Noodle house superheros gain a cinnamon roll and take over the world (or my heart, at least)

The action and fighting sequences in this show are very well done. There is the occasional FX that is clearly TV budget quality, but overall the production quality is high and all the hand-to-hand fighting is choreographed with delightful intensity.

I love this show. Does it have it's faults? Yes. It undeniably drags a little in the second act as it runs around chasing political intrigue when all you really want is to see the Counters go kick some more demon butt (or get theirs kicked, the show handles both scenarios great). There are also way too many scenes where bad guys are sitting around just talking about things, taking precious screen time away from the much more interesting main cast. BUT I can overlook it's flaws because they are far overshadowed by its strengths.

I think there are two distinct areas where this drama shines. One is the very well handled action sequences and undeniably pulse-pounding moments of peril, defeat, and triumph. The other is the incredible beauty of the show's main set of characters, brought to life by a super talented cast. Mun is the perfect protagonist for this show, managing to put the sweet in cinnamon roll without coming off saccharine as he surges and stumbles through relatable struggles and missteps along the way to powering up and figuring out both what he can do, and how to use it. Hana, Motak and Maeok too are all beautifully acted characters who you get to see slowly transform from enjoyably quirky stereotypes to layered, fleshed out individuals with their own stories and struggles to uncover. I particularly enjoyed Hana's character development and how you slowly start to see what's behind her protective walls. Also - MAN can that gal fight!! I really appreciate how she is so very competent and skilled and yet still manages to have vulnerabilities and struggles that pull you in and make you worry and root for her. She is high on my list of favorite kdrama leads.

The found family aspect of this show is beautiful and heart-warming, and extends beyond just the main cast. I really enjoyed the relationships between Mun and his friends, and his grandparents as well.

Overall, I'd say this was a compelling, relatively unique drama that takes hold of your heart and never lets go.

Read More

Sweet, engaging and highly re-watchable

I have now re-watched this show three times since it aired, so that gives you an idea of how much I enjoyed it. It's got a great balance of drama, mystery, peril and sweet moments with lovable, good-hearted characters.

I think one of the things I love best about this drama is how caring and supportive all the main characters are of each other. They have their flaws, they have their selfish moments and struggles, but in the end they all truly want to do right by one another in whatever ways they can. As a result, this show has the BEST handling of a love triangle that I have ever seen, allowing me to adore all three main leads and their relationships with one another without the usual frustration, sadness, or —more often than not— total disinterest I usually feel towards this over-used trope.

I am not a huge fan of romance in shows. It is usually so overdone and unrealistic, and sometimes even vaguely toxic, but all the relationships in this show felt believable, genuine, and healthy in a way that made me totally invested in both the friendships and the romance to a degree that most shows never achieve. It had a great knack of turning cliches on their heads and focusing on delivering an interesting, heart-warming story. People who like all those standard romantic kdrama tropes with hopeless star-crossed loves and bitter jealousy and fighting may not like the way it subverts expectations, but I loved it and wish there were more of its kind in the world. Give me a Jae-chan, Hong-joo, and Woo-tak over a Romeo and Juliet any day; I know who I'd rather spend my time with.

This show makes me feel happy, and leaves me with a smile every time I watch it, which I am sure I shall do many more times in the years to come.

Read More