So did the writers never realize that in the second half of the show they are doing exactly what they were making fun of? So let's begin shall we:

1) Love Triangles, where it is painfully obvious who the main lead is - check
2) FL crying because she will die soon and be separated from her Love Interest- check
3) "Extra" characters with rubbish plotlines - check

So let's begin with why I loved the show. I was about to give this show a 7.5 overall score, but the show was so addictive and intriguing at the beginning that I ended up binging and completing it within 2 days, that too on a working Wednesday. The show has a lot of amazing things to boast about, the music, the screenplay, the acting, etc.

Right at the beginning, we are introduced to a very interesting concept, where we find that our FL is an extra in someone else's novel. What I loved about the show initially, how the characters were self-aware of the romantic tropes and cliches often found in such types of novels. My favorite part of the show was obviously the parody of Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flower/Meteor Garden. As someone who has literally seen almost all the versions of that material, it was hilarious to me to see the subversion of the many plotlines of that story. I mean my favorite were the self-aware Do Hwa and Ju-Da. I mean lovers of the Korean BOF will know how strong the second lead syndrome was, even though I preferred the original pairing.

Another thing I loved about the show's premise initially was the existential questions about fate and destiny and choosing to change fate. It also played with the narratives about what if the writer wants two characters to be together, but the characters themselves are not into it. Like how many readers or viewers ship the second lead with the main girl.

So episodes 1- 10 are golden, and I might even rewatch them. But by God, the second half is so draggy, cheesy, and repetitive as mentioned by so many reviewers that it breaks my heart of what could have been the potential. I binged till the end because I waited for many of my answers to be resolved. If we are doing world-building, I don't care about the romantic plot as much as I care for answers for the world. Ok, let's take an example of Goblin episode 12, where it gives the biggest plot twist of the show. Or Sword Art Online 1st season. I wanted something like that to happen to understand why it is happening the way it is happening. But alas it never came as it was never the point. The show in fact made me indifferent to the characters as I realized that they would always be stuck in this never-ending cycle of rinse and repeat. All these things really made me frustrated because there was never a proper resolution at least to me.

The FL actress Kim Hye Yoon was there in Sky Castle as well and her acting was very well suited to the character she played on that show. While I agree she is a good actress, she did the same variation here which made her character really annoying especially in the second half where she is trying to be aegyo. Rowoon really made me swoon with his innocent characterization, it really suited him. Lee Jae Wook as Beak Kyung really stood out to be and in fact, I was rooting for him far more than the main couple sometimes (till obviously he tried to kill the FL in the 14th episode but doesn't because why not).

Overall, I just wished I had more closure which makes me really angry, but overall I really enjoyed the concept.