were just so ridiculous that I couldn't help but laugh. And be prepared for a lot of embarrassing moments. I can't even count how many times I had to pause an episode and do something else, because I just couldn't handle the embarrassment. Some might think that this is a flaw, but for me it was a plus. This drama made me feel with the characters.
*Some people thought that it was draggy. Well i didn't. I hate when dramas get dragged on for too log and that happens way to often but this drama was so short it had no time to get draggy.
*The opening song <3
*No unneccessary and stupid drama.
*It is so freaking relatable. Since my native language isn't English it is hard for me to express myself and I don't know if i am using the right words, but uhhh this show even with the fantasy element was more realistic than any KDrama i have ever watched. Maybe because I am in high school myself, but My Little Lover just hit the right spot in my heart for me.

Disadvantages:
*Some times the acting is kind of weird, but I feel like it's just the Japanese style.
*Besides the fact that our main lead is a tiny person, the story is not that original.
*Riku Takagi was kind of creepy. :D
*Sometimes it felt like the drama itself didn't know if the scene is supposed to be funny or serious, because I laughed a lot of times when serious music was playing in the background. Maybe I just have a weird sense of humour wich I dont think I do or it could be that the Japanese are the masters of sarcasm.

While writing the advantages the things that I liked came to my mind in a second, but when I had to write the disadvantages I really had to think for a minute so I want you to know that these "disadvantages" didn't really bother me while I was watching the show.

Overall:
I have no idea why I liked My Little Lover so much. Might be because I am a girl in her teens that just likes cheesy rom-coms. But you know I gave Full House (Thai), which is known for its cuteness, a 6, so I don't think that is the case. I don't really care if this show is cliche, because it is a really well done cliche. And If you are looking for something cute and fluffy look no further.

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The best Joseon romance of recent years

Among the current sageuk offerings, dominated by the fluffy romantic comedy fusion sageuk trend, The Red Sleeve is a drama that shares certain elements found in such sageuks, but is truly a melodrama rather than a comedy, and thus, despite some light-heartedness in the early episodes, has a predominantly serious tone. To those tiring of the fluffy trend, The Red Sleeve may prove a welcome respite that offers some of the gravitas of a more classic sageuk, yet it is also enough in the realm of the romance-focused, youth-oriented sageuk that it will likely appeal to those who are fans of the rom com in period dress genre. It is not likely, however, to satisfy fans of political sageuks, as this is a drama primarily concerned with its romance.

Lee Jun Ho’s portrayal of Yi San was truly excellent. This was quite a nuanced and multifaceted character, and I found him compelling in all aspects. Though this character is certainly an idealistic, intelligent, and benevolent man, who has a strong sense of duty regarding his role as a ruler, he is not the sort of adorable, fluffy Joseon royal I have seen in many sageuks of late. There is a real edge to this character that at times borders on genuinely scary. Lee Jun Ho succeeds in both bringing some sweetness and charm to his character as a besotted lover as well as imbuing his portrayal with enough power, command, and charisma to be a convincing ruler. He made me feel this character’s pain acutely, whether that was heartbreak or the suffering of a traumatic family situation. And he had a superb intensity in some of the romantic scenes, conveying to the viewer a very palpable sense of his attraction.

I liked Lee Se Young as Seong Deok Im. I think her mannerisms and bearing are well-suited to this sort of period piece in a court setting. However, compared to the male lead, both she and her character left somewhat less of an impression. This is not to say she was bad in anyway. I definitely thought she was good, just less of a stand out. I did have some trouble getting a sense of this character at first, in part due to not immediately realizing that when Lee Se Young was initially introduced, she was playing a 15-year-old. (The male lead was also only 16, but his character was significantly more mature, thus his behavior felt less mismatched to the actor’s age.) The character does mature, though her core traits remain the same. (I think both actors did a good job and subtly aging up their characters over the course of the drama.) She is bold, principled, and strong-willed. At times her behavior is not really congruent with what I would expect from a Joseon court lady. The drama finds a balance between making these aspects completely anachronistic and unbelievable and making it seem somewhat plausible in her specific circumstances (e.g. her young age at the beginning, leeway afforded her due to Yi San’s favor).

The second male lead is an interesting character, though perhaps not a very likable one. However, I felt he was somewhat underutilized. I think they could have done more to show the viewer the bond between him and the male lead, and it seems we may have lost some of his character development in a time-skip. Although Kang Hoon’s performance did not particularly stand out to me, I have no complaints regarding his portrayal.

Along with Lee Jun Ho’s Yi San, the Lee Deok Hwa’s Yeongjo was the performance that had the most impact on me. This character had a duality, sometimes a kind, grandfatherly old man, sometimes a dangerous ruler prone to bouts of rage and suspicion. The gravitas Lee Deok Hwa brought to certain scenes and the relationship between grandfather and grandson was one of the most engaging aspects of this drama’s early episodes.

Regarding the story, it has earned a place on my list of favorite historical romances. The romance does start off with some rather standard tropes, but it’s a well-executed version with a lot of charm. As the relationship developed, I felt that it began to differentiate itself from the tropes and offered up incredible chemistry as well as some truly memorable scenes. My emotions definitely became caught up in this relationship, as it succeeded being both heart-fluttering and heart-wenching. This drama really put me through a lot, but I take that to mean that it was very successful in drawing me into the story.

That being said, this romance might not be to everyone’s taste. Firstly, despite the more light-hearted tone at the start, overall, I would describe the drama as “nearly continuously angsty.” I’m a sucker for the emotional torture, but for those looking for smooth-sailing, happy romances with minimal pain or conflict, this is not the place to look. Even the happy moments sometimes have a bittersweet tinge. A second point of potential discomfort for certain viewers is that there is a very large difference in status between the leads. Although the male lead often treats the female lead as more of an equal than their respective statuses would dictate, he does not necessarily view her as one and is not entirely above using his power over her. This is a dynamic many period romances tend to ignore, as it isn’t congruent with contemporary relationship ideals. Personally, I think the way this drama walked the line of not being too offensive for a contemporary viewer while also not entirely disregarding the power imbalance between a ruler and a court lady is one of this drama’s selling points and something fundamental to the themes it examines. Perhaps for some, though, it would cross the line. The third and final point is potentially a bit spoilerly, depending on what you consider a spoiler, so skip to the next paragraph if you’d like to avoid. Although it is up to interpretation, I think this is, to a certain extent, a story of a one-sided love, which is not to say it’s entirely unrequited, but I’m not sure the degree of feeling was equal on both ends. I think this is something interesting to explore, but it makes this relationship less idealized than the standard romance offering. If you're looking for a "perfect" couple, this isn't really it, but I think the story is better for that.

Now for the aspects of the drama that I felt were weaker … At the beginning, I thought the politics had some potential. They were not the main focus, but things were gradually developing in the background, and doing so in a way that seemed well-paced and well-conceived, if pretty standard. But at some point the plot just became something of a mess. It spices things up with intrigue that, to me, felt unnecessarily over-the-top, and yet it pretty much skips over major events that I kinda felt like we should have seen. There definitely were moments of true suspense and excitement, but also parts that completely lacked any impact, because we weren’t given proper development (or shown them at all). These aspects surely would have been better had they just followed the history. Truthfully, I think this drama was essentially using the politics to create situations of character conflict, with little regard for the merits of the plot points themselves or the overall trajectory of that story aspect. It also seemed averse to introducing any plot line where the female lead could not somehow be inserted into the political maneuverings, despite her lack of status and power (a choice which seems somewhat contradictory to the drama's larger theme of how little agency Joseon palace women were afforded). I can accept this, as I knew from the beginning that this was primarily a romance, not a political epic, but it does somewhat lessen my regard for the quality of the drama’s overall execution. I would have preferred it to simply avoid dealing with politics, rather than give them some focus, but not enough to do it right. Still, it certainly didn’t stop me from obsessing over the main couple and anxiously waiting for the next episodes. If you’re looking for a romantic drama, rest assured, this one will not bore you with lots of scenes of old men discussing tax policies. I also think there was some lack of clarity regarding the timeline. It is not always easy to tell how quickly time is going by and at one point I realized that many more years must have passed than it had felt like when watching the drama. Since this drama covered such a long period of time (pretty much the entirety of the lead characters’ lives), I think it probably could have been longer.

It was definitely a visually appealing drama with beautiful costumes and lovely cinematography. The composition of certain shots was quite striking. Although the soundtrack did not leave a profound impression on me, there were scenes I felt were very much enhanced by the music choices, and I don’t remember any point at which I felt the soundtrack didn’t fit.

This is a drama that had some outstanding moments where all the elements came together to create a breathtaking tension that kept me completely captivated. What happened between those scenes is starting to blur together a bit for me, perhaps because some of the conflicts could be repetitive. Still overall, this is not a drama I will forget anytime soon. Despite its flaws, it was entirely successful in bringing across the emotions and making me invested in the romance. Moreover, Lee Jun Ho’s Yi San is now my standard for idealistic Joseon royal males that all future depictions of this character type will have to live up to or be somewhat of a disappointment. I definitely recommend to fans of historical melodramas.

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I really think Followers is a series worth watching. The fashion, soundtrack, the aesthetic, and more. The series itself starts off slow but picks up by episode two. This series was really good, but there are some things I wanna touch upon.

The only thing about it is that I really wish that the director made it longer in episodes. With only nine episodes, I feel like it had too much going on in the plot and too many characters for just nine episodes. It's hard to focus on all that's going on in a short matter of time. Other than that though I really love the plot. At first, it seems predictable and generic especially with the main character Natsume. But there are plot twists that happen and things that make it more interesting along the way.

The soundtrack was very very good, it really does fit all the scenes. In my opinion, it's very memorable and I love it so much. The acting was also very good, everybody played their characters well and I really loved the lgbtq+ stuff they added in this series. I really love the cast too.

I really would consider rewatching this show again. I also doubt it but I am hoping for a season two.

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