I don't know why, but as soon as I finished this drama, it instantly became a favourite that I always looked back on fondly. I really enjoyed the story and the manner in which they wrapped up the drama definitely enhanced my overall appreciation for it. I loved the characters, their development, and their interactions. The story had a bit of everything and was woven together in a way that, to me, made perfect sense—a good balance. At the time I was watching this, I was more accustomed to watching movies with a mix of genres, so seeing the action, comedy, friendship, romance, mystery, and detective elements all fit together didn't feel out of place or overwhelming. The drama also included tropes I really enjoyed, like enemies-to-lovers(ish), hidden identities, slow-burn romance, found family, and a strong female lead who remained consistent despite occasional naivety.

I had previously seen Lee Seung Gi in another drama before this and didn't have a strong opinion of him since I thought his acting was lacking somewhat. However, my impression of him changed here because he portrayed a stronger and more complex character that he handled exceptionally well. As for the rest of the cast, specifically Cha Seung Won and Go Ah Ra, this was my first exposure to their work, and I found myself genuinely impressed with their performances, as I thought they all portrayed their roles convincingly.

Considering that this drama was among the first few Asian dramas I completed, I believe I enjoyed it for what it was at the time. I still remember the emotions I felt watching this! I don't plan on rewatching it in order to preserve those positive feelings because, having seen more nuanced dramas in this genre since then, I know I would be more critical in my evaluation now. I think viewers watching this drama for the first time in 2023 might find it average and not deserving of its higher score here on MDL. However, I'll keep my original score because it had a significant impact on me as a newcomer to kdramas, serving as one of the gateways into the genre and helping me discover some of the tropes I still enjoy to this day.

(Completed: 2016)