completed dramas & the inner workings of my brain

august 25 - august 25 2021

oct 5 - 6 2021

oct 9 - 11 2021

May 18th - 20th 2022

Ending felt a little lackluster—rushed.

Finished: Jan 13, 2023

Honestly, I did not feel it very deeply for like the first half which is a real shame because that second half was captivating as hell and completely stole my heart away. Logically, this drama is in the 7's category of my personal rating system, but in my heart its at least a dang 9. Everyone in the reviews pointed out most of it's flaws, so let me point out what I felt they got right.

(1) Anything that can make me sob that hard while sympathizing with almost every characters' backstories and psyche wiring, is a must watch for me.
(2) I'm not into sad stories, I'm into heart-wrenchingly heartwarming stories, and this definitely fit that bill.
(3) All the MLs eventually totally won over my heart irreparably even with all their many flaws and refusal to develop into something better lol.
(4) And the FLs (although a little too stereotypically done for me) were all their own characters which I appreciated seeing (no carbon copies of each other, in my opinion).
(5) The ending did leave a bit of a lackluster taste, but episode 16 still by far held the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful scenes, so I forgive it.

It's a good watch if you're looking for something easy and not so hard on the head. You can still enjoy the emotions and romance even though the overarching plots are somewhat lackluster in power and development. I really think some of those backstories are the real magical elements in this drama. BRB I'm just gonna go cry into my pillow again over them. I saw it coming but I still didn't prepare enough for the emotions they put into it (and that big crying scene was really well done imo). Oh BOY.

Jan 19- jan 20 2023

If you can get passed some of those initial controversies that are common tropes from that era, I think it makes up for it in later episodes. It wasn't frustrating, like at all (imo). All misunderstandings, drama, and issues are solved pretty early on every time something pops up. And the relationships between all the characters are wonderful to watch (minus a certain middle-aged dude who attempted to groom our girl into his little bride... ew). There are many cute scenes between the leads (and other couples and friends) and I don't think anything was left unsolved by the end. I especially loved how the drama tackled all of MLs trauma, and how therapeutic it all ended up being for him. ML definitely got the better end of the stick in everything, and everyone did everything to make him comfy--but honestly, at times he did sorta deserve it and I wasn't really mad (until the very end). That's not to say that I don't think some things were wrapped up TOO easily, but hey, it's a drama and why not live in a fantasy world where everything works out like magic for a bit?

Overall I give it an 8.5/10--but that's going in knowing I'd be met with problematic tropes. FL is there to be the support ML needed to heal (because, you know, men obviously can't go to therapy and get a real therapist *roll eyes* ), but she isn't as horribly written as some dramas. She's very cute and knows exactly who she is and what she stands for; I don't think anyone could have the heart to hate her.

The ending for me soured the overall story a tiny bit. I just wasn't pleased with how easily everything seemed to be overlooked and the storyline itself seemed very unnecessary, if not just a last minute plot device that made a certain successor thing work itself out too easily. But in doing so, I think it hurt an overarching theme important to the leads. Still, it was cute and light and easy to watch. Turn your brain off for a bit and enjoy :)

Jan 20-jan 22 2023

It was a ride, that's for sure. Not a structurally sound ride, but a ride nonetheless. It was bumpy, sometimes the belt securing the passenger to the seat felt as if it were about to break, and the track seemed to be missing in certain areas. The themes holding it all together seemed to be confused and change completely at random and without warning. All in all, it was a miracle it held up to the end.

The romance carried the show, the chemistry between the leads and how cute the characters all were, really were the saving grace (if there was a saving grace). But just like ML's hair, there seemed to be consistency flaws in the plot (from his hair changing to black to grey to green to blue depending on the factors surrounding him). Rules were made and broken and changed at random and you could never pinpoint the world building behind the scenes. Even after it is all done, I'm sitting here wondering what the point to it all was--the laws that seemed to be based on nothing more than a whim. If they were trying to go for vague godlike beings doing vague godlike things that make no sense to humans, then, hey, they did just that. But was it fun and entertaining and worth watching? Meh. As I said, the romance was what carried it all and for me, as a die-hard romance lover, I'm okay with it all and have made my peace. Then again, they really threw in all the romance they could possibly think of, I mean what with the completely unrelated love story thrown in there lol.

Best advice I can give? Go in like you are the Kevin character. Use your own interpretation of whatever the heck is going on in the plot and just be happy you recognize love, family, and  being together. Don't try to understand everything because all that's important is the love. Lol.  

Plot: 3.5/10
Romance: 9.5/10
My Compromise: 8/10

Jan 29 2022-Jan 27 2023

Jan 29, 2022 (Ep 1-7) feb 4 (ep-8-9) --> I literally dont remember any of this. It's like a fever dream.

Jan 27, 2023 (Ep 1-16) finished --> Not a fever dream, I remember again.

I have nothing against this drama, but I keep putting it on hold. I'm trying to watch it again and I just am so bored (on episode 11 now). Like, the FL is adorable and fun to watch and the ML is cute in his own way as well, but man... I feel like I'm getting my teeth pulled trying to finish it. I don't know why. Maybe I'm just not invested enough in the leads as a couple. They just feel a bit boring together--which isn't to say they don't have chemistry (they certainly do during their skin contact scenes). Something fundamental (idk what) is just missing between them and I can feel the lacking of it while watching them.

After writing all this out, I think I might just keep it on hold forever lol

I finished it! I stuck through and watched the remaining episodes and I'm actually really glad I did. Instead of leaving it off with a begrudging and negative feeling, I feel completely satisfied and even happy about watching this drama. The ending really made it worthwhile, so if you're like me and stuck on episode 10 give or take, imo it's worth sticking around to see the rest. There were so many sweet moments that I'm so glad I got to see (especially the last three episodes).

I'm giving it a 8/10, I can't overlook what I felt above, but it really was still a good drama that portrayed such sweet and healthy relationships. I loved that about the drama, how very healthy all the relationships were. (Although, I do love the dramatics of a toxic relationship hehe, maybe that's why I felt bored.)

August 17 - 23 2021

june 18 2021 - sept 19 2021

WTF WAS THAT ENDING IM SO MAD

May 26th-30th 2022

It’s cute and I like the murder mystery (especially cute 2nd ml). But the 1st ml frustrated me—I think he was unnecessarily mean to fl. I hope the murder mystery connects to the romance (the dad maybe?)

Finished: Dec 17, 2022 -- i liked the psychology but the murder mystery part confused me and I still don't really know what happened. The main relationship was a bit too sweet or awkward or something, but I enjoyed the other relationships around them a lot.

Nov 23, 2021 (first try) Oct 9th-10 2022

It was good, but the last thing with the MCs really made their love feel not as genuine. Kinda ruined it from being an 8+

Nov 7 - 8th 2022

(wrote an overall review on season 2)

Nov 8, 2022

Overall thoughts on the whole series: I really enjoyed the friendships with FL (especially 2FL, she was the best!), and I really liked FL. ML was a bit too stoic, especially towards the end, but he had his extremely cute moments! Thankfully, FL flawlessly carried the cuteness and romance to the point where I only clued in that ML was too stoic by the literal end (like last few episodes lol). Speaking of the end, tf was that? Like hoooow? I have questions that are unanswered permanently and I don't particularly enjoy that. But overall, cute and easy watch. (I did, however, FF through some stuff that FL wasn't in--the non-romance plot was interesting, but it got dull every once in awhile imo.) Still, it wasn't a bad time at all.  OH, and I really liked some of the messages and lessons they taught along the way... The relationships seemed honestly rather healthy compared to a lot of dramas. A lot of it was surprisingly refreshing to see (for ex: the relationship between FL and 2FL, I ADORED how trusting and supportive they were of each other despite the potential for a frenemy or paranoid type of thing!).  

Jan 5, 2023-Jan 8, 2023

Not a bad drama if you want something light after something darker (I'm currently watching AoS2 and this filled the deep aching the now lives permanently in my chest because of the damn series, oh my) but you definitely can't take it seriously. The ML was amazing and I want one for myself, but everything else was at best mediocre (at worse annoying and at times frustrating and nonsensical). There was a lack of complete satisfaction for every mini plot and I honestly ended up fast forwarding through a lot of the non-main romances. Some stuff felt irrelevant as well. But again, it was a super light and an easy drama to binge. And it was admittedly cute to watch FL grow up bit by bit (she looked so comfortable in her body and cute by the end).

All in all, the romance between the leads was worth the watch. Very cute, wholesome, and goal-worthy.

Jan 28-30 2023

I feel like there is a lot to say about this drama. First, the negative points; they seem easier to put into words. The graphics and editing took time to get used to and even then it felt like they put no effort into it sometimes. On top of that, I feel like there was a pretty strong story plot with well rounded characters up to the point until they made the big switch with ML. It was like suddenly all logic was thrown out the window (seriously, who fights heaven and hell over a GIRL? Who would willingly stand by someone's side knowing their death was going to be pointless since it's only actually about three people? ahh that was stupid to watch), and on top of that the scenes felt empty somehow--like they lost their spark at the end. There was so much OOMPH in the earlier parts that it felt so lackluster and entirely unoriginal. All that to say that the climax of the drama just didn't hit. Extra complaint: I would have liked to see snake boy and match-maker uncle more in the end. I feel like they lowkey made most of the scenes watchable. OH and on that note, way less demon girl and mask boy!!! Seriously, they brought the characters in way too late to get invested in them and get to know them--I feel like at that point everyone already noticed the solid plot and they just made it take longer to get to it. I FF through most of it.

Okay now the good points: the romance, the theme of obsession vs love, and corruption. Really done well in a way that drove the point home. The ROMANCE. the angst. The longing. Dude, that was one hell of a ride. No regrets, it was beautiful and fun to watch Jimni slowly learn her heart and Xu be totally captivated by her. The bad vibes I got from the scarily obsessed males, did not disappoint me either lol. men be crazy.

Full mark: 7.5/10 (arguably 8/10)

august 6 - 28 2021

oct 3 2021

oct 3 - 4 2021

oct 20 - 21 2021

feb 4 - feb 5 2021

feb 5 - feb 5 2021

May 21-26 2022

So boring sometimes... but I just don’t love politics all that much. Grown people drama bore me.

June 4th 2022 - June 5th (ep 1-38) - July 15 2022 (ep 39-40)

Jan 15 2023 - Jan 16

Dec 12 2021 - Oct 27 2022

Dec 12, 2021: episode 1/22 --> Cute cat. Cute girl. Terrible CGI cat lol

Same date: episode 11/22 --> Okay, thankfully the CGI cat is not around lots (hallelujah). FL is just as cute as a button. I like her. Normally I'm not into physically weaker FLs but she's somehow charmed me with her positivity and straightforwardness (me and every guy in the drama).  She's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but honestly, no one really is in this drama. The plot is very simple. Everything is extra fluffy, so I'm not really mad the plot for the non-romance stuff seems to be pretty relaxed and simple to follow.  MLs are fun to look at, I personally thing the 2nd ML is just an absolute doll. But I never stray from the main ML normally, even if they show literally no emotion (I root for the characters that obviously want to be together. I can't root for someone who's feelings are one sided). Hoping it keeps up the same energy and doesn't all of the sudden get super dark and complicated (fingers crossed).  

Oct 27, 2022: finished --> I totally started it over like two days ago and... scratch everything but for the FL being adorable and the plot being relatively fluffy and simple and the HORRIBLE CGI cat (seriously that cat looks terrible). I really liked the FL despite her flaws, but the acting was pretty atrocious from everyone else at times, and man, did I want to sleep through it after episode 16. But I got through it, and it was meh overall. I definitely have a huge crush on the FL actress, she's gorgeous so at least there is that.  All and all, it did keep the same energy mostly; just sometimes got a bit boring or lack luster with some of the plot wrap ups. I give it a 6/10 (maybe even a 6.5 solely for the FL). 

finished: Jan 12 2023

I am shook at what just happened... and not in a good way. I admit, it had me up until like episode 16, but it went *real* sour *real* quick after that. The characters were SO infuriatingly immature and showed no real development by the end--in fact, I'd have to say the leads DEvolved rather than Evolved. I loved the ML in the beginning, he had so much promise and seemed on the right path to self-awareness. And then Ep 17 happened and he became a clueless, selfish, dimwitted fool. And not to mention the FL became even *more* of a pushover with confidence issues. It was just *angering* after that and I seriously recommend everyone to stop watching at episode 16 or 17. That was just... not well written at all. Very over-the-top and roll-your-eyes scenes, with absolutely no good point to them (I can excuse cliches, but I can't excuse poor plot development and last minute obstacles that come out of nowhere just to drive the plot). Ugh. I'm glad I didn't invest myself fully into it, it would have driven me so far up the wall if I weren't too busy rolling my eyes so much it hurt.

Despite the lousy ending on top of all that (and the no closure to *any* of the supporting cast), I still can't give it lower than a 6.5/10 (my cut off on non-regretful drama watches) because I truly did really enjoy that first half quite a bit. In fact, it gave me Boys Over Flowers vibes and I'm a bit obsessed with that stupidly infuriating (in a good way) plot. This just went so far off the map on that second half--definitely more 'Mischevious Kiss' infuriating (in a terrible way) vibes--and made me uncharacteristically hate the leads, that I can't in my right conscience rate it just for that fun beginning.

However, I should have seen it coming. The supporting characters were all backstabbing trash-- I should have known the leads were secretly trash too. *sad*

nov 3

oct 22 - 22 2021

oct 5 2021

Jan 22 2023

that was so cringy I couldn't even watch the screen. Was too dramatic and over the top. It was too fast for those sort of reactions and emotions.