A decent drama, but not for everyone

I was a fan of the webtoon in its early days. Back then, all I desperately wanted was for the webtoon to become a drama. Eventually, I drifted from the webtoon (partly because I didn't like where the story was heading). But I kept my eyes and ears open for any news regarding the drama. After a year and half of waiting, my dreams finally seemed to be coming true. Cha Eun Woo was playing Lee Suho, and I couldn't be happier! But now that I have finished this drama, I have conflicting thoughts.

Story-wise, I liked the message behind the show, throwing light on the 'pretty privilege' that goes unreviewed even in today's society. I liked the comedy in the show. In the beginning, it's a bit overboard, to the point where instead of laughing you are just cringing and/or feel like dying because of second-hand embarrassment. But after a few episodes, it is laugh-out-loud funny. Also, I feel like the story had a lot of unutilised potentials. The writers wasted too much time on the main couple's romance. They could've easily used that time for the development of certain characters. I don't know why they kept pushing the love triangle even up until the last episode. Inevitably, the ending was a bit rushed. It felt underwhelming. But the writers' handling of heavy topics and comedic elements is commendable, and I don't have any complaints regarding that aspect. Some heavy topics in this show can trigger some audiences. I have mentioned them at the end of this review since might be considered as mild spoilers.

Lim Ju Kyung was cliche makeover kdrama female lead. She was the usual pitiful, weak female lead with almost no likeable trait. Lee Suho too was the cliche, too-perfect-to-be-true, wealthy, cold male lead. Even Han Seojun's character was of the typical second male lead; the bad boy who's soft on the inside. Still, I might've liked him more than I want to admit. I assure you by the end of the drama you will fall for SJ real hard. Kang Soo Jin was a well-written and complex character, for a change and I enjoyed her quite a bit. The side characters were quite refreshing and made the show much more fun for me. They made the show much more bearable for me. Ju Kyung, thankfully developed as a character by the end of the show and I am pleasantly surprised!

As a now die-hard Seojun fan, I want to take a moment to appreciate the man. He deserves the whole wide world. I cannot tell you the numerous times I have had to pause the show to scream about how precious Seojun is and the fact that I won't be able to meet a guy like him. And the okey-dokey dance. Holy~! I see that scene every time I close my eyes and I am so not complaining. I have nothing more to say. I gonna stop now, or I will just burst into an unintelligible blabber about my love for Han Seo Jun.

I feel like I was not as invested in the main couple's romance as I was in Hee Kyung and Grapefruit's romance. Maybe it's because of my clear bias towards HSJ, or maybe it was because I LOVED their chemistry!! Hee Kyung and Grapefruit were the opposite of the cliche couple in a kdrama. Their romance was food for my soul. I enjoyed it so much! I also thoroughly enjoyed the Go Woon and Ju Young's little romance. The Lim family was quite an entertaining mess. I like how all the characters developed through the show; how they all became more sensitive towards each other and how they always had each others' back through thick and thin.

Moon Ka Young's acting was top-notch *chef's kiss*. She played JY perfectly. Cha Eun Woo is particularly chosen for roles like Suho's, and he plays them pretty well. This drama was the first time I had seen Hwang In Yeop act, and I was pleasantly surprised. Park Yoona did an amazing job playing Kang Soo Jin. She made me love and loathe her character just right, which I think is one of the qualities of a good actress.

The music was pretty decent. HIY's vocals gave me life, and so I will die for them if I have to. The other songs weren't particularly memorable.

Overall, the drama was different from the webtoon but still predictable. It is not a drama everyone can enjoy. Don't expect too much from this drama and you will enjoy it! I was a bit disappointed because I kept my expectations too high, but it might be different for you.



*Trigger warnings for suicide, bullying.*

Lees verder