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Love Song for Illusion korean drama review
Completed
Love Song for Illusion
0 people found this review helpful
by Little Joy
Sep 24, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 6.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

FROM INTRIGUING TO INCOMPREHENSIBLE

I just finished watching this intense historical fantasy drama, and wow, do I have thoughts! Right from the beginning, the drama sets a dark, intense tone with Minister Sajo Seung beating his son, Sajo Hyun, for drawing outfits. I thought this scene perfectly showcased the dysfunctional relationship between them, setting the foundation for Sajo Hyun's inner torment. The drama only gets more complex from there, introducing Wol, the assassin, and her tragic backstory tied to Sajo Hyun's father's massacre of her entire family.

One thing I loved was how deeply flawed and multifaceted the characters were. Sajo Hyun is fascinating, with his split personality—Ak Hee, the wild, charismatic fighter, versus Sajo Hyun, the quiet, blood-averse fashion designer. The dynamic between them was one of the most captivating aspects, especially as they both vied for the attention of Kyera (Wol’s assassin identity). Watching Ak Hee's interactions with Kyera, particularly the love-hate tension, was thrilling. Their chemistry was undeniable, and Ak Hee’s jealousy over Sajo Hyun's growing bond with her added a lot of layers to the story.

However, the drama took some unexpected turns, and not all for the better. Around episode 12, things started to get a bit confusing. There were moments where I felt like the plot was trying too hard to keep us on our toes, throwing in elements like random amnesia, unexplained plagues, and complicated political schemes. Sajo Yoong’s rise to power and the constant switching of identities between Ak Hee and Sajo Hyun, especially towards the end, made it hard to keep track of who was in control.

Despite its flaws, I really appreciated how the show built the tension between the two personalities and how they both ended up working together for a common goal, at least for a while: Kyera. The ending, though, left me with mixed feelings. Ak Hee’s disappearance felt like a betrayal of his character, and while I get that Sajo Hyun had to let go of his fears, I had grown attached to Ak Hee and his complexity.

Overall, the drama started off strong but lost its way in the middle. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, with some beautifully executed moments, but I can’t help but feel like it was a bit of a mess in parts. The soundtrack, though? Absolutely amazing—I’m definitely downloading that one track that kept playing during the emotional scenes. It’s a drama I wouldn’t necessarily recommend to everyone, but for those who love complex characters and don’t mind a little chaos in their plotlines, it might be worth a watch!
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