Reviews

I only write reviews if I think something is too good.

I know this show may seem a hair unconventional, but honestly, I love it so much. It’s kind of giving slow burn but without the slow burn as they are a “fake couple”. The chemistry the two leads have is amazinggggg, it has me giggling and kicking my feet constantly. The only thing I hate is the fact I couldn’t wait until the whole series aired to watch it because GODDD, I hate waiting a whole week to watch. I would’ve had this series finished in two days. I highly recommend if you’re looking for something light ( it’s at least pretty light in the beginning, could get a little messy as it goes on). But I’m sure you’ll be hooked too if you like cute shows like this one.

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Slight spoiler alert, but GO Go Squid is Good & rewatchabl

I know this is YEARS late, and I’ve already rewatched it over and over, but I just had to get my thoughts out there. I really liked this drama, especially the ML and the secondary characters on the teams & the FL friends . The FL did get on my nerves a bit, especially the way she pursued the ML in the beginning, and she is NOT a very realistic kisser. But her personality grew on me as I watched. The ML is so good, though a little too cold and aloof to start off with, that, other than being handsome, I really don’t know why the FL kept pursuing him after he first rejected her. But I could see what an impact she made on the ML as their relationship slowly developed. The other team members and cast were really great.

My biggest character disappointment is the ML grandfather. When he first came on the scene he seemed a little quirky, but soon you could see how he was actively hostile to the Ml, even as the ML became much less cold and stoic as the drama progressed, and even after the FL explained how important the ML’s work on the computer really was (the grandfather always complained how lazy the ML was and that he “played” on his computer instead of getting a “real” job). Up until nearly the end the grandfather always talked critically (and meanly) to the ML, but was totally fine with the ML’s cousin, who was also his grandson and who was on the exact same team and worked under the ML on the team, too, on the computer! The ML was the LEADER of the team and was one of the FOUNDERS of the entire club. I truly believe that part of the reason the ML was so cold in the beginning was that his grandfather was CONSTANT,Y berating him and comparing him to his cousin, whom the grandfather thought was so perfect. There was no animosity between the cousins, however.

Having said that, this is still so much one of my favorite dramas that I actually bought the DVD! The cinematography, the music, the acting was just terrific and the overall quality of this drama Go Go Squid definitely make this worth watching! Highly recommend. Thanks for reading.

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Even In Real Life There Are Main Characters...and Extras

Cough,, the headline isn't too cruel, is it?

Regardless, Single's Inferno was that one dating show that engaged me much more than I'm willing to publicly admit. Season 1 gave me this infatuation for Ji-a, a conviction that Yea-won deserved better and the realization that Se-hun and Si-hun should learn to take a hint. Season 2 reminded me that even flawless girls like my Nadine can be heartbroken , even pretty people can be played hard and the game of love can be won by anyone. Season 3 reminded me how fearsome people in love(?) can be. In the end, I'm pretty sure the producers could write a book detailing the "Art of War: Dating Version" using the 3 seasons as a solid reference, because Single's Inferno is a dating war at its most feverish(yet platonic) point.

I love how, unlike overseas dating shows that tend to be "Episode 1: Making Out", this show and other South Korean dating shows, have people who are evidently more platonic and reserved even at the end. To me, that doesn't take anything away from the show. Single's Inferno gave me a lot more suspense, entertainment and surprise than I was initially betting on. It's the first dating show I've ever watched in my life, and I was pleasantly surprised.

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Ah, yes. My favorite tropes: Mistrustful Acquaintances to Lovers and Chosen Families.

The Drama portrays the struggle of our lead, who wants to stay independent without the need for a husband after the disaster her past life was with the same man. Now, with the knowledge of the future in the book given to her before her death, she tries to change the course of the following years for the better—for her life and the lives of those she met before she died.

There is familial scheming, political intrigue, chosen families, destined lovers, pressures of the society at the time, and a constant tension and worry about what will happen next. It's gripping and there is never a dull moment!

Our Female Lead is manipulative, emotionally mature, and knows how to protect herself from the political and familiar scheming that surrounds her. Being disillusioned by love after a big betrayal and heartbreak, she does everything in her power to establish herself as financially independent as possible this time around—and promises to live this new chance at life for herself and her own happiness instead of others. And even if some of her attempts to change the course of the future do not go according to plan, she does not give up, and instead adapts and tries again. The actress does a wonderful job in all of her scenes and in all of the character's phases.

Our Male Lead is strong-headed and moved by justice and honor. And even if some of his decisions are violent and cruel, he is still honorable and very gentle with the right people. Seeing the difference between what he could become and who he started as is heartbreaking, and his scenes with his family and friends are lovely and sweet—and just as strong as the heartbreak that comes after. The actor also does a wonderful job here portraying his character's rageful moments and his soft and fond moments, too.

The slow burn of their relationship building itself up from mistrustful of each other to allies and then something else is lovely to watch, and seeing their views of the other change with time is also lovely. But our FL has no interest and doesn't believe in love anymore, and our ML is hesitant to consider his feelings because he is searching for someone special who saved his life once.

There has not been a single boring episode so far and that is hard to do! All actors—even secondary characters—have given their all in their portrayals and the whole OST has been just as lovely and has a very recognizable melody that comes up in impactful scenes to make everything perfect. Costume design and fight choreographies also do not disappoint. Emotional moments hit hard and deep, and light and fond moments feel special and sweet. I really can't recommend this drama enough!

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Compared to the first season this one is better. They made justice for the story. Trying to adapt it as much as possible with lesser changes from the original story. Of course it's not full adaptation. Hearing Angela's song from the Donghua just made me love it more. Unfortunately 38 episodes are not enough. I hope they'll make another season and if possible they'll use the same cast. Overall I'd watch it again. And if someone can't wait to know how the story unfolds can watch the Donghua: Soul Land (Douluo Dalu). It's as well not 100% adaptation but the concept is the same.

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Only Here For The Male Lead, Aren't We?

To be brutally honest without sprinkling any sugar, the plot--albeit engaging in the beginning episodes--was very rushed towards the end and so rough around the edges that it became a joke about itself. And when I type this, I'm mostly referring to the last episodes. Especially the ending. Okay, now, on one hand, the ending was very tranquil but on another hand, it left so much unresolved and hanging in the balance that it did not quite feel like an ending. Like, where are the babies? WHERE ARE THE BABIES? AND DID THEY...DO "IT", OR NOT? The open ending left me sad for this was a drama I was so quickly invested in.

The earlier episodes, however, really took me in, especially the bittersweet relationship between the loyal and compassionate Grand Prince Jinhan and his only brother, the hateful and jealous King. However, *sarcastic here* color me surprised, that the show was nothing but carried by the excellent portrayal of the Grand Prince Jinhan/Lee In by Jo Jung-suk. I'm really glad, however, that there was still something to really look forward to in each episode. While the chances of an obvious woman being undeniably taken for male were below zero, JJS's intense gazes and expressive face left no room for doubting the King's heart-melting affection for his one and only love. Even the viewers must have been captivated from the other side of the screen. I was! Besides that, the king's mannerisms, charisma and aura easily commanded respect even from a simple k-drama lover like me. It really did feel like the ruler of Joseon was on my screen.

The antagonists, for example Yoo Hyun-bo and Park Jong-hwan, were more interesting than the characters who were supposedly on the 'good' side--yes, I'm hinting at you, female lead, Kang Hee-soo/Kang Mong-woo. The antagonists were a lot more brutal than I was expecting, though that didn't derail my interest but rather heightened it. Death felt like it was just a next-door neighbor for every character. All the characters felt very real, very medieval. I enjoyed watching the back-and-forth tackle for power amongst the ministers and also between the king and the court, and the overall portrayal of Joseon being in the middle of a conflict between the Qing and Ming.

Things I liked:
+ Jo Jung-suk's incredible portrayal of Grand Prince Jinhan/Lee In(is it Yi In or Lee In?)
+ the young Grand Prince/Crown Prince; he was so cute and respectful; he definitely stole every scene he was in!
+ the constant third wheel, the right-hand man of the king; he was always so done with all the gayness he was seeing lmao
+ Episode 9; after such a long wait, we get not one, not two, not three but FOUR KISSES! Kyaaaa! I was captivated for sure!
+ Court Lady Dong stole my sympathy and heart...she will be remembered always
+ The music and scenery are so pleasant
+ every time Lee In clapped back at his enemies
+ the plot twist that triggered Lee In's crowning as king

Things I disliked:
+ Kang Mong-woo's lack of 'manliness'; everyone has a beard except her, but a beard would not change anything; nonetheless, I do empathize that it would not be easy for a woman to portray a man as convincingly as Park Eun-bin did in The King's Affection
+ The ending was not terrible, but I would have preferred a more conclusive one

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You're that succulent of my life who has soaked up my dry spell!

This drama is a perfect blend of fluff and comedy with a dash of thrill and suspense. Earlier I was complaining about how BLs were lacking in grabbing the attention of the audience with shallow storylines, but after watching this, I am utterly pleased to inform you that it lived up to my expectations wonderfully. 
 
As an introvert, the words I say are lesser than the conversation I have in mind. So Ryoma's inner monologues were very interesting to me, as he finds it hard to express his feelings. There comes Haruto, who has lightened up Ryoma's world while keeping his own darkness inside. It was painful to see Haruto suffering from nightmares and his heartbreaking past. The way they embraced each other throughout their ups and downs warmed my heart. This beautiful partnership has transcended all the hardships.
 
If you come to the comedy part, you'll see whenever Ryoma starts dreaming of becoming the protector of law, suddenly the music changes to something serious and pensive, but when he stops daydreaming, suddenly the atmosphere gets filled with squeaky sounds of his succulents talking—the transition is too funny!
 
Overall it's a fun drama filled with emotions and entertainment combined with some serious situations.  No cringe, neither overly sexualized nor overly cutesy, but just the right amount of everything bound together to give you an exciting plot to look out for.

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Wherever this is going it's going without me !

I dropped it after watching 11 episodes.
I just can't keep watching this when nothing makes sense. Like if she was this smart why attack the king openly ? Why is it normal to go on an edge of a mountain to grab a flower alone ? Why is the acting of all the actors so poor ? Or maybe they act well but it's badly endited ? Whatever nothing makes sense or stands out.
Even if the FL is smart and pretty (my type of main character) i think the story is just badly written, the plot could've been really interesting if written correctly.
FL and ML don't even have that much of chemistry on screen for me to keep watching for the romance only.

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good story , but slow moving

I enjoyed this story being a bit different than others. what was harder to watch was the ongoing saving the souls of the immortal renegades. it went on longer than. necessary or could have been broken up with the side story of the “Master” and what was happening there. it took too long to develop.

I doubt I will watch it again even though I enjoyed the actors the writer needs to keep the excitement going.

I was disappointed in the male lead and female lead in showing their emotions, mostly when kissing. it always look like we’re just touching
faces and no love seen in their kissing. could it be inexperience or how the director had them do that scene. I have seen other actors have sweet kissing scenes. learn from them. even the secondary female and male leads did a better job in episode 21.

will keep an eye on for other movies these actors do.

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A poignant and philosophical take on the end of the world. "Together today, tomorrow, till the end."

*Sorry for the length and thank you for reading but I intended to write a lengthy, honest review from the bottom of my heart whatsoever.

This is a drama I wanted to watch since the trailer came out. I've had the OST on loop for months and finally I watched it. I was scared by the reviews, but I still went in with high expectations. And rightly so, because it was even better than I thought. Consistently from the beginning too. Then it somehow dethroned THE work that I thought could never be dethroned... That's how much I loved it.

"HOW we are living being more important than surviving" this is from the headline of the top reviewer, who's been my favorite for a long time, and for good reason. "In my opinion, this is a quietly gripping and complex KDrama. So complex that a few questions might remain unanswered at the end. But for me they are not so important here, therefore I can leave it at that. I´d say “Goodbye Earth” is rather about the personal processes that all those different characters have to go through, while dealing with those obviously extraordinary challenges their ordinary life is confronting them with." I did read her review before watching and was even more intrigued than I already was. Anyway, let's start with my review.

Goodbye Earth is a beautifully crafted drama that offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human emotions in a dystopian setting. While the English title is fitting and I do like it, I personally prefer the Korean one, inspired by the Japanese novel The Fool of the End (or The Fool at the End of the World), on which the drama is based.

The story is unique and has countless layers, serving as an eye-opener to the reality of the situation, politically and beyond. Of course, with a drama like this, a critique of society and human nature is to be expected. However, the difference lies in that Goodbye Earth has the most reflective and realistic approach to the apocalyptic scenario. The drama's atmosphere is distinctive, adding to the believability of its chaotic, end-of-the-world premise. The unique color grading further enriches the visuals, giving the story an added layer of depth. The characters' emotions are raw and complex, making the narrative deeply resonant.

The drama strikes a compelling balance between hope and despair, portraying a range of human responses—chaos, greed, and altruism—that feel both authentic and unsettlingly accurate. What some might perceive as unresolved plotlines, I view as a deliberate choice. Despite the wide range of events depicted, the narrative remains focused on following the lives of the city's residents, emphasizing their stories amidst the chaos. It is their POV, and Se Kyung is still our protagonist. For example, there’s a scene in the first episode that feels disorienting because it’s shown from her perspective, brilliantly capturing the sense of helplessness and chaos in the moment.

The direction is top-notch, with excellent cinematography, clever symbolism, a stellar cast, and a powerful soundtrack. The epic introduction, which gave me goosebumps, sets the tone perfectly. That said, the drama does require patience, as it is not strictly linear (the beginning foreshadows as far as to their final day (February 22, 2026), the timeline of the present starts at D-201, then it mostly comes back to the sources from what I remember, the announcement being at D-300) and there are many faces to familiarize yourself with along with how everyone is connected. Indeed, there are so many characters, and what was done with them, alongside the main cast and storylines, is amazing.

It’s worth noting that Yoo Ah In’s role was reduced due to his recent scandal, but thankfully it wasn't that much of a problem while watching. The drama also could have benefited from a longer runtime with such a complex worldview, but overall, it was satisfying. A 12-episode Netflix drama within a single season is something, after all.

While the drama is classified as a sci-fi thriller (and it does deliver on that front, I was even more than pleasantly surprised), it feels more like a psychological slice of life. It follows the residents of a city as they navigate their final days and as we learn to know them (and ultimately connect with them emotionally), focusing less on action and more on emotional and philosophical reflection. Fans of fast-paced dramas may find the slower pacing challenging, but personally, I never wanted to pause (this often happens, even with my favorites, but for once it did not). And I am the kind of viewer who never skips a single second or uses the speed function. In fact, I even binge-watched the drama in two days with how immersed I was.

It's a drama full of heart and soul, standing as a groundbreaking achievement in the genre. Though it may not have been a mainstream success, it will find its audience regardless. This is a story we need today, and tomorrow.

For a personal note, I'm not really a religious person, but I sometimes accompany my grand-mother to the mass, she has many friends there and the drama made me think a lot about her.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a drama that blends human connection, existential themes, and stunning visuals, Goodbye Earth is more than worth your time.

P.S: Don't end Episode 11 too soon and let the credits roll to hear the different version of the main theme. The lyrics are different but I couldn't transcribe them well enough. I uploaded it anyway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mJeiiQcQBU.

* Ending spoiler and more in the comments

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Side note :

For those hesitant to start this drama because of its low rating on MDL, here’s some context. This drama was unfairly bombed with 1/10 ratings right from the start by people who hadn’t even watched it (or pretty much skipped to the end). Of course they had to appease the tensions. Drug charges are so badly seen in Korea and many people would have felt uncomfortable by watching him apparently. It’s true that the drama isn't everyone’s cup of tea and most likely won't cater to many people's expectations from this genre. However, adding a negative mindset and zero willingness to understand the narrative or appreciate the drama as a whole only worsens the perception. Even without this context, ignore the ratings or reviews online and just watch what you want.

The claim that the chronology is extremely confusing in the first episodes is baffling to me. Along with obvious enough context clues, the timeline is literally written on the screen every time it shifts, or you get a black and white effect after short flashbacks, there is no way you can say that unless you skipped or ignored those parts. Also, many things are conveyed subtly and not always through dialogue. Additionally, the story's structure is not entirely conventional, which made it more interesting to me from both an ambitious and narrative perspective. However, it’s not so unconventional as to feel shocking or bewildering. In today’s world, where it’s common for people to multitask or lose focus easily while watching something, I strongly recommend giving this your full attention. If you choose to watch it, commit to the experience. Of course, if it doesn’t captivate you, that’s perfectly fine—no one’s forcing you.

As for the boycott, it’s counterproductive and, frankly, ridiculous (don't know if there were that many but, that's MDL community for you). The drama was already delayed from 2023 to 2024 and almost didn’t get released. If the goal was to support Yoo Ah In, boycotting the drama—like what happened in Korea—achieves the exact opposite.

Don't place all the blame on the director. He and everyone involved went through a great deal to bring this project to life—it was truly a labor of love. I’ve read several articles on the matter, and I’d like to share what I’ve learned to provide more context and, hopefully, foster some empathy for what went on behind the scenes. First, the original work is an omnibus novel with an unusual setting. In an interview, the original author shared his perspective, stating that while the adaptation had a uniquely Korean touch, the characters still felt true to his creations. However, the director had concerns from the outset that the drama’s complex worldview might confuse viewers, especially given its limited 12-episode format. This constraint made it challenging to fully explore and explain the intricacies of the story. To add to the challenges, the writer of the adaptation persevered despite battling a serious illness, underscoring the dedication and passion poured into this project. And then, following Yoo Ah In’s case, significant re-edits were required. Ultimately, the drama underwent over 20 versions, with the director continually rethinking and revising it, even seeking feedback from outsiders unconnected to the work. The final version, as he explained, was chosen because it was the most effective in conveying the story within the constraints they faced. Thankfully, the director has clarified that he didn't remove anything that would affect the story, so I’m inclined to trust his judgment. If anything, we’ll never know, and it’s not as if we can accurately infer the missing parts. The only option left is to treat them as though they don’t exist. Coming back to the subject matter, the director did his best under extremely difficult circumstances. Also, let’s not overlook Netflix’s role. If they had been more proactive and less concerned about political correctness, they might have been able to provide more support. Removing scenes from a work as intricate as this one was far from ideal, and no one involved found it an easy choice. Ultimately, the director expressed that if viewers could 1. recognize that this story is different from others involving an apocalypse and 2. resonate with the message—shifting their focus from merely surviving to reflecting on how they would truly live in such a situation—it would be enough. On that point, I wholeheartedly agree. He also knew that it wouldn't please everyone because of the nature of the story, and therefore the lack of action.

Here are the articles I've read:
- https://news.zum.com/articles/90526272
- https://m.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/Amp/A2024050317530001691
- https://no1ceo.tistory.com/m/31
- https://m.news.zum.com/articles/89821643

From the second article: (Aside from the fact that Yoo Ah-in appears in the series, opinions on The Fool at the End of the World remain divided. Director Kim stated, "While creating it, I did consider that viewers might find it difficult to fully grasp. The original work is structured as an omnibus, but our drama weaves those stories together to tell the tale of a community within the city. I thought it might feel complex if viewers didn’t watch several episodes."

He added, "Some viewers might find the unfamiliar settings disorienting, as they’re elements not often seen in dystopian works. I believe that this unfamiliarity may have contributed to a sense of confusion. While these aspects pose a risk, I think they also highlight that this is a dystopian story distinct from conventional ones.")

I can’t deny wishing we could have experienced all the content as originally envisioned. However, I cannot understand those who never even attempted to appreciate the rest of the cast and the story (some just skipped to Yoo Ah In's scenes...), and I'm saying that as someone who also loves Yoo Ah In. I’m forever grateful especially for the opportunity to discover the incredible talent of Jeon Sung Woo. But whatever, they are the ones missing out on a lot, not me.

The drama is indeed not perfect and I'll talk about it more in spoilers, but I already didn't intend to rate it below 10 before knowing all this. I personally went with the flow without overthinking it too much if I didn't clearly understand everything and it was amazing.

It’s disheartening to see a drama like this receive a 6.4 rating when compared to so many others on this site. The score clearly doesn’t reflect the effort, quality, or storytelling delivered here.

In short, this drama deserves a fair chance, free from bias and preconceived negativity.

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I recommend everyone to see this.

Well, I initially picked and watched this drama because of Matsushita Kouhei + glasses combo.

As it is still currently airing (the final episode is in this Saturday) and I continued the watching of the drama (as it's airing each week), I will say the growth of the main character (Makino) from a very cold, weird doctor character (that's the reason why Makino was assigned to a school, as a replacement to the health room teacher at the school he is going to serve, that is going to have maternity leave, by the head of the pediatrics department, due to his often very weird and cold actions) - to a character that is still somehow cold and weird, but started to somehow care about the students/kids on the school he served.

There are many situations that are facing by the elementary school students (and even the teachers in the school) - and somehow the main character Makino was able to grasp and solve it.

The situations are, and can be sometimes sad, but it is just so heartwarming and fun to see this overall over the last few weeks and it is one of the better dramas in this season.
The story in the manga is fun and promising too, so be sure to check it out if you can!

Hoping for a second season soon - there are a lot of potential for further development!

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I went from disliking to loving this show

I went from disliking to loving this show. A common sentiment in reviews is that many viewers stopped watching because they felt embarrassed by Toh (Seng Wichai Saefant). I think this happens when you become too invested in a character, as many drama fans do. But this series isn't a drama; it's a pure romcom. The main character is simply a charming idiot. His behavior is so comical, almost to the point of absurdity, that some viewers can't handle it. However, those who stick with it through the first three episodes usually finish the series. In my opinion, Seng is even more charming here than in his other roles. His goofy smile is much more endearing than a serious expression. Overall, while it's a pretty typical romcom, it's definitely worth watching for Billy's fans.

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First of all, i agree with the previous review 'Actors lacked conviction of their characters', thus no chemistry between the couple. I started watching it purely bcs of CYF. I personally dont like FL appearance, character and acting (nothing to do with the actress).

It's a shame bcs they could've made something much more interesting with the plot. I think time-travelling plots are generally beneficial -- however they failed to execute it so things turned out ridiculous and boring. I dont even know when/why ML fell for FL.

Guess I have to try another new drama of CYF or go back to rewatching Enslaved by Love. Hope this man gets the project that matches his potential soon..

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Two words- beautiful and unforgettable! Ktrauma of the year!! Haha

I rarely write reviews, but for this show? I just had to!! It’s the kind of masterpiece that stays with you forever. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget about it—it’s that beautiful.

From start to finish, it’s a journey of emotions—one moment you’re laughing, the next you’re sobbing uncontrollably. The acting is absolutely phenomenal, especially Do Hwan’s. He didn’t just play his character, he became him. Every scene felt so raw and real that it was impossible not to get completely lost in it. There were times I wanted to jump into the screen, yell at him, punch him for his choices, and then wrap him in a big hug because I couldn’t stand the pain he was carrying. Lol

The chemistry between the leads? Pure magic. The writing, the music, the direction—it all comes together so flawlessly, it leaves you in awe. This isn’t just a show, it’s an emotional masterpiece that takes hold of your soul and refuses to let go.

Now, I just can’t stop listening to the OSTs and crying all over again. Honestly, I can't bring myself to watch any other drama because of this one. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re seriously missing out. Prepare yourself for something unforgettable.

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