I put off watching this one for awhile because of the dumb name. I always tell myself to stop judging dramas by their titles and posters, but I keep doing it.

This is one of the best dramas I’ve seen. Despite having potential for jealousy, petty spite, etc. it avoids all of that and tells a different story of understanding, clarity, and empathy. It also tells multiple stories of personal trauma and healing.
I laughed a lot. I cried a few times. I found all the characters extremely likeable, each had their own personality and were extremely well-written. (Unlike Doom at Your Service where the main lead's story was addictive, but the second lead’s romance was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen- like watching a different show.) It was really balanced.

It’s a murder mystery/romance/comedy all wrapped up in one. Like other dramas, it takes a couple episodes to set the stage before showing its true quality.

The ending was very fluffy and maybe a little anticlimatic for me, personally, but it wraps up the story well and I didn’t feel like there were any unaddressed plot holes. The one flaw that really threw me off was in the beginning. There’s this stalker guy and while it explains why he does it later on… and why she is susceptible to being lured in by creeps. I don’t think it ever addresses that that shit is creepy and bad no matter what reason. Thankfully, it’s not a big part of the show.

One thing I found unique is that it uses foreshadowing really well to lead the viewer through the story. It doesn’t try to shock you, instead it leads you through this story. Obviously with a few hokey tropes- but uses them adorably. It also breaks some conventions and overused stereotypes.

The whole show is just so cute, and funny, and heartwarming. It’s like snuggling a big fluffy pillow. I want to rewatch it right now!

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A "Late to the Party" Review

Overall, not bad, lots of clever writing and stuff. But I have a few major gripes!

First of all, WHAT WAS THAT 180° TURN from the set up of Ahn Jae Hong's character as a kind of a hilarious, childish, blowhard to being mature, meek, and softhearted? His character went from fascinating and bold to bland and flavourless basically from episode 2 to episode 3.

I can't call it poorly done—the writing is clever; I enjoyed the meta-narrative of a drama about writing a drama, and the humour that came from that was pretty funny. I guess my main gripe is that, for slice of life, I didn't find the characters believable.

I think this was an intentional creative choice to complement the story-in-a-story? To make them exaggerated caricatures.

For example, the single mom's story made zero sense from the beginning... they didn't show how he wooed her at all, which would have fleshed out how she changed from seeing him as a creepy, annoying stalker to someone who she'd be open to having a baby with.

They couldn't even show him being funny? He was just a caricature of a trash-like man. Like, for a slice of life—show me what she saw, give me a peak at her heart.

It just made it hard to relate to them, for me personally.

Not a badly done show, just not my cup of tea, overall.

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Lackluster as both a romance and action, but not without highlights

Ngl, I was pretty bored and it was a push to finish this one. They failed to straddle the romance and action genre, by giving us the most lackluster of both. The cast was great! (Except for the ML who I find dull.)

However, while not living up to its potential, it would benefit future shows in the Palace genre to draw inspiration from its strengths; character complexity and somewhat unique storyline (while avoiding its pitfalls in execution, please).

A standout aspect is the portrayal of 'corrupt ministers' as more than stock villains. There was a lot of ambiguity in character morality, as individuals acted based on complex, personal motivations. I actually kind of felt bad for the bad guy in the end... Usually, I feel pretty bored with the greed-motivated plotting, so this was refreshing. I would love to see more shows do this!

For execution, it did feel a little "busy"... Rushing through a big cast of characters/big narrative arc can sometimes feel boring, despite a lot going on, because you don't get time to connect with the characters or develop investment in the current arc.

It might have felt more focused if they gave us some real fight scenes. They had the perfect set up for great fight scenes!!! A couple characters, like Hyeri's--since her dad was the "Tiger"-- and with the Prince's sword-fighting skills, could have been dedicated to great fighting scenes and it would have added a lot to show. Making Hyeri feel more like a badass lead... And making the cinematography more dynamic

What we got was *a lot* of "people chaotically running around clanking swords" scenes. For a show with a considerable emphasis on action, the lack of good fight scenes is a noticeable deficit. (There doesn't even have to be a ton of them, just make them well done!)

I also loved the unique premise (admittedly underpinned by some tired tropes), but I do wish they leaned into the unpredictable aspects more... There were some *really good* potential endings... But the ending we got felt confined by the need to circle back around to the MLs romance, which felt more like a plot device than a real romance. (I will comment the ending I wanted to see for others who have watched already.)

I gave the music a 5/10 because I didn't hate it, I just never noticed it.

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This show is half trash, and half brilliant. And I absolutely love it despite its shortcomings.

The rating reflects my personal feelings, not objective story quality because I skip everything to do with the second leads story (I get what they're going for as a contrast to the main leads but the premise completely falls flat with me).

That being said, I love the story of Doom himself as he initially struggles to admit his own emotionality to himself (it is a painful vulnerability given what his fate and responsibilities in the universe are), and how the story of her learning to understand him reveals so much about the reason he is the way he is. In a way, she teaches him to love himself and come to terms with his own place in the order of things. There's a lot of "pain is the breaking of the shell of your understanding" going on here. Every time I watch it, I get something new out of it. At first, I just thought it was just a tragic romance, but the story is about them developing as individuals. And, I'm not personally religious, but I enjoyed the way they personified God and the philosophy of God as a gardener, who is ever so subtly pulling the strings to try and get the right outcome.

There are a lot of moments where tiny changes in the environment, aesthetics, or actions by a character add to the depth and meaning of a moment without explicitly spelling it out. This gives it a great rewatch quality.

That being said, it is inconsistent quality-wise. It does go downhill slightly after episode 7 or so. There's a lot I could do without, and a lot I could do with more of. But I love it all the same.

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Surprisingly Heartwarming

I almost gave this a pass after the first episode, because I didn't like the humor or the caricature-ish characters. I'm glad I kept watching because it had some refreshing lessons about acceptance of people/lifestyles that appear strange to you (and everything not being what it may appear to be), but it did so very naturally- it didn't feel like it was pushing a specific agenda.

The friendships that developed were really a highlight for a me. And although mental illness is a serious topic (be aware, it does talk about domestic abuse as well), overall the show kept a light mood and I didn't it to be sad or heavy.

Personally, I don't think it's "substantial" enough to merit a rewatch- but I did enjoy it. I'll look for the male lead in other dramas as I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of the character's development.

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Good Production Quality Does Not Guarantee a Good Drama

Neither does having big name actors if you don't use them well.

The 1 dimensional "evil chairman", "corrupt assemblyman", "greedy CEO" with "incompetent heir" and his "plotting wife" trying to put him in a position of power... It's boring.

They push the same problem on the female lead. She's icy outside, soft inside. But a) they wrote her character way over the top and b) she doesn't really act how they characterize her. She lets the ML cross the line and boss her around constantly despite being a "strong, smart female lead"... This guy is swooping in to take care of her constantly-- and in ways that make no sense.

For example, he demands that she stay at his house after the break in-- and she just lets him boss her around? Why wouldn't she go to a hotel? Of all people, she should know how bad this looks to sleep at *her student's* apartment.

Too much repeated suspension of disbelief pulls me out of the story.

- Highschool grad happens to be a prodigy in practicing law and is about to be promoted to CEO of one of the biggest firms in the country... While around, or even under, the age of 30.
- Convenient CCTV wherever they're needed-- repeatedly. Law students just happen to find the car that was driving behind the guys fighting over their fumbled break in attempt.
- First month law students (with the lowest marks in the class) break into a file that professionals couldn't get into... Just by typing in random passwords?
- Their whole "class" experience is... lectures when she feels like it, writes one line on the board and walks out, has them do detective work for her, talks about random cases she's involved in in the news. It just makes no sense and would never fly.

Ultimately, the story feels too forced and unnatural. The characters have the wooden-ness of puppets rather than people.

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Somehow manages to be boring. Lots of missed potential with this one.

The storyline centers around a rather uncreative and *serious* serial killer murder mystery. Personally, I was looking forward to a comedy-- not another police procedural about another serial killer killing young women and something something corrupt politicians.

The comedy seems to take second fiddle. This is actually the first Seo In Guk drama where I've been let down by the humour. The slapstick comedy style isn't for me. Everyone passing out from someone's stinky feet isn't funny to me... but that's just me, it doesn't make it bad-- just not my style of humour.

The romantic line between the leads is incredibly forced. Mind you, it's hard to generate chemistry when the FL is written/directed to be sullen and grumpy.

A sassy, funny, clever, over-the-top FL to face off in friendly competition against the ML would have generated so much more romantic tension, been so much more entertaining, and would have had so much more comedy potential.

As someone else said, I'd love someone to do a post mortem on this show and why it "doesn't work" because I can't quite put my finger on it. Overall, the show is kind of boring and I can see why a lot of people have dropped it already.

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How Did I Watch 4 Episodes of This Trash

They're trying so hard to make Song Kang's character into Doom (Seo In Guk) in Doom at Your Service—even down to some of the ambient sound effects... but he really doesn't have convincing "bad boy" vibes. At all. It feels like your friend's cute little brother in a vampire costume trying to convince you he's sooo dark and mysterious.

It feels like this is the "parade-of-eye-candy and familiar-cliches-people-love makes up for lack of quality in writing, dialogue, characters, etc." formula that made King the Land popular.

Everything about the screenplay is just bad and contrived. They (and the scenarios they're put in) tick a lot of stock cliche boxes, but there's not a lot (any?) complexity to grab on to and bring them to life. I've liked Yoo Jung in other things, but she comes off as very wooden in this role.

But, I mean, we get lots of close ups of pretty leads, so that makes up for it right?

All in all, I liked the premise, but high production quality and big names do not guarantee a good drama—but it can make for a popular drama. So, have fun with this! I'm tapping out.

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Almost Perfect

I love a badass female lead--and a well-executed trope! A bit over the top? Completely ridiculous? Likeable characters? Count me in!

There is a lot to like here, and I rarely felt bored with slow scenes (the 10 episode format helps)... Alternatively, the pacing was a bit quick and I would have loved a couple extra episodes to see them flesh out their relationship better. However, I do love some level-headed romance, fun characters, and humour, so this has earned a top spot for me.

However, I am holding off watching the last episode and a half, because I don't want a lackluster ending to change my opinion of the show! Currently sitting at 9.5 out of 10 eps.

The chemistry between the characters was on point--which is something lacking between a lot of shows that seem to choose leads for their star power rather than their chemistry together.

My only critique plot-wise is that it's a little too perfectly symmetric and symbolic with the leads, their issues, their closure with their ex's... And the ending was a little cliche--I hate a forced cliche. I would LOVE to see a drama where the it doesn't follow the established formula, and I admit I was a little disappointed to find out the main leads weren't gay.

Can we have some romcoms where it's not so formulaic where the ML and FL will hook up, and SML and SFL are forced together, and something happens and they break up, kiss, make up/or make peace and split? Anyway, that's not a critique of this specific show, but of dramas in general.

Speaking of which, the second female lead is a bit too immature and annoying to take seriously. The male leads are great, and overall it feels like a good contrast to many romcoms out there...

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