Reviews

A must watch

Guys, forget every cdrama out there cause I forgot all of them because of LGIEF lol. I waited for this overwhelming feeling to go away after watching the drama to submit my review here. Just want to add that this drama can be considered my all time favorite cdrama. Leaving below my review on everything about this drama:

Plot:
At the beginning, plot might seem a shallow fantasy script but more episodes you watch more you realize how deep it actually is, and towards the end it becomes even more apparent how meaningful this drama is. Not to mention the countless plot twists it has until the very end, those plot twists literally altered my brain chemistry lol. The bond characters have is undeniably beautiful and I really have no negative feedback on the plot.

Acting/cast:

Couldn't find a better cast than this one! The whole cast did their job perfectly, especially main leads. When first googled this drama, the first review I came across was the positive feedback on acting and after watching the drama I now know why. Actors and actresses neither refrain from delivering the emotions nor overact, everything is just in perfect balance. And I can talk about the chemistry between Esther and Ryan the whole day, even though I have watched a lot of dramas with really good chemistry between the couple, I feel like before Esther and Ryan chemistry didn't even exist and they are the inventors of it haha. Not gonna lie, couldn't get enough of their chemistry, planning to watch their previous drama moonlight too, but I hope casting directors are eyeing them again for another reunion later cause I want them to have their third, fourth, fifth, and more dramas together!

OST:

most of the OSTs were given to cast members to perform and along with them doing a great job singing them, soundtracks are also so good and full of emotions, and perfectly used in scenes throughout the drama. Also, there was a sountrack which I haven't found yet that was played in the background of some sad scenes making them even sadder, I am still looking for that one, hoping to find.

Additionally, this is my first time watching a costume drama which I was not planning at all and fully focused on modern dramas, but seeing this drama trending made me watch it and I don't regret at all. The only thing disappointing me was it having an open ending, with such a couple and background story, they should have made a happy definitive ending.
Despite my review seeming calm, I am screaming internally, still trying to process overwhelming feeling this drama brought to me.
Wish I could give more than 10 score to this drama.

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An Underwhelming "Sports" Drama That Stretches Credibility More Than Bands

While marketed as a sports drama, this series surprisingly lacked any substantial depiction of sports across its 16 episodes, save for a few scenes of band stretching. The comedy felt dry and uninspired, failing to inject the light-hearted moments one might expect.

The plot leaned heavily on a tired and overused trope in K-dramas—the omnipotent and corrupt assemblyman controlling everything from the shadows. This overplayed narrative device detracted from the story's originality and felt almost insulting in its predictability.

To its credit, the writing in the first six episodes was reasonably solid, showing potential that unfortunately wasn't sustained. However, the inclusion and persistence of a rapist and assailant "coach" character until the very end was baffling and deeply problematic. This narrative choice felt unnecessary and undermined the drama’s credibility, leaving a sour taste.

Although I avoided comparing this drama to Love All Play, doing so would inevitably result in a harsher critique. That said, the romance subplot was passable for most of the series, but the final episode completely derailed it, leaving an unsatisfying conclusion.

Despite my initial instincts to skip this drama for two years—instincts that now feel validated—I committed to watching it in its entirety. Under normal circumstances, I would have dropped it early on.

In summary, this drama's flaws—its lack of authentic sports representation, clichéd tropes, and questionable character choices—overshadowed its brief moments of decent writing. The key takeaway? Avoid comparisons to Love All Play to preserve what little goodwill remains.

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such an extraordinary drama!

Ro Woon - you beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The drama is based on the webtoon July Found by Chance (어쩌다 발견한 7월). The drama aired in 2019 and gained attention for its unique concept, strong performances, and thought-provoking themes.

Plot
The story follows Eun Dan-Oh, a high school student who discovers that she is a character in a comic book titled Secret. Worse, she’s not even the protagonist—she’s a side character with a terminal illness. Determined to change her fate and find true love, Dan-Oh defies the comic's pre-written narrative with the help of an unnamed "extra" (later known as Ha-Ru). Together, they navigate the rules of the comic world while trying to alter their destinies.

Themes
1. Self-Discovery: Dan-Oh’s journey highlights the importance of self-agency and defining one's own identity.
2.Fate vs. Free Will: The drama explores the tension between accepting predetermined roles and fighting for autonomy.
3. Love Beyond Boundaries: The romance between Dan-Oh and Ha-Ru transcends the constraints of their fictional existence.
4. Meta Commentary: The show critiques common tropes in romance and high school dramas, making it a fresh take on the genre.

Strengths
1. Unique Premise: The concept of characters gaining self-awareness in a fictional world is innovative and engaging.
2. Strong Performances: Kim Hye-Yoon shines as the spunky Dan-Oh, while Rowoon’s subtle performance adds depth to Ha-Ru.
3. Clever Humor: The drama pokes fun at typical K-drama clichés, offering a self-aware and refreshing perspective.
4. Visual Appeal: The cinematography and fantasy elements are visually stunning, enhancing the magical feel of the story.

Weaknesses
1. Pacing Issues: The plot can feel repetitive in the middle episodes, with some scenes dragging unnecessarily.
2. Complex Rules: The mechanics of the comic world are intriguing but can become convoluted and hard to follow at times.
3. Underdeveloped Subplots: Some side characters and storylines, such as those of Joo-Da and Nam-Joo, feel underexplored.
4. Ambiguous Ending: The finale leaves some questions unanswered, which may frustrate viewers seeking closure.

Extraordinary You is a breath of fresh air in the K-drama world, offering a mix of romance, fantasy, and metafictional commentary. Its unique premise and strong lead performances make it stand out, especially for us fans looking for something unconventional. However, its pacing issues and occasionally confusing narrative mechanics might deter viewers who prefer straightforward storytelling.

Overall, it’s a drama worth watching for its originality and charm, but it may require patience during slower episodes.

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Just some cheesy HS things! - Love happens.

The story follows Lee Seul-Bi, an angel who accidentally becomes human while trying to save a high school boy, Shin Woo-Hyun, from a life-threatening situation. As she adapts to her new life on Earth, she ends up living with Woo-Hyun and attending his high school. The drama explores themes of love, friendship, and the struggles of adolescence, with a fantasy twist. The presence of another key character, Hwang Sung-Yeol, adds complexity to the story, creating a love triangle. Both Woo-Hyun and Sung-Yeol face personal family issues, adding depth to their characters.

Key Characters:
1. Lee Seul-Bi (played by Kim Sae-Ron): An angel-turned-human who learns about life, love, and the challenges of being a teenager.
2. Shin Woo-Hyun (played by Nam Woo-Hyun): A popular yet emotionally scarred high school student who lives with his grandmother.
3. Hwang Sung-Yeol (played by Lee Sung-Yeol): Woo-Hyun's classmate and rival, who has his own struggles with family and relationships.
Kim Sae-Ron is so damn cute but there are these two leads - Nam Woo-Hyun and Lee Sung-Yeol - How can I not watch this drama?

The drama is lighthearted with moments of emotional depth. It appeals to a younger audience due to its high school setting and relatable issues. I appreciated its fantasy elements and the chemistry among the cast. However, I must criticize its storyline for being overly melodramatic at times.

Anyways, it's a fun watch, might be a decent drama if you wanna pass your time.

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prepare to cry every episode!

do not be deterred by bad reviews; what an absolutely groundbreaking and incredibly brave k-drama. i particularly admire how the show dismantles stereotypes surrounding mental health and suicide (especially in south korea where such topics are taboo), and is unafraid to cover difficult, sensitive themes (e.g. the atrocious mistreatment of comfort women). furthermore, whilst nailing perfectly the acting and somber plotlines, the drama's romantic storyline was personally the most heartbreaking sequence of the show-- episode 13 hit me like a wrecking ball. overall, HIGHLY recommend this drama for anyone who needs a good cry!

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the art of getting by

a beautiful depiction of two ordinary people with an entangled, complicated history navigating hardship. i particularly found the ML's portrayal of loneliness so well executed and quite relatable in some aspects. screenwriting was BRILLIANT; both main leads truly understood one another with such quiet intensity. docking a star and a half as the satisfaction following their separation sequence doesn't really pay off as much as i would've liked, and i felt as if the FL lost her spark and spunkiness toward the end of the drama, but i HIGHLY recommend this drama to anyone who enjoys a mature, slow-burn romance!

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must watch

this drama has many good things
1) beautiful cinematography and beautifully shot (the fighting scenes, in the first ep the arrow scenes before they go back, the dream scenes, the shots with the petals, etc….). Well directed
2) acting was good from the leads. They did well for emotional scenes too. Also the supporting and older cast, I really like the portrayal of the emperor, I think the actor was great. Also other cast from the families of the leads.
3) the romance : it flowed nicely. them slowly falling in love, mature romance, trust, supporting each other. would do anything for each other and so much love. Good chemistry. I think compared to other cdrama, we got plenty of romance and cute moments. Also feeling confessed by ep 18 and married by ep 19 out of ep 34, I think that was very good. Less slow burn than many dramas this year. Absolutely no break or misunderstanding, strong couple till the end.
4) the transmigration/time travel was well written. I think « the dream » idea was very smart to pass censorship and very minimal since it was still obvious for us viewers that it was not a dream and they really went back in time. and only mentioned at the beginning of the story. I hate it when they do something like it was a novel or something, they add that at the very end to pass censorship.
5) I think the drama was well written in general, the plot was good, pretty fast pace, everything was going smoothly. as the story progressed, we were learning more about the villains, getting clues, etc… We got a bit of everything, some comedy, romance, action and more sad/emotional moments. ML and his uncle, mother (the pain from the deaths and seeing the flashbacks). When ML was dying, our sad couples moments, there was a pretty emotional ep, I don’t remember the number ahah but I was sad with the leads, they love each other so much. I think all the villains and their motive made senses. Like the 5th uncles who wanted his higher title (but still cared about the Dou family and his brother. I actually liked his death and I was almost sad. I think it was the scenes, the contexte and his brother/« lover » present. in the end, decided to do one last thing to protect his younger brother). The empress and her son, etc.. I actually enjoyed the political plot, I think it was interesting and I also think the villains were interesting.
6) great fighting scenes
7) Friendship. Between the girls, even the maids. ML and his guys, etc…
8) The character development of FL dad. how their story progressed and their reconciliation. He grow some bones, finally defending his daughter, standing up for his son-in-law (the drums moment), etc…
9) we got some diverse side arc/romance :
a)the sister and husband from the first life : I was feeling sad for Dou Ming. she was an asshole in her first life, but kind and gentle in her second life, she never did her sister wrong. But falling in love with the wrong guy. Not a complete trash in this life, but still a coward, a bad husband and a useless guy. Not gonna lie, they were kinda cute. She suffered a lot and her death was a bit infuriating. Dying like that and seeing her trash husband from afar drinking. Dying alone on the floor when she could have been saved. Anyway, I said KARMA when it happened, their bad deed in their first life and her mother sins. It was satisfying, the mom reaction and everything, learning she caused her own daughter’s dead. It was good how her dad didn’t even want to save her and she should be punished for her crimes. I laughed when he slapped her. Speaking of slapped, there was so many throughout the drama, that was hilarious to me.
b) An Su and Song Han : that arc made me mad. I was very mad at her for choosing/siding with the guy she barely knows against her friends for years. She was very stupid and easily manipulated at first. Their story was not interesting and making her a princess made no sense as she was literally a nobody/commoner. At last, it was satisfying when she learned the truth and killed him herself.
c) Chen Jia and Zhao Zhang Ru (FL’s cousin) : brief interactions, but they were very cute. They got their happy ending
d) the little past with the princess (sister of the emperor) and 5th uncle
e) the crown prince and crown princess. brief interactions too, but they were kinda funny at time and seemed like a good match. That was funny when they were the 4 of them and she mentioned the idea of betrothal between their unborn child, CP and ML reaction.
f)…maybe there is more ahaha
10) plot twist :
a) the fact that the dad (ML’s dad had an affair and switched the babies), didn’t saw that coming. How they explained he never loved his wife and the son they had, why he preferred Song Han. It was sad when he said those things to Song Mu. The sister was actually dead it seems, I was waiting for some plot twist and she’s alive + plus reunion, but that never happened. Anyway I think we had enough things going on ahaha
b) Ji Yong who was actually not with Prince Qing, all of this was a plan from the beginning with the emperor
c) the nephew of the empress who didn’t betrayed them
d) even the thing with the cat with Song Han, I think it was good that he was actually keeping the cat because he was using it for testing poison. I didn’t thought of that
e) the scenes when they were searching for the letter with the girl who was the maid, the flashbacks and reliving the scene and the letter that was hiding so close to them.
f) all the villains who were working together
11) villains getting what they deserved and punishment.
12) ending : great and satisfying ending. Closure for everyone and happy ending of course. Cute together and happy couple moments. Dad with his promotion, grandma being happy and travelling, them with the leads daughter was cute. Crown prince ascending the throne and the little monologue about the politics. Chen Jia and the cousin married couple. An Su doing her things and « looking for a husband ». Ji Young who will become a monk in this life too. Even them showing the kid of ML’s uncle
13 : no love triangle. We can say some side guys on liked FL, but that was very minimal, that’s not considered a love triangle. FL only has eyes for ML from beginning to end.

But, I think the kissing scenes weren’t great. I don’t know if it was a director’s choice, censorship or because the kisses were not so good (so they made it that way), but they were somehow disappointing for most of them. Pretty much cut short or we see nothing. The lips touched and them it’s all these camera angles and editing. Anyway just an observation, I wouldn’t call this an issue, I’ve seen way worst.

Also, the character of Mu (I don’t even remember if that’s the good name, but the guy at the beginning who liked FL). I think this character and arc was just completely useless and non interesting. Why did we need this useless side guy who had unrequited love. He personally annoyed me. At least, his presence was short. Even when it seemed like Ji Young liked FL, that was very annoying, can’t they just be friend?

So, to conclude, I would recommend, I think it’s a good watch, filled with romance, actions, intelligent leads, interesting plot and characters

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Marriage -- A Carousel of Love and Struggles

This drama is a poignant exploration of marriage and family dynamics in modern China, where the rising divorce rate has become a pressing societal issue. In mega-cities like Shanghai, over half of marriages end in divorce, with Tianjin reportedly reaching an alarming 75%. The government's intervention with policies like the mandatory "cooling-off" period for divorce reflects the urgency of this problem. Against this backdrop, the drama becomes highly relatable, delving into the intricacies of family, love, and societal expectations.

A Storyline That Mirrors Real Life

The plot centers around Hao You Jia (Zhang Xiao Fei), a pediatrician from a blended family. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother remarried, blending two families with children from previous marriages and one from their union. Despite being adults, the six family members live under one roof, dealing with the aftermath of divorces and complex family ties.

Hao You Jia works alongside her husband, Peng Hao Dong (Tong Da Wei), in the same hospital. While she is a brilliant but blunt doctor with uncompromising ethics, he is a charismatic leader well-loved by colleagues and her family. Their contrasting personalities lead to frequent squabbles, further strained by Peng’s devotion to his overbearing mother, who shares a contentious relationship with Hao You Jia.

The drama takes an interesting turn when Hao You Jia demands a divorce. However, due to the new laws and societal pressures, they keep their separation a secret, continuing their daily routines as if nothing has changed. This facade eventually unravels, leading to chaos and revelations that test their bonds and values.

Complex Characters and Exceptional Acting

The cast delivers stellar performances, bringing depth to their roles. Zhang Xiao Fei and Tong Da Wei skillfully portray a couple caught between love and conflict. Their fast-paced arguments and emotional exchanges are engaging and relatable.

The supporting characters are equally compelling. Peng Hao Dong’s mother, initially grating with her pretentious demeanor, evolves into a poignant figure—a lonely woman clinging to her sons out of love and unfulfilled hopes. Similarly, Hao You Jia’s mother, driven by societal pride, undergoes a transformation as she prioritizes her children's happiness over appearances.

The siblings' stories enrich the narrative. Luo Wen Cong (Yu Yi), Hao You Jia’s stepbrother, shines as a resilient action movie double and devoted father to his mute daughter. His twin sister, Luo Wen Hui (Sui Jun Bo), is a sympathetic figure, navigating life as a single mother after her ex-husband’s infidelity. Their bond adds warmth and humor. Meanwhile, their youngest sister, Luo Yu Ting (Hu Yi Xuan), brings gentleness and compassion to the story.

A Subtle Approach to Romance

While the drama primarily focuses on marriage and family, moments of romance add charm. The main couple’s relationship, though fraught with tension, includes genuine displays of affection. Side couples offer lighter, engaging romantic subplots, including a heartwarming age-gap romance and rekindled love between divorced partners.

A Realistic and Heartwarming Ending

The drama concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing growth, understanding, and acceptance. Rather than a clichéd rags-to-riches transformation, the characters learn to coexist peacefully, embracing imperfections and building stronger bonds. The closing wedding scenes beautifully encapsulate the theme of resilience and reconciliation.

Peng Hao Dong’s reflective words resonate deeply:

"Marriage is not a competition. The best relationship is heart-to-heart, built on trust and understanding. A home is a safe haven because it’s where the person who knows and loves you the most is. Walk into each other’s hearts, become part of each other, and create a warm home filled with acceptance and support."

Final Thoughts

This drama is a heartfelt portrayal of modern relationships, blending realism with compelling storytelling. It captures the challenges and joys of family life, leaving viewers with a deeper appreciation of love, compromise, and connection. Whether you’re familiar with Chinese cultural nuances or not, this series offers universal lessons on what it means to build a home.

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Turn off your brain for this light, cute but weird drama

This is my first drama that featured Han Yu Tong & Zeng Hui and I don't know what to make of it.

What I liked:
1) Drama tone - As mentioned by one of the MDL commenters, this drama is partly cute and partly weird. It is a light watch if you switch off your thinking skills.
2) Acting - Han Yu Tong is a standout for me. Her looks & demeanor remind me of Kate Hudson in early 2000s - radiant, exuberant energy.
3) FL's parents - I like that they were kind people even to strangers.
4) Antagonist - Refreshing take of antagonist who is jealous of FL. I also like accomplice's arc.

What I disliked:
1) Relationship - Another drama with theme of husband neglecting wife for years. I don't think ML deserves FL because she was neglected by him for 3 years of their marriage. It's also kinda shitty that FL was substitute for lost love.
2) ML - I dislike him for threatening FL for not being with him. He left her without any financial support to "teach her a lesson" which I find a shitty move.

Favourite scene
FL & ML fight in the car. I like that FL told him off for treating her badly!

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Better on YouTube…

This was a cute watch and puppy love is really the right description. I watched the uncut version for a while but found the cut version on YouTube to be faster moving and just as good.😊🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕💕💕💕💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💕🙏🏻🙏🏻💕💕💕💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

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Does ML deserve second chance in this romance drama?

Lately I am in the mood to binge vertically shot Chinese dramas. This drama appeared on my Youtube dashboard & I gave it a go after quickly perusing the comments.

What I liked:
1) Acting - I was impressed by her acting. She managed to show different sides of Wen Yan: firm, vulnerable and strong. I will definitely check out her other works.
2) Visuals - Chen Mu Ye is very pretty. Wang Yi Ran is handsome. Both of them give this "high society" beauty & elegance.
3) Plot - Depsite the plot holes, this drama was light & easy to follow.

What I disliked:
1) Relationship - I notice other C dramas with 'husband neglecting wife for years' theme and this drama is the one with least suffering. While I am ok that the neglect only happened for 1 year, I still think ML is undeserving of FL because is he mistaking guilt for love?
2) Romance - The kissing scenes played around angles rather than real, lingering kisses. Wish there were proper grovelling & more affectionate scenes too.

Favourite scene
When Wen Yan was hospitalised after an assault

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Came for Esther Yu, Took Ding Yuxi Home

In my 20+ years of watching Asian dramas, I haven’t gotten so addicted to a show like I do with this one. I watched this first on Netflix (no expectation, just to fall asleep with), it was so good that I had to get Viki subscription to watch the rest immediately, and now I’m rewatching on YT premium. They made this so enjoyable that rewatching isn’t a problem because it’s beautiful and fast paced. Hardly no fillers so I don’t mind watching over and over again, I’m so inlove with the cast & how they portray each characters! The chemistry overflows even without kissing, it blew my mind. Esther & Yuxi’s acting were superb! The supporting actors are just amazing!
Thanks so much to the producers and all the staff, you guys did an amazing job!!! The ending is ok, I don’t mind open ending, and I totally get the message! Thank you for gifting us with their show The Shining Stars, it’s delightful and very fun to watch. Especially the escape room!

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The series is really about stupid characters wanting to get rich

Watched the Train to Busan and Kingdom, thought it would be at least good but this was so so bad.
The writers were probably having a competition to see who could write the worst and stupidest character because there was not one decent character in the series. The smartest character in the series was probably the old lady that got a scratch on her back ( she kept an eye on her symptoms, gathered information and laid low ) other than her the rest are complete idiots.
Yoon Sae Bom is one of the worst characters I've seen in a long time, if she was in charge of finding a cure and keeping the ,,infected,, isolated from the healthy people in the general population most people would be infected in a few days. If she did not have ,,plot armor,, she would die in ep. 3.
There is no tension, characters keep their backs to open doors, they never keep their guard up, look worried that an ,,infected,, might be behind a corner, getting sick is even seen as a solution to fixing problems. Characters are more concerned with getting rich rather than keeping themselves safe.
As an action series it fails so hard, the main characters do not act as trained professionals, the ,,stunts,, are too obvious, they try to make scenes dramatic but they look silly.
There is no romance, the main leads are very cute but have no chemistry, their ,,love story,, never develops but we are told they love each other . Watch ,, Containment,, made in 2016 if you want to see a couple that has so much chemistry when they never even touch each other, that is how it is done but even that series is not great.
Would have been a lot better as a movie ( a mediocre movie ), I regret watching all of it, should have dropped it after ep 3 but had the morbid curiosity to see how bad the series really was.

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