Reviews

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 strong, manipulative, emotionally mature, and knows how to protect herself in 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. 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 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.

This drama does not shy away from serious topics and common occurrences that happened during the period it portrays. But even if they do not show them directly, you feel the weight of every scene the characters are talking about it, and you feel for the characters and what they went through to keep true to themselves and what they stand for. Seeing the support the FL's grandmother—who does not want her life to be ruined by marriage as hers was—gives her was enough to make me cry. All of their moments together are very touching and made me emotional multiple times, so if you also adore the trope of Chosen Families and (some) supportive friends and family you will probably enjoy this! The music and the recognizable melody also help build up the emotions in every episode and make everything so good to watch.

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. 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."

"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. "Quietly gripping and complex" is indeed the best way to describe it.

Goodbye Earth is a beautifully crafted drama that offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of human emotions in an apocalyptic setting.

The characters’ emotions are raw and complex, making the story deeply resonant. The direction is top-notch, with excellent cinematography (plus clever symbolism), a stellar cast, and a powerful soundtrack. Right from the beginning, episode one does an incredible job setting up the story, introducing numerous elements effectively. The epic introduction, which gave me goosebumps, sets the tone perfectly.

It’s worth noting that Yoo Ah In’s role was reduced due to his recent scandal, but his performance still works seamlessly within the story.

While the drama is classified as a sci-fi thriller (and it does deliver on that front), 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 their story, 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.

It’s a drama full of heart and soul, and I would go so far as to say it brings something revolutionary to the genre. While it may not have been a popular hit, it will find its audience regardless. This is a story we need today, and tomorrow.

If you’re looking for a series that blends human connection, existential themes, and stunning visuals, Goodbye Earth is well worth your time.

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. Are they even aware that probably, barely anything was removed? 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. The timeline is literally written on the screen every time it shifts, there is no way you can say that unless you skipped or ignored those parts.

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.

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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One Of The Best!

When I first started to watch this series, I frankly was perplexed by it. It certainly grabbed my attention and honestly, I did not identify the same actors playing different roles. Sincerely, I thought they were different actors as the roles, setup, and stories were so vastly distinctive. But as each of the storylines developed, I did observe that the essence was the same. It was well into the third storyline when I had my epiphany and realized the actors were the same but each of the stories was wildly different. Two young men find each other fall in love and form a nexus. However, not always with happy endings. Each character represented different personalities and certainly different outlooks on life. Yet, something always draws the two of them together. And that something of course is love. The outstanding quality of this series is that while there is no direct link between stories, it all still flows so naturally. It is an anthology that comes alive for you. There is nothing metaphysical, esoteric, or destined in the stars that fate the two protagonists to be together in each story. It all seems to flow so naturally and organically and without help from any high powers. And to be rewarded at the end with having a feeling of watching something that felt so alive happening, made it all the more special.

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