Original plot and good watch

This is really unusual, fresh and original story (I mean one story line which was reason I completed and was hooked till the end, there are 4 main characters and few story lines).
real life vibe, chalanges and emotions, that kind of love story you wont see in usual dramas (I even don't remember good examples of this situation in western tv shows, but it's really interesting and I think very realistic.
not those chliches we see in 90% dramas. not standard romance and chemistry but really different and real, something what really could happen in life.
I think old dramas have more freedom - as for plot and subjects, also in the way they show story; in this drama sex and mature relationships, mature problems and interests aren't pink elefant in the room. there aren't taboo subjects.
I really enjoyed with new emotions and story, and of course young and as always devilishly handsome sexy Shin Sung Rok!!!
FL was great too, great acting, beautiful and really interesting character, funny, nice and brave in her feelings, not usual naive/stupid/princess-like FL without personal characteristics.

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Wanna be Vampire Diaries

it's really cheap primitive drama, only reason to watch - it's really short and you wont waste much time.
also FL and SML are beautiful.
there is noting logical or realistic (I know it's fantasy but still)
someone wrote in review that SML bad boy vampire is like Damon from Vampire diaries and Eric from True Blood, but this character is really poor imitation, though these tv series where filmed 10 years ago and that one is airing now.... why can't they develop more? Though this SML is handsome, his makeup and clothes are too much, I even felt cringe when looking at him - he has makeup like cabaret dancer and is dressed like 80-90s cool guy from movie.

P.S. when I wrote it thought something could be interesting in this series, but it's worst then I could imagine, "troubles" are so out of nowhere and silly, everything is so silly and cheap...But "romance" is most silly and worst unbelievable in whole drama history ))))))))) I dont know why I completed though even this short series I practically skipped 90%, but even this little time was wasted...

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don't think this is one more random romantic story! it's really original fresh and deep, not pulled, like movie mini series, with amazing cinematography, good music, good acting, realistic story and characters, when you feel and believe it/them... This is not another fairy tale, fluffy love story and emotions which you cant believe, idealised characters that aren't real.. it's story of real complex relationship and love.

what you will see in this drama:
*realistic romance/relationship - love can fade after years, also we often don't value people we love until we don't loose them..
*even good people can be rude and selfish, can be bad boyfriends or friends, they can be tired from difficulties of life, because of they can be not kind, not supportive, not nice all the time... this is real life person, normal person, ML who isn't painted all in beautiful colors because he is ML of the drama, also that doesn't mean he is "bad guy who will become good" kind of character, he is just normal guy who will good and not so good time after time, who will learn lessons from his mistakes
*normal/realistic relationships, friend who can choose better life over his friends, son who hasn't good relationship to his father, though father isn't bad one, musician who is tired after failures.
*in love/relationship one person loves more, it's very often and that one can be female, though in 99% dramas guys love FL so deeply, but in real life, love is more complex thing.
*emotions and characters that you feel and believe, they are like you or some your friend, they are real humans.
*real chemistry and good acting, I mean not oscar worthy great performance, but acting that make you believe, like you are looking at real story and people.
*great cinematography and music
*not predictable story, you wont be bored and you wont know what will happen, so until the end it is interesting and not filled with unnecessary scenes or characters.

yes, there are some plot holes, or not so logical things, but it is kind of phantasy and doesn't have to be everything strict in physical laws. more important is emotional development of characters, their minds and story, which is made great!

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Beautiful, emotional, sad and amazing!

OMG this was so emotional, so beautiful and sad like poetry !
I rare have that much emotions after movie... and first time on MDL I feel angry about other peoples reviews.... how anyone can rate this movie so low and say "couldn't feel love"...
Main leads chemistry was crazy, male leads acting is sooo great you can feel how he can't breath from love, female lead was good too, her acting isn't on ML's level but it's understandable - she was young actress next to veteran actor.
Cinematography with music was so beautiful and harmonic, every scene was needed and good or great!
Main plot and screen time is romance and main leads (though movie is ML's point of view, more his story) but even few scenes without main leads was so well done to show society (not in very dark colors, how it is often with subject of infidelity but still with it's real bitterness) trough soldier's wives and how they discus events and people. I had expectations of more dark/tragic consequenses from society/outer world and was afraid of it, I've seen movies with infidelity especially not modern world and often it's so dark and cruel that after watching you have very hard/bed mood, and I was glad that this movie didn't dramatized too much. Also secondary characters are good, not too much bad or good, I mean to credit main leads or justify their actions (especially infidelity), often movies and tv shows make other characters too bad, so here wasn't that case. Overall every detail, every scene, character was exactly how it should be.
Mature context and sex scenes were also sooo beautiful, I can't remember sex shown as beautifully (I only had this feeling about western tv series "Outlander"), it was so open, shown full acts and still so esthetic... it was making love!

p.s. I'm rating story 9'5 because when I see "all 10" reviews I think it's not rational and trustworthy, though story hadn't weak parts, but always is chance of something better, so because I don't love rate every aspect with 10, story gets unfear 9'5 ))))

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Joyful watch - drama full of positive and fun

this drama isn't something you haven't seen or mind blowing story, but one of most pleasant drama to watch. it is fresh, funny, healthy and realistic relationships, no cliche and taboo, gives you positive feelings and makes you smile.

there are little things, that is really unic and different, not usual in 90% of dramas. for example: ML is positive funny guy who isn't "wanna be bad boy" or "wanna be most cool guy", not CEO, not rude, not crazy jealous masculine and not all that architypes we are used to in dramas; he is ordinary (but not ordinary) nice guy, very communicable, in good relationship with everyone, not most popular but not last one, jokes, drinks, goes out with friends (he has many friends), likes women (not sees only one girl the whole drama as MLs do usually) goes on dates and looks at life with smile. nothing special right? but he is so light and realistic, and so not like 99% MLs.
Also there is real friendships between girls and boys, even with them who then fall for each other, quite long time there is pure real friendship without hidden feelings and all the same plots and scenes we have seen 1000 times and these little usual things make this drama real fresh and realistic and interesting.

I've watched it some time ago but still missing the aura/vibe/atmosphere of it. in some dramas this atmosphere is done soo good they make you feel it strongly and even after some time, even if you don't remember full story you remember that atmosphere and miss it (for example reply 1988 had is strongly)

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different from everything, crazy funny and taboo free

Without spoiler:
this drama is really fresh, different, soo much funny and catches you from the first 10-20 minutes. there are so many things that are soo different from usual dramas.
what was great:
1. FL (though she kind of is ML) - character like who we haven't seen
2. phenomenal acting from FL. others are good too, but not near to her.
3. humor, oh God, I haven't laughed that much soo long
4. cliche and taboo free, for example I don't remember drama with so much sexual/intime undertones, they act so natural and show so real chemistry and sexual tension, passion...
5. very unusual story, I mean gender switching is normal in dramas, but there are so more unusual storylines in this drama, few times I was like "no way, they wouldn't goo so far..." but this drama really breaks many drama taboos
6. the whole mood of the show, with perfectly fitting music and acting, there are soo right mood, soo funny
.... there are many really good things too, you should watch )))

what was bad:
main problem is the end, 1-2 little different scene could be make this drama completely perfect.
Spoilers:
the whole story clearly showed, that it was only SY's body and then some memories, BH even blamed female body for wanting king. Even if there was some piece of SY which helped BH fall for king, the character we watched for 19,5 episodes was BH. King fell in love with BH and then changing him even and King didn't even noticed it... that's just not logical.

There was scene, when BH/SY says to that guy who loved her, that it's just her body and if he loved her how he couldn't notice that now this is different person, so same goes to king, even more because king was his husband and was all the time with her, so how he doesn't noticed?
Ok I understand if they would stay together and happy anyway, because he already loves her and even if noticed that she changed, he wouldn't just stop loving her in one day, would see her in good way anyway and get used to even new herself, it is realistic, on the other hand SY not saying "you know, I'm not the one you fall for" is realistic too, she loved king whole life. But at list they should show that king sees difference, is kind of confused, misses how she was or something like that. He loves his wife but misses something, that wouldn't destroy happy ending or anything.
We can't say that they afraid taboos or gay theme, because this drama had so many brave scenes, so much sex/intime undertones, they already showed us practically two males fall for each other. one gender theme was in side characters stories too. So why back at the end?

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mature realistic story, great acting and chemistry

It is really good drama, with realistic plot, where you will see story that could and happens in real life and not primitive cliche soap opera with romantized slap/kiss/violence and/or fairy tale. Maybe it's not every ones cup of tea because it's about infidelity and cheating, but if you haven't problem with it and don't look only dramas with Romeo/Juliete like story, fairy tale fluffs and very morally right characters, this is really interesting story, not drugged (only 4 hours) and overall quite good lakorn/drama.

Acting is really really good, especially 2 leads. ML and FL really have amazing chemistry. their acting, body language is natural and even with this short time you really feel story and characters. I could search only first episodes with subs but it cached me that much first time in my life I watched drama without subs (and I don't understand even word on Thai language) but with good acting I could understand and enjoy it.

big plus is really good looking FL and ML, only watching them is one pleasure especially when they have so good chemistry (as I saw they have another drama and I'm going to start it tomorrow).
Also (for my taste) it's good to see gray characters, real humans, not too perfect or too evil. Practically no one is here fully good or right... subject of infidelity itself causes it, but this drama also added characters extra layers and complexity to relationships.
Another plus is quite unpredictable plot - you won't know what will happen next or how it will end. some may like ending, some (including me) not really, but I think it's also realistic and fits the drama. It's not that kind story which could have super happy ending or tragic, there isn't any version which would be super happy or tragic.

I really recommend it

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The Rise of Phoenixes is simple best Asian drama, I tried but couldn't find anything like that...
Asian tv shows have many weakness, cliche moments, unnecessary slow motions and other silly things; this is one and only show where everything is perfect, characters are interesting, realistic and multilayered, there are many things (in relationships, in characteristics) that will make you think about human phsycology. story, music, every detail is great, every relationship and character is interesting.
Female lead is really smart, strong, interesting and funny girl, she is independent, strong woman and same time sweet childish wild girl.
romance is great slow burn, relationship is so reach and multilayered that even without/before romantic interaction it is greatest romance, they are soulmates, friends, partners and many other thing.
but I think the best thing in "The Rise of Phoenixes" is male lead, his character and his acting skills, his charismatic performance is perfect.

I would recommend to watch this later, if you watch The Rise of Phoenixes, after that you won't like many other shows ))))

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Perfect first half, dragged second half

This drama has high quality of production, not usual lakorn, also no cliches, stupid or one dimensional characters, predictable plot, old school mentality or even bad tasting clothes. Also everyone are so good looking, good actors... beautiful scenes, crazy chemistry romance(s), even music is good (I never liked music in Tai series)...
But... problem is that while first 5-6 episodes are super fast paced, 10/10 with every component being perfect, also first half of series (11-12 series) could do 8 or 9 rating, was interesting, beautiful and really great! but then it becomes soo stretched out... Maybe it's even more noticeable and disturbing because the beginning of the story unfolded so quickly and perfectly.
they added soap opera lines and cringe scenes, by the last episodes I had so many cringes, already skipped many scenes, I think ending was also very week and unsatisfactory. Not because who chooses whom, and the resolution of the love triangles, It just could simply be done much more efficiently and logically.
P.S. Also, even though FL is very beautiful and nice, at some point you get tired of her constant crying (she doesn't cry for no reason, but she has had too much).


Despite everything, it's really worth watching, because you won't find many such series, with quality, beautiful, good acting and strong chemistry, also unpredictable plot,
my advice: the perfection of the first series should not make you expect that it will be at this level at the end, having that in mind you will enjoy and watch drama much better then 90% of Tai series.

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GOD of acting Jo In Sung made pathetic weak not smart ML star of the show

This is really good drama, quite complex and amazing acting from greatest actor Jo In Sung, others were good too. many things are different from classic romance-melodramas, I mean it shows not fairy tale but reality and real characters.
though it should be shorter, I think 12-14 episodes would be good, because many situations are repetitive and even makes it boring in the middle - in the beginning story catches you, ending is bomb too, but most episodes are drugged, but you can't skip because there are many emotional scenes (though repetitive), so it would be much effective drama with interesting start, emotional development and bomb like (perfect) ending if it was shorter.

about Jo In Sung's character: this character would be absolutely unlikable if not acting of Jo In Sung - he wasn't bad guy we all like, wasn't good hero we all cheer, wasn't smart/badass/capable character we all admire, wasn't that kind dramaland classic CEO/rich guy who is attractive... he had nothing to like but Jo In Sung is real god of acting that made this pathetic weak not smart character star of the show....

SPOILERS about ending:
I like the tragic fact, it was perfect fit, Jo In Sung is amazing brilliant actor and I watched it because of him... BUT the whole drama build up natural chemistry between FL and SML, it was obvious that she loved him, though we could feel very sorry for ML (Jo In Sung) it was understandable why she fall in love for second guy. ML really loved her, had everything to give her... but somehow he was misfortunate and it's realistic when some people want to do right thing but their actions become opposite, so she fall for SML not ML...
Also ML's obsession and what he does in the end is understandable and great ending...
I just don't understand last dialogue between FL and SML... after everything she is in good place, with man she wanted, without problems, and all of a sudden she understands that she isn't happy with him and loves other guy? WTF? I can understand if she loved both, maybe more SML (it was obvious from her actions and expressions through all story) but in some way she fall for ML too, loving 2 men same time is rare in movies and maybe never was in kdramas but it's quite realistic and I would like if any drama has courage to show that... But even if she understood that loves/feels sorry for other guy too, it couldn't make her unhappy with the man she loved so long and wanting to leave him (and goo again in same repetitive, hard , impossible situation where she suffered so long) ...

p.s. she was ice cold to ML all the time he loved her like crazy and then says "I love you" when was killed by him in another man's bed? .....

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BOMB of emotions, rarely perfect combination from comedy to drama

it was such amazing drama, couldn't stop watching... Can't believe how it is so underrated ???

when I'm getting bored after 4-6 episodes of 80% dramas, skip half of episodes and almost never cry, with this one I wanted to watch every scene till the end, laughed so much, then cried, but soon after I was laughing loud... but last 3-5 episodes were absolute bomb of emotions. after 200+ doramas I could count on fingers when I was so emotional because of drama...

this drama has simple and warm story like slice of life, that makes you emotional 2-3 times (at list) per episode; sadness of melodrama and so much really funny moments like good comedy; Also it catches you to binge watch like action/adventure/suspense.

it has really amazing positive 3D characters, realistic relationships and overall realistic plot, without primitive cliches, endless misunderstandings, unnatural villains and stupid and/or superhero characters. characters are real humans, not only black and white. There are 5 main leads and 2-3 storyline, all really interesting.

SMALL SPOILERS:
there is emotional friendships: 3 women (FL, SFL and one more) who are friends since high school and support each other and amazing bromance which starts between ML and SML after short time love triangle, they have such healthy relationship, soo sweet... SML is very good guy who can see when his feelings are unrequited (though FL first liked him) and move on, like it would be in real life normal situation, he can be real friend with FL and ML too and ML very much likes him, they form soo lovely bromance which by the end becomes soo deep friendship with understanding and compassion... there were details that is soo rare in Asian dramas (man who is ready to plan date for woman he loves and new friend/ex-rival in love - that much compassion to friend).

everyone were really good, natural acting and delivering realistic 3D characters: positive-funny-supportive-little narcissist ML; strong independent FL; amazing human-supportive-funny-adequate SML, once badass but now abused SFL with character development; very honest-right-smart young guy in love SML (Ji Soo, who was as usual amazing).

p.s.
Kim Tae Hoon was star of the show!!!!

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high quality, interesting, intense, well written characters - very underrated drama

I can't understand why is this drama so underrated with only 2 reviews.
I didn't expected to like plot or FL, started only because of Kim Jae Young (and secondary romance), but story is really really interesting and intense. it's rare case when story isn't dragged and I even think more episodes would be perfect.
it's not usual female centered drama, it has more to offer. there are events and actions by character which make you think about human nature, think about fact that your actions are returning to you, revenge often is more painful for them who submits it, because if you go to the war, you should know there's always things and people you can loose.

Plot is really interesting, often quite original (which is rare in dramaland); yes, there are some plot holes but most of them is because in 16 episodes there are soo many events, character developments (some characters in fact didn't change but we saw more and more layers of them).
Characters, as I said are very interesting, not primitive but complex and difficult, realistic... you may like them or hate, but they are good and interesting as characters, very well written. I didn't wanted to be interested in FL but she and her story is interesting! how she makes people hate or love and be extremally loyal to her. Park Hee Bon was only annoying character for me.
Male characters (2 main) are also very interesting (in female centered drama, they are still and maybe with FL most multilayered characters), I could feel for them, their pain, their love and loyalty...
Acting is also very good, very natural, you know.. when acting and directing together make you completely feel/understand characters.
Music was also really good and correct! Cinematography beautiful and directing great!

definitely recommend! it's an intense, interesting story with good amount of romantic vibe and love.

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real mature interesting relationships

this drama isn't masterpiece but it is one of the best in genre, I mean it has every element what normal mature romance story (or rom com) needs. I've seen many many dramas for now and I can say it's not usual 100 times seen romance/relationships, it's not usual clieches, it has slice of life vibe and real characters/relationships. Plus main characters and also side characters have real good chemistry and goo acting. also story isn't dragged, also romances and feelings aren't rushed (it's often when main characters are in love so suddenly you can't see why or from when, it's out of sky and viewer doesn't have enough time to feel it).

mature audience will more appreciate it, because every character and relationship is natural and realistic and with that they don't loose good chemistry and kind of fairy tale-ish charm (what's usual for dramas with more realistic relationships).
FL - mature woman who understands life and love, that love isn't fairy tale, she isn't usual 30+ never been kissed FL who is waiting for one true love. sometimes she is still naive but overall realistic character.
ML - as he is younger it's understandable that he is more romantic, perfectionist, believes true pure absolute love, tries to be 100% conscientious in love and relationships but can't always be like that because he is also human and man in love who is jealous.
SML - decent good guy, good friend and boss, man who was madly in love with other woman but it that relationship was too hard and painful, so now he wants simple safe mature relationships and it's very very normal, I can understand him, I have exactly same situation and desire. He always was honest with FL and SFL, so he really is good normal guy and very realistic character.
SFL - also good person, I mean real person, not too perfect or too bad (as it is usual in dramas). she is very proud and strong woman but is ready to step on self-esteem because of a man she loves so much, he is her only "weakness" and that is also so real life situation.

relationship between ML and FL - they really have chemistry, a sweet and also realistic chemistry, they have brother-sister kind of chemistry and also hot sexy vibe at times. we see how deep ML is in love, but feelings of FL isn't romantic love, and it's normal, it's understable, she was like older sister, even like mother to this boy, she doesn't sees him as man, on the other hand she has someone else quite nice man (not boy), who thought her many things, was always good and nice, real friend to her. and the fact that he loves someone else doesn't make him bad, he is honest every time.
overall I think main couple had friendly like family member chemistry and at some point I thought it would be better if they won't end up together, but drama could develop this relationship also very realistically, we see how and why started FL see him as man, at first she was just used to be around him every time, plus he is so comfortable and lovely roommate, then she starts to compare her dry mature relationships (which aren't bad when you are mature, I can see, but in every woman is inner self who wants crazy emotional love) to that one ML could offer. if there wasn't ML with his soo big love to her, she would be satisfied and happy in that relationship. I like when drama shows it - in real life love isn't one and only, when you can't be with anyone except that one.

I like that in this drama love triangle isn't usual and it's also refreshing, not one more "2 guys crazy in love 1 girl and she loves ML but triangle is still dragged", it was good to see that SML is the one whos in center of love triangle and not in love with FL.
as I mentioned main leads have real


so really recommend for them who wants so see mature, real life love stories, realistic characters and relationships, without too perfect main leads and forced "bad" second leads or villains.

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spoilers (what I didn't like in romance part) is only in second part

no spoiler part:
It's really great drama, interesting, good twists and turns, high production value, good dramatical plot and acting, multilayered characters, good and interesting romance (plus almost every time romances/triangles are predictable, bot not here) and quite sharp emotions. though there are little plot holes/unrealistic details, but this is compare to overall drama level, otherwise 90% dramas have bigger plot holes/unrealistic moments.

another interesting thing about this drama - ML is typical anti hero SML, so if you love second male leads and/or anti heroes (like me, it's like real syndrome, almost everytime liking SML) this drama would be special for you. I loved that SML was good developed and had similar or more screen time, he is more ML type character, and also we could have damaged full of pain anti hero (very SML type) as main lead and because of that drama was more understanding to him, though he really has dark side in both lives, and this dark side is quite deep, not usual "kind of dark ML".
both male leads have their charisma and "SML charm" and because of that I wasn't sure who I rooted more. though drama manages most of things/plot developments good, I think at some point it was misleading and to say more about that I sould give some spoilers.

spoiler part:
in romance part there was something I didn't liked, as I said I liked that ML was SML like anti hero and it should help me to root him more, plus I kind of knew (think I read somewhere and the fact that he is ML) he would end up with FL, and of course in first life he so tragic viewer wants him to have something good, some happyness at list in second live.... but... at some point drama makes you root to SML and FL, they are like romeo and juliete, loved each other so much in first live and have so good prelude of romance in second life, though I didn't like this actor his character was so cool in second life, and FL falls for him and al this is so natural, good acted, they have chemistry, when she looks at ML as younger brother who needs support... Viewer feels pity to ML because his misfortunes repeats in second live, but as the drama was at list for 10 episodes, it was logical that FL loves SML and they are destined...
So I don't understand sudden change in romance part, why was she so understanding to ML, ok she is good person and sees he needs someone to support him, that he is damaged but not evil yet, but there was too much facts against ML and after all she believes him and supports anyway, it's not natural, when she didn't forgives SML (who she loved and said to him always be with him, never break his hart) because he shot ML...
understanding/forgiving everything to ML and almost nothing to SML is kind of old cliche and even this drama has it, but in last 4 episode suddenly she falls in love to ML? falls for guy who she hated in past live and looked as brother (plus she tried to stop him to protect SML) in this live, why? she was saying to him that her love to SML wouldn't changes, why they developed that strong chemistry/feels with emotional past life paralels if they were going to that ending?
I just couldn't understand this...

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Little critic, because here is only praise reviews (what wasn't likable in this drama)

It's very emotional drama, from the beginning it pulls you in emotional hurricane. first few series have that pure emotional vibe, but after it, after time skip emotional love story continues, though drama becomes more primitive/cliche, like one more "rich boy/poor girl" and "weak, crybaybe FL" drama. No, it's not really "one more" and same romantic melodrama as many others, but also not as great as you expect after so unic 3-4 episodes.

I wont write much about good things, because here are so many reviews describing it ( overall this is good and very emotional drama), I'll say what was bad:

* there are many plot holes, not consistent illogical things in story and characters actions, sometimes I thought it's bad translation, but I think not every hole could be blamed on it.
* FL is sweet girl but after some time watching this character becomes annoying, I mean she is always miserable and cries alllll the time, even in happy moments, everyone abuses her (even ML) and she never rejects it, she is really weak :( though I loved her, wanted to love her but it's fact...
* 80% of the drama FL is running after ML screaming "oppa" and crying... if she isn't running, she still cries and screams "oppa"...
* ML is dominant guy which is sexy, but like FL's sweetness, it also becomes to much, I mean towards her, asides that he is often rude, he also kind of plays to her: comes and goes when he wants, disappears so often and she cries and cries again...he says to her "love you/doesn't love you" he can change 3-4 times in one episode... she should live like he wants: he says that she should be his - she becomes his, then he just takes her to other guy and says you should be with him... and like that so many times. he really often changed his decisions how they should be to each other/what can be their future, one thing is these mind changes and other that he is the only one who should decide, he never asked what she wants... even SML tells him, what matters is her wish and decision (though it's not that kind SML when you root for him more, he really is side character)
*there are many primitive story lines, but most cringe worthy was mafia members as cupidons, they do so silly things as ML's assistances in his love life, it's not funny or sweet, it's just crazy unrealistic and stupid.


p.s. this drama has phenomenal soundtracks!!!
acting from main couple is great, chemistry is great (people who think there was chemistry is "Heirs" you should watch it, how 16 years old Park Shinhe has mindblowing chemistry with ML)

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