This was a really strong series. The acting was some of the best I’ve seen in a k-drama. The blend of emotional, comedic and dramatic scenes were balanced really well. This balanced tone is often difficult to achieve or sustain in a drama but it’s done to a high quality here. The presentation of mental health, therapy and recovery were explored in a heartfelt and accessible way. I also liked the dark fantasy/supernatural fairytale element to it. The illustrations and narrative metaphors were woven quite expertly throughout. I don’t often comment on cinematography but not only was this shot beautifully (lighting, camera angles etc), but the artistic vision of the director shone through. I noticed whenever a character was in a solitary shot, it’s juxtaposed with the wider background/atmosphere which not only helps to create the feeling of loneliness but it also allows the story to breathe. In the close up shots, the use of the wider lens allows it to feel intimate without feeling claustrophobic.

The twist…because it was somewhat revealed in episode 4, I didn’t realise they were trying to hide it from the audience or have it be a twist until episode 13. I spent the majority of the series knowing who it was. This affected how I followed the story (in a good way) as I interpreted the actions in real time how they were meant to be interpreted later on after the reveal.