Wasted potential - could have done better

With this kind of Neo-noir plot, the drama had so much potential. But they wasted it with other irrelevant sub-plots. It felt like ep 7 - 14 were just fillers and the action only picked up from episode 15, the one before the final episode. If the writers had just stuck to the original plot about Yeo Joo's blood thirst for cheating men, Woo Sung, his affairs, the rich girl and Yeo Joo's spy assistant; the drama would have being so much more satisfying because the viewers would have got what they promised. Instead they inserted some ridiculous political plot and wasted half the time with that. The sub-plot was interesting but still irrelevant to the main purpose of this drama. The fact that they just created more and more suspicions about everyone and did not give a single clue about anything until the final episodes made it all the more infuriating. The writers really didn't make things better with that cliff hanger ending. This show started off with a good outline for the plot, but the take away from this drama would be to be weary of the writers and their next projects. Plus the acting was great from everyone which was expected. However Yeon Woo needs more practise as she was lacking in expressions.

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First of all the plot is not cliche. But the way the drama was executed can make it the cliche romance drama in certain ways. But for this show, that's not a con! It brought out the fun of watching a kdrama with the traditional formula. Why this drama was appealing to me even though it has elements that I generally don't like is because it's in a comic book setting. So the cartoonish behaviour and cliches is excusable and acceptable. Even if you do not like the cliche romance drama in a high school setting (like me), still give this drama a try. It's cute, it's fun, it's full of suspense, heart breaking at times but loaded with scenes that can't make you stop smiling, laughing or saying 'you go girl!'

Now onto my actual review:

This drama was great! It could have being much more with the latter episodes (which is why I rated it 8 stars instead of 9 like I planned to). But still it was good enough.

I really anticipated this drama because of Kim Hye Yoon since I was really impressed by her acting (and visuals) in Sky castle. And I am not dissapointed. Her acting was really good. Normally I drop dramas because of characters like Dan Oh. I'm not a huge fan of cutesy dramas with aegyo characters because it comes off as nothing but cringy and boring to me. But Kim Hye Yoon really pulled it off. It was really enjoyable to watch her. Dan Oh's behaviour could be embarrassing and over the top at times but Kim Hye Yoon's acting was not. I'm so happy she got this drama as a main lead and I hope she gets many more great projects in the future. I'll be sure to watch every one of them.

It was my first time watching Rowoon act and he was good too. I didn't expect anything less from Lee Jae Wook either. I am glad that the drama used an all rookie cast because it really brought out their potential. Can't wait to see Rowoon and especially Lee Jae Wook in more dramas to come.

In terms of visuals, the drama aced it. They really pulled off the comic book and fantasy vibe. A number of scenes were really gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing which is something I never expected from an MBC drama. Plus they really gave justice to the actresses and actors good looks with the costumes, makeup and probably lighting too. Kudos to the director, cinematographer, editors, costume designers, makeup artists and all the other behind the scene staff.

The background music and OSTs were something else that I didn't expect to be so good from this drama. But everytime I heard the first note of a bgm or ost being played I used to always pique my ears and increase the volume. The music really helped with the mood of the scenes. Without the music there would be less tears, less smiles and less goosebumps from us. That's how good the music was.

However while I absolutely enjoyed this drama (so much so that I watched 28 episodes in 2 days and had to impatiently wait for the last 4 to air) I feel like it could have also being better. It did not reach its full potential. I'm not sure how the manwha went on with the second volume and its ending but the drama could have being a little more experimental with its final set of episodes and its ending. It could have touched on the writer of the web comic and their background while also diving a little deeper into the scenes of the finale. In my opinion, the drama did not give me that settling satisfactory feeling that I usually get from the dramas I love. This feeling does not depend on 'What' they end it with (such as a happy or sad endings) but 'How' they end it. But regardless of all that I still genuinely enjoyed 30 of the 32 episodes.

So in short, Extraordinary you is one of my favourite dramas for 2019. It's not THE best I watched this year, but definitely ONE of the best :)

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