The One Day Destruction Entered the Front Door of My House (2021)

It's genre limitations made for wasted potential

Doom at Your Service was a show I watched blindly, without reading anything about it prior to watching besides knowing who it's main characters would be played by. In the beginning, I was instantly hooked by it's characters and the general plot line or "concept" of the story. Unfortunately, due to it's desire to be pandering to the romance which is what this drama decides to be defined by, it eventually lost it's initial spark.

The initial idea that was presented into this drama was my favorite thing about it as a whole. We have the physical manifestation of doom itself, falling in love with a girl who embraces her incoming death, and is faced with many misfortunes, but instead of moaning about it, chooses to embrace it and move on with her life, perhaps a metaphor for how willingly she accepts her "doom." This dynamic was such an interesting concept to me in terms of fantasy Kdramas, instead of the usual mythological being (like a demon, a god, etc) being the main lead. I loved that Doom himself was something created by humans , for humans - he causes balance within the universe simply from existing in various different forms. He's a fluid, abstract being, and Dongkyung, our main lead, is someone that embraces him for all that he is. The contract was such a good hook to the story, too, and kept me wanting more.

So, as you can tell, the other main aspect of the drama that I loved were its characters. Dongkyung was such a well written and realistic main lead - she was headstrong, stood her ground no matter what, and was far from your damsel in distress/clueless FL. Her reactions to things never felt out of character in that way, too. Although she had a soft side that resided in her natural kindness and empathy towards others, and was stubborn when it came to things involving her self worth. This made her a perfect match to Doom, and because of their dynamic, their chemistry was amazing right from the start.

Besides that, this was when I began to feel the drama lacking. Its side story felt like another drama in it's entirety because of how contrasted its plot line was in comparison to the main story. Like, the main story was so dramatic and had dark, metaphorical elements scattered all over it, then the episode would switch to your typical office romance love triangle with some slice of life level angst involved. And while I loved Ji-Na and Joo-Ik as characters, by all means, I just found the emphasis on their love story to be so unneeded? Especially with the bigger underlying problem in the drama? But I suppose fluff is probably needed to keep viewers entertained, in some way...

And speaking of fluff, another thing that was making me lose interest was when they began to usher out all the fantasy elements, or at least sidelined to the point where it felt like it wasn't there at all, and put heavy emphasis on the romance. While the profound love between Dongkyung and Doom was indeed important to show how they both affect each others' lives, I'd have appreciated it if they didn't try so hard for it be some kind of tearjerker, especially towards the end. What is it with fantasy romance dramas and having the ML disappear for some time, have the FL think he's dead and just try to move on with her life, and then have him appear again out of nowhere? The trope is so tiring and predictable when it's obvious you just want the drama to drag on a little longer..like, there are other ways you can provide a good and exhilarating addition to the story without making him die and then come back, you know?

Overall, I feel like Doom at Your Service had so much potential to be an amazing and well written drama if it had a higher budget, per se. It's fantasy elements were so interesting to me lore-wise, but unfortunately, it's classification as a romance could only limit it to Powerpoint Presentation transitions. I loved the characters, but besides the main leads, I couldn't find myself being attached to anyone else on an emotional level. Even the ending itself was wrapped up perfectly with a pretty bow, with no consequences for either of them whatsoever. Seriously.

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Throwback to 2015 em 2021!

É fofinho, mas não passa muito disso. O romance foi muito parecido a outros dramas mais antigos (My Love From Another Star foi logo o primeiro exemplo que me veio à mente). Gostei muito mais do casal secundário do que o principal (o que nem sempre é bom sinal).
O cast é de loucos! Montes de caras já conhecidas, tirando a Shin Dohyun e o Kang Taeoh, e o Dawon (SF9) que me remoeu os miolos ao tentar descobrir de onde o conhecia. Houve alguns erros de produção (um shot com neve quando a rua estava imaculadamente limpa a poucos metros dali) mas as paisagens eram lindissimas.

Props: para o Seo Inguk, filho da p*** gostoso!
Curiosidade: Estava à espera de demorar mais mas encontrei um bom ritmo para ver a maior quantidade possivel de dramas num mês. Vamos ver se é em Novembro que bato o recorde!

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this show was so fun and different!!

when I started this show I literally binged it. I stopped at episode 14 though and it took me months to finish it. I’m not sure why… the story is so interesting. I think they could’ve shortened the show by 2-3 episodes though. the characters were all very interesting and complex.
I had a major case of falling more in love with the second lead couple than the lead couple though. 🙈
I finally went back and finished it and I’m glad I did! this was a great drama!! not sure if it’s something I will rewatch—because I’m not sure if I’ll get the same emotions as before—but it’s definitely a drama worth watching!!

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fantasy e storia d'amore bellissimi!

K-drama fantasy meraviglioso.coppia bellissima e storia davvero avvincente anche se vista e rivista, però colpisce sempre al cuore. una meravigliosa storia d'amore che nasce piano piano anche se segnata dalla incognita del come andrà a finire. senza avere spoiler là si vive con una sensazione di scoprire come andrà a finire ma è bellissimo come la storia si evolve e anche come finisce. attori fantastici e perfetti nella loro interpretazione. nota particolare per le ost che sono da brividi e rimangono tra le migliori mai ascoltate.
Merita assolutamente di essere visto.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama 'Doom at your Service' has an intriguing universe that is not properly explored. The romance too had potential but ended up being boring and slow paced.

The world built was pretty interesting, first of all. The whole doom-god had plenty to give, especially doom's story and character. Unfortunately, the drama left everything on a superficial level. The romance was pretty great too, with a nice combination of two tragic characters finding salvation through each other, and with an all star cast to boot it all. Sadly, that too, ended up being boring, with many predictable twists and lots of cliches. Also, the female lead's character was annoying at times. The side couple, though interesting at first, was a let down as well.

Finally, the cinematography was on point and the performances from everyone in the cast were great and enjoyable.

So, overall, 6 out of 10.

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I MISS BO YOUNG!!!!!

Short review: this drama taught me that I can talk to Bo Young in English and she can respond in Korean. No language barrier for us! Love will be our language <3

Longer review: mostly enjoyable with some really underwhelming elements. The love triangle storyline was unnecessary. Sometimes the details were a bit muddled, but I can overlook the weaknesses to appreciate Park Bo Young's stellar performance. She makes everyone look good, which is why Seo In Guk endeared himself to me. Most importantly, it's a life affirming drama that reminds us to appreciate life in its highs and lows. Might be a tad overdone, but we could always use more slice of life stories that encourage simply living.

I might rewatch this because I miss Bo Young and she really carried this.

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I forgave much of its faults because I loved the central couple

In brief: I enjoyed this drama a lot, it made me care and it made be cry - but this is despite many issues - in short I forgave a lot in this drama (that I’ve not forgiven In others) because it got under my skin and I loved the central characters so much, as well as the wider cast. It never truly delivers on its initial premise or promise - which is a shame as it really had the potential & the right ingredients to be AMAZING. I would still absolutely recommend watching it to form your own views (but I do get the many who have negative opinions on it)

Spoilers ahead -
Things I liked

- The central couple - I love the chemistry between #seoinguk and #parkboyoung - I thought it was crackly and hot - even their handholding would make my heart leap. I really cared and was rooting for them, wanted to watch them fall in love and then get heartbroken and then hopefully get their Happy Ever After
- the premise - sometimes fantasy premises can be confusing, the rules of the world they make opaque but the set up of this premise, the contract they had and the conflict it gave to their predicament was clear & promised to give us the melodrama this drama suggested it had in buckets
- the characters. Tak Dong Gyung is a really relatable heroine. Her backstory and how she came to be someone who masked her real emotions and the different but understandable way she reacts to her predicament - she’s strong & independent and funny - and played by the ever lovable #ParkBoYoung with humour and vulnerability
- Doom is a great fantasy hero, all cynical & arrogant and so ready to be brought to his knees by love. Played with cool, sexy confidence by #seoinguk - I was so ready to fall in love with this hero!
- the character set up of the second leads - writer Na Ji-Na and team leader Cha Joo-Ik - I warmed to and was rooting for them to have a great story
- the OST - the tracks are great and one of them is sung beautifully by #seoinguk
- the ending! So many KDramas don’t land the ending and whilst this drama didn’t knock it out of the park, I didn’t wail over it being ruined
- the black moment before the finale when they’re apart really tore at my heart. When she wakes and thinks he’s there in his lush house reading his book and he gazes at her with such love in his eyes and then… she wakes. Heartbreak!

Things I didn’t love.
- mainly the writing. This is the main thing that stops this drama being great rather than just good. The plot is all over the place. I hated the reset episodes where it felt like we got the same content over again - just to make the point that they were fated. I loved seeing badass cynical Doom again but this could have been a super quick montage. The characters say odd things, the script doesn’t flow.
- the second leads. They are so badly served by both the writing and their storyline. I really was rooting for them. I loved Lee Soo Hyun and his deep voice and ability to carry off a white flare. But ugh. This managed to be simultaneously underpowered as a storyline whilst also taking up a lot of screen time. Just didn’t get why they even liked each other, let alone why this was some huge tragic love triangle.
- development of central couple - much as I loved them - felt patchy. They fell for each other quickly, too quickly for me and when they did get back together felt curiously flat and not passionate enough. It was good but wanted MORE
- the goddess was a wasted opportunity for an interesting character in her own right. Instead she was a method to get plot points.

Ultimately I liked this drama a lot more than it probably deserved when broken down into its individual parts and this was down to a fantastic cast, a central couple I rooted for and loved (despite what happened to them 🙄), their chemistry, Seo In Guk’s portrayal of Doom (sigh) and a great OST

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What color is his hair?!

Honestly, that is the question that kept going through my mind the whole time I was watching the show. I thought it was a trick of the light at times, and other times it definitely looked like Doom's hair had changed color more than once. Sometimes it looked a mossy green, other times it looked a dark blue, and then would change to an almost black underneath with silver or gray mixed in. I suppose it helps emphasize his non-humanness, but I kept getting distracted by it every time I saw it.

Anyway, on to the actual review.
I'll be honest, a little over half way through the series, I took a break from it and then came back to finish it today and I tried to figure out why I needed to do that. Was I having burnout from all the dramas I've been watching? Possibly, but after coming back to it, I realized I was dragging myself to finish because I told myself I was going to watch something else after I did this one first. I think that says a lot.

I want to echo some things I read in other reviews, whereas this series has everything it should: great cast, good story, nice visuals,but a great soundtrack, but it still felt a bit flat. The cast were superb! I loved every one of them, and a special shout out to the guy that played Uncle Kevin, because he is the only foreign actor I have seen in a kdrama that isn't cringy and stiff in both his lines and acting.

I think the biggest problem with the series is the story. The premise is good and the beginning is intriguing, but where it comes up short is in the writing toward the middle to the end. The moments with the characters are good, but the rules about their situation seem unclear at times. Also, I thought the ending was very abrupt, but that's just me.

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Service: Four out of Five Stars

Nothing like a genuine wish to destroy the world to kick start an epic romance between the embodiment of doom and a writing editor. One of the series' strong suits is the romantic/domestic bantering between Dong Kyung and Sa Ram, and also the funny work/life bantering between Dong Kyung and Joo Ik. Her relationship with everyone in her life, from Sa Ram, to her family, friends, and colleagues are nice too. The set design where Dong Kyung cozy apartment splits a wall with Sa Ram's cave vibes mansion is pretty cool.

There are a couple scenes that really stood out to me. One is when Dong Kyung wants to get the last bag in stock for her aunt and tells the other customer and the cashier that she only has a few months to live so they let her have it. She does it in a way that sounds like she's using a trick, but it's true. It's like a morbid imposter syndrome. The other scene is when Dong Kyung steps up to block a stab to Sa Ram just by instinct of wanting to protect him from pain, because even if he won't die, he'll still bleed. That's so swoony of Dong Kyung. The amnesia section was pretty well done. They inevitably meet again and I like how the drama plays with the similarity and differences from their initial meeting to now.

Even though he brought doom to the world, he always cared about humans even before he fell in love with one, doing little things like avenging victims by torturing their murderers. When he embraces his own destruction over the end of everything Dong Kyung loves, it's heart wrenching and impactful in the quiet way that he fades away. It's lovely that he became a doctor for real after cosplaying one for so long. I do like how the final episode is spent bringing everyone together and letting Sa Ram settle into his new human life. It's good he has a creator who can set everything all nice for him. He keeps his mansion, car, and is a doctor though he really needs to work for it as emergency services is really demanding. The running gag of him being a ghost doctor and people seeing him in different visages is pretty funny too. He gets to finally end the handsome ghost doctor hauntings by being a real handsome doctor.

The weakest part of the story is how it bisects into two different dramas, like a whole spin off within the same show. It's the same characters, but there wasn't anything about the journey of that second story the reflected or related to the main one. I would rather the screen time have been used to expand more of Sa Ram's psychology, experiences, and worldviews and also once he's become human. They could have even gotten to Sa Ram and Dong Kyung's marriage and Dong Kyung's budding career as a writer instead of the siphoning to screentime off so drastically. I did like Joo Ik and Hyun Gyu brotherly relationship, their genuine rapport with each other. Joo Ik is pretty shady for kissing his bro's girlfriend or at the very least someone he's in a complicated relationship status with at the time and also deserved to be slapped by her for doing so without consent.

The supporting characters are otherwise pretty well used when they aren't in that whole separate storyline. Dong Kyung's new uncle Kevin immediately already loves his new niece and nephew, and nephew in law. He's an English speaking character that's actually played by a actor that really acts rather than some random person that can speak English that kdramas used to hire, so that's already very nice. I was concerned for a while there since Kevin was only speaking in English and everyone else was only speaking Korean to him how he was actually communicating with his wife, but Kevin actually speaks some Korean. You go Kevin. The show should have had him have an actual conversation with his wife at some point to show their connection and to show why he's so excited to have more family.

Overall it's a nice parable about choosing to live while enjoying both the little and the big things in life, to appreciate the people in your life in this very moment. To not give up and to keep trying.

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True Love

My favorite k-drama for sure.

From the meaning of every words, to the true love in every single universe. They found each other again even after forgetting them. The true feelings coming out in front of someone destined to die. That's true love.

I was at first a bit skeptical in front of love between a human and an immortal, but the end for sure eased me.

All those parallels made me laugh a lot, their love and care made me melt and healed me, while their hardships made me cry. But overall my heart is at peace. Even if he didn't became human and came back, I would still be at peace because they love each other and they will forever watch over the other.

The support couple is whaou, they are both so beautiful to begin with (just like every single characters in this serie) and I'm glad that they opened up and communicate a bit more every time.

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