This review may contain spoilers
Watch for a light-hearted youth drama, not for the main couple.
This is a great light hearted drama to watch for themes of youth, coming of age, friendship group, friends to lovers, high school and academia, strong family bonds.Initially I was thinking of dropping this because the first few episodes didn't feel all that interesting to me. But I held on and it does get better from Ep 5.
Being introduced to Tian Xi Wei as Lin Zixia felt great - she is a great actress and she did so good here. Her character here was quite interesting because she is supposedly this highly unusual, awkward character who is unable to socially interact or atleast misses social cues. This aspect of her character was hugely played up in the first few episodes, it sort of gives you this impression she would be this Young Sheldon type of character all the way through. What's more surprising is that it doesn't play out like this. Lin Zixia is NOT actually as socially incompetent and awkward as emphasised. She's just been unpopular during her childhood until she finds friends other than just Jiang Yu Bai starting from Ep 5. We get to see a lot of times that she is fully capable of making friends when other people aren't rude to her, and she is emotionally able to recognise and form bonds. We go from "this FL is so unusual from others" straight to "now she just feels like a regular character." Almost as if it gives you whiplash. Apart from her having this immensely high intelligence, she doesn't stick out from the other characters or compared to FL's in other dramas at all.
Jiang Yubai also starts off quite awkwardly but not because of his character - I felt Hu Yi Tian took a little getting used to because he came across as quite stiff and awkward in his acting. In comparison I thought the character of Shen Fu Xuan stood out much more compared to our ML in those early episodes. But Hu Yi Tian improves, after the first few episodes he is okay and does as well as the others. In terms of his character it's interesting because in the beginning you see he is not down hard for the FL. He has personality and desperately wants to be an individual seperated from Lin Zixia, who would mainly be the prioritised student in their pairing. But he strictly remains friends with her as opposed to a rival.
We do end up seeing Jiang Yubai fall for her very quickly, but when he does it is very sweet and cute. For example when he stays on a sleep call with her when she's at a hotel, and turns up to see her in the morning was very wholesome and fits in with being a cute romcom. Despite all this they still lacked chemistry till the very end. The drama is never able to meet this expectation throughout.
The other supporting cast, especially the friends all did amazing. Every character felt interesting and fit into the whole friendship group theme. My favourite was definitely Tang Ting Ting who came with a sense of relatability and humour more than any other character.
In terms of plot and pacing - Episodes 5-20 was by far the best section of this drama. The High School Arc until when the main leads reconcile in the present time at the end of Ep 20 is very well done.
The thing I liked most about the drama was that all the friends develop strong bonds, they were amongst the best relationships in the drama alongside the sibling relationship that Lin Zixia/Lin Zeqiu have with each other. Even Lin Zixia and Jiang Yu Bai's relationship feels better and much more warmer during this period of the drama.
However good it was at this point though, it still suffers from the common syndrome of becoming boring when the leads are together as adults (post Ep 20). They as a couple and also the plot itself become too bland, safe and predictable. Besides a few parts for Lin Zeqiu and Jin Baihui, I was ready for the drama to finish by Ep 25 or so tbh.
A deserved mention here for the side supporting couples - they all did very well and out of them I was the most invested in Lin Zeqiu and Jin Baihui's love story (even over the main leads). Apart from them the last 6-7 episodes were quite boring and I was fast forwarding all the business and work related parts which felt like too many.
Overall a cute, light hearted drama with flaws like blandness and no main lead chemistry. It's not even a bad drama, but neither is it so good that I would rewatch most of it and keep it in mind. I wouldn't recommend this drama if you specifically need a strong lead couple. It's a better drama when watching in terms of the youth, friendship, family, school genre.
+ a mention for a nice OST.
7⭐ /10
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When idols don't act out their roles...
A typical idol BL where kissing is forbidden, because the actors can't commit to their roles. Again: If you do BLs do it the whole way and not half assed. The story is also quite mid, not bad, not good but the chemistry & acting was better than I expected,There is not much else to say. It's an ok production, it did not have a lot of budget and it serves for the most part as boost for the idols, because BL is an easy way. But compared to real actors it's quite shocking that in 2026 they still zoom on the lips, but there is no kissing at all. I would have been more content with it, when they did not zoom on lips or hid it completely as other show already did. They did not even manage a peck on the lips. Very disappointing.
At least we don't have cringe comedy but the script was nothing to write home about. If you have time you may watch it, it's not the worst, but if your time is limited, you can skip it and not miss anything.
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They Had a Story… Until They Forgot What It Was
I’m Still Trying to Figure Out What HappenedThe beginning had me hooked. It felt like there was a real story behind it, a clear direction, interesting characters, and you could feel that the writers had a plan. I remember thinking, “Okay, this could be really good.”
And then… somewhere along the way, they lost it.
I honestly don't know when it happened, but it felt like the writers slowly forgot what story they were telling. Every few episodes there was another secret, another identity, another problem, another plot twist. And instead of making the original story stronger, everything just became more and more messy.
It felt like they started with a concept they were genuinely excited about and then got bored halfway through.
It's like I can hear the production team say:
"This was supposed to be the story."
"Yeah, well... let's add this."
"And this?"
"Sure."
"Does it make sense?"
"Who cares, we need to finish." 😂😂😂
And the romance really didn't help.
I'm sorry, but the female lead and male lead had almost zero chemistry for me. She was so cold and expressionless most of the time that I kept wondering whether she was actually in love with him or simply following instructions.
She gave me serious “Step 1: stand here. Step 2: say this line. Step 3: look at him for three seconds. Step 4: leave.” energy.
I kept waiting for some real emotional connection between them.
Nothing.
I wanted to believe in their relationship, but I just couldn't feel it.
And then we got to the final episode.
Those last 11 minutes...
I'm sorry, but WHAT WAS THAT?
😂
They spent the whole drama building all these storylines and conflicts and then apparently remembered at the very last minute that they had to actually end the drama.
Eleven minutes.
They tried to resolve EVERYTHING in eleven minutes.
Everything suddenly happened so fast that I wasn't even emotionally involved anymore. I was just watching and thinking, “Are we seriously doing this?”
It was rushed, unbelievable and honestly a little insulting to the audience.
At that point I started wondering if the actors' managers and agencies actually read the whole script before agreeing to the drama.
Do they read the ending?
Do they know what happens?
Or do they just say, “The first few episodes look good, the cast is good, let's go!”?
Because I cannot imagine reading that final episode and thinking, “Yes, this is a satisfying conclusion.”
The sad thing is, I don't think this drama was hopeless.
That's what makes it frustrating.
There was something here.
The beginning proved it.
But somewhere along the way, it feels like they completely lost their original idea. They started with a concept, then wandered away from it, got lost somewhere in the middle, and eventually just wanted to get home.
By the end, I didn't even feel angry.
I was just disappointed.
That particular kind of disappointment where you sit through the final scene thinking:
“Oh… that’s it? Just two images of horseback riding in the desert and an open question from the ML: ‘Will you walk with me again?’ Seriously? That’s the ending???”
And then the credits roll and you're sitting there wondering why you invested all those hours.
I don't hate Royal Betrothal.
I just wish it had been the drama it seemed like it was going to be.
The beginning made me excited.
The middle made me confused.
The romance made me question my eyesight.
The last 11 minutes made me question reality.
I came for the story.
I stayed because I wanted to see how it would all come together.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, the story itself got lost.
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Unfortunately, the story was lacking in so many ways. It was short, with very little character development and almost no chemistry. I didn’t even understand how they fell in love or how they went from a hate-to-love relationship. It felt absurd. There was no build-up, no explanation, and everything felt so superficial.
That’s what disappointed me the most, because in the previous seasons, Yumi’s feelings and relationships felt so real and relatable, almost like real life rather than just a typical drama. That was what made the series exceptional in the first place. Even the ending felt rushed.
This season just felt like a casual, ordinary rom-com with nothing particularly special about it. Even the comedy was lacking, not just the romance.
As for the actors, Kim Go-eun was perfect as usual. The male lead was handsome, but I didn’t find him very convincing.
Overall, this was nothing like what I expected from the final season of Yumi’s Cells. However, if you’re looking for a fluffy, easy-to-watch rom-com that you won’t think about too much afterward, it’s not bad.
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All Style, No Substance — Even HMH Couldn't Save It
I'm sorry to the fans of Key to the Phoenix Heart, but I had to drop it at episode 4. I'm honestly surprised to see nothing but 10/10 ratings.The main cast is undeniably appealing, with HMH and Ai Mi, who, despite her young age, delivers a convincing performance. Personally, even though I was aware of the age gap of the two leads, it didn't bother me visually. I understand the controversy, but it seems to me that her age was taken into consideration by the production team, and there are no inappropriate scenes. From my perspective, that's what matters most.
- The visuals are clearly meant to look polished, but the pursuit of an overly perfect image comes at the expense of the cinematography.
- The biggest issue, though, is that the story fails to properly lay the groundwork needed to emotionally engage the viewer. The plot itself is simple, so the stakes are easy to understand, but there is absolutely no emotional depth, which makes those stakes feel superficial. Even when some scenes aim for a lighter tone, the result feels excessively theatrical, including during supposedly tense moments. Every problem is resolved far too quickly and easily, to the point where you start wondering why there was even a problem in the first place. There is a real issue with pacing and attention to detail. Even the sets feel like obvious studio sets, which only adds to the artificial, staged feeling.
- The lead actors undeniably have a strong screen presence, but the script is poor, and the performances of the other characters are extremely caricatured. I couldn't get into it despite my efforts.
I can understand that the story might simply be an excuse to watch HMH, but honestly, I don't buy any of it for a second.
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WHAT A ROLLER COASTER OF F*ING EMOTION
Simple Review from Me, im gonna split this into 3 segment Early, Middle, and lateEarly: Sweet Story of Boss kid (Khun Pleng) and Helper's Kid (Wan), Been together since kid doing everything Together, But then BANG!!! Father going bankrupt, BANG!!! Father commit Suicid*, BANG!!! Mother get Heart Attack, BANG!!! Mother Died because heart attack, BANG!!! the house got seized by the bank, and the Princess has Fallen.
Middle: After Khun Pleng became Poor Orphan, Run Away here and there, move here and There as a Commoner Failed Life, Failed LoveLife. After 13 Years Missing BANG!!! finally meet Wan at the Hospital (kinda Typical Drama), back together try to reminiscing the past, then BANG!!! turns our Wan already married, BANG!!! She Married EK, BANG!!! turns out they about to Divorce, after all that romantic scene they make at the Condo now i understand why the Series is called "Affair",
Late: Drama... Drama... Drama... going on everything already F**k up, then comes the birthday party, romantic scene then BANG!!! EK see them doing Erotic stuff on the Table, Girl change the F*ing Door Code its not gonna take 13 years just to change the code FFS, then BANG!!! EK try to shot himself like so much thing going on, then news about them go up, then BANG!!! Wan's mother says they are Siblings LIKE WTF, WE STILL NOT EVEN FINISH THINGKING ABOUT EK TRY TO SHOT HIMSELF, and then the first thing this 2 girl thinking was "ahh okay another drama, i need to run away for now, dont try to find me" like Bruhhh COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER WHY RUN AWAY IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN FIX THE PROBLEM, this time Wan is the one that run away, i'll be like "are you trying to take Revenge on Khun Pleng for leaving her for 13 years ? LIKE WTF" you already knew that you and Pleng is not Related then why run away and say please dont try to find me, WTF is going on with your head, i mean that DNA test was the answer you two searching for this problem. then while Run Away Wan try to make a tattoo, like WHY ???? then the tattoo is Gemini sign WHY ???, then She tried to go to the sea WHY???, then Pleng tried to saved her and turns out she is not trying to commit suicide she just try to wash away the pain and confusion, like girl i think the one that need to Wash away the confusion is US cause WTF IS GOIND ON WITH THE STORY, then they back together, then BANG!!! someone take a photo of them while kissing on the beach, then BANG!!! it going viral, then EK sacrifice him-self AGAIN, then Yada yada yada got married yada yada happy ever after.
Sonya As Khun Pleng:
Start as a Bitchy Rich Kid, that everything should go as her plan, then Became the most Pitiful creature on planet earth.
LM as Wanmima:
Start As a Cute girl that love and care so much of her boss, then Became the most F*cked-up person on the planet Earth, that Bra ???? c'mon girl you are rich enough to buy a new and better one but choose to use the one that Pleng give 13 years Ago ? WTF is wrong with your head
Story : Started Good 9/10, then its going down from 9... 8... 7... 6... Like the story started good but became weirder and weirder each episode
Romance/Erotic??? : started good teenage love, the meet up after 13 years its still good then it became like Forced Romance.
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For me the romance was the best I've seen in a while, it was a painful and yet breathtaking experience where you feel completely immersed in their love for each other and the soundtrack matches all the scenes and moods. My dearest is just unforgettable ❤️
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The Young Strangers (2024)
I love this movie. Such a beautiful narration of the story.Each character has a different perspective on life.
The way the story changes its flow and pace, how the movie portrays "death" as inevitable, and how each character's narration shows them desiring happiness, with each having their own life—even just for that time—it did impress me.
Ayato and his family, who struggle with their past while paying off the debt of his deceased father and caring for his mother, and how he acts whenever things go wrong, are so realistic, so raw yet powerful.
After what happened that night, each character was shown how they dealt with it and moved forward as life passed by.
This movie touched my heart.
I did cry many times.
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lost the plot midway ?
fun and silly and entertaining but the ai frog and the gangster father redemption plot midway through was so random. it was cute in the first 4 episodes and then it just seemed to drag on and stop making sensethe main leads are cute together but i wish that they had more development. their stories were pretty half-baked but i was at least interested in them as a couple. i wish they spent a little more time getting to know each other in casual ways throughout her amnesia—they really don’t even know each other very well before the end lol
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Unacceptable
It’s enjoyable and charming, and the love story is cute too, but the plot holes are excessive—unacceptable. Two good-looking, talented actors aren’t enough to save a poorly written story. It’s a real shame. Not to mention that the first two episodes are terrible. All the classic K-drama clichés are thrown in, crammed together without enough time to let them develop and work. The clichés I love have to be well-crafted; otherwise, it’s just sappy trash.Was this review helpful to you?
Aged poorly
[I acknowledge that BOF KR is an adaptation of ‘Hana Yori Dango’ japanese manga, and that some points mentioned in my review may not be issues with the writers or directors of the show, but rather elements that stayed true to the original manga]This show is unwatchable and it aged poorly. I loved it as a kid, and so I don’t remember it being this bad. I think this show could’ve thrived more in a melodrama genre because the rom-com wasn’t doing it justice…It is such a hard watch unless you have a fixation on this drama. It was beloved before and still now so I get how it’s some people’s guilty pleasure.
-The first 10 episodes were good and the main leads were more likable. Its just that as the show progressed @ 11 episodes onwards, the main leads lost their initial spark that they had. I no longer saw the potential for a decent enemies-lovers trope…and I started rooting instead for the second lead.
-I sat through the entire series gritting my teeth hoping that it was gonna get better and it would start picking up its pace…but no, it just got slower and slower and slower. They added all the cliches possible till to the last episode.
-The show ruined the second couple for me. I thought they were only the sane ones, but it was actually Song Woo Bin. The only reason he is, is because they did not gaf about giving him a story (did he have one in the manga? I wish he did)
-Stiff asf acting. They should have given the boys fake tears🤣 The sad scenes was so hard to watch and awkward. They were clenching their jaws and screaming without tears. Koo Hye Sun mastered it though😁
-This was 2009 and it was the Coachella back then. But guys, I’ve watched far better older shows compared to this😔😔 This is by far the worst kdrama I have ever watched
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Unique Story
It's indeed unique story that blends the culture.But maybe it's too unique, the bl part of it is being sub. Maybe because I'm still at earlier chapter? We'll see.
But it feels like straight story, just happens she got reincarnated to a he. Except the second couple.
For now all I can say, I can't find any good points other than it's being unique story.
***
Ep. 7 edit: the chemistry is more on second lead. While mls are kinda force? Or lacking?
***
Ep. 9 edit: I do understand why there's a community for this. But one of my most dislike in trope is damsel in distress. Knowing the series is named after Khemjira, most of the time he's just helpless. He needs everyone's help just to survive. He just uses his looks and being "kind" To bring supports.
Another edit: yeah don't like the character of Khemjira. He is self absorbs. He abandons the Master, because of supposed guilt and doing "what's right". When in truth he only do whatever he wants.
The side characters, are much better.
If you make the characters the story name place holder at least make it likeable.
***
Ep 12 edit: gotta say Ramphueng story is the most important here. And ChamJet. Like they're truly the main characters. Give Ramphueng and his son a happy ending (crying).
***
End: every characters are good except for the title holder himself Khemjira. The way his character is written as so helpless, and self absorbed.
Additional note, they should show Cham and Jett wedding, as that one is like their delay on previous lives. They should be the one marrying firsts. But no, they give in again to Khemjira. It's like the main character syndrome. Nothing can be done bad. Everything is for you. Production focuses so much on Khemjira, that everything else is after thought, which is the thing that irritates me cos other characters build is good... and product placement.
Still gonna say Ramphueng is the main character here.
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3 O’Clock Snack
Kanbe Misa has spent most of her life playing the understudy in her own story. She puts everyone else first, trusts the wrong people, and keeps choosing kindness even when life gives her every reason not to. Then, in 2025, she discovers that her husband, Hirano Tomoya, is cheating on her with her so-called best friend, Esaka Reina. Before she can even process the betrayal, she is murdered by the very people she trusted. What makes the scene especially disturbing is that they actually have a moment when they could stop. They could rethink it. They do not and so Misa dies.The opening immediately sets the tone for what kind of adaptation this is. Like the Korean version, Marry My Husband begins with Misa's miserable first life before sending her ten years into the past. But while the Korean drama went for explosive emotions and high-octane thrills, the Japanese version feels much quieter, more cinematic, and almost psychotic in its restraint. I personally preferred Park Min Young's portrayal of Kang Ji Won during the original's opening because the anger and rage came through so strongly. Here, Koshiba Fuka's Misa feels more stunned by the sheer absurdity of what happened, especially when she realizes the insurance money is part of the plan. Somehow, that makes the whole thing feel even more unsettling.
One of my favorite transitions comes when Misa falls to her death and an orange falls at almost the same time, as though someone witnessing the scene was startled enough to drop it. Then Misa wakes up in 2015, with an orange sitting beside her. Having watched the Korean version first, I immediately understood what the scene was doing, but I still loved the visual storytelling. It is such a simple detail, yet it connects her death and rebirth, as well as who has always been there, without needing a single line of exposition. And from there, Misa gets what every wronged protagonist dreams of: a second chance. Except this time, she is not planning to be the nice girl who sacrifices herself for everyone else.
The core story and most of the major events remain very similar to the Korean version, but the differences become much more interesting when it comes to the characters. Misa gradually grew on me. She may not have left the same immediate impression as Park Min Young's Kang Ji Won, but I really appreciated how determined she was. She is not a love fool, she does not suddenly forget her plans because a handsome man walks into her life, and she does not spend her second chance waiting for someone else to save her. She knows what she wants and, for the most part, gets to work herself.
That said, Misa has one habit that nearly sent me into another dimension: she says her thoughts out loud. There were moments when I was practically hiding behind my screen from secondhand embarrassment. It is funny because she is otherwise so composed and calculating, only to suddenly verbalize her entire thoughts. It did make her feel oddly endearing, though, and perhaps that is part of why she became more lovable as the story progressed.
Then there is Suzuki Wataru, and honestly, this is where the Japanese version won me over. Satoh Takeru's Wataru is simply excellent. Compared to Na In Woo's Yoo Ji Hyeok, Wataru feels quieter, more natural, and more like an actual person rather than a perfectly engineered male lead. His charisma does not come from dramatic declarations or grand gestures. It comes from the way he listens, observes, and quietly shows up. The drama also takes the time to explore his own story, giving him an identity beyond simply being Misa's second-chance love interest.
And I definitely preferred the chemistry between Misa and Wataru here. The Korean version has that polished, romantic-drama chemistry, complete with love bombing and dramatic directing. The Japanese version feels much more natural. There are no fireworks every time they look at each other. No constant "I would do anything for you" energy. Instead, their relationship develops through small moments, hesitation, trust, and mutual understanding. It feels less like watching two characters fall madly in love because the script says so and more like watching two adults slowly realize that they have found someone they can rely on.
What I appreciate most is that Wataru never becomes Misa's shortcut to changing her fate. Misa still carries out her plans herself. Wataru is there to support and protect her if she falls, not to do all the heavy lifting for her. Even better, both of them are careful about confirming their relationship and feelings before they have actually come close to changing their respective fates. There is something satisfying about that restraint. Their romance does not distract from Misa's journey of taking control of her own life. If anything, it complements it.
The antagonists are another area where the Japanese version feels noticeably different. Esaka Reina is particularly fascinating because she is not simply a Japanese copy of Jung Su Min. Both occupy the toxic best friend role, but they are toxic in very different flavors. Su Min is the kind of toxic best friend who hides the poison under sweetness. Reina wears the poison on her face. You can practically smell the toxicity coming from her.
Reina is more complicated and, in some ways, more disturbing. I was genuinely surprised when she noticed Misa and Wataru becoming close and decided to go after Wataru herself. It made me feel that Reina's obsession is less about controlling Misa and more about beating her. Su Min's fixation was largely about Park Min Hwan and making sure Ji Won remained isolated and dependent on her. Reina feels more like someone who cannot stand the idea of Misa having something she does not. She wants to one-up her. Shiraishi Sei plays that instability well, especially if the transparency of Reina's emotions was intentional. Either way, she manages to make Reina feel openly toxic, disturbed, and difficult to look away from.
Hirano Tomoya, meanwhile, is almost impressive in how pathetic he is. Yokoyama Yu portrays him with such cluelessness and spinelessness that I found myself looking down on him almost immediately. Park Min Hwan in the Korean version has a sly, almost comedic stupidity to him. Tomoya feels more naive, easily influenced, and completely incapable of standing on his own two feet. He is the kind of man who makes you wonder how someone could possibly reach adulthood and still function like this.
Where this adaptation truly shines, though, is in its visual language. I loved the quiet and muted atmosphere. The color grading is easy on the eyes, the compositions are beautiful, and the camera work rarely feels like it is trying too hard to announce how beautiful a scene is. The directing has a very grounded quality to it. Even when something dramatic happens, the drama often lets the characters react like actual human beings instead of relying on exaggerated expressions, sound effects, or visual gimmicks.
There are so many small production choices that I appreciated. I loved how the sky gradually becomes darker when characters spend a long time in one scene, subtly reflecting the passage of time. I loved how surprise is often shown through genuine facial reactions rather than dramatic effects. The scenery of Japan adds another layer of comfort, while the food shots bring their own subtle flavor to the story. Pun absolutely intended. The result is a drama that feels cozy even when the plot itself is anything but cozy.
The OST was also a pleasant surprise. I kept recognizing Korean voices, only to discover that the drama's Korean and Japanese production collaboration extends into its music as well. While I would not say that any particular song stayed with me after finishing the drama, the OST did its job well. It enhanced the scenes without constantly demanding attention.
Then the ending arrives and suddenly the drama changes costumes. What began as a quiet revenge story with cozy suspense gradually turns into something closer to a psychotic crime thriller. Normally, this is the sort of genre shift that could have made me nitpick the entire ending. Surprisingly, I did not mind it as much as I expected. The directing maintained that same grounded, almost cozy quality even while everything around the characters descended into chaos. That consistency helped the final stretch feel more believable within the world the drama had established.
I especially liked how the ending brought the taxi detail back. It is a small thing, but I always appreciate when a drama remembers its own visual breadcrumbs instead of throwing them away after they have served their initial purpose. The ending also gives closure to the major characters, and more importantly, brings everything back to one of the story's central ideas: your life is yours to live. Misa's second chance is not simply about making her enemies suffer. It is about finally understanding that she does not have to keep living according to everyone else's expectations.
In the end, I enjoyed this version about as much as I enjoyed the Korean one, perhaps even a little more. The Korean drama still has the advantage when it comes to explosive emotions and that addictive, larger-than-life melodrama energy. But the Japanese version won me over with its natural chemistry, restrained directing, beautiful visuals, and quieter approach to storytelling. It feels less interested in shouting that a moment is important and more interested in letting the moment speak for itself.
Marry My Husband ended up being a surprisingly good gateway into Japanese dramas for me. It took a story I already knew and gave it a different texture, like hearing the same song performed acoustically after being used to the full studio version. The melody is familiar, but suddenly you notice different things. And after finishing this, I definitely want to see what other Japanese dramas have to offer.
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This Review Contains Spoilers!!!
Now that i read the comment sections of this drama and some of the reviews and there are some things i disagree with which is why i am writing a review. This is a review for the people who have watched this drama. If you haven't, and are thinking to watch it or not then i strongly recommend to watch it. Its is just 15 episodes, it will be over in 2 days and also after the first 3 episodes the drama will hook you up.Now comes the spoilers part!!!
People think these are plot holes or convenient writing to progress the story but i disagree. Here's why:
1. Many people disagree with the ending or maybe specifically the reason why the dead girl (Wang Meng Meng) wanted to just get out from the bus instead of making a ruckus over the pervert but as we know she was timid and shy. Maybe she just wanted to get/run away from the situation or save her reputation. I am not saying it is a good choice but many people do that when they are presented in a uncomfortable situation they just pretend so that the situation can pass.
2. Also many people say that why was the bus driver was wrongfully implicated which i disagree because according to the drama the bus drivers are not allowed to stop in middle of the road and open the doors. Also who the fuck stops the bus in the middle lane of a three way highway in the middle of the bridge to get a girl go. Bro could have parked in the right lane. In most of the bridges people could walk there entire way through foot on the right pedestrian path too.
3. People say that the criminal (pervert) got away with it easily rather than the parents of dead girl going to prison for terrorism and mass murder attempt probably has a higher jail time than sexual harassment. I don't think so because for unwanted sexual touching and groping offenses in China "Crime of Forcible Indecency" (Article 237). The fixed-term imprisonment is 5 years. And we don't know if Wang Meng Meng was a minor or not so it can be more than 5 years. Also at the end of EP 15 there is a scene where the father of Wang Meng Meng , Wang Xing De identifies the pervert in the jail and stares at him. So, i don't think he is coming out of jail alive.
4. Some don't understand the characters: the FL has more emotional intelligence and thinks with the heart we got to know that in one of the loops where she just tried to convince Wang Xing De why he betrays her. And it doesn't work. And the ML is the rational / logical body of the entire operation. This makes the drama and the chemistry between the leads more interesting.
5. Some argue that there are too many repetitions maybe of police station inquiry that it became boring. I don't think that way, the police station is the only place where they can do confidential information gathering and that can only be possible if they get in as a suspect not as a witness. Remember they will go back to the loop, if they sleep, in the bus and have 20 mins to stop a bomb blast. In the starting however, they did it unintentionally and in the latter half of the series they did it intentionally. Also this is a time loop drama how did you think it will turn out to be? Also one of the rare dramas where the police is not corrupt.
6. One of the reviewers says that there is no reason explaining why they are in stuck in a time loop?
Now there is not a concrete reason behind this by the original creator (Qi Dao Jun) but we can interpret.
Let me explain: One of the reviewers noticed that Wang Meng Meng and the FL are almost identical
i. they are wearing blue tops/outfits
ii. have almost identical if not the same bag with the same keychains and pins (can be verified in EP 15)
iii.. they both go to the same college / University
iv. and they have the same Teacher Wu
My interpretation is that the soul of Wang Meng Meng wanted to prevent the tragedy , save her parents and punish the pervert makes the FL the center of time loop. She wanted the FL to do it alone. But in one of the loops the FL blames the ML to be a pervert and the ML also enters the time loop not because the FL saves the ML from explosion but that was a clue given by Wang Meng Meng to FL that what her (Wang Meng Meng) story was about? This was also the reason why Lu Di did not enter the time loop.
7. Now there is one question that why was the ML growing weaker with each loop? And why was he okay in the last loop where i felt that he will die in EP 15?
According to my theory above the reason is that he wasn't the original choice for the time loop by Wang Meng Meng , the FL (Li Shi Qing) was, and she being a ghost could not afford two people going through time loop. He was literally dragged of by the FL altering his fate to die in an explosion. That may be why his body was growing weaker with each loop.
As for why did he recover in the final loop where he was about to die may be due to this being the last loop or maybe because Wang Meng Meng didn't want a sad ending to her story like us (I also didn't want a sad ending).
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