alexhendrix
a satisfying revenge story that should have left romance alone
this show is at its very best when it showcases the FL and the SFL. their scenes are electrifying, elevated further by song ha yoon's exemplary portrayal of the abominable soomin. FL serving both SFL and SML what they deserved is the heart of the show, and it is so very satisfying to watch the SFL + SML slowly ruin themselves all the while thinking they have the longer end of the stick, and only realizing too late that they've walked straight into the trap they thought they laid for FL.
but that's what the show is good at. the revenge.
the romance between FL and ML is already bland and unengaging in and of itself, but it becomes criminally annoying when juxtaposed with the off-the-charts energy of the revenge story. i found yoo ji hyuk's character especially uninspired. he's a run-of-the-mill cardboard cutout love interest that was thrust into the midst of two well-established, fully developed characters. what is good old 'rich boy with a dark past' jihyuk against the disgusting minhwan, a weak-minded clown of a unapologetic scumbag, or the ruthlessly manipulative, deliciously narcissistic soomin? i wasn't a fan of na in woo's portrayal, either. it's almost always the same sad, tortured expression, and you can argue that it's just how his character is, but to me it felt like emotional constipation and a little too reminiscent of his performance in Mr. Queen (which i was not a fan of either). the latter half of the show spent too much time on FL & ML's romance, and added further unnecessary makjang elements only tangentially related to the core revenge against SML & SFL, so if you don't like the romance, there's essentially nothing to gain from those scenes. let's not get started on the addition of the totally eyeroll-inducing ex-fiance character.
that said, the revenge was schadenfreude at its finest and will get you invested in the story for a good chunk of the show's run. the latter half of the show, however, was a major letdown in its failure to focus on what we care about most -- jiwon bringing about soomin's downfall.
but that's what the show is good at. the revenge.
the romance between FL and ML is already bland and unengaging in and of itself, but it becomes criminally annoying when juxtaposed with the off-the-charts energy of the revenge story. i found yoo ji hyuk's character especially uninspired. he's a run-of-the-mill cardboard cutout love interest that was thrust into the midst of two well-established, fully developed characters. what is good old 'rich boy with a dark past' jihyuk against the disgusting minhwan, a weak-minded clown of a unapologetic scumbag, or the ruthlessly manipulative, deliciously narcissistic soomin? i wasn't a fan of na in woo's portrayal, either. it's almost always the same sad, tortured expression, and you can argue that it's just how his character is, but to me it felt like emotional constipation and a little too reminiscent of his performance in Mr. Queen (which i was not a fan of either). the latter half of the show spent too much time on FL & ML's romance, and added further unnecessary makjang elements only tangentially related to the core revenge against SML & SFL, so if you don't like the romance, there's essentially nothing to gain from those scenes. let's not get started on the addition of the totally eyeroll-inducing ex-fiance character.
that said, the revenge was schadenfreude at its finest and will get you invested in the story for a good chunk of the show's run. the latter half of the show, however, was a major letdown in its failure to focus on what we care about most -- jiwon bringing about soomin's downfall.
Was this review helpful to you?
