I will literally go to the grave recommending these dramas

This drama has stuck with me because of its overlying theme of fighting against oppression. It's frustrating and grimy at times, but those moments where the leads work or fight through those pitfalls, it makes all those angering annoyances worth it. Girl power is also hugely my thing and our FL here really does feminism well considering the time period. I especially love how characters around her support her in her endeavors. And the development from supporting characters is also worthwhile. Seriously a really meaningful show. It's different, and perhaps not everyone will enjoy the finality of good vs bad they kinda have going on with the topics (in reality there are so many shades of grey), but I think it was really well done. And beautifully shot.  (also enjoyed the fact that ML wrote novels)

A whole damn masterpiece. From the plot, to the settings, to the costumes, to the acting, and to the actors themselves--it didn't lack a thing. It was dark, beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, scary, angering.... every emotion you can think of, it invoked it. The ML, my god, that boy can act. Playing two entirely different roles and you can FEEL the difference in each scene. All the actors do a fantastic job; you don't even feel like you're watching people act. It feels so real. I am blown away by this entire production. It was the first Historical drama I actually liked and now I can't help but watch more of them in hopes they might just remind me of this absolute piece of unmistakable art. Watch it. Like... right the heck now.  

(Update from a year later: am now obsessed with historical romance dramas hehe)

This is so freaking good. I’m on episode 33 and good gosh it’s a breath of fresh air compared to the Eternal Love garbage (no offence). The scenery is just absolutely gorgeous and the music scores with it creates such a majestic vibe. Wonderful acting. And my god are those boy CUTE. I could watch Lan boy fix his crooked headband forever and their chemistry between their eyes and looks is just hgjtiwopfkteitnsl (for lack of a real word). Am dead. I absolutely get why people become so obsessed with this story. I’m in love. THIS is the equality I want to see in my dramas. The trust and understanding between the leads is just so beautiful to watch oh my, my heart. And I also can’t help but fall in love with all the supporting characters we get to know along the way. What a great story with great story arcs. I love how all the characters believe in different things and even when us as an audience can’t agree with their methods, it’s still somewhat understandable for why they are thinking what they are thinking. And of course the injustice due to understanding why people think the way they do, makes it even more painful to see the whole story that they aren’t seeing (if that makes sense). Seriously brilliant drama. As of right now, it’s most definitely a 9 or 9.5/10. I find sometimes the bad guy costumes look a bit fake and the fighting/stabbing isn’t realistic and that bothers me a bit so it did lose a bit of a point there (but may I just add the CGI is a world better compared to eternal love?! What a relief.) final thought: oh my god watch it right the heck now because even tho it’s not ‘romance’ in the traditional sense, I’m still bout to combust over these two adorable things.

The ending was a mind bending experience. I'm still a bit confused and unsure, but in a moralistic way which means it's good.

Specifically and *only* part 1. Sure, I still enjoyed part 2, but I'm not going to the grave recommending it that's for sure. Part 1 tho? You bet I will, because my biases STAND STRONG,

I just can't help myself... I absolutely L O V E how dry Mudeok is. I love how slow it takes her to warm up and even then she tries to put her goals before Uk like the ruthless, cold killer she's supposed to be. Like, yes, it's frustrating and I understand those that say they didn't enjoy the lack of chemistry in part one (because she's literally *always* betraying his trust [and I'm obsessed with her little villainess ways]), but I seriously disagree with that take. Her merciless unwillingness makes it all the more special and adorable, because she can't help but love Uk even when she's hell bent on him not loving her back. I just REALLY enjoyed her character. And I missed her so very much in part 2.  

I wont lie, this drama is on this list because I mostly just tremendously adored her. But I really loved the relationship between her and Uk as well (and Uk himself is wonderfully wholesome and sweet in part 1), and the supporting characters are all so much fun in their own way too. If there is anything I can give the Hong Sisters a high-five for, it's their ability to create many diverse and loveable characters with big potentials (not that they will probably actually *reach* those potentials... especially if they are female). 

 There is a lot to love and a lot to be disappointed in the series overall (a given with the sisters), but part 1 holds my heart and I refuse to let it go. 

The amount of thought put into this plot was honestly just amazing. Every single part of it was enthralling and felt SO unique--not just uniquely done, but also something original and in a category of its own. I absolutely binged the entire thing without sleeping; I just wanted to solve the puzzle! Unfortunately, despite all that, I didn't give it a 10/10 because I felt like the conclusion could have been a TOUCH better. But the overall journey was so incredible (and even inspiring for my own works of fiction), that the small final note of*I wish there was a bit more*is totally forgiven in hindsight. 

Trust me: you will not be disappointed. It's just... wow, what a story. And the acting was phenomenal to be able to pull it off like it did. Just a straight up entertaining watch that, in my opinion, is highly underappreciated! 

Ok, hear me out..Im about to severely hate on this drama AND obsess over it. 1st, the hate: I cant count the unresolved plots on my hands--Id need a lot more fingers to do so. We're set up with big ideas and great episodic plots, but very little do we see them turn into results that feel satisfying right to the bone. When that resolve isn't completely missing, it's usually a huge flop. On top of that, the FL is simply used as a pawn. She is irritatingly docile, indecisive, a damsel in distress, and used as an object to make ML (and others) strong. Oh, the CGI during the last, most climatic fight scene is abso-freaking-lutely HORRENDOUS!

Despite all that, making it on this list is no mistake. There is 1 thing that saves it all: friendship.

I dont have enough heart to hold all the love I have for the characters. And I mean ALL of them. The ML alone could hold my heart prisoner and never let it go. He was gorgeous! From the personality, acting, chemistry, backstory, and the dvlpmnt..Im in awe and now have some v high romance standards. But then to be able to fall so in love with the others, too?! Wow. Even the ones who were deemed to be antagonistic. The devil king made me laugh until I cried, Richie made my heart swell 3 times bigger, the dog girl made me trust, winter boy/his sister made me soft, PK made me hope, water king made me waver, butler dude made me loyal, and priestess girl made me wish. And so many more moments/characters on top of them made this drama for what it is: beautiful. The journey is simply beautiful. The slice of life within the crazy was so stunning it overwrites all the wrongs; all the flaws; all the missing pieces. 

I had a hard time with the last 3 eps and I realized thats because I didnt want it to end. I didnt want a conclusion. This isnt a drama you watch to finish--to get through in order to enjoy the destination. This is a drama you watch for the journey and the amazing friendships we see between.

I probably laughed until tears during every episode. It's dark and grim as hell, but the dry humour absolutely gave me stitches in my side. I was so invested, I set my laptop outside my shower so I didn't have to stop watching at one point LOL. ML's acting is phenomenal. Him and the 2nd ML completely took this crime drama to a possibly never again achievable height. FL was good for the plot, but it was definitely the guys that made it *chefs kiss*. My goodness, ML was so dang funny in this. I just cannot--I'm still laughing just thinking about it and it's now December. 

(Update from a year later: I am still laughing)

If you liked Psychopath Diary, you'll certainly enjoy this, as well. 

My god. The ACTING CHOPS ON THESE PEOPLE. It would be one thing if they were all static characters, but so many of these characters were very diverse or changed to *become* more diverse--meaning, a lot of them had to act out like ... two or more different roles all while in the same character. And switch between those roles at what felt like a drop of a hat sometimes. And they did absolutely amazingly, given how they made these switches flow so well and believably. Wow. The speed they could go from a serious moment to a comedic, or vice-versa (or other emotions completely). I am completely blown away by this series. And another reason why you should watch this is for the writing, of course. It was incredible. Suspenseful and a lot of intelligent thought went into it to give us a very fun, deadly, and emotional chess/cat and mouse game. On top of everything, it was also so funny and adorable at times I had tears. The bromances made me swoon, I swear. I honestly just came to love (or hate) all of the characters. Brilliant!

I have no clue how anyone can rate it lower than a 9. I myself gave it a 10/10 and it feels like a very justified 10 lol. Before you let the weirdly negative reviews sway you, I dare you to try it out.

What a treat! I was hooked from beginning to end. As a writer myself, the idea of a plot hole coming back to haunt an author this much is genuinely hilarious and entertaining to me. I'm in stitches about it... it's genius! On top of that, the chemistry between the leads was so very tangible; you could practically feel and touch the electricity between them. 

I'm honestly so shook at the comments, but perhaps it's because I didn't read the webtoon it was based off of. I just feel like the acting and plot was so entertaining, fun, and genuinely emotional that I can't give it lower than a 10/10 in my eyes. It's not that I'm not aware of some of the weaker points (the FL occasionally irritating me to death from how slow her reactions were for example, or perhaps wanting a bit more screen time and investment with side characters), it's just because those weaker points clearly weren't actually necessary or essential to having a wonderful plot. And can we acknowledge how adorable the leads were?? Loved it. 

I'm really not sure what makes me love this drama so much. Maybe it's the pastel colours, fun fashion, and the overall cute aesthetics. How all of those features mixed so well with that sweetly candied character behaviours that Chinese dramas often portray. The story itself wasn't revolutionary, but regardless, this is my most rewatched drama by far. I adore FL and how she is just her own original character who is strong in her own right, and how ML comes to treat her. They have some real chemistry and are just adorable! It was rarely frustrating (which is something I rather dislike about Asian dramas), and it was just a really wholesome, fun, and pretty watch.  Do watch it if you haven't given it a try yet and you love romantic comedies with some drama :) 

I want to add that there are two things that really bother me with this drama and they are both at the end and thus don't impact much of the overall drama (thank gosh). 

[SPOILER WARNING]

(1) how FL stated she wanted to be 'pretty' and how she wanted to look and be like herself again and.... the ML was too insecure to deal with that (wth?! That isn't cute!) and (2) their decisions in their futures. Holding one another back is not the wholesome and fun ending that they tried to make it out as. No ML should not have left it like he was going to (without reassuring her and communicating with her like a grown person should) but they both should have went for their dreams 100%. But I still give it a 10 regardless of how much those things bothered me because I rewatch it all the time and I just *love it* hehe 

"This is the most wholesome, healthy, honest, and beautiful relationship in a drama I have ever seen. Wow, I'm in awe. They are absolute relationship goals. And nothing was super infuriating or over the top in the drama--what an amazing series this was! Everyone should watch it!" 

That was a comment I created as soon as I finished watching this show and I still absolutely agree. However, as an avid rewatcher that came to notice more, I want to add that you still have to get through side characters who AREN'T healthy and are there just to cause frustration for the pair (thankfully, they don't impact the duo all that much like SOME dramas *glares at all dramas that have used marriage schemes from an unstable or ill ex-gf*). But as someone who gets obsessed with the mains, as long as they show loyalty towards each other I won't rage quit LOL. So yes, it's still a 10/10 to me because the way the leads work through issues and how they became stronger and stronger through all the adversity, is really well done and realistic in healthy relationships. They are a beautiful duo <3  

Alright, so just by adding this drama a lot of people are going to throw the whole list out BUT HEAR ME OUT. 

This drama is NOT meant for ppl who take dramas at face value. This is a drama meant for those who have an educational background in psych (or just an avid interest in it). Excuse the spoiler, but I really think it's necessary (especially seeing how without stating it as it is, it's been given TERRIBLE reviews and has been totally misunderstood): This drama is about s*xual ab*se and the journey we take to heal from it, and the communication between NTs and NDs.

It's about the subtle ways SA hurts us in such a profound way that we ourselves do not always recognize it despite going through the symptoms (hence why we as an audience watching it, are never actually TOLD she is exhibiting symptoms... she doesn't know!). We have what seems to be a typical FL who is weak and can't say no to a cold and aloof ML, but holy mother of god, this drama is PHENOMENALLY DONE. Like. I was BLOWN TO SMITHERENES. To see her sense of self be so entirely crushed. (tip: when you want to rage quit because you finally see her past... KEEP WATCHING.) I have NEVER been so unraveled by a drama before. So completely enthralled by all of the genius ways the writers left these psych breadcrumbs everywhere. 

As for the ND topics: much of the miscommunication and aloofness is due to the fact that ML and 2FL are (headcannon) autistic. FL speaks in a lot of half-truths, hints, metaphors and topics like her feelings... these things are v difficult for a lot of autists; even knowing our own emotions can be hard. Thus, ML comes across as uncaring. But glimpses into MLs brain show us he is complex like FL, he just isn't able to see his feelings as well as FL.  

If you find interest in any of the above, I completely recommend it from the BOTTOM of my heart. And also ML is INSANELY HOT woof. Check out my review if you want a more in-depth description.