Reviews

Positives and Negatives

As I'm about to finish the show it is getting more intense and emotional, but I also feel a little more annoyed each episode. There's no longer the "problem" of cringy and meaningless small talk (we kinda signed up for from the get-go), instead the two main-plotlines get heavier. Annoying is that those two plotlines take 100% of the show and the characters not involved get zero screentime. That makes it far too heavy and one dimensional. Sangho for example was always doing great for making us laugh. But especially the two love-candidates who joined the show a little late are absolutely nowhere to be seen on screen, we basically know nothing about them and their feelings. Either something scandalous happened during/after the show or the editors are highly disrespectful. In that sense I can't say it is a good show, although I continuously feel like watching it and even think about it at times (when I don't watch).
One of the positive aspects is that I can like and respect nearly all the characters in this show. There is no asshole, no villain, no supermacho... and I find this very refreshing ~ further I find myself to like the panel a lot. Initially I felt really irritated by Eunji, but she's actually great with her loose energy. The other three were great from the start.

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disappointing sequel that lost the magic of Season 1

I was so excited for Season 2 after loving Season 1 — that one was near perfect with its perfect mix of sharp comedy, real emotional stakes, heavy action, and satisfying justice moments. But this season? It just kept getting more ridiculous as it went on, and by the second half, it felt like a completely different show.
The over-the-top comedy was tolerable (even fun) in the first half — some silly gags and Busan energy worked okay. But then it went completely out of hand: everyone turns into goofy caricatures, the priest (Kim Hae-il) loses his grounded fiery intensity and becomes this exaggerated clown, and suddenly the whole team has these absurd “super powers” or cartoonish abilities that feel forced and cringy. The humor overpowers everything, intruding on what could have been serious scenes, and it just got exhausting.
Too many characters crammed in, making the story feel bloated and directionless. The core trio gets diluted, and new additions don’t get enough development. Specifically hated how they sidelined four characters (including on that dragged-out boat sequence) — it felt like lazy writing. And Bibi as Goo Ja-young (Goo Ja-young) was honestly the best new character: sassy, energetic, great Busan vibe, and she brought fresh fire early on. But then she basically disappears or gets minimized in the last 2 episodes — no real payoff, no spotlight in the finale chaos. What a waste of such a strong addition!
The plot drags in places, the villains feel incompetent and cartoonish, the action loses impact compared to Season 1, and the ending wraps things up anticlimactically with rushed consequences and no real emotional catharsis. It’s like they leaned way too hard into “mindless fun” and forgot what made the original special — that balance of laughs with heart and stakes.
Acting is still solid (the cast is talented and clearly having fun on set), but the script and direction let them down by making everyone overact into parody territory. If you want pure chaotic comedy and don’t mind the flaws, it might be okay as brain-off entertainment. But as a fan of Season 1, this was a big letdown. Season 1: 9.5/10. This: barely passing.
Hoping any potential Season 3 brings back the balance… but after this, I’m not holding my breath. 😕

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Everyone is Duplicitous, Trust No One

All caught up to episode 21 and I've just about had enough of this drama

TRUST NO ONE. The evil sisters are clearly evil and the good sisters may also be evil. The suitors who are sweet and protective in the beginning will be conniving and spiteful later on if they are not chosen to be the FL's lover. The ML and FL clearly do not trust each other at all, they are constantly doing things behind each other's back and spying on each other, as if both of them doubt that they will stand on the side of justice and the greater good in the end, so they intentionally mislead and deceive each other.

TOO MANY CHARACTERS. There are way too many characters. Too many suitors, too many sisters, too many aids and confidants and enemies. How can one survive in a world where you don't have just a couple of enemies that you have to watch out for, but over a dozen? And they are all slowly becoming more villainous and dangerous to you over time. Just as you pacify/silence one threat, 3 more appear, each with distinct motives for why thy want to oppose you. Like you are in the tea making business, life does not need to be this dramatic. And the cast list is like a balloon waiting to burst. So many characters get introduced, and then you look at the cast list and they are like #15 on the list. So I am supposed to pay attention to these scenes that are all focused on your conflict/betrayal/scheme, knowing that there are at least a dozen other more important character arcs that I need to remember? This screenwriter was all over the place, too many distracting side characters that should have been left out for cohesion and storytelling (I'm looking at you, Mr. Song, a character I'm sure most people will forget about by episode 10).

THE MEN ARE TOO OBSESSED WITH ROMANTIC PURSUITS. I was really misled the MDL synopsis of this drama. I saw the words "magistrate", "murder case", and "battle of wits" and thought there would be some great court justice and power plays. But instead, it is a story about a single matrilocal family trying to play match maker for the eldest daughter, while every other sister is running 100 schemes to dethrone her. Constant petty fights, schemes that are malicious at their core (and sometimes even murderous), adult men growing crazed and betraying their conscience because they've "fallen in love", and grown-up women whining and pouting and throwing tantrums like they are 5 years old (and I'm not even referring to the mentally handicapped sister).
And the "search for a son-in-law" really dragggggged along. Such an uninteresting plotline about testing all these non-main/barely supporting character suitors that just kept going around in circles, and that almost exclusively takes places inside of a single household for many, many episodes. All this for the sake of one woman trying to pick a suitor amongst a handful of suitors that NEVER LEAVE HER HOUSE, even after she picks (and then picks again).

EVERYONE IS A BAD PERSON. Why would a writer create a world in which 90% of the characters at a certain point do something that is unforgivable? Whether it be murder, framing, betraying family members, abandoning children, scheming in a way that ruins someone's future, or scheming in a way that only benefits oneself regardless of whoever suffers because of it. Being an unjust and cruel boss, being a gossip who sows seeds of distrust, division, and resentment in others. There were way too many people for whom I saw there actions and thought "okay, I am no longer tracking with how evil and inhumane you can be. Unless you are designed to a pure villain whose motivations are past all understanding and purely written to dramatize the plot, there's no reason for you to behave this way." Thinking this was about one character is fine, I guess (although the signs of a really well written script is when even the main adversary is understandable, you don't agree with what they are doing but you can understand all of the circumstances that led up to this person choosing to behave in such a way.) But multiple characters making you feel this way is very unrealistic and just takes me out of the show entirely.
Even the FL is pretty flawed. How she handled the court case at the midpoint of the series was pretty underhanded. It seemed like she committed perjury and only stood on the side of justice in the end because she was put in a corner (although maybe we are supposed to believe that was her plan all along). I don't really like any character at this point, so why should I care to see how your story unfolds? The entire Rong family is pretty rotten to the core and deserves to fall into ruin, even though they aren't necessarily producing any evil in their society, just look at the ruthless, selfish, sinister daughters that they have produced? The ML may be the only good guy, but he alone cannot shoulder the entire drama. And the drama is firmly hinting that any other redeemable character you still see at the midway point will soon devolve into villainy as well.

TL/DR; Everyone is a villain at some point. Too many narcissistic, mal-intended characters left unchecked. Too many sisters from hell and jealous SMLs out to destroy the main CP. And there is an unnecessary web of characters that should have been thinned out and can be attributed to sloppy writing. I felt more moments of frustration than peace while watching. so I don't want to continue.

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Firstly, I am so so sad I finished this. And before I get into anything else, I must say the amount of times they name-dropped Obama was nothing short of absolutely hilarious. Anyways, this drama was really funny and I enjoyed watching it. Kim Sun-a is amazing (as always) at playing a quirky, hard-headed FL but what I also noted she is excellent at is more serious roles involving important and complex plot like this one. I was so proud to see her versatility. I'm not very well versed in politics and I still feel like I was able to understand the majority of the jargon used in this show. Shin Mi-rae is such a complex, loving and caring character. She was the perfect mayor for Inju because she always helped her constituents so much that it got her jailed twice (even if unwarranted and agenda-driven). She grew up in Inju, she knew everyone's names, she always helped out her community, she was the perfect mayor until the end.
Cha Seung-won does really well at making you hate him while also seeing romantic potential, and he was great as a politician/부시장/국회의원 etc. His acting was amazing and I loved how one moment Jo Guk would be so cold and bitter with Mi-rae and then as soon as she leaves, he's either crying or thinking about her. Also his voice is very sexy and I love his bits of speaking quirks, his own satoori if you will… Besides that, I hope he became a better father to Rang to make peace with what a terrible father he had. Rang is adorable.
I hoped for a better ending for Lee Jung-do because he was so tender-hearted and adorable. At times, it did feel like SLS but now I just believe he’s a really kind, very very sweet, pure person. When he randomly changed his hair and took his glasses off I thought that was a bit silly but it was kinda funny and luckily he was still really cute. However I’m still really confused why they wrote hitting Joo-hwa into the script because that seemed extremely OOC for Jung-do. After finishing the show, I still didn't think his story with Joo-hwa was resolved well because they both have a lot to work on for a successful marriage and I don't see them as a good fit for each other, but it may just be that she was uptight and rude due to depression from not being able to have a baby. Maybe with her pregnancy, she became more compassionate as her husband.
I think the most important relationship by far in this show was between Mi-rae and Bu-mi. Mi-rae began to take actions that in turn affected Bu-mi as well which caused her to have to atone for her misgivings. Seeing Bu-mi support Mi-rae during voting time was very emotional and showed she still believed in her friend. Bu-mi was loyal all the way through and was the perfect sensical and logical addition to Mi-rae's political career. I really enjoyed scenes with her very much. Also, I know we only saw her sometimes but I need every single one of Maeng Hae-ra's outfits, they were so cute!!!
Overall, this drama was amazing and I would highly recommend to watch it!!!

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'MIXED BAG'

This new season has introduced new characters like Mr. Hwang, Na Jeok-bong amd others. Kang Ki-young, playing as a villain, delivers a chilling, high-fashion menace that is a far cry from his usual comedic roles. The Villains are much more powerful this time; they can absorb counter abilities, making the stakes feel genuinely life-threatening. Na Jeok-bong, a clumsy but earnest country boy with a super smell ability. While he provides comedic relief, I felt like his character is a bit one-dimensional compared to the nuanced backstories of the original team.

Furthermore, with a bigger budget, the fight scenes are more frequent, and the CGI ( especially the territory and telekinesis effects) is noticeably sleeker.
Also, Do Ha-na gets a much more personal storyline involving a past love, which adds a layer of vulnerability to her character that we didn't see much of in Season 1. The season revolves around a 'good person' turning into a demon, which forces So Mun to grapple with whether everyone is worth saving.

However, the downside of this season is that they almost made So Mun God-like in power, which shows struggles to create tension in the series. To compensate, the other counters often feel 'nerfed' or less effective that were in season 1. Also, there was a change in writers late in the season that carried over here. Consequently, the humor can sometimes feel forced or childish, and the pacing is less consistent. Much of the cozy, found family atmosphere of the noodle shop is replaced by high-octane superhero battles, which made the season feel a bit more generic.

Lastly, season 2 is a fun, flashy ride for viewers who just want more of the world and the characters. It's an action first sequel that trades depth for spectacle. It's definitely worth a watch if you loved the cast, but keep your expectations tempered regarding the plot.

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The most frustrating ML ever

I understand that once the ML is convinced that the FL loves him, the drama should end, but his resistance for everything the FL is doing is just too much.

What more do you need to believe her, mate? She literally did everything to show that she loves you, even seduced you a few times, and how exactly is her wanting to sleep with you is a trick that would somehow lead to her divorcing you or getting back to her lover! That isn't logical at all...

And I know better than to expect logic from a vertical drama but still, the questionable behaviour from the ML is quite irritating ~~

Took him 2 hours to yield but anyway ~~

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Hands down, the best POWER BOTTOM EVER??❤️

This series really traumatized me, I mean would you look at how toxic and manipulative Fan Xiao is…?? And you want me to believe that he just changes it whole f**king nature in just a snap of a figure?? Naah, I don't buy it. Honestly until the end, until now, I don't buy that he actually changed. I still think he was acting.

Don't get me wrong, until episode 8, I was in love with Fan Xiao, but the way he said, "I never lied” to You Shulang when he says, "can I trust you?”
Bro I literally had tears in my eyes when he said that but the audacity Fan Xiao had to say he never lied made me mad angry at him. I cried for hours when You Shulang cried in his room after learning the whole truth. And after all this, when Fan Xiao, still, forced You Shulang to be with him, the way he was so dead inside. You could actually see his soul has left his body 😭😭

The acting was so great that I could actually feel the pain through my phone screen🤌😭😭

But honestly, I loved You Shulang so much🤌❤️ I mean this guy is the definition of Power Bottom. The best POWER BOTTOM EVER, hands down 🙂‍↕️

The way he handled the hostess thing, was the first time I realised he had the guts to stand up for himself even if it's Fan Xiao 🫡 And when he found out the whole truth about Fan Xiao, my god🤌🤤❤️
I mean I know he was broken inside but after all that the Aura that guy had when he said “Fan Xiao is a terrific actor" I could not stop screaming🤌❤️

Although, I was very disappointed by the ending. I did not want them to be together. The way Fan Xiao treated You Shulang, he deserved to be left alone.

And, this series had major timeline issues, I mean in a snap a year is gone and no signs to tell us that, you need to figure it out yourself. Episode 1 there's a baby by the end he's grown up so fast. Honestly until episode 12 I was going to give this a solid 10/10 but after seeing the end, I'm not so sure.

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I'M ABSOLUTELY MARVELED

I genuinely love the idea of infusing modern fantasy with thriller elements. This series was seriously captivating, and I never felt bored throughout the entire season 1. Obviously, you have read the synopsis, and yes, this series is based on the idea of four characters called 'Counters' who hunt demons using their unique supernatural ability and banish evil spirits that possess humans tocommit murder.

The core chemistry between the four leads, So Mun, Mo-tak, Ha-na, and Mae-ok, is the show's heartbeat. Their bond feels authentic and provides a necessary emotional anchor between fight scenes. The series introduces a unique afterlife hierarchy called 'Yung', where the counters' powers originate. It's a fresh take on the reaper/exorcist trope that avoids being overly cliché. Also, beyond the demons, the show tackles real-world horrors like school bullying, corporate corruption, and political greed. Watching the counters use their powers to take down 'human' monsters is often just as satisfying as the spirit-hunting. Moreover, for a TV production, the choreography and special effects are impressively polished. The red tracksuits have since become an iconic visual for the series.

Lastly, 'The Uncanny Counter S1 is a must-watch for viewers who love the supernatural team genre. It's a hero story with a lot of soul, focusing as much on healing trauma as it does on punching demons.

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Confused and Not Having Fun

I told myself this year that I would stop forcing myself to continue shows that don’t resonate with me in the slightest, and Melody of Secrets is exactly that kind of series. It’s confusing, perplexing, and having to constantly rewatch scenes just to figure out what on earth is happening is not fun. A solid -1/10 experience for me.

Let’s Dive In.

I wanted to like this because I genuinely enjoy ForceBook as a duo, but this was exhausting. If you love theorizing, interpreting, and piecing together a puzzle where nothing is immediately clear, this might be your show. For me, though, I need a plot that makes sense, preferably sooner rather than later. Surrealism and mystery are fine, but they still need internal logic, and this series simply doesn’t have it.

The editing is especially rough. One moment we’re in one location, the next we’ve jumped somewhere else entirely. Characters change clothes and then revert back in the very next scene. It’s disorienting in a way that feels careless rather than intentional, and I don’t have the patience to keep rewinding just to understand basic continuity.

ForceBook also feel oddly forced here. The chemistry isn’t landing, everything feels a bit awkward, and Force is once again stuck in the “stoic man with one facial expression” role. I found myself watching just for the sake of finishing, and I’ve decided I’m not doing another year of regret-watching.

Ratings:

Story: 3/10 - Far too disorienting, and I don’t enjoy being confused for confusion’s sake. Also, why didn’t they cast actual teenagers for the younger versions? I’m sorry, but you cannot convince me that Force, Book, or Junior pass as teens.

Acting: 7/10 - Not terrible, but not impressive either. No one truly stood out.

Music: 5/10 - Honestly? I don’t remember it.

Recommendation Value: 2/10 - Maybe if your love for ForceBook is unshakable, or if you’re craving unnecessary complications in your life. For me, I do not (and yes, thank you Force for taking your shirt off several times, but that alone cannot keep me here).

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This didnt hit me :(

I feel like I am the only one who was struggling with this drama. I get the storyline about 3 Lifetimes and finding each other.
Here is the thing, I really like Hou Ming Hao fantasy dramas because he know how to play his roles and I like Tan Song Yun work because I have watched alot of her dramas too.
They had great chemistry, dont get me wrong and that is why I pushed through to finish it but for me, there was just something about each episode that I cant put a pin on.
Xiao Yao character was so childish and her voice in the drama was a bit annoying. I started to deal with it when she was playing a different her other selves.
And then the "little demons" were too childish for me.
I didnt really get much of Xiao Yao being a very strong FL in this series and I love a strong ML and FL.
Fast forward to the end, I knew I was going to expect an ending like but it was good and other persons seems to enjoy it and I am glad they see and enjoy what I didnt.

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Not great but actually some good comedy

First off, this is barely a GL, though it has women loving women, it just isn't structured like a romance drama, if that makes sense? It seems to be structured more like a sitcom.

Also it is overly focused on giving the large number of actors time to use the screen. It feels like MGI used this as a vehicle to test a bunch of potential actors?

As long as you go into it understanding those aspects, and managing your expectations, you may have a lot of fun with this.

Where it shines is the comedy and honestly even the acting is surprisingly good. Engfa and Charlotte show way more range in this than we got to see in Petrichor, this actually gave me renewed interest in their work.

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