i skipped a lot of scenes in each episode. it was a compelling and grounding drama. it wasn't overdramatic when it could have easily been. it's a drama that defied the drama genre in that the plot was dramatic, but not at all convoluted. it wasn't over the top and it never bordered on that. I think the female lead was rather bland. The male lead was strong! I saw him in Coffee Prince and the movie Parasite (2019). I saw this show after Parasite (2019). The actor has range.
He played his character really well. You could see his turmoil under his quiet demeanor. There were times where the actor had the potential to become melodramatic or underwhelming at times, but he did NOT! His acting is what makes this show strong.

The rest of the cast was ok. Chemistry was ok. The female lead was pretty bland. I saw IU in that Scarlet Lovers show. Her acting abilities did not improve. The role she plays here is the same role in Scarlet Lovers when that character becomes all sad. I think Park So Dam or Kim Go Eun would have added dimension to the female lead's characters.

not a re-watch.