Reviews

Worth your watch!!

I decided to watch this after being really intrigued by Inn's performance in "The Wicked Game", where his storyline with another character was one of my favourite parts of the show. And I was definitely not disappointed by his performance as Phob here. I’d even dare to say he improved!

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⋆˚✿˖° The Best °˖✿˚⋆

➯ The chemistry. THE CHEMISTRY!! THE YEARNING!!! I loved their performances so much and was rooting for them so hard!

➯ The acting. I already mentioned Phob's actor, but Thin's actor absolutely nailed it too. I find Thin absolutely adorable; he gives me cuteness aggression and I want to pinch his cheeks. lmao!! Also, the grandma is an amazing character. What an MVP!!

➯ The setting. I loved the locations they filmed in, so immersive!

➯ The genuinely interesting storyline. I was so curious about where the story would go and how everything would develop.

➯ Siri's character and storyline. Definitely one of my favourites in the show! I just wish she'd gotten more screen time.

➯ The villainous characters, like the brother and the father. I loved to hate them lol!

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✗✗✗ The Bad ✗✗✗

➱ The repetitive music. I never thought I'd ever say this in a review, but the music actually bothered me enough that I feel like I have to mention it! I love leitmotifs and recurring themes, but here they kept spamming the theme song during emotional moments over and over again, which eventually got a bit annoying.

➱ The repetitive slow-motion walk-away scenes. I swear, in the second half of the show, at least twice an episode someone was walking away from another character — or being dragged away from them — in slow motion for what felt like a full minute. It started to feel pretty repetitive and unnecessary lol.

➱ The fake flowers/flower petals. The flowers keep appearing because they're a recurring theme, which I actually like, but they are so painfully fake that I sometimes found myself focusing on them more than whatever was happening in the scene. lmao

➱ The ending. I won't spoil it, but it was one of those surprise endings that I'm personally not tooooo fond of (but someone else might be!)

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Overall: 8/10 ★★★★☆

I had a really good time with this, and if you enjoy period dramas and forbidden love stories, I'm sure you'll enjoy it too!

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why Ai?

I loved everything! the music,the storyline, the ending was much if my liking but it was good! the only thing I HATED was they used fcking AI. why is AI replacing jobs? they could easily showeach AI scene without AI. maybe the budget wasn't high but still use of AI is always... disturbing and disgusting.. using it for help in studies, researches and stuff is ok, for assistance yes AI is helpful but these scenes which are supposed to bring out emotions is being disrupted. like the backstory of Shawn wasnt very touchy BECAUSE AI!! I hate supporting AI in such fields where its replacing actors and real art of emotions! 😒😒 I feel like they should've done it w/o AI...

but still i apritiate all actors/actresses, the staff members and all the people who helped make this series. their hardworking counts but the fully AI scenes don't.

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Xu Lan Xiang Lack of Emotion and Character Development

The drama is good untill episode 39. The fl lack of emotion. She just play along and not in love with ml. The male lead feeling alone. The presenting the main as women solidly abolish ml character.

Fl character is dull and doesn’t have character development. Such a waste. Towards the end the plot becomes disaster.

The others women has a character development but the fl always wasting the opportunity to become part of memorable scene.

The funny is, this drama is female centric but the development character solidly from the male lead. He win my heart with a character that. And he steal teh limelight that should be given to fl as it female centric.

The plot and script ruin it towards the end of the story

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Hidden Gem Drama

I watched this drama since i quite both of the leads and the genre is my cup of tea. If you are into Lupin or Trick, you'll LOVE this drama. Each case not only has suspense but also incorporates fortune telling and feng shui, making the theme feel very fresh. The pacing is incredibly fast and never drags, it's simply not enough and addicting!

The characters were intelligent, and the story structure was clear. There is NO GOOD GUY in this drama and i like it. You'll never know what will they do and it. The romance was quite okay and not overshadow the main theme.

There's no superficial filter, and Jiang Feiyan doesn't exist solely to highlight the male characters. She embodies both the helplessness of being unable to control her own destiny and the struggle and resilience within adversity, creating a well-rounded and multifaceted character arc. It's evident that the screenwriter genuinely focused on the character's essence, which is especially rare, especially considering it's a work by a male screenwriter (*Cough*, this is sole problem for chinese drama). I also particularly enjoyed the episodic characters; they felt incredibly real and relatable. They weren't just characters serving the main plot; they each had their own obsessions, desires, and unfulfilled ambitions. Even with limited screen time, they possessed their own joys and sorrows.

I never questioned Li Xian acting though even he is not my favorite actor. Li Yitong's acting is truly superb, her emotional shifts are so obvious. I am glad she is breaking her sweet funny female persona in here. The "tension" is sparkling even i am not shipping them in drama.

Wont giving the ending spoiler, but there is potential it will be answered in Season 2

The writers previously stated that a second season would only be possible if the show performed well and i will watch the second season. Highly Recommended

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A Drama With Great Potential Ruined by Its Writing

I started watching this drama because of the edits and the stir it caused on Twitter, so take my review with a grain of salt. It was so overhyped in my head that when I watched it, the disappointment was heavy. I gave this drama 5 stars mostly because of the acting and the Fandom. The only reason I didn't drop it was because I enjoyed the discussions the fans brought. This drama had great potential as a story but failed miserably.
The Good: Acting
Let's start with the good aspect of this drama, which is the acting. The acting was really good from almost every character. From main characters to side characters, they all rocked except those cringy foreigners that they must add in every K-drama now 🤣. But I must say, the actors surely shine brighter with the depressive side.
The Neutral: Music
The aspect I am neutral about is music. Usually, when I watch a musically themed drama, it makes me wish I learned music. In this case, I didn't. I also didn't like any of the pieces they played. I think I still don't understand or like European classical music 🤣. It's neutral because I cannot comment on something I do not understand.
The Bad: Writing
The aspect that ruined the show for me is the writing, and from here I will start ranting about my frustration.
I personally thought the story was about two boys (Pio and JY), but the story is very Pio-centric. The emotional focus is only on Pio. Every character moves in a way that serves Pio's plot line to advance, so I feel cheated.
The character writing is simply ATROCIOUS.
First, just because some characters are secondary doesn't mean you throw them around whenever. It ruins the show's plot. The grandpa is portrayed as a strict elitist, only to be changed into a tortured sad artist with no correlation at all. The grandma is portrayed as if she doesn't favor Pio, only to show very emotional toward Pio for no logical reason again. Pio is portrayed as prideful in his youth, jealous but prideful, only to easily accept a handout.
The characters in this drama don't change following the events but change to change the event itself, and to me personally, it creates a coherence issue.
JY's Writing
The second issue with the writing is JY's writing. At one point I wondered if the writer hated geniuses because of how badly he is written.
First, in his youth, he is written as a discovered genius. The plot brings up that he is a natural talent that needs refining. So I thought, oh, they'll use Pio's perfect playing technique to refine him and create a bromance.
WRONG!
It's never brought up again, and he is just treated as musically perfect naturally.
Then there was his stage fright trauma. The way it was approached made me laugh. Like, really, in 2026 we are still doing this bullshit? One minute Pio has to cover his eyes so he can play on stage, the next he is playing for the grandpa's guest. Like, come on.
Then his full disappearance era: how did he create Nemesis? Why did he choose conducting? How did he learn? And so on. So not even his creative side is explored. They just throw "he is musically perfect" in your face and hope you accept it.
The Bromance
Some events in this drama could've created some perfect bromance material. Instead, all we see is JY putting his all into helping Pio while Pio barely puts in an effort.
They could've utilized Pio's perfect technique to build more depth. They could've utilized Pio noticing JY wasn't okay to build emotional bonds. They could've utilized JY's disappearance to show longing instead of making it seem like guilt, because right after JY came back, all of Pio's efforts went out of the window.
The only decent writing they got for their bromance was the last episode.
The Useless Characters
Finally, the INFLUX of useless characters!
What was the purpose of Jaein's mom? What was the purpose of Jaein? What was the purpose of showing the gangster in the second half? What was the purpose of JY's father in the second half? What was the purpose of the teacher sticking around?
This show has an influx of useless characters, and they are given screen time for no apparent reason.
Overall
Overall, the show has potential, but the writing ruined it for me. Sadly, I am someone who is capable of watching ATROCIOUS acting for a good-written show, so this one really disappointed me.

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This is one of the best, if not the best, Asian shows I’ve ever come across.

The writing team said it took them SEVEN WHOLE YEARS to finish the script and it really shows. Maybe it’s because it deals with deeply disturbing dark themes and the legal system, so they had to handle it with extra care. Thais are really really good at creating shows that challenge your values and beliefs. See also: The Believers and Mad Unicorn.

This show is flawless imo, and I watched it all in one sitting until 5 a.m. I seriously need season 2, and I’m pretty sure it’s coming because season 1 ends on a cliffhanger.

I hate that Thai shows are underrated and Netflix barely promotes them, ugh

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Good watch

I really enjoyed the show. I think it was an entertaining watch. Like how international it was and how personal it was also.

I gave it an 8 because it turned away from what it really should have been. Not a romance but a bromance between the two. Even though I could still feel how intense they were with one another and the unspoken love that they did have for each other.

Personally I'm not a big fan of when Lee Jun Young plays serious roles. When he does the angry smoulder and the deep voice it gives me the ick, it's not convincing enough for me. I can tell that he's acting rather than him being the character. He's much better suited to comedic roles, in my eyes. Like the first half of the show I enjoyed him but when it turned into his revenge arc... I lost his character.

Also there was too much self-pity from Kang Pio.

But apart from that I did enjoy the show.

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A bleak and realistic portrayal of young romance

I was curious after seeing the ML in ‘We’re all trying here.’ So I decided to give this movie a watch. I knew the FL from ‘True beauty’ and was very pleasantly surprised at how natural her acting was here. Both of them lived the characters. Despite the 14 year age gap, they had chemistry.

This movie is a honest portrayal of love and relationship in young adulthood. One small mistake can shatter a relationship whilst a small action can fix it but in reality no one wants to put in the effort to fix it. Whilst the love they had for each other was real, it was not enough for them to stay together. The male lead is revealed to be married and having a child in the end. Yet he is reminiscing this previous relationship and regretting his past mistakes. He is the classic example of taxi cab theory. When a man is ready he will do whatever it takes to maintain the relationship. He was not ready so he didn’t get in the train. Now he is in a committed relationship and “ready”, he obviously wishes he had done things differently before. It makes me dislike him but at the same time this is what lot of men are like in real life. The movie did a good job showing that. Not every ending in life is happy nor fluffy.

I have not seen the Chinese remake so I can’t comment which is better. But judging the Korean version individually, I think it’s an amazing movie with a lot of heart. I have seen a lot of negative comments about how the Chinese version is superior. I don’t doubt it but originals are almost always superior to remakes. I would recommend this movie regardless.

I felt this movie is very similar to the American film ‘past lives’ and Korean film ‘love in the big city.’

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When Passion Exists In Absolutes

Excellent script.
The progression remained above standard and remarkable in many areas. Each scene added more.

Direction.
Great but leaned to a bit of melodrama.

Beautiful performances.
Every major character sprang off the screen and held you by the throat until the very end. This could only be achieved by the actors digging deep into themselves to bring out such stellar performances.

Ji Hye- A tortured daughter becoming a psychotic monster.
Pi O- An emotionally abused grandson desperate for recognition and acceptance.
JY- A virtuoso who had more heart and compassion for everyone but himself. He was the soul of the entire series.
Seung Un - A selfish conductor, feeling he alone had the ability to judge greatness, unleashing his bitterness for his daughter onto his grandson.
Jae In- A friend to them both, she allowed her love to control her future, forgetting her self respect.

What happens when the meeting of complete opposites are drawn to each other in their love for music, saving and destroying each other, time and time again? Pi O and JY did everything in absolutes and it made beautiful complete music.

There were moments when the script felt more about Ji Hye's life and actions than that of the love and rivalry between Pi O and JY.

Though some of the performances were repetitive and a little monotonous, Ji Hye's collapses and Pi O's petpetual look of depression but it was saved by her brilliant attack on her father causing him to finally face the destruction he did to his family and Pi O finally becoming at peace within himself. JY looked more comfortable in the adult version of himself than the teenager. The grandfather asking to be forgiven was too much. He had a lifetime to see the reality of his actions and chose not to. The ending a bit too sweet but still perfect for their relationship.

Relaying the full plot here will only detract from the viewer's experience. This deserves all the praise it receives.

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A Masterpiece. Absolutely Phenomenal. Nothing More Needs to Be Said.

Lee Jun Young and Song Kang what incredible performances. Song Kang was fantastic, but Lee Jun Young was simply phenomenal. He made me love Jeong Yo, understand him, hurt for him, get angry with him and even almost hate him. Episode 11 completely destroyed me. What an actor.
Together, their chemistry was extraordinary and became the heart of the drama.
And the piano almost felt like a character of its own bringing them together, speaking for them when words couldn’t, and eventually becoming both a weapon and a connection between them.
Beautiful music, gorgeous cinematography, brilliant acting and a story that made me feel everything.
An unforgettable drama. 10/10.

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retry? [ yes ] [ no ]

one of the things that love and a video game have in common is that both require you to decide what to choose from the given options, and this series was able to show that through the concept of a dating sim game.

an adorable and simple story that somehow got me hooked! seeing how Ian and Eddy's story progresses, it really feels like i'm playing a dating sim game. i really like how their chemistry with each other works so well.

this also got me thinking that sometimes, love doesn't have to be complicated—we just tend to complicate things because uncertainty is scary. just like how their game works, if you choose an option, you have to face the consequences of that decision instead of running away. (yes, i am looking at you, Ian.)

BUT the other thing that love and a video game have in common is that you're allowed to retry, make better decisions, and successfully move on to the next stage.

as for me, i'm sure i chose the right option by choosing to watch this series!

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✨ SHE STOLE THE WRONG HUSBAND

OVERALL IMPRESSION🌟
This drama combined several of my favourite tropes: rebirth, exchanged marriages and a disabled CEO whom everyone underestimated. The premise immediately promised delicious irony, as the greedy sister believed she had secured the more promising husband without understanding how much his future success had once depended upon the FL’s intelligence, sacrifice and support. Meanwhile, the FL used her second chance to choose differently and rewrite her future beside the misunderstood ML.

WHAT I LIKED💖
• The FL approached her new marriage with compassion, purpose and a determination to create a better future.
• I loved watching the relationship develop gradually. The leads began with misunderstandings and emotional distance, making their growing trust and affection feel earned.
• The FL remained kind, generous and helpful regardless of her circumstances. Those qualities attracted genuine loyalty and gave her the loving support she had previously lacked.
• Chen Chu Huan balanced the ML’s authority, vulnerability and quiet devotion beautifully, while Tian Yuan made the FL’s resilience and determination convincing.

WHAT I DISLIKED⚠️
• The sister’s greed, jealousy and delusional behaviour became repetitive. She continually wanted the rewards created by others without contributing any effort herself.
• Both villains frequently behaved irrationally, relying upon impossible promises and blaming everyone else whenever their plans failed.
• The romance progressed rather slowly because the leads needed considerable time to overcome old misunderstandings and recognise their feelings.
• Some conflicts depended heavily upon familiar rebirth clichés and exaggerated villainous behaviour.

PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCES🎭
• The exchanged-marriage structure created an entertaining contrast between two couples making very different choices.
• The leads shared gentle, believable chemistry, while the supporting women brought warmth and a welcome sense of family.
• The pacing occasionally slowed, but the mixture of romance, suspense, family conflict and face-slapping remained engaging.

FINAL THOUGHTS💭
This was a satisfying second-chance romance about how greed cannot steal success that was created through intelligence, kindness and hard work. The sister’s schemes were infuriating, but the FL’s steady growth and the ML’s quiet devotion made the drama rewarding. Familiar as the storyline was, Chen Chu Huan and Tian Yuan gave it enough sincerity and chemistry to keep me invested. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Was it painful? Yes. Did I love every second of it? Also yes.

This series is everything I didn’t know I needed. From the moment I started watching, I was completely hooked — every episode left me craving more.

I have so many thoughts, and they’re all chaotic. I don’t even know where to start — whether with the cast who completely stole my heart (and occasionally stomped on it), or with the fact that there was… a lot going on. Painful, yet somehow perfect at the same time.

What might look like a standard Korean drama is actually anything but. It’s unique, refreshing, and unpredictable. The plot twists, the characters, the tension!! The tension, the strain, the longing (in all its forms), the fear and the hope… phew. I loved every bit of it. Everything was done so well — the friendship, the sadness, the family relationships, the secrets… it was all so compelling to follow.
The dynamic between Bi O and Jeong Yo was messy, and I loved every second of their drama. Seriously. This isn’t BL, it’s not even close to bromance… it’s something else entirely. I don’t know how to label it.

Bi O and Jeong Yo stole my heart from the very first episode. These characters are so raw and charming that it was impossible not to root for them. They both brought so much to the table, but Bi O really captured my heart. His quiet sadness was palpable — you could feel everything he was feeling. And Jeong Yo? It felt like every time we blinked, life threw him another curveball. My boy handled it with such strength. The connection between them was undeniable, no matter what label you might try to put on their relationship.
And honestly? I really, really adore Hong Jae In. She’s such a wonderful friend.

I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up loving this series.

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