Success Doesn't Always Bring Happiness

The final episode, the final edit--What a healthy Kdrama, and what a nice ending. "What is better? Does it mean they'll become happy?" "They'll accept their misfortunes. I can become miserable again, but that's okay. Should misfortunes come I have the strength to endure them." All in all this was a drama about accepting that life isn't perfect, people are not perfect, we can do everything right and still our lives can fall apart, and also that work environments can sometimes be the detriment of even the most accomplished people. Life isn't about putting forth the most perfect image. It's about finding your happiness, your center, your balance, and then finding the strength to endure what comes your way. I like in the end that Jeong Woo chose substance over flashiness in starting his own practice again. I like that Ha Neul could confidently handle the denial of job responsibilities, and that she found the strength to speak what she was feeling in a professional way. Both the ML and FL took us on a journey of debunking erroneous beliefs about success and happiness, and in the end showed us what was truly important....our relationships with family, friends, and each other.
Well done to Baek Sun Woo, the screenwriter for this engaging and important drama!! Equally well done to the cast and production crew!! This is a keeper, and a drama I will revisit again.

After 10 episodes--I came back to update the review as I am over halfway through this series. Amongst the usual stereotypical rom com Kdrama plot lines, there lies the reality of healing from trauma. This Kdrama shows how very hard it is to come back to normal when your life has been turned upside down, and also how hard it is to overcome panic, anxiety, sadness, and depression. In one episode Ha Neul begins to panic with the happiness she feels in this new relationship. She doesn't trust that these happy feelings will not just end up with tragedy and heartbreak as that has been her experience. She also faces how little she trusts people around her, including Jeong Woo. This is a very relatable series. I've been part of a cut-throat profession and been stabbed in the back by colleagues whom I trusted, and been faced with the decision to keep opening my life to people, or just wall myself off. Failed relationships also leave their mark. This drama shows how two people who at first are overcome with their traumatic experiences, work through the realization that because of these experiences are different people now, and have to find a new way to keeping engaging with life, their professions, their family, and each other. I like that this drama is showing that recovery from mental illness is not instant, you don't just get over it. Instead, it's a process, a day-by-day way of learning how to live again. Some of drama is typical, some of it is boring, but with the bigger message, I'm finding this is really a good story.

After 2 episodes--This is taking a look at the very real impact ambition has on mental health. The two main characters are the star pupils of their high school. What comes with being the top student is not only the pressure of one's own expectations and ambition, but having to live up to the expectations of everyone around you. Being the top at anything also seems to carry with it the idea that that top person is perfect in all things. Not only is this not true, but the reality is that carrying the pressure to constantly be perfect, and at the top in all things, often leads to burn out and depression. If by chance one does make it to the top, it takes next to nothing for you to fall and fail, even if it isn't your fault. The story begins with the two leads established in their careers and are both experiencing a low point. We get to see in both the mental toll competition, ambition, and drive does to them, and also how very fickle the world around them is when faced with these low points in their professional lives . Luckily they have each other. The race to the top is brutal, but so is the fall from the top where you find out who your true friends really are. That's where our two main leads are in the first two episodes.

It has the makings of a really good story. So far it's been excellent. I hope it continues. The soundtrack also seems to be really good.

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My Demon is Sinfully Good

Just finished this delightful Kdrama. This story is good. It's got a great romantic storyline along with all the mystery, suspense, drama, and comedy all in the right spots. The actors are playing their roles well without too much over-the-top exaggeration. The two main leads are a feast for the eyes, and a tug on the heart as they take us through their romantic journey. The romance is wrapped up in a story of intrigue and mystery with the sudden death of the chaebol chairwoman, the suspense of Guwon's future as a demon (will he become human, or burst into flame to be nevermore?), the comedy of the FL and ML's assistants simultaneously flirting and detesting each other, the mystery of the homeless woman (how does she figure into all of this?), and the historical references of Guwon's past watching someone dancing with swords (who could that be, and what made him a demon?).

This is the type of Kdrama that keeps me watching more of them. The storyline was beautifully written, the subplots meshed well with the main plot, and all were wrapped up nicely for a great ending. The actors fit their roles, and fit nicely with the flow of the story. In fact the actors did so well with their roles, that I would get so caught up with the story, and before I knew it I was crying along, laughing along, scared, tense, and completely intrigued. The ending came too soon and I'd have to wait a week for the release of the next two episodes.

It was very well done, and I enjoyed it greatly. Well done to the everyone, actors, writers, producers, director, and the production staff!! This one just really came together in everyway.

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A Tale of the Most Adorable Blended Family

Just finished this delightful Kdrama. It was a really good!! I really don't have any negative things to say. I loved it from the start clear through to the ending. There really wasn't a dip in the middle like some dramas have. There are the usual Kdrama cliches, but they weren't that exaggerated, so everything stayed realistic for the most part, and they even made fun of some of the cliches which just made the storyline that much better. (I especially loved the two police officers doing the romantic dip....lol). It is just the sweetest story. There are two storylines that carry this drama through to the end. The relationship of the 3 main leads, San ha, Ju won, and Hae Jun. The entire drama, the story of how they watch out for each other, are there for each other, accept each other for who they are is so strong, and the actors make it believable. The three had chemistry, so their interactions were seamless and realistic. It's not hard to imagine these three are really siblings. The second storyline was the commitment by both the fathers to make a stable home and family life for their three kids. Their dedication, love, and sacrifice was so heartwarming.

Congratulations to the cast and the entire production crew on this drama. It was just so fun to watch! I'm sad it had to end, but it is one I will definitely revisit. I highly recommend this feel good drama.

Posted after 6 episodes:
Blended families have history, have tragedy, have baggage. That doesn't mean they can't come together and be the most wonderful family to each other. This is the tale of people who have gone through loss, heartache, even unfairness and injustice, but came together to love and nurture each other.

I just finished episode 6, and I'm glued to this amazing story, and bemoaning that I have to wait until next week for the next two episodes to drop. The cast is incredible!! Especially the actors playing the 3 main roles as pseudo siblings to each other. I hope it remains as heartwarming as it is now, and doesn't fall into Kdrama cliches, exaggerated plots, and overacting in order to make it to the magical 16th episode.

If you're looking for a really good series to watch, try this. I highly recommend it.

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A Delicious Series Back for Season 2

Just finished this delightful and delicious series. I'm not sure where Jinny's Kitchen will be off to next as even in the ends of earth they were very popular and had to turn customers away. The food was the main star, but second to that were the group of delightful characters preparing and serving these amazing Korean dishes. Now if we could only have a cookbook of all the Jinny's Kitchen recipes, life would be perfect. Well done to the actors and production crew of this fun series!!

First posted after starting the series---I've only watched the first episode so I will post again after other episodes. The setting is Rakjavik, Iceland. Such a beautiful setting to be filming this series in!! All the regulars are back except Kim Taehyung as he is presently serving in the military. Replacing him as the intern is Go Min Si. I am not familiar with her, but so far she has been very entertaining and a great addition to the cast. They promoted Choi Woo Shik to Assistant Manager and he is doing more of the cooking. The entire cast is so good, and their interactions together are hilarious. The restaurant is amazing, very beautiful and they have a nice kitchen to cook in and to film. Of course the real star is the Korean food, and they are holding nothing back. I was in Seoul a month ago and tried Gomtang for the first time. It was delicious!! This is the main star of the menu and the specialty of Lee Seo Jin. They do not cut any corners, and make everything as if this were a 5-star restaurant. I'm so looking forward to the series, and only regret I cannot taste the food.

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Starts Out Strong But Tanks in the Middle, Recovers in the End

My thoughts after watching to the end---I have to say that I almost dropped this after the 12th episode. You can read why below. It was slow getting to the end, but I'm glad I finished it. In the end, this is a feel-good story about the importance of family, friends, and community over status and money. Who doesn't love a story with this type of message? If you're going to watch this, be advised that there are moments within the series that are exaggerated, unrealistic, and are frustrating for the viewer. I would say overall the writing of this drama is good, with really bizarre weak areas built in, most likely to get it to 16 episodes. My favorite of the series were the 4 friend/moms. To have such strong friendships throughout your life is truly exceptional and these 4 actresses added so much to the storyline. The FL and ML were nice. I think the writing and the way they acted showed a relationship of two people who grew up together and pretty much knew everything about each other, except that they loved each other. It was not exceptionally romantic, but I'm not sure 2 friends turned lovers would be all that romantic. Lastly, the dad friendship was funny and great. Just 2 bros hanging out trying to help each other understand their wives and children. The supporting female and male actors and their storyline was really precious too. It reminds me of Queen of Tears because there was this dip in the middle where the storyline just got stupid, but it is redeeming in the end. Just beware of this as you watch it.

Watched up to the 12th episode --- I started watching this for the two main leads who are a couple of my favorite actors. It started out strong and promising, but somewhere around episode 8 and 9, it just went off the rails and fizzled. There are some things I'm getting so tired of in Kdramas and unfortunately this had too many of these annoying qualities.

First, the writers forcing adults in adult situations to act childlike. Why are legal consenting adults hiding their relationship from others? Why do they have to come off as so stiff and awkward during a kiss? Do South Koreans have to take a vow of celibacy? Actually, considering the birth rate is so low, I think I just answered my own question.

Second, an adult facing a life altering illness, but telling no one about it. When Soek Ryu is diagnosed with cancer, she tells no one in her family.....really? One of the first things doctors ascertain about their patients when dealing with a serious diagnosis is "do you have a support network around you." This same thing played out in Queen of Tears and it was so, so, so very unbelievable.

Third, lack of communication between married couples, close friends, colleagues, you name it. Everyone just stays silent so misunderstandings abound. Why would a married woman be able to share secrets with her gay boss, but can't say 2 words to her husband?

Fourth, why are the females portrayed as physical abusers? Why are they always hitting everyone around them? Are women in South Korea that mean? And, why are the men forced to act like trained dogs? I really don't think this is how it truly is in South Korea, but for the life of me, I don't understand why people are portrayed as such.

Can't say for sure if I'm going to finish this or not. But for now I'm moving on to something else.

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It's really all about the correct fit, which this did not have

Edit - I recently was listening to a podcast that talked about the current situation in South Koreas for actors. There seems to be diminishing amount of work available even for the best of actors. My review hit Park Eun Bin pretty hard in her portrayal of the FL. One question I kept asking was why would Park Eun Bin take on a role like Mok Ha? Well with the amount of work for South Korean actors decreasing, that answers my question. I hope with the popularity of Kdramas, there will be plenty of work available for these talented actors.

In watching this series, I can sum up my impression with one word...disconnect. Let's first talk about the disconnect with the lead role.

Probably like most other viewers, I watched this series for actor Park Eun Bin. Her stellar performances in The King's Affection and Extraordinary Attorney Woo brought me back for more. The expectations were high, maybe too high, as this performance did not deliver like her two previous series. Eun Bin is a gifted and talented character actress, and I'm not sure the role of Mok Ha needed what she brought to it. Maybe that is why I always felt at odds with Mok Ha when watching her storyline unfold. I never really felt there was a good fit between this talented actress and the character she was playing. However, the rest of the cast seemed to gel nicely with their characters. I especially enjoyed the actors who played young Ki Ho and young Mok Ha.

Next was the disconnect between my expectations of the series (based on the marketing) and the reality. It came across as a light-hearted, funny, musical-type of series. But from the very beginning, it had this dark side that carried the viewer through all kinds of torture with hellish family abuse, violence, attempted murder, suicide, business sabotage, and let's not forget trying to survive on a deserted island. I realize this adds layers and complexity to a storyline, but the execution of lighthearted contrasted with violence was a little too extreme for one story, and for me, made it unbelievable. I also had a hard time believing in Mok Ha's journey both on the island and once she was rescued. I know this is fiction, and anything can happen in fiction, but building a hut? How and where did those wood slats come from? The nails? The tools? I remember hearing an interview of Tom Hanks and Robert Zemekis when the 2000 movie Castaway came out in theaters. They spoke how they constantly debated on how far they would let Hank's deserted island character show the utter reality of surviving. If they showed complete reality, it would drive the viewer away as it would be too depressing to watch. I realize that same thing applied to this series, but it seemed they went a little too far as sometimes it just seemed everyday was a great day on the island.

Mok Ha's transition back into civilization was another disconnect. First of all, trauma is her middle name. She has an abusive father, runs away, is chased into the sea by this abusive father, washes ashore, sees her dead father in the waves, and has to survive by herself for 15 years. Yet, with all of this trauma, when she does come back to civilization, she immediately dons her fan-girling hat, blows up balloons, cheers for her favorite idol as the most balanced and stable human being on the planet. It just is way too unbelievable. I also have to say that I find this somewhat offensive. If a person actually went through what Mok Ha went through, there would be years of therapy to work through the trauma and re-enter life. The way the writers completely ignored this is great disservice to abuse and trauma victims. Not only was it ignored, but when Mok Ha is rescued, all the focus goes to the selfish, self-serving celebrity hitting her alcoholic bottom lamenting her lost career, and how Mok Ha takes care of her! This is what I least liked about the series.

My advice to someone thinking about watching this series is to treat it like a fairytale. There is a hero, heroine, villain, and the stuff that happens to them is a bit on the "magical" side, but it's done to get them to that happily-ever after.

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If You Like a Good Reincarnation Story

Reincarnation must be trending in Kdramas because this is the 3rd one I've seen this year, and they've all be good. The first three episodes are as cute as can be. Rowoo did an excellent acting job in presenting the conflicting aspects of his character's relationship to Jo Bo Ah's character. Does he need her....does he disdain her....is he just using her....does he like her....or is he just frustrated at wanting her to cure him? The push/pull element of the storyline really grabs you and brings you in. Kudos to Rowoo for simultaneously being cute, aggravating, alluring, distant, funny, sad, and just an all-around emo person in the beginning. He really did a superb acting job!!

Then the storyline changes. The middle is a tad slower than the beginning or the end. But this is necessary to develop the sub-plots in the story, and establish the back story of unrequited love between Aeng Cho and Jang Mu Jin. I love, love, loved the historical romance in this story. It filled in the blanks for why these two odd ball characters were attracted to each other.. The secondary characters added much to the overall storyline, and I absolutely cheered when the characters played by Lee Bong Ryun (one of my all time favorite actresses) and Hyun Bong Sik fell in love.

As the story developed, so did the plot lines. I was surprised at the point when I said to myself, "Wow, this went from cute to dark." The story led by its excellent cast had a wide array of plots bringing out all sorts of emotions in the viewer. I laughed, I cringed, I feared, I was intrigued, I smiled, I tried to figure out "who dun it?", I cheered, I applauded,, and all of this kept me tuned in. I could only watch 2 episodes each week, and I couldn't wait until the next 2 dropped. The ending was mysterious. Perhaps a foreshadowing of what will be in Season 2. This was well written and had an excellent cast. If I were to add anything more, it would be to add a dynamite soundtrack. Go watch it! It is well worth the time!!!

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I Want To Go To The Bridge With Fireworks!

I live in the US where we are currently experiencing our entertainment writers and actors on strike. I was telling a friend just yesterday that I will not miss any entertainment because of all the wonderful content coming out of South Korea, and See You In My 19th Life has been pure joy to watch. Thank you South Korean entertainment!!! I saw Shin Hye Sun in Mr. Queen and absolutely loved her acting ability. Her role in this drama did not disappoint. The storyline weaving between past and present lives, Ji Eum discovering why she remembers all her past lives along with the convergence of all the main characters coming together again after a thousand years has been done very well. The writing kept the story moving forward in an interesting way to keep the viewer tuned in while we find out, bit by bit, how all the main characters are drawn to each other. Lee Chae Min's character becomes the central figure in bringing everyone together and he did a superb job playing the mysterious part-time employee/Shaman. Is he evil?...is he trying to be normal?....what's his deal? He played the mysterious role well. The last time I saw him was in Crash Course in Romance where he was playing a teenager. This role shows his versatility as an actor. Likewise, I saw Ann Bo Hyun in Her Private Life and enjoyed seeing his acting flexibility as a main lead. I love when a romantic Kdrama adds a twist to the usual romantic plot, and this one adds a great spin with the convergence of past and present lives. The music added to the drama in the right spots, the visuals, and scenery were all wonderful helping to carry the story to the end. A really good drama that I highly recommend!

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Exceptional at First, Horrible in the Middle, Kind of Redeeming at the End

The final review-
This drama was a wild ride. I started my review halfway through and focused mainly on its strengths. Now that I've finished, I'll go back to discussing the overall strengths, and also include the weaknesses because there are some big ones.
Strengths-
The cast - The cast carried this drama, especially during parts that were poorly written. The ML and FL were perfect in their roles, seemed to have a good vibe and connection during the story that made their love for each other believable. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that these two actors enjoyed working together. I really loved the actors playing Soo Cheol and Da Hye and were my favorite secondary actors.

The production value - whether it was sets, lighting, film angles, costumes, or the soundtrack, the production value was high. There were many moments during the drama that were just beautifully filmed.

The storylines/writing - The main plot and subplots were good overall. I'll discuss where the writing went off the rails later, but in general the storyline was interesting and made for a good drama. While there were problems with the writing in certain episodes, the final episode brought everything to full circle and wrapped up all the storylines well. The ending showing Hyun Woo as an older man putting flowers on Hae In's grave was especially beautiful and touching. I like the final scene with Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won facing the camera with their heads together and smiling. I just thought that was one of the sweetest endings I've seen. It was so easy to like these two characters, and this was just a perfect way to have an ending with these two.

Weaknesses-
The storylines/writing - Episodes 12-15 were especially hard to watch. I really believe that this story didn't have enough to stretch it to 16 episodes. But in order to do that the writing became repetitive, unbelievable, and stupid. There is already a certain level of unbelievability built into the typical Kdrama love story, but this took it way, way too far. Real human beings would never do what some of the actors did, the actors had to be overly dramatic and over act in certain scenes that bordered on comical because the writing itself was so poor, scenes in slow motion that stretched out exhausting and frustrating the viewer. It was a chore to watch certain parts of this drama. You can read more about my impressions below.

I think a missed opportunity that would have tickled the viewing audience would have been if Hyun Woo woke up from his hospitalization, looked at Hye In and said, "Who are you?" Now that would have been priceless. Overall, the writing in the first episodes was good, then it was just horrible, but came back to better in the final episode to wrap up the story.

After 14 episodes-
I was going to wait until I watched the final episodes next week, but decided to add to the initial impressions. I'm in the middle of episode 14, and I have to say I'm getting frustrated and bored. After Man Dae's death (Hae In's grandfather) the storyline goes downhill. Really good subplots kept this story going, but at some point, some of the subplots wrapped up, others plodded along slowly, and others seemed to fizzle. Attention came back to the main plot, Hae In's brain tumors and her inevitable death unless she receives a surgery that will destroy her long term memory. Here is where Queen of Tears becomes stupid, and I have to say, the writer missed an opportunity to show the realities of a terminally ill patient when faced with hard options. Instead we get to see a really selfish Hae In who refuses to get the surgery even as her husband and family dissolve in grief and sadness in front of her. Nope, she doesn't care in the least. She only changes her mind when faced with other womens' interest in Hyun Woo. Really?? Jealousy is what motivated you?? What a supremely shallow, selfish and controlling take on wanting to fight a terminal illness to live. Hi Darling, I've decided to live, not because I love you and want a future with you, but because even if I can't remember you, I'll be damned if anyone else can have you!!! Hyun Woo run away!!! Run as far from this woman as you can get!!! This borders on controlling and possessive behavior, and I'm disappointed in the writing. Most likely it is due to trying to extend the story to 16 episodes when really it could have been finished by 12 episodes.

The fakeness of her terminal illness really bothers me too. In the beginning it wasn't as fake as she first found out how serious the diagnosis was, but it certainly got to the point of unbelievability. I've known people who have had cancer and tumors. I've known people who have had major surgeries to remove tumors. I've known people who have had brain surgery. It's really an injustice to gloss over that part, keeping her healthy, looking perfect, and she comes out of brain surgery with a full head of hair and wearing only an oxygen mask. Queen of Tears has dissolved into scene after scene of overly-dramatic overacting that doesn't do the true storyline any favor. It's really a huge disappointment right now.

After 8 episodes -
I'll add to the review once I've finished this drama. Netflix is dropping only 2 per week. Let's start with the strengths:

The cast - The ML and FL are perfectly cast. I especially like Kim Ji Won. Talk about the Queen of Stoic! She is a master at keeping everything inside so as to remain cool, calm, and in control which is just what this part called for. Well done Ji Won!! Kim Soo Hyun balancing heartbroken, corporate, and comedic parts all at once, without missing a beat. The storyline of a couple getting into a marriage and it not being what they thought is not that riveting, but add the element of losing a child, a loveless marriage Hyun Woo's wants to end, and Hae In's medical diagnosis and you have a super-charged, "stick-to-the-screen" viewing plot that sucks you in. I'm loving it!

The Surprises - Vincenzo??! VINCENZO???!!!! OMG!!!

The sub-plots - How to take down a Chaebol family 101. Disintegrate from within. This sub-plot really keeps you coming back for more. Why? They keep revealing that those who want to take down this family are well-intrenched inside the main family. This took years! It's pretty impressive. This sub-cast of characters are amazing, starting with Park Sung Hoon, who plays dastardly so well! Kudos to the casting director for getting Park Sung Hoon, and kudos to the screenwriter Park Ji Eun for this impressive main plot and subplot intrigue. I'm glued....literally glued to the storyline.

The cinematography - There are many, many good shots, but one in particular was in episode 8 when Hyun Woo and Hae In are standing in the rain and he is helping her remember---the blending of tears, rain, camera angles, and the slow down of the rain drops with music was poetic in its dramatic value. Cinematography, editing, the music score, it all came together for so many moments in this drama. I'm looking forward to the remaining episodes.

The soundtrack - The music is really adding to the emotional highs and lows this drama takes you on. I haven't enjoyed a soundtrack this much since Our Beloved Summer.

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Life is About the Connections and Relationships You Have With Others

It's been awhile since a Kdrama had me bawling like a baby, but this one did it. It will not end as you hope, but the ending is important. The entire storyline and message is a good one. Life isn't about status, money, prestige, or stuff. It's about the connections and relationships you make with others.

A very hurt boy...hurt by the stupidity and selfishness of parents...shuts down, puts up walls, and wanders through life cold and unfeeling. Only, really, he is feeling, but doesn't realize it until he is diagnosed with a fatal disease and not much time to live. Then he realizes the relationships in life that are important to him, so he pursues these relationships relentlessly. The viewer is taken on an adventure of his last days. He finds his lost love, he finds his true father, he finds the people in his life that love and care for him, and can die feeling good about his life even though he put on an act of being aimless and cold for so much of it.

Thank you to the screenwriter, Jo Young, for this wonderful and important story. The actors were amazing. This was a very emotional drama, and there were scenes that could not have been easy to film. But they were amazing, especially Woo Do Hwan, Lee You Mi, Oh Jung Se (a favorite of mine since It's Okay to not be Okay), Kim Min Soek, and Lee El. The production value was high, the story flowed well from scene to scene and kept the viewer engaged with the storyline. The filming was sublime, the scenery was beautiful, the music score was top notch. I loved, loved, loved that Alex Landi was part of the story!! I've been a fan of his since Grey's Anatomy, and I hope to see him in more dramas.

I have to give a special note about the last scene. The Jeep all alone on the highway driving into the sunset with the music playing reminded me of the See You Again music video paying tribute to the death of Paul Walker of the Fast and Furious franchise. The car he was driving heading off alone on the highway into the sunset as the music was playing. It is sad, bittersweet, but also gives a sense of closure, as the viewer senses that a life was not in vane, but complete... when one lives as they dreamed.....excuse me....I need a Kleenex....sniffle, sniffle! I highly recommend this Kdrama!

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Couldn't watch it to the end

This had a really good cast, but a really poor storyline. Surprisingly, as one of the strengths for Korean dramas is the ability of the writers to really develop the characters. This fell very short of that strength. The first couple of episodes were strong, but after that it just went downhill. For me, the weakness was in the believability of the characters to handle their lives. They seemed exaggerated, rather than human. Park Seo Joon's SaeRoy just wasn't believable. To go through what he did and endure such injustice, then behave so apathetic and stoic just wasn't believable. The same with Yoo Jae Myung and Ahn Bo Hyun's characters. To kill someone's father then go after that father's son, unjustly sending him to prison, then once released going after him again for even more vengeance just seems unbelievable. This was a revenge trope theme, and there are a lot of these type of dramas coming out (i.e. Reborn Rich, The Glory) that have stuck with the main plot, yet allowed the characters to show some humaneness even as they are enacting their revenge. I think where this drama failed was the main characters were way, way too exaggerated in their roles, and the supporting characters were way, way too subdued and neither were ever fully developed.

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Welcome to Kdramal-ri--stay awhile, you will enjoy this!

This is what good Kdramas are all about. A well-written story full of delightful characters, all with their own stories to tell who take the viewer on an amazing experience. The main word I would use to describe it is heartwarming. As the main character returns to her hometown due to a scandal, she must confront a past tragedy and grief that influenced her decision to walk away from her one and only love. He too has to confront the past, the pain of losing her, and the influence his father's grief has had on his life. The two main leads did an exceptional job portraying the simultaneous emotions of heartache with attraction, and walking on eggshells with their parents. I don't think they could've gotten better actors than these two. They were so genuine with their roles and characters, with each other, and with family and friends. It was like two best friends who actually grew up together said to each other one day, "Hey let's make a movie!" Well done Ji Chang Wook and Shin Hye Sun!! And who could not help but fall in love with the Haenyeos?!! Set and filmed in both Seoul and Jeju Island, the cinematography will stir the traveler in you to get on a plane and visit these beautiful areas of South Korea. All of this wrapped in a good soundtrack and you've got the makings of viewer nirvana, which is actually what it was. Great story, good subplots, great acting, great locations, music, and a good ending. All that's left is to grab the popcorn, curl up on the couch, and watch!

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Intense, gripping, enormously satisfying...a must-watch!!

For anyone who has been on the receiving end of bullying and oppression, and would love to see their oppressors get what's coming to them, this is the series you'll love. It's a hard watch, especially the beginning which sets the stage showing Dong Eun's history of being bullied, which was really being tortured at the hands of classmates. Planning and preparing for years, the remaining storyline is about what she sets into motion to seek her revenge. There are twists and turns, additional characters and secondary storylines that add layers and complexity to the main plot. It will have you on the edge of your seat as you watch episode after episode. You will be shocked, be angered, be scared, then be relieved only to have the story take you through all those emotions again. It was quite a ride, and well worth it. I think it's the best Kdrama of 2023 so far.

The production was top-notch from start to finish. The cast were perfect in roles that could not have been easy to portray. Kudos and applause to both cast and crew for this outstanding series!!

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Perfectly Imperfect

An amazing and well-written story of three individuals traumatized in childhood. The storyline weaves a tale of discovery in the connection of these traumas to each other, yet examines their individuality as each character breaks through the trauma and begins to experience life on the other side. At times it felt scary, almost too much of a thriller. There are scenes I held my hands up in front of the screen to protect myself from the "gotcha" moment. At other times I laughed out loud as the secondary characters provided the comic relief, and cried alongside those who felt pain and hurt. I thought all the main leads, Kim Too Hyun, Seo Yea Ji, and Oh Jung Se were perfect for their roles and the acting was extraordinaire. However, the secondary parts were amazing as well. I knew Kim Chang Wan from his despicable character in Hwarang, and loved seeing him play the director/counselor/father-figure to those at the OK Psychiatric Center. He is an amazingly versatile actor. So were the other characters played by some of my favorite actors from other dramas, Kim Joo Heon, Kim Mi Kyung, Park Jin Woo, and Park Gym Young. The casting director for this drama should take a bow for getting the right actors into the right roles.

The storyline keeps you caught up in the story by weaving the connections between past and present. I don't really recall a time while watching that I felt the story lagged. There is also a twist that I did not see coming, and I have to say it was a blow to my ego. I'm fairly good at figuring out plot lines in books, tv, and movies. This twist I did not see coming at all. That's how good the writing was. I'm adding this to my top 3 best dramas I've watched this year.

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A Thrilling Fantasy Tale

Normally I'm not drawn to a fantasy genre, but this had such good reviews, and I'm a fan of actress Jung So Min so I thought I would give it a few episodes. I was caught up in the story from the first episode. The strength of this drama are the visuals, from costumes, to sets, to the actors, to the CGI magical effects, it has been done with great quality and attention to detail. I also enjoy period pieces that mix some modern-day touches in with the historical. The production transports you into the fictitious Daeho and makes you feel this is a real place. The ending surprised me, that is all I will say about it. However, it did end in a way to set up Season 2 and I'm thrilled there will be a second season. It is well worth the 20 episodes.

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