A Refreshing Take on Age Gap Romances.

Disclaimer: I'm not the type to usually watch age gap romances, but I will admit I am a sucker for Nam Joo Hyuk LOL so here we go!

Storyline: 10/10
Everytime I've watched a kdrama with an age gap, I'm immediately disgusted by how the (usually) male lead sees the younger woman romantically right off the bat. Especially when it's a minor and it's one of those "forbidden loves". But this story takes a wonderful spin on it. The male lead even explicitly says: "minors should date minors, adults should date adults". And even in the way the two characters talk, you can tell that the male lead knows to set a boundary and doesn't treat a minor girl like a "woman" so to speak. It's the bare minimum, but it's always lovely to see respectful characters. Aside from the main characters, the storyline itself is refreshing too. It's a bit sad since it's based on the IMF crisis, but it's got a good mix of sadness and hope. You don't feel weighed down by the heaviness of the situation but it's never a childish hope either. It's simply the world through the two leads' eyes: hope for the female lead since she is young and full of dreams and realism for the male lead since he's older and his dreams have been tarnished.

Acting/Cast: 10/10
Personally, I've watched Nam Joo Hyuk's dramas since 2017 onward and it's amazing to see how much he has improved. His facial expressions are better, his movements are more fluid. He's got Baek Yi-Jin nailed for me so far. Sad but kind, and just enough quick quips to be endearing. Now, this is my first time seeing Kim Tae-ri, but she is phenomenal. I was shocked to learn she's 30 because of her youthful face and her wonderful acting. She fits the part with her expressions, and you really feel like you're watching the character come alive and not an actor. I will definitely be watching more of her once this show finishes airing!

Music: 8/10
The music is quite good, I think it fits the retro vibe without any overkill. That's pretty much all I've got to say on that, but it's a sweet tune that adds to the vibe!

Rewatch Value: 10/10
As of now, it's hard to say whether I'd watch this show again since it's still going. But for now, I'm loving the way the show is moving and these characters.

Alright that's my review! I hope this can be helpful to anyone on the fence about watching this amazing drama. =)

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A Captivating Premise—but will it stick the landing?

Hello everyone :) This is my review for the ongoing k-drama Captivating the King. As always, all opinions are my own and no hate to any actors!

Story: 8/10
The story of this show is fairly generic for historical k-dramas—a high-ranking ML who is a nobleman or a member of the royal family—and a FL who hides being female for a purpose. From this description alone, I'm sure you can think of a few other k-dramas with the same premise. However, one thing that sets this k-drama apart from others in this generic description is it makes unusual decisions using the same algorithm. I'll outline how in a few ways:

#1) The ML in this show is not a squeaky-clean gentleman, he makes decisions that sway the FL and the audience against him, and then earns us back. His intentions and his mind are hard to read, and yet he's simultaenously very earnest-looking and charmismatic, making even the watcher wonder if it's right to root for him or not.

#2) The writers in this show are not afraid to kill off characters that aren't needed, which adds mystery to the plot as there isn't just one "big" villian throughout but multiple questionable characters that make us suspicious and then earn our trust back—the ML included.

#3) There aren't 100% clear lines of loyalty. Many of the characters cross and double-cross one another, using one another for their own purposes. I feel that this adds a lot of depth to the story, as in other historical shows, there's often the "good guys" side and the "bad guys" side.

For the above reasons, this show has been a lot of fun to watch so far. This being said, I will admit I have a few issues with the storyline as well, which is why I only gave it an 8/10 instead of a 10. These issues include:

#1) The FL in this show is admittedly less well written than the ML, which disappoints me for multiple reasons. Firstly, she's meant to be his equal, someone that gives him a run for his money (hence, the struggle of who gets captivated). We also don't get as many complex emotions from the FL's character as we do the ML's, as she almost always does what a viewer would consider to be "the right choice". I feel like the writers could have made her more of a grey-area character like the ML, and I think it would've made their already-incredible chemistry and forbidden love that much hotter.

#2) This show is very heavy on the politics and very light on the love. I understand why it's like that for plot purposes, but it's my own opinion that this show could've used more romance even if it was angsty. This being said, there are SOME scenes in which the intimacy just through simple touches and intense eye contact that made my heart flutter too, and since this show isn't over yet, I wouldn't say it's bad enough to be a dealbreaker even if you like romance dramas more.

Acting/Cast: 8.5/10
This is the first drama of Jo Jung Suk's that I've seen (although I am watching Hospital Playlist for the first time simultaenously haha) and I must say that I am blown away by his acting. His micro-expressions are incredible, the intensity of his eyes, and the way he says his lines with passion is really something. He really brings the ML's complex character to life in a refreshing way.

As for Shin Sae Kyeong, I have seen her previously in the Bride of the Water God and I was disappointed then and I am disappointed now. Now, I will admit that the writers did not give her as much to work with for her character as they did for Jo Jung Suk's character. Still, I feel that her expressions are exactly the same in every scene, give or take some tears. I do like the way she delivers her lines and the intensity in her eyes, but her flat expression takes away from her hard work. Initially, I wasn't too bothered by her expressions but as the show continues I am finding it harder to watch, especially since there's less romance than I expected and more political scenes where the FL must hold her own. Although I am disappointed, I mean no hate to Shin Sae Kyeong, and I am sure I will watch her future shows if they have an interesting plot like this too.

As for the supporting characters, I feel like they all did an exceptional job. Everyone, from the King's right hand man, to the royal family members, to the FL's allies, the Court Maids, and even the child actors did a wonderful job. The Grand Prince is a bit choppy in his acting, but he's still starting out so I won't criticize him too much.

Music: 8/10
I'm not a big OST person, but I felt this OST has been nice to listen to. 8/10.

Rewatch Value: 8/10
Since this show is still going on, it's a bit hard to guess the rewatch value since I haven't seen the ending. But I have enjoyed each episode and how it keeps me on my toes as well as the chemistry between the ML and FL, so I think I would rewatch this show.

And that's all for my review! Thanks for reading :)

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A Weak Plot the Star-Studded Cast Didn't Deserve

It's been a while since I wrote a review, so please excuse me if I ramble a bit!
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SPOILERS!!!

Storyline: 4/10
The premise of this story is quite interesting, a man whose family has been cursed for a long time and a woman who seemingly can save him. On the outside, it looks like a perfect set-up for a magical modern story as the characters fall in love. The storyline starts out interesting but quickly gets sloppy, as the writer clearly struggles to maintain and balance the modern elements of the story as well as the fantasy elements. Although I've never personally written a script, I found myself thinking throughout watching the show that the writer had opportunities to put in plot twists but didn't take them---and at times threw in twists that weren't completely necessary.

I would say the love triangle was pretty much useless in this show, as the second male lead contributed essentially nothing. He does not protect the female lead, does not add anything to her magical journey, and just seems to argue with the male lead all the time. His character is also rather static, we learn very little about him except for his dysfunctional family dynamic and even that doesn't add very much. I'm sure it must have been a very limited character for the actor to work with, but he did a very good job with what he had.

Similarly, I felt the whole "other woman" dynamic was also poorly executed. Yes, the male lead's "girlfriend" cheats on him and we're meant to think everything is "even" because the female and male leads are technically cheating when they get together. I think they did a bit too much with the male lead's girlfriend in terms of the bully character, forcing the actress to repeat the same lines over and over. Although her character technically gets her karma in the end, we don't learn what she ACTUALLY did to the female lead until literally episode 16. Very sloppy!

Throughout the show there are many build-ups to literally nothing. For example, the shrine at the start of the show. We're told it's important and then they do nothing with it, no big full-circle moment like we'd expect. Same thing with Grandma Eun-Wol's character, you think she'll add something important but she doesn't. And most of all, the magical part of the show! We never learn for sure whether magic is true or not, and characters question it the whole time. This definitely makes the show duller, as we're promised fantasy and don't get it.

Overall, the writers of this show completely shot themselves in the foot. The story has so much prospect, but it is terribly half-baked and thrown together. This is of course reflected in the viewership ratings which even Rowoon's handsome face alone can't save. With some more planning and time, I personally think this show could've been a big hit!

Acting/Cast: 8/10
Now, some might disagree with me on this, but I truly felt bad for the actors of this show. As I described above, the storyline was incredibly messy and oftentimes redundant. Despite this, I felt that the actors truly did their best to make this show somewhat palatable. Rowoon does an excellent job at playing a golden retriever boyfriend, although I do find some of his more serious scenes bland---with the exception of his acting in episode 16 during a certain emotional scene. This is the first time I've watched Rowoon, and I actually didn't know he was an idol until I looked him up. His romantic and comedic expressions feel very natural, but his anger and seriousness could be just the tiniest bit better. Overall, he did amazing.

For Jo Bo Ah, I've seen her in Tale of the Nine Tailed, and I must admit, this is exactly what I expected from her. Just like in TotNT, Jo Bo Ah's happy-go-lucky acting feels very forced and bland. Comedy doesn't particularly seem to be her strong suit as an actress, neither is the cutesy style. However, I absolutely LOVED her acting in the flashbacks. Serious, heartbroken, and tear-filled. She truly sells her role in the flashbacks. Even when confronting her stalker, Jo Bo Ah's serious and tense expressions really come through. I'd love to see her in a thriller/revenge plot as the main character, if she hasn't done something similar already! Overall, I liked her and thought she did quite well with a rather plain Jane character.

For Ha-Joon (who played Kwon Jae-Gyeong) and Yura (who played Yoon Na-Yeon), I felt they also did a great job at making their dull characters come to life. Like I said, the script is messy and neither of their characters grow throughout the course of the show. I did find Kwon Jae-Gyeong's expressions a bit dull, but he certainly sells the image of an aloof gentleman well. As for Yoon Na-Yeon, I liked her micro-expressions especially in teary-eyed scenes. You can feel she's trying to give the character more depth through her acting, but the script doesn't allow for more than what she can show you. I felt like that was a real shame.

I'd also like to point out that of all the female characters in this show, there is never a single scene where they are not discussing a man. Between Lee Hong-Jo and Yoon Na-Yeon nor between Lee Hong-Jo and her co-workers. I understand that it's a rom-com, but seeing women who can only talk about men and nothing else is unrealistic and difficult to enjoy for me personally. Nonetheless, all the actors including the supporting actors did a good job!

Music: 8/10
Personally, 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. So 8/10 for that!

Rewatch Value: 4/10
Unfortunately, I had hopes this show would be good as I've heard good things about Rowoon's acting and I personally like Jo Bo Ah. For me the rewatch value is a 4/10 because although I picked apart this show quite a lot, I think a good part of it is because I watched it every week as it was airing. If you're in the mood to sit back and not think a whole lot (unlike me haha), this show is fine to marathon and the eye-candy male and female leads certainly make the entire experience better!

That's all from me, thank you for reading my very long review haha <3

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Vincenzo -- Another TvN drama that doesn't really land the ending

Hi everyone,
This is my first kdrama review on this site, so please be nice!
Vincenzo is the kind of drama that I find to be a pattern with TvN shows -- it promises a lot but it doesn't deliver what it says it will. The writer does a great job of building the hype, but kills it on their own with a few mistakes. I'd like to emphasize that these weren't a dealbreaker for me necessarily since I finished the entire series, but they did definitely make the show a drag.

Downsides to this Drama: (Only 3 y'all, don't wanna bore you! 😜)
[1] The rich man with an infinite amount of money
A classic K-drama stereotype. The heroine in need of money and the hot, rich guy who has a bottomless bank account and they're madly in love. This is one of those tropes that is funny at first because of how ridiculous it is, but in Vincenzo, it's pretty much the driving force behind the plot. In almost every episode, Vincenzo is showing off his wealth and yes the actor does make it look cool at first, it gets boring to watch towards the end. Love the actor, not a fan of this character.

[2] Villians that never change their evil-doing patterns
This is a less commonly seen trope in kdramas, which I normally find exciting and fun. The bad guy tries something, he fails in front of the hero, so he comes up with something even more sinister that keeps you on the edge of your seat. In Vincenzo, there's an attempt to do that but it often falls short. Vincenzo gives the villian a run for his money, something pretty cool to watch, but not as fun when a single character is basically driving the plot alone.

[3] Romance is subtext
Now, I know I'll get some bad rep for this one. Yes, I know the main point of this show isn't romance, but I mean, the writer was being rather stingy with his romantic moments here. I mean, even a little bit more would've been good by me. It's really cute in some parts, but so many things get left unsaid that you just keep wishing they'd added a little more to the dialouge in the emotional scenes. Not the worst, but I'll live.

Upsides to this Drama:
[1] Side characters that live in your head rent free.
This show is one of those where you get attached to the side characters without meaning to. You laugh more when they're on screen, and you really want to see them get their happy ending. The writer does a great job at creating this fuzzy feeling of family among people who really couldn't be more different. Awesome.

[2] No goody-two-shoes good guys here.
Vincenzo isn't afraid to break some rules, and neither is Chae-young. They're tough, they play dirty when they know they're going to lose, but they do it with elegance. Not to mention, a badass power couple fighting crime together? Sign me up!

[3] Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Every villian in this show gets what they deserve twofold, part of a somewhat gruesome but also weirdly satisfying ending. It's a bit much, but at the same time fits the vibe of the show. It'll surprise you for sure, I know it surprised me.

Overall:
Vincenzo is definitely a show with its flaws, but I wouldn't say it's an awful one so it's a 7/10 from me. The music gets a 7, the acting gets an 8 (because of the good chemistry). If you're okay with some very in-your-face and over the top cliches, like rich-man-with-infinite-amount-of-money, go right ahead. Just let yourself laugh it off, even when the show's being a bit much. It's not the most serious show, but it will make a statement. That being said, I'm more of a romance woman myself, so rewatch value is gotta be a 6/10 for me.

Hope this helps someone! Have a great day y'all.

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A Fantasy That Takes You By Surprise!

Alrighttttttt I have been MEANING to write a review about this damn show! It is SO good.

Story: 9/10
You might be familiar with the incredibly popular show The Untamed, which focuses around the ideas of soul shifting and spiritual cultivation. This show uses very similar ideas, something new for Korean TV although not so new in Chinese TV as I've seen. The story doesn't look like much at the start -- a woman who's built herself up and a rich boy who's had it all handed to him. But then you get into it, and you see the depth of the characters. In only 4 episodes, the writers have shown incredible story building and you get sucked right into the kingdom of Daeho.

Acting: 10/10
I will be honest with you, I was not expecting much when I started this show. I have watched shows with both of the leads in them before, and neither Lee Jae Wook nor Jung So Min have impressed me before. This show surprised me, because both have been pulling their A-game. Lee Jae Wook plays the darling, easy-going jokester known as Jung Uk. And Jung So Min plays the role of the stern maid Mudeok with a big secret. From episode 1, their chemistry is off the charts. I would definitely say it's the script, but Lee Jae Wook's flirtiness made me giggle too. And Jung So Min is not one to be messed with either, because she knows how to curve his romantic gestures and set him straight. It makes for a cute "they don't know they're literally married" dynamic.

Music: 9/10
The background music is quite dramatic and fun, very befitting espcially during the fight scenes. I like the song on the ending credit too, not much more to say for this category.

Rewatch value: 10/10
From what I've seen so far, this show is written very well and both of the leads are shining. Even all the supporting actors (especially Jung Uk's uncle!) do a phenomenal job of sucking you into the world of Alchemy of Souls. If you're on the fence about this show, don't be --- this show is worth your time and more!

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A Rom-Com That Can Make Anyone's Heart Skip

Hello everyone!! I know I am VERY late to this show and all it's glory, hence why likely not many people will end up reading this review, but I must write it anyway---even though I'm not 100% done this show myself (which is something I seldom ever do for my reviews). I will preface this review by saying I don't usually watch C Dramas, the only other Chinese show I have seen is The Untamed, which is of course a very different genre from this one. Nonetheless, I stumbled across this show on Netflix and can't wait to give you my review!!

Story: 10/10
Now, I will preface this by saying I have not yet read the English translation of the original novel, but I am aware there are certain differences. Such as in the novel, Duan Jiaxu is 7 years Shang Zhi's elder, but in the show, he is only 5 years older than her. I usually steer away from age gaps in shows and books personally, ESPECIALLY when the ML and FL meet when one is a minor. However, this show does an incredible job of showing both characters, their personalities, and how their dynamic changes over time. The ML, Duan Jiaxu, treats the FL (Shang Zhi) as nothing more than a younger sister for the first several years of their relationship and then slowly he begins to see her as a woman when they meet again.

Although the age gap could slow down any other rom-com show, we never lose any of the chemistry from start to end. The writers do an incredible job of selling the story to us through the FL's innocent, fluttering heart. Even as an adult watching this show, I feel teleported back into my own middle school and high school days as we watch them interact in a heartfelt way. The writers also do an excellent job of showing the FL's innocence without making her unintelligent or unaware of others' feelings, and as you watch, you start to root for her and the ML. Both the ML and FL are kind and honest, and are willing to communicate their concerns to one another. It's very refreshing to watch--no unnecessary miscommunications!

In the second half of the show, when both are now adults, that fluttering feeling only gets stronger for the audience. Only now, this fluttering is accompanied by more adult-like issues. The show shifts to a slightly more "grown up" vibe effortlessly, and we start to see some problems in the ML and FL's lives, how they cope like adults, and how they support one another. It's incredible how almost all of the scenes in this show have just the ML and the FL, but we never get bored as the story is always pushing forward and we can see slow changes in both leads' personalities for the better.

The story itself is a simple brother's best friend situation, but the emotionally mature characters and sweet romance make you feel like you're teleported into their world--it makes you feel like a love like that is waiting for you around the corner! So heartwarming.

Acting/Cast: 10/10
I absolutely love all of the actors in this show despite it being my first time seeing them. Each actor knows their role very well, and conveys emotions in a way that makes you feel like you're truly watching a character be brought to life. One thing I have noticed is almost the entire cast is incredible at micro-expressions, whether it's a smile fading slowly or showing worry with a shift in their gaze. This is especially true for the ML and FL, who are both so good at showing their characters' love and concern for one another. I'd also like to point out the actor who plays the FL's older brother. He makes me laugh every time he comes on screen, and you feel like you're watching a brother bicker with his sister every time, but he does a great job in serious scenes as well. Seeing this quality of acting makes me wonder what I've been doing not watching C Dramas!

Music: 9/10
I'm not really a big OST person, but I truly enjoyed this show's OST. I particularly like the one song which goes "moonlight shines in your eyes", it makes my head beat fast whenever it plays during a romantic moment between the leads. How lovely!!

Rewatch Value: 10/10
This show is incredibly healing. You get lots of comedy and romance, and although there is a reasonable amount of sadness and problems, you don't feel weighed down by it. The writers have done an excellent but incredibly difficult job: making a show that is romantic and fluffy without making it feel plotless or like you can't enjoy the romance because of the heaviness of the problems. I am not all the way done this show yet, but I already know I will be rewatching it in years to come. We all need some rest and peace sometimes, and this show does that for me.

Overall: 10/10!

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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*

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Seo Hyun Jin does it again!

This drama is another version of the corrupt high society dramas that have been quite popular lately. If you liked dramas like Vincenzo and Penthouse, you'll most likely like this one. What I personally like a lot about this show, however, is the strong woman character. She is smart, she is fierce, but she has a reason for what she does. And I think Seo Hyun Jin does a great job, every scene her facial expressions and lines sound natural and like she is embodying the character. This is what helps sell an otherwise overdone plot.

In terms of acting, Hwang In-Youp is new, much newer than Seo Hyun Jin. He is good at a certain type of role, a caring but fierce lover boy. We all saw this in True Beauty back in 2020. But in this drama, he has shown improvement in his acting so far. His facial expressions are better, and his ability to convince us he is the character, not just playing it.

It takes a bit to get into the plot of this show, especially if you are a woman. Unlike other kdramas, this kdrama isn't afraid to talk about the reality of violence against women. Sexual assault and rape are discussed in this show, which can be quite triggering to some people. Women face some physical violence as well. This is different, but I think it is an intentional thing from the writer to get the viewers to root for this tough female main character, who faces danger knowing others want to break her down.

I have watched all 4 of the episodes that are out so far, and I can say this is a very good show so far. I think some of the cliche's can be made up for by the suspense and twists in the show, as well as the chemistry between SHJ and HIY (who, despite their 6 year age gap, look very good together!)

If you're on the fence about this show, go into it with a little bit of openmindedness. The plot has its flaws, but the actors will win your heart and make you root for their characters love and revenge. Thanks for reading!

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