Watching this was probably one of the worst choices I've ever made.

This is just my honest, personal opinion, I disliked both the story AND the way it progressed. The acting could've been better, but it generally wasn't that bad by most of the cast. The story though... Some characters were quite literally UNBEARABLE (yes I'm looking at you FL's mom).

The FL is written as a very kind yet resilient and strong person, or so we're supposed to believe... The thing is, she behaves like a dormant, especially with her mom. Disagreeing with your parents is perfectly normal, agreeing with everything they say and forgiving whatever they unilaterally decide for you, is what's not okay. I could literally write an entire essay about how dysfunctional the FL's relationship with her mother is.

The FL is 29 years old and her mom treats her as if she's 12. She literally designed an engagement ceremony for the fl without asking for her opinion... and I'm not even talking about the decorations... I'M TALKING ABOUT THE GROOM like- ??? lady get it together, please. The thing that makes me madder is had the FL enforced healthy boundaries with her mom, nothing like this would've happened.

Boundaries are of utmost importance in every relationship and suitable ones should be enforced (obviously depending on what type of relationship it is and taking into consideration personal preferences). By not enforcing proper boundaries the FL is enabling her mom's behavior. No, it's not cute, it's not "but, she's just worried" or "she loves you and cares for you that's why she's doing it". Seriously I hate when behaviors like this are glorified or simply glossed over in dramas with the excuse of "being a loving parent❤️". No. She is smothering her own daughter. The woman is simply controlling! Not to mention that she gaslights her daughter when things don't go her way.

Another thing that I didn't like is the grandma being used as a plot device to bring the main leads together (or at least the particular way she was utilized as a plot device). Moreover her being all "I brought you into the Mai family" towards the ML, like she gave him the biggest gift ever made me so mad. If she sincerely wanted her grandson to know what love is, she should've brought him to live with her or helped him before things turned as bad as they did (with his family). I believe that she was kind of cruel to her grandson since the beginning of it all.

Also isn't it ironic how the FL was betrayed by her long-term bf hiding the fact that he was wealthy, when the grandma did the exact same, and for many more years...

All in all, I think this story just wasn't for me, I struggled and ended up skipping quite a lot, up until the 20th episode. I'm a bit disappointed as I am a fan of some of the cast, but I'll just drop it here.