Woven & Love

first of all, finally we are seeing Lee Soo Hyuk in a lead role?? After all this years ! This mini drama itself is simple and a sort of procedural style drama. It takes place in a shop opened by our fallen Woven (LSH) whom's punishment for stealing some deity's clothes was to make clothes to heal humans (cue Mystic Pop Up Bar). Both concepts are similar, and this shows portray our Woven helping to make clothes to heal different humans. Through these mini episodes, we get to see the touching human stories which i felt was short but impactful. They have stories between lovers, families and also oneself. I personally felt more episode could be made given the concept of this show. While most of the casts are on point, i felt that the screen time for LSH was too little? I am unsure if it's the character itself/ script, but i also felt there wasn't much scenes that show cased LSH's range/ acting abilities, hence it seem kinda dull.

It's my first time watching Lee Suji in a drama and i must say she was great. There wasn't a second of awkwardness and most of her facial expressions and speech were great. It really help you to get into the emotional scenes. I guess as 2 stories + her being the main lead, she definitely had a greater screen time than any of the casts here.

while the romance aspect wasn't the main focus of this show, i personally felt that they could do away with it. I mean Sarang was in love with her bf for 7 years, it seems too easily that she found someone else to love in a span of maybe 1 month. There is nothing wrong with this but it just felt a bit sudden at the end when Woven realizes he has feelings for her? I felt abit disconnected at this point but ok let's take a moment to rejoice because LSH finally got the girl for once... hahaha

Lastly, the cinematography? Needless to say. i think the pacing and directing itself were great. I see lots of effort placed into the setting and fashion. For a mini-series i would say it was good enough, though they could have included more episodes and explanation behind Woven's story? It feels like he's the lead but not the lead? Hopefully there can be a season 2 or something explaining's Woven's backstory??

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the definition of Happiness

just amazing, and this drama definitely deserves more praise? the story itself it's very fresh but yet relatable during times of COVID19. I think it's a first in it's league because i think so far there isn't any drama of this sorts currently.

Story & Acting
The story itself is relatable to current times, but with more scientific side of things. So apparently theres an outbreak of mad person disease stemming from a pill called NEXT. Infectees will have bursts of thirst for human blood. What happens here is residents of the apartment are quarantined under the pretext of containing the virus. However, it's really such pressures that brings out the ugly side of humans and also the humanity side of to nobles.

Needless to say, Saebom & Yihyun are really a saint having to deal with a whole load of crap and even going lengths to restore order and protect a bunch of inhumane people. At the end of the day, it really shows that some humans t themselves are monsters rather than the infected. I would like to point out some characters, and seemingly their development:
- na soo min and na hyunkyung: honestly, i was pretty annoyed at the start at how shameless the brother was. However, things changed after he got infected. He starts to repent and show care for his sister! There were even times where he stood out to protect him. He was also very human himself, hiding at first to prevent others from getting hurt because of him.
- donghyun: bro, seriously i got so annoyed the way this guy screws things up with his stupid livestream and how he treat his parents. tho subtle, there was definitely some growth in his character. the way he realizes that happiness doesnt comes from fame, but being with his family :) i was touched at how the parents loved him unconditionally despite his state and how he treated them.
- sehoon: one of the characters i found sus at first, but turns out to be a kind hearted man. he didnt deserved to get killed :(
- haesong & soyoon: this lawyer jerk really deserves to get dumped by soyoon who deserved much better, the way he looks down on people and his own wife was blood boiling. glad soyoon made the right choice to dump him !!!
- jungkuk: honestly i was quite disappointed with how his character was midway, but i got to agree he is one of the most relatable characters? his insecurities and fear forced him to waver between siding with the majority and saebom + hyun.
-oh juhyung: wtf this character is just pure villian and stirring lots of shit during the whole lockdown, but got to say his acting was great enough to make me despise him
- apartment rep: idk her name but she's an obsessed woman with authority while tryna look classy but failing miserably. villianious and crazy right til the end
- andrew: no words for this psychotic murderer
- jisoo: omo the pretty and capable lieutanant and saebom's awkward friendship
- han taeseok: i hated and love him, you get it. but ultimately, he loves his wife TT

plot wise, i was hoping them to answer some of the questions:
- so how do we determine who gets infected after eating the NEXT pills?
- also, the govt intervention was minimal ... while the outside doesnt seem to be on lockdown, there doesnt seem to be enough efforts to rescue the residents inside... mostly saebom & hyun saving asses..
- the romance could have more built up actually? like i mean I am happy but they could have gave more development instead of a sudden realization ..

Overall, i really enjoyed the drama, though i thought more explanation could have been done and also, i was hoping for clarifications or enlightenment on why this drama was called happiness? because the happiness logo seems to be fading.. idk but it was a great experience :D

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Sweet Home

Much anticipated series, although i had not read the webtoon itself. The star-studded cast was enough to draw me in. The plot itself was straightforward: humans turned monsters. However, i think the story itself really make us wonder what draws the boundaries between good and evil, human and monsters. We are shown that human itself can be more barbaric than "monsters" when thrown into dire situations while beings we deem as "monsters" can be more humane that the humans we define ourselves.

The story itself was tight at the start, and was paced just right, right til the end. The acting was stellar, with excellent cinematographic and special effects. While it started as a thriller, it ended up being more action & suspense at the back. We are shown human relationships and the choices they make in face of extreme conditions. I find the characters interesting and some of the choices they make noble. I mean, let's be true to ourselves, we may not be able to make the same decision if we are given the same state. It reminds me of a mixture of Stranger Things & Money Heist, which i absolutely enjoyed. While we are shown the dark side of humans, we also see that humans itself are beautiful creatures. I was especially touched with the characters whom sacrificed themselves, for fellow humans whom they had no blood relations to! The romance aspect was minimal but warm enough and touching to see, especially for Jaeheon & Jisoo and Sangwook & Yoori, though both couples didn't make it in the end.

At the end, i am convinced a season 2 will happen. There are so many questions left unanswered. If this wasn't a disease, what was the cause of this "infection"? Why is Hyunsoo immune? How did Sangwook managed to rescue Hyunsoo at the end? And is Eunhyeok even alive? (I mean why did he have to leave behind?) What happens after Yikyeong joins the military?

All in i all, i believe it's a good watch and probably because i am biased over such genres. I can't wait for season 2 to happen already :)

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The visuals we were waiting for

Yes, was absolutely waiting for this pairing to happen. The visuals and acting are to die for! but frankly speaking, I am unable to continue past 18 though I had seem snippets and preview for the later episodes. It just felt like there wasn't much story to tell anymore and I can more or less predict what will happen in the remaining episodes and this proves to be true after watching the short clips circulating online.

So after episode 18, Yu Tu basically comes into terms with himself and pursues Jingjing who accepts his feelings. The subsequent episodes seems mostly just sweet scenes and them being in love etc. For fans or watchers that are purely in for the romance, please yes do continue. For a watcher like myself, I prefer having stories and growth or thicker plots instead ofsuch heavy romance drama? For my personal palette, yes i was anticipating this drama ever since it was announced, but its not really living up to my taste though I understand it is a close replica of the novel it was adapted from (I did not read the novel too).

Nevertheless, I am sure many fans are enjoying this. I made it through 50%, but I don't think I will continue since to me it seems like there isnt anymore to tell than the leads accepting and loving each other after. I am sure it's gonna be a happy ending :) to the next drama then ~

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Would you like a real Love Alarm app?

I will give my honest opinions about the series having watched and wait for 2 seasons. Quality wise, I believe Season 1 had better cinematographic effects + it felt easier to watch while Season 2 made used of more visual cues & was a more serious tone? Also, it didn't help that it took 2 years for the next Season to be launched and I felt kind of disconnected from the first season already.
While watching Season 1, I was Team Hyeyoung, but of course we can deny the chemistry Jojo shared with Sunoh. However, I just wished that they provided more explanations to justify the relationships and actions of the leads. Just some points I would like to point out which I felt awkward:
- so why did Jojo left Sunoh in the first place ? why did she install the shield for him?
- did i miss something, because it's suddenly Gul-mi & aunt were suddenly caring for her?
- so Jojo ended up with Hyeyoung alr since start of S2? How?
- what's Dukgu back story + Brian Cho involvement --> i get some ending cues from this, but was hoping for more explanations
- so Sunoh just suddenly goes for Yukjo now?

Regardless of the loop holes, I believe it was realistic for Jojo to end up with Hyeyoung and here's how I intepreted.

If the notion was right, at the end of S2, Dukgu mentioned that people becoming increasingly reliant on this app that may not actually be true representation of their heart? It is actually evident, since Hyeyoung was the true inspiration of Love Alarm app? He loved Jojo secretly, even before the presence of the app, Probably it mimicked Dukgu's inner feelings of loving, but without a courage to confess, which was why the app was created. In S1, i actually felt awkward for Sunoh & Jojo to fall so quickly for each other, but I won't say it is entirely wrong. It just felt like the relationship blossomed purely because they complete opposites + Sunoh was direct and straightforward and of course ringing her alarm. However, Jojo was self-conscious and insecure of course due to her childhood trauma. She has fear of loving someone, because it also meant sharing insecurities with the other person + possible abandonment. Probably more so it didn't help that Sunoh was of a higher status, which made her wanted to hide herself more and of course doubt herself whether she deserved such feelings. Its also proabbly why she wanted a shield as she didn't want to get hurt. Hyeyoung on the other end, was patient and was willing to wait. He didn't place pressure on Jojo with his feelings. He placed Jojo's feelings & well-being before anyone's and made her realize she is a person worthy of love. He was also the person who taught Jojo what love was and that feelings itself makes one stronger and not vulnerable. Which was also the reason why Jojo had wanted to remove the shield later on.

If you think about it, Jojo had feelings for both people. However, it's probably Hyeyoung who made her want to be a better person. Sunoh on the other hand loved her, but made her more insecure since she was already struggling with her self-issues. Ultimately, it made as it seems that the app itself had made people forgot how to love themselves first, before loving someone else. It was also because of this app that people are having less control of their feelings and volatition. I just felt that maybe all these were not well-portrayed through out season 2, which was why viewers are left confused. It would have been better if more explanations had been made on Jojo's actions/decisions. In all, I am just happy Jojo and Hyeyoung finally found each other with/without the app :)

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all of us are dead :x

as an avid zombie/apocalyptic series watcher, i shall give an objective review on this series..

STORY
i think the story as much potential, tho i wont say it has been fully optimized or put to good development in this series? also not comparing to the webtoon since i had not read it. the typical circle for apocalyptic series are simple: outbreak, seeing the human nature (some are selfess, some evil), definitely some exceptions where they have immunity/ half-mutant and of course sacrifices... The story did touch on these, but i felt it could have been done maybe a little more in depth.

so my opinions is:
1. ground zero: i like that in this show, they did explain the source of ground zero. in many series, we do not actually have a reason or clue why there's an outbreak (e.g sweet home, train to busan) . they key was of course a genius scientist, whom in a desperate attempt to save his suicidal kid, developed some sort of drug? that makes you half dead, half alive, hence zombies. so this is what i like because it's quite a wholesome explanation
2. human nature: and of course, in every zombie/apocalyptic series, there's gonna be selfless people and also ppl who annoy the hell out of you. so of course, the star players will be the main troop: cheongsan & suhyeok + i would say mijin & hari because i love that girl crush duo. annoying ones of course: gwi nam, nayeon and jimin?? sorry it was also borderline onjo for me tho her character was okay because she did provided survival guidance as a fireman's daughter?? just felt that she waskinda harsh to cheongsan at times ...
3: mutants: seriously this was the part i felt that most imagination or development can be put to use? main 3 mutants : eunji, gwi nam & namra.
- first, i get that they are highlighting the bullying culture in SK, hence eunji's character? but other than that , she was kinda useless for me tho? and to me kinda unneccessay since she never met up with the main squad at all? it could have been better if she had used her new found life to help the squad and also revenge on gwi nam? i mean that was the direction i had in mind the moment i realize she was mutant? but the writer didnt made her do that so i dont really know the point of her character?
- gwinam, of course there's gonna be a villian out there and it's safe to say gwinam is one of the main villian? like he is so dead bound on killing cheongsan just because he witness him murdering the principal? to me that quite illogical...? and right it might be cheongsan's character but idk why he had to keep provoking gwinam when really his life and death is at stake?? and for me, him having evidence of gwinam killing the principal? but so what? was it really that important when you dont even know you can survive tomorrow? i mean it's a good arc to have to introduce a villian, but i did not find the reason convincing enough .........
- namra, the only mutant in the squad but wasted potential? like it's obvious she has half human half zombies senses, and was of course helpful towards the crew, but she has more potential of course out of her character? but it did not happen? i mean with her abilities, she could have been better used to help the members, or even attract others of her kinds and eventually be a subject for clinicals to develop a cure at the later stage?? but i realize there were mnay scenes where she really just stood and watch ... so it felt like a waste to me though i really like her character?
4. sacrifices: too much in this series, but acceptable for a survival series. main sacrifices: joonyeong, cheongsan. the rest which i felt was unneccessay was : onjo's dad, woojin
- like joonyeong really selfless outthere protecting mijin when minutes ago he was just quarrelling with her? but he did not hesitate to save her and got himself infected in the end. he then ultimately sacrifices himself to draw the zombies away from his friends for their escape...
- same goes for cheongsan like he kinda like the main hero in the series :( honestly felt his death (??) was not neccessary if they had more useful development for some characters out there :( i am not sure how the webtoon ended but i hope he manages to escape as a half mutant like namra (though unlikely given the explosion, and gwi nam injuring his eyes like wtf). if only there was eunji revenge arc/ namra putting his abilities to better use/ introduction of new mutants to the squad in between...
-onjo's dad: honestly i was expecting more from his escapee, or at least hoping he has an encounter with jaeik and the lackey ?? to form a better crackdown team because the militants have their own dilema in saving those kids i get it. and his sacrifice...wasn't really needed i feel...they should have included him in the squad for a longer time frame :(
- woojin; really love it out there when he saved the other girl, and in the end hari ...it was touching but i actually hoped he had survived..

regarding the loveline: it felt like namra and suhyeok was the main, although it might have been onjo and cheongsan. i wish they hadn't included it at all because it wasnt clearly explained or developed enough? like cheongsan and onjo's loveline was clear, because they grew up together.. but namra and suhyeok suddenly? idk... and also suhyeok didnt make it clear to onjo at the end as well too since she confessed to him? and at the back it seems like onjo likes cheongsan? it's kinda messy for me. basically could have be simple, like cheongsan likes onjo, onjo likes suhyeok (not sure why tho, should have had some flashbacks) but later realizes she likes cheongsan. Suhyeok making his feelings clear to both onjo & cheongsan, and also show some flashback how did him and namra ended up liking e/o?) hmmm..

ACTING:
overall, most of the actors and actresses were new faces to me. but i didnt feel any awkward acting so far... probably some characters were not written well enough? but i personally really loved badass characters like hari & mijin? and also namra tho she could have been written for better use i feel... and of course, cheongsan and suhyeok was great there!!

MUSIC/REWATCH
not much music but since i wasn't distracted by any music, i think it was well directed? hmm probably wont rewatch, but i do hope they sign for a S2/3 because the ending doesnt seem simple? because namra is basically alive, mutated with the rest that is like them? and we of course need a key personnel to put them into good use, developing a vaccine or antibodies (like in happiness) so they can return to human form ? and i hope cheongsan is alive somehow... :|

overall, i think it was a good watch tho i felt the series shouild have been an 8 - 10 episodes long if they removed unnecessary characters or plots that did not contribute to the flow of the show... i will just wait for some news if there's a new seaon, like Sweet Home :D

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MASTERPIECE

it took me awhile before i finally on this drama and it's currently 2021. the first time i heard about this show was it's exceptional OST. truth to be told, i had stopped watching tw dramas for many reasons since many years ago. BUT THIS SHOW IS MAKING ME LOOK AT A NEW LIGHT.

first the story proves to be different from conventional rich guy poor girl trope in tw dramas which sadly i dont enjoy as much now. so it was a very intriguing story for me. time travel, crime elements, no messy love triangles. COUNT ME IN

Story aside i think i do not have much more to say. The acting from the leads were awesome. Aside from Ko Chia Yen, i had not seen anyof Greg or Patrick's past works? but i would say they are doing awesome portraying their characters. needless to say for Chiayen's acting when she's so versatile in the duality she has to portray - depressed suicidal high school student and a successful modern lady mourning over her lost boyfriend.

i think more could have been explained:
- what happened to original wang quansheng then?
- so what happened to the murderer ? i was confused why YR was still hospitalized or in an accident after the timeslip stopped?

nevertheless, i felt the ending couldn't have been better. YR back up on her feet, no more suicide thoughts and with JJ by her side. it's an open ending for this couple. ZW and YX will be fated to meet, regardless of the time and age and the ending + special ending proved to be true. I just felt more sad for JJ having to dearly miss someone whom he doenst remember. But because he doesn't rmb, maybe it's not so painful after all?

Nevertheless, i am impressed with everything about this film. There are news for remakes in Korea or China and I am actually excited to see how the remakes will turn out. Til then :)

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Your non-conventional Sageuk Rom-Com

Had been so long since i finished a 20 eps Korean drama and I will say it was super worth it? While I won't say the whole drama was perfect (few loops holes & rushed ending) but I thoroughly enjoyed the series during it's run :)

While it explored the dark areas of the political agendas, all the characters provided great comic relief (aka Kim jwa Guen & GQD). It was smart to infuse time travel traits as it means antics and laughter when people from the past can't understand the modern lingos. It was even funnier with the touch of modern food & beauty LOL. What was special was a male soul entering a Queen's body. While it was disturbing at first, I think I was able to get past it with the great directing and stellar acting from the leads.

STORY
Before I touch on the things I liked + my own interpretation of the ending, I probably want to list down some points I did not like/ felt rushed:
- Hwajin x Cheoljong: It felt kinda weird because the King had liked HJ for a long time (though it was because he mistook her for Soyong during the childhood trauma trope) and moved on rather quickly to the Queen suddenly? The story does suggest King's change of heart was of course due to his realization of his childhood sweetheart / peculiar Queen behavior, and the change in HJ due to her jealousy. I get it was for drama development, but I still feel like there should be more screen time between the 2 to justify this change of heart.
-Hwajin's Redemption Arc: While she isn't the main villain in the series, she does have a great redemption at the end. It's good, but it felt kind of abrupt for me? Her sudden change/ realization that she can't be compared to the Queen...
-HY's Love Triangle: So she rejected Kim Hwan, so was there any progress with Inspector Hong? They just dropped this subplot after the rejection LOL
-*Sobong's Soul: I had not finished watched the spinoff which supposedly will help viewers understand the ending better, but I doubt the reason the Bonghwan's soul entered Soyong's body was explained? I think this was also probably a big reason why there are mixed reactions to the ending with Soyong x King. But it was still a satisfying ending for me if I were to intepret it my own way (continue below). Also, they did not explain what triggered this soul entering gimmick as well?
-Bonghwan's life: The ending was too rushed? Obviously BH has feelings for CJ now that he had returned, but he seemingly got over everything at the end? After all he has been through?

*ENDING INTEPRETATION
So in the end, Bonghwan returns to his world, while Soyong had awaken herself in the body. She lives happily with Cheoljong, and others who obviously saw her change from before.

Many felt like BH did most of the job in the romance between the King & Queen. I feel the same, but I will interpret the ending this way:

There is definitely a link between Queen & Bonghwan, and since no explanation were given, I will just take it as reincarnated souls/ parts of the same souls. What linked their souls was maybe the brink of death etc that cause the soul lapse to happen (if anyone watch Love Destiny - thai drama, you are probably more receptive to such explanations).

For Soyong's personality and who the King truly loves, here's my own explanation: Using my soul explanation above, I will say Soyong & Bonghwan are essentially the same soul*, but Soyong & Bonghwan and extreme ends. So at the start with the depress Queen persona, she tried ending her life because of the familial pressure & how she doesn't enter the King's eye even when they felt in love at first sight (from spinoff) just because she is a Kim. So her suicide kinda trigger another persona in her, aka Bonghwan whom happens to be at the brink of death (just think of it like Oh My Ghost! / Kill Me Heal Me). While Soyong's depress persona was triggered, her "defense mechanism" aka BH who happens to leave his body (while its recuperating) and enter her soul since there were linked*. This also explains why SY & BH personalities were like extreme ends? Just think of it like bipolar/ defense mechanism for personality changes. All this while, I believe SY & BH co-existed in Queen's body, just that while SY's soul was trying to recover, BH trait stays dormant. So at the end, BH essentially helped the Queen recover and stayed true the final personality we see in the last episode, as a mix of BH & SY. If any of you watched Oh! My Ghost (Shin Hye Sun was in it too LOL), I think it is not hard to understand that this was what the writer was trying to show at the end. So essentially, King loved SY & BH whom are both a part of the Queen at the end - SY was love at first sight (the spinoff), BH helped him throw aside his Kim stereotypes and embrace SY truly.

ACTING
Actually the whole male soul in female Queen trope felt disturbing to me at first because it is like spiritually BL lol, but i must say SHS X KJH nailed their roles? I did watched SHS in a couple of series, and i really love how natural her acting was??? I only watched KJH in CLOY, but I am so surprised with his acting as the King?? As far as i know, sageuk dialect is so difficult? And he has to master all the emotions & incorporate it in his lines? (okay fyi, i think King's way of speech is more difficult than normal saguek characters) so i am impressed? Plus their chemistry was awesome and the acting was so intense and on point that I could look past everything and enjoyed the series.

All the characters were cute, Court Lady Choi and Royal Head Chef, the bamboo forest couple LMAO.
Grand Queen Dowager was funny too lmao, she can do a Joseon mukbang spinoff man together with her court lady hahhaa
And Kim Hwan was so cute, even though I felt he wasn't much of a value-add to the story until the last episode?
Prince YP, yes i was so worried he will turn evil because he loved HJ, but thank god he did not. It was a open ending for him and HJ, but i think they make a good fit, i will just believe they eventually end up together!

All in all, this series was fun. It will be great to rewatch this some day. It had really been a long time since i completed a Sageuk (probably 2 years ago) so this was really good enough imo!

At last, can we get SHS & KJH in a modern drama??? :)

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I actually started this drama after the series ended. It was already creating a buzz on the internet during the broadcast period, even renewing for 2 more seasons. I entered the drama honestly with high expectations and objectively it did met most of the expectations I had for the show.

STORY
Story wise, this genre has been increasingly popular I guess? Focusing on higher ups in the society, and real estate + education corrupt systems in S.Korea. While such occurrences will not be relatable to none, it definitely has the effect of piquing one's curiosity into a life that we may never dream to occur. It revolves around a privileged estate made only for the top 1% of the richest in Korea. A murder occurs that changes the lives of our main characters and of course their kids. The premise begins with Seol-A who struggled to make end meets. To stay afloat, with her smart brains, she was engaged as the tutors for our Hera club kids (Eunbyeol, Joo Twins, Minhyuk & Jenny) to help them enter Chung A Institute, which is founded by one our main villian Seo Jin. The premise also showed the bad blood between Seo Jin & Yoon Hee, who's talented daughter, Rona dreams of entering Chung A. Well of course, things don't go well given her feud with SJ & her having no support. While the little Hera club kids pass their music tests with flying colors (thanks to bribery by their parents + rigging), SA came in first place, with RN being first on the waiting list to enter her dream school. Her fake identity being exposed & jealousy by her same aged friend drew her trouble & she was unfortunately bullied. It doesn't help that she happened to chance upon SJ & Joo Twins' Dad (Joo Dan Tae's) adultery which draws her more danger together with Yoon Hee's desperation for her daughter to enter Chung A. The only temporal warmth SA could enjoy was the kind Joo Twins' mother, Suryeon whom turns out to be her biological mother. However, all was late, and before SR could reunite with her, she witness her die, right in front of her eyes in Hera Palace. SA's death was however covered, by the Hera kid's parents, and the series finally opens to SR beginning her quest to uncover the culprit and to avenge SA's death. Along the way, we see the unjust in education systems, real estate businesses and how the kids are because of their parents. And along SR's lonely quests to fight against DT & SJ while trying to uncover the truth of her daughter's death, she uses YH but eventually came to care for her genuinely as a sister and aided her up the social ladder and her admittance into Hera Palace. Along the way also appears Logan Lee, an American-Korean businessman who harbors vengeance towards the Hera people due to the death of her adoptive sister (SA). However, with threats and greed, this show really make one ponder how far will you go for your ambitions ? Murder seems like an answer, for these rich people with barely gripping from remorse. Their kids have turned to little monsters, but most with traumas of their own. YH is the epitone of how one changes. The more you gain & the greedier you are. The more you have to lose, the greater the monsters inside you grows. The plots and twists of this show is definitely unpredictable. While there are some loopholes and questionable executions along the way, I was able to look pass it because of the suspense of the drama! While i did felt the first few episodes were abit dry (understandable since they introduced alot of characters etc) I felt the series did picked up at the back. The overall experience was enjoyable and it was a surprised to me that this was made by SBS. The series reminded me of Sky Castle + The World of the Married, of which both were under JTBC. I am curious what Season 2 & 3 has for us now!

Cast & Acting
The stars of these shows will definitely be imo SR, SJ & YH.

SR is always smart and ahead of DT's and SJ's evil tricks. She looks effortlessly elegant and composed eventhough she is putting up a fake front in front of the Hera people. I found it especially thriling when she started revealing her cards one by one and tripping over the villians & having them go nuts + begging for her forgiveness. I totally love her scenes with Logan? And how her English is so flawless. She may have died at the end of S1, I am not sure if the writer can miraculously revive her in S2? I really hope so because there are still many unanswered questions about her death and the identity of the Joo twins real mother?

SJ is of course one of the main villianess in this show. Her acting was so good that you really can't help but hate her character! A point i felt bad was, she really craved for love. The stress from being from a prestigious family means stress for her to Excel. Her inferiority complex led to the growth of demons in her, injuring YH, snatching YH's boyfriend whom she doesn't love, leading her to an unhappy marriage. That then leads to adultery & conflicts in her marriage life and misery for her daughter, Eunbyeol whom she bears super high expectations. It's no wonder EB turned out the way she was at the end... her greed for the CA Foundation also led her to indirectly kill her Dad... but i got to say her acting was superb for the scenes when her Dad died. I almost got goosebump from her. Ultimately, it was a pity because she didn't had someone whom cherish her (sorry DT isn't your true love too honey)

YH and her daughter was honestly 2 of my most hated characters in this show (actually you will come to hate most of the characters LOL). They were annoying (esp RN) and ungrateful ! While ok SR used her, i believe she could felt the sincerity in their friendship. She can't deny the fact that SR helped her lived a life she could never have with her own abilities. It's unfortunate that she turned out to be SA's killer afterall, but that was where it went even worst. Her desperate attempts to cover her crimes led her to betraying SR and even joining forces with DT. Wth man seriously. Of course smart SR had figured out all along, but she still ernestly waited for YH to repent, but she didn't made it in the end. Alas, YH was framed and becomes the main suspect of SR's death. I am unsure if she died at the end of S1? But if she survives, she needs to avenge for SR and repay for her sins!

All in all, i think is a show worth the buzz. The acting were seriously splendid. I am not sure what will be covered in the next 2 seasons, but I really hope SR remains alive! This genre is not for the weak heartedly. Be prepared for plot twists and suspense! Season 2 releases next month, so please watch if you have not :)

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my two cents...

I was really anticipating this show after LOYX (which i felt was more heart-wrenching than this current plot). Was thrilled when they announced the line-up!! Finally finished the last episodes and hmm not sure how i feel about it?

I have nothing much to say about the acting and chemistry of the leads. ZZH & JJY are doing great, their chemistry's great + good looks and acting :) the second couple was cute too. However, i just feel that there can be more screentime for the leads?? The editing is kinda weird too? Like one moment you are just getting into the sweet scene, and the next cut is just some irrelevant scene LOL. And i think because they removed some scenes (the dreams), the story seems kinda disjoined... and also, i feel that there are alot of preventable misunderstanding between the main leads? I mean i feel that the heartbreaks are kinda unneccessary... but lucky they resolve those quite fast. Abit frustrated with the main villian Duke An as well? Like he is being overly obsessed with FL, and he didnt even check the real situation and reasons before he committed to revenge? And seriously i think the reason was kinda lame.... eitherways, he died in vain lol since his mum didnt even die in the end LOL. Sorry, while i am a JJY fan, her character is frustrating at times. She's too gullible sometimes, which leads to alot of misunderstanding with the ML, whom obviously devoted himself fully to the FL. At least, they had a happy ending, though it was kinda rushed? Just waiting for the modern epilogue which is rumoured to release when the series ends.

p.s i think it was kinda weird like FR was dying, but XJ and her were at the top of the tower?

all in all, i still had fun watching the show. Really enjoyed the second pairing between the leads. Just hoping there will be a third pairing for the two in a modern series... not sure if it's possible though.... hoping :|

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I LOVE IT

This is my first Thai drama and it's so good? As i am non-Thai, this is seriously a first hand experience for me on Thai's tradition and history! While it is tricky to keep historical dramas informative yet intriguing, i think this drama has done a great job???

As the title depicts, Love Destiny, i knew it will be a romance based one. But the story was very smart as it include time travel of the FL to the past because of the love destiny she had with the ML. And this time travel itself include karmic/ reincarnation elements which i find very interesting but at the same time hard to execute in dramas. I also liked that they had touches of chants/ mantras which may be a taboo / limited in shows (or maybe they are common just that i am not aware). Because FL is from the future, her behavior and way of speaking itself provided a lot of comic relief. And while i may not get some jokes due to the different language/dialect used, i am glad the sites i watched from provided some explanation along with their subs. Aesthetics wise, i am so in awe because i never knew how Thais dressed in the past. So pretty ! And of course the food and way of life was interesting to see. Especially how they explained they way they bathed, and eat and even pooping and periods !!! Because i was actually really curious in all these as well and they were all explained!

Acting wise, i think everyone did a great job? I don't need to say much about the chemistry between the leads because it's so perfect despite limited skinship (because this is a historical drama). I part i find a bit cliche is the endless time the FL trips and falls into the ML's arm. The maids were also damn funny? Especially Prik ! Yaem and Phin, i was so touched by them as well? They were so loyal servants.The political history itself is very interesting, maybe because i never knew?I think it was very well executed as the show balanced the romance and political aspect out rather well. I am also impressed that while the show remains funny, their emotional scenes itself were very touching? And also, maybe because of the karmic aspects + mantras and stuff, the people weren't surprised with FL having a different soul in the body. I think this is all possible because everything is well planned out.

Anyways, i really enjoyed it and don't mind watching for the laughs :) i heard there will be a Season 2 focusing on their kids, i guess Phor Rit since Det handed him some sealed box (?) and we had a glimpse of a grown up Rit being Det. So , i guess the release won't be so soon but til then ^^

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TWOTM

Actually wasn't my intention to start this, but because it was causing such a buzz, i decided to start on Episode 1 and boy i was hooked. The story itself is very fast paced, and totally unpredictable? Every episode was packed with information and even greater plot twists.

The actors in this drama was very talented, and the filming and music directing was done perfectly to draw viewers into the world. I personally liked that the drama didn't follow the English counterpart ending because i would have been so angry if that happened!!

Definitely a drama worth watching but ok i do agree there are some parts that are abit makjang. But still it was overall enjoyable :) it's worth the hype imo

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Hotel de Luna x Goblin

Great thing was this drama is on NETFLIX + it's only 12 episodes! It's title itself suggests mystic elements. The story is like a mix of Hotel De Luna x Goblin. Had story. ill fate that crosses past and present lives. Mystic figures like the Grim Reaper, Samshin Granny which i think was a very cute touch. Revolves around female lead, HJE having to resolve 10,000 human grudges in order to lift the punishment of her reincarnated child (YSJ) which she doesn't know until the later part of the drama. Next to her is CWY whose identity was also revealed at the later part of the drama!

Overall a v light and funny drama! The stories of the grudges were also very touching to watch. It's definitely worth the time here. It's only 12 episodes, gogo ~

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Crash Landing into Your Hearts

Started off on this drama because of course Hyunbin and Son YeJin + the plot was interesting, with NK involvement (which is a big step!!). NETFLIX definitely helped with the speedy uploads every weekend for me to follow up on the drama.

Was drawn to the premiere, but i could tell what the ending was right from the start (which i guessed correctly). Overall it was a light, funny but sometimes tinge of melo (especially last few episodes) drama? Had a very enjoyable watch, although i won't say it is a relatable/realistic drama, but hey thats what drama's all about! Feeding on our fantasies. The other side characters were funny and enjoyable to watch ! Now everyone wants a Captain Ri !!

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