Reviews

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo is a 2016 historical-fantasy drama, consisting of 20 episodes, broadcast on SBS and directed by Kim Kyu-tae. Based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin, it tells the story of Go Ha-jin (IU), a 21st-century woman who, during a solar eclipse, is transported back in time and awakens in the body of Hae Soo, a young woman who lived during the Goryeo dynasty, in the midst of the power struggles among the princes of the royal family.
Hae Soo finds herself caught up in court dynamics and meets the numerous princes. Initially she feels attracted to the eighth prince Wang Wook (Kang Ha-neul), kind and caring. However, her fate soon becomes intertwined with that of the fourth prince Wang So (Lee Joon-gi), feared by everyone, forced to hide his face behind a mask because of a scar and nicknamed "wolf dog." A deep bond develops between the two, but the court is a nest of vipers: upon the death of King Taejo, the princes plot and fight fiercely for the throne, and Hae Soo finds herself trapped in a spiral of power, intrigue, and betrayal that will severely test her love and her very survival.
The strength of the drama lies in its emotional intensity and its cast. Lee Joon-gi is extraordinary in the role of Wang So: his ability to shift from the most brutal cruelty to the most disarming vulnerability is what holds the entire production together. Kang Ha-neul builds a Wook who is first gentle and then tragically ambiguous, and his transformation is one of the most interesting in the drama. IU, despite some criticism for a performance that is at times unripe, still manages to give Hae Soo a fragility that works.
The screenplay, however, has obvious flaws. The biggest problem is the lack of logic in the development of the female character: Hae Soo is lively and courageous at the beginning, but in the middle section she makes decisions that seem to "push the plot toward chaos" rather than representing a natural development. The narrative pacing is also problematic: the original Chinese drama has 35 episodes, while the Korean version has only 20, making the development of the second part extremely rushed. The competition for the throne is handled superficially, and the love story becomes excessively dramatic, losing its weight.
The ending is tragic and devastating. Hae Soo dies in the past after giving birth to Wang So's daughter, while Go Ha-jin wakes up from her coma in the present, at the museum, where she sees Wang So's portrait and remembers everything. Wang So remains in the past, alone, with the memory of her and the promise to find her again. The separation between the two worlds and the awareness that their love truly existed make the ending memorable and painful. The political subplots that precede it are confusing, but the ending itself works, and anyone who has followed the story to the end cannot remain indifferent to it.
The connection with Scarlet Heart (2011)
Moon Lovers is an adaptation of the Chinese drama Scarlet Heart (2011), and many dynamics are present in both versions, because the narrative structure is the same: the emperor who kills his brothers after a bloody struggle for succession; the rapid succession of kings; the king who kills the faithful servant of the woman he loves (in Moon Lovers it is Court Lady Oh, and this is one of the moments that mark the rupture between the two); the beloved woman who falls ill and dies from complications related to childbirth; the beloved woman who leaves the palace by marrying the fourteenth prince (Wang Jung here, as Ruoxi does in the Chinese drama); the woman who comes from the future and returns to the future after the coma. The difference between the two dramas is the addition of the detail of the secret daughter entrusted to Wang Jung, which is not present in the Chinese drama.
Trivia: In 2023 it was revealed that an alternative final scene had been filmed (then cut) in which Wang So and Ha-jin meet in the present at the museum, recognize each other, and restart their story.
Moon Lovers is a drama that deserves to be watched, at least once. The cinematography is splendid, the costumes are carefully crafted, the soundtrack is unforgettable, and Lee Joon-gi delivers one of his best performances. It is a drama that makes you angry, makes you cry, makes you shout at the screen, but it does not leave you indifferent. I personally liked it very much, despite some critical issues: the emotional impact and the acting performances more than make up for the flaws in the screenplay and pacing. If you are a fan of Lee Joon-gi or a lover of historical dramas willing to accept a tragic ending, it is worth seeking out. The most accurate description remains that of a classic that commands respect, but that cannot be defined as flawless.

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tian xiwei never fails

watched this mainly for tian xiwei after poj, i am glad i did!! her acting is seriously on another level. 😼although, there were soo many plot twists constantly which was kind of annoying like when a problem was resolved, another one came up straight away which lowk pmo… disregarding the constant plot twists i recommend this a lot!! my rating is high due to tian xiwei tbh 😭😭 ive seen a lot of people gassing up yan an but i dont really like his acting that much. however, most people pretty much just talk about his looks😭like in the series he is constantly smirking and has the same facial expressions pretty much the whole time😭😭 i also loved the connections wei rao forms as the series goes on like theyre wholesome asf🥹

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The title says it all. Where does this woman, who looks just like a noblewoman, come from ? How can appearances alone be enough to gain entry into the aristocracy ? What cruelty lies hidden behind polite manners ?

The beginning is surprising because of the cruelty and violence displayed by the character who is logically supposed to become the heroine. Then, another character steals her spotlight and turns out to be particularly clever and far more interesting because of her life of hardship. With all these elements, it could have been spectacular. In a way, it is, in places. But the series suffers from pacing issues that weigh down the plots and somewhat detract from Tian Xi Wei’s performance.

It gets stuck halfway through, with way too much repetitive dialogue. Entire episodes where nothing happens. Others where things move at breakneck speed. And often, both at the same time ! Because the editing cuts from one scene to the next both too quickly and too slowly. And as a result, Jun Dai’s death halfway through the season loses all impact. She was there ; now she’s gone. That’s it. That said, from that point on, things get interesting again in the second half. We want to see this imperial family fall, these profiteers, these party animals, those whose happiness is built on the misery of the poor.

In the last episode, I thought to myself, “Finally, it’s getting started.” And then I saw “The End.” Oh, well. At least the main couple was super cute and trusted each other despite all the challenges. I guess all we can do now is hope for a sequel ? I’ve seen everything Tian Xi Wei has done this year, and everything she’s touched has been a smash hit. She’s a great actress!

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Familiar Tropes, Done Right

Reading all these misplaced comments about a drama that has only just premiered, I can't help but notice how quickly some people are ready to pass judgment and slap a rating on it.
I have just one question: isn't it a little early to critique the plot, the characters, the acting and so on, when only about 10% of the episodes are out?
That said, the reviews I've read haven't changed my first impression in the slightest. If anything, my interest in this drama has only grown and a good deal of the credit for that goes to the lead actress, Lu Yuxiao.
To me, ‘When I Meet the Moon’ looks a lot like the dramas of 2020–2023: bright and high-contrast, with plenty of play between light and shadow, sun flares and a slightly on-the-edge vibe. At times, all of this seems to bring out the ethereal, almost unreal beauty, delicacy and youth of the female lead, as well as the darkness, trauma and sorrow of the male lead. I think it also captures the different stages of their lives better: when they're hurting, when they're sad, when they're happy, when they're surrounded by the people they love, and so on. This is where I see a resemblance to ‘Hidden Love’.
As for the debate over whether the characters fit certain clichés, that's complete nonsense. Every literary trope and convention was written long ago, and nobody can invent new ones. If they're used with taste, style and skill, why is that a bad thing?
In my view, both the female lead and the ML feel truly alive. Like everyone, they have their own stories and their own traumas. They also have flaws that make them deeply realistic and relatable to us ordinary viewers, and that's what makes them interesting. The way Yun Li's introversion and fear of social contact are portrayed will resonate with a lot of people. It never feels exaggerated or unrealistic. It captures exactly what introversion is. Fu Shize is also gradually revealed as a person: through his breaking point, the loss of a close friend, his intelligence, his actions, and the way he treats his friends, his nieces and nephews and Yun Li. He's no cardboard cutout.
In my opinion, the supporting characters are nothing like those in ‘Hidden Love’ or ‘The First Frost’. It's still too early to judge them, but based on just six episodes, they're different from one another in every way. I can't say I've ever seen an SFL or SML quite like these. They have different personalities and backgrounds, they behave in completely different ways, and they're well written. I can see what drives them, what they feel and why they make the choices they do.
Lu Yuxiao's acting and her ability to build chemistry with every co-star are on full display here as well. She's phenomenal. Not for a single moment does she slip out of that "introvert shell"; she looks completely natural. I'll go so far as to say that her ability to act with her eyes alone is the best of any actress of her generation. Her performance is subtle and never overdone, and it never tips into caricature. Her facial expressions could serve as a benchmark: natural awkwardness and shyness, joy, happiness, sadness, longing, hurt, confusion. When she cries in the first episodes, my heart cries with her. I love watching how beautifully she conveys it: how her eyes slowly redden, how her voice breaks, how her micro-expressions shift. She's a diamond that neither the directing nor the post-production could ever dull.

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Where the power struggle begins

I would say that where The Mask Ends has a rather unique story. I also read the novel, but I actually preferred the drama. I can’t quite put my finger on what was missing from the novel, but the drama brought the struggles, politics, and palace intrigues to life in a much more compelling way. Most importantly, it portrayed just how difficult it was for a woman to survive, assert herself, and take control of her own destiny in that era.

I was absolutely obsessed with this drama!

I know many people compared it to The Pursuit of Jade, especially because of Tian Xiwei, but I have to admit that I enjoyed where The Mask Ends much more. I don’t know whether I’m in the minority here, but I found its story far more interesting.

And although many viewers loved Tian Xiwei’s chemistry with Zhang Linghe, I personally thought her interactions with Yan An were absolutely perfect and incredibly sweet.

Now, let’s talk about the story.

Wei Rao is a wealthy, spoiled young woman who was separated from her mother at a very early age . She has a terrible personality, treats her maids and everyone beneath her very poorly, and can be downright malicious.

When an arranged marriage threatens to tie her to a gravely ill man who is expected to die soon, she refuses to accept her fate. She has no intention of becoming a widow, so her aunt devises a plan to find another girl who looks exactly like her and have that girl take her place.

A-Tsu, on the other hand, is an extremely poor young woman who is equally desperate to escape her circumstances. She has worked since childhood, suffered mistreatment at the hands of her family, and lived in miserable conditions. Her situation becomes even more tragic when a man, whom her supposed father has deliberately put in her path, attempts to rape her. In defending herself, she ends up killing him.

Because she is poor and has no one to protect her, she faces the death penalty.

This is when Wei Rao’s aunt approaches her with an offer. Desperate to survive, A-Tsu agrees to impersonate Wei Rao and marry Lu Zhuo, a gravely ill war hero who has returned from battle physically and emotionally traumatized.

Everyone expects Lu Zhuo to die soon. His grandmother, however, insists on the marriage because she believes it will bring good fortune and help her grandson recover.

And that is how everything begins.

Lu Zhuo already knows about Wei Rao’s terrible reputation and has absolutely no desire to marry her. So when he wakes up and finds the woman he believes to be Wei Rao lying beside him, he is furious.

And so begins their complicated relationship.

What makes A-Tsu so different from the Wei Rao everyone knows is her intelligence, kindness, and strong sense of justice. She treats people with respect regardless of their social status and cannot tolerate seeing others mistreated simply because they are poor or powerless.

She isn’t hysterical or unnecessarily dramatic. She is thoughtful, resourceful, and determined. Above all, she simply wants to live.

And that is what makes her character so touching. She cannot understand why something as basic as the right to live should be so difficult to obtain simply because she was born poor.

Lu Zhuo, meanwhile, constantly questions her intentions and repeatedly puts her to the test. Yet, little by little, his suspicion gives way to curiosity, admiration, and eventually affection.

Their relationship goes through many difficulties. They separate, reunite, and eventually remarry. Along the way, A-Tsu discovers the truth about her identity: she is actually the real Wei Rao.

The woman who has been living as Wei Rao all these years is her cousin, her aunt’s daughter. Her aunt orchestrated the entire deception after the real Wei Rao was abducted as a little girl.

And isn’t that tragic?

The real Wei Rao spent her entire life living in poverty, only to return to her own world as an impostor. She had to pretend to be someone she had actually been all along.

For me, however, the most fascinating aspect of this drama is the deeper meaning behind its story.

When you consider the position of women in Chinese society during that era, you realize just how limited their choices were. A woman could be forced into marriage without having any say in her own future. If her husband died, she could be expected to remain a widow for the rest of her life, sacrificing her happiness and freedom to satisfy society’s expectations.

And for poor women, servants, and maids, life could be even more unbearable. Their social status determined how they were treated, what opportunities they had, and sometimes even whether their lives were considered worth protecting.

Interestingly, Wei Rao’s own mother is an example of a woman who refused to accept those expectations.

In a way, she was the one who started it all!

She was ambitious and wanted glory and power. After becoming a widow, she wanted to marry the Emperor rather than spend the rest of her life mourning her deceased husband.

Many people judged her for that decision, and even Wei Rao was judged simply for being her daughter. Her mother was also condemned for abandoning her child in pursuit of the life she wanted.

Of course, Wei Rao resented her mother, especially for failing to recognize her and questioning her identity. She wanted to be part of her mother’s life, to live with her, and to receive the love and recognition she had been denied for so many years.

But I don’t think Wei Rao ever truly judged her mother for wanting to live her own life.

On the contrary, I believe she understood that aspect of her mother’s personality very well. After all, Wei Rao herself repeatedly said that all she wanted was to live.

And isn’t that one of the most interesting parallels between mother and daughter?

Both women wanted to escape the limitations imposed on them. Both wanted the freedom to decide their own futures, even if their choices were not always understood or accepted by others.

Wei Rao was certainly not a perfect character. She used people when necessary, manipulated situations to her advantage, and did whatever she could to secure support and make her plans succeed.

But that doesn’t mean she was heartless.

Quite the opposite, actually.

She genuinely cared about the people around her. She simply didn’t want to become overly emotional or reveal too much of herself. She had a somewhat tsundere personality, often hiding her affection behind a cold attitude, sharp words, or apparent indifference.

I think she was someone who didn’t really know what love was or how to deal with it when it was finally offered to her.

And this becomes especially obvious in her relationship with Lu Zhuo.

When he opened his heart to her, she didn’t know how to respond. She was so accustomed to protecting herself, calculating her next move, and relying on her own intelligence that accepting someone’s unconditional affection was almost frightening.

I know many viewers criticized Lu Zhuo for his behavior toward her. Some even argued that he lacked self-respect because he kept pursuing a woman who didn’t always give him the emotional reassurance he wanted.

And I can understand where that criticism comes from, especially when it comes to the novel.

In fact, I found this aspect of their relationship much more frustrating in the novel. Wei Rao rarely shows vulnerability or affection. Most of the emotions she expresses toward Lu Zhuo seem to be anger, irritation, or negativity. As a result, I sometimes struggled to understand why he remained so emotionally vulnerable and devoted to her.

In the drama, however, I saw their relationship very differently.

I think Lu Zhuo simply came to accept Wei Rao for who she was.

He understood that she wasn’t someone who could easily express her feelings or show vulnerability. Of course, he wanted more from her. He wanted reassurance, affection, and some confirmation that his love was reciprocated.

But he also understood her personality and accepted that she expressed herself differently.

And I found that rather romantic.

The drama’s version of Lu Zhuo was sweet, devoted, and perhaps a little insecure when it came to her feelings for him. He wanted to know for certain that she loved him, and eventually, he managed to get that reassurance.

To me, that didn’t make him pathetic. It made him someone who was deeply in love with a complicated woman and was genuinely trying to understand her.

And this brings me to what I consider one of the biggest differences between the novel and the drama: the depth of Wei Rao’s character.

In the drama, Wei Rao is so much more than a beautiful woman.

She helps people. She takes care of those around her. She can be manipulative, calculating, and occasionally selfish, but she also genuinely loves her maids and the people who support her.

She loves her mother and brother, even though her relationships with them are complicated. She cares about her grandmothers, Lu Zhuo, and his family.

She is someone who fights for her life and refuses to surrender to her circumstances.

She trusts people and gets betrayed. She makes mistakes, takes offense easily, and sometimes overreacts. At other times, her anger is completely justified.

She is intelligent, ambitious, stubborn, and emotionally guarded. She wants power, not simply for the sake of having it, but because she understands just how powerless a woman can be without it.

And that is exactly what made her so interesting to me.

In the novel, unfortunately, I didn’t find that same depth. All I could see was a beautiful woman, nothing more and nothing less. She could be easily offended, sometimes overreacted, and occasionally had every right to be angry, but I never truly felt that I was following the journey of a woman gradually gaining power and control over her own life.

The drama gave her something more meaningful.

It portrayed a woman who had experienced poverty, injustice, betrayal, and rejection, yet continued fighting for a better future.

A woman who learned how to survive in a world where survival itself was never guaranteed for someone of her social standing.

And most importantly, a woman who could be both calculating and compassionate, strong and vulnerable, loving and emotionally distant.

That complexity is what made her feel human.

I also absolutely loved the chemistry between the two leads. Tian Xiwei and Yan An looked beautiful together, and their interactions had a natural sweetness that made their relationship even more enjoyable to watch. I even watched some behind-the-scenes clips, and I have to say, they were incredibly sweet there as well!

Ultimately, where The Mask Ends was much more than a romance for me. It was a story about identity, survival, ambition, class inequality, and the limited choices available to women in a society that constantly tried to control their lives.

It was about a woman who was denied her identity, her family, and her rightful place in the world, yet somehow managed to reclaim them all.

And perhaps what I loved most was that Wei Rao didn’t have to become a completely different person to deserve love. She remained stubborn, complicated, guarded, and sometimes difficult, but she was also capable of kindness, loyalty, and genuine affection.

She was not a perfect heroine, and that was precisely what made her so fascinating.

An absolutely addictive drama overall! I was obsessed from beginning to end!

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The Magic, the Memories, The Masterpiece

If you love romantic fantasy heavily inspired by Chinese Xianxia or you’re simply curious about it, then you’re in for a treat. Trust it’ll be an incredible experience. But if it’s not your cup of tea, don’t bother. You’ll just waste your time and discredit this beautiful work with your biased opinion. I believe that someone who hates horror movies for example, has no business reviewing one because their opinion is already biased from the start. So save yourself some time.

MY HONEST REVIEW
Alchemy of Souls is not just a drama it’s an experience. The world-building, the emotions, the fight scenes, the acting skills and the character development are beautifully done. This is the drama that made me realize how powerful Korean storytelling can be.
I laughed, I cried, I felt deeply connected to the characters. Every single actor ate, especially Lee Jaewook as Jang Uk. I discovered him through this role and I’m genuinely blown away. He’s very very talented.
Mind you, i’m not a historical drama super fan at all but this drama It’s now one of my all-time favorites.

And don’t hesitate to watch season 2. It’s easy to understand even if some people aren’t fans of the major change, which you’ll understand once you watch it. For me, it makes perfect sense and was the most logical continuation of the story.

Thanks 🩵

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Not Usually One for Short Format Dramas but This One Might Have Changed My Mind

Rating: 10/10

Review

Honestly, this one surprised me.

I often find that Japanese short-form dramas don't give themselves enough time to properly develop the characters or the plot. There just isn't enough room to build the relationships and make the emotional progression feel earned. But apparently, when the writing is good, it absolutely can be done!

I loved Sudden Marriage. The premise is one I will probably never get tired of. I know arranged marriages that turn into love have been done countless times, but it's a trope I am particularly fond of. Add in unexpected or necessary cohabitation, and I'm already sold. Sign me up!

The romance was well-paced, believable, and genuinely heartwarming. Nothing felt unnecessarily dragged out, but the story still managed to give the characters and their relationship enough development to make me invested.

I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a relatively simple, sweet, and heartwarming romance. Sometimes you don't need an overly complicated plot or endless misunderstandings. You just need a well-written love story that makes you smile.

This was a wonderful surprise, and an easy 10/10 for me!

SPOILERS

One of my favorite things about this series was how everything eventually came full circle. I love when seemingly unrelated events and encounters turn out to have been connected all along. It gives the story that wonderful feeling of fate bringing two people together.

Finding out that he had met her when they were both much younger, and that he had fallen for that kind, smiling girl carrying her little sister on her back, was such a lovely reveal. He had been unwavering in his feelings for her all along. He loved her, waited for her, and watched as another man failed to appreciate and mistreated her.

It gave me some Marry My Husband vibes in that respect. I have a soft spot for a male lead who has loved the female lead all along, even when she has no idea just how much he cares for her.

I also really liked that her ex finally saw the light and recognized what a wonderful person she was. Even better, he eventually stood up for her. It was satisfying to see him finally understand what he had lost and do something worthwhile with that realization.

And even the villainous girl, who seemed to want the best of everything for herself, ended up helping her in the end. I thought that was a nice touch.

Another favorite reveal was that the woman she had saved turned out to be the chairwoman! That connection ended up being instrumental in helping them overcome the father, who was determined to destroy her family's business and push our male lead out of the company. I love those moments when a seemingly small act of kindness comes back around in a big way.

And Grandma! I absolutely loved when she came to the rescue at the end. Sometimes you just need Grandma to step in and set things right!

Overall, this was such a lovely series. It managed to connect all the pieces, deliver a satisfying romance, and wrap everything up in a way that left me smiling.

I would absolutely watch this one again, and I highly recommend it!

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One-of-a-kind expérience

DISCLAIMER : Before saying anything, don't listen to the recent reviews. I don't know where all this backlash is coming from. Watch it and form your own opinion.

If you love romantic fantasy heavily inspired by Chinese Xianxia or you’re simply curious about it, then you’re in for a treat. Trust it’ll be an incredible experience. But if it’s not your cup of tea, don’t bother. You’ll just waste your time and discredit this beautiful work with your biased opinion. I believe that someone who hates horror movies for example, has no business reviewing one because their opinion is already biased from the start. So save yourself some time.

MY HONEST REVIEW
Alchemy of Souls is not just a drama it’s an experience. The world-building, the emotions, the fight scenes, the acting skills and the character development are beautifully done. This is the drama that made me realize how powerful Korean storytelling can be.
I laughed, I cried, I felt deeply connected to the characters. Every single actor ate, especially Lee Jaewook as Jang Uk. I discovered him through this role and I’m genuinely blown away. He’s very very talented.
Mind you, i’m not a historical drama super fan at all but this drama It’s now one of my all-time favorites.

‼️THE ENDING & SPOILERS ‼️

The only flaw is the season 2’s ending. That’s why I gave a 08/10.
Honestly I get how season 2 unfolded, and it makes sense for Naksu’s original body to return. (I actually don’t get why people complained about the real Naksu coming back, especially since the second actress had more chemistry with the ML than the one from season 1. anyway.)

But but but… I wish we’d gotten more fight scenes from her after she regained her memories. I wanted to see the Naksu from the very first minutes of season 1, ep 1. Imagine how epic and iconic it would’ve been if she’d ended the series with a fight scene mirroring the opening scene of season 1. That would’ve been unforgettable. It’s such a shame they missed that opportunity.

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What a disappointment, because this drama started off so well!

The first half was genuinely enjoyable. Yes, it contained practically every historical C-drama trope imaginable, but somehow it still managed to be interesting, engaging and entertaining. The characters had potential, the romance had chemistry, and I was genuinely invested in their journey.

Unfortunately, from around episode 22, the storyline went downhill rather rapidly.

The biggest problem for me was the character development, or rather the lack of it. The FL suddenly seemed capable of absolutely everything: scheming, military strategy, fighting and leading soldiers. All without any believable development to get her there. Reading a military strategy book apparently does wonders!

What made it worse was that she became increasingly manipulative, involved in everything and unlikeable. I actually stopped rooting for her, which is never a good sign when watching a drama.

The ML was another disappointment. I liked him, but his own storyline was surprisingly weak. He seemed to spend most of his time agreeing with the FL, supporting her decisions and making excuses for her behaviour. I wanted more from him: his own ambitions, conflicts, principles and character development. He deserved a much stronger storyline.

The relationship involving his friend, who wanted to marry the FL despite her rejection, was also rather strange. There was no meaningful conflict or even much acknowledgement of how uncomfortable the situation should have been.

The cast, however, deserves considerable credit. The FL actress did an excellent job portraying both identities, making them distinct while also suggesting that underneath their different circumstances, they shared many of the same personality traits.

Yan An was very good as the ML, and Dai Gaozheng made a particularly convincing antagonist. The acting was not the problem here.

Ultimately, the drama seemed to lose its original identity. It became overloaded with conspiracies, villains, manipulation and increasingly unbelievable plot developments. There were some genuinely interesting ideas, but they felt like several different stories forced together rather than one coherent storyline.

It’s a shame, because there was so much potential here. I started out genuinely hooked, but by the later episodes I had completely lost interest in the characters.

Excellent cast, promising beginning, disappointing writing. The actors deserved better.

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A Sweet Heart Beneath a Bleak Exterior

The attention-grabbing title didn't give me any indication of what to expect, whether comedy, romance or tear-jerker, but it made me want to find out.

As it turns out, this film is closest to slice-of-life, with two rather unique main characters. I was immediately interested in the unusual relationship between the two leads. The plot developed quickly without feeling rushed. At one point, I paused and was surprised to see that there were only about 15 minutes remaining, whereas I could easily have watched their story unfold for another hour or two.

This is by no means a sweet, fluffy romance. The overall look of the movie drives that point home: colours are desaturated, and the lighting is either dark and dreary or garish and artificial. The environments are generally quite depressing, with a few exceptions.

Despite the bleak atmosphere and transactional relationships, I didn't feel sad or upset while watching, but rather intrigued. There's an underlying sense of optimism throughout the story that kept me engaged and made me feel as though everything would turn out for the best. I was unable to predict the ending, but as it approached, I realised I would be satisfied with any of the possible outcomes.

I gave it a high rating because I found it an enjoyable watch, but I can see how it won't be for everyone. It was a refreshing and surprisingly realistic, low-drama movie with a sweet heart, despite its seedy settings.

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Decent Enough to Keep Me Watching!

This one wasn't too bad! It's definitely not the best drama I've watched this year, but it had enough charm to keep me entertained until the end.

The male lead was great, as expected! I've seen him in a few dramas before, and he never disappoints. I especially loved how clearly head over heels he was for the female lead. This was my first time watching the actress playing the FL, and I thought she did a good job too. I do wonder if her character was intentionally written to be quite timid, given her ability to see ghosts and the fact that she couldn't physically touch anyone. However, I couldn't help but feel that the ML outshone her a little when it came to their performances.

I thought the drama had a fairly good balance between the romance and the overall plot. I've seen some people mention that the ghost storyline seemed to fade into the background as the drama progressed, but personally, I didn't find it to be too much of an issue. That being said, I do think they could have kept it more integrated into the story for a little longer. At the same time, I understand that they needed to make room for the other plotlines to develop.

There were definitely a few things that could have been explored or explained better, particularly the heart surgery storyline and how the second male lead was eventually caught and sent to prison. Some of those developments felt a little too convenient or rushed. However, considering the drama only had 12 episodes, I think they managed to wrap things up reasonably well.

Overall, it was a decent and enjoyable watch!

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So Much More Than Just a Medical Drama

I would probably describe Small Town Remedy as a slice-of-life drama set in a medical environment. Going into it, I expected a very doctor-centered story, but it turned out to be so much more than that. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a medical drama that felt this much like a slice of life, and honestly, I loved it.

What surprised me the most was how the show managed to tackle so many heavy topics while still being funny and heartwarming. The comedy never felt forced or out of place, and I think that’s what made the balance so perfect.

The show was honestly full of messages. It explored friendship, family, mental and physical illnesses, grief, loss, self-harm, personal growth, and even the meaning of home. I particularly loved how it explored the idea that no matter how far we go in life, there’s always something that brings us back home.

It also unexpectedly opened my eyes to certain things about healthcare. For example, it made me think about how healthcare should be free and accessible to everyone. I never expected a drama like this to make me reflect on so many real-life issues.

What I loved most was that the show never focused on just one thing. There were interesting medical cases, but it was never really about the patients alone. It was about the people, their struggles, their relationships, and how they slowly changed through their experiences. It genuinely felt like a slice of everything.

And I think that’s what made the main character’s development so beautiful to watch.

He starts off as someone with a very high IQ but a very low EQ. He’s intelligent and capable, but emotionally reserved, socially awkward, and not very good at understanding people. Yet, through his patients, friends, and family, he slowly begins to understand what actually matters in life. Every person he meets teaches him something, and I loved how we, as viewers, got to learn those lessons with him.

His trauma was also very well written. It wasn’t something he could simply move on from, and I appreciated how the show took its time with his healing. There were honestly so many moments when I just wanted to give him a hug. You spend the entire drama rooting for him to grow, heal, and finally be happy.

And OH MY GOD, Xiao ZHAN !

I genuinely think he outdid himself in this drama. I didn’t expect to love him this much in such a different role, but he absolutely shined. He got to show so many emotions, and I feel like this performance really showed his potential as an actor. His acting was so natural, and honestly, he carried the show beautifully.

I also loved how real he looked. His outdated clothes, messy puppy-like hair, the fact that he wasn’t always clean-shaven, and the lack of obvious makeup. I LOVED IT. There was something so refreshing about seeing him look like an actual everyday person rather than a perfectly styled drama lead. And I think that rawness made his character even more lovable.

Every time he smiled, I swear I fell in love a little more. I JUST WANTED THAT MAN TO BE HAPPY.

But the entire cast deserves praise, because everyone did an incredible job. And I think that was especially important for a show like this. The story needed that sense of realness, and every actor delivered. The chemistry between the characters, whether as friends, family, or lovers, was amazing. Everyone felt like they genuinely belonged in each other’s lives.

Another thing I really appreciated was how the show explored the idea that it’s never too late to change your path in life.

His best friend’s storyline was a great example. He had already spent years becoming a doctor, only to realize that it wasn’t the right profession for him. Instead of continuing simply because he had invested so much time in it, he chose to walk away, especially knowing that staying could potentially harm his patients.

I thought that was such an important message. Sometimes, even after spending half your life working toward something, it’s okay to realize that it’s not for you. It also highlighted how being a doctor isn’t for everyone. It’s a profession that requires more than intelligence, and I appreciated how the show explored that side of healthcare, along with the gender expectations surrounding the profession.

And of course, THE ROMANCE.

Although romance was never the main focus, I actually loved the little romance we got. Their dynamic was SO CUTE.

You have this extremely intelligent but socially awkward man with practically zero emotional intelligence, and then he meets this outgoing, expressive girl with such a high EQ. They were complete opposites, but somehow that made them perfect for each other.

I loved how she helped him slowly break out of his shell, and their chemistry was honestly adorable. But what I appreciated most was that the show never turned into a romance drama. Their relationship was just one part of a much bigger story, and I loved that.

Now, THE ENDING.

I actually loved the meaning behind it. Throughout his life, snow had been connected to his deepest trauma, especially the pain of not being able to save his father. But when he finally managed to save that child at the end, snow took on a completely different meaning.

Instead of reminding him of someone he couldn’t save, it became a reminder of someone he could save.

AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.

Something he had feared his entire life finally became a symbol of hope. He was able to find peace in the very thing that had caused him so much pain.

Although, I HAVE TO SAY, I was genuinely terrified that he was going to die at the end. I was sitting there thinking, WHAT IS HAPPENING? WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

But I loved how everything came together. I had been waiting for the snow, but I never expected it to have such a meaningful role in his healing.

And I think that’s what the show did so well overall. Almost every character was dealing with some kind of trauma, grief, or personal struggle, and we got to watch them slowly find their own ways to heal.

Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY.

I would probably call it a weekday comfort drama. It’s definitely binge-watchable, and I personally never felt bored. The episodes went by surprisingly quickly, and I thought the pacing was really good. But I also feel like it’s the kind of show you can take your time with and enjoy without rushing through it.

My only complaint is that I wish we had gotten a little more closure. I understand why the story ended where it did, because the most important part of his journey was overcoming his fear and finding hope again. In that sense, I think it ended at exactly the right moment.

But because I had grown so attached to the characters, I would have loved to see a little more of them together. Just one final glimpse into their lives would’ve been enough.

Overall, I absolutely loved Small Town Remedy. It was funny, emotional, comforting, and surprisingly eye-opening. It explored so many different parts of life without ever feeling overwhelming, and I loved how every character and storyline had something meaningful to offer.

More than anything, I loved that it wasn’t just a story about doctors. It was a story about people, the choices they make, the things they lose, the relationships that shape them, and how they eventually learn to move forward.

Such a beautiful, heartwarming drama.

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The King's Affection is a story of stolen identity, impossible love, and power. Dam-yi, a twin princess condemned to death at birth, survives outside the palace and years later comes face to face with her brother, Crown Prince Lee Hwi. When he is murdered, she is forced by her mother to take his place: she becomes a man, a prince, a future king. All while falling in love with Jung Ji-woon, her first childhood love, who believes she is a man and torments himself over "impossible" feelings.
The writing: a editing problem
Indeed, in the first two episodes the narrative proceeds through time jumps that are never signposted: in one scene Dam-yi talks to her mother and three seconds later, in the next scene, her mother is on her deathbed, without any understanding of what happened in between. To introduce the backstory, the writer and director put together a jumble of scenes devoid of captions and of any explanation of the connections between the blocks: the passage of time is never indicated, and the viewer has to reconstruct everything alone.
Love with the enemy's son: a forced plot that rests on a fragile character
Ji-woon is the enemy's son, and a normal person — even granting that he is the first love — would hardly be able to sustain such a relationship, given that loyalty, politics, and concrete risk to one's own life are involved. Worse: his father killed Dam-yi's brother. In other dramas, when the protagonist discovers that the beloved's father is responsible for the death of a family member, the relationship breaks: you see the rupture, the inner conflict, and only over time, if ever, do the two reconcile. Here, no: Dam-yi knows and does not leave him, no inner conflict is shown, no hesitation or fracture, despite knowing the origins of her beloved. The script glosses over this weight as if the spilled blood counted for nothing, and the love story moves on as if nothing had happened.
Jung Ji-woon: the black hole of the drama
Ji-woon is the most infantile character in the drama. He thinks more about flirting than about the problems his feelings create: instead of helping, he generates misunderstandings; instead of reasoning, he acts on impulse. He has a ruthless father, he lives in a court where one false step means death, yet he behaves as if in a romantic comedy. The actor does nothing to make him more adult: his facial expressions do not help, and where weight would be needed, out comes the offended little boy or the dreamy lover.
The critics have praised him, but the facts say otherwise. From the river, it is Dam-yi who saves him. From the pond, it is Dam-yi who saves him. When he is kidnapped by the grandfather in episode 19, it is again Dam-yi who saves him. He does not think about protecting her or about the consequences of his actions: he thinks only about his own desire. He is liked only because he is the first love, a label that covers up his infantilism and practical uselessness.
The grandfather: an antagonist who wins by inertia
Lord Sangheon always manages to gain the upper hand, not because he is more intelligent, but because the script allows it. In the end it is Dam-yi who resolves everything in the most extreme way: she poisons the tea, serves it to her grandfather, and drinks it with him, attempting a joint suicide. A powerful scene, but it comes after twenty episodes in which no one has ever truly challenged the grandfather's advantage: more than a victory, it is a desperate draw.
The cousin: the only man who deserved more
Prince Jaeun, the cousin who eventually becomes king, is a breath of fresh air. He truly protects Dam-yi, does not put her in difficulty, does not force his feelings, does not create misunderstandings. He too feels something for her, but his loyalty never becomes a burden: he is a silent support who acts for her good without asking anything in return. Jaeun is mature, loyal, protective without being possessive, and understands the weight that Dam-yi carries. Jaeun as romantic lead would have been more credible and more mature, but unfortunately he remains the token "good guy."
Park Eun-bin: the reason it is worth watching
Park Eun-bin is the center of gravity of the entire drama. She is extraordinary in playing the part of the man for almost the entire series, a full 18 episodes, managing to convey all the bitterness of losing one's own identity and being forced to play the role of a man: she is the one who gives weight to the silences and makes the torment credible.
A note, since it comes up: this drama is not a gender drama. Dam-yi never shows ambiguity: just look at her love for Jung Ji-woon, or the marriage to the queen, which is never consummated — and it shows. Let us stop putting political correctness everywhere, even where it does not belong: The King's Affection is the story of a heterosexual woman forced to play a male role in order to survive. Stop.
Verdict
A drama with a fascinating premise and uneven execution: confused editing, a love story that rests on a forced plot, an infantile and poorly acted male lead, an antagonist who wins by inertia, and a finale that is saved only because she takes the situation in hand. But it has two weapons: Park Eun-bin, who alone is worth the watch, and Prince Jaeun, who would have deserved the role of romantic lead.
Rating: 7.5/10 — it would have been 6.5 if not for Park Eun-bin.

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From night-soil woman to Princess of the Realm

What a show! It started in a crazy way and it ended in a crazy way!

I think it deserves an 8.5/10 but I gave it a 9/10 because I had a lot of fun watching this drama. Never thought it would get me this addicted, trying to guess what was coming next (and always failing 😅) or that I would be this attached to so many different characters.

Tian Xi Wei, the actress you are! 👏👏👏
She amazingly portrayed two characters with different attitudes. You could tell right away who was who because she managed to pull off various expressions, body languages, way to speak in the characters making the différences very clear.

Kudos to Yan An too! 👏
I wasn't familiar with this actor, heard it was his first lead role and I felt he did a good job playing Lu Zhuo.

They both had an amazing chemistry. The tension between their characters never ceased, it was Pleasant. ^-^
The drama is not romance focused but the romance plays the a big part. It's a fun romance between a scheming girl and a cold duke heir who's going to turn shameless once in love. We get plenty swoony moments and beautiful dialogues.

Overall, I felt the story was well written. It's far from perfect, they are plot holes and mainly the female lead gets a proper growth of character, while others get minimal to none. Yet, it doesn't take anything from the show.
The drama remains enjoyable because it's more about the story from rags to riches of a scheming girl.
Even when we tackle the politic side of the drama, the transition is well done. It was kept relatively simple so it's easy to understand.
The supporting cast was amazing too! The characters are not deep but still good. The villains gave us a good run with their evilness and the kind supporting characters become quite attaching.

The OSTs, the cinematography, the costumes, the color palettes! Everything was beautiful, to the ears and the eyes.
The pacing felt just right, quite steady til the end. I didn't find any episode boring at all.

The ending felt kinda rushed and with unnecessary drama yet not out of place for the type of show this drama was, a dramatic mess, lol.😆

In my top drama of the year, for sure! I recommend watching it if you enjoy drama. 😉

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