Reviews

i <3 ML

found this on a tiktok summary thing lol. watched it for the MCs. why is the main guy so BHAD. EXACTLY MY TYPE IN LOOKS.

i literally skipped all eps just to see the main couple scenes. ML lowk pmo cuz why was he doing all that and not saying anything. he had no internal talk lmfao i was so confused what he was doing. there were some cute scenes so good ig! very typical and predictable story tho and the second lead girl PMOOOO i hated her sm. character development was nice and also the FMC PMO TOO. cuz why was she so dumb

i love a good grudge holder sometimes tho. mm. i loved how she held him out after he wronged her. as she should.

their first meeting tho was MUAH chefs kiss. but their relationship progressed way too fast. i love a good build up and solid reasoning why someone liked someone. but this legit was like “omg he gave me potatoes and my best friend likes him—now let’s date!” like????

and what the balls was that ending???? like made no sense how did they just get together so quickly . i wish FMC stayed set on her initial goal.

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A drama that reminds us that we shouldn't stop fighting for justice

Pro Bono is the first legal kdrama I have watched. I went into it pretty much blindly and I didn't have any particular expectations. And yet it turned out to be one of the most profound dramas I've watched.

In a legal context, the term "pro bono" is used in order to describe legal work for a client with low income. Pro Bono teams do not charge their clients, in fact they represent them for free. Therefore, in a world where those with money have better chances in court as long as they can afford a competent attorney, a pro bono team is like an oasis for people who are less fortunate.

As someone who is not familiar with the law field, aside from some basic knowledge, Pro Bono helped me open my eyes even more regarding the justice system in South Korea. Once I learned that the writer of the drama used to be a judge, it made sense to me how the series was able to portray the court process and the laws so accurately. And most importantly: the writer's intention to raise more awareness about the flaws in the justice system became more clear.

Pro Bono was a breath of fresh air. In an era where we see more and more discrimination against minorities and where common citizens do not have the power nor the foundation to fight for their rights, Pro Bono offers a small fragment of hope. Naturally, society will not change overnight. It's not an easy task to reshape the public's opinion about certain topics and it's also very difficult to try and introduce new legal laws regarding these issues.

Even though Pro Bono is a fictional series, one that people could argue about its tendency to give a "fairy tale like" conclusion to each case, I firmly believe that the hopeful tone and the team's achievements played a fundamental role in the drama's reception. South Korean and international viewers (myself included) need more stories that are not afraid to address important issues while maintaining an optimistic view.

Deep down, all of us want to cling even to the smallest hint of hope about a better future. It would be ideal if our world could improve rapidly in order to turn into a place where people will be treated equally, no matter their background, sexuality, gender or social status. But we don't live in a utopia. Such world cannot fully exist, something that even the drama itself acknowledges. And yet, Pro Bono always showcased how important it is to stand up for your rights and raise your voice. Ignorant and power-hungry people exist but so do people who are willing to offer their unconditional support.

While Pro Bono presented some ideal scenarios for the clients and society in general, the drama does not turn a blind on what is going on in the real world. Almost every episode tackles different themes. Animal abuse, abortion rights, corruption, religion, sexism to name a few of them. The writer addresses these global matters through the lens of korean society and reality is a slap on the face. Pro Bono doesn't try to twist reality. It highlights social conflicts and through pro bono's team's navigation, it shows that we need to keep striving for a better world. Change will not always come quickly but the more persistent we are, the more successful we can become.

The writing of the drama was very interesting and each episode offered something new. Each different case contributed to the progress of the story and the characters' development and in the end, everything was wrapped in a very satisfying way. I really liked the dialogues too, they never came across as too preachy. There were various profound moments that made me pause for a moment and register what I had heard. I really wish I could go into detail about the quotes that left a big impact on me but if I were to do so, this review would turn into a whole thesis.

What I appreciated about this drama is that it brought light on various themes which are not that common in kdramas. Discussions about abortion, the treatment of people with disabilities or immigrants aren't spoken of a lot so watching a series that addressed these matters with respect was pleasantly surprising. Pro Bono didn't hesitate to call out South Korea's hypocrisy regarding the legal (and ethical) issues and it painted the plain truth without sugar coating it.

The characters were a very charming aspect of the story (for the most part at least). I instantly fell in love with Da Wit's character, he might have come across as ignorant but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Da Wit had experienced firsthand what it felt like to be wronged and thus, he decided to become a judge who would be there for those without enough power to defend themselves. He was competent and I always had a blast watching him put the perpetrators in their place. Throughout the whole series, we see his character unfold more and more and the more I learned about him, the more I appreciated and understood him.

The rest of the characters were equally engaging. The pro bono team was fun to watch and I liked how each one of them had different traits and motivations while some of them had their own demons to fight, too. Itwas nice to see them getting their time to shine in different cases. They were determined to help the victims no matter what and thanks to Da Wit, they became more confident in their abilities. I loved this found family so much, it was heartwarming to see how Da Wit helped them develop as attorneys and how the team, in return, made Da Wit not look down on them.

The acting was another strong factor. This was my first time watching anything with Jung Kyung Ho and it's safe to say that I'm already a fan. The way he carried himself around fully encapsulated Da Wit's confident and yet so caring personality. Even when he didn't have any lines to deliver, his eyes and expressions alone were enough to understand how he felt. He portrayed so many different emotions and aspects of Da Wit's character and I couldn't take my eyes off him everytime Da Wit was at the court. He radiated a commanding energy that made you unable to ignore him or the points he made, all thanks to Kyung Ho's performance.

So Ju Yeon as Gi Ppeum was another part of the cast I really liked. I liked how she used her face to express her emotions, especially when Gi Ppeum felt disheartened and sad for the victims. Gi Ppeum alone was a very interesting character, considering her history with Da Wit and Ju Yeon elevated her even more. Another actress I especially liked was Lee Yoo Young, who portrayed Oh Jung In. She had excellent chemistry with Kyung Ho and her acting was always on point. Jung In was a very intriguing character of her own and Yoo Young did a great job showcasing her different aspects. The rest of the actors did a great job too, no matter how big or small their role was.

Pro Bono certainly did a wonderful job portraying so many different themes and problems, however, I believe that the writing could have been tighter in some areas. Because of the big variety in cases and legal issues, some problems seemed to be brushed off compared to others. It's logical that the writer would have prioritized some aspects more compared to others but if some cases were less complex and focused on a specific problem at the time, I think that the writer would have the freedom to fully flesh them out.

For example, I would have liked it if the drama had addressed the abortion issue on episodes 3 and 4 a little bit better. It was very positive to see that the mother wasn't framed as a bad person and that the drama attempted to show that abortion should always be an option, but the conclusion of this case left a kinda bitter taste in my mouth.

The last episodes did a good job wrapping up the story but had the drama been longer, I believe that the ending would have been even more smooth. The writing of the pro Bono team felt bizarre, I totally understand that they were in a difficult position but considering their team work with Da Wit, their dislike towards him didn't make much sense. They were always so open to hear the victims but when it came to Da Wit, they turned their eyes away and only Na Hui considered his own perspective.

I understand that the last episodes served as the final arc for the team but the execution could have been better. I didn't hate the pro bono team but after having watched them work alongside Da Wit for 9 episodes, this sudden shift was too absurd. The built-up could have been better, like have the team question Da Wit's methods more in the earlier episodes or tone down their attitude towards him. Additionally, Jun U could have been handled better, compared to the rest of the members, he came across as too one-dimensional at times. I understand that he was afraid of losing his job but his character should have been explored more besides this superficial portrayal.

However, even though some decisions could have been different, the ending remained very good. Pro Bono remained consistent from the beginning to the very end and the payoff was more than satisfying. Everything came together and the writer left no room for further questions. I was watching the last episode in awe and once I was done, I was left with a bittersweet taste for I had to say goodbye to the pro bono team I came to love.

Pro Bono is definitely one of the most thought-provoking and vital kdramas out there. I strongly recommend it if you're searching for a story that addresses important matters. It's not the type of series you watch to distract yourself from reality because Pro Bono presents the world we live in but it's the type of drama you watch in order to remind to yourself that it's always worth fighting for the truth, no matter what. Justice is one of the most complex subjects in our society. We don't live in a perfect world which treats people equally but we can always find ways to educate ourselves and improve as a whole. I am very thankful for having watched Pro Bono and it's a drama that will occupy my thoughts for a very long time.

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A String of Fate, Unraveled: An Exploration of Ruin, Redemption, and Human Nature

“Protecting humans is my duty, but falling in love with you was instinct.”

Do not listen, read, or watch anything related to this drama aside from the trailer. If the provided material piques your interest, just watch it. I’ve seen a lot of hate circulating around this drama and honestly, it’s really not necessary. I’d encourage you all to take the baseless negativity with a grain of salt. If you want to watch this drama, just go for it!

I’ll rate this drama using my personal criteria, called ‘CASES’ that looks at the following: cinematography, acting, storyline, experience, and soundtrack. I’ll break down each one individually.

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 5/5
Lighting: 5/5
Camerawork: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5

The CGI is immaculate, no flaws there whatsoever. I haven’t followed this drama since it’s early production, but based on the behind the scenes clips, you can tell that the entire crew poured their entire heart and soul into its creation. The visual, creative, and drama directors especially deserve a whole standing ovation for their devotion to the craft. The sets, cinematography, and worldbuilding for Xiao Yao are truly unlike anything I’ve seen before (at least in a Chinese drama production). It doesn’t take a seasoned drama viewer to tell that every shot, camera angle, lighting, and setting were made with intention. The directors like to challenge themselves, playing with various different shots, manipulating the elements within the shot, and just making use of every tool in their toolbox to craft a scene that’s not only visually-appealing, but one that evokes hidden meanings here and there. There is almost a hyperactive attention to detail, and it’s precisely this quality that sets Xiao Yao apart from other dramas. You’re not just watching moving pictures, you’re being pulled into that alternate universe. The soundtrack is god-tier, with each song being replayed over and over again until my YouTube crashes. You have those slow, melancholic tracks like ‘Parting in the Mortal Realm’; epic, high-fantasy ones like ‘Embers’, and light, upbeat ones like ‘Mirror’. The lyrics to all of the songs are meaningful, poignant, and befitting for the story. Through the dramas top-notch production and attention to detail, I truly felt like I was transported into the world of ‘Xiao Yao’ from the comfort of my own bed. It’s truly magical.

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ACTING - 5/5
Naturalness: 5/5
Characterization: 5/5
Chemistry: 5/5
Charisma: 5/5

Acting. God, where do I even start? I’ll toss it right out from the getgo: Seven Tan and Hou Minghao were an unexpected duo that somehow managed to sweep me off my feet. I’ll admit that I went into this drama without much expectations. I’ve never seen any of Seven Tan’s works. HMH is one of my favorite actors and is the one who sets the BAR for what acting SHOULD be. In the past, I’ve never really found anyone who could ‘match’ his level of skill, but Seven Tan completely changed my perspective. When you’re watching dramas, there is always one actor who’s delivering more than the other. Sometimes, you can see the discrepancy between their level of skill (it may be subtle or obvious), but I didn’t see that here at all. Seven Tan’s performance was natural. She is one of the few actresses who can act cute without giving the audience second hand embarassment. She breathed Xiao Yao’s bubbly, likeable character to life; HMH gave an impeccable performance that was able to capture Hong Ye’s gentleness and compelxity. Their chemistry is ‘fluctuant’ in the sense that they have good chemistry as friends off-screen, and ones as lovers when the lights turn back on. Their chemistry is not overt, but subtle and filled with tension. The drama itself is a slow-burn, probably almost pain-stakingly so for some people. However, this is precisely what allows their romance to progress naturally. Let me tell you. When I realized that this was taking that slow-burn route, I rejoiced: “Yes!! They’ll know eachother’s names when they kiss! They’ll know eachother’s names, everybody!” Both actors excel at micro expressions, and this is especially useful for slow-burn romances where you’re able to pick up on these subtle changes as the story progresses— how that initial, cold gaze belonging to a demon who has fortified his walls crumbles in the face of his destined one. I didn’t see the chemistry or vision at first, but over time, I got converted. I am now a member of the Seven Tan cult (and a long-standing member of the HMH one), and I can only thank Xiao Yao for pairing them up and allowing these two actors to showcase their abilities!

No complaints for the rest of the cast. Acting is not something you will have to worry about when watching this drama. Here, we have a lineup of seasoned actors and actresses who know how to act through their eyes, breathing their characters to life and delivering a convincing performance throughout.

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STORYLINE - 4.4/5

Premise: 4/5
Plot holes - 4/5
Flow - 4/5
Pacing - 4/5
Ending - 5/5
Predictability - 4/5
Relationship development - 5/5
Character development: 5/5
Worldbuilding: 5/5

Let’s hop onto the meat of the review, shall we?

News flash: this drama tethers on two extremes. When it’s sweet, it’s tooth-decayingly sweet. When it’s sad, it’s a soul-crushing blow. This drama made me cry bitterly, but it also made me smile in front of my laptop like an idiot.

Xiao Yao is what I would conider an ‘escapism grounded in reality’. The narrative sheds light on human nature and it’s various facets, toys with your moral compass, makes you doubt your own principles, and ultimately raises the question “who is truly in the wrong?”.

The essence of this drama, I find, is contained in this quote: “In todays world, have humans and demons truly become indistinguishable?”

The whole theme of demons vs humans is nothing new to xianxia and has always been a ‘black and white’ sort of debate. You will typically see humans portrayed as the good ones and demons as the bad ones (or vice versa), but this is my first time seeing a drama that makes it so both sides are equally flawed. In Xiao Yao, every character (no matter human or demon) has a reason behind their actions, and oftentimes, that ‘reasoning’ is identical. The lines become blurred, and the moment that veil of prejudice is lifted, you realize that the demons and humans are actually cut from the same cloth; instintiguishable from eachother.

A Chinese idiom I find is the ‘foundation’ for Xiao Yao’s plot is 冤冤相報 (Yuān yuān xiāng bào), which directly translates to "grievance upon grievance, mutual retribution." The complicated entanglements between the leads, and just the entire story in general, is just a deep-dive into what’s right and wrong, what’s considered just and unjust, and who is truly worthy of sympathy.

That being said, it’s hard to hate any character in this drama. Even the villains have souls, with the overarching ‘villain’ being quite whimsical and cute, such as Hei Wu.

Hei Wu is a compelling villain because, despite lacking a backstory, his personality and comedic adlibs makes a ‘flat’ character like him just as lovable as the others.

The plot is truly a wild-card. Just when you think they’re going to recycle all of the common tropes already explored in xianxia, they do something completely different. Xiao Yao’s plot is complex, layered, and isn’t the typical ‘3 lives’ theme explored in dramas like TMOPB. It may seem that way at first, but as the story progresses and the revelation finally hits you, you realized that you’ve been bamboozled. In that regard, this drama scores a moderate in predictability. It starts off predictable at first, but as the story gradually unfolds, you’d find that your deductions were wrong and that it’s going to take a completely different approach than what you originally thought.

Pacing-wise, it’s definitely on the slower side. This may deter those who aren’t a fan of slow burn romances, but as someone who goes rabid for that trope, I found that Xiao Yao delivers quite well in this aspect. The storyline is a perfect balance between character and plot, so even when the romance is seemingly lacking, the plot grips you enough so that watching doesn’t feel like a chore. That being said, the ‘slow’ aspect of the plot is not just a stylistic choice; it’s calculated and intentional.

Characters are also layered and well-written. We have a plethora of seemingly ‘irredeemable’ villains with the purest of souls, and ‘innocent’ characters who are hateful go the core. There are many characters, but I’d like to expand on a select few who stood out to me the most.

Bing Zhu is a morally-upright character who cycles through a dramatic character arc. He starts off as a character unshakeable in his principle to a man who eventually loses sight of them. BZ is compelling in this regard because he represents the ever-changing nature of the human heart, showing how it’s the most testable thing in this world. His characterization delves into the question: In the face of countless setbacks, who’s heart can remain eternally pure?

Xiao Yao is truly a remarkable and mature female lead who was strong willed from beginning to end. Her character doesn’t change much throughout the story, but she is in no way two-dimensional. She’s layered, entertaining, witty, and surprisingly relatable. Overall, I’d consider her to be the ‘constant’ who drives the plot forward. She is someone who navigates using both her heart and mind, governing with reason while never truly losing sight of her own beliefs. Overall, a very well written FL.

Hong Ye is the most complex and intriguing character of them all. If Xiao Yao is the constant, he’s the variable that is ever-changing. He goes through a series of major character arcs in which he gets pushed to hell and back, building his character. You see him get ‘beat into shape’, basically. He’s not good, he’s not bad, he’s the demarcation between black and white. His origin story is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, and HMH did a great job at breathing his role to life. His character will definitely have a special place in my heart, and his story is one that’ll leave an everlasting impact on me for a long, long time. I won’t forget about him, that’s for sure.

The relationship between Hong Ye and Xiao Yao is pure and healthy (despite what they’ve been through). For once, I feel like I’m watching a drama where the two leads are actual adults— not some 12 and 16 year old. Communication isn’t a barrier here, no no. We have a couple who actually knows how to use their mouths to talk to eachother. When things go wrong, both the male and female lead know how to take the initiative in order to smooth things over, handling conflicts in a patient manner. You’re also not getting love triangles here (well, maybe a love pentagon?), so theres no hair-pulling miscommunication in that aspect. All in all, I’m incredibly pleased with the way their relationship is portrayed. Miscommunication is fun when it’s in moderation. Sometimes, a healthy cp who knows how to talk to eachother is very much needed!

Good things aside, I just have a few complaints about the plot that I’ll throw out here. The pacing was slow and calculated for the first half, but sped up considerably towards the end. At some point, it did seem a bit rushed, but fortunately it anchored itself on the last few episodes. In addition, there were also some aspects of the plot that could’ve been resolved. Not ‘plot holes’ necessarily— just characters who deserved a bit more closure towards the end because their story either felt incomplete or ended too abruptly. Just fixing up those loose ends, that’s all!

Finally, some people say that the drama ended off weak, but I would honestly say the opposite. It started off strong and ended just as strong. Sure, it was a bit rocky towards the end in terms of pacing, but I personally liked the ending a lot and found it to be incredibly thought-provoking. The ending is like: “If I could start from the very beginning, even if it meant overcoming those obstacles, I’d be willing to stake it all in one throw just to see you again” or “I am a protector of all beings, someone who is meant to be selfless— but for you, I am willing to be selfish for once.”

It’s been a while since I initially felt so conflicted with the ending, but after staring at the ceiling for a good hour after the final episode, I was like: “damn.. that was a good ending.”

Mind you, when i completed that final episode, I was pacing around my house with the occasional urge to say: “Damn! That ending was GOOD!” A part of me sees it as a combination of OE, BE, and HE. Ultimately, it depends on your perspective, but I just love reading other people’s narrative interpretations of the ending. There is a lot food for thought.

It’s just.. this drama is one of those films that has such a unique storyline that it manages to stick with you for a long, long time (despite its flaws). It maps out a love so profound that it transcends time and space, as well as countless lifetimes.

Overall, I’d say the ending was closed and ‘perfect’ in my book— though it may not seem that way to others!

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EXPERIENCE: 5/5

God, I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been this absorbed in a xianxia romance. Been in a bit of a drama slump, you see. Xiao Yao unexpectedly pulled me out of that rut. I revived my IQIYI membership to get a ‘taste’ of what this drama would entail, not knowing I’d sink into it completely. For the first time in a long time, I waited in anticipation for the episodes to release everyday, feasting on bite-sized content on 小红书 to curb my hunger in the meantime like Squidward begging for spare change on the sidewalk. That being said, no dull cliffhangers here. Every episode grips you and you’re left wanting more.

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SOUNDTRACK: 5/5
Variety: 5/5
How good it is: 4/5
How fitting it is: 5/5

I’m lost in the music. In fact, I’m throwing it back to ‘燃烬’ as we speak. What can I say? I’m just obsessed. The songs were properly placed, addictive as hell, and had me screaming ‘HONG YEEEEEEEE MY BABYYY HUHUHHHHHU’ at the top of my lungs— is that telling enough?

All in all, Xiao Yao is great if you’re looking to indulge in a high-fantasy drama with impeccable worldbuilding and emotional acting; a tight script that takes a ‘spin’ on a common romance trope; an ensemble of well-written, impressionable characters; all weaved into a thought-provoking narrative that will have you questioning your morals, principles, and existence in general.

Was it a masterpiece? Debatable, but Xiao Yao is one of the most memorable dramas of 2025-2026 for me and is one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for some food for thought.

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BEST COUPLE OF CDRAMA 2025-2025

This is by far the best drama and best couple I've watched in CDrama. Other dramas are great but not well paired. My 1st to see Song Wei Long but got captivated by his relaxed & natural acting + his top tier visuals. He seem to be a humble actor too. I'm currently binge watching his other dramas. He's definitely and additional ML for me.

Jinmai is already an IDOL for me and she delivers any role she got. Simple yet so classy in every way, relaxed and not OAs. Her visuals are top tier to, no much enhanement w/c makes her more queenly in everway. I'm now tagging her as Chemistry Queen coz she has great chemistry w/ all his MLs. SWL i say is her best pair.

DRAMA, CAM ANGLES, CONVOS and Story
= 101% = it is a natural slow burn love story. Nothing's OA or weird on scrpts.
= I commend the camera team for great angles throughout the drama.
= Dress codes are also great not much flaunting but they all look great sp the couple.
OVERALL, It's a successful drama for me. Very much reccomendable. CONGRATS TO THE TEAM.

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The Best Modern Cdrama Ever!!!!

This is one Good drama! I started out of curiosity cause watch to watch song weilong First modern drama,but I ended up falling in love with the whole cast. I didn't review this drama back then,that's because I was not yet a strong fan,but now I'm in Love with both song weilong and seven tan,and how they Portrayed their character so well. I remembered how Ling trended back then,indeed Song weilong star power is undeniable!!! Congrats to everyone😍😍😍😍😍😍😍I hope yall continue succeeding for life and that the world will be kinder to you in all aspects forever,amen!!!

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One of the best K drama

This drama started really slow. The ML is slow and shows no emotion in the beginning. But FL is so lively - this scenario is very typical in most Asian dramas.
I initially skipped the first 2 episodes, not understanding the purpose of the drama. But after the ML and FL formed an alliance to make the movie, the drama became so interesting to watch as the ML grows in his emotion and frees himself from the past and just live his life one day at a time.
The entire premise of this drama is that true love is worth everything that it demands of us. It makes life worth living even through the heartache of loving someone who is dying. It doesn't make sense but it's better to love and lost than to not love at all.
The writing is so good that as a parent, I totally empathize with the FL's father. As someone who had changed through the power of love (various forms of it), I can understand that love is everything: it hurts, it elevates, it is transformative. Without it, I am not complete. I was born to love and through it, I became a better person than I was before I found it.

The other aspect of this drama is the story of an undervalued person who is seemingly worthless because she is dying. Death doesn't define our quality, our dreams, and our story. Everyone deserves a chance to realize her dream regardless of her physical/emotional ability. We all can learn from each other. Never underestimate the quality of any human.

I also like the theme of redemption. Hey, everyone makes mistakes. We can all learn to forgive each other. Forgiveness allows us to collaborate and do great things.

I don't like sad stories. But some how this story is very elevating and enabling. Yes, I did shed some tears. But there was laughter too. There was a feeling of joy to understand that people die, but as long as we love, our lives are better through experiencing it truthfully and fearlessly.

People say that the last eps drag out for no purpose. I feel it does have a purpose: it allows me time to say goodbye to a beautiful love story. It's a soft landing. It enables me to feel that death is slow and not so terrible after all.

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Super fun!

It's really interesting to start a drama where the ensemble is already well-established, which makes it so much more fun to see how they work together on different missions and take on their roles. The banter is really fun and honestly it's the friendship that really carries the show.

I'm a little more mixed on the overarching plot. I like the cat and mouse game with the prosecutor and the moral questions it raises about what's valid when the legal system fails. But the other antagonist was not really that interesting, other than how it gives us the final conflict where all the cases we saw throughout the season culminate into one situation.

Overall, a really enjoyable show that's definitely very watchable — I can see why it's renewed for so many seasons.

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im sorry why doesn't this get a high rating?

This is the first time I've watched a C drama without a single episode or minutes skipped. I usually get bored easily when watching C drama. But in this drama, even when the characters are yapping, I still watch all of it. Lmao sorry for me yapping, but this is really the first time I've been like this.

Btw, I really like Hua Xian Xu's acting. I don't know why, but his expressions look very natural, and he's really good at capturing micro-expressions. I fell in love with him in this Chinese drama. His character is a whole green forest. I guess that's because it was written by a female author🤷‍♀️

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You'll Always Get Back What You Deserve

This drama follows a group of deeply questionable people making equally questionable choices and I’ll leave it at that. At its core, Karma is about consequences: how every action, no matter how carefully hidden or justified, eventually circles back. The premise revolves around watching each character slowly receive exactly what they deserve, for better or worse.

What I Loved

1. The Cast & Acting
The casting was one of the strongest aspects of this drama. It featured several of my favorite actors, and I actually started watching primarily because of Kim Nam Gil. Every actor stayed firmly in their lane and delivered performances that felt convincing and impactful. No one felt miscast, and the emotional weight of their choices came through clearly. Even when the characters were unlikeable, the acting made them compelling to watch.

2. The Premise & Execution
While the concept of karma and moral consequences isn’t new, the drama handled it effectively. The storytelling ensured that each character’s actions led to a fitting outcome, which was satisfying to witness. There were no random resolutions, everything felt intentional. The show stayed true to its theme and didn’t shy away from showing the cost of selfishness, greed, and poor decisions.

What I Disliked

1. The Pacing
My main issue was that the drama felt slightly rushed. I would have loved to see more depth and backstory for some of the characters. A bit more time spent exploring their motivations and internal conflicts could have made their arcs even more powerful and emotionally resonant. The foundation was there, it just needed more room to breathe.

Overall, Karma is a solid watch with strong performances and a clear moral direction. Despite some pacing issues, it succeeds in delivering a dark, satisfying exploration of cause and effect. If you enjoy character-driven dramas where actions have real consequences, this one is definitely worth checking out

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Who said healthy love is unrealistic?

Main relationship:
The straightforwardness of the ML and FL is what makes their relationship work. They are two individuals who can stand on their own by the time they meet, which in turn just shows them adding to one another rather than burdening each other. The moments when they were on “rocky ground” were the realistic moments of needed individual space that was accompanied by strong communication, and that was before they were dating! Some will say that their relationship is unrealistic, but I disagree. It was a very good example of how a relationship looks when two mature like like-minded people CHOOSE each other. Choosing to be together and choosing to make each other better through their relationship.

Xi Guang: The FL is my type of person. She starts the show very upfront about who she is, and it is quite refreshing. Though I am not an upbeat and bubbly person, one can only admire a person who is true to themselves, no matter what. I believe this trait is what makes her hard to digest for those who are insecure around her. The SML feels that someone of her status should not also be kind and that she should feel some shame about the opportunities afforded to her due to her background. While Ye Rong feels inferior to her not only socio-economically but also in personality. Her willingness to stand up for herself but maintain her kindness is not something we see often in shows. It's either one or the other: she’s mean but not a doormat, or she's kind but gets trampled on. After what she went through with the SML, Xi Guang is more reserved about love; she is not only afraid of pursuing, but she is also apprehensive about letting herself be pursued. However, after noticing the similarities between her past self and Lin Yuse, she realizes that she shouldn't let the one bad experience stop her from trusting that Yusen is serious about her. She is quite quick when it comes to self-reflection and correction, which is another likeable attribute about her. Though she becomes reserved in love, she remains true to her nature everywhere else, and it’s very refreshing to see.

Lin Yusen: Our ML is a breath of fresh air compared to the SML and many of those around our FL. Though he starts very conflicted about his feelings towards Xi Guang, he is consistently straightforward. When he “hated” her, he didn't make her confused if that was the case what confused her was why. Once he decided to leave it in the past, he in fact left it in the past. Quickly and honestly telling Xi Guang how he feels and his intentions of being a positive force in his life, not a burden. Much like the Xi Guang in college, he leaves his feelings at his desired partner's feet, waiting for them to choose what to do next. Apologizing when he felt he overstepped, and communicated with Xi Guang clearly. When the misunderstanding comes to an end, he is conflicted and rather than take it out on Xi Guang, like we have seen others do, he takes time for himself. To reflect on how this impacts his complicated feelings, but also how it may impact how Xi Guang sees him. His clarity stands in direct contrast to Zhuang Xu's redirection of people's feelings and intentional obtuseness regarding misconceptions and misunderstandings. He is a walking green flag and is a perfect example of a character that is not without faults and but is willing to be accountable.

Zhuang Xu: To me, he is neither a villain nor a victim. I understand his reasoning behind not wanting to be with FL, given their different backgrounds and societal positions. In this front, you could pity him for never being able to let go of this insecurity and be true with his feelings. However, being pitiful does not excuse how you speak to others, and feeling frustrated isn't an excuse to treat people however you would like. He spoke so condescendingly to Xi Guang and Ye Rong, to the point where I felt bad for Rong on some points. When Xi Guang explains how it is natural to have a change in feelings when someone treats you well and likes you, it should have been a wake-up call for him. He didn't have to confess his feelings to her to be kind; that was his major problem, he didn’t see that. Furthermore, he is drowning in self-pity and victimization. He takes no responsibility for the fact that it was his choices and unwillingness to let go of his misconceptions and insecurities to chase the one he “loves”. To the point, he blames Ye Rong, Xi Guang, and the universe for missing the timing with Xi Guang. Without taking accountability that he was fully in control of this “timing” for a long time.

Ye Rong; In my opinion, Ye Rong and Zhuang Xu are two sides of the same coin. Rong has the stereotypical insecure “friend” trope surrounding her. We are first led to believe that it is all revolving around Zhuang Xu, but it later becomes obvious, especially when speaking about careers, that Rong feels inferior to Xi Guang and must one-up her at every turn. The insecurity surrounding Xi Guang's background is what makes Rong and Xu so similar; both, in my opinion, are using each other to bring Xi Guang down a notch. Rong, to feel superior, and Xu, to bridge the gap that makes their relationship “impossible”. What makes Ye Rong a bit more villainous is that what she did was meant to ruin Xi Guang’s reputation. At the same time, Zhuang Xu put Xi Guang down to feel a little better about his situation; he holds to misconceptions he had of Xi Guang, even when they were unreliable, to make himself have a reason other than their socio-economic standing to not be together.

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What an action-comedy K-series!

Everything was perfectly perfect in this drama. The fantasy was on another level ! Something different to experience something great!

The casts were so good looking and did their job flawlessly ! A round of applause for the crew. When we want to suggest someone a K-Drama this is what we mean. Their acting was so good that every action scene in this drama seems superb!

Han Ji-eun is my most favorite character of this drama. Director told her to play , she heard slay! In the whole series she slayed really heard that her presence in this series was enough to make it a masterpiece, trust me! Her attitude was top-notch and remained same till the end. Her energy was everything for me to fell for her. She was a " Diva".
Whenever she showed up in this drama my mind was repeatedly playing this -

" Diva is the female version of a hustler!".

What can I possibly tell about our hero? If Han Ji-eun was slaying in this drama , then Hyun was nailing his role so hard! Both character ate their roles and left no crumbs! He was dumb at study so what? So what? To be honest, I never expected a weak dumbass who is extremely good in studies. I always expected to have the main character to be tough and strong and you know what it really satisfied my expectation.

Other characters were also great as well! This series is an action series which also contains fantasy, thriller, good plot, great cast, good music that you won't feel anything for the improvement of this drama.

Everyone literally slayed so hard in this drama! About my rating , sometimes 9/10 speaks louder than 10/10 ! So don't hesitate and give it a try and trust me you won't regret it!

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They are the CUTEST

The chemistry between the leads is FANTASTIC and it's hands down the best part of the drama. I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.

I have a love-hate relationship with Esther Yu's performances — she's great but the aegyo is often so over-the-top. Here, though, it fits well for the most part, though there are some subplots that are quite cheesy. He Yu absolutely sells the bad boy (with a soft heart) persona.

The only hiccup this drama has for me was the big conflict that lead to the main couple going no-contact for years; while I like how the female lead's bubbliness came through while dealing with it, the angst leading up to the separation just didn't quite land and was more frustrating. It's already one of my least favorite tropes, but especially since the drama already started with the main characters reconnecting after not communicating while they were younger, utilizing a similar trope the second time just didn't really work.

Ultimately though, this was a highly addictive watch (especially in the first half) and I hope we get more of this archetype of ML in the future — they're really hard to come by but I eat it up every time.

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Wallace Chung caught my ?

Can't believe he's 51 years old by the time I finished watching this drama. But phew what a journey. Story is old school theme; belittled concubine daughter turns out very smart, logical, and sensible. She didn't ask to be a marquis' wife, but circumstances put her that way. And unlike the other 3 concubines the marquis already has, she didn't bother to fight for his affection nor favor. She has embroidering skill and wants to do business with brocade while fighting a stereotype of a noble woman shouldn't do any business. She did it in secret. Everything is fine from the beginning, the plot is written with care, the slow burn romance is fun to watch because ML has so little smile but the changes can be seen after he fell in love with his wife. BUT, thing go downhill after episode 38. The repetitive plot (betrayed by her trusted maid, stabbed in the back by jealousy concubines) just to get rid of some ppl so we can get the ending, which is "the husband who is devoted to his wife, he won't take on another concubine". And of course some fight to beat the corrupt minister who wants to take down the marquis. I hope china film industry can fix this kind of plot. I keep watching these kind of series because i want to see the lovely costumes, the acting skill, and the cinematic feels of the environment but the story always threw me off the drain.

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