90% of this drama's problems could be solved if Koreans understood the term, “Innocent till proven guilty.” "Back then, there were no good reporters. This time there is.” ~ Dal Po The first episodes starts with a rollercoaster of feels. I like that this drama isn't the standard love square with scheming elders. While I was watching it, it kind of overtook my life. Although it was pretty stressful for me I couldn't stop watching it. I was also watching an action Kdrama at the same time as this one and Pinocchio made my heart beat so much faster and the plot and relationships really had me on the edge of my seat. I don't like foreshadowing though! Don't tell me something bad is going to happen, Dal Po! There are no dull parts in this drama, which, makes it really special in my opinion. And there are no useless side characters. Everyone is interesting and unique and screen-worthy. I actually loved every single secondary character even the ones that were just comic or even bordering on slapstick. They were all really good. I liked that there are sub-plots and crises that arise and get dealt with as different news incidents happen. So there are a lot of small victories along the way and it's not just about one long-drawn overarching plot. It keeps the storyline fresh and exciting. I also appreciate how they portray the older generation of reporters influencing and mentoring the next generation but sometimes their words of wisdom come back to bite them in the butt. It's funny how a moment of fierce lecturing gets imprinted on a trainee's brain and informs their professional development. It's also great that it's not just about fighting against the news industry. Sometimes the news drama took a backseat to the characters' personal development. I also like that it's not all an uphill battle. There are some higher up people rooting for In Ha and Dal Po too. There are humorous parts as the two competing news stations try and one up each other. I thought the set up of the drama, was really thoughtful. Having the main characters be in a legally awkward position is great. And the whole uncle thing? Never gets old. It's so funny the way they got used to it. Although how they can stand to be in a relationship and still go back to “uncle” terms without batting an eye is beyond me. I love how Korean dramas know how to uniquely demonstrate the relationships in the family in such a meaningful, but cutesy way. Actually, a surprising theme that emerged is the betrayal of family for the sake of justice. Random note: In Ha wears heels to her first interview and then later on in the show she claims she doesn't have any heels. Gyo Dong I loved him. He seems really serious and upright and a good mentor to Dal Po but he gets caught up in the news rivalry shenanigans too. I love the way he'd be so mature and then encourage his subordinates to insult the other team. And he's easy on the eyes too. His little flirtation was so awkward but cute. Mothers In Ha's mother was not as evil as I thought she'd be. She was sensible and thought about her actions. Sure she was selfish but at least she was clever and cunning and made sense. I also liked seeing her loosen up and joke around. I like that even though she tries her best to make people feel like shit, Dal Po and In Ha are strong enough in themselves to continue to be professional towards her. Although, there is one point that In Ha confronts her and she does it in a way I thought I'd never see. It was good to see the icy Manager Sung pissed off. I was annoyed by the repetitive cycling of her arguments though. When she told lies she demanded other people prove them false. When others did the same, she disregarded them as assumptions. Towards the end of the drama, I really liked her acting. For Bum Jo's mother, I liked that she was more concerned about Bum Jo's happiness than status. Romance I really do not understand why Koreans think applying bandages to the opposite gender is so romantic. Anyway, this is my first childhood friends/frenemies romance. I like seeing their casual relationship that sometimes sizzles. The chemistry between In Ha and Dal Po...it's good. Also the toast kiss was more memorable for me because of what happened after...hahaha. The way Kdramas dream up these convoluted obstacles...it's so sneaky and tricky. I kind of like the twist that Dal Po feels he's not good enough for her but In Ha's father actually thinks it's the other way around. Dal Po, on the romance front, is strong and not afraid of rivals. He's so freakin' calm about it. I just like the way he doesn't dramatise things. He makes a lot of mistakes in his relationship with In Ha but I like his imperfections. Also, can we just have a shout out for Lee Jong Suk and his epic back hugs? The way he affectionately caresses In Ha's face is always so satisfying and sweet. I like that Dal Po trusts In Ha and doesn't think he needs to be the big man and protect her from things. I like the way she trusts him back so there's little pointless arguing or her needing to prove herself. I do like that they have real arguments about their values. In Ha is really thoughtful of everything that Dal Po has gone through. And when it comes to standing up for him, she's a tiger. The crisis of the romance was stupid and yet tricky at the same time. There are no right answers. Is it a case of illogical noble martyrdom? I don't know. I really don't. Jae Myung I really loved this actor/character. His smile is perpetually sad and he just conveys this broken, and lonely persona so well. Every time he was on the screen, my heart was in my mouth just being so achey. And he's so kind and so bitter and aghhhh. He honestly, stole the show for me. He, out of everyone, is so strong. His powerful character is so intensely portrayed. I wanted to hug him and hi-five him and everything. In Ha I like seeing her expressions come alive. She has some great attitude and sass that I enjoyed. My first drama with her was Flower Boy Next Door. I thought the hicupping thing would be overdone, but she owns it well. Her hiccups' concept stretches to scenarios as well. So it's not so much about lying but keeping quiet about the truth. And so she can't act either because her “body knows she's lying”. I wish they kept true to that, but they started to expand it so that her hiccups was basically her moral compass, which kind of made it preachy. Although I did like it when she'd say something like, “I do believe you *hiccup, oh, I guess not.” I like her confidence. When she and Dal Po get into the reporting industry, In Ha is professional and not clingy. Yay! Dal Po has the smarts but In Ha has good instincts. She's level-headed and she does it in a way that's calm and not showy. She also stands up for what she believes is right even if it means standing against Dal Po. It's always good to see a woman able to separate herself and her opinion from her boyfriend. She really whips Dal Po into shape. I was really surprised to see that kind of backbone coming from a Kdrama/Park Shin Hye. As the drama goes on, it becomes clear that you do not want to mess with In Ha. In Ha is also really good around the second male lead. He's nothing to write home about, but she showed decisiveness when it came to him and didn't string him along. Also, I love that she initiates kissing. And how many times have you seen a heroine cut off a hero's rambling with a kiss? In Ha is awesome. Dal Po I'm starting to see a trend with Lee Jong Suk characters being underestimated and looked down upon but possessing inner strength and confidence. I love the way he portrays his characters as arrogant and intelligent, yet vulnerable and with such a selfless and big heart. Lee Jong Suk and his feelings. It's so easy to get caught up in them. Gah! Even with his ridiculous hairstyle my heart was beating for him. And seeing him as a sad little orphan again...oh, Lee Jong Suk...The way he lived his life...just to spare a poor old man's heart...*sigh. Such a sad little kid. Dal Po gets caught up in the chase of the news too. The drama portrays a very cutthroat, unprofessional and dirty world of journalism. It was interesting how Dal Po, despite his hatred for the culture fell trap to it when he started in on the race to get that exclusive. The self-reflection was really spot on. He's a really mature character and even the elders respect him for it. He's also really clever with catching people out when he interviews/interrogates them. As the drama builds, I hated to see him go through his crisis alone. “I hate myself to a point where I can't even breathe.” Lee Jong Suk knows how to act. I also really like his blank face when Yu Rae tries to flirt with him. Also, his disgruntled face makes me laugh every time. Seeing his range of emotions is impressive. I thought I'd seen all of his facial expressions. But then there was his tipsy scene. His drunk face...Oh gosh. Lee Jong Suk is epic. EPIC. Bum Jo (that's such an unfortunate name!) Second Male Lead I'm not sure if I've ever disliked a secondary male lead off the bat like I did this guy. He's all “In Ha is my destinyyy”. He's also a spoiled mama's boy. This guy is so creepy. He's the kind of “nice” stalker that is fooling nobody. He's freakishly tall as well. How can someone be taller than Lee Jong Suk? I did kind of appreciate that after In Ha draws the line, he takes the hint and stops chasing her. But of course, I did feel that he was being somewhat petty. Actually, he probably has the least character development out of anyone I've seen in a Kdrama. He's all kinds of ridiculous. But my favourite line of his was, “Did I just swear out loud?” Jae Hwan I love these competent and capable women in the media industry. Dal Po - “We have to barge in there, so it might get ugly.” Jae Hwan - “That's my speciality.” I loved her relationship with the silly Hyun Gyu. Yu Rae is pretty silly. “It's not easy to make copying paper look sexy.” On an end note, I really loved the music and how emotional it was. It matched the story well and I just thought it was used really effectively.