Witch's Love (2018)

PLOT: Superficial and light-hearted
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The story is simple, straightforward and pretty light-hearted. Which means the narrative barely touches the surface of the problems the protagonists are presented with. A few plot points even got abandoned with no explanation; a staple of lazy writing coupled with unmet ambition and an unclear story structure.

However, every now and then we need a drama that doesn't ask anything from us. A drama we can binge watch when we're tired and just want to have a good time. So if you're in the mood for a short and simple drama, this is a decent enough choice.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Fun but shallow
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The three leads are and remain two-dimensional. Though some characters (essentially Ma Sung Tae, the male lead) earn some growth, it's really not enough to add real complexity. However, the lack of character depth fits the lighthearted tone of the show. Keep in mind that, precisely because the characters are shallow, the acting (or lack thereof) won't really leave much of an impression.

Kang Cho Hong (female lead played by Yoon So Hee): She's cute, has power-infused charm, physical strength (provided by magic) and a generous heart. She's also naïve and immature, with the rules of her powers forcing her to be dependant on "finding love". Thankfully, her charms supersede her immaturity, leaning her towards a likable --albeit very flawed lead.

Ma Sung Tae (male lead played by Hyun Woo): Though he's an interesting character, it does take a while to get used to the actor. Take that with a grain of salt since whether you enjoy his acting depends on your personal taste. While some of us found his acting wooden and awkward, others loved him and swooned at his scenes. That said, Sung Tae is a chaebol whose secretly craving love. He's logical, gentle and, most importantly, willing to learn, adapt and change his views. He's also stubborn, arrogant and short-tempered.

Hwang Jae Wook (second male lead played by Hong Bin): He's a kind, selfless and handsome artist who's stuck in the underdog position when it comes to courting Cho Hong. Of course, he's also shown to be childish, irresponsible and immature. Out of the three leads, he's the most undeveloped and, perhaps because of that, he comes across as generic. He's a character that you can't really hate nor love and who's ultimately unmemorable.

SUPPORT CHARACTERS: Comic relief
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They were incredibly shallow but they did add some needed flavor to the overall story.

PORTRAYAL OF ROMANCE: Realistically immature
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Despite the urban fantasy setting, the romance was portrayed realistically. Which means the leads had to deal with misunderstandings, many of which were caused by poor communication. Thankfully, the misunderstandings got resolved fast in large part due to Ma Sung Tae's earnestness to make things work. He was habitually the one pushing Cho Hong to explain "what he did wrong" so he could "set things right".

If you're looking for a romance where both characters are active (and invested) in developing their relationship, then you'll enjoy this one. Even if it's not memorable, their relationship is fun and nurturing, with both characters putting their hearts on the line to make things work.

And if you're hesitating due to the love triangle, then be at ease. Kang Cho Hong is very assertive, so she doesn't flip-flop between the men.

OVERALL: Recommended as an absurdly light drama
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This isn't a unique or memorable drama. It's not even well structured. It has flaws in logic and, sadly, the main conflict gets resolved in a very absurd way (possibly due to the writers running out of time or ideas).

Nonetheless, for the most part, the drama is entertaining. A key to enjoying the show is to lower your expectations to avoid disappointments. So if you're tired and are looking for something very light to kill time, you might want to check this one out.

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