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SBS Takes a Page out of TvN's Book of Boring Fantasy Dramas
TBH, I'm really sad to be negative about this show since I was so excited, but I will still be fair!
*Storyline: 5/10*
To be honest, this show was too good to be true. I initially thought it was a TvN show, a s it has a very similar style of fantasy dramas that TvN has been pushing for two-ish years. An inhuman man and a human woman, check. Forced proximity and enemies/bickering partners to lovers, check. It is kind of reminscient of Tale of the Nine Tailed Fox, which if you liked that I think you won't mind this one.
The only thing is the storyline itself is quite weak. Without boring you, here's my three issues with the plot:
1. No real structure to the magical world: We learn the ML is a demon, but we are never really told how demons are made or if there are others that are stronger/weaker than the ML. We also don't know about the limitations of the ML's powers, only that his magical tattoo somehow ends up on her, and without her, he's essentially like a human. But that is sloppy because if not having the tattoo makes him human, shouldn't her HAVING the tattoo give her some unique powers or advantages?
2. Dilly-dallying: The ML and FL only tolerate each other in the beginning because they each need something from the other. But we never see the ML consistently work towards getting his powers back, nor do we see the FL consistently work towards dealing with the bad guys. They essentially just talk about their problems and do nothing, and then sprinkle in random kissing to distract us from the fact that literally nothing happens. At ALL.
3. Poorly written characters: I really think the writers just gave the main actors a single piece of paper each and told them to do their best at this point y'all. For the ML: Bad Boy Demon. For the FL: Helpless Damsel. That's it. Neither the ML or FL have any real ambitions/desires nor any tangible relationships with the people around them. For example, we know the ML has his human companions, but we never really see that he cares about them--which he must, since he keeps them around. And for the FL, she has the second male lead, and they are both apparently super close--but we never know why they're close in the first place, nor do we ever see any of their memories together. (I will say I do love the side characters though, like FL's secretary and Madam Ju, as well as ML's male butler--they are funny and cute but also very surface level.)
*Acting/Cast: 7/10*
To be honest, I always feel bad writing this section of my reviews because it really isn't the actors' fault that the script is so weak and half-baked.
For Song Kang, I've only ever seen him in Nevertheless but I didn't love the vibe of that show so TBH this is the only real show I've seen him in. He does his best in a flimsily written role--trying to make the demon character look more serious and intimidating, and yet simultaenously cute and charming in comedic and romantic scenes. His expressions are definitely a bit boring sometimes, especially in scenes when he's trying to be cute. I do know Song Kang is known for his thriller shows, so maybe he just feels a bit out of his element in a rom-com and might be 100x better showing darker emotions. Overall, it's a valiant effort, but I agree with other critics who say an older actor would've been able to sell the demon act better, at least in the beginning when he's supposed to be a bit intimidating.
For Kim You-Jung, I watched her a bit in Backstreet Rookie and Love in the Moonlight, but I didn't like the strange young-girl-and-adult-man relationships in both series, so like Song Kang, this is also the first project of her's I've seen almost to the end. If I'm not mistaken, she is a child star, and although I hate to admit it, I can feel the energy in her work in this show. Her acting is a bit jolted, not as smooth and seamless as someone who started acting later might be. I'm sure it has to do with the more immature roles she played in the past, but she's not my cup of tea. No hate of course, and I respect her efforts and her long-standing career. I would love to see her act in a more serious role in the future, though, with some smoother acting--I think she would kill it.
Music: 6.5/10
I've said this in other reviews, but I'm not a big OST person, so I don't know enough to give you a proper critique of this show's OST. That being said, I thought the background music was pleasant and easy to hear. 6.5/10.
Rewatch value: 4/10
Unfortunately, I just felt like this show lost its direction and was written very roughly. I think for people who regularly watch fantasy and rom-com K-dramas like myself, this one is a pass (I will still be finishing it though, since I have watched this far). For newcomers to K-dramas, it might not be too bad--or for those who just want a light show to breeze through over the holidays.
Overall: 5.5/10
*Once again, no hate to any actors/directors, just my opinion. Happy Holidays everyone! :) <3*
*Storyline: 5/10*
To be honest, this show was too good to be true. I initially thought it was a TvN show, a s it has a very similar style of fantasy dramas that TvN has been pushing for two-ish years. An inhuman man and a human woman, check. Forced proximity and enemies/bickering partners to lovers, check. It is kind of reminscient of Tale of the Nine Tailed Fox, which if you liked that I think you won't mind this one.
The only thing is the storyline itself is quite weak. Without boring you, here's my three issues with the plot:
1. No real structure to the magical world: We learn the ML is a demon, but we are never really told how demons are made or if there are others that are stronger/weaker than the ML. We also don't know about the limitations of the ML's powers, only that his magical tattoo somehow ends up on her, and without her, he's essentially like a human. But that is sloppy because if not having the tattoo makes him human, shouldn't her HAVING the tattoo give her some unique powers or advantages?
2. Dilly-dallying: The ML and FL only tolerate each other in the beginning because they each need something from the other. But we never see the ML consistently work towards getting his powers back, nor do we see the FL consistently work towards dealing with the bad guys. They essentially just talk about their problems and do nothing, and then sprinkle in random kissing to distract us from the fact that literally nothing happens. At ALL.
3. Poorly written characters: I really think the writers just gave the main actors a single piece of paper each and told them to do their best at this point y'all. For the ML: Bad Boy Demon. For the FL: Helpless Damsel. That's it. Neither the ML or FL have any real ambitions/desires nor any tangible relationships with the people around them. For example, we know the ML has his human companions, but we never really see that he cares about them--which he must, since he keeps them around. And for the FL, she has the second male lead, and they are both apparently super close--but we never know why they're close in the first place, nor do we ever see any of their memories together. (I will say I do love the side characters though, like FL's secretary and Madam Ju, as well as ML's male butler--they are funny and cute but also very surface level.)
*Acting/Cast: 7/10*
To be honest, I always feel bad writing this section of my reviews because it really isn't the actors' fault that the script is so weak and half-baked.
For Song Kang, I've only ever seen him in Nevertheless but I didn't love the vibe of that show so TBH this is the only real show I've seen him in. He does his best in a flimsily written role--trying to make the demon character look more serious and intimidating, and yet simultaenously cute and charming in comedic and romantic scenes. His expressions are definitely a bit boring sometimes, especially in scenes when he's trying to be cute. I do know Song Kang is known for his thriller shows, so maybe he just feels a bit out of his element in a rom-com and might be 100x better showing darker emotions. Overall, it's a valiant effort, but I agree with other critics who say an older actor would've been able to sell the demon act better, at least in the beginning when he's supposed to be a bit intimidating.
For Kim You-Jung, I watched her a bit in Backstreet Rookie and Love in the Moonlight, but I didn't like the strange young-girl-and-adult-man relationships in both series, so like Song Kang, this is also the first project of her's I've seen almost to the end. If I'm not mistaken, she is a child star, and although I hate to admit it, I can feel the energy in her work in this show. Her acting is a bit jolted, not as smooth and seamless as someone who started acting later might be. I'm sure it has to do with the more immature roles she played in the past, but she's not my cup of tea. No hate of course, and I respect her efforts and her long-standing career. I would love to see her act in a more serious role in the future, though, with some smoother acting--I think she would kill it.
Music: 6.5/10
I've said this in other reviews, but I'm not a big OST person, so I don't know enough to give you a proper critique of this show's OST. That being said, I thought the background music was pleasant and easy to hear. 6.5/10.
Rewatch value: 4/10
Unfortunately, I just felt like this show lost its direction and was written very roughly. I think for people who regularly watch fantasy and rom-com K-dramas like myself, this one is a pass (I will still be finishing it though, since I have watched this far). For newcomers to K-dramas, it might not be too bad--or for those who just want a light show to breeze through over the holidays.
Overall: 5.5/10
*Once again, no hate to any actors/directors, just my opinion. Happy Holidays everyone! :) <3*
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