This was a pretty good drama. The story wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it presented us with a romantic comedy that was set against the backdrop of a relatively original fantasy story which was - mostly - well-paced.
The dialogue was sharp and witty when it needed to be, and touching when it needed to be. It set the tone right, unlike most other romantic dramas (which later fall into the melodramatic category). I'll admit that it became a bit of a melodrama during the final two episodes; however, it never completely fell into the weepy melodrama that I was expecting it to and it retained the majority of its comedic charm throughout its run. I also admire how the romance never fell flat and that the leads didn't play a long match of love ping-pong with each other.
However, the two story lines that were running concurrently against each other didn't feel united. Yes, the characters were linked to one another, but the murder mystery didn't quite sit well with the romantic developments. Cheon Song Yi was so far removed from the whole murder intrigue and when she was involved she was simply being used as a pawn during the villain's evil machinations.
The story would have been so much more cohesive if Song Yi was sleuthing with Do Min Joon and Lee Hwi Kyeong, instead of just watching a suspicious video of a dead girl with a woman who is obviously very scared and not thinking much of it.
Because the two story lines failed to develop and link with each other, the drama felt unnecessarily dragged out to me. And whilst the two second main leads certainly weren't the most annoying 2nd main leads in drama history, they just turned out to be vapid and lacking in development. Yeah, Hwi Kyeong was nice and was brave to stand up against his brother, but that's all he really was. I didn't see much of point in Yoo Se Mi's character...she didn't really make you feel anything towards her - she was just there.
But the drama did present a believable romance. Although Cheon Seong Yi bears a strong resemblance to the young girl that Do Min Joon saved 400 years ago, that it isn't why he falls in love with her. Yes, he's interested in her because of that resemblance - both that interest is just sheer curiosity. He falls in love with her imperfections: she might be blunt, hot-tempered, and a bit crazy, but it doesn't matter to him. He loves her. And she loves him. Also, I am very glad that it was never a one-sided love story!
Finally, Jeon Ji Hyun shines so brightly in this drama. I really can't imagine a 3-dimensional character like Cheon Seong Yi being portrayed by anyone other than Jeon Ji Hyun. I know most of the surrounding hype in regards to YWCFTS was centered around Kim Soo Hyun, but this drama was really made by JJH. It wouldn't have had the same attraction if she wasn't the main. KHS is not a bad actor, but he has the tendency to be wooden and I don't believe he has established the same amount as screen presence as JJH has.
Was this review helpful to you?