3
Zogitt
Australia
This review may contain spoilers
Spiderman will have a hard time with this tangled web
Like some other high profile k-dramas of late, I'm in two minds about this show. On the one hand, it totally nailed the romance. It was a slow burn in the beginning but when they jumpstart their relationship it is a sizzler! It hits you in the feels from all directions.
I think they hit the jackpot when they selected the leads for this drama. They really acted their hearts out. Bravo! Their chemistry will keep you warm in the depth of winter. I won't spoil the story because it has a nice twist early on but it has its flaws.
I know you are expecting this as I mentioned my reservations about high profile k-dramas. Namely the A-plot is very manipulative. It is like a piece of art that has been crafted specifically to be seen from a certain angle. If you look from the side then the illusion is broken.
To wit, the show has the ML protecting the FL by taking her away from her dysfunctional family but then spent 3 years treating her like a pariah. I accept his eventual explanation but Korean writers have problems with timescale. When 1 month will do, they'd go for 1 year. In this case we went for a grandslam. Why 3 whole years? Most prison sentences are shorter than that! 3 months is more reasonable. Why labour the point.
When you are dealing with years, other factors comes into play like resentment, despondency and resignation. So he took the FL from an abusive and unloving home and put her into a cold and unloving home for over 1000 days. Yay...?
You can sense the writer-nim micromanaging the plot to be as impactful as possible. Ditto the timing and backstory of the antagonist. Hey, don't looking too closely. This is ART, dammit!
The writer-nim then hit us with the angst bomb. No trope was spared. The mess those families are in will keep a team of therapists employed for years. I know it is part of the overarching plot but it can be overwhelming when twist begot more twists. Secrets are like nesting dolls. You just become numb.
The worse part is after all the pain and suffering, the ML repeated the same mistake. He disappeared for 6 months to punish himself while disregarding the FL's feelings. Of course, she finds herself in a dark, dark place and being tormented continually. Her life effectively grinds to a halt. Is he selfish or clueless? Neither label puts him in a good light.
The heart fluttering scenes after their reunion are major highlights but it is like being given a candy after having to drink a bitter draft.
BTW, I find the made up Argen plot poorly done. It is awkward and unnecessary. I can also see a storm brewing over the fictitious war where 2 thinly disguised middle eastern countries took some Koreans hostage. What is the point of that? It was on screen for 20 seconds but it will haunt them for a long time.
I have no doubt this series will be a huge hit and for good reasons. However, I'm not 100% onboard. There are lots to like but there are also bits that left me cold. On balance, I enjoyed the show and I would have no problem watching a highlight reel of the OTP's romance. That is definitely the glue that held the show together. I would have scored this higher if it is more focused on that. As it stands, it is a potboiler in needs of a script doctor's deft ministration. Peace.
I think they hit the jackpot when they selected the leads for this drama. They really acted their hearts out. Bravo! Their chemistry will keep you warm in the depth of winter. I won't spoil the story because it has a nice twist early on but it has its flaws.
I know you are expecting this as I mentioned my reservations about high profile k-dramas. Namely the A-plot is very manipulative. It is like a piece of art that has been crafted specifically to be seen from a certain angle. If you look from the side then the illusion is broken.
To wit, the show has the ML protecting the FL by taking her away from her dysfunctional family but then spent 3 years treating her like a pariah. I accept his eventual explanation but Korean writers have problems with timescale. When 1 month will do, they'd go for 1 year. In this case we went for a grandslam. Why 3 whole years? Most prison sentences are shorter than that! 3 months is more reasonable. Why labour the point.
When you are dealing with years, other factors comes into play like resentment, despondency and resignation. So he took the FL from an abusive and unloving home and put her into a cold and unloving home for over 1000 days. Yay...?
You can sense the writer-nim micromanaging the plot to be as impactful as possible. Ditto the timing and backstory of the antagonist. Hey, don't looking too closely. This is ART, dammit!
The writer-nim then hit us with the angst bomb. No trope was spared. The mess those families are in will keep a team of therapists employed for years. I know it is part of the overarching plot but it can be overwhelming when twist begot more twists. Secrets are like nesting dolls. You just become numb.
The worse part is after all the pain and suffering, the ML repeated the same mistake. He disappeared for 6 months to punish himself while disregarding the FL's feelings. Of course, she finds herself in a dark, dark place and being tormented continually. Her life effectively grinds to a halt. Is he selfish or clueless? Neither label puts him in a good light.
The heart fluttering scenes after their reunion are major highlights but it is like being given a candy after having to drink a bitter draft.
BTW, I find the made up Argen plot poorly done. It is awkward and unnecessary. I can also see a storm brewing over the fictitious war where 2 thinly disguised middle eastern countries took some Koreans hostage. What is the point of that? It was on screen for 20 seconds but it will haunt them for a long time.
I have no doubt this series will be a huge hit and for good reasons. However, I'm not 100% onboard. There are lots to like but there are also bits that left me cold. On balance, I enjoyed the show and I would have no problem watching a highlight reel of the OTP's romance. That is definitely the glue that held the show together. I would have scored this higher if it is more focused on that. As it stands, it is a potboiler in needs of a script doctor's deft ministration. Peace.
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