SBS Takes a Page out of TvN's Book of Boring Fantasy Dramas
TBH, I'm really sad to be negative about this show since I was so excited, but I will still be fair!*Storyline: 5/10*
To be honest, this show was too good to be true. I initially thought it was a TvN show, a s it has a very similar style of fantasy dramas that TvN has been pushing for two-ish years. An inhuman man and a human woman, check. Forced proximity and enemies/bickering partners to lovers, check. It is kind of reminscient of Tale of the Nine Tailed Fox, which if you liked that I think you won't mind this one.
The only thing is the storyline itself is quite weak. Without boring you, here's my three issues with the plot:
1. No real structure to the magical world: We learn the ML is a demon, but we are never really told how demons are made or if there are others that are stronger/weaker than the ML. We also don't know about the limitations of the ML's powers, only that his magical tattoo somehow ends up on her, and without her, he's essentially like a human. But that is sloppy because if not having the tattoo makes him human, shouldn't her HAVING the tattoo give her some unique powers or advantages?
2. Dilly-dallying: The ML and FL only tolerate each other in the beginning because they each need something from the other. But we never see the ML consistently work towards getting his powers back, nor do we see the FL consistently work towards dealing with the bad guys. They essentially just talk about their problems and do nothing, and then sprinkle in random kissing to distract us from the fact that literally nothing happens. At ALL.
3. Poorly written characters: I really think the writers just gave the main actors a single piece of paper each and told them to do their best at this point y'all. For the ML: Bad Boy Demon. For the FL: Helpless Damsel. That's it. Neither the ML or FL have any real ambitions/desires nor any tangible relationships with the people around them. For example, we know the ML has his human companions, but we never really see that he cares about them--which he must, since he keeps them around. And for the FL, she has the second male lead, and they are both apparently super close--but we never know why they're close in the first place, nor do we ever see any of their memories together. (I will say I do love the side characters though, like FL's secretary and Madam Ju, as well as ML's male butler--they are funny and cute but also very surface level.)
*Acting/Cast: 7/10*
To be honest, I always feel bad writing this section of my reviews because it really isn't the actors' fault that the script is so weak and half-baked.
For Song Kang, I've only ever seen him in Nevertheless but I didn't love the vibe of that show so TBH this is the only real show I've seen him in. He does his best in a flimsily written role--trying to make the demon character look more serious and intimidating, and yet simultaenously cute and charming in comedic and romantic scenes. His expressions are definitely a bit boring sometimes, especially in scenes when he's trying to be cute. I do know Song Kang is known for his thriller shows, so maybe he just feels a bit out of his element in a rom-com and might be 100x better showing darker emotions. Overall, it's a valiant effort, but I agree with other critics who say an older actor would've been able to sell the demon act better, at least in the beginning when he's supposed to be a bit intimidating.
For Kim You-Jung, I watched her a bit in Backstreet Rookie and Love in the Moonlight, but I didn't like the strange young-girl-and-adult-man relationships in both series, so like Song Kang, this is also the first project of her's I've seen almost to the end. If I'm not mistaken, she is a child star, and although I hate to admit it, I can feel the energy in her work in this show. Her acting is a bit jolted, not as smooth and seamless as someone who started acting later might be. I'm sure it has to do with the more immature roles she played in the past, but she's not my cup of tea. No hate of course, and I respect her efforts and her long-standing career. I would love to see her act in a more serious role in the future, though, with some smoother acting--I think she would kill it.
Music: 6.5/10
I've said this in other reviews, but I'm not a big OST person, so I don't know enough to give you a proper critique of this show's OST. That being said, I thought the background music was pleasant and easy to hear. 6.5/10.
Rewatch value: 4/10
Unfortunately, I just felt like this show lost its direction and was written very roughly. I think for people who regularly watch fantasy and rom-com K-dramas like myself, this one is a pass (I will still be finishing it though, since I have watched this far). For newcomers to K-dramas, it might not be too bad--or for those who just want a light show to breeze through over the holidays.
Overall: 5.5/10
*Once again, no hate to any actors/directors, just my opinion. Happy Holidays everyone! :) <3*
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Let's start with the good: 1) High production values, great costume design, attractive actors 2) Our immortal character is a more immature Puck/Peter Pan and loses his powers first episode - making this a more relationship of equals than other dramas.
Otherwise, this is just a bunch of ideas thrown into a script, with unfortunately little chemistry between the actors, little depth of character development or themes, and of course the ever-present serial killer storyline. There is no redemption to be found in the secondary characters or plots and the jokes/humor heavy handed.
This is a pitch or story concept with the director and writers desperately trying to stretch this out over 16 long episodes. At one point in the story, our main male lead gives a review 'boring all the way to the end.' I couldn't agree more.
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just a mixture of every other kdrama
Well well well wasn't this a big disappointment..Looking at the cast you definitely end up expecting a great kdrama that will keep u waiting every week and have a promising story line.....needless to say this was not the case....
It started of pretty good imo but midway it just got all haywire as they started putting so many different kdrama plots all at once (which does work in some places but unfortunately not here)
As another review said it's basically a mix of all fantasy kdramas specially goblin........like for god's sake they had to copy the iconic goblin disappearing in flames?! I mean as writers maybe u cud come up with smthn different or just rather make him die like a normal person or smthn....but to copy a very very famous drama is just dumb....like did they expect nobody to notice or did they expect ppl to love it?
Also the overall plot was just like all cliche dramas.....but cliches still work if u add at least one new element......this was just tooo generalised and predictable like the past life? guwon having a connection to do hee's parents' death? a psycho sfl who's idiocy and obsession they just forget and move on? the dramatic break up in episode 14? the contract marriage? the 'i hated you but now i love u? the unexplainable change in his powers ? it's just everything that's been done so many times..... The audience obviously demands something new with everything they watch and if u cannot deliver this maybe think of doing something else that will make you stand out instead of all these cliche plotlines and a 16 episode long series....
Istg they did not fail to include every damn scene or plotline that has been done millions of times....
Personally for me and this may be for others as well.... i really was looking forward to song kang and kim yoo jung together on screen as they are such amazing famous actors.....im sorry to say but i just couldn't love song kang in this one......his acting just seemed so unconvincing....he was great in some parts but tbh his acting in the romcom parts didn't really cut it for me......that being said....the chemistry was fairly good if not the best out there.....
Personally i think there were just too many issues with the plot and the writing for me to be able to enjoy this for what it was and not look at its shortcomings.....
So if ur planning to watch this i would not suggest it unless ur a first time kdrama watcher and totally unaware of those 100s of kdramas this one's a mixture of
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my demon - more like my goblin, my edward cullen, my succession
when you cast kim yoo jung and song kang, you hope to have a script to do them justice.on paper, the story of a contract marriage between the devil and an heiress, sounds amazing. in this drama however, the story was lost so much, that it was held together only by song kang and kim yoo jung's chemistry. and good outfits!
the murder plot, succession plot, business plot, etc. was so stupid that you can FF through all of it. the character arcs are mostly nonexistent. the story is a pure copy paste of goblin episodes 14-16 forward.
i've seen worse and am happy that the writer managed to put her 2 brain cells together to pull together somewhat of a happy ending, but GOD. you need better scripts @ recent kdramas! casting pretty leads is just not enough!!!
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It was boring some times
it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........it was boring some times........Cet avis était-il utile?
Io stavo amando questa storia. L'ho guardato quasi di filato fino all'ep 11 divorando tutto quello che mi stava dicendo. In un unico episodio (il 12esimo) è riuscito ad annoiarmi, farmi perdere la pazienza e il completo interesse che avevo. Non sono nemmeno riuscita a finirlo quest'episodio. Ogni volta che provavo a portarlo avanti mi veniva il rifiuto, il v*mito a continuarlo. Da qui la mia decisione di drop.
Di base concordo con tanti altri pareri, ovvero l'ennesima copia di goblin solo che qui non ci siamo limitati a prendere ispirazione. Qui ci sono tante, troppe cose in comune con tanti altri drama fantasy. Poi sto dannato passato in comune, ma PERCHè??!! Ancora?? Ma basta! Che palle!
Inoltre stiamo parlando di fantasy ma in verità non pare davvero così: per la maggior parte del tempo lui è umano e si comporta come tale, non sembra mai davvero un demone ma solo una povera anima persa bisognosa di un punto fermo che troverà in FL.
Facendo due conti mi sono resa conto che l'unica cosa che mi portava avanti era la chimica dei due protagonisti: potete dire di tutto sul drama ma non che questi non siano stati perfetti insieme.
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Shallow romance 101
I really didn't want to do this but I expected no less from a romance drama with Song Kang as the lead (cause I didn't like any of them so far). This drama really met my expectations...
...
as another bad romance drama of 2023.
And honestly , I've grown quite accustomed to it knowing that it's either me who don't like kdrama romance anymore or them who aren't able to fill the gaps of romance in their 'single' fan's hearts.
Well I kinda knew the type of romance they were going to show after watching the lack of chemistry between the leads being shoved to my face just from the trailer.
Uhm but.. I've got to give it to the visuals by the way, cause everything was just so beautiful . I mean the leads alone were breathtakingly beautiful and that's it ...or maybe I liked the comedy too but that's it..that's it nothing more.
Rest all of it looked really bleak to me. I could not feel the connection with leads, it was not gripping at all as I tried to skip through episodes. Forget the romance part but the entire plot alone was messed up by emotion lacking tropes and cliches.
All in all I think the show was really shallow to me and idk how the heck people are actually liking it, well good for them, anyway I'm not going to wait for the rest of the episodes as they are really predictable and I can't bear to see my eyes suffer. Well then I'll take my leave and hope you have a wonderful day ahead~
XOXO
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Sorry, I couldn't stand watching it anymore
Sorry.... But I dropped. It started getting cringey. tbh i don't know but sometimes dramas have that feel when it becomes more like a burden to keep watching them? i felt the same with king the land.idk.. it might be the overhype? don't get me wrong - i love the cast, but it seems like a drama that would be enjoyed by new kdrama viewers. so yeah, sorry fandom
but it felt the same for me for king the land and destined with you. and before you come to me saying i have no taste - hold up for a bit and remember everyone's taste is different and that is completely ok!
main reason i dropped: overhype & not really my taste
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My Demon
*AMAZING OUTFITS ALSO*It's an amazing show in -MY OPINION- the acting was good I love the storyline and the plot it was a mystery, a mix of emotions, and a lot more.
this show will have you with mixed emotions and it is sad too. the last episode was amazing it wrapped it all up. but I wanted also to see what happened to Jin Ga Young and that little girl.
their may be some slow parts and like obvious parts but in the end it was good.
some people may not agree with my but like I said its my OPINION.
Oh and the intro song is amazing like I got that song down for each episode and its stuck in my head.
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A Worthwhile Watch
My demon is a fantasy kdrama centered around a demon, Jeong Gu Won who looses his power to a young heiress, Do Do Hee (transfer of tattoo). In his quest to get back his tattoo, Gu Won becomes Do Hee's bodyguard and eventually marries her. The marriage is contract based and mutually beneficial. As he safeguards and protects Do Hee from life threatening attacks, Gu Won could monitor her and keep an eye on his tattoo which was on her wrist. Gradually, they develop romantic feelings for each other.The storyline is thorough and interesting. The drama captures the reality of being adopted into a powerful family. It is not all lovely and rosy especially when it has to do with properties. Also, the drama gives insight into the fact that Gu Won's encounter with Do Hee was fated. They actually had a past life together as YiSun and Wolshim and were lovers. Additionally, I liked how the drama provided a back story on the series of events that led into Gu Won becoming a demon. It was impressive.
The drama has powerful and engaging scenes that would keep you hooked. The highlight and centerpiece of the drama is the tango scene. That iconic dance scene will surely go down in kdrama history. Everything about the scene was just pleasant to watch.
One of the distinct features of this drama is its wonderful cast, whose performances keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Each actor nailed their respective roles.
The chemistry between the leads, Jeong Gu Won (Song Kang) and Do Do Hee (Kim Yoo Jung) was sizzling. They showcased a convincing act of young love that is passionate and beautiful. This makes viewers' hearts flutter.
The OSTs were great and I loved all of them especially the introduction song; True by Yoari.
A point of criticism for me has to do with the love triangle. For a couple who were already doomed due to their piteous fate, the love triangle wasn't necessary. It was great that it ended quickly giving DoHee and GuWon the chance to love themselves as much as time would allow.
Another point of criticism has to do with the scene where Gu Won disappeared. That scene looked so much like a scene in Goblin. There are a lot of creative and artistic choices she could have made use of but she chose to do the exact same thing to the extent that it was the same clothing color. It looked as though she copied the scene vividly from the other drama. That was really disappointing.
Nonetheless, I found the drama interesting and worthwhile.
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THE CHEMISTRY !!!!!!!!!!!! [insert flame emojis]
Definitely worth the watch. Worth the hype. One of the best dramas of 2023.Came for the visuals of the leads and stayed for their CHEMISTRY. Great fake dating to lovers trope. Strong female CEO.
Storyline was good too. A little predictable in parts but nevertheless an entertaining watch from start to finish.
Side note: the gangsters are hilarious and provide great comedic relief. All their scenes had me in stitches. Koreans always do such a good job with comedy. LOVED THEM.
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if u wanted a angsty-female ceo x demon-contract marriage, this is not it. i went in excited with high expectations and i was very much disappointed.
this drama was very very similar to destined with you. the demon is not demonic at all, his powers are like his silly quirk. even though do-hee is a ceo, she doesn't do much work-related and her whole workplace is just a place for comedy
there were so many plot holes/things that did not make sense. like how is she super rich but has less security than common people. also the reasoning for gu-won to become a demon also is very weak, so is seok-min's intentions.
do-hee and gu-won were almost instantly attracted to each other and fell in love quickly, after that the plot was predictable. fan theories were more fun that the actual story
the cast did well, especially kim you-jung and song kang. their chemistry was great but that was it
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