Reviews

I was really, really loving this show...

If there is something that I've been loving is slow dramas. Chinese dramas are particularly good at this, but Korean dramas also come up with some masterpieces from time to time. "When the Weather is Fine" is a warm, peaceful and cozy k-drama that makes you comfortable when the rain is pouring outside.

I loved the calmness but troubled and anxious male lead. Actions do indeed speak louder than words and I fell in love with his character, so much that it has marked my k-drama path. He is quiet in words but loud in thoughts at the same time. He is simple but also complex, with so much love to give and anxious about receiving said love back.

I was loving this drama until the 14th episode, and admittedly my rating went from a 10 to a 7. Up until the *9th episode*, I was giggling at the main couple, it gave me so much warmth and coziness that is missing in today's dramas, but after the revelation of the true killer of the FL's father, the show went downhill for me. I didn't like how the writer's failed to show that the true villain of the story is her dad and not her aunt (or even mother). Hae-won's reaction was unsympathetic and unjust, and I get that she has been lied by her family but the fact that she still defended her father after knowing her mother suffered from domestic violence is beyond me.

As the user @Ellie commented in their review: "I feel like the show gives the abuser (a sort of) free pass, trying to present him as a ‘good’ father and socially likable. (...) I needed a scene where he was vocally called out and branded as he was – a manipulator and an abuser, that scene never happened.(...) Society plays a crucial role (along with the law system) in situations like these. Women should be able to speak up and be heard, not blamed. Society as a whole needs to open the topic of domestic abuse and not bury its head in the sand".

K-dramas have this habit of starting really well with a strong plot and and a good production, only to later drop in quality immensely. I honestly was really sad that this happened to this show because I was really loving it and it was a strong contender for my all time favorite k-drama.

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I liked that it was a blend of romance and mystery

Things I loved

1 The mix of romance and mystery. I like this kind of drama and started this one with big hopes. It didn't last though and that's why the rating isn't stellar.

2 The FL. She's one of my favorite actresses and she was good here as well. She makes me feel things and she makes me want to support her and see her happy. I think she's very talented and she was good here as well.

Things I liked

1 The ML. I haven't seen him in anything else but I think he did a good job.

2 The romance. it dragged a bit and didn't have all the things I want in a romance but it was solid.

3 The mother and grandmother. Solid characters as well that gave me some great moments.

Things I disliked

1 The mystery wasn't as riveting as I was expecting and there were many questions I didn't have a satisfying answer to. It dragged quite a bit also, and I think it would be better if the beginning of the mystery was settled a bit different. I think the execution wasn't the best. The director and the screenwriter should have done a better job. Honestly, if the leads weren't good actors and charming this would be even worse. They saved it for me.

2 The sad vibe was a bit too much for my liking.

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It’s not bad

Contrary to what I’ve heard, Ultraman X has a lot of good things going for it. It’s not very elaborate; it’s simple and aimed at kids. The final villain is nothing memorable. Still, it’s competent in what it sets out to do. Daichi is a pretty solid protagonist with good motivations; the team has personality, and the characters are fairly diverse on motivations.
It’s a shame the writers played it so safe, since they could have taken more risks. But it’s understandable, because in 2015 the Ultra series was still trying to get back on its feet. I’d recommend it mainly to fans.

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Worse than expected

Things I liked

1 The premise. Interesting with much potential for a comedy and I so wanted to like it. But they dropped the ball right away with inconsistencies and a bad casting.

Things I disliked

1 Too many couples and the main couple took a back seat. Since they weren't already on top of their form this didn't help.

2 The ML. I didn't find him great as actor and I didn't feel he had chemistry with his co-star.

Things I hated

1 The FL. She was cute but not a great actress. Too childish. She was the big problem with the series.

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I love travel stories, just not this one

Things I loved

1 The premise. Give me anything related to travel and I'm your woman. I could spend my life traveling and I don't need even company. I'm dreaming in travels. So I'm thoroughly disappointed that this drama was so bad. I'm not sure how it has such a good rating, but to me the premise was the only good thing.

Things I disliked

1 Almost every character. I don't think there was one I loved or cared about. Their stories weren't interesting, their interactions weren't funny, and the main leads had no chemistry. A failure casting wise for me all the way.

Things I hated

1 I didn't find the script great. I don't say they didn't present France well, but for someone who visited every corner of France and think it's the most beautiful country on earth and that after visiting 50 countries, the clichés were there and bothered me and they could have found a more compelling story to show the country through this. Too many things bothered me because either they aren't true either they exaggerated them and I hate that.

2 I hated that I was so happy to find that drama only to get disappointed.

3 I didn't like the FL at all. She lacked warmth and talent and she rubbed me the wrong way from the very first episode.

4 The whole romance thing was underwhelming and rushed.

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A supernatural joy

Let me start by saying I wish Khemjira had committed to being a character. He didn't do anything except over act about ghost that clearly he has been seeing all his life so I dont get why is is acting surprise they are around him all the time. He does the damsel in distress and cry way to much and his character feels like he never grows and is always asking for help throughout the entire show, I find him to be boring and lacking of any interest. he had almost no agency and it was lowkey so hard to watch. he became a walking, sometimes talking damsel in distress trope. so so so sad to see especially as so many other characters were really intriguing. I love the story idea and I loved Peem and jet. Chan I did not think was needed to be an add on. I just Wish they did a better job with the Khem character he was just not likable and I sadly did not feel the chemistry between the leads that i was hoping for. I enjoyed everything else about the series was fun and supernatural and great put together.

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similar to Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

Why did they have to use a similar ending like Bon Appétit, Your Majesty???
I admit, it was cute, mature and no silly acting. I always like these "time travel" fantasy dramas.
Lin Huan Er and Hai Ming had great chemistry.
Before she passed out, she met and saw the guy (potential buyer of their company).
After she woke up in the novel, she said "It's you" meaning she remembered his face before she went live....and obviously he would not recognize her.
Okay now enjoying their encounters and how their connection was developing fast forward to the end, when she disappeared from his eyes, he was still able to see her through the pager??? Doesn't make sense to me.
And when she woke up in her current world (2025), she didnt remember to ask about the potential buyer that came in the company???
She was there "searching" for someone who didnt exist...like she forgot this was all in a novel.
I feel like the spent too much time in the novel, the last episode should have been waking up and he was still in the company and maybe exchange a few words...something
OR have a better ending than this....this was so Bon Appétit, Your Majesty coded at the end....

Overall, it was still a good drama and those points are the only things why it is not a solid 9 pr 10 for me.

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Meh

The concept of reincarnation and getting a do-over at life is enticing, and I did enjoy watching the childhood scenes of the main character going through those experiences again. I especially liked how she didn’t have a crush on any of the boys because they just seemed so immature and she was an old soul and adult in a child’s body. But the enjoyment ended there. She became so fixated on changing certain plot points like her two friends not dying in an airplane and all her painstaking efforts for what? The life will end for her and the other characters anyway, that the effort to save them in this life knowing that they could die any other way seemed so pointless. This drama could have been great but it totally fell flat for me. I lost interest but I watched till the end, and went I saw the 4 friends in a nursing home together, I thought, is this the goal they were fighting so hard for? Is the goal of this earthly life to live a really long time? It was so pointless.

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A brave look that falls short of its darkest potential.

"My Idol" starts with a necessary and courageous premise: to expose the harsh and dehumanizing reality behind the K-pop industry. The drama successfully portrays how these artists are treated as disposable commercial products, subjected to constant pressure, obsessive fans, depression, and the complete erosion of their mental health under the relentless public eye. This exploration is the series' greatest achievement, reminding us that behind the glamour are vulnerable human beings.

The structure that combines this social critique with a murder mystery works well initially. The crime investigation serves as an effective vehicle for both protagonists, helping Maeng Se Na uncover the true face of the industry from a fan's perspective, revealing the tragic consequences of this system. However, it is precisely in the development where the drama loses some of its initial bite.

While it started strong with a raw perspective, it ended up embracing a conventional romantic cliché: the protagonist ends up with the idol. While this isn't inherently bad, and the romance is entertaining, this resolution softens the sharp impact of the critique it had so effectively established, diluting its disruptive potential in favor of a more "safe" ending.

The biggest point of frustration, however, lies in the subplots that were left unfinished and had enormous potential:

Kang Woo Seong, his relationship with the protagonist hinted at a deeper layer. It would have been revolutionary and realistic to explore the taboo of homosexuality in the K-pop industry, a practically invisible topic that would have added a layer of brutal tragedy and truth. Hong Hye Joo, reducing her complexity to a simple diagnosis of "emotional instability" was a poor choice. Her character deserved a deeper dissection of her traumas and motivations. Prosecutor Kwak Byung Gyun, his arc of paternal pressure and guilt for convicting innocent people was fascinating, but it was resolved hastily, without delving into the psychological and moral impact of his actions.

Conclusion: "My Idol" is an entertaining and romantic drama that deserves credit for exposing the darker side of the Korean entertainment industry. It works perfectly as light entertainment with a touch of mystery. However, it can't shake the feeling of missed opportunity. By opting for a more conventional path and not delving deeper into its bolder subplots, it remains a good idea that could have been exceptional. Recommended viewing for those seeking entertainment, but with the caveat that its social commentary, while present, isn't as incisive as it initially promises.

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I kind of liked it

Things I loved

1 The food component. I loved watching the preparation of the food. It was relaxing and so interesting. Truly I loved that part.

2 The actresses and especially one of them, the more carefree. I loved the three of them. I'm not sure why others say the acting was bad. They were funny and warm, and I believed in their friendship. No bad acting as far as I'm concerned.

Things I liked

1 The whole drama. It wasn't perfect but it was original, soothing, and made me smile quite a few times.

Things I disliked

1 The lack of romance. I was expecting a little bit of romance but there was literally none. A small part was related to a relationship but there was no romance per se. I understand that it wasn't that kind of drama but I wish there was something related to romance for each of them.

2 The ending. I didn't hate it, actually I loved some parts, but it could be better. It left me wanting more and I want a second season.

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Times flies like dragons, but don't change.

Finally finished it!

I'm a massive fan of "Queen Seondeok", and that's the main reason I watched watched multiple dramas from this writer duo. I have to say: So far, it's 3 out of 3. All three historical dramas they created were entertaining even if there were flaws with the story.

Overall they they didn't disappoint me. I gave it a 7/10 because let's face it, a long drama can't be perfect, it was dragged and but most importantly it was a bit repetitve, so just like with Seondeok, I can't give this a 10/10, but the acting, the directing, the score are top-tier and it has to be in my fave list.

I really don't want to go into details, because it's 50 episodes, and there's a LOT to talk about, but the MAIN STORY, the MAIN MESSAGE is the most important reason everyone should watch this.

You can take sides and even empathize with some of the "villains." or opposition, whatever we should call them, because ultimately every main character just wanted to build a better world. It's just a matter of which one harmed more people.

Just like Ddang Sae said:

"Don't look at the trees, look at the forest? You have no concern for the wild flowers that get crushed and die in the process."

Also, Gil Tae Mi:

"Since the beginning of time the weak have always been trampled on by the powerful. 1000 years ago and even 1000 years from now the weak will be stolen from by the powerful."

So, it doesn't matter how much good you want in the world, you're gonna hurt people in the process, and sadly Do Jeon was a really naive character and Bang Won was too agressive.


Imagine if they combined their power, they could've changed the world... or not, because even you can achieve peace and everyone can have a good life, it won't take long.


This is the ultimate message of the show in my opinion.

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Wickedly Unimpressed

I was expecting something wickedly good because I really enjoyed DaouOffroad in Century Of Love. Acting-wise, they delivered. The chemistry between them was undeniable, as always. No doubt about that but the story itself wasn’t so great.

Seeing Pheem wreak havoc everywhere wasn't exactly a surprise, given the title of the show. However, what really got under my skin was Than's character being such a pushover. I mean, Mr. Ex-Cop, have some self-respect, dude! After getting shot twice and nearly buried alive, I'd have expected him to have some sense of self-preservation and leave Pheem's toxic ass behind for GOOD. Never gonna happen because it a bl after all.

Pheem's character was cruel towards Than, to say the least. The way he manipulated Than was nothing short of emotional abuse. I mean, how do you keep breaking someone over and over again? And don't even get me started on how Pheem fakes his death and once again makes Than into a mess, only to return with a lame explanation and Than goes, "I love you". Lmao, bro is a real masochist. I couldn't help but feel that Pheem should be grateful that Than loved him enough to forgive him every single time.

The family drama was exhausting to watch. The dad was a piece of work. The way he delivered hot slaps every two seconds was just abusive.

And then there's Jet, who was just a hot mess. His overreacting every five seconds had me pulling my hair out. I mean, come on, dude, get a grip! Yelling and throwing tantrums like a 5-year-old? Be for real. I was relieved when his dad sent him away for a while, it gave my ears a break from his ear-piercing screams. On the other hand, I did enjoy the dynamic between Jet and Park. There was definitely something going on between them that was more than just a boss-employee relationship. There was something.

As for the sister, yeah, let's just leave it at that. She’s not worth discussing.

What really took the cake was the shooting scenes. Oh. My. Days. What were they thinking? If bullets are going to be flying around every episode, at least make it somewhat realistic. The cartoonish shooting scenes were laughable, to say the least. It took me out of the story and made me cringe more often than not. I mean, come on, if you're going to do action, do it right.

Was this wicked? Yes. But was it great? Not really. Just okay. I just expected more from a DaouOffroad show. Gave this an overall score of 7.0 because of the chemistry between the leads.

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Disappointing at all levels

Things I loved

1 The premise. I thought it would be interesting and it was for a few episodes. Then I stopped caring.

Things I liked

1 The FL. She's one of the actresses I like, but here something was amiss. I can't put my finger on it, but she didn't fit the role for some reason.

Things I disliked

1 The ML. Unfortunately I didn't care about his acting and I found him disturbing. Maybe he's a good actor but here he didn't deliver for me. I didn't want him to be guilty but I didn't care either and that's what ruined the whole drama for me. That he wasn't a compelling enough character to make me care.

2 The romance part. They didn't have chemistry in my book.

3 The ending. Not riveting and at that point i didn't care for that ether.

4 The fan part. I thought it would be good but it was limit disturbing. I didn't hate it but it wasn't dealt well with and that diminished my enjoyment. All in all, not as good as I was expecting and hoping.

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A journey between two realities, with visual and narrative successes.

"Love Between the Lines" presents an interesting and engaging concept from the outset: a virtual reality game that transports the characters (and the viewer) to the exquisite and turbulent Republican China. Although this setting wasn't extensively featured on screen, the in-game atmosphere and costumes are visually stunning, creating an immersive experience. The contrast becomes even more powerful when the protagonists return to their modern reality, a drastic and refreshing change that allows for a deeper exploration of their personalities in two completely different situations.

The protagonist, played by Lu Yuxiao, is a breath of fresh air. Her determination, cheerful, funny, and decidedly non-submissive personality make her an easy character to love and admire. Lu Yuxiao, besides being beautiful, once again demonstrates her great chemistry with her co-stars. This time, she creates a strong connection with Chen Xingxu, who takes on a more serious, complex, and reserved role, resulting in a perfect dynamic with her energy.

The romance unfolds organically; mutual interest and attraction flow naturally, without any forced elements. One aspect worth highlighting is the integration of architecture into the main plot. Far from being a technical or tedious theme, it's handled with interest and lightness, adding depth to the characters' motivations and enriching the story without slowing the pace.

The supporting cast also shines, especially through the story of the protagonist's friend. This subplot offers the other side of love: a raw and realistic portrayal of how affection can erode in a marriage, where a loss of interest and indirect infidelity act as the final trigger. It's a powerful and well-executed complementary narrative. And the construction of the protagonist's stepbrother. Far from being a one-dimensional antagonist, he's a character with whom you come to deeply empathize, as he carries the weight and expectations of his father. He's not evil, but rather another victim of family circumstances, and his interaction and chemistry with the protagonist add a layer of complexity and tension that is very well handled.

However, the drama falters slightly toward the end, at the emotional climax, when the male protagonist is blamed for his father's issues—a burden that, while not directly his responsibility, falls unfairly upon him. Even the female protagonist, Hu Xiu, unconsciously blames him through external influences (regarding her father and his friend). This conflict, while narratively understandable, created a certain unease, as the character seemed to be carrying a guilt that wasn't entirely his. And, although the resolution is satisfying, the ending itself feels somewhat bland and predictable, lacking the emotional impact that the characters' journey deserved.

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