Reviews

Inside the World of Ah Jin

This is the story of Ah Jin, a young woman with antisocial personality disorder shaped by years of abuse and trauma. Her mother abused her, her father killed her mother, and she continued enduring violence from him and others around her. She’s incredibly smart, manipulative, and uses people as tools, but only goes after someone when she feels threatened or wronged. Otherwise, she does keep to herself and uses men to help her climb to the top.

One of them is Junseo. They met as kids when Ah Jin’s father got together with Junseo’s mother, briefly living as step-siblings before Ah Jin’s father went to prison. Junseo knows she’s using him but accepts it because he’s attached to her, looking for her humanity while still being haunted by the moment his mother tried to drown Ah Jin. Since then, he’s trying to cut ties with his mother (who comes in and out of his life when she needs something) and stayed loyally by Ah Jin’s side as her brooding, obsessed sidekick. He’ll do anything for her except kill, which eventually becomes a problem since she needs help escaping her abusive father. Their relationship is incredibly close, toxic, and built on enabling each other’s worst impulses.

She also has Jae-Oh, whom she met in high school after catching him stealing an AirPod. She recruited him to run errands and collect money, and he eventually grew attached to her. Unlike Junseo, he’s more naïve about being used but definitely refuse to question her, even when he is pushed aside. He’s a good-hearted, loyal to a fault, funny, slightly arrogant kid who is typically bad at school, but the sunshine of the trio.

I won’t spoil the plot, but the first episode immediately pulls you in with its manipulation, secrets, revenge, and tight character dynamics. Ah Jin is the center of everything, and these two men willingly lie and scheme for her. She uses others too, but Junseo and Jae-Oh are her core tools.

Her whole goal is to put herself in a place where she can’t be hurt anymore, somewhere people can’t reach her. And in trying to protect herself like that, we sometimes see these small facets of her, little traces of humanity where she lets herself hope for something… but there’s always an external force pushing her to shut it down again.

She’s simply searching for the safe environment she never had as a child, a space where she can actually be herself.

It’s a deeply emotional, morally grey set of performances from the cast. We see the good in them, but we also see their unresolved issues, their obsessions, the healing they desperately need but never receive. So they cling to each other and try to survive, mostly by trying to give Ah Jin whatever she wants.

The series is phenomenal in both writing and acting. Kim You-jung is incredible as Ah Jin, delivering a rare, compelling portrayal of a female sociopath. If you like twisted relationships and high stakes, I definitely recommend it.

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Good story ..though I felt 3.5 hours duration was just too long for its narration ... And yes I skipped a lot (unapologetically) ... Talking about the plot as I said too long as it sailed too slow ... jian Qi and gege were good ..gege is the queen of fragile, soft, calm and quite FL character roles and jian qi just brought his best support to her as ML ... Their chemistry is good you can clearly see the affection part but seduction .... Ah!! No baby !!! Jian qi didn't even used his signature lip lock ..so seduction part was totally lacking.

Apart from this, There is not much too discuss ..side cast was ...... Was there I am sure 🤔 ..but nothing worth noting ...

Overall a good watch (keep the skip button 🔘 with you )

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I Can't Do it ?

I tried, I really did, and I'm at least happy that I tried. But, I had a feeling this just wasn't going to be my cup of tea, and that never changed.

Let's Dive In.

My Golden Blood has a unique (I think? I don't watch supernatural shows like that, lol) spin on a vampire love story. Gawin's character has golden blood that most vampires want, and Joss' character is the one that protects him from those getting to it. I knew this wasn't going to be for me when, in the very first episode, they explain how Mark has been looking after Tong since he was born. Uh-Oh. No. So you've watched him grow up (as a grown up) and still chose to fall for him...? Okay...

Honestly, people had warn me that the CGI would be the part o the series I didn't like, but honestly, it wasn't that bad. Not as bad as people had made it out to be. It was fine, nothing special, but exactly what I aspected from a GMMTV series.

The only thing keeping me was Gawin. I absolutely love him so much, and his acting in this is spectacular. Not his best work, but definitely in the top three, and I didn't even finish this. Some stuff about Joss had come out whilst this was airing. He was basically following a bunch of right-wing politicians, which felt incredibly weird for the role in which he plays in the BL world. I think he has since unfollowed most of them, but it definitely stained his image for me. Not enough to not watch his work, but enough to never (probably never) praise anything he's in.

Anyway, outside of that, I just can't. There's nothing in this that is keeping me here. I don't care for the plot, I don't care about the outcome, and they've kissed enough, so I get the memo.

Ratings:

Story: 4/10 - Just not my cup of tea. I think the first episode does have great set up, but there was nothing keeping me engaged.

Acting: 8/10 - Gawin was doing incredible! I'm sure he keep doing better throughout. Also, MOND.

Music: 5/10 - I didn't pay it any attention.

Recommendation Value: 2/10 - If you like corny vampire stories, sure. Also, there is one scene where Joss is shirtless coming out of the water if that helps.

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Oh ... Ma gad!!!

Every time I say I won't watch. Any more XianXia/WuXia dramas because they are too long for me, I go down the rabbit hole all over again and my freaking curiousity gets the best of me and I start one.

This drama is great, but as much as I like it, I hate it so much.
The story is really interesting but I'm basically watching it for the romance which is my first mistake, these wuxia dramas has a billion side quest the two leads have to conquer a whole new realm and do a bunch of shenanigans to reach a god knows what end, and I sit here like a potato trying - and failing - to understand what is going on for 40 episodes.

I understand that it's a whole genre, take it or leave it but why does these stories has to be so interesting, ugghh!!!

The two leads, actually the whole cast are amazing, I still don't understand the whole bad to good or good to bad personality shift for side characters but I guess that serves the plot so who am I to judge!!

I still however can't stomach a few things that making the whole "I'm torturing myself for the sake of the good romance here" more unbearable.
The main thing is the whole cultivation thing, some weird sh!t happens and we all supposed to be like "yeah yeah that makes sense" like what is these things!!! What do you mean her golden globe core is missing and what's with him breaking his transmigration !!! The only thing that is broken is probably my mantal stability,, What is that? And what is with the spirit thing!! Don't get me started with the sister and that evil guy *facepalm*
But it's ok, because if somehow I understood one thing, I'll probably have to do a yoga pose for 30 mins to cultivate this new information and I'll probably be up a level or something....

I'm not trying to be funny nor that I'm sh!tying on the drama but I seriously have to follow the bread crumbs of little romance between the leads till the end, and despite being really interesting, 40 episodes are just too many 🤦🤦

I want to rate this higher but I'm putting it on hold at ep27 ... I finished 27 episodes which is an achievement for me tbh ~~
I just hope of someone reading this, just watch the drama if you like the genre, if not or you are like me can't do long dramas, just don't get tempted to start it, fled immediately and call for help!!!!

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Most infuriatingly wasted opportunities in K-drama history...

Doom at Your Service might be one of the most infuriatingly wasted opportunities in K-drama history. The show looks beautiful—sometimes breathtaking—but that’s exactly why the rest of it feels like a slap in the face. Behind the glossy visuals is a hollow, poorly written story that drags itself through episodes like it’s allergic to momentum.
The pacing is so painfully slow it borders on disrespectful. Scenes stretch on forever without adding substance, as if the drama is desperately trying to convince us that lingering silence equals emotional depth. But let me tell you: it doesn’t. Instead, it makes every episode feel like an endurance test.
And the characters? Some of the flattest, most underdeveloped creations ever put on screen. They don’t grow, they don’t evolve, and half the time they barely react. It’s unbelievable that with so much potential in the premise, the writing still managed to make everyone feel one-note and emotionally stagnant.

The biggest tragedy is the male lead. He’s an undeniably talented actor, but this script gives him NOTHING to work with. His character is written with all the depth of a puddle—brooding, mysterious, tragic… and somehow still completely empty. The show wastes him so thoroughly it’s almost offensive. Watching a great actor trapped in such a shallow role is honestly more heartbreaking than any moment in the drama itself.
In the end, Doom at Your Service survives only on its cinematic beauty, and that alone doesn’t justify the time it demands. It’s stylish but soulless, dramatic but directionless, and ultimately a shiny, empty shell of what could have been an extraordinary story.

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Neither here nor there

There are some nice moments in this drama - a lot of the supporting roles are nicely developed and performed, adding to a rich ensemble of characters bringing the kingdoms of Sui and Northern Qi to life. Some standouts to me are Grand Princess Li Changming, Tuan Tuan, Chu Linyang and even Gu Chusheng. But a gaping hole in this story is unfortunately a dull romance between Wei Yun and Chu Yu, our leads. There's simply not enough to sustain the long 40 episodes, and one wonders if condensing this story to 30 episodes might have done the trick. The narrative is too long-winded, making the more interesting dramatic parts somewhat disappear.

Not the epic historic tale I was looking for in a pretty dry section of Chinese drama land in this second half of 2025, but it is still worth checking out especially if you enjoy the reliable performances of Ding Yuxi and that of veterans such as Joe Chen and Cao Jun.

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Excellent comedic timing, cohesive storytelling, and clever cultural callbacks.

Me and Thee is dialogue-driven comedy, where the humor stems purely from what the characters say. And I LOVE character-driven comedy, where characters are unintentionally funny due to their personalities, not because of manufactured "gags."

The first episode functions as an anti-romance, a parody of power, and a psychological character study, all wrapped in the aesthetic packaging of a prestige BL drama and a mafia-lakorn satire. It simultaneously lampoons traditional lakorn tropes (like melodrama, the possessive mafia lover, exaggerated speech, and opulent gestures) while building a genuinely vulnerable emotional core beneath all the spectacle.

The use of two distinct POVs—Peach’s quiet, grounded introspection versus Thee’s dramatic internal world (borrowed straight from the conventions of lakorns)—allows the episode to achieve a unique fusion of tones: comedy, dramatic tension, and genuine emotion.

Pond Naravit is so skilled at delivering those over-the-top, cringey lines. His performance as Khun Thee gives me the same feeling as Jun Matsumoto’s Domyouji Tsukasa. Both characters genuinely think their own exaggerated behavior and manner of speaking are normal. As a viewer, it’s like I’m watching them live their ordinary lives as their character. That's how you bring an iconic character to life.

It takes real skill to deliver highly dramatic lines that rely on formal language an actor wouldn't use in real life. The performer must make those lines sound effortless, as if they are simply speaking naturally, without any hint of overacting or falseness. And the real standout is how clearly articulated his Thai is, hitting every syllable perfectly.

Since Khun Thee learned Thai primarily by mimicking the language used in lakorns, his speech is naturally as flawless and eloquent as the TV actors—a detail Pond masterfully captures. While others often mumble or rush their words in modern Thai, Khun Thee speaks clearly and slowly, yet his face doesn’t look like he’s putting on a performance. I get chills every time he pronounces Peach's full name.

The way he delivers “Peachayarat” outside Peach's house is loaded with subtext. His exact tone, specific expression, and the ensuing silence communicate his internal struggle: “Why did being reprimanded sting? Why am I upset that he’s mad? Why do I care about his opinion? This is a completely new reaction for me.”

When it comes to Phuwin, the Moo Krata scene where Peach is eating the meat is likely the most striking example of his performance. With his eyes closed, it shows how deeply conflicted he is, a state beautifully conveyed by Phuwin’s subtle micro-expressions, even though the big dramatic scene that follows steals the focus. He enjoys the good food, but Thee’s show of opulence rubs him the wrong way because it goes against his values.

And P'X is a walking encyclopedia of references—he absolutely knows his stuff.

In creating Me and Thee, he pulled directly from the pop culture of his youth: everything from songs and movies to books and old lakorns. These influences were strategically woven into the series' structure. This, along with his strong directorial hand, clear vision, and the highly effective screenplay adaptation (credit VANGVELA), made Me and Thee an instant viral success based on its merit: it featured excellent comedic timing, cohesive storytelling, and clever cultural callbacks.

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Good but mismatched main leads

When I started this series I wanted to drop it because instead of chemistry between main leads we got feeling of older sister caring for her brother and forcefully adding the romance felt weird. Then I heard second leads get good chemistry and better romance than main leads could ever try to fake.

As I watched it longer i started to like the story, fights and relationships between friends, comrades and family.

It would be better if they showed all fights instead of just showing animated pages of novel or manhwa, not sure what the series was adapted from. Not to mention when they made one fire saving scene half half so they made actors move but put a non moving walpaper behind them. It was as hilarious as it was lame.

Dilraba was perfect fit for female lead but in my opinion male lead should have been a bit older so we get some chemistry. Since Leo Wu was so young at that time neither of them could force it and it was clear as a day that she was like a mentor to him.

Overall series is good and it keeps you watching till the end. If you are here for the romance, you will get it but not between main leads, but between second leads yes.

After you accept disapointment in main leads "romance" ,show gets really good and second couple delivers instead.

OST is very good and hits you in the feels.

I gave it a 9 because i want to support good stories but it did have loopholes nearing ending of the series. It gave me a feeling like they hurried up to end it and didnt properly wrap out the Ashile tribe part of the story.

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a good love story

Almost everything portrayed in the drama is exactly in the title. The conflict here is good, which makes the drama worth watching, and I always learn in all these dramas that every relationship should have good communication. Arthur Chen is such a charming actor who makes his dramas more intriguing to watch. If you all are new, Lighter and Princess should be your first stop before this series, and when destiny brings the demon. His chemistry with Sabrina Zhuang is actually great, and I really like it.

Overall, I recommend this drama only if you like series that have simple romance with a little bit of over-the-top conflict to make it more interesting.

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Autistic Doctor Solves Cases

Ameku Takao no Suiri Karte is a fun ride, in my opinion. As an autistic person, I think I can provide some feedback regarding the authenticity of the performance and the main character as a whole. Ms. Hashimoto, as Ameku Takao, definitely gave it her all with this performance as an autistic doctor. Yes, at times I think her struggles are "played up" for laughs, but I didn't find any of it offensive, which isn't something I can say for all shows featuring autistic characters. In fact, I often caught myself reflecting on my own experiences while watching the show. Takao doesn't feel like a 2-dimensional character, because she isn't reduced to a list of symptoms, and we're allowed to see different parts of her.

Hata Mei in her support role is excellent as well. She knew what to do to in her scenes, and she never failed to provoke a reaction from me. Miura Shohei, who played Takanashi Yu, has a really deep, resonant voice — I think I could even listen to him read the phone book all day without complaining, to be honest. All round a great cast.

Another thing that struck me was the tone of the show. In that sense, it feels very much like Great Teacher Onizuka especially in the way it inject moments of levity between instances of violence or serious topics. For those who like realism, it might not become one of their favorites. But people who like to laugh AND cry? They might really dig this show.

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Good Watch, But Didn't Blow Me Away

This drama was actually a nice surprise! The main story was really engaging, even though those violent scenes were kind of rough to get through sometimes.

My main issue was the pacing. Even though the show only has eight episodes, it felt super drawn out at times. I kept checking the clock, waiting for the episode to wrap up! The main idea behind the show was solid, but something just felt a bit bland in the way they delivered it, and I never totally got lost in the story.

The absolute highlight of the whole series was definitely the friendship between the central trio. Their bond was fantastic, and it really carried all the emotional weight—I just wish they had explored their relationship and bond more instead of wasting time on unnecessary plot. Plus, Jin So Baek was my favorite character—they were a definite bright spot! So Nee's incredible transformation for the role was absolutely mesmerizing. We also have to praise Seung Jo; the difference between his two characters was amazing, and he played both roles brilliantly. I was also really happy with the satisfying ending, where everyone got what they deserved.

Overall, it's a competent show and a good watch, but honestly, it didn't leave a huge impression on me.

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A satirical isekai (historical-to-historical) comedy with absurd, even mindless humor.

PLOT: The FL, a capricious incense-making princess, is sent to the world of a novel, alongside the ML, leader of a sect considered cruel and demonic. Navigating the rivalries of the martial arts world in search of two volumes of a book of secret techniques, she marries the ML and realizes he isn't the Great Villain everyone describes. How can she prevent him from being killed? How can she return to her own world?

+++ Johnny Zhang as the ML and some good actors (such as Cui Shao Yang)
+++ Pleasant OSTs

### The tone is very light, and it's clearly a satire of the genre: the behaviors are inconsistent and absurd; the characters aren't developed enough and aren't engaging (except for the ML). The FL character, capricious, childish, and bossy, is unbearable!
### The storyline is poorly written and full of nonsense.
### Low-budget production (plastic sets, etc.)

=> I watched this series for Johnny Zhang, but if you're not a fan, you can save your time.
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Comédie satyrique d'isekai (hist->hist) au comique absurde, voire brainless

PLOT: La FL, princesse capricieuse fabricante d'encens, est envoyée ds le monde d'1 roman, aux côtés du ML, chef d'1 secte considéré comme cruel & démoniaque. Navigant au milieu des rivalités du monde martial à la recherche des 2 tomes d'1 livre de techniques secrètes, elle épouse le ML et s'aperçoit qu'il n'est pas le Great Villain que tt le monde décrit. Comment lui éviter d'être tué ? Comment retourner ds son monde ?

+++ Johnny Zhang en ML et qq bons acteurs (tels que Cui Shao Yang)
+++ OSTs agréables

### Le ton est très léger et on sent qu'il s'agit d'1 satyre du genre : les comportements sont incohérents, absurdes ; les personnages ne sont pas assez développés et ne sont pas attachants (sauf le ML). Le personnage de la FL, capricieuse, puérile et autoritaire, est insupportable !
### la storyline est mal écrite, bourrée de non-sens.
### production petit budget (décors plastiques, etc.)

=> Série regardée pourJohnny Zhang, mais si vous n'êtes pas fan, vous pouvez éviter de gâcher votre temps.

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Honestly, I only wanted to watch it because it stars Boun and a few other of my favorite actors and I definitely don't regret doing it and making that decision. I expected it to be just a 7-episode zombie slog and I feared the worst, and for no reason. The whole series was brilliant. The zombies looked so incredibly realistic that I was speechless at how much I was blown away by it. Not to mention the acting, which added even more spice to it and I wonder why this series isn't talked about enough? This is truly a masterpiece and even though I said after Khemjira that Thais probably won't be that bad at making horror movies, I shouldn't have said probably, but DEFINITELY because this is truly a masterpiece and it will be one of my next favorite series. It's really wonderfully crafted and even more wonderfully acted. I hope there are more series like this that will make me unable to keep my mouth shut and I'll be blown away and that we'll see another season because like the ending? I NEED SEASON 2 ASAP!!!

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The show that wanted to be deep, but tripped over its own punchlines

A show about success, failure, and mental illness—except the mental illness part was mostly sidelined for comedy.

Disclaimer: This review is 100% my opinion — I’m not here to hate, just to share my thoughts! Also, SPOILERS AHEAD, so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet. Watch it, come back and let’s see if you agree. Let’s keep the discussion respectful and fun! 💕

The Good
The Side Couple That Saved Me
Honestly, Hong Ran and Dae Yeong carried this show. Their dynamic kept me going through a lot of it and I don’t know if I would’ve made it through the show without them.

Mental Illness Done Right (Mostly)
Jeong Woo’s portrayal of PTSD was done really well. It felt authentic, uncomfortable in the right ways, and was portrayed with strong emotional depth. Ha Neul’s depression arc was also meaningful—though I have a few mixed thoughts on how it played out (we’ll get to that below).

The Rivalry That Was Pure Entertainment
Was their academic rivalry necessary for the plot? No. Was it ridiculously petty and fun to watch? Absolutely. Their competitive antics provided a nice little break from the heavier stuff, and honestly, I appreciated those moments more than I expected.


The Bad
An Obnoxious Amount of Drinking
This show was 90% drinking, and honestly? Why?
I won’t get into the drinking-on-meds situation since that’s been thoroughly dragged elsewhere (lol), but beyond that, it was just too much. The drinking rarely added to the story and eventually felt like filler—like they didn’t know what else to do with a scene, so they tossed in a soju bottle and called it a day. It started off funny but quickly veered into “okay, we get it” territory.

Her Depression Arc Could Have Been Way Stronger
I saw a lot of comments praising Ha Neul’s portrayal of depression, but honestly? I kind of disagree.
While they acknowledged her struggle, the show never fully explored the real depth of depression: things like exhaustion, hopelessness, isolation, difficulty even getting out of bed. They leaned so hard into the comedy that the entire theme of mental illness got pushed to the side.
Sure, Ha Neul had moments where she talked about her struggles, but that was pretty much it. She mostly seemed fine throughout the series—and while I get that depression isn’t always visible, this is a drama.
And then there’s the psychiatrist situation. So she gets taken off meds and told she doesn’t need therapy anymore because she “feels better”? That didn’t sit right. Depression doesn’t magically disappear when your circumstances improve or you start dating someone. It comes in waves and doesn’t always align with external “success.” This show made it seem like all you need is a good man and a less toxic job and voilà, you’re cured.
For a show that marketed itself around two doctors leaning on each other through mental health struggles, it didn’t seem all that interested in actually exploring that theme beyond surface level.

They Should Have Stayed Just Friends
As much as the show wanted us to believe they had chemistry, their interactions screamed friend zone more than romance. The writers should have adjusted the story to make them feel like actual romantic leads instead of just throwing them together because, well… lead characters must date, I guess.

Bada Deserved Actual Development
Bada was basically the “useless younger brother” label personified. Why?
He was treated like the sibling who was always lesser, always the disappointment, and always overlooked. Imagine if he and Ha Neul had a real argument about it. Then, a proper reconciliation where they talked through it, shifting his mindset from “I’ll always be behind her” to “I have my own strengths”.
Instead, we got a guilt-ridden monologue about being a burden, and then nothing. Every side character ended up revolving around Ha Neul, as if their only functions were to orbit her, “fix themselves” for her sake, or support her growth.

His Parents Should Have Stayed a Mystery
There’s nothing more obvious than randomly added storylines, and this show had a lot of them, including the barely-there, cold parents reveal. While Jeong Woo’s mom made sense in relation to Kyung Min’s grudge, her distant, emotionally unavailable persona never actually affected Jeong Woo. Like, when he came in second place, his reaction was shock when it should’ve been fear or something tied to his childhood. Instead, they just tossed the emotionally distant parent subplot into the mix without really doing anything with it. (Sigh)

Kyung Min Deserved a Different Ending
His ending? Disappointing. Instead of facing real consequences or reconciling with Jeong Woo, he just… died.
He had moments where he genuinely cared for Jeong Woo—he was there at his graduation, he had their shared history, and yet? The writers didn’t give him the chance to actually make amends before his death. They had no problem adding drunk scenes every episode and dragging them out, yet they were so quick to wrap up the storyline that actually mattered to the plot…?


The Ending Was a Mess
I’ve said this before, but let me say it louder: the ending made no sense. The therapist tells Ha Neul she’s healed, but how? When did we ever see her actually build coping mechanisms or face her depression head-on? All we saw was her vibe better because she got a boyfriend and a new job. What happens when life gets hard again? What happens if they break up? Instead of making it seem like they were each other’s only saving grace, they should have learned real ways to cope together.
Depression doesn’t just vanish when things start looking up—and especially not when your coping method is “have fun with your new man.” The way they handled mental illness felt more like a plot tool for romance rather than something they actually wanted to explore. Don’t centre your plot around two doctors (hello??) dealing with mental health and then make them behave like they know nothing about it.
Why is the woman who reads dissertations for fun not reading a single one on depression? Why are two literal doctors drinking heavily on meds and making wildly irresponsible decisions like they’re in college? It just didn’t line up.


Final Thoughts
I feel like I’ve made my stance pretty clear throughout, but here’s the nice little bow on top. This show was disappointing, to say the least. It started off promising and had me intrigued with its setup, the trauma, the mystery. But it went downhill fast. I originally rated this a 6/10, but honestly? No clue why I was feeling so generous. Maybe I had emotions back then that I just don’t have now.
The biggest issue? This drama wanted to be a comedy so badly that it completely sidelined its serious themes for cheap laughs. Worse, it forgot that its characters were supposed to be doctors. So things that might be a bit more understandable for the average person made zero sense when professionals were making the same bad choices. I guess it was my fault for expecting this to be a drama highlighting the struggles of success and mental illness. But hey, that’s exactly how they marketed it. Lesson learned: next time, I won’t believe the trailer or any overly promising descriptions.

~~~

What were your thoughts on this drama? Did you enjoy it like a lot of people or did you agree with some of the points I mentioned??

This didn’t even include everything 😂😂. But I still hope you got what I meant.

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