Well-acted but the plot is lackluster, really.

Cheon Sang Hyeok (Jang Dong Yoon) is a cupid living his 28th reincarnation to repair his wings, which were burned 500 years ago. In this life, he acts as a matchmaker for humans. Oh Baek Ryeon (Nana) is a veterinarian, whom despite of her charms, seems to be unlucky in love. Anyone who starts dating her always has a near-death experience and so they run away from her. Will there be love for them?

This fantasy-mystery-romance drama has a lot of plotlines going on: from mythical creature, reincarnation, past-lives connection, murder mystery. At first, I was excited to see how it all played out together, so I keep looking forward to new episodes. Sadly, it is not cohesive. The crime and past-live connection mystery are long-winded. Plus they add boring and irrelevant characters that are not adding much value to the story; too many things going on already! Frankly, I can't stand the other cupids as well as the love triangle. I also dreaded every time pets become victims, it's painful.

The only thing that keep me around to watch until the end is our lead couple! I find their chemistry is great! Even when I am already bored and annoyed with the chaotic plot, I want to watch for the reveals. The ending is repetitive and boring, I wasn't impressed, it has been done too many times before.

-Jan 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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"It's time for you to stop playing hard to get" -Jang Hyun

My Dearest is about a noblewoman who is separated from a mysterious traveler upon the Qing invasion.

The pacing is great and I like that the external conflict is quickly set-up, along with Jang Hyun mysterious background. The fact that he’s a stranger coming to a new place is intriguing. The most enjoyable part in the series was the invasion, especially the one in ep 4. Regarding Gil Chae’s character, I’m a bit lukewarm to her as she’s a bit wild and too proud of herself.

Production-wise, it is stunning! Seeing as it is a miniseries, it doesn't have to worry about stretching its budget so every single shot looks like a movie. There are a lot of breathtaking scenery, everything is so wonderful. The use of color was both very artistic and engaging.

But to be honest, I was a bit struggling as I don't fall in love with the main plot which is the romance T.T
I enjoy the couple when they're together, but I was not enjoying their constant push and pull. So in most episodes I couldn't feel the emotional engagement of their scenes. Since the closure doesn't feel very "ending" as it is a two-part show, I'm curious on how the story goes; more on Jang Hyun’s story and I am anticipating for on point romance beyond all these emotional sufferings.

(SPOILER part) I think both of them need to be more honest. Gil Chae keeps in denial and does not confess her thoughts to Jang Hyun, while desperately crying for him when he's not around. However, I understand her hesitation because Jang Hyun chooses not to marry, so I agree with her final decision. Even though Jang Hyun finally shows his true feelings too, he still chooses to consistently leave, without enough explanations and believable promises.

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Those healing and slow burn need more actions to keep me engaged.

Following her father’s death, Woo Joo and her siblings had to move out of their house when her father’s mistress kicked them out. Woo Joo wants revenge, so she starts working in the company owned by Dong Jin, who is the son of this mistress. However, she becomes conflicted when she starts falling in love with Dong Jin.

The first mention is this unique pinkish hue of all present-day scenes, that I'm very fond of; It’s got an artsy feel. Also, I love the sound design which emphasizing ASMR like footsteps or the crinkle of a plastic bag, and when the music plays, it's like a breath of fresh air from the heavy silence.

Another pro is the acting from the two leads. They're pretty much the main characters you'll connect with and it’s easy to root for. The siblings interaction is very real; They don't seem to be that close at first, yet they show a lot of care for one another. They might not be overly bonding, but at the end of the day, they love and care one another whenever they need it.
Now, the pacing is too slow for me. Every scene felt like it went on forever, I kept thinking, 'Is it just a minute?' It is not a good binge; I binged it in three days and felt a bit robbed. I keep watching it because it’s a promising story with a fresh twist.

Sadly, the later part of the story was disappointing: there’s a time jump and it just got much less interesting. I just couldn't get past the unchanged behavior of the leads after all their time spend together, their interactions don’t feel natural anymore. If the writers would have kept the good tension and realistic vibe they had from episode 1-7, It could have been one of the best and most touching stories in a long time then. So it didn't live up to my high expectations, but it is still a beautiful story about healing and finding solace in others.

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Full of feel-good vibe. Not my fave story, but Kohei & Taichi friendship was delightful & memorable.

Due to his hearing impairment, Sugihara Kohei (Nakazawa Motoki) has a hard time socializing at school. One day. he meets an outspoken and direct Sagawa Taichi (Kobayashi Toranosuke), who’s enthusiastic about food. Taichi offers to help Kohei with notetaking as an exchange for lunchboxes. As they grow closer, their friendship unfolds their personal growth and aspirations.

It's refreshing to see more disabled characters as leads in dramas lately... although for me, the highlight is Taichi, the cheerful and confident foodie! :) His gesture and personality is like sunshine. To some people he maybe too loud at times, but I love how direct and sincere he is to Kohei. Kohei who is a guarded and reserved person finds comfort within Taichi’s loudness. Them together make a balanced bond, which to me not really romantic, but heartwarming and supportive. They encourage each other out of their comfort zones in a positive way

I do have qualms on the storyline, especially on the second half. There are some twists from the characters around Taichi and Kohei that come off as stereotypical and frustrated me. In those parts, I just want to fast forward. I'm glad that they were resolved eventually, so it's not affecting my impression on this drama too negatively.

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great story, great lessons and great acting!

A genius profiler Lee Hyun (Seo In Guk) returns to South Korea after an anonymous email about a criminal case triggers memories of his childhood trauma. One of his team members, Detective Cha Ji An (Jang Nara) has “stalked” him since childhood and is suspicious of him as her life was also turned upside down by the same criminal. As they investigate the case, they realize that the truth is not far from the unresolved mysteries of their past.

This drama is a good combination if you want a crime drama shrouded with intriguing mysteries around genius characters, without a lot of stress. It was suspenseful at times, but the romance and quirky sound effects lightens the mood. Personally, I did not like the music, but it's not a big deal as I'm invested already. The storytelling was great, as in character's backstories were established well, without revealing too much and as the story goes, it fleshes out the complexity of each character. The twists was paced equally, keeping the momentum alive to the end.

Beyond the crime-thriller aspect, I love how it covers friendships, family love and such a heartwarming brotherhood. The other highlight is Park Bo Gum's character, I've only seen him in romantic roles, and here he was very complex and his expressiveness was outstanding! Seo In Guk and Jang Nara were great too, good chemistry and good teamwork. all in all, great story and acting. Another one I recommend!

- Yovita, Mar 2024
I'm on instagram: @kdramajudge

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Despite not being a genre I'm gravitating towards, it's well-done!

Stranger / Secret Forest follows Hwang Shi Mok (Jo Seung Woo), a brilliant prosecutor who has lost the ability to empathize with others due to a surgery he had as a child and he teams up with a female police officer Han Yeo Jin (Bae Doo Na) as they investigate a seemingly simple robbery turned murder, amid political corruption.

I don't gravitate towards political or corruption, things that seem to be really relevant to the show so I was apprehensive, but the show did a very good job at presenting you all of the puzzle pieces involving different characters. No one and nothing was being purposely left out to divert or keep me confused. I have to say that although it's engaging in the moment of watching, I don't feel any intrigue/addiction for the next episodes, maybe because my own tastes don't really line up with this genre.

What I want to highlight is how well the story was presented. I was surprised because of the synopsis about a prosecutor who lacks empathy would focus on human emotion and behavior. The cameras shot close-up to characters faces, to show all of the micro expressions. For a role that is supposed to be cold and emotionless, Seung Woo's acting is captivating. While his face remains blank at most times, there are slight nuances in his expression that highlight the emotional development. Then the two actresses I was happy to see here were Bae Doo Na and Shin Hae Sun. The acting of the entire cast is top-notch! I loved the Stranger Overture OST (my favorite aspect of this show, really), the cool blue tones for the color grading. I think it matches with our analytical male lead. Also loved how they showed the prosecutor's office as bleak narrow hallways. All in all, the execution is well-done!

Mar 2024
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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wow, it's all good!

At 39, a salary-man Nozue (Takeda Kouhei) is dreading his stagnant daily routine - sleep, wake, work, repeat. Knowing about his frustration, his friend / subordinate, Togawa (Kimura Tatsunari) encourages him to try something different: pretending to be a pair of young girls together and eating at dessert parlours, as an anti-aging remedy. As they play along, Togawa calls out Nozue about his insecurities and keeps hanging out with him. With more time spent together, could love be what's next?

What a delightful office romance! Both Nozue and Togawa are equally charming. Glad that they use the senpai-kouhai hierarchy appropriately. Their intentional flirting and fun talks felt fresh and gave me all the butterflies. Beyond a cute sweet romance, Nozue's attitude towards Togawa adds a slight angst too. While genuinely wishing for Togawa to find more joy in life, Nozue also subtly chases him, leading to exciting possibilities for them. Shout-out to their scene at the end of episode 4! It was one of the most poignant and raw moments I've seen that got me on a chokehold.

The writing is smart, with spot-on comedy that highlights their personalities, character and confidence! Although the scenes are not spicy, the dialogues are SPICY! This also include their jokes and small gestures, that I immediately re-watched it to cherish the moments, I love them all! Acting is so natural and I hope to see more of their work. Also nice performance of all the supporting cast; Those girls at their office were a lovely bunch of fujoshis, blushing over these two men. ^-^ Lastly, I love it when Togawa said "I realized that you don't have to be young or a girl to have fun." There are many more great lines, though... You can go watch it to experience for yourself. :)

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Surprisingly hilarious and wholesome!

Upon attending their therapy sessions, an ex-police officer, Noh Hwi Oh (Jung Woo), who lost his job when he couldn't control his anger, met a woman, Lee Min Kyung (Oh Yeon Soo) and become straight-up enemies. Min Kyung has an anxiety disorder and has lost faith in people due to an incident in her past. As they keep crossing paths, will these two fiery hearts help heal each other?

Bada boom bada bam! Comedy in your face, again, again, again! Yes, this is how I felt watching this show. I get immediately suck in to the leads from the start, seeing the hot-headed Hwi Oh clashes with Min Kyung, both of them are crazy! They are literally fire and gasoline. Their hijinks are hilarious, super slap-sticks! Even with some cringy potty humor, I’m pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable this drama is.

Though short, it handles sensitive topics of mental health and trauma so well. It didn’t feel depressing, but we get to see raw and vulnerable moments of our leads. Characters development is very organic that they touch my heart. Of course, I love their wholesome romance. They had a quite sexy intimate moment too, which felt so organic and earned. The only nitpick is the chaos in the finale, that is not my fave part, but it is a very fun short watch. I would recommend it.

-Feb 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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A decent watch but not my type of genre

The story deals with our leads’ personal problems within the paradigm of social norm. The ‘conflict’ of this show surprised me as I had no idea that getting a divorce or dating someone with a child is such a taboo in Korean culture as it's not negative in my reality...  

What I like most are the authentic cinematography and the well-written dialogues among the characters. The romance is very calm, lovely and honest. Despite the lack of spicy passion, Jung Hae In and Han Ji Min create a harmonious and good chemistry. I also enjoyed the bond and communication among the three sisters; Their arcs feel organic. The ending is done in a proper way.

Confession, there are times that I got so bored due to how slow and mellow this story is. I also struggled to finish it because "No Direction" plays on repeat. The OST is good but extremely overused that it gets tiresome. I would appreciate a little more variety or less repetition.

-Jan 2024, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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We can never fully understand another person but trying is what makes us human.

A high school couple, Sakura and Aoba, shared an interest in music. One day, he breaks up with her without explanation. Years later, Aoba spots Sakura, she approaches him and gets really surprised by his loss of hearing. So she starts learning sign language in an effort to understand him and their past.

What a poignant and gentle slice-of-life story with a lot of attention to detail, giving it a very personal feel. The story has a very important message regarding the isolation in communication, or the feeling of being alone when you're together in a group but can't really say your thoughts. I resonate very much on this issue because it happens to me at times too.

Different than what I'm used to experience in other dramas, they only put subtitle when they’re communicating with sign language, so we don't hear their inner monologues... and I like it this way; It helps me to really pay attention and connecting with the characters. Their interactions are beautifully portrayed by the actors, with a not-frustrating love triangle. Yes, there's a love triangle but they're all very decent and respectful people. They're all just trying to be understood and connecting in their own ways. While many episodes are shrouded with sadness and slight angst, in my opinion it has an appropriate and heartfelt ending.

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Everything you need to swoon, cry, laugh, and appreciate a story

Cha Joo Hyuk (Ji Sung) was unhappy with how his wife, Woo Jin (Han Ji Min), has become after years of marriage. One day he gets a chance to go back in time to redefine his whole life, which affects everyone he has known and loved. How is he now with this new life?

Familiar Wife isn't a show with a complicated plot or high stakes — it’s character-driven, and the characters were the best part of this drama. At first, Joo Hyuk might not appear as an appealing person because the choice he made was solely for his own happiness. But watching him navigating this new life, his character grew so much. He made selfless decisions, which was heartbreaking and heartwarming altogether. Woo Jin, too, wasn't perfect, but both of them for learned that it’s choice, and not fate, that makes a marriage work.

There was so much comedy here, like Woo Jin spunky, love to crack dad jokes with the guys. Everyone has a fresh fun chemistry, the quirky gang of misfits, the bank team. I like the ups and downs of Joo Hyuk & Jong Hoo's friendship. A nod to Ji Sung's acting, he always got me with his genuine emotional scenes. Overall, I enjoyed Familiar Wife. It has everything to make you swoon, cry, laugh, and appreciate a good storyline.

Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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Lacks a cohesive plot and a consistent tone, but nice to watch for action, visuals and characters.

A nine-tailed fox, Lee Yeon, (Lee Dong Wook), strives to protect humans from supernatural threats while searching for the reincarnation of his lost love. When he crosses paths with a PD (Jo Bo Ah) who looks the same as his first love, he gets lovestruck with her, but also confused with her real identity.

Going into this drama, I was surprised by the horror element. There are numerous scenes when I genuinely felt creeped out… that I took a break watching and complete it because season 2 was announced. Apparently, the two seasons are separate stories, so it wasn’t necessary to complete it, but anyway, I’m glad to have watched it as there are many enjoyable elements from this drama.

First, the characters are exciting and well-written. Ji Ah being knowledgeable on Korean folklore and her grit make her to be on equal footing with the immortals around her, which is rare to see in fantasy dramas. Lee Yeon is the perfect balance of sass and arrogance and playfulness. Lee Dong Wook played him so genuinely that he disappears into a playful, arrogant fox. I like Lee Rang and his sinister quirks, but I feel his backstory gets overshadowed by too many happenings in the story.
Which brings me to what I think are lacking from TONT1, is a cohesive plot & a consistent tone. There are many unfinished subplots and whiplashing scenes that it’s hard to get into the vibe. Regardless, it’s nice to watch for action, visuals and characters.

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Worth watching for the beyond magnetic chemistry.

An intense melodrama of a rich man falling in love with an innocent woman, imprisoned for her boyfriend's hit-and-run murder. This is the plot of the drama. Seems like a straightforward plot?

The incident involving the two leads made their love very unlikely, and it set up my curiosity to see if they can pull it off or it will be ridiculous. Well, they did pull it off, believe me! The writers took a somewhat weak idea, and crafted something definitely worth watching. They showed that love can come from hate very naturally. Congrats.?

Pacing-wise, it was boring in the first 8 eps, better when the leads are together, and the last episode was F-L-A-W-L-E-S-S! It rewards my patience with amazing plot twists and shocking reveals. The romance feels normal, it feels right to see hate turns to doubts, doubts if she is actually guilty, and why he started caring and loving her.

Subjectively, this is not a type of genre I enjoy. I’d hate this story if it wasn’t for the couple. I think they overdramatized the female lead, they put her into too much messy situations, and the male lead is your rich-naughty man archetype; He's that toxic male lead in kdrama world that I never approve to exists.

The main reason I kept watching is the acting; Hwang Jung Eum pulls all my heartstrings. I felt every scream, every cry, even when she was smiling, I felt her pain behind that smile. Ji Sung, as you might already know…? He’s my #1 ? Although he's great, his role here is not my favorite compared to others where he’s in the spotlight. But him with Jung Eum shared a shivering chemistry! Special mention to Bae Su Bin, for he delivers! I hated him passionately!

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TL;DR: Doom at my verdict, but completed out of goodwill towards the actors.

What captivated me was the unique concept of personifying life and death. Seo In Guk's portrayal of the attractive and mysterious Doom, and Park Bo Young who (starts off) as the unexpected Dong Kyung, she appears brave and considerate and clever. The world-building is visually stunning, and what I like most is the way it is illustrating the beauty of everyday scenes like leaves falling or flowers blooming. One of the OST is a stand-out "Breaking Down."

I also appreciate the lead’s character development, seeing Doom realizes the purpose of life through love, and seeing Dong Kyung starts to express emotions and talking to someone about them, realizing that problems can be solved together. Sadly, their chemistry seemed to suffer by the end, along with the overall storyline. While they could've done amazing things with all kinds of exciting plot twists and such, the climatic reveal occurred too early, and then it lost momentum till the end, and the show never recovers from this slump. The couple was being too emotional on ruminating in the name of love and it just bored me so much. I also don't think the love triangle brings anything useful to the story. I have more things I don’t enjoy about it but I don’t need to talk bad about it further… I think there's enough negative reviews for this one.

-Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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