Reviews

Terrible is too high of praise

Watching this, my overwhelming thought was how could a collection of people so absolutely stupid be enrolled in a university. Too many shallow characters, and it seemed like none of them actually took school seriously or studied. The entire show would have been more believable as a story about students in their first year in high school. The best characters by far are Yoo Eun and Oh Hyun Jung - they seemed completely out of place with the rest of this cast, and both actresses deserve high praise for their performances.

The description of the show claims that Mi Rae is insecure and begins to regain her lost confidence and discovers true beauty is on the inside. Funny, since while finally in episode 16 one could generously say she began to gain some self-confidence, she absolutely remained self-absorbed and shallow to the very end.. The character who actually grew as a person is, surprisingly, Soo Ah.

Extremely disappointing, True Beauty did this plot so much better

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Just a bit too slow

I really liked the characters! they are all more or less likeable and interesting. 6 is my usual rating for shows that were okay to watch, but are nothing special or didn't hook me emotionally + annoyed me here and there a bit, but I liked the crew so much that I added 0,5. And for people who care for looks: Eyecandy is served well. I mean, especially the main couple and Seji and Japan look so handsome, geez. Seji really stole my heart, lol. But the female couple is also absolutely gorgeous! Everytime I say Freya i was like "goddamn, what a pretty human being T_T".

The music was okay. the title song is nice, but sometimes the bgm was weird. :D

I don't really get why the throuple is so hyped, since they only got together in the last minutes of the last episode. ^^' The dynamic between those three was so weird (Ken obviously didn't like Pan much most of the time) till this point and as much as i crave relationships that are different from monogamy, i would have loved to see a proper built up here. Pan just offering this because Seji looks so sad all the time left a bad taste behind. The scenes afterwards helped a bit to clean this feeling, but I would have just loved to see how they are properly established and behave in a relationship. To see that Ken and Pan also get along well and not just Pan tolerating it, because Seji and Ken look on the edge of tears all the time. x)

I watched a bunch of scenes in double speed, because it was just sooo slow, geez.

But for the rest, it was okay to watch. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, because I don't think the story is strong or the relationships are fleshed out enough. It's a lot of the same, repetitive stuff.

Addition, that doesn't influence the rating: Oh. My. God. The subtitles on iQIYI were horrible. :'D

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Slow but consistent

For an action drama, its on the slow side but thats also what makes it different imo - its slow but builds up nicely. The pacing is definitely refreshing as the story slowly unfolds.

The implementation of superpowers is on the subtle but visually interesting side as it isn’t utilized for the entire drama while also being present where its needed.

One of the aspects I really enjoyed is the consistent unfolding of the main plot and how each cases and characters are connected to each other and the clear resolves.

I did find some superpower scenes to be hilarious (even when its not supposed to be) but it isn’t a negative part

Overall a solid drama! Ending was done nicely

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LOVE LOVE LOVE ITTT

“Cause I'm falling slowly love with you”
every time that line played, my heart MELTED
I don’t like yapping a lot, for someone who wants to read a short review before watching:
Watch it if you’re looking for a cute light hearted drama. It’s not too complex, yet very intriguing to follow. lots of lovey scenes that gets you kicking your feet, (the second lead in this one is less miserable so you won’t get a heart wrenching feeling lol) also if you’ve never experienced teenage love watch it, because it healed something in me.
the cast did such an amazing job that I laughed with them and cried with them.
THE OST are very emotional and beautiful, they have been playing in my head ever since I finished it

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What a good rollercoaster!

I didn't expect this emotional journey at all. I thought it would be a classical, predictable drama about infidelity, but oh boy, was i wrong.

Likes:
+ The start is pretty usual. We get a good introduction of the characters and the dynamic. With each episode, we dive deeper into the emotions. It's not overwhelming, it allows us to understand everything better step by step.
+ The character development is slowy, but natural and so authentic. At the beginning i was so pissed about the husband and just screamed internally that she should just leave him, but with further progress, we discovered more and more of the story and the characters emotions unfold so beautifully.
+ Theres a deep dive into psychology and i really suffered together with the characters. This drama hit me off guard out of fkkn nowhere.
+ The OST. Its beautiful. Not just the song itself, also the vibe, the lyrics and how the intro was shot, the symbolism (i have my own wild interpretation of the blue apple :')) It's been a few day since i finished this drama and i still listen to the intro on repeat. The whole vibe of the song and the drama just has me in a chokehold. I am emotionally so hooked. x.x
+ Plottwists all over, kinda. I was definitely surprised. After the quiet/slow (?) and not-so-special start, i expected a usual drama, but nope.
+ The child actor! Yuma's actor is just great! But all the actors did a great job.

I actually don't have much that I dislike about the drama. There's nothing that I could name in particular, besides one little thing, that I will put in a comment of my review, because I want to keep this review spoilerfree.

I really don't get the low rating at all! It's not a typical infidelity drama, where one is cheating and then the other part cheats, too. Just for fun and without giving a fck about the relationship.

Its deep, emotional, raw and inspiring & I really like it a lot!

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Great start, Indeed! Thriller fans are in for a treat

Short synopsis -
There were three best friends - Jun So, Yoo Jin, and Joon Jae Kyung. ( but time separated them.) Now that Jun So has passed away in mysterious way. Yoo Jin and Joon Jae Kyung will work together to uncover the truth behind their friend's death. One is a detective, and the other is a reporter - a great combination! I'm looking forward to seeing their friendship growth again. The teenage actors who play these three characters are very good, especially the one who plays Joon Jae Kyung.


This drama is not just a thriller; it also explores the theme of friendship, which adds emotional depth. Ji Sung's character is complex and multi-dimensional, which is impressive. At first, I had some doubts after watching the first episode, like the female lead getting married and how the makers going to convince us with this element. But after watching the second episode, I'm convinced by the story and their relationship. Now I'm even more interested in what happens next!"

I'm really enjoying the pace of this thriller drama so far! I hope the writer and director can maintain this momentum till the very end, delivering one of the best thrillers out there. All too often, thrillers start strong but lose steam around the halfway mark, getting fall down with unnecessary side plots and losing their momentum(I experienced this with Adamas, but I'm still want to give it another chance now). My fingers are crossed that Connection will avoid this trap and stay focused, keeping the tension and suspense high until the final episode. Great start, indeed! Thriller fans are in for a treat - let's keep it up!

RATINGS -

Based on the first three episodes, I confidentially believe that this drama has the full potential to be an exceptional thriller. Don't let ratings influence your decision to watch or not - give it a try regardless! The story has already shown promising twists and turns, and I'm confident that it will only continue to intensify and captivate viewers. So, don't hesitate - dive in and experience it for yourself!"

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Enjoyable and Slightly Disappointing

Just a short critical review among all the moonbeams and rainbows....lol
Before the rabid fans jump in on my opinion with the 'nu unhs" and "I disagree", I will say I enjoyed the heck out of this show but it still had its rough parts and all the actors brought their A-game.

But,

They should have written in a 5 year time jump to explain some of the slight personality changes.

1) Since its been some years since season 1 aired, many of the actors have become "bigger" (and thinner) actors. Which has lead to contract negotiations for more screen time, unnecessary closeups and input as part of agreements.
The most distracting in changes is of the second prince's feel, overall character and his personal guard. His overall vibe is just wrong somehow in season 2.
Runner up: Ye linger. Yes, they changed the actress but she became a matured version of her former self the moment she walks on screen; I would've liked to see the gungho and slightly unable to read the room Linger to have grown into what we are handed

2) Strange editing with no excuses for a drama that's been so anticipated; it should've been on-point. And, inline commercials with the characters without a breakpoint

3) Too many "who the heck are you?" again moments. took 2-3 episodes for one mid-season pop up to be recognizable as to where they fit in the story.

4) Nearly bored me to death in episodes after a fight scene in the final half.

5) That damn yogurt!!!

6) Misses a "that moment" that was achieved in Season 1. Even though they give one to chicken girl, it falls slightly flat with her scene partner's lack of tears (and he was really trying) and its almost identical mirroring of Season 1.

Is it worth a rewatch to me, nope. Would I recommend, yes with a warning on the vibe on the 2 characters mentioned above and to not watch without viewing Season 1 first.

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Emotional Rollercoaster

"Queen of Tears" is a rollercoaster of emotions led by the incredible talent of Kim Ji-won. This Kdrama showcases the evolution of storytelling in the genre, reaching new heights of entertainment and depth.

Kim Ji-won's performance is nothing short of remarkable. She effortlessly transitions between moments of laughter and tears, showcasing her acting range in every scene. The show manages to blend tragedy with humor in a way that's both clever and heartwarming. It's a rare feat to make audiences laugh until their bellies hurt one moment and then tug at their heartstrings the next.

Of course, Kim Soo-hyun's contribution to the series cannot be overlooked. His performance adds another layer of depth to the show, elevating it to the same level as beloved kdramas like "Crash Landing on You," if not surpassing it.

In "Queen of Tears," the storytelling is masterfully crafted to keep viewers hooked from start to finish. It's a testament to the evolution of K-dramas and their ability to tackle complex emotions while still providing entertaining and relatable content.

Overall, "Queen of Tears" is a must-watch for anyone looking for a captivating drama that will make them laugh, cry, and everything in between. It stands as a shining example of the best that kdramas have to offer in terms of storytelling and performance.

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A Cheesy Yet Charming Step in Kdrama's Evolution

Having recently finished this, it's evident that kdrama has evolved significantly, especially in terms of writing. The series demonstrates a departure from the over-the-top 80's style melodrama, although not entirely. It’s apparent that many writers have either been replaced or have learned from their past mistakes, leading to generally improved storytelling in contemporary dramas.
The show is riddled with clichés, to the point of being cringeworthy. The "poor girl meets rich boys" trope is painfully overdone, and the predictable plot twists do little to add originality. Watching the show can feel like a checklist of kdrama stereotypes: the aloof chaebol, the kind-hearted heroine, the love triangles, and the obligatory makeover scenes. The formulaic approach makes it hard to take the drama seriously.
Yet, the series has undeniable charm, largely due to its cast. "Cinderella and the Four Knights" has served as a launching pad for many actors, notably the beautiful Park So Dam. Her performance, along with the rest of the ensemble cast, brings a level of charisma that partially compensates for the lackluster script. The actors' chemistry and charm provide some genuine moments of enjoyment amidst the sea of cheese.
Speaking of cheese, this drama has more than a Quattro formaggio pizza. The excessive romantic tropes and overblown emotional scenes can be both entertaining and exhausting. It's the kind of show where you can predict the next line of dialogue or the next plot twist with uncanny accuracy, which might be endearing to some viewers but tiresome to others.
Despite its flaws, it remains watchable, even if only as background noise while doing chores. The light-hearted nature of the show makes it easy to follow without demanding much attention or emotional investment. It's the kind of drama that you can enjoy in a passive way, perfect for multitasking.
In conclusion, it’s a mixed bag. On one hand, it showcases the growth and evolution of kdrama writing. On the other, it clings stubbornly to outdated tropes and clichés. While it might not be groundbreaking or particularly memorable, its likable cast and easy-to-digest format make it a tolerable watch for K-drama enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

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Weird plot holes and lacking chemistry sadly

Overall I enjoyed the majority of this Series. It did get a bit weird and confusing and illogical in the end.. but well with a time travelling plot that’s to be expected.

Interestingly enough I feel like both Gawin and Krist did great with their roles respectively. It’s just that the feeling of a very socially awkward 30yo in the body of a teen just makes for a weird feeling generally… krist did great at being exactly what he was supposed to be… I don’t see fault in the actors here but very much in the story itself.

While I did ship both characters together and I did feel like they liked each other, we were missing some actual vocalisation of those feelings from one side which made the whole thing feel a bit lacking in chemistry.. i feel like they could have put more effort into actually showing his feelings at some point, they were definitely there but the series just really didn’t give him a chance to show that.

The last Episode IMO overall was just unnecessary and could’ve been cut out of the series without any issues at all

I actually rewatched the first 10 episodes because I had quit at the end the first time around, I did still enjoy even the second watch though. Just the end really wasn’t all that giving.

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