2
Zogitt
Australia
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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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Too close to RL or not close enough?
I think this drama will have a solid core of supporters but also its fair share of detractors.I find myself in two minds about this show as well. Fundamentally, this series is uniquely Korean. Its main subject matter will be much more relatable to locals who has children who has lived through exam hell or spent half their youth in tutoring academies themselves. However, even then, there are those who would consider this not realistic enough and is nothing more than dramatisation.
I suppose from my perspective, this show is much more "real" than the usual romcom. Even those set in a tutoring ecosystem like Crash Course in Romance feels almost cartoon-y in comparison.
This is a double-edged sword. The day-to-day aspect is a bit dull. There is a lot of jockeying of positions and details about the Korean education system, especially the last years leading up to the all mighty CSAT. The fact that our leads teaches Korean literature makes it harder for non-Korean to form a connection. Any nuisance about a particular author or a piece of writing is mostly lost in translation.
This is not helped by a slow burn romance. There is a lot of push-pull in the beginning. The age difference and their original teacher/student status adds to the complication. While the ML is all in, the FL is very hesitant to accept his advances. While some scenes are touching and heart fluttering, the majority are mundane, and work related. This improves once they are a couple and there are more emphasis on them. Nevertheless, most episodes are dialogue heavy.
The acting of our leads definitely help to steady the ship and made it watchable. The ML is handsome in a manly way and the FL has good chemistry with him. Their portrayals are on point. The rest of the ensemble cast is a mixed bag. Most of the senior cast members did well. The grey witch’s role is a challenging one and SJY is a class act. However, some of the lesser support roles are one dimensional.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed this show. This is not your typical idol drama full of beautiful people. This one will not grab you from the opening scene and hook you till the end. You have to be patient, invest your time and walk a mile in their shoes to appreciate their struggles. These are mostly normal people doing a challenging job. BTW, I’m glad that there are no murders or psycho stalker. I’m getting tired of that trope.
OST is fine and catchy. I doubt I’ll rewatch this drama anytime soon.
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What do you prefer? Style or substance
Within minutes of watching this show you should realise that this is a different beast from the usual idol costume dramas. There is a rawness and stylistic flair that is missing from many mainstream productions. This drama does not hold back on challenging themes. Confronting acts are on full display and it made no apologies.This is a double-edged sword. No doubt the director has an unique style. Some scenes are rigged for maximum visual impact. There are bold contrasting colours, dramatic weather effects, poetic imageries and big close-ups of the leads. Get used to it.
This can be polarising. You will either be hooked by impactful scenes or be put off by the over-the-top theatrics. This show is not about finding a comfortable middle ground. For me, it was quite a ride and I was loving it! To be fair, the story does settle into a more comfortable pace towards the middle of the run.
I won't lie, the storyline is fundamentally tropey. The overarching A-plot is a classic revenge tale with a side order of the Cinderella trope and an extra large serving of palace intrigue. The writer is clever enough to mix up the plots and kept the pace fast so that we have little time to examine the plot holes. The production team is also a daft hand in hitting us in the feels which further distracts us.
It is obvious that the show is being manipulative. So much of the pain and suffering is purely there to pull at our heartstrings and to remind us that no character is safe. Even a well-loved character can be killed off to get a rise out of us. It works but it is exhausting.
To wit, the FL is in no position to fight back at the start of the show. We watch and cheer on the FL as she gains strength, made new friends and plan the ultimate revenge. It is very gratifying to watch and there are certainly many bittersweet moments.
This is further aided and abetted by the ML. He might be in his early 20's but he acted well beyond his age. I am most impressed by his acting. I can't fault the pairing of our leads either. There is always tension between them, but it is the delicious kind. You know that they are attracted to each other, but they must play by the rules. Their interactions will get the heart fluttering. While sparks fly between them, there is not a lot of actual skinship until the end of the show. It is poor reward for fans who are shipping the OTP hard.
A fundamental problem with this type of drama is that it is usually unrealistic. The FL was a meek wife one minute and the next moment she is full of fight and steely determination. There are also conflicting views on societal values such as a woman's reputation. We must switch off our forebrain to truly enjoy this show. There are just too many lucky escapes and fortuitous coincidences. It keeps us in our happy place, but it doesn't really stand up to scrutiny. It is very entertaining but a pair of industrial strength rose tinted glasses will help.
Speaking of the ending, it is both satisfying and ambiguous. All the antagonists got their just deserts. The OTP is allowed moments of bliss but then the production team went gaga on us.
It would have been a no-brainer for the story to end on a high. I'd paid to see the OTP ride off into a glorious sunset to live happily ever after. They have certainly earned it. So why was the ML shipped off to the furthest corner of the kingdom to fight a never-ending war? cliché? Yes. Dramatic? Yes. Necessary? NO!
This is not helped by the last scenes of the show which is beautifully staged but so ambiguous. Is it a dream?
Acting wise, it is fairly solid but there are moments when it feels like characters changed tracks as the script shifted in a different direction but the subtle change was not communicated to the audience. The impact is not significant but can be a little disconcerting.
Overall, I enjoyed the show very much. It is impactful and engaging. The production team certainly knows how to keep our attention even if the plot itself might not stand up to close scrutiny. Some might find it too stylistic, shallow and tropey. It will be a love/hate thing. Caveat emptor, my friends.
*** SPOILER ***
There is a 5 mins postscript ep that confirmed a HEA ending but why is that even necessary?
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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!
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Who said only bad girls have all the fun
Do-over seems to be the plot du jour at the moment. While most shows in this genre would focus on righting wrongs and get revenge on antagonists, this one took a different approach.In this case, the FL was a cruel and ruthless Queen in her past life. Her path to the top was awash with the blood of both friends and foes. In that sense, she is trying to stop herself going down the same path again and right her own wrongs! This is certainly a more novel take on this genre. I’m excited to see how will the writer spin this yarn.
This review will look at this drama from two different angles. On one hand, the series is very entertaining, full of engaging characters and it is gratifying to watch the progress of the FL in her “new” life. However, if we look at the series with more critical eyes then we can see issues with the pacing, narrative and acting.
There is no doubt that this is a S class production. Sets are lush (love to see their Hengdian bill), costumes are beautiful if a tad generic. There is a big cast so important scenes are well populated with extras.
Bai Lu has the titular role and she owns it. She plays both the evil and good roles with aplomb. My only reservation is that while she is supposed to be a maiden about 18 years old in Life 2.0, she can look and feel a lot older. I suppose that is because in Life 1.0, she did and saw things that would age any mortals. It does make her character a little out of focus in earlier episodes as she dances between an innocent teenager and the ghost of an evil Queen. The question of whether she would flip to the dark side cannot be ignored.
This highlights one of the major issues for me. The show is filled with flashbacks of Life 1.0. This is particularly true during earlier episodes where it is almost like watching a mashup of two dramas. The drama tries to distinguish them by dulling the colour palette of the L1.0 scenes. Nevertheless, this can be quite jarring as the trigger for a lengthy flashback might be a simple chance meeting and suddenly, we are watching an epic battle. Even if we don’t get a flashback, she might pause and have an internal monologue about what she did wrong and what she should do now.
These sudden scene changes can give you a whiplash and it slows the forward momentum. It is also confusing when we try to decipher the significance of each event based on snippets of dialogues and jumbled recollections. What is worse is that Life 1.0 is actually more intriguing and exciting compared to the early part of Life 2.0. She is trying so hard to be good, she is boring. I almost want to watch L1.0 more than L2.0 until about the 1/3 mark. I understand why they did it but by making Life 1.0 so dramatic and impactful, it takes the wind out of Life 2.0's sails.
What I have to say next is not going to be popular. The ML is tall and handsome but his acting left me cold. Most of the time he is stoic and occasionally he gets angry. That’s about it. His dialogue delivery feels flat. Another issue is his approach to romance is quite caveman like. It makes him looks brutish when he isn't. The sad fact is that the two other 2ML's radiate serious second lead syndrome.
On the other hand, acting from the ensemble cast is good. There are the odd weaker links, but the more senior members have certainly earn their keep.
To be honest, the series is much more enjoyable in the second half. By then, the FL's plan to change her destiny is finally in place and she surrounds herself with a group of fast friends. The last few episodes are the best. Packed with epic battles, court intrigues and swoon worthy moments. What more can you ask? The ending is satisfying with all the loose ends tired up nicely.
I commend the writer for being innovative and I did enjoy this drama. However, I was distracted by issues which I can't ignore. It lost a point because of that.
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We need Ozempic now and keep it coming!
In the olden days, you used to be able to find a good romance with ease but now we speak of them in hush tones reserved for half-forgotten legends. What we mostly find nowadays are shows burdened with angsts and sufferings to the point of needing to put Suicide Helpline on speed dial. Ditto some of those plots are so convoluted that you feel like you are watching 3 different genres at the same time and have to keep the wiki page open for reference.Well, this Show is quite the exception. It is not perfect, and the plot can fit comfortably on the back of a small napkin, but this show will make you swoon. It is industrial grade fluff and should come with a health warning. Having said that, it is also surprisingly enjoyable.
To be honest, the first few episodes was not encouraging. I was wondering where the show is heading. It is harmless enough but also uninspired. Basically, the meet-cute comes down to the FL having a 4-year crush on her handsome boss and when she finally worked up the courage to confess, he promptly rejected her. Of course, he regretted it almost immediately, but the dice is casted.
The show really shifts up a gear when the Show flips the role and now the ML is doing all the chasing. Yes, my dear Drama Anonymous friends, it is as tropey as it sounds. What elevated the simple plot is the chemistry and visual of the OTP. The longer they interact, the better their chemistry. It is hard to pinpoint so I'll just put it down to romantic screen voodoo, c'est l'amour. BTW, they don’t shy away from skinship and there are quite a few passionate kisses. However, they (oddly) remain chaste until they got the marriage licence and then it was baby making time . . . baby!
This is further aided by the lack of any silly shenanigans involving evil second leads or non-sensical breakups. Quite to the contrary, the Show has a very positive take on romance and when relationships are made public, there are no jealous side-eyes or sly remarks. It seems the whole drama-verse is shipping them. BTW, the ML’s parents are a hoot.
There are some angst but they are due to external forces and each challenge helps to push them closer. It is a tried and tested strategy. Hey, if it's not broken . . .
If one OTP is not enough, there is a 2OTP towards the end of the show. The pairing is quite nice. Their sweet romance is easy to ship. Wait, there is more! A 3OTP literally pops into existence in the dying moment of the show which is not necessary but who’s counting. As I mentioned before, this Show is one oxytocin overload and hazard to diabetes.
Acting is good from our leads. The ML is totally in his element. The FL injects enough spunk to give her character some depth. Well, relatively speaking. Support cast earn their keeps but some do lean towards overacting. OST is nice and appropriate.
As I mentioned before, the Show is not perfect. The plot is single minded and some narrative logic are pushed aside in the name of expediency. Some might find it transparent and overly sweet. I won't argue. It might not appeal to everyone so I can only say caveat emptor. Somehow it works for me. Must be something in the water. Enjoy!
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Charles Perrault should sue
This show looked promising early on but ultimately it is a let down.What is bothersome is that this is not a bad show. It is watchable and mostly harmless, but it is surprisingly ordinary and has little substance.
Noona romance is hardly new to the drama-verse but this show has such a pedestrian script which is not aided by the large ensemble cast of one dimensional characters.
Don't get me wrong. There is a lot happening but the A-plot and sundry subplots are mostly inane and tropey. I won’t even mind if the show is super fluffy, but it ended up trying too hard to be funny, edgy and poignant. It is not a winning combo.
We are presented with an klutzy and naive FL right from the start. There is a strong hint of the Cinderella trope. You’d rightly expect her character to grow and transform over time into something special. To the contrary, her character stays gruffy and annoying for the bulk of the run. She acts like a 39 yo virgin but in the most cringey and awkward manner.
I also find it hard to ship the love triangle. It is just not convincing for me. To wit, ML1 is a hunk 15 years her junior with his pick of beautiful girls. Yes, he said that he loves her because she is kind, sweet and cute, really? Am I watching the same show? It is a hard sell.
Ditto, ML2 has a crush on her for years. Of course, they are the worse frenemies until it is too late. Once again, ML2 is mature, talented and handsome. He also has his pick of superior female admirers, but he is loyal to the FL to a fault. Go figure.
The stories related to her two besties are meant to be saucier, but it is so predictable. Plot by plot, they have a home in this genre, but the sum is definitely less than the parts in this case.
There is a mini breakthrough in ep.9 but the good times never last and we ended up with another about face before the episode is over.
In the end, this type of drama can work and there are fine examples out there. However, this show never really engaged me and I find it hard to ship the OTP. This is a kiss of death in my book. I felt detached for much of its run. I hung in there hoping it would get better. . .
OST is functional but I find it repetitive. Rewatch? You jest.
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Size doesn’t matter, as long as you can make a joke out of it
As other reviewers have noted, this movie is not your typical weeknight drama. This show certainly pushes one “sensitive” topic relentlessly. It is not even really about sex but the awkward situation both men and women find themselves in once you get past first base and must do the “show and tell” and keep up with the Kim's.Maybe the show is trying to milk the shock value but almost every second scene will involve a discussion/action related to the human sex organs and how well they are functioning, or more likely, not functioning. It does the trick . . . for the first 15 minutes but combined with the barely-there filter on bad languages, the dialogues can be quite one-note. You do become desensitised.
BTW, they don’t just talk about sex but there are several elaborate sex scenes. Most are centred on a softcore "starlet" (aka SFL) who is happy to bare all for her art. It is not exactly egregious, but it is pretty much done like punctuations and to emphasis that they can walk the walk. However, this doesn’t quite extend to our leads. They provide their fair share of skinship, but it is quite tame by comparison.
Once we pare back all those "extremities", we are left with a fairly basic rom-com. It boils down to the usual enemy to lover, romance/healing drama. All the typical misunderstandings and push-pulls are present and accounted for. This show leans more heavily into the comedy side with most angst radiating from the FL as she rage against the patriarchy. The movie ticked a lot of boxes but with only 100min run time, there is barely enough time to race through the tropes.
Acting is fine. The leads are charismatic and they make a nice couple. Support cast tends to overact but this is the style of show we are dealing with.
In the end, the movie is entertaining and watchable. It does deliver a fluffy romance and it all ends well. It is not as shocking as the initial premise as the show does fall back to the well-trodden path even though that path was edged with brambles. I suppose the NC-17 rating proves that it wants to be contentious, but not WAY out there.
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Perfect Marriage Revenge
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Everyone gets their yummy desserts
Not all makjang are made equal and I’m glad that this is a good’un in my book.Makjang storylines, by definition, are meant to be convoluted and outrageous. While for a shortish 12 eps run, it does traipsed through many tropey plots, it is hardly a witch’s brew. I am pleasantly surprised by how well paced, coherent and logical the script is, well, once you get past the whole cancel death shenanigan.
I’ll be honest, the do-over plot device is old hat by now. Every year, there is a new crop with minor variations. This one started fairly typically. Death by misadventure and (GASP) you wake up and get another chance to get things right or in the FL’s case, exact revenge for many years of pain and suffering in the hands of her family.
There are no shortage of shenanigans, foul deeds, mental as well as physical torments. It is full on and yet it feels manageable, relatable. The A-plot needs the darker tropes to make the story work, but it doesn't take them to the extreme just to earn the torture porn badge.
Once the show established the lowest point in their lives, death will do that to you, it is a steady and engaging climb back to the top. Of course, it is never going to be easy for our leads, but they are quite a power couple. They might not be all loved up from Day 1 but their relationship is refreshingly pure and solid. While the FL thought that she is just using the ML as a stepping stone to archive her goals, the ML has other ideas.
I know that sounds bad but in fact, it is quite the opposite. While the motivation of FL’s initial actions is pure revenge, once she takes greater control of her life and learn more of the truth, their relationship changes and evolves. The show changes focus to healing and getting a second chance at life. That is so much more rewarding to watch than a show that is hellbent on Mutually Assured Destruction.
Another gratifying aspect of the show is while the antagonists knows all the dirty tricks, they are not omnipotent. Their plans are effective, even devastating at times, but our leads are not hapless punching bags. They have their wits about them and they have the measure on the evildoers. The show doesn’t jump feet first into non-sensical plots just to meter out endless pain and sufferings to our OTP.
In terms of acting, it is a definite mixed bag. The highly emotional plots and extreme situations are fertile grounds for overacting. Still, I have seen worse. They are within the realm of “normal” behaviours rather than pantomime grade performances.
In the end, I enjoyed this show very much. More because of the leads' growth and their healing journey than the revenge angle. Also, for a change, I can cheer them on without having to facepalm later because the show threw the kitchen sink at them and make them suffer for no reason other than for our “entertainment”. The last ep is purely fan service and I give thanks. It ties up all the loose ends. All key characters are given their moment in the sun (or in purgatory) so we are not left hanging. It is not award winning stuff but it is a solid production.
For some, this might be a weak example of a makjang but I will take it. There are enough troubles in the world today. I don’t usually rewatch this style of drama but I can make an exception in this case. Peace out.
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Fake It Till You Make It
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Mask On/Mask Off
This is a sweet little contemporary romance. It is relatively short at 14 episodes, so the pacing is tight. It is also angst light in the sense that there are no nasty parents nor psycho second leads. There are plenty of angst from a different quarter though and this forms the underlying message of the show. So, let’s talk about the love lines first.The ML is handsome, and the FL is attractive. They are well matched and have good chemistry. They are sweet, loving and there is a decent amount of skinship, but nothing more than hugs and kisses. It is great to see that they understand the need to communicate. They talk through issues, and they trust each other. They act like mature adults and don't yo-yo between love-hate like some other dramas. It did take them a while to sort out their feelings but once they are a couple, there is no going back and no self-sabotage. They form an united front against anyone who try to come between them.
Interestingly, relationship issues are not completely off the table. The show touches on issues like jealousy, ghosting, gaslighting and some serious obsessive behaviours. It does feel a little tropey when you take it all in. It works out in the end, but it is hardly a joyride for all concerned, especially the FL’s sister.
Now, let’s talk about the rest. As the title implies, “faking it” is now such a part of modern culture that you will find it everywhere. Whether it is being pretentious or just to disguise one’s background, it is like a mask that people puts on or risk being unfairly judged and labelled.
If you think this is a great opportunity for satire then you’d be right. However, while this show is willing to poke fun at some common tropes (luxury handbags at 3 paces, anyone?), they are hardly cutting. We might get a chuckle out of it, but this is common fodder for Chinese comedies nowadays. I would almost call it a missed opportunity.
In that sense, the main theme of the show is not about fakes. Yes, there are plenty on display, but they are just props. The show is really a cautionary tale about achieving a good work life balance. This is significant because our leads certainly face that challenge and they also have to take off their masks before they can truly love each other. This is the real message of this show.
I’m glad that the show highlights such plights, but it does feel a little hollow. Nobody want their health or relationship to suffer because of excessive workload/work pressure but I have a sinking feeling that the positive messages are going to fall on deaf ears when you consider the current 996 work schedule in China and that is often the bare minimum. The pressure to conform is just too great. It is a noble sentiment, to be sure, but how many Chinese workers can achieve a healthy balance?
Putting this aside, the show is quite enjoyable. Production value is good, acting is solid and the OST is pleasant. If you are not in the thick of the rat race then this would be a very agreeable distraction while it last. Peace out.
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A solid period drama that flags towards the end
The show’s FL should be easily recognisable by drama fans. A mix of Cinderella, Belle and a dash of classical Chinese beauty. She is certainly long suffering but has the brain and intestinal fortitude to try to make a better life for herself.Her journey is long and arduous, but she is helped along the way by some good friends but most importantly, the love of her life. The writer managed to tell her struggles and the love line well. It can get angsty but never soul destroying. Sometimes the side plots can get a bit convoluted, but it is a costume drama based on power struggle at the highest level, you can’t expect anything less. Most of the threads are untangled in the end but some will leave you feeling a little deflated.
There is humour, action and intrigue from the start. To say the show starts strongly is an understatement. The pace does slow as it progresses. Often, there is a mini cliffhanger at the end of an episode, so you’d want to find out what happens next.
The production quality is high. The set are lush and well-integrated. Costumes are of high quality and suits the characters and their style.
For the show to be good, the performance from our cast is key. Our leads are right for their roles. The FL is pretty but also intelligent and quick witted. Her life in a patriarchal society is not easy. Time and again, she hits the glass ceiling and must counter adverse public opinion. On the other hand, the ML radiates gravitas and martial prowess, but he is a sweet and gentle lover once he falls for the FL.
The OTP’s chemistry is good. Their interaction is not sizzling but still swoon worthy. There is a decent amount of skinship, but I can’t help but think they did what the script asked of them and did it with dedication but lacks real passion when it really counts.
Our leads are ably supported by the large ensemble cast. The senior members certainly pulled their weight. Especially those in antagonist roles. The younger set are fine, but there are inconsistencies.
Plot wise, this is old school. Power struggle is standard trope. Playing the long game is the only game in town. This means some of the roles are fairly one note. Subplots are mostly rehash of tropes.
How I wish the show is uniformly good from start to finish. From my perspective, the show peaked around the 2/3 mark. That is when the long game starts to bear fruit. Don’t get me wrong, it still has its moments later on, but it doesn’t reach the same height. That is largely because we know who the real puppet master is by then. If you are familiar with this type of dramas, you will recognise many of the subsequent plots. The last few episodes are filled with expositions so that every schemes and countermeasures are explained, often more than once. Is that necessary when we just watched the scenes played out not that long ago? It pads out the runtime, but it also saps the momentum. The last episode is total fan service which I appreciate. Everything is in place for the HEA ending.
Overall, it is a well made and entertaining drama. I can recommend it and I have no problem rewatching a highlight reel. OST is pleasant if a bit repetitive, especially the love ballads which tends to be on high rotation towards the end.
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A well grounded romance with an odd sting in the tail
I have a love-hate relationship with Taiwanese dramas. They can be either very good and creative or way too melodramatic for my taste. This show is somewhere in between.I mostly enjoyed this show. It has a dramatic start but once the dusts settled, it feels more grounded than many other t-dramas. A lot has to do with the acting of the FL. She was put through the wringer when her father died suddenly and left her family destitute. With the help from some kind souls, she lands back on her feet and starts to put her life back together. I appreciate her acting and the fact that she is a plain Jane for the bulk of the show. The ML is handsome and earnest in his pursuit of the FL. He did a solid job and provides us with some nice romantic moments. The chemistry between the leads is good and their romantic journey largely feels organic. There is a decent amount of skinship which feels natural.
The Show is well supported by the ensemble cast. It is nice to see that there is not a lot of overacting from them. However, some of the roles are from central casting and can be one dimensional. The mothers of the ex-husband and the ML are next level though. Both are single-minded in their rejection and prosecution of the FL. I don’t quite understand why so many Taiwanese mums are portrayed this way. It is so tropey.
While I consider the show to be well grounded, it is not angst lite. If anything, there are segments where it is very melodramatic. This is particularly true towards the end when the writer throws in many angsty subplots. This is rather unfortunate as the Show was tracking well up to this point. The leads are overcoming the odds and things are finally looking up. They then have everything including the kitchen sink thrown at them.
Thankfully, the HEA ending arrived just before I adopt the fetal position. The Show took its time getting us there but we got there eventually. I'm not sure if it is intentional but the ending is very tropey and predictable. It also has a weird twist that makes me do a double take.
I won’t spoil it but imagine the classic horror movie ending where we see the survivors ride off into the sunset after taking down the evil antagonist. Just as they fade from view, the camera pans down towards the smoking ruin. Slowly but surely, a burnt and scarred hand push through the rubble and claws at the sky. Hold that thought when you watch the last few scenes of this show. This is a textbook romance so what's with that scene with the SFL? Could there be a S2? I hope not.
Production value is decent but they did spare some expenses. I can’t remember much of the OST, generic love songs mostly. Rewatch priority is low.
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Solid female centric drama that fell short of being great
This Show certainly started with a bang. It is dramatic and engaging right from the start. It was the classic “how the mighty falls” trope writ large. Liu Tao has the titular role and I love her acting and visuals. She was ably supported by Qin Hai Lu and Chai Bi Yun. Together they formed the triumvirate that seems to be de rigueur for the current crop of similar shows.Our hapless FL is tested time and again. Her despair and suffering are palpable. She is pushed to her limits, but this only fan the flames from which the phoenix can rise again. The Show did a good job keeping us engaged. The problem lies elsewhere.
Most of the subplots are tropey and they come in waves. When one FL gets a handle on things, the next one will hit the wall and the cycle repeats. This is not helped by the fact that all three FL’s works in the same regional TV station doing different roles. It is interesting to see how the newsroom and the business side works, but it is a small pond. It becomes more claustrophobic as the episode count ticks up. The Show tries to stay relevant by having the leads branch out into the “new” streaming platforms. It helps, but it doesn’t feel “real”. These are not backyard operations but well staffed business ventures. Many struggling streamers must be rolling their eyes.
Weaving through all these challenges are love lines for each FL. Some are more interesting than others. Obviously, the Liu/Liu pairing is the focus, and I can totally ship them. In fact, it is this burgeoning romance that keeps me watching. The ML is so earnest and devoted, he can make any woman swoon. I love his unique visual with the hint of a rebel.
Speaking of romance, it is a key selling point of this Show but also its Achilles heel. There is nothing wrong with the 3 pairings but other than talking the talk, they don’t really walk the walk. After all the push-pulls and trials, we end up with a ripple rather than a wave when they are finally together. Yes, they are loved up but there is next to no skinship. A couple of hugs and a peck on the cheek is it. The other two CP’s don’t even get that far. Maybe it is the age of the actors, but it is not very rewarding after shipping them for so long.
While most c-dramas work hard to hook us within the first few episodes, this show does better than that. The middle section where the FL’s start to turn things around are some of the better episodes. However, the tail didn’t quite fire. Part of the problem is the return of the FL’s husband and the resolution of his mysterious disappearance.
I know crimes must be punished in c-dramas. However, his return feels too scripted. I would prefer for him to keep his distance rather than showing up all guns blazing. He behaved just as you’d expect and utters all the cliché lines. It is formulaic and feels lacking. A better option might be for him to send her all the damning information and an apology letter. Then set her free with a divorce by proxy. He doesn’t deserve redemption per se but that would be a more nuanced approach than just painting him as an one-dimensional crook.
In the end, the Show is a good example within this popular genre. I appreciate the solid acting, chemistry of the Liu/Liu pairing and good production values. However, the plots lack originality and that certain je ne sais quoi to lift it above the rest. It is an enjoyable watch but not high on my rewatch list. It gets a credit rather than a distinction. Peace out.
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How do you repack an opened Pandora’s box? . . . With great difficulties!
This show is hard to score. Not in terms of the acting or the production value but how its fundamental world building is mishandled.Let’s take a step back. The star of the show is the FL. She has the titular role, and she is all singing and all dancing from start to finish. She has a demanding role and she has to dig deep. On the other hand, the ML feels muted for the longest time and while I understand that he is traumatised since an early age, his performance is quite stilted or maybe it was just the way his role is written. You just don’t feel much energy coming from him. This is the opposite compared to the FL who is on overdrive most of the time. Another issue is the chemistry between the leads is not strong. There are sparks but, on the whole, it feels more scripted than spontaneous. There are also some questionable behaviours by the FL earlier on which just feels awkward.
Surprisingly, I was more invested in the 2CP's romance. It was the usual rich girl/poor man trope but it is more earnest and heartfelt. It felt more organic than the OTP's.
What bothers me more is the way the writer-nims went about building a set of fairly convoluted narrative logic. We see actions and reactions that are attributed to the FL's unique circumstances but the how's and the why's are rarely explained. The internal logic is opaque and obtuse. Their applications are not consistent. It is immersion breaking, but more importantly, makes you question everything you see and hear within the story. The writer-nims are holding all the cards.
Yes, I understand it is a fantasy and certain narrative “flexibility” is to be expected, but I cannot shake the feeling that the storytelling has been twisted into a pretzel.
The puzzle pieces finally click into place in the last episode. I have to say that the final reveal is somewhat underwhelming. There is some much meat in all her previous lives but they are served up as little more than random (emotive) scenes. I wish there is more substance to those recollections.
While her first life held all the keys, its treatment is perfunctory at best. Nevertheless, this episode is still the best of the lot. All the key side plots are tied up with pink bows. The reverse meet-cute is very meta but nicely done and is so sweet. However, the finale is also the last straw for me.
The whole premise of the FL forgetting her past lives is a good idea if there is to be closure but what is presented to us is broken logic and plot holes. It is a Hail Mary moment that didn't quite work.
The FL appears to have lost a few week's memory and went back to her old job but how is that possible? What about her co-workers? They waved her off to start a new job and she is back as if nothing happened. I suppose the CEO can pull some strings. . .
An even bigger hole is her life after running away from her abusive father. Kim Ae-Kyung raised her from early teen to now. What happened there? I can accept she won't remember Ms. Kim when they meet again but who raised her? This is a different reality?
The show can make her forget some memories, but the show didn't alter history/reality en masse. The ML, Ms. Kim and Cho-Won all remembers her so there is no gap in their collective memories. Ms. Kim lived with the FL for years. Theoretically, her room is still out the back of the shop. My head is spinning.
Ditto, why did the ML’s mother remember her past life as well? Was she cursed? That was never explained. So many loose ends if you pause and think about it. All these are just put into the Too Hard Basket™ and buried in a very deep hole.
In the end, the show is watchable and swoon worthy at times. Taken in parts, it is a decent watch. Alas, as a complete package, it is quite vexing. Fans of the stars can roll with it, but it is a challenge if you are not. With that in mind, I cannot recommend this show wholeheartedly. If you want to watch it, please make sure to put on some industrial strength rose tinted glasses and give your left brain a day off. ;)
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The union of my expectation and reality
This review is going to be different from my usual style. I don’t want to go through and dissect the show point by point because it would be nitpicking. I want a broader approach because the show affects me at a more visceral level.Fundamentally, my overall emotion after completed this show is disappointment. On paper, this show should be one of the biggest hit of 2023. Indeed, the ratings and the online chatters all points to a buzzworthy show. That is to be expected when you start with an award winning script writer who has penned hits like Once Again, Oh My Ghost and Weightlifting Fairy, then add the power coupling of Jeon Do-yeon and Jung Kyung-ho. Throw in a laundry list of veteran support actors and you have one heady mix. This should yield nothing short of perfection. I should be able to just write QED and adjourn to the Union Bar for some (cough) intellectual discords.
However, by the half way mark, I can’t ignore a growing sense of unease and it only intensified as the story unfolds further. What bothers and concerns me is not the acting, which is solid, nor a bad script but it is just so . . . . underwhelming. It lacks that magical quality I'd expect from our writer-nim. To be brutally honest, this is not her best work. Most plots are tropey, the majority of support roles are one dimensional, the murder mystery is hardly suspenseful and why do we even need one? She pushes the button hard on the exam hell suffered by many senior students but she offered little redress. If anything, the ML is a hypocrite because while fully acknowledging how unfair and stressful the CSAT system is, he also makes an obscene amount of money tutoring and basks in his status as a top star teacher.
Similarly, after all the trials and tribulations relating to the exam system, everyone comes up roses. All the young protagonists gets into college courses of their choice. Even the sport jock who failed the exam is now a hardworking lad who won't give up. Hwaiting! It is not exactly a warts and all exposé, is it?
This spills over into the murder mystery. I was really expecting a tight and suspenseful whodunit but it soon becomes clear that the murderer’s identity and even his raison d’etre are fairly obvious. The only people who are fooled by the numerous red herrings are the local police. Of course this leads to some soul searching by the leads but in the end, the punishment fits the crime and we collectively moved on without a backward glance.
This is a recurring issue. While the show decries certain issues, the message is conflicting and diluted. The murderer was tormented and abused but because he committed heinous crimes, he is the one to blame. Everyone else is a victim. Ditto, the helicopter parents who drove their kids to distraction or worse are mostly given hall passes. The Show concludes with scenes of our long-suffering young cohorts being happy, well-adjusted college students enjoying themselves. Is the Show condemning the system or supporting it?
As a piece of entertainment, it is buzz worthy and very watchable and ticked all the boxes. It gets the Monday morning water cooler seal of approval, but I find it wanting. It pains me to have to write this review. It should have been a celebration of a great script and wonderful acting. To be fair, there is an lovely autumn romance with its fair share of swoon worthy moments. The amount of chemistry is up for debate but I digress. There are tensions and high dramas but they are also weakened by some inelegant story telling.
If I had known nothing about the writer and the ensemble actors then I'd be happy to watch it as a decent k-drama with its fair share of foibles but, alas, I do know better. This makes it all the harder to be placated by the last episode which I can only describe as sugar overload. Everyone is gifted with a HEA ending whether they deserved it or not. I, for one, cannot unsee the scene of the pregnant FL's BFF chatting with one of the gang-of-mums about her marriage. I literally groaned out loud.
One final thought. Whomever is the FL’s stylist needs to be locked away in a dank dark dungeon. It takes a herculean effort to dress the FL in the most frumpy anti-fashion way. That, my friend, is THE true crime.
Peace out.
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