A whole lot of stupid decisions and a fantastic ML

There are elements of this show that are spellbinding - such as the male lead role and acting execution. Other elements are simply exasperating. Just when you think the main female character will stop making ridiculous decisions - she goes on to make yet another one. This never-ending cycle of irrational and frequently stupid decisions over apparently several attempted lifetime stories (...I'll stop taking his calls - that will stop him from trying to find me..) is what makes the show hard to get through. The chemistry is there and the top-line storyline is interesting but many elements just make this frequently aggravating and unpleasant to watch. The fact that this show has such hype on social media has left me somewhat bewildered.

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Aggravating in a nutshell

After the traumatising second half of the Something In The Rain series, the notion that the same director/writer combo (and same male lead) created something even better was so appealing. However, after the first 8 episodes, I really struggled to continue watching. The glowing reviews that this show has gathered have left me very confused.
The introduction between the male and female lead left much to be desired. Especially needed as the female lead is frequently abrasive and rude to him - in the first half of the episodes in particular. Yet what the storyline uncovers is that she is a woman who has allowed herself to be in a boring and mainly emotionless relationship for 4 years. She clearly has no love for her boyfriend yet when it comes to breaking up she behaves like a victim - we spend episode upon episode with her skirting back and forth with "shall I, shall I not" and "poor me, this is all so hard". She has no ability to be honest with those around her and her abrasiveness and rudeness to the male lead just make this the most frustrating watch/start of the series.
I guess what is most difficult is just to understand why the male lead likes her and wants to be with her. Actually, scratch that - the most difficult thing is to watch that there is still a society on this planet that shames single parents and puts them at the bottom of the food chain. Add to that the constant plotting of the ex-boyfriend, fathers, and other male characters and their male chauvinism - and the apparent inability of women to decide whether they want to break up or not (turns out that unless the man agrees you cannot break up?!?) - and you have just an aggravating 16 episodes to get through.

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Original and daring

Original, thought-provoking, and daring. A masterpiece as far as the Korean series go. The actors all did a fantastic job and the variety of characters, their quirks, and sheer reality of their depictions leave one glued to the screen.
It is sad that this series gets such a bad rep on various social media outlets. People who like a typical sugar-coated, far-fetched, conservative Korean drama might not actually like this series. For the rest of us, it is a breath of fresh air.
The bulk of negative comments online surround the male lead character and his "poisonous" personality. Also, the relationship between the male and female leads is frequently described as toxic. If you watch this and your negatives only pertain to the male lead - you have missed a lot.
The male lead does not want a relationship - the female lead does not want love. She is raised by a mother so frequently in and out of love that she is determined not to go down the same route. He does not think one needs to settle. Their physical attraction and their inexperienced selves think they can handle a detached and aloof relationship - that was their common starting point. Yet they fall for each other without even knowing it- and they spend a good amount of time denying it.
This is a story about love if there ever was one. A story that is much more rooted in modern reality than 90% of shows out there. It is original, heartfelt, and exudes love and emotions. A coming of age and growing-up story, too.

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It was promising until it wasn't

The series started quite promising - the actors managed to bring us in and believe their past, their friendship and also their complicated feelings for one another. With the mystery surrounding the female leads happenings in the US, and the explosive nature of the relationship of the leads, there was enough to keep us wishing the next episodes would be released sooner. Until there wasn't.
The last 2 episodes (9&10) were quite a let-down. Apart from mediocre plot developments and a certain amount of drag - the whole illness debacle left a bad impression. Is it that an illness such as that is something to be ashamed of? Is it that as a 3-year survivor, it still can evoke such dramatisation, tears and end-of-the-world scenario? Does it make any sense to keep any of it a secret in any universe? The mental illnes part brought nothing but question marks where questions marks should not be had. It was over the top, and just unrealistic. So now we have 10 episodes and still no real development or resolution and a giant heap of misguided behaviour. It is unfortunate that such good actors were wasted on what seems like a really weak storyline.
On the positive side, the support actors and their blooming relationship is the real highlight of the series so far.

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Enjoyable and moving

There are series that we watch that we somehow don't expect much from - we don't hear about them on various social media outlets, and not many talk about them (say unlike CLOY and others). I came across this series by accident and thought I might like it. Going in with very low expectations, I did not foresee liking it much. Let alone love it. Yet, love it I did.
The series starts in an unexpected way - characters cannot be deciphered. The plot and storyline are unlike anything we typically see in Korean series. The male lead seems to have a dark and suspicious cloud over him. Yet as episodes go on, the characters reveal themselves in the most unexpected ways - and we get so hooked on their trajectories, growth, and wish for true love to win. When you realise that the crazy business the female lead was running had a very particular and tragic reason - you reach the conclusion that this series is like an onion with many layers to peel.
The chemistry between the leads is wonderful, as is their acting. Some scenes you think you can cut with a knife - and they make you feel like you are drawn into the air they breathe.
This series stands out among the many suffocatingly conservative Korean series out there. We finally meet characters who take their own path, forge their own thoughts, and decide to swim against the current. Very enjoyable and heartfelt.

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Just average

Reviews I read said this series is up there with CLOY and others as the best Korean dramas of all time. Sigh.
There is nothing best about this. At the end of the day, it is an average show with some average acting and a really not-that-believable storyline. There is sweetness to it and the somewhat believable chemistry between the leads lifts it up.
I guess for a European like myself the pretend country of XY didn't help - we all are familiar with the Greek island with the shipwreck. Overall it can be enjoyable to watch if expectations are kept on the middle of the scale. Although I should mention that this is the only series where I ended up wanting to hear the soundtrack after finishing it.

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Different, heartfelt yet unrealistic

There are elements of this series that are touching and that pull at all the right strings. However, I cannot say that I was left with the impression that this is an extraordinary show. Sure, the depiction of mental illnesses and conditions and their acceptance are much welcomed and needed. Yet, where the show fails is that this is more about the autistic brother and his needs, wishes, and priorities than it is about the male lead. Some may find that fascinating and what brings the show to another level. Others, like myself, may find that lacking.
The acting is mainly wonderful - especially the male actors. The female lead however is not as strong. Perhaps her character was written like that on purpose, but her representation of the self-entitled and rude attitude definitely did not add strength to the overall impression of her character or her acting. The fine line between villain and victim needed more finesse.
I guess where the show ultimately fails is the tragic twist and turn that instead of bringing another level of drama dimension ends up bringing a totally unrealistic finale. There is too much glossing over at the end, too much drama and tragedy to end watching the series with any kind of semblance of realism.

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Part endearing part aggravating

The male character is endearing - his zest, drive, and heartfelt portrayal of his character are what lifts the show. Unfortunately, the protracted and frequently boring storyline regarding the actual running of the academy, together with the unprofessional conduct, and competitive behaviours - all take away from the overall charm.
I guess at the end of the day what really was a turn-off was yet another portrayal of an archaic, face-saving, and frequently harmful society. Destroying someone's career on the basis of them dating another adult - well, that doesn't make for compelling storytelling, it just makes one aggravated.
It is a sweet, slow-burn romance that touches the heart. It is also a slow and frequently frustrating watch.

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On the lame side

I really wanted to like this more. It started great, with an interesting storyline, some humour, and inklings of good chemistry between the leads.
As the series progressed all we were left with was the interesting criminal/legal storyline - although even that one was poorly executed and lame. Apparently there are no court psychologists, lie detectors or any other kind of tool in the Korean legal system. Also, the serial killer investigation is led by the prosecutor (and some random lawyers) and without police involvement? The simplifications done to these processes is really what brings in the lameness.
If the chemistry between the actors was better built, perhaps it would have been a more intriguing watch. The female lead ends up baby-talking through most of the series (ok, her voice does naturally tend to that end of the scale but still..) while the male lead pursues some kind of constant and monotonous nonchalance throughout 20 episodes. At the crux of it, the lame almost emotionless statements of "ok, so let's be together" and "are you proposing!?" really underscore how much of a missed opportunity this show is. Anyway, it is watchable due to the criminal and legal storyline despite the shortcomings.

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Interesting series that took it too far

Original storyline. Interesting plot twists. Great acting. This series has a bit of everything - until it has too much of it. Just when you think the madness and sociopathic behaviour will stop, this series goes all out to prove it can all get just that little bit worse.
In my opinion, the extreme behaviour depicted, and the ability to get away with it, brings a level of unbelievableness that was hard to digest. Furthermore, the fact that most female leads are depicted as pathetic, unable to stand up for themselves, talk or even function as normal human beings severely takes away from the overall feel of the series (and yes, they supposedly grow through the episodes..). I guess my issue is that this is yet another show depicting women unable to decide to break-up with a boyfriend on their own - where aggression, violence, threats and even attempted murders against women all are allowed to happen without consequences.

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Great cast and acting

A pleasant show with a mainly interesting storyline. Perhaps what I enjoyed the most was the cast and their exceptionally skilled acting. They managed to portray their characters and emotions in a genuine and heartfelt way - while the chemistry between the leads was definitely also on par. The setting and supporting cast were really good, too. The downside is the fact that it is yet another plot where the inability to communicate or be truthful, is what causes their issues and suffering. As such, the plot core drama-storyline seems more juvenile than challenging and makes for a deflated climax during the second half of the episodes.

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