Amazing production and visuals but lacklustre and somewhat disappointing story

First of all, the production value and visuals of this film are amazing!! It is definitely on par with that of a Hollywood movie of its calibre like ‘Mirror Mirror’. The costumes and props were also equally well done and executed. Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.

In terms of the story itself, I’m pretty conflicted but I think I have to say it felt meh overall to me. I’m not sure if it’s because it impedes on the typical fairy tale tropes so dear and well-known to my heart or if it’s truly because the execution was poor. The concept in itself is pretty fresh and interesting. I think it just didn’t seem to execute it as well as it could have while keeping the well-known tropes we all know and love. I did find myself getting, not necessarily bored, but disengaged at some parts throughout the film. I did like the whole Sherlock Holmes type of aspect to it and the whole crime solving was definitely very interesting. I think where it lost me was having Cinderella revealed as the murderer. While yes, choosing her did make it to be a big unexpected shock for a plot twist because of what we know of this iconic fairy tale character already, this same reasoning acts to weaken the story’s appeal. When dealing with such iconic and well-known characters, there has to be a level of consideration for the viewer’s preconceived perceptions and opinions for that character. Especially with a character like Cinderella, this is unavoidable. For this reason, having Cinderella be the murderer left a bad taste in my mouth for this movie overall. I, as the viewer, know Cinderella in many forms of media to be a heroine and a likeable character and I know her backstory very well (which this film didn’t delve too much into presumably because they know we know her character). I, as the viewer, know that her character has a history of severe mistreatment from those around her and being wronged, so having her character end up like that seems like a huge injustice to me because of my preconceptions. Further injustice is felt by the own world that they have constructed to place her in, where the kingdom disregards people like her because she is ‘ugly’ and poor. Additionally, the dude she murdered was a literal creep and bad person, so technically she acted in self-defence. This was literally not even acknowledged like free my girl right now purrr ???

Overall, the film's visuals were very high quality and well produced, but it fell short with its story. The story's execution is quite disappointing because the concept in itself is very interesting. In trying to be bold and shocking in its crime mystery, it neglects the viewers’ preconceived opinions of classic fairy tale characters. The film did have its moments where it was fun and campy, so I will give it that.

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lots of issues

The thing I enjoyed about the film was Chae Soo-bin and Jang Ki-yong's chemistry and I think that's all I can say in terms of positivity.

The trailer for the film is completely misleading. I understand that they did this so that people wouldn't expect the "plot twist" but the problem with this is that it can leave the target audience somewhat bewildered. It advertises itself as a rom-com which is a genre that typically women enjoy to see their idealised version of romance. The film's objective of wanting to present the realism of love and life reminds me of 500 days of Summer. They're not the same but kind of have that same feeling of "things just don't work out" but the trailers of the movie are different. It doesn't target an audience group that are bound to be disappointed in the ending which is why I have such mixed feelings on the ending. While I understand the ending is realistic, I am still disappointed and unsatisfied with it especially since it is hinted that both leads are still in love with each other. But honestly I feel like it only touches on the surface level of realistic relationships. I think it may be due to the constant fluctuating between serious, realism and rom-com. Some parts of it are so comical that it wouldn't be crazy to believe that despite everything, we'd still get a happy ending. That's not to say that you can't have a realistic movie with comedic elements; the movie just doesn't balance the serious and comedy that well, leaving me with mixed emotions.

Like I've commented before, I think a lot of people will be dissatisfied with the ending in terms of the pairings. The leads are clearly still in love with each other and rebounding so if you were watching for Krystal and rooting for her (which I don't really understand why you would other than your bias towards the actress), I'm sorry but the male lead was essentially rebounding/settling for her and that relationship was all based on temptation and lust.

I didn't like that they glossed over what the female lead was going through on an emotional level. But I guess that could be excused as the film being mostly from the male's perspective. Despite the lack of perspective from the female lead, I really sympathised with her. Honestly the plot twist is basically just a superficial shocker; my feelings and opinions for the leads didn't change. I still sympathised with her despite everything because she was being emotionally neglected by the male lead. so you can understand why she was essentially "unfaithful". I don't condone it but I understand where she's coming from. For god's sake, she was pregnant and then got an abortion. Him complaining about how he was still making an effort to see her despite it being an inconvenience was not it for me. He basically led her to believe and have expectations that he was committed to her emotionally and everything when that was not the case as he was wavering in the workplace.

Even though I'm complaining a lot about the male lead, I still don't hate his character lol which is ironic. I think Jang Ki-yong is so charismatic that it's difficult to hate his character which I guess is a good aspect of the film. The characters aren't categorised as bad or good because that's simply not how life works. Yes, the characters made mistakes and had their wrongdoings but those are seen as flaws, something very much of human nature.

Overall, the only reason I would watch this film again would be to see the chemistry between Chae Soo-bin and Jang Ki-yong. Hopefully they get to work together again in the future.

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Terrible pacing & doesn't stay true to source material BUT somewhat redeemable for Mari-Mattsun

The first time I watched this film, I'll be honest, I wasn't entirely engaged in all aspects of the film - I was only interested in watching Mari and Mattsun's parts. However, I recently revisited this film again and this time being fully engaged in all plot points, I’m sorry but I have to say this movie is kind of a disappointment and has so many flaws. I have completed the anime and am in the middle of reading the manga so I have a grasp of the original source material now. The first time I watched this film, I wasn’t aware of the many inherent issues with this film adaptation as tbh I just skipped to Mari and Mattsun’s scenes, which is why I initially gave it a relatively high rating because I think their storyline was done pretty well in the film and is the only redeeming part of it.

Firstly, my main issue is that this film has terrible pacing - everything moves too quickly and they essentially don’t give enough time to let the characters or story to ✨ marinate✨. Because of this, it's really hard to become invested in each characters' struggles. It also makes the timeframe of when scenes are taking place to be confusing. There were so many quick time shifts that at one point, I was confused about whether a following scene I was watching was in their current present or a few months later. This issue in itself is unrelated to the film's inability to stay true to its original source material.

That being said, being a manga film adaptation, not enough thought was put into understanding the original source material. Knowing the original source material well enough, I am bewildered at how they got each of the characters’ personalities so wrong. Natsuki comes off as cocky and annoying whereas in the manga, he is a loveable clumsy pure-hearted fool. Tsuyopon was probably the character done the worse and felt nothing like the manga character. The manga character is stone faced but secretly soft, so why was he so lively and goofy in the film? He is supposed to be the calm and collected one but they made him exactly like the others - immature and childish. Keiichi was done alright - I understand why they had to remove the intensity of the original character's sex kinks out. Though it would have been better if they made his character more lively to make up for the removal of that key part of the original character's personality. Mattsun was probably the only character done relatively well in still maintaining the essence of the original character's personality.

It felt like there was no real substance to this film and that I was watching four teenage guys just being immature and stupid for the entire duration of the film with no meaningful purpose. The film's fast pacing deprived us of seeing any true development between the characters. What bothered me particularly was how we didn’t see the development of Anna and Mari slowly becoming friends with the guys. They presented it as them just having to hang out with the guys and becoming used to it rather than them developing a fondness for the guys and actually enjoying spending time with them.

It seemed like the film adapted specific scenes from the original manga but put their own spin on it? But they didn’t do it very well. Honestly, this film would have been a bit better if they literally just did a scene by scene portrayal of the original manga than the fast paced mess they ended up concocting that seemingly had no consideration for the original source material.

Now my favourite part of the film! Which really lends weight to why I was able to enjoy this film to an extent and will rewatch it. Mari and Mattsun. The only storyline that actually had any development. And I’m glad they didn’t fuck it up because they’re my favourite part of the original manga. Mari’s character in the film is definitely a tamer version of the original character, but understandably so, because she is really intense in the manga. Literally all criticisms I've mentioned for this film are absent from the Mari-Mattsun storyline. The pacing was done well (as well as it could be for this film) - we got to see them first meet and become aware of each other, develop an understanding of each other, which leads to fondness and romantic feelings, etc. The two characters' personalities stay pretty true to the original manga characters. And their interactions with each other actually lead to meaningful personal character development!!! Whereas for Natsuki and Anna, it felt like we were just thrust into their interaction with seemingly no idea of how they came to know each other and it’s just them pining after each other but we don’t know why or the reason they’ve become truly infatuated to the other person due to lack of development.

Overall, honestly a very poor adaptation and I would rate it worse if I didn’t love Mari and Mattsun so much.

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So underrated!!!

Too bad that it never got finished in its entirety with multiple seasons. It is a nice, short drama (even though it was not originally supposed to be). I can't believe this is Lee Jin-wook's only historical drama! I gotta say he looks good and should def consider appearing in more. Seo Hyun-jin's character is so cute. The chemistry between the crown princess and crown prince is just amazing and adorable. Again, I love the no bullshitting and beating around the bush with our feelings aspect of their relationship. The crown prince's acknowledgement for the crown princess was not too late into the drama, considering it is only a 12 episode drama. I feel like their romance was developed and paced very well. I'm so sad we never got more moments of them happily in love. The costuming and set design was amazing. I would def say that this is a underrated drama and people should give it a go! Considering it is only 12 episodes as well, it is definitely an easy watch.

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Will definitely cure your classic Asian high school romance drought

Love love love! It has the classic Japanese/Asian high school romance vibe without being cliche and overly predictable. For a romance film released in 2023, it is a surprisingly refreshing high school romance. I enjoyed every single moment throughout the film. It is such an adorable film! I can't express enough how much it really exudes the classic Asian high school romance film in the best way possible. In a time where this genre is very hard to nail without being predictable and boring due to the many classic predecessors, this film is fresh and exciting while maintaining the classic Asian high school romance feel. I didn’t think I could feel anymore with high school romance films so thank you ‘Our Secret Diary’ <3

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Unique fantasy time-travelling romance drama

I loved how the romance was not dragged on for too long. I also love a female lead that is open and honest about her feelings. The brother's acting was questionable - more so his ability to perform crying scenes. Which is unfortunate because he had quite a few crying scenes so that was kind of yikes. He would smile while crying but in a completely inappropriate way in terms of the context of the scene. Overall, I really enjoyed the whole fantasy and supernatural element to it. I think it is a pretty unique story and concept that you don't see much in kdramas. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this drama.

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Well executed mix of rom-com and crime thriller

Really interesting concept - mixing rom-com and crime thriller mystery together. I think it was executed pretty well. There were some moments that I did feel dragged on quite a bit, but overall the pacing for the solving of the crime and the romance was done well. The special effects and cgi were amazing and so beautifully done. The editing stylisation was also really nice - in how they presented the past flashbacks. A bit predictable in terms of the overall outcome, but we gotta secure that happy ending so I totally get it. Overall, despite the predictability, it was an enjoyable time.

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An amazingly executed slice of life drama

Kim Ji-won always coming at it with the amazing choices of roles, I will forgive her for the content drought that she gives us annually due to her always choosing the best roles.

I was initially was not interested in this show, even with Kim Ji-won as the leading lady. However, for some reason that I don't entirely remember, I decided to watch it - I think it was for the relationship between Lee Ki Woo and Lee El's characters. Anyways, the story is so raw and organic for anyone questioning the meaning of their routine day-to-day lives. I have never watched a slice of life drama that tackles the subject so well. I'm sure everyone can find themselves or any worries they have in their lives throughout the drama and find some solace or resolution. It really brings about introspection in the viewer. I love how real the characters are and the elements of comedy incorporated into the drama.

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Not that memorable of a drama [I don't remember much, I wrote this review in my notes 3 years ago]

Lol I mistakenly watched this drama twice, but that really shows that it is not at all that memorable. I watched it for Moon Chae-won and Jung Il-woo but the "relationship" between their characters only starts happening at around episode 13 out of the total 16 episodes, leaving insufficient time to develop any sort of interesting and meaningful relationship. Their two characters spend majority of the drama unrequitedly chasing the two leads. Moon Chae-won's character is kind of annoying, but I can tolerate her for the sake of Moon Chae-won. [FUTURE EDIT: As for the leads, I don't really remember much, but from my review, clearly I wasn't that invested in them]

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Watch me slowly spiral over this drama :)

Up to ep 10: So far, very enjoyable plot. The character dynamics are definitely the highlight of the show. It has typical character tropes from kdramas of the 2010s but they never overuse them in a way that the characters become unbearable or annoying. However, if I had to nitpick, the female lead definitely be dumb and has you questioning how she can be so naive and gullible but I don’t think it ever gets to the extent where I find her to be unlikeable. OKAY BUT THIS IS WHERE I'M LIKE NO RN bc it harbours on character dynamics. THE ROMANCE BETWEEN THE ML AND FL! BIG NO FROM ME SIS! While I def felt that the show did not necessarily push the romance in our faces, I don’t like to see it. The way the drama openly shows romantic scenes when the ML is a LITERAL MINOR gives me the biggest ick. I would have never saw their initial dynamic to be that of romantic affection but rather the ML appreciating and acknowledging the FL’s kindness and pure heart. SO WHEN THEY GOT TOGETHER AND FRICKING KISSED I LITERALLY GAGGED. It’s even more gross bc they establish the ML’s personality to be immature and very much the spirit of a high schooler so well, that there is no way I am able to accept their romance. LIKE NO WAY. So this is where we are, them dating and her just finding out. Despite this, I’m enjoying the show. But ik I’m def gonna deduct at least a 0.5 rating for having to witness a minor-adult relationship.

Up to ep 13: Ok so I’ve actually lost it. I can’t believe she’s actually dating a minor. LIKE GIRL EVEN IF U WAIT IT'S CALLED GROOMING! WHO TF CAME UP WITH THIS PLOT. I do love the sister dynamic tho. But omg they really are trying to push this very illegal relationship onto us now and trying to make us root for it BUT NO FUCKING WAY AM I GONNA ROOT FOR THEM LIKE BFFR??!!

Final: OMG THIS DRAMA FELL OFF SO BAD IN THE LAST FEW EPISODES. Ok for one, the couple got a happy ending which I will ONCE AGAIN SAY IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL!!!!! WHY DID NO ONE AROUND THEM TALK ABOUT THIS! THE FEMALE LEAD NEEDS TO BE LOCKED UP ASAP LIKE WTF! In all the conversations about their relationship not being feasible or a bad idea, it always revolved around his age and his immaturity and that he’s a high schooler on a surface level discussion. The conversation always centred around him and not her, when she is the literal adult in the relationship. The drama made it even worse by having them get married, like girl what????? Ok my extreme problem with the relationship aside, because of their heavy focus on the relationship and trying to convince us that it’s totally okay, they scrappily handled the other plot points. More time could have been dedicated to these much more interesting plot points than the romance. The main appeal of the first half was definitely not the romance and it seems the writer didn’t understand that as they focused sooooo much on it in the latter half. For one, the older brother ‘s return was poorly done. Why did he just disappear and be uncontactable even though he’s back in Korea??? And the explanation for why he bailed was lame. They made the brother out to be such an ass for the way he would just simply not show up for his family. And then to have him leave without acknowledging the father or saying goodbye properly even tho in his email to his younger brother, he talks about regrets by missing out on time with them??? Make it make sense!! And the whole brother's revenge on the company felt so rushed. Clearly we have a bad man but it wasn’t set up like that, so clearly the writer had a dilemma of having to protect the company or destroying it to take the “villain (but not really villain bc they set it up so bad)” down. So when he decides to back out of the revenge, it just comes out as anti-climatic. But if the alternative were to happen, then it would harm all the characters we have come to root for.

Overall, the direction this drama went in in the second half damn pissed me the fuck off and it’s such a shame bc I feel like it had a pretty strong start.

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