Well-paced, but just okay

Objectively I think this was a well-written drama. The mystery subplots were interwoven well with the main story, and I liked how they gradually added more characters to their party.

However, I did find it difficult to connect with the main characters and was very confused about the story until many episodes in; I do want to say that a caveat is that I haven't really watched historical/costume/wuxia/xianxia dramas so the language was something I wasn't that used to.

In terms of romance, the main one was decent, particularly because I enjoyed the FL's strong, no-nonsense personality. The secondary romance was less enjoyable though — the SFL's motivations and emotions were kind of unclear throughout, and overall the dynamic just felt uneven. I didn't really want them together and didn't really understand when development took place.

It's really the bromance that stands out in this show. The relationship between Jian Buzhi and Zhao Wohuan has its ups and downs but it's clear how much they grow to care for each other and it's really great to see that the unconditional trust they have in each other.

Another thing was I wish there were higher stakes. Sometimes it felt like the deaths didn't hit hard enough, or there wasn't a feeling of real danger for the leads.

Nevertheless, ultimately, I do think this was a decent drama — but someone who enjoys wuxia might enjoy this better than me.

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Disjointed from the drama, but has the best moments

This definitely feels like a TV movie and I have very mixed emotions on it.

Just to get it out of the way, I don't think this HAD to be a movie — it could've been added as a few more episodes for Liar Game 2 and the story might've been better for it, as I'm not sure the story or game was mind-blowing enough to warrant its own film.

The first thing that I didn't like was that some of this felt disjointed from the drama. I'm not sure if I missed something, but characters who had gone through development in the show backslid or completely felt like different people. I felt like some of the character relationships that grew on me were lost, or some scenes felt random.

The best part for me, however, is what we saw between Nao and Akiyama. Yes, some scenes were still disjointed and I felt like I missed something, but my absolute favorite scene between them out of the ENTIRE two seasons takes place in this movie. It is probably the clearest depiction of how much they mean to each other, and for once I really felt like the stakes were high.

Other than that, the ending is satisfying (albeit a little confusing where I felt like some dialogue just missed the point of everything), the editing is still very campy and hilarious, and I think the game was one of my better liked ones.

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Still intriguing, but a little confusing and repetitive

I'm giving this the same rating as the first part. To start, I'm a huge fan of films and shows about high-stakes games, and this was no different.

A lot of the things I said for Season 1 still apply: This is a little cliche in terms of its characters: the ML is smart and cold, while the FL is bright but naive. With that being said, I really think the drama could have focused more on character backstory and growth. While I liked the contrast between the leads, the ML was the most interesting character of all, while the FL felt like she was there as a plot device, just for his character development, to get him and all the side characters to open up. To add, I still don't fundamentally agree with some of the messaging here; Nao really feels naive and trusting to a fault, and it felt more frustrating than inspiring.

Where my review differs from the first part is on the games. I liked the ones in S1 that were more simple and psychological, and while the ones in this part also had the psychological "lying" aspect, some of the games got way too confusing and I found myself not really using my brain as much as I would've liked. It was hard to follow and you could really only just sit back and watch things play out.

I also noticed that some of the games were very similar to those in part 1 — it felt kind of repetitive to watch the same games again, even with different characters.

Sidenote, again: the editing is still SUPER dramatic and it's still hilarious.

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A Good Start, An Intriguing ML

I'm a huge fan of films and shows about high-stakes games, and this was no different.

It is a little cliche in terms of its characters: the ML is smart and cold, while the FL is bright but naive. With that being said, I really think the drama could have focused more on character backstory and growth. While I liked the contrast between the leads, the ML was the most interesting character of all, while the FL felt like she was there as a plot device, just for his character development, to get him and all the side characters to open up.

And to be honest, I just don't fundamentally agree with some of the messaging here; Nao really feels naive and trusting to a fault, and it felt more frustrating than inspiring.

Still, I liked watching the games, particularly the earlier ones that were more simple and psychological. I love thinking through my own potential solutions and it was actually possible to do that at the start, whereas the later games got more confusing with a lot of rules and loopholes. If you're like me and like being able to treat shows like puzzles, this show is good for that at the start but starts diverging from it. Overall, it became a show where I would just sit back and watch things play out.

Sidenote: the editing is SUPER dramatic and it's kind of funny sometimes.

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Great chemistry, odd pace

Review is for WBL Special Edition: I wish so much that this drama was longer because the pace was way too fast and all I kept thinking was that I loved the chemistry and I loved the main leads together and wanted the development of enemies-to-lovers to be more slow. I probably could've done without the side characters getting so much screentime, and even more without the string of misunderstandings at the end (even though I know the drama is setting up a season 2). The chemistry is great, the OST is catchy, the acting is pretty good, and the dialogue is beautiful — sometimes it's just a little confusing how the characters got to where they were because we didn't have time to show the "in-between" moments.

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Great chemistry, odd pace

I wish so much that this drama was longer because the pace was way too fast and all I kept thinking was that I loved the chemistry and I loved the main leads together and wanted the development of enemies-to-lovers to be more slow. I probably could've done without the side characters getting so much screentime, and even more without the string of misunderstandings at the end (even though I know the drama is setting up a season 2). The chemistry is great, the OST is catchy, the acting is pretty good, and the dialogue is beautiful — sometimes it's just a little confusing how the characters got to where they were because we didn't have time to show the "in-between" moments.

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Mystery > Romance

I rarely find myself preferring the thriller to the romance in a thriller romance, but that was definitely the case here. So it was kind of a shame that this drama only really doubled down on the main mystery plot in the last few episodes, which turned out to be my favorite.

I really didn’t connect to the romance for multiple reasons, the first one being that the main female lead was possessed by someone else for much of it. I found myself constantly questioning who the ML was really falling for and when it was all reasoned at the end into “it was her all along,” it didn’t really feel earned. Other than that, the chemistry between the leads wasn’t really there and it felt like there was a large age gap (or at least maturity gap) between the leads.

My main issue with the romance and general plot, though, happens during those moments of possession. The second female lead (the ghost) thinks the reason she can’t pass on is because she died a virgin, and so she spends all of her screen time trying to sleep with the ML by touching him, climbing into his bed, etc. It’s really uncomfortable to watch, especially since all of it is just played off for laughs. I don’t think this aspect added anything to the story either — she could’ve very well thought she had another grudge and still made her personality loud and bubbly so that the ML would notice her acting different.

If they had spent less time with the romance, we could’ve really gotten more time expanding on the mystery, which was the most interesting part. The unearthing of the backstory is satisfying, but I wish we got more reactions from other characters, or some explanation about character motivations and plot developments.

Still, this is pretty light-hearted and fun watch. It feels like another 2010s drama classic, for sure.

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Typical but fun

This is pretty much as cliche as you could get but it was still a pretty fun watch. My favorite part of this is the reversal of the typical roles — the girl is headstrong and popular, the guy is quiet and shy. It was really refreshing and the chemistry was there for sure.

I really wish the plot was more down-to-earth because the second half devolved into more tropes; the evil second female lead trope is really outdated, and the stalker trope also seems randomly dramatic.

Other than that, it was fun and it was cool to see the references to Best Mistake too.

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Like a warm hug

Add this to the list of dramas that make me want to move to the countryside and run a little bookstore.

I loved almost everything about this drama. The yearning of the main couple is impeccable, the warmth of the bookstore and the town was so comforting, and I grew to love all the side characters as well, from the family members to the book club. The show handles darker and heavier topics of domestic violence and familial issues relatively well.

With that being said, this drama still fell victim to the episode 15 curse. The last minute separation trope is one of my least favorite plot devices of all time and this drama is an example of why. The plot started falling apart with the characters' (particularly the female lead's) decision-making around those heavier topics, and the time jump felt underdeveloped and unnecessary.

Still, this was an amazing watch; I know some people complained that it was too slow but it was perfect for me. It's one of the dramas you watch wrapped up in a blanket with a cup of hot tea, and you just let it warm you up.

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Adorable, wish it was longer

This was adorable and I loved the bright vibe of the entire film — it really looks and feels like a manga come to life. The friendships were really beautiful to see and the romance was pretty cute. Sometimes it's a little cringy but overall it was actually refreshing that there weren't any terrible villains in the entire film.

This is a film I think would even be better as a drama or even an anime simply because my favorite parts were when everyone was spending time together and I wanted more of it. There are also these "transition" moments that I think were missing — sometimes the development of character relationships or times just felt a little jumpy and sudden. A longer runtime could've helped develop the main conflict more too because I felt like the lessons and growth were so rich.

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Healthiest relationship ever

There is so much to love about this, but I think my favorite part is hands down the relationship between the two leads. It was just so comforting from beginning to end. As a child the FL showed the ML warmth and he protected her, and throughout thick and thin she never ONCE blamed him for what his father did; the communication between them was great and the fact that his father murdered her parents and still break-up trope stood NO CHANCE against them...it was just insanely refreshing to see a couple like this in drama-land.

I do think plot left a little bit more to be desired. I absolutely loved the serial killer father and the tension it instilled through the series, but there were some subplots and character arcs I think went in different directions. The reporters and public eye was something I thought would play a bigger role — instead the characters involved seem to simply teeter on the line between irrelevant and annoying.

I also want to give a shout out to Kim Kyung Nam as Yoon Hyun Moo, the ML's brother. I'm always a sucker for morally gray characters and I think it was not only written perfectly (even more heart-wrenching than the leads' story) but the actor did an amazing job at pulling off conflicting emotions. He was possibly my favorite character and I also wish we got more of him.

Overall, I wish this drama pushed the limits a bit more and upped the stakes, but the main leads are still amazing and I love them for subverting all the bad tropes. Would recommend this drama for sure.

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KAZEHAYA THE ULTIMATE GREEN FLAG I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL

Wow. This movie was such a pleasant surprise. I have to admit that I watched most of it with bated breath and I really shouldn't have because all my nervousness was self-inflicted; all those Asian dramas and cliches had trained me to recognize all my most hated tropes: evil second female leads, misunderstandings...and it turned out that this movie didn't have any of those stupid issues.

This movie actually wasn't dramatic at all — it's really just a heart-warming, adorable story about a shy girl who comes into herself, makes friends, and happens to fall in love along the way. There are no evil villains, the side characters are kind-hearted and fantastic, and the development just felt natural; I kept thinking that if this was a full-length drama we could've gotten even more time dedicated to character development and the forming of friendships (meaning I'll probably be watching the anime soon).

Speaking of which, the way they emphasized friendships in this was so refreshing as well. One of my pet peeves is when romance is treated as this "personality fixer" and I absolutely loved that it was friendships that started to bring her out of her shell and not a crush.

Honestly, Sawako as a main character is still much too suppressed and shy for me; I don't really relate to her and at times her social interactions and decision-making got very frustrating, but ultimately I understand it and the way she started standing up for herself and communicating was delightful to watch. She's quiet but not weak by any means.

And now...my favorite part of the entire film. KAZEHAYA. I loved his character so much; this is one of the moments where I wish we got more about his backstory or development but at the same time I don't even mind that we didn't because it was perfect the way it was. The way he not only treated the FL kindly in secret but also openly stood up for her and spent time with her...he was so respectful and it was beautiful to see the part he played in Sawako's story.

Anyways — adorable movie, I suggest watching this film with a light heart and optimism.

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College sweethearts against the world

I had been a little nervous going into this as I very rarely enjoy dramas with two timelines — usually the huge trigger event just feels so unnecessary and avoidable with some communication, and the part that comes after is so chock full of angst and uneven knowledge.

That wasn't the case for this drama at all; of course there were things that happened but I felt like all the development was very in line with who the characters were and I especially loved the female lead, who was perfectly written as someone who grew up pretty sheltered and protected but started to come out of her bubble and have her own opinions and dreams. Even when she was left out of plans there was this element of trust and insightfulness that she had that prevented the sort of frustrating misunderstanding I usually hate seeing.

The chemistry between the leads was top-notch and was hands down one of the best part of the show; the banter was hilarious, the tension before they got together was great, and overall they were just so natural with each other they were one of the few couples that I didn't lose interest in after they got together.

The OST fits the scenes perfectly and I think this has quickly become one of my favorite dramas of 2022.

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