Reviews

Ending

I keep saying that these writers don't know how to end a drama. I'm tired of the nonsense endings. I enjoyed this drama tremendously. Story was good, acting great. It could have easily given a ten, but I got the type of ending I hate. How could such a good drama be written and then you are left bewildered trying to figure out the ending. I literally hung on to the very end, fingers crossed, hoping that he shows up. So disappointed in the ending. But I would rewatch but only up to half way in the final episode. I was chanting, strong ending, strong ending but...... And I would recommend.

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A great binge-watch with a MAJOR caveat

Alt title: Getting Away with 10 Years of Destructive Manipulation.
For the majority of the show, it is a fun watch with surprisingly good production value for a short drama. It’s filled with the expected tropes, but the actors are delightful to watch and it’s an easy weekend binge show. ***However*** Warning if you can’t stand a villain parent getting away with their evil. We see the FL in FULL Stockholm syndrome, even comforting her MIL when the ML finds out how she is the reason for them being apart for a decade. Episode 23 had me fully yelling at the TV. I completely lost all respect for the FL there and honestly just wanted him to tell her to get lost. The MIL telling the FL to just “consider these ten years as a test of your love.” Seriously?? She admits that she was abandoned and thus decided that all men were evil, including her own son, so she essentially broke them up to “save” the FL. Another character makes the comment, “She actually did all that? Well, she had her reasons.” Huh?? And now that she has cancer, she also demands forgiveness and again asks the FL to keep this secret from the ML.

It probably seems odd that after all that I would compliment the show, but up until that episode, honestly the 2 leads are great, and their chemistry and characters are fun to watch. The villains have minimal screen time and (apart from mama evil) are not that upsetting to watch. The music is remarkably good for a short drama- I honestly think the production value is better than many full-length rom-coms I’ve seen. Finally, lots of folks have noted that it’s not really unrequited love- I think the idea is that the ML *thinks* it is unrequited, until he unravels all of his mother’s manipulations and realizes the FL has loved him and never been with anyone else the whole time.

Full disclosure – Ep 23 kind of killed the momentum for me, so I scrubbed through the last episode for the first time with any drama I’ve ever watched. It was fine since it mostly wrapped up the mother and ex-girlfriend’s stories. If you’re a pretty forgiving person and you like the reunion of lost loves / wealthy parents intervening in their kids’ relationships tropes, then you’d probably like this show. Or if you like to hate-watch evil parents, then get excited for Episode 23. Enjoy!

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who actually survived

the movie was really beautiful the story starts out soft and eventually builds up into complexities, pay attention or else you'll lose sight of what matters, the relationship between the twin was bitter sweet, sort of sad and laced with envy and obscurity. somewhere down the line you wonder what does identity mean, is a person's personality all that there is to them? do we love a person because of who they are or what they mean to us? what does it mean when we say we love someone? it's not entirely a love story neither is it one that can happen anywhere as stated by the director in literal sense but the figurative meaning hidden in each actions and words can Indeed happen anywhere.

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Poderia ter sido incrível. Não foi...

Poderia ter sido incrível. Não foi, mas ainda assim é adorável.

Apesar de ser um emaranhado de clichês típicos dos dramas da época, a história tem seu toque de originalidade ao acompanhar Jin Pal Kang: uma garota fútil e irresponsável que, após a morte dos pais, precisa cuidar de cinco irmãos mais novos e acaba trabalhando como empregada doméstica na casa de um advogado rico e arrogante.

O amadurecimento dela, que subitamente deixa de ser apenas irmã mais velha para se tornar uma mãe, é um dos pontos mais emocionantes do drama, junto com a dinâmica do núcleo infantil. Todas as crianças são carismáticas e garantem os momentos mais tocantes da trama.

Também foi interessante ver o desenvolvimento do casal principal. Won Kang Ha, um homem frio e traumatizado, cresce cercado por barreiras emocionais e só tem estima pelo irmão mais novo, Jun Ha. Justamente por isso, é cômico e reconfortante ver essa armadura se quebrar aos poucos pela convivência com as crianças e pelo jeito batalhador da protagonista.

O problema é que, depois de uma primeira metade divertida e envolvente, o drama se perde e estica situações até ficarem cansativas, dá mais espaço a personagens secundários do que ao casal principal e aposta em triângulos/quadrados amorosos desnecessários.

O protagonista vira alvo de assédio constante de Jae Young, que não chega a ser vilã, apenas uma inconveniência interminável. Já a protagonista passa a sofrer perseguições tanto do sobrinho de Kang Ha – investidas que perdem o humor ao longo do tempo e se tornam desconfortáveis – quanto do próprio "cunhado", Jun Ha.

Jun Ha foi, inclusive, minha maior decepção. Apresentado a princípio como honesto e gentil, se transforma em alguém dúbio e mesquinho em decorrência do amor unilateral que sentia por Jae Young, passando a perseguir a protagonista Pal Kang, que só está tentando sobreviver a todo custo, e tentando "roubá-la" do irmão.

Com o tempo, ele supostamente passa a ter sentimentos genuínos por Pal Kang, mas tal mudança é mal delineada e nunca fica claro em que momento deixou Jae Young de lado para se apaixonar de fato pela protagonista.

Quanto a Jae Young, tinha potencial, mas foi uma personagem desperdiçada durante 17 longos episódios, reduzida a uma mulher sem amor próprio e obcecada pelo protagonista. Sua redenção surge de forma súbita, claramente por pressa de encerrar a história, quando poderia ter sido uma personagem muito mais digna de empatia.

Na reta final, ainda incomoda a escolha de colocar os protagonistas num “voto de pobreza”, mesmo com sete bocas para alimentar. Pequenos absurdos de roteiro que comprometem, mas não apagam totalmente a doçura do drama.

Também houveram outras narrativas que não me convenceram, como o protagonista aceitar se envolver em um casamento com Jae Young, alguém que ele claramente despreza, apenas para esconder do próprio irmão que eles são filhos de mães diferentes.

Com base em tudo isso, acredito que Stars Falling from the Sky tinha potencial para ser memorável, mas foi mal aproveitado. Pode agradar quem gosta de clichês datados e busca algo leve, ainda que frustrante.

Mesmo assim, não deixa de ser um drama familiar divertido e emocionante, capaz de aquecer o coração mesmo com todas as falhas.

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Big Feels, Bigger Twists (Freaks Shouldn't Have Power)

It's honestly fascinating that in today's world, with everything going on, we got a kdrama like Tempest, one that basically shows how dangerous it is when “freaks” hold power. For me, the drama often felt like a mirror of our own reality, highlighting just how destructive it can be when weapons fall into the wrong hands.

The plot was strong. The pacing? Yeah, sometimes a little slow, but never to the point of being boring, EVERY single episode left me wanting to click next. Jun Ji Hyun has mentioned she's always admired Kang Dong Won, so I can only imagine what a dream it was for her to act alongside him in something this good. Their chemistry was flawless, and honestly, they need to team up again. The entire cast delivered too; no character felt wasted, whether they had a big role or a small one.

Seo Mun Ju was such a competent character in everything she set out to do, even in her own suffering. Strong, sharp, and straightforward, Jun Ji Hyun played her with so much grace and nuance. At times, I almost believed she really could bring world peace. Baek San Ho, meanwhile, was absolutely fascinating (Calm down, I love Seo Mun Ju as much him loves her): layered, complex, and unwavering in his devotion to Seo Mun Ju. His final scene with Madam President only deepened that complexity.

Political storyline >> Aside from a couple of generalizations, I thought the political side of the story was really good. And honestly, just look at the news around us, and you'll get exactly where the characters' motivations came from.

Romance >> The drama never promised romance, but somehow it delivered. The moments were short, yes, but full of meaning and chemistry. Definitely unexpected, but definitely WORTH IT.

The Finale >> I wasn't disappointed at all. For weeks I'd been convinced the drama would keep us on edge, making us believe until the very last second that our anti-hero, Baek San Ho, was doomed to die. But he didn't, that open door on the ship basically screamed that he was still alive. His final moment, alone in the desert, looking at Polaris while burying Seo Mun Ju's necklace where he always dreamed of taking her, was deeply symbolic. To me, it was him putting his own happiness to rest (or keeping it safe) while letting her move forward. Realistically, their romance could never work with him alive beside her while she's running for president and fighting for peace. And he knew that. So he sacrificed it (I'm guessing here).

Conclusion >> I really think Tempest was a unique kdrama, with great acting, powerful scenes, and a storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat every single week. Loved it.

90/100

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Surprisingly Entertaining

Adaptation: As someone who read the wattpad story, the drama was a very close to the book. They did change some topics/words that would have been inappropriate in today's times but overall it still kept to the story (which I like, I hate when shows steer too far from the original plotline).

Plotline: Bc I read the story, I wasn't surprised on how some people reacted to the characters' personalities cause .. same. I'm still team tripp, but after watching Drake's POVs at the end of each ep.. it ALMOST made me jump ship. Heavy on the almost. But plotline is very onpoint with the coming of age genre and teenage puppy love. We were all stupid teenagers in love at one point lol

Acting: This is my first watching any of the actors and I was very pleased esp with the FL. I was shocked to discover this was her first lead role (besides the web series?)! Her micro expressions were very on point, but the one thing I would fault is the heavy emotional scenes for her. She did fine, but there's always room for improvement. Overall, she still exceeded my expectations as her first lead role. As for the ML, I feel like because all his lines were in english it felt a little lacking. But taking in consideration that English is probably not his first language, he still did great as Drake. His eyes are intense, which apparently is what he is known for. SML.. damn, he's so good looking. On top of his looks, I enjoyed his acting too. Same for the rest of the cast.

Chemistry: I felt like everyone meshed well. The chemistry was there, at first I was meh about the main leads but towards the middle to end, I could see that they got more comfortable with acting with each other. Maybe bc I'm Tripp bias, I do enjoy her scenes with Tripp more.

Music: It's cute. But if I have to hear sugar sugar one more time... I'm going to rip my hair out LOL

Overall, I enjoyed it. The acting wasn't as cringe as a lot of other pinoy dramas I have watched, but there were still a little bit of secondhand embarrassment. I'm just going to take it for what it is because I would have ATE this up as a teenager. 8/10

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An epic story of heroes in the wuxia world where rightenousness, justice, and chivalry reign

This was a highly anticipated drama with a spin on the regular wuxia, coming of age story. It was about the journey of growth, heroism, and friendship while ultimately saving the world from utter chaos and destruction. It also had an interesting twist, using the element of isekai (transported to another world) and connecting strands of modern life issues into the martial arts world through the character, Xiao Qiushui, or known as Xiao Mingming in modern day world.

I won't give away too many other details, but overall, it has all of the classic elements within these types of story: family, friendship, brotherhood, and rivalries. It contained gripping, thrilling fight scenes with breathtaking choreography. Many of the memorable scenes were the fight scenes that I can still remember with vivid excitement. There is one in particular that I very much enjoyed and rewatched again, which happens approximately more than halfway through. (Hint: It's shown in the opening.)

The acting and the comedy is a great plus. Some of the fourth wall jokes about elements within hero stories had me laughing. Furthermore, the actors were able to pull in at the viewers' heartstrings when moments of immense intensity exploded forth onto the screen. This made the characters likeable and fun to watch.

I also commend the drama for being ambitious with the various ideas and strands of intriguing subplots that pulled in my curiosity. However, unfortunately, I think that was also one of its downfalls. I think within the 40 episode length, not all of the subplots and relationships could fully flourish and develop, which I think is a shame because it had potential to be even better.

That being said, there were some scenes that dragged on a bit long and parts in the story that slowed the series to a lull. Also, at times, the pacing felt off. Towards the later half (especially towards the end of the series), it felt somewhat rushed and abrupt. It's a bit sad since I think the drama had a cool premise.

Overall, I like the drama for the action scenes, the comedy, the acting, and the characters. The story and pacing left something to be desired. For me, the fight scenes made up for it, and I'm a sucker for a hero who finds his purpose and meaning in life while uploading the righteousness of the martial arts world.

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Open Ending Ruined It

The drama was gripping and powerful up to a certain point. It then devolved from a romantic political thriller to a personal family drama. Everything was turned into confusion when a minor character in the drama, who was just lurking in the background was suddenly thrown into the limelight The drama should have centred around Sanho and Munjo and their quest to find out who killed her husband, the governments involved with the existence of the submarine and the people behind it all. There were so many holes in the story. Why did Stella kill her son, turned him into a spy and blamed Munjo for killing him? It does not make sense if her purpose was to be hailed as the most powerful woman in the world. She already had the people and resources to go through with her plans without involving her family.

I was more invested on Munjo and Sanho rather than some uninteresting, banal character. The writer should have capitalized on the captivating couple and their explosive chemistry and gave us a great romance with an equally explosive happy ending. Instead, I was treated to a repeat scene of Sanho diffusing a bomb in the train to Sanho diffusing a bomb in the boat. For crying out loud, this was supposed to be a romance; I should have at least been treated to a happy ending like them honeymooning in the Gobi dessert.

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Ep 8 review - I HAVE a lot to say ?️

I don’t usually write reviews, but I think I’ll start now- please be kind, it’s my first one. This episode left me absolutely speechless. First off, even with its nearly two-hour runtime, the pacing never dragged. The story flowed beautifully, and the way it was delivered kept me hooked the entire time.

- KengNamping NC Scene
This has officially become my favorite DMD nc scene ever (and perhaps even one of my all-time favorites). I felt every single emotion. Seeing P’Peem completely naked felt like the ultimate act of vulnerability: as though he were saying, “I am giving myself to you without any mask or veil, both physically and emotionally.” What we witnessed was a man who had been holding himself back for years finally allowing release (again: both literal and symbolic).
The acting was extraordinary. The performances were so convincing that I almost felt like an intruder, a third wheel in their intimacy, yet I couldn’t look away. The framing and composition of each shot mesmerized me; every detail carried weight, every angle intentional.
From Khemjira’s perspective, there was a palpable mix of excitement and apprehension, as this was his first real experience with physical intimacy. His character has longed to be “normal,” but has carried the weight of the curse his entire life, leaving little to no room for romance, even if he longed for it. What this scene captured was two people experiencing different kinds of “firsts,” both stripping themselves bare of everything that shielded them in their own ways.
And the sound design? Brilliant. I deeply appreciated that the sequence was underscored by a delicate, almost ethereal score that set the emotional, reflective tone. At selected moments, the faint, distant sounds of breath (mostly from Peem) were woven in just enough to remind us of the raw, human carnal passion beneath it all. Yet these physical expressions were deliberately subdued, reinforcing that the scene’s true core was emotional intimacy. It was the peak of closeness: two individuals merging into one presence, even without going all the way.

- Direction
I have to praise the director. Every detail, every frame, feels so intentional. The way the story is visually told with the gazes, the pauses, the framing, never fails to amaze me. Every little detail is thought before hand, everything has a reason to be somewhere specific.

- Storylines
I really appreciated finally getting some backstory on Rampueng’s vengeful feelings. I suspect she’s behind Yai Si’s illness, though I’m not entirely sure yet. I love how this central plot remains consistently present, while still balanced against the romantic arcs and nuanced character development.

- Charn and Jet
Their relationship unfolds in such a different way than Peem and Khem’s. They first surrender to passion, acknowledge their feelings but then take a step back, deciding to build something carefully, with all the uncertainty that entails. I love the contrast with PK's relationship building as it makes each story feel unique.

- Phor Kru / Peem’s Arc
I don’t think Peem’s confession and openness came too quickly at all. If anything, it felt like the natural breaking point after years of holding everything in. When he asks Khem to call him just P/Peem it’s clear he’s tired of the constant restraint that comes with being Phor Kru. He just wants to exist as himself for Khem, yes, but also for his own peace. That hit me hard, his yearning to shed the constant control demanded by his role. For once, he can exist freel, not as a 'spiritual-teacher' (wouldn't really know how else to describe it lol) bound by duty, but as himself. This moment of liberation felt essential both for his relationship and his own self-acceptance. (And side note: the haircut this episode? Perfection. I couldn't stop screaming everytime he was on screen- And major points to DMD for finally giving us realistic tattoos!)

- Acting
Namping absolutely floored me. The way he cries is just beautiful, it feels so genuine. And I especially admired how well he played a character who’s bad at lying. That’s harder than it looks, because you have to “act badly” on purpose, while still keeping it believable. He delivered it flawlessly.

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Don't expect any cute moments nor just love in this movie.

I just don't know what to say about this movie I couldn't watch the whole movie so I just skipped to the end of the movie. I'm so shocked because I thought we wouldn't see real porn in this movie I was expecting something else but I got disappointed.
The acting in this movie sucks and the mains don't have any sparks nor the love because that love was just sex and then out of nowhere the "lonely guy" was in the relationship or it was his ex I couldn't know it. Then the man from the start just go around the city just trying to find "love" and later he just goes and make out with random people. And the start was shocked too.
And the end what the heck was that he comes back because he realize that the "lonely guy" was the one he was looking for meaning he found love and he really though that he would still be there.. I am not sad about the sad ending I am more mad that I watched this movie I never in fact gave this low rating but believe me don't waste your time if you're not into watching 2 hours of porn.

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Stirring Souls: The Struggle Behind Every Dish

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

This year, I’ve found myself watching quite a few food dramas, from Tastefully Yours to Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (many more). Both were enjoyable in their own way, but they didn’t really stay with me. Then came La Grande Maison Tokyo, and suddenly I was reminded of the excitement I once felt watching Food Wars! anime, that feeling that food can be more than just nutrition; it can be art, passion, and even redemption.

For someone who doesn’t eat much in real life, I was surprised by how interested this drama made me, not just in food, but in dreams and determination too

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗲𝗱, 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁, 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻:

At the heart of the story is Obana Natsuki (Takuya Kimura), once the pride of French cooking in Paris, now disgraced as the “Shame of Japan” after a diplomatic accident. Arrogant, obsessive, and hard to like, Obana is not the usual hero. And yet, it’s exactly his flaws that make his comeback so interesting. Watching him recover from rock bottom, one plate at a time, is both frustrating and inspiring.

Beside him stands Rinko Hayami (Kyoka Suzuki), a lively chef in her fifties who dreams of one day creating a three Michelin star restaurant. At first, she is full of doubts, unsure of her talent or place in such a competitive world. But through her persistence and her bond with the team, she grows, showing that determination is as important as skill. Her journey will connect with anyone who has ever doubted themselves, only to discover their strength by trying.

The supporting cast is a colorful mix of personalities:

Kyono Rikutaro (Sawamura Ikki): weighed down by debt and past betrayal, whose return to Obana’s side shows forgiveness and courage.

Hirako Shohei (Tamamori Yuta): young but layered, with enough presence to start his own spin-off (Gura Gura Maison Tokyo).

Chef Tango (Onoe Kikunosuke V): a rival chef whose story moves from morally unclear to surprisingly honest.

Linda Machiko Richard (Tominaga Ai): the lively Marie Claire Dining editor whose taste and decisions influence the story.

What stood out most is that no character is one-sided. Even rivals and enemies have believable reasons. Eto, the rival restaurant owner, is harsh, but his behavior comes from the tough survival rules of high-class cooking. This makes the drama feel real and believable.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 & 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁:

This series isn’t just about chasing Michelin stars, it’s about second chances, teamwork, and the courage to dream again.

Redemption: Obana’s journey from scandal to understanding shows that failure can either break us or reshape us.

Teamwork: Kitchens are like battlefields. Without trust, no dish, no matter how perfect, will ever shine.

Dreams: The phrase “Catch your own star” feels personal. Whether it’s food, art, or life, we all have a star worth chasing, even if the world thinks we can’t.

Watching Rinko’s growth especially gave me courage. Her story reminded me that doubt doesn’t have to define us and that belief in ourselves often comes from being supported by others.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁:

The production is, honestly, Michelin star quality itself:

Authenticity: Filmed at real Michelin starred places like L’Ambroisie in Paris and Quintessence in Tokyo, the series never feels fake. Working with real chefs makes every cooking scene amazing.

Cinematography: Each dish is like a painting, every angle makes you taste it with your eyes.

Music: Hideakira Kimura’s music, combined with Tatsuro Yamashita’s theme song RECIPE, adds elegance to every scene.

Obana returning to the stove after years away, carrying knives like a cranky Mary Poppins, was unforgettable.
The intense rivalries with Gaku restaurant added spice and souper levels of tension.

Friendships built over food showed that time really can heal old wounds.
And while romance slowly built in the background, the main love story was between the chefs and their craft.

𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

As someone who doesn’t eat much, I wasn’t expecting to be so emotionally moved by this show. The food was beautiful, yes, but the real nourishment came from the characters’ struggles and achievements.
It reminded me why I love food stories because food is memory, forgiveness, and connection. Watching the Grand Maison Tokyo team reminded me that success is never achieved alone; it is always a shared effort.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
La Grande Maison Tokyo is more than just a food drama. It’s an emotional symphony of passion, pride, and determination, served with both elegance and intensity. If Michelin rated TV shows, this one would be worth a special journey, if not a long journey.
Like a fine meal, it left me full, inspired, and quietly moved.

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AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL

I can't believe Chinese KDrama fans have been complaining about 1 line in the series. The whole series, which Thank God is only 9 episodes, sucks. Maybe Jun Ji Hyun & Kang Dong Won should have been less concerned with billing & screentime, & more interested in the quality of the script & depth of the characters. This comes across like a Young Adult novel where our protagonists are out to save the world - but without likeable characters or plausible behaviour. Jun Ji Hyun, in as much as she has been one of my favourite actresses, is simply miscast in the role. She just looks rather dumb on screen most of the time. The times when the ML & FL chose to have heart-to-heart conversations is not to be believed. Huge plot holes. And the only thing the baddy turned out to NOT be was God. Kang Dong Won is obviously a brilliant actor, but in the storyline, this brilliant survivalist seems to miss the most obvious details. The only thing to be grateful about in this production is that we aren't subject to the characters dining in American sandwich & pizza franchises. Fortunately, it is highly unlikely there will be a Season 2, as there reportedly was considerable tension between the 2 stars on the set. Also poor editing & continuity. Reportedly Kang Dong Won's Agency invested financially in the production.

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Park Eun-Bin Shines Again in Castaway Diva

Castaway Diva was such a refreshing drama! The cast was amazing, and the chemistry between them felt so natural. It was truly beyond expectations—each episode was enjoyable without any unnecessary drama or cringeworthy moments. I especially loved the part where the main lead tried to disappear but was found within hours—it showed such realism.

The way pure, innocent love was portrayed in this drama was beautiful. The main lead’s genuine intentions and unwavering care for her were exceptional—I think anyone would wish for that kind of love. I also appreciated that the brother didn’t create any jealousy or unnecessary conflict, and how the drama highlighted that love from a stepfather can be just as strong as that of a biological parent.

Overall, this drama was perfect. I’m still listening to the soundtrack, and once again, Park Eun-Bin proved what an incredible actress she is.

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