Good, but Ji Chang Wook is not bringing the magic

The short episode format is a nice departure from average kdramas, but I'm getting the feeling that this drama is sacrificing some depth to save time.

Once again, the writing of Kim Ji Won's character is too manic-pixie-dream-girl for my taste, though the very end of this episode gave a valid reason for that. Her performance was sparkling, however.

The rest of the characters are clearly stock characters (cold, but physically passionate woman; guy who initially acts like he knows everything about women, but hasn't been on a date for years; young guy who is inexperienced, but who thinks he has it all figured out, etc., etc., ad nauseum). The actors do a fine job, but the writing lacks depth so far.

Once again, most of the design was delightful, though there was a scene where Ji Chang Wook was working at a desk, and it looked extremely generic -- like someone found a nook in a hallway somewhere. It was incongruous enough that it took me out of the moment. Still, the surfing scenes were lovely, and the Ikea/American Indian/Latin American touches to the trailer looked super cozy.

One thing I appreciated in this episode was a slightly more realistic depiction of intimacy -- no one looked terrified, not everyone was experienced, and it didn't take thirteen episodes to get there. I'm going to be candid and say that a Ji Chang Wook kiss and bare-shoulder shot certainly added to my Christmas cheer.

Unfortunately, I still had that nagging feeling about something about Ji Chang Wook being somehow off. I feel kind of like I'm watching a stand-in, like he was replaced by someone who looks, acts, and sounds a lot like him, but who somehow doesn't bring the same energy as the original.

This is the first post-military drama of his that I've watched since the others didn't receive very good reviews, so I don't know if this is just who he is now that he's a bit older, or what. I will optimistically hope that he is just a bit tired from working so much this year and from all of the COVID changes. I long to see that magical twinkle in his eyes again, and I hope that whatever seems to be holding him back changes soon.

Don't get me wrong, he's still professional enough to give a watchable performance, it just isn't particularly memorable. I find this particularly disappointing since he is working with such a lovely and capable costar.

The little twist at the end of this episode was a good one, and I look forward to seeing it play out in future episodes.

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