I have become a big fan of sleep as of late and I have, in a situation where I am a bit tired and can choose between staying up or shut eye, I always chose rest or sleep. So it's been a while where I have chosen to stay up, especially to watch a drama but this drama was worth staying up for. It's quite addictive, and it's easy to click to the next episode without even realizing.

Story: Although ghost stories and exorcisms are nothing new, this drama takes a fresh angle by incorporating the real estate market and shedding light to SK's real estate problem. It ties in well to the episodic cases and the main storyline. The episodic cases are interesting and enough depth is given to these short-appearing characters. I really liked how all the spirts did not talk or have expressions. Unlike other dramas that have ghosts acting just like humans, this non-expression state honed in the point that these spirits are not human; they are a remnant of something that once was and something that needs to go. I also really appreciated the female lead's relationships with her mother and her secretary/aunt. It was so relatable for her to be so independent yet also dependent on her mother, something I think a lot of adults or young adults can relate to with their parents.

In terms of acting, everyone did a pretty good job but Jang Nara absolutely nailed it. I really wish there more female characters like Hong Ji Ah (despite the increase of strong-willed female leads, I do find most of these intelligent and aloof roles go to the male characters) but it was Jang Nara that made her such a great character. Her tone of voice, her enunciation of her certain words, her gait and her facial expressions, like the slight narrowing of her eyes, were all so on point. In a less experienced actress's hands, Hong Ji Ah may have come off as pretentious or rude. I very much appreciate that Hong Ji Ah is given struggles and has to make important decisions - aka she is an active character.

The music was good and added some nice quirk. The production was well-done too and I liked the homey street area set location. While the drama does have some interesting twists, there are no major crazy shockers that take away the enjoyment of a re-watch. Overall, recommends hands down, especially if you want something with solid writing, a very interesting and well-written female lead and/or spooky themes. Spoilers below:





***SPOILERS***

So why not a higher rating if I loved this so much?

First, the villain character, Do Hak Sung, felt so one-note that he felt less like a character and almost more like a concept or plot device. Second, Kim Tae Jin and the ML's uncle Oh Sung Shik. I know the drama was trying to create two somewhat morally grey but ultimately sympathetic characters with these two but I could not come to like either. You can do bad things but there are some bad things (even minor bad things) you cannot do for audience to like you and the drama failed on that, for me.

Kim Tae Jin was supposed to be what I guess was a down-on-his-luck thug that served as comedic relief and ultimately comes around but I personally am still very upset at the problems he caused. Irl, he would be the type where I would maybe forgive but never call a friend. And Oh Sung Shik chose to put himself or his family over others twice. And when given a chance to try to repent aka confess, he eschews that again, to his own detriment. I know that he was doing it all for this family and it really Do Hak Sung's fault but this is where I come back to Do Hak Sung feeling less like a character and more like a plot device. To me, Oh Sung Shik's actions are equivalent to being forced into unforeseen circumstances (like a natural disaster) and choosing to sacrifice others over yourself. I don't hate him and I cannot condemn him but I don't have much good feelings toward him either.

But overall minor stuff in an otherwise amazing drama!