overrated

i forced myself to finish this drama and still fails to see why this drama received such rave reviews.

FL is creepy stalker who is way too aggressive yet she is forgiven by drama gods for her crazy behaviour because she looks pretty and acts docile.

ML smirks too much, thinks too much of himself and seems to fall for FL only because he keeps bumping into her and was forced to dating her.

The chemistry was thin.
The plot was non existent - the whole story consists of ML + FL 'building their relationship' around ML's schedule of gaming in the hope of becoming #1 in the country?
when i say building relationship - i mean the FL gives endless (creepy) support - while the ML takes it all for granted but sometimes act chivalrous to FL as payback.

Way too many flashbacks - we get it, SOLO was awesome, then disbanded because of personal issues of the leader ? like the leader not allowed to have personal issues?
the issues was between him and his GF - why must the team be broken up over iit?
i know the ML gave a whole speech about the why - still, i dont get it.

overall - watch if you like computer hacking thing and/or super big fan of the ML/FL
skip if you are looking for a solid romance/character development drama

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Watch it for the Bromance!

Top notch cast - check
Great music - check
Dramatic (and very well made) background story - check
Bromance - check
Secondary couple - :)
Chemistry between main leads - :(


Started watching for Gong Yoo, who is daebak as always but

*SPOILER AHEAD*

halfway through the series the plot becomes an endless loop of 'when will the sword be taken out'
i was hoping this will be resolved soon but no, it seems to become the main couple's only obstacle and issue

as the main couple circles endlessly around the sword - the second couple gains steam with the ring! the meeting on the bridge! the grim reaper trying enter dating scene!
honestly i continued watching for the second couple instead since the main couple seems to lack spark.
as the series continued, the plot thickens around the second couple and i became so invested in them that i started to skip all the scenes containing the main couple

tried rewatching and found that even the bromance between the goblin and the grim reaper is still more entertaining than the goblin and the bride :(

conclusion: watch it for the second couple beautifully tragic story and the super fun bromance!

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Gold Standard of GenderBender

This drama is so meticulous and sensitive in delivering this multi-faceted gender bender story so that we can keep our logic intact (which is a rarity in drama world) whilst having all the FEEELLLSSSS from the angst involved.

The ML & FL plot is realistic and their chemistry is off the charts.
What i love about them, they each have their own problems and together they grow to become better version of themselves.
What i dont love about them - NONE (!!!)

The secondary couple's depiction of a mature relationship may seemed boring to some viewers but when a relationship have run that long - things do get mundane and boring.
The second ML's interest on the FL is understandable - he has been in a long term relationship with its own problems and challenges, thus he finds the FL just may be the refresher he needs to kickstart his heart again.
The second ML also presents a very real threat and become one of many catalyst to the main couple's relationship development.
The supporting characters make a wonderful ensemble that help make this drama feel wholesome and warm.

Worth an annual rewatch for this gold standard in gender bender drama.

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Empty calories for the mind

The plot is crazy
The characters are not realistic
The music is so so so horrid *alllmoossttt pppaaaaarrraaadiiissseeee
This drama is so bad, it is addictive.

BOF throws away SO MANY insanely illogical plot devices week after week yet there i was, faithfully waiting for every new eps to watch it UNSUB first then SUBBED.
This is a testament to the great acting and chemistry of all the actors doing their utmost best with what little writing they have.
I believe this show was carried on LMH and KHS having surprisingly great chemistry.
Seeing KJH is bonus and KB is whipped cream with cherry on top.

I have seen the TW version, Japanese version and this K version.
I have to say the Japanese did it best, may be due to the fact that the original material is Japanese hence it converted seamlessly into dorama.
The TW version was also good - F4 were the original oppas before there were kdrama oppas.
This K version was crazy bad - you become used to the badness of it all and just enjoyed all the empty calories.

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Ghost plot wins, Romance barely survives

Pros:
Individually, FL & ML are on point
costume
make up
sets/props/decor
lively ensemble

Cons:
Together, FL & ML do not generate any feeeelllllssssss aka lack of sparks between the leads
Terrible second lead syndrome with the FireFlyGuy



*SPOILERS AHEAD*

Both ML & FL are good actors with their own charms and characteristics, yet i failed to feel their sparks :(
Both actors brought their A game, yet their romance was still born.
This may be due to the writing or the directing - which seemed to be more invested on delivering the mystery/resolving ghosts' grudges plotline than on the romance.
As a result of this, JangManWol (needing to resolve her own hefty grudges in order to cross the bridge) have more sparks with the FireFlyGuy aka Go Chung-myung rather than the human Go Chan-Sung.
Halfway through the series, I was more invested in watching JMW with GCM scenes (Oh, the angst when he was getting married!) rather than the impending separation of JMW with GCS.

Watch this if you are a fan of ghosts' story line (which this drama totally delivered 10/10) and amazzziinngg dresses/make up on JMW.

Skip if you are looking for thrilling sparks of romance - interlaced with ghost stories.

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Way better than LOYX!!

I may be in the minority but having Ruyi is the much improved version of LOYX.
The plot is faster, funnier and the last stretch is less crazy convoluted.
The characters developments is clearer and more refined.
The cinematography and music is very pretty

This is a fluffy cotton candy filled with many laughter and sweetness that is enjoyable from start to finish.
The ML FL chemistry is crazy good, the politics/evil guys length & level of annoying in each eps is just right to built tension and not be draggy.

I saw many many many many complaints about lack of passionate kiss between the leads, but maybe we are just accustomed to western style kissing(?) such that we have forgotten that asians are much more restrained in showing their affection/passion.
With this pairing of FL/ML, they dont even have to kiss to generate butterflies - sometimes less is more you know.
for me, its not the passionate kissing that matters though, its the sticking through all the ups/down/crazy winding journey that is the gist of this story.
In their own ways, the FL/ML fight for their own beliefs, which is important, staying true for yourself first and foremost before becoming a good partner in your relationship.

Dont use your brain too much when digesting the plot (esp when it comes to the lightning scene in the last eps) and just enjoy the ride, because it was a really really really good one.

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Bye logic and just enjoy the ride

Pros:
ML & FL acting & chemistry
For a gender bender drama that defies all logic, the plot and story telling is very smooth
Surprisingly funny, this is props to both writing and acting
Not a big fan of sports drama but the sports reel in this are very well made

Cons:
*SPOILER AHEAD*
The grandma bit is not an effective plot device, she was there at the beginning with a premonition then she was at the end saying tadaaa im the grandma.. like...... The story could have done without this and still be enjoyable
The second leads do not present any significant threat/change in dynamics between the ML & FL
The wrapping up is too slow - wish they move on to how FL & ML are adjusting when not playing in the same team anymore

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