Female Resilience!

Zhao Lu Si, my beloved flower💗🌸

This drama was such a masterclass in terms of acting, cinematography, styling, music, just everything was so splendid. I loved the cast, the complexity of the characters. Duan Wu’s fighting spirit and determination, but also her sensible side and strength, her resilience, her love, her loyalty. What a wonderful character, Zhao Lu Si played her to perfection. Cui Shi Jiu was an interesting character as well, who I pitied by the end of the show. CSJ was in some ways similar to Duan Wu, but she was so much more aggressive, hot-tempered and rash in her decisions. The ending… let’s not talk about it, I cried too many tears😭🤚🏻 My only criticism would be the non-stop problems befalling Clear Mind once Duan Wu set up her business. It was repetitive: she takes care of one person sabotaging her and her business, and whoops: next person coming to mess with her. Regardless, this drama was wonderful. It puts female characters at the center and shows their strength and resilience, their intelligence and sensibility. Truly, a great show. 💗

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Headache-inducing heartbreak but sooo worth it!

I have a headache, I cried so much. At first, I didn’t even cry, but the last 10 episodes hit me as if a train and truck and bus had run me over. I thought I was okay in the last episode, but then they had to kill the 13th brother too… my heart hurts just a little bit 👌🏻.

To be honest, I wasn’t crazy about the romance because I found 8th prince’s advances … not that cool lol: he wants the throne AND his sister-in-law? Like, let’s not be greedy, you have her sister already, and she doesn’t even like you, bro. But, in comparison with the 4th prince, later emperor, the 8th wasn’t so bad, I guess. It was at least a lot more peaceful lol.

My poor Ruo Xi looked so… drained, tired, and exhausted from the second half on that I just felt so bad for her. Just like her sister, she longed for freedom and not for palace’s restraints and the prince’s schemes.

I really enjoyed the political intrigue and scheming of the drama; the storytelling and pace were great too, there was never a boring episode! Especially in the later episodes, I felt tense and I was anticipating the next plot… I really LOVED the costumes/styling and the music a lot too.

Anyway, I’m sad now and need a no drama-drama to heal my heart💗🧍🏻‍♀️. Might (probably) rewatch once I feel delusional again.

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Shameless cat??

I am in shambles. Cried too many tears, it’s not okay. I think it took me a bit long to watch the first ten episodes, but once I reached episode 10/11, I just inhaled the show. It had me hooked and anticipating it the same way “Eternal Love” did earlier this year!!🤭🤣 I was just always looking forward to watching more!

I loved the OST (so sad that it’s STILL not on Spotify 💔) and the styling in this show! Although, Wei Zhao’s assassin’s wig was … not my favorite to be honest!! But everyone looked so, so dashing⚔️🥹, and I really enjoyed the scheming and plotting throughout the show. If you’re into scheming plots, political/internal power struggles with a pinch of heartbreaking romance, then this show is great! Also, Li Landi’s acting was so good, I need to watch more of her shows! RJL was great as expected and Jeremy Tsui had a very impressive and intense screen presence as well; everyone acted amazingly in this show!!

My favorite episode was probably the one during this Winter party when our leads were dressed in red, both looked so good (and HAPPY and WELL). Anyway, I have a headache now🤣💗 Ren Jia Lun, I deserve compensation after this and “One and Only”!!!!!💰

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Meh

This started out intriguingly and had my attention for a good while, but after episode 25 I was so done with the show. It was too long in my opinion, and the last episodes had too much filler content that made it boring. I am also disappointed how we didn’t see more of YCW’s autopsy skills as it was barely relevant. The romance was underwhelming to me because the chemistry between the leads was only so-so. To me, the male lead created better tension with the female lead than the other way round. Also, what … was that ending? What was the reason for the last 2 minutes?? 🧐🤚🏻 Could have lived without that. The settings were very pretty as were the costumes! I also liked the music a lot – specifically the instrumentals! The actuals songs were okay, but not outstanding or memorable to me. I feel like the show was overall a whole of … bland after a while because they just dragged out the ending, and I found the revelation of the bad guy kind of random because we literally meet him so late in the show🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Opinions on the acting. While I agree that JJY’s acting/interpretation of YCW is different than the other actress’, I find it a bit harsh to only criticize her. She is not solely responsible for the characterization and development of said character. That is actually the writer’s as well as the director’s job to lead her along the way. Of course, as an actress, she could do a better job (and I only say that because other actresses voice their opinions on how to interpret the character, an example would be Zhao Lu Si, I don’t know how involved JJY really is), but in my opinion, YCW as SGZ is just written differently than the YCW we were introduced with. Sometimes, her actions and behavior don’t align with the character we met in the first two episodes, but again, JJY didn't write the script, so I don’t really understand why she gets flamed so much🧐

It was okay, but it is not a must watch – to ME. 🧚🏻‍♀️🌺

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A gem!!

This was really good and fun! Not too creepy or scary at all, and had an amazing pace to be honest. I feel like it has been a good while since I watched a show that did not drag like crazy after episode 10; this one was genuinely fun until the end. I liked the acting – especially Jang Na Ra, she was stellar! I loved her deadpan expression and her deep, husky voice as well as the vulnerability she brought to her character. A real treat! Hated the villain’s acting though, he pissed me off, it felt forced… Overall, really nice – I am pleasantly surprised by this one, it’s a little gem💎.

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Comforting

Ah, this was such a nice drama. I really liked the visual representation of the different mental illnesses: how panic disorder can feel like drowning, or social anxiety making you feel watched and trapped in a box at the same time. How depression can feel dark and lonely, and like you’re moving in quicksand, slowly drowning. I loved Go Yoon’s patience and overall sweet and goofy personality a lot, but also Da Eun’s friendship with Yu Chan. The bond shared by the nurses was also so heartwarming, it was really nice to see how they have each other’s back without prejudice. It was also super interesting to see Da Eun becoming a patient herself, being in denial about her illness, but also getting back on her feet thanks to her strong support system. The show felt very comforting despite the heavy subject matter, I had a great time watching it!🌞🌞

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Cute show!

This was a fun and light-hearted, not too serious show – I really liked it. I liked how the female lead matured over the show, but she didn’t entirely lose her playful side either. KYD has proven again that his comedic timing is really good, he also plays the infatuated simp really well. Deeper, more emotional scenes are sometimes a little eh from his part, but I enjoyed the overall chemistry he had with the female lead as well as his general performance in the drama. The ending was also super satisfying – the bad guys were sufficiently punished and the main couple got to be happy! All in all, cute watch with the right length!🎉

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Okay, but nothing more

This was okay. I wish romcoms were still romcoms though. Who thought it was a good idea to add TWO unnecessary antagonist sub-plots into the show? So dumb, to be honest – I just skipped them🤭😪. The old lady had one-sided beef because the male lead didn’t want her to be his sugar mommy?? And the other dude was some anti-fan?? Don’t even ask, I skipped all that. The secondary couples, and romance in general, were super cute though. In my opinion, Kim Young Dae shined well in this show. He had good comedic timing and his chemistry with Lee Sung Kyung was also great. He was a lot more expressive here than he was in “Moon in the Day” (granted, those shows have … nothing in common really lmao). We could have all lived without the Africa storyline though… right? They represented a CONTINENT as some kind of entity (country) that needs saving as a whole from… a South Korean actor?? Weird. This was really… not needed at all (also, what was that yellow filter😭😭 that’s like American shows putting a yellow filter to show that they’re in Mexico… who told the director/editors that this was the way to go?🫣). The romance and comedy were cute enough, but I’m sure that there are better (and more consistent) shows out there.🤗

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Cute!

Giving this show a cute 7 stars because Ying Luo made me cry at the end. She didn't want to let go of her daughter😭😭 Anyway, this was not as sharp as the parent story, and the plot and characters felt quite juvenile - no surprise since the characters are younger -, but this was nonetheless nice. I think I enjoyed this even more because I loved SOYP so much, it's literally my Roman Empire; saying goodbye to Ying Luo and co for a second time is just cruel. Her scenes ate as always, she literally mothered. I loved that we got to see her playful and scheming side, and how she let Zhao Hua do her own things after gently getting her on the right track. The story itself is honestly kind of crazy (ha!), but it's a cute little 6-episode show that won't hurt you. It's nothing extraordinary, but it delivers nice sets, costumes, decent acting, nice music and a dash of madness. Overall, cute show with some of my favorite characters💞.

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Utterly destroyed

I actually died with them. Yes, I did. I am utterly destroyed and can only feel agony, my head hurts. This was absolutely amazing. I liked how this show gave us different angles on how each character questions their own identity and nationality, where they belong to or not. I loved how Ae Sin represented Korea, and how Hui Seong, Eugene and Dong Mae stood for the different relationships they have with their country. The cinematography, OST, acting – it was all so splendid and rich, an absolute delight to watch this show. The simple, quiet things between Eugene and Ae Sin, how their actions spoke louder than words. Their relationship was always at its best when it was just the two, enjoying mundane things. Sometimes, the show could be a little slow, and I also didn’t quite understand Kudo Hina as a character to be honest. But overall, this was amazing. But I still have a headache…

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Finding your own happiness

Kang Ji Won taking her revenge, growing and finding her own peace and happiness is all very dear to me. Her character was just so wonderful and wholesome, I am so happy she found her happiness and took back control of her own life. This show was really good from start to finish, even if episode 12 was maybe a little rough for our couple – I didn’t care and it wasn’t even as bad as people said, honestly, some were incredibly dramatic lmao.

Ji Won finding two new girl-friends was just so pure and beautiful, and all three of them being happy in the end fulfilled me too! I wish we would have gotten more of Eun Ho x Hee Yeon and Mr. Lee x Mrs. Yang because they were all so cute in their own way, but the show didn’t give them as much room 😔. I also think that BoA is not very suitable as an actress for this role, her acting was really bland compared to Song Ha Yoon and Park Min Young, who acted like rent was due. Overall, very satisfied with this show, I am happy to know that it was successful and that we got the most beautiful K-Drama wedding ever!❣️

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This rant is from a couple weeks ago lol, anyway:

One thing that has bothered me a lot while reading the comments on this page, is that people seem to be too focused on the "taking revenge" part of the story. In my opinion this show isn't about revenge, it's about self-discovery and self-growth. It's about finding peace, and getting rid of something that has ruined you before but that you won't let define you this time. In her previous life, Ji Won put herself last, not even second or third, but last. She was never her own priority, people walked all over her, she got sick and then she was accidentally killed (but how much longer until MH and SM actually killed her?). In her second life she gets a new chance. She gets to get rid of SM and MH, yes, but she also gets to change her appearance, she gets to learn and do new things, she gets to enjoy life, she gets to meet new people who truly appreciate her, she gets to find her inner peace without needing anyone's apology in order to get it.

Her newly found self isn't perfect, and we see how it's a slow progress because she was abused (twice) after all. People complaining why she didn't leave MH once she travelled back are so... annoying? Are you watching the show? Do you understand the characters? SM is a scumbag because she likes taking things and people away from Ji Won. It happened with Eun Ho in highschool and it happened again when she stole her "other half's" husband. If MH isn't Ji Won's, there is no fun is stealing him from Ji Won. Because THAT is the catch. SM is truly a deranged and nasty woman because she does everything in her power to isolate JW from anyone so that she is the only person ever (which is, surprise, pretty abusive).

Ji Won is playing mind games, planting insecurity and at the same time a sense of superiority into SM and MH's minds. They THINK she has no idea, but of course she does. That's the whole plan. Ji Won is not a weak woman here, she's a victim of abuse - several kinds of abuse actually: domestic, emotional, physical. Like, she's BEEN through it. And you want her to be normal about it? Do you think she's healed in 2 seconds just because she took revenge and found a decent man? You don't heal from stuff like this that quickly. Sometimes, it comes back. And we get to see that from time to time.

That's it, anyway, the show is great. I like the visuals and the acting as well as the OST! The cinematography is also great, especially in E11 when JW and JH went to the beach 🥰🥹 I'll go more in depth once the show is over.

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A FEAST

A feast for my eyes, a 5-course meal, a visual experience. The acting, the sets, hair and make-up, the costumes, the colors/atmosphere, the characters, the fight scenes, the cinematography, the music, the CGI!!!!! Everything was visually SO pleasing. What a stunner! I saw this was made by the same director as “My Journey to You”, so I expected greatness, and I got greatness. If censorship wasn’t real, they would have kissed by the way. Also, Shou Ye served massive cunt as a snake, I’m sorry, it had to be said. Now, if only Deng Lun had paid his taxes… We will never see the sequel😭 I need this visual feast again…!!!!

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comforting and depressing

“You missed me too much. So, it was your imagination.”

When grandpa called his wife Xiao Xiao… but his wife isn’t Xiao Xiao…

Grandpa’s letter… I almost made it through the whole movie without crying, but then the letter came… I’m very upset now.

This was beautiful yet heartbreaking and the actors played their characters so naturally and masterfully. Time moved so quickly while watching this movie, which means a lot in my book because I'm not a movie person at all. This felt comforting and depressing at the same time, and I liked how his game was represented in the present timeline. The scenes were in black and white because they didn't end up together. I guess the end becoming colorful meant they found peace in their breakup because their love for each other still persisted even if they aren't together? Whatever it is, this movie was beautiful, but I will NOT watch it again😭💗

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Uhhhh finally finished this show and it was so much fun. I started this all the way back in April and never continued buuuuut I'm watching >My Dearest< right now, and waiting for new episodes every week is excruciating to say the least. Therefore, I decided to pick up this show again since it also stars Namkoong Min and what can I say: This man is a gem on screen. This show as a silly little treat to be honest, and I did not expect to cry at all ... but I did lmao. His backstory is quite sad but I really liked the way they introduced it to us. I loved the fashion in this show as well as the acting, it was over the top but very fitting and I loved the chemistry between everyone! I also loved Lee Je Hoon's little cameo with the >Taxi Driver< OST haha! Can't wait to see Namkoong Min in season 2 of that show since he made a cameo there - bless their friendship. The last couple of episodes were really good even though I found the one where Mu Jang got scammed a bit *too* goofy, it served much more as a plot device but to be honest it was still super funny and the show made me genuinely laugh out loud many times.

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