From Now On, Showtime! (2022)

Snacks and tissues are mandatory; it's showtime, baby!

"From Now On, Showtime!" is like that unexpected box of chocolates that turns out to be a flavor explosion in your mouth! At first, I thought, "Oh great, another cocky magician meets headstrong cop story." But boy, was I wrong. Park Hae Jin as Cha Cha Woong and Jin Ki Joo as Go Seul Hae took these seemingly over-the-top characters and turned them into the power couple we never knew we needed.

What really got me was the whole supernatural twist with Cha Cha Woong's ghostly helpers. Picture this: a bunch of friendly ghosts working for a magician who treats them like employees—genius, right? The supporting cast, including Go Gyu Pil, Jung Suk Yong, Park Seo Yeon, and the hilarious addition of Jung Joon Ho, made solving mysteries look like a comedy show. It's like Scooby-Doo but with a magician and ghosts, and I'm here for it!

Sure, some characters are a bit extra, like the over-the-top evil Detective Seo and the overly sweet Officer Lee. But hey, it's a comedy, so it just adds to the fun. And can we talk about Kim Jong Hoon as Seo Hee Soo? Dude brought some serious second lead vibes into the mix, making the love triangle as spicy as a K-drama can get.

I admit, I could have done with fewer past life scenes, and the officer vs. shaman romance didn't really tickle my fancy. But who cares when you've got a bunch of friendly ghosts causing mischief and Cha Cha Woong and Go Seul Hae being the cutest crime-solving duo ever?

This drama is like a rollercoaster of emotions—I laughed till I snorted, ugly cried my heart out, and got all warm and fuzzy inside. The cast looked like they had a blast making it, and that good mood vibe is contagious. If you want a feel-good, laugh-your-heart-out drama that's got a bit of everything, "From Now On, Showtime!" is your ticket. Snacks and tissues are mandatory; it's showtime, baby!

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If you liked "Bring it On Ghost", "Goblin", "Tunnel" - you will most likely like this

9/10 is my rating. This is a 2022 South Korean romantic comedy fantasy with 16 approximately 60 minute episodes.

First I provide a synopsis then a review.

Synopsis

Cha Cha-woong (Park Hae-jin) comes from a long line of powerful male shamans. He chose not to follow in his grandfather's footsteps when he sees how well he is treated when things go well for people but how quickly they turn on him. So, he decides to use his skills to produce magic shows utilizing the skills of ghosts, which he employees. Fate makes Cha-woong and a dedicated female police officer Go Seul-hae (Jin Ki-joo) cross paths and the two use their individual supernatural powers to solve crimes.

Review
Overall I liked this very much. It had a supernatural element that had a lot of ties to the general beliefs on things such as ghosts and afterlife but had a lot of very unique twists. They wove the day to day police work in with the back story that was woven through very well. I loved the magic shows and how he utilized the ghosts to make shows that were so amazing it rocketed him to the top of his field. I was happy to see him in a role where I didn't feel I wanted to hate him. His role in "Cheese in the Trap" overshadowed how I felt about the actor so I was happy to see him in a role where he was a "good guy." The chemistry between the leads built slowly and realistically and they were a very believable couple. I liked that his character developed from being very self centered and selfish to what his core really was all about which was a more caring and thoughtful person. Other characters commented on the change and his character growth and it added to the compelling nature of such an unveiling of who someone really is under all the facade they put up. His ghost employees each had their own unique backstory, talents, and their relationship with the leads and each other made for a very heartwarming element. I highly recommend this for anyone that wants a unique and compelling drama. If you like "Goblin", "Bring it On Ghost", and "Tunnel" to name a few you will like this one as it has elements of all of those.

Spoilers* This one truly kept you going all the way to the last episode where there was still action happening and things going down. That was both a good thing (it kept you interested throughout) and a bad thing (the wrap up felt rushed). There were a few things that detracted ever so slightly from the story and kept me from indicating it was perfect. When the Male Lead character (MLC) is stabbed when he has the evil spirit in his body he somehow lives. But it is never clear how or why he lives or how just being stabbed got rid of the evil spirit. When he is taken in by his former ghost employees and they are suddenly back but pretending to be reincarnated versions of themselves - it is never reveal)ed how or why they were able to come back and help the MLC. It seemed as though the ghosts could decide when they were ready to move on. That was different than others have portrayed and also inconsistent with how it was portrayed earlier in the series. It never sounded or seemed like it would be their decision when they wanted to leave. It could be that what gave them that flexibility was being under contract with the MLC but that was never laid out. The children in the end who the MLC and Female Lead Character (FLC) indicated were reincarnations of the ghosts, it never showed how that transpired. Their son was a surprise and they alluded to him being a reincarnation of the general but that was not further discussed so it made it a bit awkward. The fact that he was working as a traditional magician and learned from the ground up from his former nemesis was an interesting angle but, as always, I was disappointed he lost his her abilities. I did like that it showed he was a lot more caring toward his employees based on what learned from the ghosts. The FLC was a kick butt detective and I loved that about her. I liked the reincarnation angle and thought it was amusing when he lived through his past life and came out of his coma all mushy and I love you princess. I thought, when she was out for awhile at the end that her experience going back and experiencing her former life as the Princess might result in her talking to him and indicating she understood how he was feeling when he was so over the top with her. It was a bit inconsistent that the MLC went back to the past and interacted with the Princess and she wasn't more surprised about this time traveling visitor. She sort of accepted it and even expressed feelings for this future version of her current love.

#ShowtimeFromNow

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Fun Homage to the Classic Cross-Genre Complex Romcom, But Lacks Depth and Finesse

Good Things:

* The communication. For a largely tongue-in-cheek romcom, the leads actually sit down and talk things out at important junctures. They're not exactly good at it, but they try; and that counts for a lot in a Kdrama.
* The dog. Pets getting karmic closure was unexpected and delightful.
* The entourage. ML's ghost employees (and the itinerant guests) are practically a Greek chorus. Their running commentary on anything and everything runs the gamut from hilarious to poignant, and it's the highlight of the show.

So-So Things:

* The hasty closure. The plot has a lot of loose ends to deal with, and the overall wrap-up is satisfying but trite.
* The octave change. Despite the horror/supernatural revenge murder mystery main plot, it's very slapstick until things start getting serious around midway and the shift in the characters and story is jarring.
* The red flag SML. There's a love triangle, and he's a great big 'yikes' of a character.

Bad Things:

* The derivative story. If you've seen Mystic Pop Up Bar, a lot of the narrative elements are going to be very familiar. Which is iffy, because MPUB is an adaptation of a webtoon and the similarity skirts the line between imitative flattery and outright knock-off.
* The episodic vs arching narrative. Both are rough around the edges, and it doesn't quite successfully pull off smoothly integrating them even with the help of an extended flashback.

It's a homage to the complex, cross-genre romcom plots of the mid 2010s. FNOS! doesn't have the same depth as those older dramas, but it's still an enjoyable, nostalgic romp in the medium. Recommended if you enjoyed other karmic supernatural episodic mysteries like Hotel Del Luna / May I Help You? / MPUB, prefer comedies with a serious undertone or fun, frenetic stories with a little bit of everything.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama " From Now On, Showtime! " is a drama with an interesting theme.

The drama has some pretty interesting characters. The female lead is enjoyable and quite different from the other FM out there, although, towards the ending, she got watered down. The ghosts, in addition, were those who stole the show and their comedy acts were spot on.

The rest of the drama had its moments, with a smooth mystery case and an interesting new world of ghost to be discovered. However, it got boring as it went on. The male lead was too predictable as well. Those silly final scenes were just okay as well.

The performances, on the other hand, were enjoable by everyone in the cast. The CGI were great as well.

So, overall, six out of ten.

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Assista, vale muito a pena!

Avaliação Geral:

Confesso que tentei assistir esse dorama várias vezes e não passava do primeiro episódio, mas via tantos comentários positivos que insisti em assistí-lo.

Realmente o primeiro episódio não é muito legal, não te prende, mas esse dorama é uma caixa de surpresas, ele melhora a cada episódio e melhora muito, quanto mais próximo de acabar melhor ele vai ficando, tanto que você pensa "nossa que dorama bom como não assisti isso antes?".

Atores/atrizes:
Sobre os atores, você se apaixona por cada um deles, os principais são maravilhosos e os secundários também.

História:

A história é muito bem montada, até os flashbacks do passado se encaixa perfeitamente com tempo e a história do dorama, e em nenhum momento você perde o interesse na história ou ela fica cansativa.

Final:

E o final gente?, que final maravilhoso, aquele final que te faz suspirar, foi lindo esse dorama e sigo completamente apaixonada por ele!

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epic, heart warming and beautiful series ❤️

Literally speechless. The best kdrama of all time. It was truly amazing. I mean the storyline and the cast were incredible. I really liked her puppy face. In EP 12, I couldn’t hold my tears when both of them died on their past lives. EP 15, was quite heartbreaking since the 3 of his employees leaving. The storyline is so good. Because, when their past lives was linking with current time, the flow of whole series just started turning into another level. Also, I didn’t skip this at all. You see a lot of kdrama needs skipping but I think you won’t need. Suggestion to fans, don’t skip this drama. You must watch ❤️.

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definitely worth watching

although the story may be pretty cliche it was executed well. the whole historical aspect was for sure really needed. there were cringy parts that made me close my eyes from embarrassment but all the characters were really charming especially the three ghosts. the chemistry between main leads was good enough in my opinion and it definitely made sense for a slower pace romance since FL was in love w someone else.

I think that the casting was great and I genuinely loved most characters but also truly hated the antagonists of the story.

The osts were really fun and nice to hear however not something I'd add in my playlist like w other osts.

I rarely if ever rewatch kdramas but I do think that I'd watch this one after a few years.

It isn't a perfect kdrama but from what I heard it had low budget and no promotion however didn't seem like a low quality show. it's a great watch while doing something else maybe you won't be glued to the screen but u'll surely pause what you're doing to watch some scenes or even replay them.

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Bit too laboured

Jan 2024

Overall a fairly enjoyable watch, although it took me quite a long time to complete.  I couldn't binge-watch this.

I liked most of the cast and am a fan of Park Hae-jin, although I find he often carries the dramas he appears in. I like his action stuff more and this isn't the best thing he's done.

The pace, or just the writing perhaps, was pretty laboured for me, with certain scenes from the past being replayed too often.

I do really like the idea of this story, I just wish it had been better executed.

Unfortunately, the modern day lead female character, I found really irritating; the way she spoke (often too loudly), too brash at times and overly headstrong; Jin Ki-Joo also seemed to me to be kind of ungainly at times, in her portrayal.  Weirdly, she suited and played the dual role much better, which therefore means it may well be the Director's fault.  Her chemistry with PHJ, however, was just 'off' somehow, to me.

Some overly silly parts to this, but also a few genuinely funny, also gripping and quite sad scenes, too. However, I did find it ridiculous when characters known to their colleagues/friends, started behaving totally out of character and no one seemed to notice enough to do anything about it.

Not one I'd want to watch again, but I don't regret having given it a go; even if only to see PHJ on screen!

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Because Romeo and Juliet failed to unite

The rating at the beginning of the episode, which was 2.8% and closed at 4.2% at the end, indicates that the Korean drama: From Now On Showtime is not that bad.

I suspect that the audience survived until the final episode because this drama is played by Park Hae-Jin and Jin Ki-Joo. Both of them never fail to amaze the audience.

Acting as a magician Cha Cha-Woong who is self-proclaimed, cool and arrogant, Park Hae-Jin's acting turns ridiculous when he falls in love with police officer Go Seul-Hae (Jin Ki-Joo). Acting that makes the audience like a roller coaster, between excited and wanting to laugh.

Likewise, the acting of older actors, the majority of whom are subscribed to, plays supporting roles.

Added to this is the strong chemistry between Park Hae-Jin and Jin Ki-Joo, which is why the Korean drama rating: From Now On Showtime doesn't sink to the bottom.

The idea of the story is very ordinary, not even coherent and too wide. Maybe it would be more comfortable if the scenario writer focused on telling the story of the couple Park Hae-Jin and Jin Ki-Joo, before and after reincarnation, including when the couple had to solve cases at the police.

No need to peel off the story of the ghosts. Especially the addition of Choi Geom's ghost, who in the past played the role of the princess' bodyguard. What the writer-nim wanted, Choi Geom was ridiculous and funny, but the result was annoying.

Likewise, the scene from 2,000 years ago feels far-fetched. Plus minus the cinematography that isn't as good as other Korean dramas, and the music that isn't fun, it's completely boring watching Korean dramas: From Now On Showtime.

However, if you are a fan of Park Hae-Jin and Jin Ki-Joo, please watch the Korean drama: From Now On Showtime. Because as I have written above, the acting of the two of them makes me excited! ???

then read my review on:
https://www.maria-g-soemitro.com/2022/11/from-now-on-showtime-review-romeo-juliet.html

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This drama has its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros: interesting concept, interesting characters headed by ML and the General, great secondary characters (ghosts) and a really funny sense of humor (at times). This is currently the only drama that piques my interest and I look forward to each episode with excitement. I have real fun watching it.
Cons: The reincarnation theme (watching it I feel like I'm listening to a broken record), scenes that just have to be in every k-drama (I'm really sick of them), a villain that doesn't smell like danger or horror at all despite doing very bad things. You just don't feel the atmosphere.
But overall this drama is great fun just sometimes boring :)

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Overall Drama is 95% Romantic Comedy, 5% Has A Bit Dark Story Plot

If you can get through the first 4 episodes, then I think you might like this, especially if you enjoy watching romantic comedies. The lead characters, Cha Woong & Seul Hae, do have an annoying aspect to them in the beginning but it wasn't to the point where I would get very frustrated with them. They both are very funny in this drama. Adding more comedic relief are the 3 ghost employees and then the Advisor, Mr. Choi.

Romance wise, there is a love triangle. It's a pretty tamed love triangle. Nothing too crazy until the darker sections of the drama occurs. That's where it kinda gets creepy & scary briefly. There is a 2nd couple in this drama as well. Both couples do have their cute & romantic moments with each other.

The overall plot idea was a great idea. How the writers and the directing of the drama went? Well, it could've been better. They definitely stalled the plot for too long, showing a ton of comedy (which I enjoyed) but not really progressing the plot. This made our characters seemed oblivious to what was going on for many episodes and allow for the evil spirit to get away with many things. Even towards the final episode, it was very messy as the characters still didn't know who the evil spirit possessed. The final battle with the evil spirit should've been longer and more detailed but was mediocre and anti-climactic. I mean we don't even see the last suffering & pain of the evil spirit as he stabs. We just see a black aura disappears. I'm kind of frustrated of this after all the people this evil spirit ended up murdering. Some positives on the last episode, the last 20 mins of Ep 16 outweigh the rest of the episode. This is why I give story a 3.5/5 stars

It's a drama that will make you laugh overall but just some flaws with the plot progression and the last few episodes. I think most will still enjoy it overall.

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