Spare us the schadenfreude

Let me be clear in the outset, if I were to give this show a score based on when I think the show should logically end then it would have scored a 9-9.5 but the tail end really disappointed me and I can only give it a borderline 8.
I was really enjoying this show from the start because the acting of the ML was superb. He made the younger, cooler actors look like they OD'ed on Botox. The FL was pretty good too, cute but feisty. Their chemistry was great and felt organic. The ensemble cast was above average with the bromance between the ML and his BFF a real highlight. The night market crew were real characters.
I also liked the fact that there are no psycho plot twists and the "villains" were not really evil but more meddling and driven by petty greed. Pretty harmless by dramaland standard and they even generated the occasional laughs.
Refreshingly, the 2FL was actually quite sensible and pragmatic. She lost to the FL and just moved on and even cheered the FL on. I do pity the 2ML, he was just a sad puppy for most of the show and he knew that he didn't stand a chance against the ML but he just kept needling away regardless. I know he acted his heart out but his love sick scenes were wearing thin.
As a rom-com with a cliché storyline, it was actually going nicely and there was no mid show drag so typical of t-dramas. If anything, the middle episodes were actually the highlight of the show (ones I would re-watch). I can see why some reviews wanted the show to stop at episode 17 as the story sort of peaked then. However, I think the next couple of episodes were ok. The 2OTP love story was kind of cute and it was worth the screen time. Sure, the plot about saving the night market was standard trope but it wasn't a waste of time.
Oh, before I go on to detail the big negative for me, I want to highlight the odd way time was handled by the show. The initial promise of the show was based on the FL achieving something in 7 days to win a bet. No issue with that, however, by episode 7 or 8, I was getting weird temporal vibes. Let me explain, the structure of the show meant that we were watching events happening on consecutive days but what we saw felt temporally disconnected. A case in point, quite early on, the OTP went to a swanky party, got drunk and shared a bed (no hanky-panky, thank you). They just showed up to work the next day. More major events happened. A day or two later, they ended up camping overnight in the middle of a work week, does that happen in real life? What we saw felt like it should logically spanned weeks. But the show kept telling us it was only 7 consecutive days. My brain hurts if I stop and think about it.
So .... what got me really annoyed was when the ML played the Noble Idiot card just after they saved the night market. It was so unnecessary. The OTP was riding high and totally in love. Good place to end the show on a high, right? No such luck! We ended up with 2 episodes (over 1 year in show time) of the OTP walking around in misery and longing for each other after the breakup. While the acting was fine, the plot was just convoluted and unrealistic. The FL more or less morphed into a female version of the ML and assumed his mannerism and roles. The ML became a love sick stalker, nice. I would be ok with the breakup if they get back together quickly so that we can get more happy couple time in the last episode but it just dragged on and on.
If they really must keep going after ep 20, the simple fix would be for the OTP to have a nice heart-to-heart talk at the beginning of episode 21, resolve all their misunderstandings (and it was just a misunderstanding). They then formed a partnership and conquer the corporate as well as culinary world. Job done, high five all round!
Instead we got the longest, most pointless detour to an ultimate happy ending in the literal dying minute of the show. Please, writers, stop Noble Idiocy now. Yes, a bit of emotional rollercoaster is mandated but the quota was full by episode 20. Why tack on a poorly scripted extension? Maybe the writers like a bit of schadenfreude. Just spare us.

Leia Mais

Promising start but very uneven writing

I was going to review this show without spoilers but there are problems with the story telling that won't make sense if I don't make specific references so you have been warned. Spoilers ahead!
The show started well and in general, when the writing is good, it works well and a decent watch. It does not shy away from challenging topics and there is no shortage of skinship and sex scenes (low level). The problem is that the promise of three strong women challenging the business world didn't held for long. Within a few episodes, we are really down to 1.5 strong women. If you want to watch really strong FL's then please watch "Search: WWW". Much, much better in that regard. What made it even more complicated is the writers decided to throw lots of societal issues into the story lines and it became a hot mess.
Several messy relationships and conflicting point of views of love, sex and age gaps. Several plot lines went nowhere and others ended up being wishy-washy and lost focus. The ending wrapped most things up with a pink bow and suppose to give everyone a happy ending but some poor writing really distracted.
Two big no-no for me, one is the whole mistress sharing house with the wife situation was an interesting twist. They could have done so much with it and make the wife character stronger as the story unfolded but she was just pitiful and didn't breakout until the very end. The last straw was when the wife found out that the mistress was carrying someone else's baby and did nothing, that is just weird. You can call it revenge (no hint of that in her character before) but it just didn't gel with me.
Another one is when the ML found out the FL is pregnant and without any resistance agreed to go overseas to study for over a year. The show implied that he was absence for most of the pregnancy and even missed the birth of his son?! This is poor writing. During the whole show he was shown to be super sweet and caring but when his GF is pregnant, he just decided to go away willingly?! Missing his son's birth is just wrong. There are compassionate leave and airfare is not that expensive. The whole setup was unnecessary with little gain. Why writers and writer-nims still insist that once someone goes overseas to study/work, they are locked away in a different universe for the whole duration is beyond comprehension.
Yet another promising start but ended with a thud.

Leia Mais

A gilded cage by any other name plus meet-cute

As a whole, this is an entertaining drama with great OTP chemistry and lots of cute moments. However, once again we have a Chinese drama that fagged in the middle third of the show. Don't get me wrong, it is not the usual mid drama drag as the plot was moving along nicely but it was just the story and setting that became a bit stale.
To understand that, we must first discuss what is actually very good about this drama. Within minutes of starting this drama you will be impressed by the cinematography, setting (set design) and lushness of the scenes. It is a rare combination for a Chinese historical drama to nail all three at the same time. This general ambience was carried through the first 1/3 of the show as the relationship of the OTP took shape. It is a good thing that the chemistry between the M/FL are so good as it formed the bed rock that the rest of the show anchored upon. So what is wrong with the middle 1/3 of the show, you asked? The problem is that they must have invested a lot in building the set for the Duke's mansion (or paid a lot to use the already build set) and they just can't leave that place alone. Sure, there were sub plots that is set in the nearby town and a few trips to the "countryside" but again and again, the action comes back to the mansion and it is forever on show (inside and out). The storyline is not helping either as the middle to even the late stage of the show are build around the growing love of the OTP and the vendetta of one scorned lover. There are lots of scheming and backstabbing but we are talking about mostly "storm in a teacup" scale. Sooner or later, you just know that they'd put out one fire and another will be lit somewhere else to make the OTP's life more "interesting".
It is just as well that the later part of the show does move on and take things to a grander scale and some of the action are set off site (hooray!). As I mentioned before, if you have lasted through that middle section, you are fully invested in the OTP's love life and that is why you kept watching. The show does reward us with some skinship and lots of cute moments. The final consummation of their relationship was swoon worthy and it gets better after that but it was a tortured path to get there.
Overall, acting was good but most characters were fairly one dimensional. They played their role well but there are not many twists and turns. This may be a good thing as that dropped some of the potential for angst but they just become tools to move the plot along or inject some romance from another pairing.
One last grumble, why do most villains in Chinese dramas get away with murder (not always figuratively speaking). The main villain of this drama was caught and without a shadow of a doubt of his guilt. He was just packed away to be tried in the capital. IMHO, a duel (to the death) with the ML would have been 100 times more satisfying.
In conclusion, did I enjoyed this show? Yes, on the whole. The skip button was getting a workout in the mid section though. Would I recommend this, yes, with the same caveat.

Leia Mais

A cliché breaking take on an old formula

On paper, this show seems to tick all the cliché boxes. Contract marriage, cold, smart ML, a naïve, bubbly bumbling FL, etc. So if you are expecting a walk down the well trodden path then you will be pleasantly surprised.
Yes, it started with the contract marriage but instead of the usual scheming/blackmail/scandal setup, the marriage was to placate a sweet dying old man. The motivation was not greed, what a surprise!
Yes, the ML has a cold exterior, poor EQ and super smart but he was also a real gentleman and had this innocent aura about him. When he fell in love (for the first time), it is just so cute and adorable. The FL is kind of typical for that genre but at least she is not annoying and is kind and caring. You do need someone like that to play off the ML, it is dramaland, after all.
What you don't expect is when you thought the show will have the ML bully the FL or put her down, the ML actually showed the FL the error of her way (indirectly most of the time) and help her to correct her mistakes. Where the problem is too big for the FL to handle, he will quietly work behind her back to resolve her problems and then take no credit for it. Awww.
BTW, their chemistry is off the chart. It felt organic as they dance around each other at first and then try to make their blossoming love life work. To be fair, the FL does have a crush on the ML (with a dose of love-hate in the beginning) and the ML tried to keep things business like but fell for her over time. It was fun watching them trying to keep their "relationship" purely platonic but failing miserably. When they did confess their love for each other, it was so cute and swoon worthy. Their love is strong and with every challenge, it grew more unshakable. Any potential love triangles are quickly dealt with with some straight talking between the parties.
It was super cute how the ML analysed how much he loves the FL and come up with statistical chart. In the same vein, we also see real growth in the FL as the ML supported her career decisions and nurtured her. Honestly, if you ask me if their love will last forever, I would say yes without hesitation.
The final cliché breaker was the old chestnut, the 1/2/3 years overseas posting/training/job separation plot. The story line was all set up, they said their goodbyes at the airport and we were sobbing quietly while cursing the writer and then the FL did something unexpected in this type of drama.
Support cast is generally good to excellent. The grandfather was a gem. Wise, kind and understanding. He was a real scene stealer. The FL's sister and ML's best friend were good as well. They were another odd couple but they made their relationship work but their journey was a lot more bumpy. It provides a counterpoint to the sweet love story of the OTP. The weaker link was the pairing of the FL's best friends. Their pairing was not convincing and served only to occupy some screen time and move the plot along.
I know some reviews are calling this light, sugary fluff and I can see their point of view but I enjoyed this very much because how it did not follow the cliché leaden path and turn it into a melodrama or a farce. It will bring a smile to your face and you will swoon from time to time. These are not bad things, we can dream sometimes too, right?

Leia Mais

Why did they ruined a perfectly good rom-com?

Dear gods of dramaland, what have I done to deserve this "bait and switch" of a drama? It was so good for the first 1/3 of the run. It was quirky, funny and sweet. The chemistry of the OTP was great and the 2ML was cute and nice (instead of the usual PITA). It has all the hallmarks of a great rom-com. Easy viewing and brings a smile to your face. There is a low key mystery about a kidnapping many years ago but it was really no mystery at all as the evil doer was well and truly identified very early in the show and his motivation as well. It is really who else is involved that is up for debate. It didn't take much deduction to work out the ML's real identity either.
However, and this is a show breaking however, they changed tone and genre mid way and it never recovered. The problem here is that they tried to turn it into a serious drama and go big on the melodrama but there just wasn't enough substance in the storyline to sustain that. The worse part is that it derailed the romantic storyline. The ML ended up constantly backing off from the FL due to his backstory and the scheming. His personality also did an U turn. The show made it looked like he was hiding some big secret but honestly, it was only a mystery unto himself as viewers would have already worked out the plot long before. The OTP had reconciliations and there would be moments of sweetness (to bait us) and then the wheels would fall off again.
I still don't understand the use of cliché forced separation of the OTP at the end of dramas. Sure, it can work some times but only when there is a net benefit to the plot and character development, in this case, the writer just throw in a 1 year separation with all the angst filled built-up and misunderstandings. Only for the OTP to magically reunite in the twilight minutes of the last episode. The writer-nim even go as far as having the FL confront the ML and shout in his face why he disappeared for a year without even once contacted her. The ML's reply is so lame that it was sad; he was too busy. Really? Too busy to send a txt once a week/month? Or is it the old cliché of "if I hear your voice I would have to rush back to your side"? You went to the US of A, dude, they have internet there too. :P Is this just lazy writing?
On top of that, the villain is more annoying than evil. Suspense is minimal. Lots of meddling from parents and mediocre/generic support cast. The 2FL was wasted. She started off ok but she wasn't given room to do much later on.
As if acknowledging the error of their way, the ending of the show actually had the ML revert back to his original identity and carry on with his old job and his old goofy mannerism. If they had stayed their course and develop the story with the interesting characters they spent so much effort building up in the first 1/3 of the show, they would have a really fun and quirky hit on their hands, we ended up with a mess of clichés that did more harm than good.

Leia Mais

Easy binge when you feel a little blue

To put it simply, this is a sweet, angst light rom-com with a good amount of skinship. There are no evil villains, no nasty love triangle and even the mom is nice (to a degree). My only slight negative is that while there is a lot of hugs and kisses, there don't appear to be a lot of passion. It is more on the nice and sweet spectrum. The 2OTP had a bit more angst and spark but everything worked out just fine. The 3OTP is a bit of a long shot but hey, when you are on a rom-com row, you much as well pair everyone up and get the trifecta. Technically, there is even a 4OTP but who's counting! Being ONLY 16 episodes long kept things moving along nicely and spare us the notorious c-drama mid show drag. It is definitely one to binge when you are feeling a little down and need a warm hug.

Leia Mais

Finally a logical plot and it is a good thing!

First of all, I really enjoyed this show. Binged it easily. The good thing is that they have well defined characters and the plot is well crafted. Being largely a detective story, crimes have to be solved and that leads to clues to the bigger conspiracy as the show progressed.
If you watch a lot of Chinese dramas you will know that most of them suffers from 2 problems, mid show drag and weird plot twists towards the end just so that they can introduce drama (oh how the OTP will suffer) or fix plot issues. In this case, I'm happy to report that the pacing is fine and the main plot did not take a weird detour so that we arrived at the logical end point in good order.
While the story was good in general, the main plot was telegraphed fairly early on and we are just watching to see how the main characters work it out for themselves.
Another plus for the show is that the OTP and the 2OTP have great chemistry and they are steadfast once they confessed their loves. There are no love triangles or prolonged misunderstandings. What angst there is is light and the characters thought it through or talked it out which is quite refreshing. There was a good amount of skinship and hot kisses which were done well (most of the time). It was also nice that the weight of the plot swung between the love line, light comedy and detective story fairly often and smoothly so that you are not getting bored with either. The only slight negative is the acting of the ML (I believe this is his first lead role) can be a little stiff at times but otherwise he is fine and his interaction with the FL is very good. I would definitely recommend this for a light drama with low angst and some nice romance thrown in. Oh final thought. I can't escape the feeling the mains characters are like the setting of a computer game. You have the charismatic leader, the brawny fighter, the healer and the brainy "wizard" :).

Leia Mais

Watchable noona romance saddled with a lazy, transparent script

On the positive side, this drama has a decent cast, and you can't fault the visuals of the OTP. On top of that, the CP has good chemistry, some sweet swoon worthy moments and a decent amount of skinship. It is also relatively low angst and has no silly breakups. The two secondary couples are fine and did their duties occupying some of the screen time.

To distinguish itself from similar shows, the OTP are step siblings, but not blood related. I don't have any issue with that but some might.

Now we need to look at the other side of the ledger. What stood out for me is the lazy and transparent writing. This is evident right from the start. For instance, the ML recognised the FL immediately at the start of the show but pretended not to. The FL was clueless which was odd because she has been living with his mum for years. It is true that he has been studying and working overseas for some time but why doesn’t his mum have any recent photos of him at home or on her phone? No video calls, ever? Sure, it sets up the meet-cute but if you pause for 2 seconds you can see how problematic that is.

The show is also prone to parachute in characters and plots just because it can. The 3FL(Xia Xiaomian) is a young adult just arrived in a major city with no relatives nor friends, but she magically knew where the ML lives and latched onto him. I do find it a bit farfetched for c-drama.

The script writer likes to telegraph plot development way in advance as well. The FL has a boyfriend but he has to become the EX-boyfriend for the show to progress. To pave the way, we were presented with a laundry list of hints why they are incompatible. We have the co-worker who became a trophy wife but is treated more like a servant and her husband is a womaniser. Ouch! The BF shows up time and again with flowers even though the FL is allergic to them, and she told him so. Consider they have been together for 4 years; you’d think he should know. Similarly, she is portrayed as an ambitious career woman and all he talked about are his goals and how she can quit work and be a good housewife and so on. Was it a big surprise that she ditched him?

All the secondary CP’s are preordained. Yes, there are the usual push-pulls and misunderstandings, but their love lines are on rails. It is all nicely done but it is hardly original.

The pacing of this show is languid. Most plot developments are clearly sign posted in advance. The dreaded mid show drag is real and its length can do with a decent pruning.

The ending with the actors talking about love and how it relates to their characters is nice but is that a sign that they have run out of material and needed fillers?

Acting is mostly fine. Some roles like the FL’s father is very stereotypical. The younger actors is a bit rough around the edges but they earned their keeps. The FL did a lot of the heavy lifting, but it is hardly a breakout role. The ML is nice and handsome, but his delivery seemed a little stilted.

All in all, it is a decent rom-com. Its straightforward plots and low angst makes for easy viewing. There are better noona romances out there, such as My Fated Boy, so it is not high on my rewatch list.
OST is serviceable, nice but generic.

Leia Mais

Draggy drama with ambiguous characters and an obtuse A-plot

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate this show. It is acceptable both in terms of acting and production value. However, the longer I watch this show, the more frustrated and dejected I feel. This is rare for me and I can only put it down to the script.

The start of the show is engaging. A struggling FL who seems to get the raw end of the stick no matter how hard she tries. She ran into a super handsome ML by accident. He is totally out of her league and yet they are oddly attracted to each other. The chemistry of our leads is undeniable. Throw in a centuries old curse and a mysterious spell book and we should have an intriguing and engaging story. Unfortunately, the show drags out the plot to the point of exhaustion. To add to our woes, the A-plot is obtuse. Most characters are ambiguous and lack depth.

The show spends so much time on the ML and whether he is under a love spell or not in the early episodes. I don’t blame them because they obviously want to capitalise on his visuals and he acts so cute, but it does wear thin after a while. BTW, is the FL also cursed because by all accounts she is smart, diligent and sweet, yet she just can’t win a trick. It doesn’t make sense. They are trapped in narrative purgatory by mid show.

On the other hand, some behaviours are too predictable. The two-timing girlfriend of the ML (SFL) steadfast refuses to breakup with the ML for the most selfish reasons. The longer it drags on, the more toxic it becomes. Then we have the SML who rejected the FL even though he knew she has a crush on him. He then flips 180 degrees and chase after the FL even though he knew that the FL is in love with the ML by then. Forget couple therapy, the show needs therapy. It got to the point that the FL said on multiple occasions that she is so confused. So are we, sister, so are we.

Storylines from other shows might shuffle back and fore, but this show elevates it to an art form. The various plots just circles each other like a swarm of bees. A case in point, the ML finally confessed in the middle of ep.9 but the ML’s behaviour at work totally confused the FL but he never explains himself. Then the SML confessed in ep.10 which clears the air, NOT! We finally see the OTP’s first kiss at the end of ep.10 but the romantic spell is immediately broken by the reappearance of the ancient curse. It is unrelenting. We don’t even get to enjoy one tiny sugar hit.

Throw in an evil antagonist who appears to lust after the FL for no apparent reason and then teams up with the SFL to sabotage the OTP with glee. At first, I was baffled by his ability to put a curse on the OTP but then I have a lightbulb moment which took the wind out of this sail.

What I realised is that all the main characters are retracing events from their past lives. It is not just the OTP but every key characters. The SML was probably an acquaintance of the ML who has a crush on the FL but missed his chance. The SFL was likely to be a daughter of a rich family who got betrothed to the ML and then play merry hell with the OTP once she was rejected. If we play by the rules then the antagonist would be an evil shaman or a local magistrate who lust after the FL, etc. Mayhap he cursed the OTP like he did in the present and brought about their ultimate demise.

If this comes to pass, then the remaining episodes should see all the key players fulfil their destiny. This will necessitate even more troubles and angst for our OTP until we arrive at the final confrontation with the antagonist. A HEA ending will require the curse to be lifted and the evil doers getting their just desserts. It will give me no joy if my prognostication comes true.

This show is not without merits but for each nice moment, there are two negative ones. It really tested my patience. Hence without further ado, I shall bid our handsome ML and long-suffering FL adieu for now. I might revisit this show after it finishes its run.

Oh, if you are still reading. Production quality is fine, OST is decent. Rewatch? You jest.

Leia Mais

A superb romance drama produced by adults for adults

In a sea of samey idol dramas, this series stood out for all the right reasons.

The leads are good actors who are charismatic and handsome in their own way. Their chemistry is off the chart. They are madly in love with each other, and it shows. There is a good deal of skinship that feels natural and spontaneous. They can be playful or serious but we are never in doubt about their love. It just feels . . right.

This show is grounded in reality as well. The ML's work in a funeral parlour doesn’t leave much room for glitz and glam. What we get are spontaneity and home truths. The dead relies on him to preserve their dignity as they shuffle off this mortal coil. A mistake of split second could mean life or death. Those stories can be challenging and some will leave an lasting impression. As such, this is not for everyone. While the show handles such passings and their aftermath with aplomb, the stories are mostly maudlin. Anyone who is sensitive to such storylines should make an informed decision.

On the other hand, the writer balanced these low points with the OTP’s love line. There is no syrupy, rainbows and unicorns moments but just real people looking for love and needing to love. Instead of poor communications and misunderstanding at every turn. Our CP talk about everything. Some of their dialogue is raw but you can't deny their heartfelt sincerity.

They both know they have baggage but they are willing to work to overcome them. Once they are a couple, they have no qualm about PDA. It can be a little awkward for the residents of the small town but it is delicious and we bask in their pink glow.

Of course, our OTP face challenges, but the most important thing is that they behave like adults. They sulk and say harsh words which they will regret. However, they do acknowledge their mistakes and try to right their wrongs. It doesn’t always lead to a simple resolution but when the stars are aligned, we get fireworks!

I have already mentioned the top-notch performances from our leads but it also boast a strong support cast. I'm really impressed with the young actor playing the role of the FL's sister. She has great potential and I'll keep an eye out for her in future dramas.

I'd highly recommend this drama for true fans of romance dramas. It doesn’t have a parade of young and beautiful idols but it more than compensates for that with quality performances and depth in the storytelling that will resonate with mature audiences. It is not for everyone but if you can handle the weightier subjects then you will find a heartwarming, realistic and swoon-worthy drama. It has a permanent place in my re-watch list.

Leia Mais

This drama is stuck in purgatory

This show is not bad. The real problem is that it doesn’t know when to stop. The initial premise is interesting enough. Multi-generational curse is nothing new but it is functional. The show pushed it for all its worth though. There are plot holes here and there but the show has enough momentum to push through most of them, at least initially.

Once it gets started, it gives off a similar vibe to several other wish fulfilling style fantasy shows such as May I Help You. While other shows are more focused on the “clients” and their backstory, this show used them as fillers when the main plot needs to take a breather. The overarching plot is focused on the ML and the curse he inherited. In that sense, it is a nice change from other series where the leads tend to fade into the background and only pops up at key moments. Our OTP is definitely in the fore.

However, this is a double-edged sword. With the focus firmly on the ML, this series struggles. As the saying goes, the tank is running dry. It seems to slice and diced the same plot into different combinations and pad things out. What was novel at the beginning become rather passe by the half way mark. Several times the show seems to have reached its logical conclusion only to be dragged back into the fray just to stretch it out a bit more.

On the positive side, not only are our leads more in focus, his two ghost helpers also have their moments in the sun which is rare in such shows. I appreciate that because they are both interesting characters and they deserve some growth and attention. Deputy Go does fairs better than Mr. Baek and I'm keen to see Yoo In See in other roles.

Acting wise, the ensemble cast did a decent job with what they are given. The ghostly makeup is rather low rent though and more Halloween than scary.

The last episode is probably the most problematic. It really ties itself in knots with its own DIY mystic mumble-jumble. A case of narrative purgatory, I suppose. It all ends well which came as no surprise. The series is watchable but could have been better and tighter. If only it ended 2 or 3 eps earlier while the going was good. One time watch for me.

Leia Mais

In the race of chicken or the egg, the mother hen wins!

Let’s just get the easy bits out of the way first. This series is watchable and entertaining at times. The OTP are well matched and they have good chemistry. However, this is where things get complicated.

As one of my friends commented after finishing the show, who is the FL of this drama? Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but she does have a point. While there is no doubt Yang Zi is the FL, her mother’s role is more titular. In fact, so many of the subplot radiate from the matriarch that her screen time and presence more than rival the FL’s. Furthermore, a lot of the time, most characters are placed in a reactive roles due to her machinations and has little agency.

I can understand that this will resonate with a lot of Asian viewers because they are probably living in a similar situation or knows someone who is. It is a reasonable premise to kick-start the show and give the FL reasons to grow. In that sense, the first half of the show is the best. This is helped by the sage like grandmother who sees all and pulls the strings to get our OTP pass the frenemy stage. Her presence counterbalances the mum’s and provides a safe harbour for our leads.

It all changes after she passed. The FL’s mum’s presence looms larger than ever before. Her interference reaches new heights once we factor in the grandma's legacy. I understand that it is an effective way to introduce some angst as the official antagonist was a bit light weight. However, it also means that the show becomes unbalanced and lacks focus. Everyone is tiptoeing around the mum and keeping secrets from her which set up more confrontations later. It is a vicious cycle.

In the meantime, the mum continues to meddle in people’s affairs and guilt trip her family regularly. It is tiresome to watch and might trigger some viewers. It distracts us from our CP’s romance. When love is in the air, it is sweet and swoonworthy, but they are like deer in the headlight. After more confrontations and some heart-to-heart talks, the mum finally tones down her actions, but it is an uneasy truce.

The problem from my perspective is that we can't really hate the mum because she is not evil in the literal sense, but her constant meddling is annoying and very harmful to her closest and dearest. Yet she always falls back to the old chestnut of “I’m doing this for the good of ….”. Hence all the characters are in a no-win situation.

This shunted several characters into the margins. Chief among them is the ML. He should have a much stronger presence but between helping the FL in her business and being the peacemaker to her family, he became just the nice guy putting out spot fires. In fact, the mum casted such a big shadow that no characters are spared. This is even more dramatic in the last 3 eps when it is all about the mum.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for a mother centric show and there have been some excellent ones. However, in this case, it felt like the mum was initially used as a catalyst for change but ends up taking over the show. The series is still watchable, but it can be very trying at times.

Ultimately, if you are looking for an escapist rom com then this might hit too close to home to be fun. If you want a family melodrama then this is inferior because it is just a hotchpotch of tired tropes. Throw in the PITA matriarch and we have an inverse trifecta. One time watch for me.

Leia Mais

Lies, damned lies and couple therapy

Superpower shows can be a challenge to make if there are budget constraints. Hence some k-dramas focus on simple ability like seeing smell or reading minds. A bit of fancy camera work and simple practical effects can work magic. This show has the FL hearing a bell chime if she hears a lie. No CGI required, easy peasy. Obviously, this makes her daily life challenging. The bell would go off constantly as she moves amongst people. She becomes cynical and untrusting. All that changed when the ML literally crashes into her life.

I wondered how the writer-nim is going to work the lie detection power into the show so I started to watch. I’m glad that they did a good job in the early episodes, but it does create its own narrative issues later on. The writer-nim had to resort to misdirection to avoid giving the game away. This serves to drag out the show with little gain. Would it be better if it was 12-14 episodes long?

Putting other issues aside, the love line does work quite well. Our leads makes a lovely couple and have good chemistry. Both are vulnerable and have damaged psyches. How they learn to trust each other and heal each other is nicely told and portrayed. There are heart fluttering moments and a decent amount of skinship. I’m also glad that they didn’t drag out their romance until the dying moment of the show. Once they are official, their bond is unshakable.

This brings us to the main message of the show. Both leads must learn to trust again. The FL finally understood that not all lies are bad. Some are necessary to mitigate harm to others. Some might even be beneficial. Sometimes you just have to trust your gut and have faith. Once that message is delivered, the show began to lose momentum. A historical crime is pushed to the fore to take up the slack.

I’m not saying the crime is irrelevant. It is the key to the ML’s social phobia and is the source of much tension and angst during early episodes, but it has done its job. A quick resolution would have sufficed but the writer-nim spun it out for all it’s worth. It is not really the high water mark they have hoped for. It feels like the show is on autopilot during this segment. It runs through some tropey subplots, and voila! Crime solved, justice served and we are on the predictable home straight.

The last two episodes are total fan service with redemptions and resolutions handed out left, right and centre. Some of them ties up loose ends while others are a bit farcical. I’m running out of ways to say “nice” and “sweet”. It is not quite to the point of sugar overload, but it gets close, real close.

In terms of acting, the ML is very handsome but he feels a little flat to me. He has flashes of high emotions but most of the time he just seems to float through the scenes. The FL put in a solid performance, but this type of role is bread and butter for her by now. The rest of the ensemble is a mix bag. It is not their fault per se, but the show did not really develop their characters beyond their original traits. Most are a bit quirky, but you soon realise that what you see is what you get. The FL’s mother is particularly one-note. She barely changes until the last moment when she was gifted a happy but very contrived ending.

In the end, this is an enjoyable show and quite watchable. The romance is sweet, and the growth of our leads is rewarding to watch but I also feel that the show is trying too hard to please and to play it safe.

Production value is decent and par for the course. There is a sudden jump in PPL towards the end. Most likely due to the growing popularity of the show. OST is nice, especially the jazz numbers. Some of the k-pop songs are catchy. Rewatching a highlight reel will not be a chore.

Leia Mais

Growth is good, growth nurtured by love is even better!

Let's be honest, this show is not going to win any drama awards and there are some story telling issues but I gave this show a high score because it is true to its own narrative. I consider that a nice touch as a lot of c/t-drama starts off with one narrative and ends up with a different genre unless they pull it all back in the dying moment of the show. That can be disconcerting, to say the least.
Being a youth focused show, the plot is centred around life at school and university with a "... 3 years later" time skip in the end to tie things up and give everyone closure. The OTP were cute together and have good chemistry. The FL can be a bit annoying as she talks too fast and too much and was tomboyish but that's her character. The most important thing is that both of them are flawed (unlike some other youth drama where one half is amazing and the other is hopeless). In their case, the sum of the whole is literally far greater than their individual merits, they knew it and talked about it regularly.
As I mentioned before, the writers held firm to that narrative. There were minor misunderstandings or challenges to their pairing but they exist only for each other and their faith and trust in each other was unshakable (well, 90% of the time ;)). From that bond came a great deal of growth, both personal as well as in their careers. Even when the ML (handsome and smart) grew out of his shell, he only had eyes for the FL. He never waver for one moment. The FL is also totally into the ML but her character flaws make her tough on the outside but fragile on the inside so there were some initial doubts. However, his presence anchored her being and smoothed her rough edges. In turn, her love and support allow him to overcome his social phobia and lead a successful life. Both achieved a great deal more than if they'd never met.
As you would expect in such a drama, there was little angst. They resolved their issues quickly and what enemies they had, did limited damage and most saw the evil of their ways and made amends. Some even became fast friends! Teachers were all positive influences and only want to see them succeed. Lots of feels in those formative years.
What was a bit annoying was the 2OTP. Their failed attempts at having a romantic relationship was painful to watch, especially when it dragged on for 25 episodes. Why was the 2ML so thick and blinded to the feelings of the 2FL is beyond me. When he did "discover" his feelings, it just seemed to be a bit too convenient. It was like nothing was there one minute and then after seeing the 2FL with another dude (whom he more or less pushed into 2FL's lap), he just said he thinks he likes her after all, did a 180 degrees and chased her aggressively. Really? What miracle water did he drink (PPL in-joke)? Anyway, that paved the way for some cute 2OTP moments for the last few episodes. Even with all the pairings, there is limited skinship. A few kisses towards the end of the show but there were lots more failed attempts and pull backs.
One last observation, in this type of drama, the elderly actors tends to be the screen stealers (either for good or evil) but in this case, the FL's younger (half) brother (~10 years old?) was a gem. He was wise beyond his age and his acting was sooo good and on point.
In the end, it was happy endings all round. Every loose ends tied up with pink bows. It was a drama that you won't recall many highs or lows but will remember with a feeling of fondness and a bit of wistfulness. Life is not meant to be easy but for a little while, the world was a better place where two imperfect characters became a perfect whole.

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It is blooming good! Serious

The title of this show basically summed up the drama. It is all about one girl and her family's rise above terrible adversity and the many challenges they faced. It starts simple enough. All the main characters are introduced and the world building begins. Once the show hits its stride, calamity hits. The FL's family literally went from a position of power and influence to object poverty overnight.

Rather than just accepting her fate, the FL comes to the fore and takes charge of the situation and changed her family's fortune. Along the way, she found love and changed the lives of many people she touched.

The series is full of positive messages, and they are delivered quite effectively by an engaging storyline. Yes, the plots are tropey but the way they unfolded is well scripted and its pacing is good. You won’t feel bored nor confused.

It is a good drama overall and quite enjoyable. A large part is attributed to the solid FL character. She faces every challenge head on and uses her initiative and intelligence to overcome them. Of course, the ML is there to do the heavy lifting and lend a sharp sword. In that sense, the show is a bumpy ride, but the trajectory is always upwards. We are never left in utter despair. This is a double-edged sword as we are almost conditioned to see a silver lining around every storm cloud. The show does go dark from time to time, with death and suffering just around the corner. It is just our leads who are mostly Teflon coated.

There is a good deal of fan service in the second half of the last EP before the HEA ending arrives on cue. All the main threads are tied up with pink bows and most characters have their arc concluded satisfactory.

I am pleasantly surprised by the acting abilities of the large support cast. It would not be an exaggeration to use terms like cast of a thousand. There are so many actors with speaking parts! It ranges from highly regarded veterans to young green actors. There are the odd hit and miss but, overall, they lifted the series and provide able support to the leads when the going gets tough. The production value is good but not quite S rank. They didn't cheap out on the sets and costumes.

I believe this is the FL’s first historical drama. I have seen her in contemporary dramas. I not a real fan before this show. I find her other performances to be a bit stilted. However, she is good in this drama. The style suits her and the low-key makeup as well.

While the ML is handsome and the fight scenes are decent, his performance did feels oddly detached at times. To be honest, a bit wooden. All the actors are dubbed but his dialogue just feels too measured and flat. It is as if the lines are recorded in a vacuum. It is odd when almost every other aspect of the series is solid.

I started with low expectations but I was pleasantly surprised. It is tropey and a bit cheesy. A guilty pleasure for me. That’s entertainment!

Leia Mais