1st half: So realistic, it makes you queasy — 2nd half: so clichéd, it makes you yawn (loudly)

This series is definitely for a more mature audience, now I get the 19+ rating. It's not your typical fluffy rom-com with a lighthearted tone, sweet more caricatural than real characters and heart fluttering moments.

Well, this series does make your heart flutter, but for other reasons, namely, a) the sexual tension between the leads and b) the anxiety and unease that comes along with it. It initially is a realistic depiction of what dating nowadays looks like, of trust issues, fear of commitment, the struggle to really open up and the stress when you can't read your crushes' mind and intentions. When to call yourselves exclusive? Is there even such a thing? Nowadays, is there really the option of falling in love and staying in a monogamous relationship when there might always be 'a better option' out there? You might be one swipe away from an exciting rendezvous, the acknowledgement you lack from your partner, the distraction and escape you need (from yourself). The earlier episodes of the show really makes you ponder on all these things.

Also, you can really see that women are working on this show as they've captured the essence of what concerns and bothers women (in their twenties) so well. Be it the excitement, obsession and fear of rejection when having a huge crush on someone, the dejection when you try hard at university or work and are still left-behind, the urge to fit in and still feel disconnected with everyone. Really well-done.
The cinematography, pace, dialogues and background score also enhance the emotions and mood to a great extent.

As for the romance, the main theme of the plot, I think a lot of people might actually drop this series, because the story seems so relatable and doomed to be painful, too relatable even, for those who have experienced something similar and just can't cope with it anymore. And even if you might not agree with all of the female lead's actions and at times find her annoying and irritatingly irrational, she is still absolutely relatable, as you can literally grasp the train of thoughts that leads to these actions and decisions of hers. I further believe we've all either been in such a situation, were tempted enough or 'have this one friend' to/who despite seeing the red flags can't help overlooking them, knowing this might eventually crush us/them. Cudos to the cast for making our anxieties come alive.

Sadly, the earlier episode are by far better than the latter ones. At some point the story starts to feel repetitive and drained; there is no real progress and the authenticity and originality up until then slowly but gradually devolves into a clichéd run-on-the-mill romance, —outdated even — in which the heroine is (seemingly) stuck b/w two boys; although her final choice is blatantly obvious. Curious if there'll be an unexpected turn in the end. Also, there were some personal issues with an actor, wherefore his screen time was reduced drastically; reasonable, but unfortunately it took a toll on the quality of the drama.

All in all, this show had great potential — until the makers felt obliged to follow the 101 k-drama formula. Watchable only for the chemistry of the leads and the side stories, even though the ending is unfit imo and Song Kang's lack of emotions (blame the character) even make his pretty face boring.
And I urge you all to listen to the soundtrack, even if you don't want to watch the show: so fresh and SO good!

*EDIT*
If you've already seen the show (or do not plan on watching it) and would like to know why I felt the ending wasn't really fitting, see the comment section below this review. It's marked as a spoiler.

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Pleasant, but not impressive

PROS:
- strong start
- adorable leads, great chemistry & emotion
- beautiful music
- Shin Hye-Sun's outfits and appearance
- ballet scenes
- acting overall

CONS:
- weak second half (except for last two eps)
- flat (two-dimensional) side characters
- predictable ending
- nonprogressive storyline
- too many back and forth scenes

It was an okay drama, I liked it mainly for the leads' chemistry and especially Shin Hye-Sun's screen presence. L as Dan was surprisingly cute. However, somewhere around the second half I felt like the story wasn't really moving forward. The focus had shifted from the female lead's path and ballet to...yeah, well that's the question. The ending was nice, but couldn't compensate for the lacking second half.

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Sometimes average is just perfect

The first episodes were dull, show gained momentum in the second half and the episodes kept getting better.

A great plus is the stars-packed cast and the relationship between the characters. Even though the characters seem one-dimensional first, comparing their actions and overall appearance in the beginning to the end of the series clearly show character development.

Also, I just realised, I like how the depiction of character was evenly balanced out between male and female characters, if that makes any sense. Normally with K-dramas (not always of course), especially thrillers, I feel like male protagonists end up with more screen time, more depth in character and therefore are more likeable, while the female ones at some point are just annoying and dull, whereas here, for once, each character (except for the obvious villains) was likeable and the female characters were as top-notch and well-written as the male ones.

That hot shot of a professor, who seemed to be a knock-off of Annelise from HTGAWM was hard to bear in the earlier episodes but, I don't know how and when this happened, you end up liking him, even looking forward to his badass scenes.

The story itself wasn't that intriguing, but somehow still managed to pique your interest and make you look forward to the next episodes. The background score - actually just one song - was fitting and had a catchy tune like "We All Lie " from SKY Castle.

Even though romance is not part of this drama the scenes between Kim Bum and Ryu Hye Young were too cute - more chemistry than in some dramas tagged as romance. However, this was more high-key low-key in earlier episodes.

Also, I like how the show elaborates on shortcomings in the law. Especially a case in the beginning of the second half accentuated this. The 'law school' itself was not the main focus of the show, but the little insight into the lectures, study groups, mock trials and the overall struggle of (law) students with exam preparations, pressure to do well at school and fear of failing was captured well.

The show is not perfect and not even close to an outstanding thriller, it's pretty average, and that somehow works in favour of this show. It was something I would look forward to each week, but not like "dying" to watch, nothing too captivating, stressing and frustrating (like Mouse), but at the same time nothing where after a while you just can't be bothered with the revealing of the truth (like Beyond Evil, sorry) - just a decent thriller with a solid pace and surprising revealings which are not mind-blowing and yet, satisfying.

Also, this drama has definitely potential for a second season!

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Good one-time-watch

Recalled is a decent psychological thriller. Nothing too extraordinary, but slightly better than the average thriller.

With no further prelude or introductory elements the viewer is pulled right into the story, seeing things through the eyes of the main character Soo-Jin (Seo Yea Ji) , who has lost her memory due to an accident and struggles to distinguish between reality and illusion, going to the extent that at some point she even starts to suspect her husband.

The actual "mystery" is pretty predictable, but seeing things through Soo-Jin's eyes and witnessing her emotions, her horror and fright uncovering things actually made the plot interesting, far from gripping or engaging but enough to keep one invested. Seo Yea Ji once again proves her versatility as an actress and her capability to convey conflicted emotions to the viewer with ease. Kim Kang-Woo got some bigger parts in the second half and the chemistry of this on-screen-couple was also surprisingly pleasant. The rest of the cast had some minor roles and were frankly, quite forgettable.

The last 30 minutes or so were quite surprising, leading to a switch in genre and making this movie stand out from other psychological thrillers of this kind. While the rest of the movie, plot- wise felt more like a 6.5- 7 rating, the later parts turned it into a 8 for me.

So is it worth watching? Yes, if you are up for a decent thriller, do not expect too much from it and have spare time, go for it. And especially yes, if you like Seo Yea Ji's acting and her unconventional choice in scripts.

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This was one heartwarming drama. As an avid reader and bookstore/publishing house - lover (really anything that deals with books), I just had to watch this show. Sure, the romantic story of the main couple is nothing new – a “noona-I-love-you-notice-me”-themed script which seems to be quite in vogue again recently (Something in the Rain, Encounter...), but what makes this show so enjoyable and unique is the way it is depicted.
Be it the plot, the characters, the setting (the lovely office, the neighborhood Song Hae Ri always finds herself ending up in), the costumes, an environment consisting of BOOKs, the little poem-like monologues at the end of each episode - everything perfectly and moreover, naturally fits into the story.

The plot itself is coherent and well rounded: no lack of logic, no unanswered questions, no rushed ending – everything is well scripted and accurate in every detail. Even though it is not an overly exciting or suspenseful story, with its clear path and the way the story unfolds RIABB holds the viewer's interest until the end.

The characters and their relationships boost the story and make this drama an enjoyable ride. Even though we have a clear main couple with star actor Lee Jong Suk, it is the whole cast which shines. Each and every character gets his/her fair amount of screen time and we witness the character grow as the story progresses. Be it the feisty Song Hae Ri, boy-next-door (literally) Seo Joon, stone-faced yet soft-hearted Yoo Sun, the bubbliest couple Ji Yool and Hoon and others..all of these characters are so endearing and relatable and their working and personal relationships as well as their worries and struggles just make us want to be a part of this precious Gyeoro-family.

I have seen complaints about the female lead – since she does not measure up to Prince Charming Lee Jong Suk, but I feel she is quite charming in her own way. She seems authentic in her role. I really like her character and I also think that the mains have a great chemistry – it is sweet and in some way innocent, you can clearly see the intimacy and understanding of each other only a friendship of decades can create – so kudos to the lead actors for portraying and conveying it so well.

And last but not least an appreciating paragraph for releasing a drama that deals with books and a publishing house (THANK YOU, any other recommendation?) I did watch 'Chicago Typewriters' where the lead is neither foreign to books since he is an author and I liked it for other reasons, but RIAAB really makes you appreciate books and each and everyone who works on writing, editing, publishing and selling a book. All you booklovers out there, this drama is for you – non-readers, watch this show and fall in love with actual printed books.

'Romance is a new book' is one of those rare shows which leaves you with a smile and inner warmth an the end of each episode. It is a show you can watch on rainy days or times you feel depressed but also at the beginning of springtime. It is a light hearted, sweet drama. RIAAB – the moon really is beautiful (watch the show to get the meaning!!)

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Swoon marathon - wholesome it its simplicity; deficient in its variety.

First off, the earlier episodes are much better than the rest of the show. Up to the seventh episode I was certain that this show might pocket all upcoming awards, but the episodes thereafter are - not necessarily bad - but a little letdown compared to the earlier eps.

The biggest plus of this show are the characters and their relationships, the slow pace as well as the chemistry of the lead couple and the scenery. But at the same time these aspects are somehow also the downfall of this drama. For example, some characters are left unexplored or just briefly touched upon, while other characters and their relationships are of primarily focus, being addressed again and again, but just don't move you, to be blatantly honest, do not intrigue you at all. I cannot put my finger on it, but even though some dialogues between the characters are extremely emotional and poignant, the relationships lack depth. 'Where the Camellia Blooms' had done a better job here.
The slow paced plot line which worked in favor of the leads in the earlier episodes as we got plenty of witty verbal exchanges, stealing glances and gestures, meaningful moments and heart fluttering push and pull scenes, helped to build their relationship and let the viewer be part of not only their growing attraction but also attachment and comfort to and with each other. However, after a while these lengthy conversations and moments of togetherness were not leading anywhere and felt repetitive and I do not dare to say boring, but sort of tedious and wearisome. The scenery is no exemption. It is picturesque and beautiful and a feast for the eyes but seeing the same spots (and costumes) over and over again reminded me of a sitcom where we have two main 'stages', the story switches between.
The lack of deeper analysis and exploration of characters goes for Dushik's (Kim Seon Ho) "story", his past, too. There was this HUUUUUGE secret around his past which ends up being a serious issue, but it is only explored more in depth in the last episodes, which is too short and rushed. Especially topics of greater severity should be dealt with caution, patience and pace and it is really frustrating as the episodes 11-14 felt more like fillers and definitely had room for a deeper analysis of Dushik's story, whereas, let me warn you without giving away too much, episode 15 was a sheer overdose off heavy emotions.
Also, I would like to regretfully mention that there were some unbearable ridiculous moments in the show, e. g. some slapstick comedy or a delivery scene as in childbirth, which - and I'm not a medical expert, by no means, but even I could tell - was so blatantly far from reality, that I could not focus on the rest of said episode.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the drama a lot. There are many lessons to take away from Hometown Cha Cha Cha:
- "Don't judge a book by its cover."
- "Give 100% not only at work but also as you rest (e.g. no emails checking on vacation) "
- "No occupation or lifestyle is superior to another."
-"You can find happiness anywhere, if you are willing to open up and appreciate the small and simple things in life."
- And a lot more...

The greatest strength as mentioned above are the leads and their chemistry. Shining Kim Seon Ho and shimmering Shin Min Ah carried the whole show and successfully so, as the ratings reveal. While most people are understandably in awe of KSH, his natural acting and the worthy successor of good boy Han Ji Pyong, the even greater man Hong Du Shik, I personally was mesmerized by Shin Min Ah. She was so natural and instinctive as Yoon Hye-Jin.
Be it her reluctance upon meeting and engaging with people she barely knows, her little frownings when confronted with uncomfortable critique, her contrasting cheesy lovey-dovey side when in a relationship, Shin Min Ah played Hye Jin in such a realistic way, that it would not come as a surprise if there was a Hye Jin in real life running her dental practice somewhere in Gongjin.
Since Hye Jin and Du Shik have different views on life and seem like total opposites of each other, it's entertaining whenever they interact. In general their interactions are adorable and natural. There was for example a scene in which Du Shik mocks Hye Jin by mimicking her and it didn't feel like acting at all, maybe it was an ad lib. And as funny and cute their little bickerings are, their not so lighthearted and heartfelt conversations are smililarly serious and emotional, especially the latter ones make you cry rivers.
As stated above, since it is a slow paced drama with main focus on the lead's relationship you can see how they grow more and more fond of each other, rely on each other, complement each other. With each episode you can witness their bond steadily grow and become something magical; you accompany Dushik and Hyejin through their journey of love, support and character development and witness firsthand how their innocent mutual infatuation turns into a mature, healthy companionship, which makes this show all the more special.
There is another couple that is likewise adorable, but fails to outshine dimple couple.

All in all, Hometown Cha Cha Cha is an enjoyable ride with a great lead, greater emotions and undeniable chemistry, that make you swoon more than once. But frankly, it could have been better.

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Could an ad be this touching?

I honestly didn't expect this short film to be THIS good. Well, given the main cast's potential and the well-executed plot, it is no wonder. Especially Kim Go Eun was a show stealer. Simply in awe with her. Her emotions were genuine and on point. And someone tell her to start a vlog asap?! She is a natural?! Count me in as a subscriber already!
And I never would have imagined that something good could come out of the mandatory 2-week-quarantine due to COVID 19, but here it is, the movie proved otherwise. These two-week restrictions really give space and time for a lot of self reflection and past reminiscing.

So overall, this was a heartwarming, simple, yet moving story. Even though the short film was supposed to be a lengthy product advertisement, the focus stays on the character's relationship, very much alike Makoto Shinkai's (Your Name, Weathering With You) anime ad "Crossroad" or the short film "Relumino" with Han Ji Min and Park Hyung Shik. Now that I think about it, I believe that one too was for Samsung. Also, the product placement was way smoother than in some of the K-dramas I've seen.

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Lighthearted, enjoyable, FaMiLy FrIenDly

Despite all the negative comments regarding this drama and jcw's recent choice of scripts, I decided to give this drama a go and I am so glad I did. It's lighthearted and funny and was a welcomed distraction from the heavy emotions loaded psycho, but okay (soo good, but so melancholic x).

Well addressing the elephant in the room, yes its obvious stereotypical and racist portrayal of that artist/friend - character was inappropriate, unnecessary, not at all well thought out and simply frustrating as it puts a huge damper on the otherwise enjoyable drama. Honestly I felt sorry for that actor, because he's a fabulous actor as can be seen in the fiery priest and even his performance here was good, but yeez that character was really ridiculous, didn't even blink when the supposedly comedy involving that character set in .

Now for the good parts:

The story is simple, yet it didn't get boring at any point, except for the last two episodes, guess they ran out of ideas. The comedy moments were apt (except for some scenes in the beginning involving the ml's friend character), one could definitely see the fiery priest touch and any references to that drama or any other movies such as parasite or pulp fiction added to that humorous tone. Some anime-inspired fighting scenes seemed over the top, but one quickly adapted to that style, as it goes well with the flow of the drama. The music was also surprisingly good, that crazy crazy bit reminded me of honey honey from the fiery priest. And for the actors, I keep forgetting that jcw is not only the greatest looking guy in the K drama world but also a brilliant actor. He portrayed the store keeper with ease, showing us his playful, lovable side just like in Empress ki and also the female lead did a great job in portraying saet byul, whom I first found to be obnoxious and annoying but who turned out to be an actually likeably, bubbly character who would outshine obstacles in life with her bright smile, a positive attitude and a strong mindset. Even the side characters like jcw's family were very likeable and not only resources to bring progress in the leads' romance (well, maybe a bit). Especially the mother and the girlfriend were well thought through and 'real' with their worries, faults and behaviours. Other characters like the obvious bullies, like the ones terrorising high schoolers, the typical conceited shareholder's wife or the malicious egocentric boss-figure eyeing a woman in a relationship were solely for the purpose of adding villainy and incarnation of problems to the story, but no harm in that, if it helps the plot. Saet byuls sister and the second male lead got some more screen time and were likeable, too.

The greatest part for me is the relationship between saet byul and the manager. Not necessarily the chemistry, but the overall healthy relationship they share. The way they would communicate through hand articulation, what for outsiders seemed odd and incomprehensible, but made perfect sense for them or support each other with genuine happiness and sympathy and would crack witty jokes at each other all the time, it was pleasant and cute to watch, made oneself long for that kind of a pure realtionship. I'd like to add that I also enjoyed the realtionship b/w jcw and his girlfriend, their little quarrels and makings up and I even found myself rooting for the gf when she would storm of to see jcw and reestablish their relationship.

All in all, it's a good drama, which I genuinely enjoyed and actually would re-watch for the lighthearted story and the likeability of some characters. Plus, after all the complaints regarding the 'inappropriate romance' etc in the earlier episodes you could really see the production team's effort in making the drama more family friendly, ended up being one of the purest K-dramas I've ever seen xD

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Truly a gem

I had not intended to watch this drama until I saw the ratings and read the pleasant comments about the show and I'm so glad I went for it. This drama is so beautiful. The cast is great, the pace is apt, the storyline well executed and the emotional moments well-placed , even though the story itself was nothing new. Some parts of the plot were predictable, but nonetheless this was an enjoyable ride. All thanks to the cast.

Hwang Jung Eum portraying a mature, feisty fantasy figure was different from her roles in previous dramas and definitely an interesting choice for a come back. Yoo Sung Jae was a perfect choice for the sweet innocent dorky Kang-Bae and it was also nice to see Choi won young in a charismatic, easy-going lead. Also, the whole fantasy, afterlife and dreamworld set up was authentic and genuine to that extent that believing in those things seems natural. If your up and looking for a simple, short, heart-warming show, this is it.

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actually pretty good if you are being objective

One among the few, who actually liked the drama. Yes, my favorite character (probably all time favorite character in the whole k-drama history) is the second lead. Yes, I felt personally attacked whenever he, Han Ji Pyeong, was treated unfairly. Yes, I hated the drama to guts whenever he suffered. But, objectivly spoken, is the drama bad? No, it's actually quite good. I think it's one of the better work of the screenwriter. Honestly, I never even saw any chemistry between HJP and the female lead SDL, I just naturally wanted him to succeed because I wanted him at least once to not receive the shorter end. But he is actually fine xD As a viewer you are kind of tricked into perceiving him as this pitiful, lonely, good natured boy with a harsh past, but he is a charming, successful businessman, who does just fine. A little spoiler for those who have already seen the drama , if you stilI want to watch it skip that part

*SPOILER* - my take on ep 16 and HJPs stand

First of all as HJP pointed out to Dalmi, he not even once tried to contact her after the letter exchange. I do believe that he really liked her but after ep 16 I'm not even sure if he actually loved her xD maybe he just wanted to belong to her as in her family, be truly accepted as a member of the seo family and I think grandma's plead or rather her wakening call that he is already part of it, always has been and will be, was the actual 'success' he needed all along , and let's be real the greatest chemistry to be found in this drama was between HJP and halmoni, so no SDM needed xD also I liked the little extras in ep 16, how he gets to meet the incarnation of the comforting voice, the funny moments with his junior park dong chun and his awkward, cute reconciliation with Nam Do San and even the melodramatic exit scene which smoothly transitioned into the title banner.

*END OF SPOILER*

Well the drama isn't perfect for its dragging parts in the second half, the lack of character portrayal of some side characters (isn't it funny how Alex just vanished xD) and SDM lacking emotions, but overall I enjoyed the business theme, the relationship between the characters, the OST and the visuaaaals... So 8/10 for me...and in case I didn't make myself clear enough, you gonna fall in love with the second lead and turn into his avenger who pledges vengeance, be prepared.

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Not who, but why

It's a pretty decent drama. Some might feel that 8 episodes are few too many for this whodunit setting and I agree but the makers of this drama actually pulled it off and delivered an acceptable outcome. I also think that the length of the episodes helped to get a better understanding of the characters involved. Somewhere around halftime the plot does get a little draggy, but nonetheless the suspense was maintained and especially the last two episodes were surprisingly emotional and entertaining.

I also liked the cast; even though they embodied the stereotypical suspects and seemed character- less and plain in the first episodes, learning about their possible motives and their background stories made oneself sympathise with them. I especially liked the actress who played Bit Na's mother and overall I think the cast did a pretty good job given the limited scope they had to show 'real' character and emotions.

I liked how in the end the focus wasn't set on who actually did it, but on why someone would feel urged to take such an action.
Worth giving it a watch.

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Solid 8.5 - not for the faint-hearted and impatient

I'll try to keep it short: This drama is a good psychological thriller, the perfect example of a roller coaster ride show with all it's twists and turns, ethical conflicts and not to forget all the characters and names to remember xD. It's further dark and intense, might not be everyone's cup of tea.

It was messy in some parts and also tiring in others, because so much was going on with so many characters involved. What also bothered me was the editing in some episodes, they jumped from one scene to another with no transition like really scene 1 *cut* scene 2 *cut*, but other times it was so smooth that I was puzzled if they occasionally let an intern practice editing. Also, the middle part was a bit dragging BUT the first few episodes were mind-blowing and the last ones (the special ones as well) and especially the ending were so well-rounded, that I'm really glad I chose to watch this show.

The cast is great - fitting and really talented, everyone did a great job portraying their given characters, wouldn't be surprised if they get an award for "best ensemble of the year" or something similar. Special mention must be made of Lee Seung Gi and Lee Hee Joon - they understood the task and delivered. It's not easy to make the viewers feel the character's emotions be it fury or pain or joy, but it was a breeze for these two, found myself crying every time they did.

The background score was apt - well-timed and elevating the scenes.

All in all a good, captivating show which makes you ponder on ethics and morals.

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Simple, yet entertaining

search: WWW offers everything a drama needs: tension, comedy, romance and above all, an engaging plot carried out by a reliable, entertaining cast. The women in this drama stand out ( special mention: Ye Soo Jung! Outstanding!) with men portraying rather side characters but nonetheless, well-rounded and utterly charming ones. Even though the focus is set on the female characters the drama does not scream WOMEN EMPOWERMENT in your face. Yes, the female leads are bold, but in a realistic way with flaws, worries and weaknesses of their own.

The story is simple, but doesn't get boring at any point. The drama has a a grand start, an according continuation and a proper conclusion. I really had hoped for an ending which wouldn't seem too rushed and luckily that was the case.

The three female leads have an equal amount of screen time and each of their stories has enough content about the struggle and perks of a successful woman in modern times to keep you interested in their lives. The work life in the web business, which all three have in common, offers interesting aspects about the huge impact of the internet and search engines on our daily lives and depicts how the internet forms and affects today's society and vice versa.

I could go on an on praising this drama, its plot and the cast, but I'd rather you see (watch) for yourself what makes this drama great. The drama's strength lays in its cast and the realistic portrayal of the internet business and a self-made woman's life; minor flaws may be the tacky intro song in the beginning of each episode (apart from that the OST offers some lovely songs!) and the melodramatic moments between the lead couple in the last two episodes.

Definitely one of my favourite dramas of 2019!

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Solid as a rock.

In short, Jirisan is a solid drama. The creators set a tone and pace in the first episode, which they managed to keep until the end. At no point did I feel the drama lost its track or got boring, it has solid pace, a solid storyline and solid characters.

Even though it's neither as enthralling as the premise may sound nor as sparkly as the A-list cast portraying the characters, it does have something that make it stand out from other k-dramas, maybe it's the unique setting or the realistic tone, cannot point it out.

Jirisan has a linear story telling (despite its constant time jumping, which some may find confusing), as in there is progress in the story with each episode giving away clues and bringing you one step closer to the truth about the ongoing crime-mystery surrounding the mountain. The thing about that mystery-thriller genre however is that even though it's the theme of the drama it's not its focus. I'm sure many might have felt that this show seems more like some "Mountain Playlist" in line with Hospital Playlist or Prison Playbook, except for less humor and more realness. I actually enjoyed the mix of mystic thriller and daily log of rangers' tasks and duties and also the insight into the lives of the villagers, people visiting the mountain and for sure enjoyed the beautiful backdrop of Mount Jiri.

The seasoned actors delivered. There is nothing more to add, as there was no one in particular who stood out from the rest. I think that's mainly because all characters seemed "pretty normal" as if they were real people with real stories, no stereotypes, no exaggeratations, no overly dramatic fl, no unbearably badass ml - just well written characters mirroring real people. It was nice to see Jun Ji Hyun again after her long break and Ju Ji Hoon as Hyun-Joo with his charmingly calm demeanor.

What I enjoyed most about this drama is that every episode felt like one chapter from an encyclopedia on Jirisan National Parks, showcasing not only the beauty of the mountain but also nature's unpredictable cruelty. Also, some scenes were surprisingly touching and emotional, I sometimes found myself struggling with holding back the tears.
The camaraderie shared by the rangers is another strength of the show; again, it was neither over the top nor too bland, just perfectly balanced and fun to watch.

Some Minor flaws, - little spoiler - there are a lot of deaths in the show and some felt really unnecessary and were hardly dealt with. Also I would have loved to see more interaction between the main characters, especially in the last episodes, but that is just my preference.

The main lesson I take from the show is how tough physically demanding jobs are, which makes me appreciate fireworkers, police officers and rangers among others even more. This show is a song of praise to those heroes.

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All show, no substance

PROS:
> the cast and their acting (within the limited scope they had)
> the chemistry b/w the main characters
> the soundtrack
> the visuals, scenery, the mood
> Seo In Guk's hair
> the ending of each episode
> first four and last two episodes
> the beauty of the series, overall ( due to cinematography, OST and the good-looking cast, NOT the plot)

CONS:
> non-progressive, stagnated storyline
> anachronistic views: FL>poor, pitiful, damsel in distress; ML> handsome, mysterious, (white) knight; relationship > overly 'tragic'
> romance(s) stuck in a never-ending back-and-forth-loop
> lack of depth in plot
> lack of depth in characters
> one-dimensional side characters
> lack of explanation of 'main issue'
> confusing, hollow dialogues
> poorly-executed storyline for second leads
> too many outdated clichés

It is really sad, that this series turned out to be so flawed and – I'm sorry– so BORING, as the main idea of an ordinary girl falling in love with doom - not a goblin or some fox - was something fresh, unheard of, something like Romeo and Juliet, a relationship that should not be – promising and intriguing, except for..... the sloppy execution of that idea, the dialogues and pace.

Even though the chemistry is great between the leads, their relationship isn't. It seemed forced and sudden. It's further really hard to follow their conversation. It's basically Russian roulette with "falling in love" and "dying" as bullets. "Contract" being the trigger and indecisiveness being the force. Note, that my wording here is way more straightforward than the actual event. Also, they talk in a quite literary way, which doesn't help at all in getting the drift of their verbal exchange and emerging conflicts; you end up focusing rather on the visuals and the mood than the dialogues, what, however, is not even tragic, as soon another discussion breaks out, which makes the story come full circle - right back to the starting point. Every episode feels like a repetition of the previous one. Peak of the iceberg is the divine hospital girl, who confuses everyone including herself with her philosophical touch on everything and the plant she wants to grow...or not? She too, seems to suffer from indecisiveness. Surprisingly, same goes for the second leads. Doomed be determination.

And also in later parts of the story when you kind of manage to get the drift of what they are saying, the characters, be it the mains or sides, say the wrong and most stupidest things?! Like the opposite of what they want to say, putting blame on others or the circumstances or most commonly, talk past each other. Even the romantic lines kdramas are infamous for, were sort of misplaced and irritating here, like there is some dramatic scene and they are like "you shocked cause I'm so pretty?" Like what?! No! Really frustrating, makes you want to actually get on a plane, fly to Korea, seek the writer and make her take a class on how actual conversations look like.

Also, I admire Park Bo Young a lot, but I'm confused with her character, sometimes she seems reserved, quite and serious and then suddenly Do Bong-Soon appears and she is quirky, funny and flirty/sarcastic - it's a clash of Na Bong Soon and Do Bong Soon (oh my ghost - strong girl bong soon) — or Na bong soon who is possessed — I wished her character would be more consistent, I don't know, maybe I've seen to many shows with her to tell her characters apart.
The other characters aren't even worth to be talked about. Even though some of them get to shine in the last episode, they overall seem more like the first unfinished draft of an idea of a character than a real character, especially Myeol Mang, our 'doom', more like 'handsome-guy-who-is-just there-to-look-cool-and-hold-hands'.

This is a very slow-paced drama, which I did not mind in the beginning but as the story progressed the plot became too dragged with too many unnecessary back-and-forth-scenes; and although everything seemed drawn-out and repetitive and a lot of the screen time was invested in the relationship between the characters, their lengthy dialogues and that damn contract, it still feels like we've only scratched the surface of it all. There are still unanswered questions and plot holes left and even if some passionate viewers –if you've scrolled through the comment section –really try their best to come up with theories and explanations, it cannot hide the fact that this show lacks substance and is not as deep as it pretends to be.

The first three or four episodes and the final ones are nice, but cannot atone for the lacking depth and tedious narrative, this should have been a mini series of 10 to 12 episodes. It was only for PBY and SIG I could carry on with this show, would have honestly dropped it if they had cast other actors.

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