Kiss Sixth Sense (2022)

Wasted potential

I was absolutely whipped for this drama when it first started. The chemistry between the FL and ML was terrific. I used to look forward to new episodes. However, I wasn't a fan when the ML and FL started dating and their personalities changed a lot. ML, who was known for his cold gaze and strict behavior suddenly acted like a schoolboy. I would've been happier if their dating was written differently...more subtle changes rather than throwing it all the at viewer's face.

Another thing I don't understand is the recent trend of inserting murder mystery and/or crime into a storyline. It felt out of place and absolutely unnecessary, especially for episodes 11 and 12. The story would've be so good if it was 'just' an office romance with a sparkle of supernatural. The last two episodes made me feel like I was watching a completely different drama.

I still liked the drama as a whole but the more episodes I watched, the more my interest decreased. The writing had a lot of potential in the early stages but somewhere around episode 7, it started to go downhill. Overall, I hate to say it's an okay drama. The ending felt rushed and could've been executed better.

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Execution is all that matters.

Produced by 'Arc Media' and distributed by 'Disney+', "Kiss Sixth Sense (키스 식스 센스) is a semi-fantasy plus office romcom drama adapted from the hit Naver webtoon of the same title authored by Gatnyeo (갓녀). Written by Jeon Yu Ri and directed by Nam Ki Hoon, the drama has 12 episodes in total.

The story follows two people who have special abilities of sense, which rooted from a single event, falling in love during the course of time as they work together in the Planning Team 1 of Zeus ad company. Hong Ye Seul (Seo Ji Hye) is an aspiring employee who has made it upto to remarkable positions through her noteworthy work. She has the ability to see the future when her lips touch anyone. Cha Min Hu (Yoon Kye Sang) is chief of the team and Ye Seul’s mentor who is strict and is known for picking on others. He can hear even the quitest voice from distance and has issues with getting intimate with anyone. As their lips meet once accidentally, the story takes to the journey they share to be united and bring happiness in their lives.

Lee Pil Yo (Kim Ji Suk) is an acclaimed Ye Seul’s ex-boyfriend who comes back with the intension of getting back with her. Lee Joo Yeon is a famous actress and Min Hu’s childhood friend who crushes upon him. Other familiar faces in the drama in major roles are: Tae In Ho, Kim Ga Eun, Hwang Bo Ra, Late Kim Mi Soo, Kim Ki Doo, Yoo Jung Ho, Kim Jae Hwa, Kim Hee Jung, Uhm Hyo Sub, Lee Han Hwi. Park Seung Geun and Jo Hee Bong. Also, there are many known popular actors as guest characters in the drama as well.

Plot development is very good. Ngl, the pilot episode and the furtherance in the next were extremely bland, a bit hard to get into, with confusing introductions and unrelatable flashbacks to past. But somehow things started to make sense as soon as the ep3 started with major confrontation events plus the way the advertising tasks kept playing out in a goal-assigning manner. With the beginning of chemistry development followed by romance (not gonna say when), the show became even more interesting and in all that, was paralleled a tiny mystery plot involving the main characters which shares the minimum screentime with not-so-very-deep essence and very well utilized as a subplot. The unveiling of mystery as well as the romance recital were handled smoothly though the former could have better fates but anyways, the final outcomes were beautifully presented. I loved the ending sequence as well and yes, the pacing was near perfect for a 12eps show.

With the experience of only one basic romcom 4 years ago with average reception, Jeon Yu Ri jakka-nim probably made a good choice by opting to adapt the novel as a way of learning. The genre is old, the story is basic and the concept isn’t noteworthy, but the elements are gratifying, the development is refreshing and the execution is amazing, which I must say was unexpected on personal level. The character arcs have been beautifully built up and I loved how the writer has emphasized on untypical possibilities to the ending of relationships (as in by the drama ends).

Having worked in multiple genre dramas on equal levels, Nam Ki Hoon PDnim is a familiar face in the industry known for his good sense of bringing out the best from the most basic scripts. The drama surely doesn’t require very good skills but the fact that the production value of it has resulted in good quality indicates the work of the director.

The scenario set up, being held equally in and out –side of the office was nice. Also, the screen-editing is up to par with sumptuous sound production; not just the OSTs have been well-incorporated but the accessory background scores are well-composed, particularly the continuous whistle tune was alleviating. The cinematography work is not proficient, ngl, but the plain and calm hue of office and the contrasting nature with vivid colours were all pleasant to witness.

There are 8 OSTs in total…
"You're Like Americano” by Yuju
"Even If You Can't Have It” by Zia
"Kiss Sixth Sense" by Lee Jun Hwa
"Fantasy" by Suran
"You Make Me” by Woong San
"Stay With Me" by Grizzly
"Give You Everything" by Na Yoon Kwon
"Here We Are" by Jay Yeon (SWAY)

What I liked…
# Monologues by Ye Seul were both inspiring and thought-provoking; the conflicts she had with her own heart was poured into beautiful and warm words and you can take few notes about dating relationships as well.
# The sensibility to the characters through mistakes and learnings were nice to watch as the characters chose to make themselves freer of whatever was holding them back. The original webtoon writer and the drama screenwriter should be credited for painting and panning out them respectively.
# Seo Ji Hye’s acting was natural in here, the character’s soft yet confident gesture makes her likable. Similarly for Yoon Kye Sang, his firm accent and proficient dialogue delivery clearly speaks of his experience.
# The love story is mature and there is apt amount of romance between the leads as well as the screen-time provided to the 2nd couple. In fact the way the characters handled their relationship and the mandatory accompanying elements were realistic. They have put particular emphasis on transparency.
# Hwang Bo Ra who played Yeonhee (Seul’s bestie in the office) is very suiting for funny comic roles and I am happy to see her again in another office romance drama and also with short hair (again).
# The mystery plot has been given the appropriate exposure and the way it panned out in the series with a a standard ending, I’m quite satisfied. Well, they make it obvious about the culprit with good intentions but the utilization did result well.
# Limited amount of fantasy did eventuated well imo though the basis of the show was fantasy only. I love the fact that they didn’t rely on it much.
# Probably the thing I loved the most was how the makers saw it fit to explain that every relationship, despite of their kind and span of existence, deserve a sorted fate and sufficient time for the good of both the parties. I’m happy they gave this a good amount of exposure.

What I didn’t like…
# I am not really disappointed with the mystery plot ending on a rushed note or felt lacking as it becomes a connecting point for the leads but I somehow feel they could have bring out better results.
# One thing that I would have loved to see was more to the characters of the office staffs. I, in no way, mean that anything was off but it could have been better. But again, the show has only 12 episodes and they have done their best. Admittedly, they successfully showcased the works in an advertising company in detail with apt workplace environment.

Additionally, the factors that I believe the writer was able to portray through the actions of the characters were really something other creators amiss. While confessions and confrontations are important in a relationship, its only demanding to be able to acknowledge your deeds and learn from mistakes. As individuals, thinking and self-reflection could make us better human beings and Ye Seul was a stupendous flag-bearer of that throughout. Mis-predicting future or things going differently from expectations which was made to
Fiinal Remarks… Well, the drama is pretty basic and you won’t be surprised with quite a lot of things but the story is surprisingly well made and awfully sweet and refreshing, at least for viewers like me who crave for cute and straightforward romance once in a while. For me, it was a short and appealing and delightful watch for it an endearing loveline and winsome relationship, decorated with a standard fantasy and good mystery. Will definitely recommend.

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